The longer you live, the more advancements in technology you witness. When I first started in IT, I was in High School, and WiFi was just starting to take off in the residential with Wireless A, B, and eventually C. I remember my blue dual antenna Linksys like yesterday! Now that was an absolute amazing piece of hardware.
I’ve been at my IT job now, 8 years and High School was a long long time ago. Technology has enhanced and changed so much over the years and has been incorporated within my job to make things more accessible, no matter where you are. We’re able to access our remote tools from anywhere as well as the PC or Server that needs assistance as long as we have WiFi, Ethernet, or carrier data. The speeds of wireless and data now make it seamless and allows us to help out immediately instead of having to send someone on-site.
Before the pandemic, I worked in an office, but occasionally worked from home. All of my tools are online, so we are able to connect in from anywhere. During the pandemic, we were all sent home, sent company PC’s and peripherals, and set up to be full time. After the pandemic, I am still at home. It’s undeniable that having all of my tools online and being able to work remotely, should allow me to work from anywhere I want, as long as I am getting my job done. I’ve been home since March 2020, I’ve been one of the lucky ones who do not have to return to office.
If I could go back and tell my IT High School self about all of the advancements, I’d surely be shocked by everything. Smart Phones, working remotely, Cloud? These are huge advancements that really have changed how quickly we are able to get a business up and running or fix issues that are impacting their day to day.
Instead of spinning up physical servers, or setting up Exchange servers, everything is now set up in the cloud. Data, accounts, domains, environments, all stored and accessible in the cloud. This allows workers to use Remote Desktop, Citrix, or other Remote server applications to run their business. VPN’s have also become a huge priority since everyone is remote. You need a line of defense, no matter the device. Some companies even allow BYOD, Bring Your Own Device, and we can configure it to the companies needs.
I know I am generalizing here, but with so many things being virtual and in the cloud, the speeds of the hardware we are using to access those items have increased to levels I would never have thought of. Even using Artificial Intelligence to help support a business or find flaws in the system are being employed. It’s all mind bending to think about the past, Windows 98 se, Windows 2000, Windows XP! But when you live through it, it all seems so gradual that you almost don’t even notice.
I also know that my younger self would go absolutely crazy to see the Smart Technology I have in my home. Video Doorbell, wireless security cameras, thermostat that is accessible from anywhere, and lightbulbs you turn on with an App!
Now, to switch things up, Thrifty Investing would not exist without the advancements of technology. Smart Phones and Apps are the entire reason why this site exist. If I didn’t have these apps, where would I learn to invest, where would I get my foot in the door, and how expensive would it be?
If we didn’t have these apps, Public, SoFi, M1, Fundrise, Webull, where would we be for retail investors? Would we have to pay some broker large sums of money to buy and sell, making it almost impossible? What about decentralized money, Crypto. Where would it be without a smart phone to access the app to buy it?
I use these apps every day, whether I am buying, selling, adding to a position, dollar cost averaging, or checking news on my list of stocks. I don’t have my laptop with me all the time, no need to when I have it in my pocket. If we didn’t have that, I’d have to lug around my laptop, just to check the information I want to.
Googling anything is at your fingertips. Knowledge is at your fingertips. If you are interested and want to learn more about a subject, you just search and find information that helps build your knowledge. This is how I got started in investing.
I want to use these advancements and technology to create a better life for my family. Fintech has given myself a huge leg up in the investing world, allowing my family to participate in the game and hopefully create a more financially free and stable life!
How has technology changed your life or job?
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