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Return, Reclaim, Control: The Comedy and Conspiracy of Return To Office Mandates

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The discourse surrounding return to office requirements has taken center stage throughout the current global shift towards post-pandemic operations, exposing a complex terrain of motivations and ideologies. While some support going back to work because they believe it would improve company culture and in-person collaboration, others point to more subtle motivations, such as political aspirations to support electric vehicle policies and financial interests in corporate real estate. A key element that highlights the conflict between traditional supervision procedures and the increased freedom and flexibility of remote labor is the management's aspirations for command and control. This intricate interplay of variables highlights the difficulties and factors that businesses must take into account when navigating the return to work in a workplace that is changing quickly. Collaboration: A Double-E...

The Impact of Generative AI on Software Development: Where Does it Fit?

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The rise of generative AI in software development has sparked debates about the future role of human developers. Some argue that AI will eventually replace the need for human developers, while others believe that human creativity and critical thinking are irreplaceable. Given that we'll share what we are seeing and how that challenges the notion that AI will effectively replace software developers, emphasizing the risks of trusting AI-generated code and citizen developers managing such code. Generative AI, powered by machine learning algorithms, has shown remarkable capabilities in generating code, automating tedious tasks, and even creating entire applications. Proponents of AI in software development tout its ability to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and accelerate the development process. However, while AI can be a powerful tool in the hands of skilled developers, relying solely on AI-ge...

The Case for Overemployment: Standing Against Corporate Greed

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Unfortunately, the goal of profit frequently comes at the expense of employee well-being in the current corporate environment that focuses on greed instead of quality of life or perhaps "good profit" [1] . When companies focus on cost-cutting strategies like outsourcing and layoffs, workers are put in vulnerable positions and must deal with dwindling prospects for career advancement. As a result, some people are taking matters into their own hands and adopting the idea of "overemployment" [2] , in which they work more than one full-time job without telling their employers. The motivation behind overemployment stems from a desire to insulate oneself from the volatile nature of corporate decision-making. Despite healthy earnings, many organizations continue to enact reductions in force, leaving employees vulnerable to sudden job loss. By being overemployed, individuals create a ...

Case Study: Tubers - A Course Correction in ERP Implementation

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From time to time, we feel compelled to share our findings and insights to help other organizations avoid falling into the same traps that befell a snack food manufacturer called Tubers. Their journey through digital transformation serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of balancing short-term cost considerations with long-term value creation. By examining Tubers' challenges and the strategies implemented to overcome them, we aim to provide valuable lessons and best practices for organizations navigating similar transformational journeys. Tubers, a leading player in the salty snack industry primarily specializing in potato chips, faced a critical juncture when their aging AS400 accounting package became unsustainable. Recognizing the need for digital transformation, Tubers opted for a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365) implementation. However, the journey was...

Unleashing AI and ML in Database Services: A Call for Microsoft to Innovate

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The database landscape has witnessed a revolution driven by autonomous database technologies. Oracle, a pioneer in this space, has introduced the concept of a self-driving autonomous database that handles routine maintenance tasks, such as patching, upgrades, and tuning, without manual intervention. This innovation has not only enhanced operational efficiency but has also raised the bar for database management systems. In the midst of this revolution, Microsoft stands as a key player with its Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations suite, offering comprehensive solutions for businesses. However, to maintain its competitive edge and meet the evolving demands of the market, Microsoft must now turn its attention to incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) services into its database offerings. By integrating AI and ML capabilities into its database service, Microsoft can prov...