Ongoing professional development is fundamental to our culture at RedCloud - benefiting our consultants as they are exposed to the latest trends and technologies, as well as our clients, as there can be potential for cross-project enhancements. The more knowledgeable our entire team is about other capabilities at RedCloud, the more we can help our clients solve their biggest challenges.  To that end, recently, the RedCloud team came together for a Lunch and Learn session held in our Bellevue, Washington headquarters and online, focused on cybersecurity. With increasing threats to organizations, our Security Account Director, Lou Hazim, shared insights on how RedCloud helps businesses safeguard their data and ensure compliance with industry regulations. Key Offerings in Cybersecurity At RedCloud, we emphasize that data security is vital for maintaining trust in the digital age. Our main service areas include: Network Security : Protecting data integrity and confidentiality through firewalls, intrusion detection, and encryption. Information Security : Safeguarding sensitive data using techniques like data classification and loss prevention. Application Security : Defending software from vulnerabilities through secure coding practices and testing tools. Endpoint Security : Securing devices with antivirus software, detection solutions, and mobile device management. Information Security Testing : Protecting cloud-hosted data with identity and access management and encryption. Incident Response : Developing plans to handle breaches, conduct forensics, and implement recovery strategies. Benefits of Strong Cybersecurity We highlighted seven key benefits of a robust cybersecurity posture: Less Downtime : Early vulnerability detection reduces system outages. Financial Savings : Strong cybersecurity minimizes potential legal and financial losses. Threat Defense : Staying updated on evolving threats lowers risk exposure. Business Continuity : Enhanced security helps maintain operations and customer relationships. Digital Asset Protection : Safeguarding valuable information from theft. Reputation Maintenance : Prioritizing cybersecurity fosters customer trust. Regulatory Compliance : Meeting industry regulations helps avoid legal issues. This session underscored the dynamic nature of cybersecurity and RedCloud's commitment to helping organizations navigate this critical landscape. If you have questions or want to learn more about how our cybersecurity services can benefit your organization, please visit our Security Practice page , and reach out to our practice lead  for more information.

Getting the most out of Geospatial Power App Features with the help of Bing Maps and the wonders of U.S. National Parks! As developers, we always get excited when we work with certain capabilities and features during a project. Maps, routing, and geospatial features are certainly one of those! Believe it or not, Power Apps has a robust set of built-in features that allow for working with and visualizing location data such as addresses and coordinates. Here is a fun example of geospatial Power App features based on U.S. National Parks. And if you’re really interested, a copy of the app is available below. About the App This simple Power App has a few very cool features baked into it, which we’ll discuss in more detail below. But put yourself in this situation: You have a desperate desire to get outside and see nature and realize that you spent $85 on an annual national parks pass that is going to expire in a month, so you need to get your money’s worth! That’s where this app saves the day. Based on either your current location or a specific address, you can then see all national parks in order of how far they are from you! But perhaps you also want to see some specific type of natural wonder or filter down to a specific state. From there, just select the parks that you want to visit, and Power Apps will work with Bing Maps to automatically order the destinations using the most efficient route. From there, you can see how long of a journey you have ahead of you in terms of both miles and drive time. Tying it to Business Now, admittedly, the business value for most companies and users is low (hence why you can download the app for free below 😊). However, the same principles and geospatial features can be extremely valuable in other scenarios. For example: Delivery routing and other supply chain logistics Finding nearest locations Field service optimization Field data collection and inspections Sales territory management Facilities management Real estate and property management Environmental compliance And guess what? Our team would love to help bring these capabilities to life for you! Digging into Features Sorting By Distance You can use relatively simple math to sort coordinates by distance from a point. Unfortunately, there’s not an out-of-the-box feature in Power Apps, but with new, user-defined formulas and functions, we can make one ourselves! DistanceBetweenCoordinates ( Latitude1:Number ,  Longitude1:Number ,  Latitude2:Number ,  Longitude2:Number ) :Number =     With (         {             earthRadius: 6371 ,             radianFactor: ( Pi ()   /   180 )         },         ( 2    earthRadius )               Asin ( Sqrt ( 0.5  - Cos (( Latitude1 - Latitude2 )    radianFactor )/ 2   +   Cos ( Latitude2  radianFactor )   *             Cos ( Latitude1  radianFactor )     ( 1  - Cos (( Longitude1 - Longitude2 )    radianFactor ))   /   2 ))     0.62137119     ) ; By creating the function under the App’s Formulas, we can now use it everywhere in the app where we want to compare coordinates. Bing Maps With the Bing Maps component, you can quickly see how useful it can be if you’re running an operation that involves driving to multiple stops. As we did in the demo, multiple destinations were selected and entered into waypoints. Then, the map automatically optimized the route to find the best one. Even better, you get details for each leg of the journey, which is how we were able to aggregate to show the total time and distance. Address Bar The address input bar may be something we take for granted in our everyday lives due to the prevalence of Google or Apple Maps, but often, in the business world, you require entering address information for a customer, a store, or a delivery. The address bar greatly increases the user experience by validating/searching for the address as you type. From there, the street, city, state, and zip code information can be saved more reliably. Hopefully, this fun demo inspires you to think of ways that the Power Platform’s geospatial features can make your organization run more efficiently. If you’re interested in trying the app yourself, the zip file is available below. Of course, we’d like nothing more than to help you with your Power Platform needs. We’re flexible and easy to work with, so please reach out!

At RedCloud, we are dedicated to empowering students through education and fostering a brighter future for the communities in which we work and live. It is with immense joy and excitement that we announce the recipient of our 2024 RedCloud Annual Scholarship Award, Mercer Island High School senior Le’Asia Lane. We were honored to present Le’Asia with a renewable, $5,000 per year scholarship, alongside our long-time friend and partner, Rick Rizzs, the voice of the Seattle Mariners and founder of Seattle Toys for Kids. Le’Asia's Bright Future To be considered for the scholarship, Le’Asia submitted a heartfelt essay answering the question, “How does continuing your education make you smile every day?” In her essay, she eloquently articulated how the pursuit of knowledge brings her joy and fulfillment. Her words reflect her desire to impact the world positively and highlight her determination to make a difference. Le’Asia has a wide array of interests and hopes to study either art, psychology, or environmental science in college. Each of these fields reflects her passion for understanding and contributing to the world around her—whether through creativity, exploring the human mind, or advocating for the environment. We are excited to see how she will combine her passions in her future studies and beyond. See a short video  from Mercer Island High School of the scholarship award presentation. A New Chapter in Our Scholarship Program This year marks a significant milestone for RedCloud as we introduce a renewing four-year scholarship for the winner of our annual award. Starting with Le’Asia, we aim to provide continued financial support and encouragement for our scholarship recipients as they embark on their educational journeys. This change reflects our commitment to fostering long-term success for the talented students we support. RedCloud’s Commitment to Education Over the years, RedCloud has proudly invested in the futures of exceptional students like Le’Asia. Our scholarship program has distributed more than $30,000 in awards, empowering young minds to pursue their educational dreams. Le’Asia’s scholarship further solidifies our mission to promote academic excellence and positively impact our communities. She now joins a distinguished group of scholarship alumni who have gone on to achieve remarkable success. Their stories serve as inspiring examples of the transformative power of education, and we invite you to explore the journeys of past recipients Alan , Madeline , Desmond , Emma , Madison , and Ana . At RedCloud, we are incredibly proud to support talented individuals like Le’Asia Lane, who remind us of the immense potential within every student. We congratulate her on this well-deserved scholarship and look forward to witnessing her continued success and contributions to her community. Together, let us celebrate the transformative power of education!

Sales Awards & Recognition Tool Integration data with bulk email functionalities THE CHALLENGE The client was responsible for ensuring Awards & Recognition were given to a large global team of account and relationship managers. There were multiple rewards with varying eligibility criteria, which had to be evaluated against the results found in a bi-annual Customer Satisfaction Survey. Once eligibility for the Award is confirmed, the current state process for Account Executives is to fetch an email template and custom imagery and adapt the template's text for each individual into a personalized email. The result was a process wrought with inefficiencies and delays in acknowledging and awarding top performers. THE SOLUTION To overcome these challenges, the RedCloud team designed a robust Power Platform solution. This comprehensive solution, built with Power Automate, Power BI, Dataflows, and Power Apps, automates Customer Satisfaction Survey data evaluation to determine award eligibility. It then generates a batch of personalized Award emails for review and refinement by Account Executives before sending. The solution is flexible, allowing for the addition of new Awards Programs and criteria, and includes features to design new email templates and upload new imagery. If the Customer Satisfaction Survey data is ever not updated or available, the Solution also features a process to manually ingest data indicating who should be eligible to receive an Award. This flexibility allows the tool’s value to extend beyond its initial purpose, encouraging adoption without additional development work. Lastly, our Solution includes embedded Power BI Reports to provide insights into award eligibility and track awards throughout the fiscal year. THE RESULTS By consolidating the manual steps into a single, user-friendly platform, we significantly improved operational efficiency and reduced the time spent on manual data analysis and email preparation. The automated batch processing of Award emails ensures timely recognition of top performers across a global team. The customizable email templates and Award criteria allow for tailored recognition programs that cater to the changing priorities of different geographies. The manual award and kudos-sending features broaden the tool's appeal for adoption across new areas of the enterprise. The Power BI reports provide real-time visibility into Award eligibility and track the status of the Emails being sent. Overall, the solution has streamlined operations and contributed to a significant improvement in team engagement and performance.

If you haven’t experienced it yet, Microsoft Copilot is revolutionizing the way we work by integrating AI-powered assistance into your favorite Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel and Outlook. This short, informative (and, dare we say fun!) tutorial will guide you through using Microsoft Copilot effectively in your work environment, helping you boost productivity and streamline your daily tasks. Getting Started with Microsoft Copilot Availability: Microsoft Copilot is available in various Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Ensure your organization has the necessary licenses and that Copilot is enabled for your account. Accessing Copilot: In most applications, you can access Copilot through a sidebar or a dedicated button. Look for the Copilot icon or option in the ribbon menu. Basic Usage: Here's how to start using Copilot in different applications: Word: Use Copilot to draft, edit, or summarize content. Ask it to rewrite paragraphs or generate ideas. Excel: Ask Copilot to analyze data, create formulas, or explain trends in your spreadsheets. PowerPoint: Generate slide ideas, create outlines, or suggest design improvements. Outlook: Draft emails, summarize long threads, or suggest meeting times based on your calendar. Teams: Summarize meetings, create action items, or get context on project discussions. Copilot in Specific Work Scenarios Report Writing: Use Copilot in Word to help structure your reports, generate summaries, and even suggest data visualizations. Financial Analysis: In Excel, Copilot can assist with complex calculations, trend analysis, and creating financial models. Presentation Creation: Let Copilot in PowerPoint help you brainstorm ideas, create slide outlines, and suggest visually appealing layouts. Email Efficiency: Use Copilot in Outlook to draft responses, summarize long email threads, and manage your inbox more effectively. Project Management: In Teams, Copilot can help track project progress, summarize discussions, and create to-do lists from meeting notes. Advanced Copilot Techniques Natural Language Queries: Copilot understands natural language. Frame your requests as you would to a human colleague. Example in Word: “Draft a proposal from yesterday’s meeting notes.” Content Generation: Use Copilot to generate initial drafts or ideas. In Word or PowerPoint, you might say: "Create an outline for a presentation on climate change impacts" Data Analysis: In Excel, Copilot can provide insights: "What are the top-selling products this year, and how do they compare to last year?" Meeting Assistance: In Teams, use Copilot during and after meetings: "Summarize the key points from this meeting and create a list of action items" Email Management: In Outlook, Copilot can help manage your inbox: "Draft a polite response declining the invitation to the conference" Best Practices for Using Microsoft Copilot Be Specific: The more detailed your request, the better the output. Provide context and specifics when asking Copilot for assistance. Iterate and Refine: If the initial output isn't quite what you need, refine your request or ask Copilot to modify its response. Maintain Critical Thinking: Always review and validate Copilot's output. It's an assistant, not a replacement for your expertise and judgment. Respect Privacy and Confidentiality: Be cautious about inputting sensitive or confidential information when using Copilot. Combine with Human Creativity: Use Copilot as a starting point or to handle routine tasks, allowing you to focus on higher-level thinking and creative problem-solving. Microsoft Copilot is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance productivity across various work tasks. By understanding its capabilities and following best practices, you can leverage Copilot to streamline workflows, generate ideas, and focus on higher-value work. Remember, while Copilot is an impressive AI assistant, it's designed to augment, not replace, human intelligence.  Your expertise, judgment, and creative thinking remain crucial in producing high-quality work and making informed decisions. As this technology continues to evolve, staying informed about its capabilities and limitations will be key to effectively integrating Copilot into your professional life, ultimately leading to more efficient and innovative work practices.

It's that time of year again, and at RedCloud, we love nothing more than catching up with our past scholarship winners to see how they've been making their mark on the world. Today, we're thrilled to check in with Madeline Lambert, who previously won the prestigious RedCloud annual scholarship. As we embark on this "where are they now" journey, we're excited to hear all about Madeline's latest endeavors and accomplishments since receiving our support. Her journey thus far has been nothing short of remarkable, and we can't wait to share her inspiring update with our community. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Babson College in May. I was so fortunate to go to Babson and wouldn't have been able to do so without the help of the Dave Henderson Scholarship. Some of my Babson highlights included being the Vice President of Finance for the Student Government, where I managed $1.8 million, going to El Salvador on a Habitat for Humanity trip, virtually teaching entrepreneurship to children in Tanzania, and starting two clubs (figure skating club and a cheese society)! During the summer between my Junior and Senior years, I had a corporate finance internship at Target. After graduating, I started working as a Corporate Banking Analyst at Scotiabank in NYC. I live a few blocks away from work and get to walk down Wall Street, past the 9/11 memorial, NYSE, and One World Trade every day. I also have a view of the Hudson river and the Statue of Liberty from my office, so I love where I live and what I do so far. Currently my goals include growing my networking and moving my way up the corporate ladder. When I received the scholarship, I dreamed of being the CFO of a Fortune 500 company. While I would still love to do that, that goal honestly seems a little lofty now. I also have dreams of someday becoming an event planner or starting my own event planning company. If I could solve one problem in the world, it would be closing the wealth gap. Living in NYC and being a Wall Street banker, I see the wealth gap play out every day. I am surrounded by incredibly wealthy individuals at work every day and see countless people experiencing homelessness on the streets and subways. This is a very difficult problem to tackle, but I believe it begins with providing equal opportunities, ending discrimination, closing the gender wage gap, and providing more mental health resources. I have so much advice I would love to share with other young people pursuing education, but if I could pick one thing, it would be that your network is your greatest asset, and the only way to get better at networking is by doing it and being confident in yourself.

At RedCloud, we believe that giving back to the community is not just a responsibility but a privilege. It’s part of who we are, embedded in the DNA of RedCloud since our inception. The RedCloud team feels fortunate to be connected to Toys for Kids , a nonprofit founded by Seattle Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs and former center fielder Dave Henderson. We’ve supported TfK for years, and our Managing Partner Brett Alston is currently the president of the Board of Directors.  In what is always a special time of year in our work with TfK, as the back-to-school season approaches, our team eagerly anticipates the opportunity to contribute to Rick and his team. Through our collaboration, RedCloud donates and assembles student backpacks filled with essential school supplies, ensuring that every child has the tools they need to succeed academically. From notebooks and pencils to calculators and art supplies, we collect a wide array of items to include in the backpacks, assemble the backpacks, and ultimately deliver them to TfK’s partners at the Atlantic Street Center in Seattle where they are given to eager children! This hands-on involvement not only strengthens our team spirit but also reinforces our commitment to supporting the educational journey of children in our broader Seattle community. The impact of our partnership with Toys For Kids extends far beyond the backpacks themselves. By alleviating some of the financial burdens associated with back-to-school preparations, we help create an environment where families and children can focus on learning and personal growth. Witnessing the joy and excitement on the faces of the children who receive these backpacks is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. Together with Toys For Kids, RedCloud is making a tangible difference, one backpack at a time, and reinforcing our belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive academically and beyond.

Meet Mara Siverson , our latest team member to be featured in RedCloud’s "10 Minutes with" interview series where we get to know our team of experts, their professional and personal interests. Mara's role involves a blend of business strategy design, execution planning, and operational program management, focusing on supporting a Director in the Microsoft Global Partner Solutions organization. With four years of experience supporting her client, Mara brings valuable insights and a unique perspective to our team. Outside of work, Mara enjoys exploring new interests, advocating for work-life balance, and finding relaxation in surprising ways. Stay tuned below to learn more about Mara and her journey! Describe your role and what you do in a nutshell. My client is a Director in the Microsoft Global Partner Solutions organization, focused on partner strategy & execution. My role is a blend of business strategy design, execution planning, and all the operational program management required to keep things running smoothly. While the nature of my job requires that I wear many different hats, I really enjoy working in Microsoft's partner business, whether it be diving into data or refining go-to-market  and landing strategy with the team. I've been supporting this same client for the past four plus years, and it's been amazing getting to be a part of the evolution of her business remit over the years. How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance in your role? Though working remotely can make the separation of work life & home life difficult, I'm fortunate to have a dedicated home office, and I find shutting the door when I log off for the day is a great way to employ the "out of sight, out of mind" mentality to help drive this separation. I'm also a big fan of making lists, so I've gotten in the habit of when I think of something work-related when I'm not "on the clock," I just type it in a quick note in my phone so that I can purge it from my head and revisit it when I'm working. Admittedly, this is an area I still need to do better in, but these little tricks help quite a bit! Tell us about something interesting you've learned recently. I recently learned about the Swiss Water Process, which is a method used in the specialty coffee industry to decaffeinate coffee beans using only water! The process removes 99.9% of caffeine from green coffee beans, which are then dried & bagged before being roasted, allowing the coffee to retain the unique flavor profile of the origin of the beans. I assumed all decaf was achieved by adding a bunch of chemicals, so this was definitely surprising info! (My husband leads B2B wholesale sales at Caffe Ladro Roasting, and he's always sharing really interesting facts about coffee.) If you could suggest a book for the entire RedCloud team to read, what would it be and why? The Cure for Burnout by Emily Ballesteros is absolutely a must read for anyone struggling with work-life balance or experiencing feelings of overwhelm when thinking about work (and I'm not just saying this because the author was a good friend of mine in college!!) In the book, Emily explores how to build healthy habits to avoid burnout and how to manage one's own personal & professional boundaries. The content is relatable, and she strikes a good balance between being a book on self-help versus business-focused. If reading isn't your thing, the book is also available as an audiobook! What's a piece of obsolete technology you still have a soft spot for? I really miss when cell phones had physical keyboards. I enjoyed the tactile feeling of texting with real buttons – long live the BlackBerry! What's one thing people don't know about you that they would be surprised to discover? While it's no secret that I'm a big baseball fan (go Mariners!), something that usually surprises people is when I tell them that I also collect baseball cards. I'd guess that I have around 50k cards spanning from the 1970s to modern day. One of my favorite things is when I can find bulk card lots off Marketplace and then sort them by year and team. I'm not sure why, but I find it extremely relaxing! What are you passionate about or enjoy outside of work? When I'm not working, you can usually find my husband, myself, and our two blue heelers outside doing anything we can to enjoy the fresh air: camping, hiking, fishing, skiing, sitting at the nearest brewery, you name it! Both my husband and I grew up in Washington, and getting to introduce our dogs to all of the activities we enjoy has been such a fun experience.

In the fast-paced world of enterprise technology, staying ahead is not just an advantage—it's a necessity we help our clients achieve. Companies in this sector must continually innovate and adapt to maintain competitiveness and drive growth. RedCloud’s team of enterprise tech experts helps our clients harness the power of today’s legacy and new tech platforms, ensuring they remain leaders in their industries. Our Tech-Forward Approach Our approach centers around leveraging the most advanced technologies to streamline processes, optimize IT infrastructure, and implement cutting-edge solutions. These technologies include artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cloud computing, and advanced data analytics. By integrating these tools into our clients' operations, we not only enhance productivity and operational effectiveness but also deliver tangible, measurable results that drive business growth. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning : AI and ML are transforming enterprise technology by enabling automation and improving decision-making processes. RedCloud uses these technologies to help clients predict market trends, optimize supply chains, and personalize customer experiences. This results in more efficient operations and better business outcomes. Cloud Computing: We excel in the adoption of cloud computing. They assist enterprises in migrating to cloud platforms, which offer greater flexibility, scalability, and cost savings. By moving to the cloud, businesses can quickly adapt to changing demands and deploy new services faster. Data Analytics : In today's data-driven world, the ability to analyze and act on data is crucial. We provide advanced data analytics solutions that help clients turn raw data into valuable insights. These insights can drive strategic decisions, improve customer satisfaction, and uncover new business opportunities. Take a closer look at our success story in the enterprise technology sector: Sales Enablement Program Management and Modernization . This real-world example showcases how RedCloud has helped businesses like yours navigate the dynamic landscape of enterprise technology behavior, driving business productivity and effectiveness.

Scott Ekman, a long-time RedCloud veteran and dedicated Client Engagement Director, recently completed his first triathlon at the annual Lavaman Triathlon in Waikoloa, Hawaii. Known for his strategic vision and leadership skills, Scott embraced this personal challenge to push his physical limits. The triathlon not only tested his endurance but also offered valuable insights that he now applies in his professional life at RedCloud.  Let’s hear directly from Scott about his journey and the lessons he learned along the way. My goal was to finish my first triathlon, and why not do it in a beautiful, sunny, warm location like Waikoloa, Hawaii? The annual Lavaman Triathlon race, held in April, is Olympic length (1.5k swim, 40k bike, and 10k run). As we age, finding an exercise motivator becomes essential, and this triathlon sounded like the perfect plan. I grew up a competitive swimmer, so I wasn’t too concerned about the swim. I’ve completed century-length bike races in the past, so I wasn’t worried about that leg either. However, I’m not a runner! My plan was to shuffle/jog as much as possible just to complete the race. Preparation included mile-long open ocean swims at local beaches like Hapuna and Mauna Kea, as well as biking through local communities and highways that paralleled the ocean. Putting them all together back-to-back on race day was definitely a challenge! Everything went well, and I had enough energy to ‘shuffle’ across the finish line about halfway through the 1000-person pack. Would I do it again? Absolutely – I signed up for next year one week later. This race has given me a new motivator to routinely exercise, putting my gym membership to better use and also giving me improved energy and a clear mind to tackle each day with more vigor. I aim to improve my bike and run times next year and sign up for a few more races in between Lavaman’s annual event. The Impact of the Lavaman Triathlon on My Professional Journey at RedCloud Similar to how I try to lead inside RedCloud and how I work with my teams, I started with the end in mind: finishing. Never veer from that vision – put it on the board, work backward, and just plan on it happening.  My family/peers wondered if that was achievable given I’ve never done one, getting older, and wasn’t swimming, biking, and running every day, but they gave me the benefit of the doubt and some encouragement along the way. In any business setting, there will always be challenges similar to those I had going into my race….budget, resources, timeline, etc., but just as in our team’s daily project work for our clients, the work you put into achieving that goal will help you overcome challenges and accomplish your goals, just like it did for me!   Reflecting on my journey from training to crossing the Lavaman finish line, I also learned (or maybe better said, remembered and reinforced!) valuable lessons about perseverance and resilience. These insights mirror my approach to leading and motivating my team through demanding projects or tough times in the business environment. It literally and figuratively is a marathon, not a sprint, so it is critical to have a holistic approach to any project, or in my case, a daunting physical challenge.  If this motivates you at all and you are looking for your first (and fun) triathlon, I highly recommend Lavaman. And hey, why not spend another week or so on the island after the race to recuperate and explore?

At RedCloud, we're dedicated to empowering our clients’ businesses with the tools and technologies they need to succeed in today's competitive landscape. While these days it feels like there is a new platform every day to help streamline business, every day, our team of experts research, evaluate, recommend, and leverage today’s leading tech platforms to drive success for our clients. In fact, we use many of these platforms for RedCloud’s own operations - so we certainly practice what we preach! Whether it's streamlining operations, gaining insights from data, or boosting productivity, we're here to help businesses thrive. Harnessing Leading Technologies At RedCloud, we understand that every business is unique, with its own set of needs and challenges. That's why our technology-driven practices are focused on harnessing the power of cutting-edge platforms  to drive success for our clients. With expertise in a range of platforms, including Amazon Web Services, Dynamics 365, Google Cloud Platform, Power Apps, Salesforce, and more, we offer tailored solutions designed to meet each client's specific requirements. Some Of The Platforms We Leverage Microsoft Azure:  As a trusted Microsoft partner, we leverage Azure's cloud computing services to help businesses scale, innovate, and succeed in the digital age. Power Platform: With Power Platform, we empower businesses to automate processes, build custom apps, and analyze data to drive productivity and efficiency. Tableau: Our expertise in Tableau enables businesses to visualize and understand their data, empowering informed decision-making and driving business growth. Microsoft 365: With Microsoft 365, we provide businesses with the tools they need to collaborate, communicate, and innovate, all within a secure and integrated environment. Google Workspaces:  Our proficiency in Google Workspaces enables seamless collaboration and communication, helping businesses stay productive and connected. Case Studies Optimizing Resources with Visualized Business Analytics A multinational software company faced the challenge of tracking and solving real-time issues across a suite of products. RedCloud implemented Tableau's data visualization tools, enabling the team to gain insights and optimize resources. By visualizing complex data sets, the team streamlined operations and addressed critical issues promptly, enhancing product performance and customer satisfaction. Managing Sales Leads with Salesforce A medical device company needed to improve sales lead management. RedCloud delivered a customized Salesforce CRM solution, enhancing efficiencies and growth strategy. By optimizing Salesforce, the sales team efficiently managed leads, tracked opportunities, and closed deals, leading to accelerated revenue growth and improved customer relationships. At RedCloud, we're committed to driving success for our clients through the strategic use of leading platforms and technologies. Contact us today  to learn more about how we can help your business thrive in the digital age.

In April 2024, RedCloud Consulting strategically positioned a trio of experienced privacy consultants within the operations of their esteemed partner, a global travel corporation. This partner's platform serves as a nexus for travelers and hosts, offering an array of over a million unique lodgings and experiences across more than 220 countries and territories. At the heart of this partner's product innovation lies machine learning, which powers features such as tailored recommendations, dynamic pricing, fraud detection, and natural language processing. To uphold the pinnacle of quality, security, privacy, and ethical standards, the partner employs a stringent machine learning review process that engages a diverse array of stakeholders from various disciplines. THE CHALLENGE The customer’s machine learning review process was complex and time-consuming, involving multiple different reviews from product legal, licensing legal, information security, privacy, engineering, anti-discrimination and exclusion, and product data science teams. During an initial analysis of this process, our RedCloud team observed that some of these reviews were being conducted over email and telephone, which sometimes resulted in inconsistent documentation and communication. Moreover, reviews often began late in the development cycle, leading to delays and rework. At the onset, the average time to complete a machine learning review was several months and, in some cases, more than a year. I have been working with RedCloud for only six weeks so far, and they have been a lifesaver! - Senior Manager RedCloud is absolutely phenomenal! I am very happy with them and excited to keep working with the RedCloud team. -Senior Manager THE SOLUTION In partnering with RedCloud, our team of experienced privacy managers was able to streamline the machine learning review process and improve the collaboration and efficiency of the review teams. RedCloud helped with the implementation of the following solutions: Consolidated multiple disparate reviews into one holistic system in Jira, a project management tool that allows for easy tracking, reporting, and collaboration. Standardized the review criteria, templates, and workflows for each discipline, ensuring consistency and clarity across the review teams. Integrated the review system with the customer’s machine learning platform, enabling automated triggers and notifications for review requests and status updates. Engaged with the machine learning teams early in the project lifecycle, facilitating good privacy by design and addressing potential issues before they become costly or risky. THE RESULTS The synergistic partnership between RedCloud and their esteemed client yielded substantial enhancements in both the quality and efficiency of the machine learning review process: Reduced the time to complete a machine learning review from several months to approximately two weeks, accelerating the delivery and launch of machine learning features. Enhanced collaboration and communication among the review teams, fostering a culture of trust and transparency. Improved the documentation and traceability of the review process, enabling better auditability and accountability. Increased the satisfaction and engagement of the machine learning teams, who received timely and constructive feedback and guidance from the review teams. This case study exemplifies how RedCloud's collaborative approach, underpinned by data and analytics, adeptly addresses complex privacy challenges and solutions.