Lancaster Thriving! Fall-Winter 2023

FALL/WINTER 2023

The TECH ISSUE:

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, technology stands at the forefront of innovation, acting as a catalyst for transformation and growth and is pivotal in shaping a sustainable and thriving future for both local and global economies.

Technology Solutions for Business pgs. 10, 16, 23, 30 Advanced Cooling Technologies Assisting in Lunar Rover Mission pg. 12 The Future of the Virtual Assistant in Business: ChatGPT pg. 20

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Bottom Line Savings for Chamber Members Telecom & IT: Grudi Advantage

Lancaster Chamber offers a comprehensive Managed Mobility, Telecom & IT program that delivers excellent value to its Members and the Chamber itself. Through this exclusive Mobility, Telecom & IT partnership – Grudi Advantage – participating Members receive excellent prices and expert assistance optimizing their Mobility, Telecom & IT services. They also get generous annual cash-back dividends on many services related to phone systems, voice, data, internet, cloud, mobility, security, backup, outsourced services, and more.

Fleet Fueling: Rhoads Energy Fleet Fueling Program

The Fleet Fueling program gives you the ideal tools for overseeing your fleet fueling.

Best of all, it’s free and comes with a full customer support team from a trusted, local company. The program also offers purchase controls that can be pre-programmed per card to help manage company-wide fueling policies. The web-based account management system provides all the information you need at your fingertips: consolidated usage information, reports online that can be created and saved, and other tools.

Business Insurance: bizSure Insurance Program

Lancaster Chamber’s business insurance program, bizSure, is a complete business insurance program, including discounted premiums on workers’ compensation, property, general liability, and automobile liability. Since 1994, bizSure is a cash back insurance program that has paid $3.6 million in dividends to eligible Members.*

Natural Gas: Shipley Energy Natural Gas Program

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce investors receive exclusive benefits from Shipley Energy, our preferred natural gas provider. More than 50 local businesses already participate and are leveraging their Chamber Membership to save money each year.

Average savings typically covers your Chamber membership with room to spare!

Energy Supplier: Constellation Energy Program

The Lancaster Chamber chose Constellation as their endorsed energy supplier to provide value to Members like you. Lancaster Chamber Members can manage energy costs in new and powerful ways to achieve budget certainty, cost savings, and financial protection with Constellation’s full range of integrated energy solutions.

Cyber Security: Appalachia Protect Program

Recognizing the need for its Members to have access to reliable and affordable cybersecurity services, the Lancaster Chamber has partnered exclusively with Appalachia Technologies through the BizCorp Value Add Program. The Appalachia Protect Program includes free resources and discounted services to help Members defend against today’s rapidly evolving cyber threats. We will work closely with businesses to identify their unique cybersecurity challenges and develop customized solutions to meet their needs.

Interested in learning more?

Contact Tom Wallace: twallace@lancasterchamber.com

LancasterChamber.com

3

2024 Upcoming Events Start planning your calendar - bookmark the Lancaster Chamber Events & Programs calendar and watch for future Chamber events!

An integral element of the Lancaster Chamber experience is our selection of award-winning, high-quality, and relevant events and programs. We are very excited as we prepare our events and program calendar for 2024, full of options curated just for you and your team!

Be sure to check back to our online events calendar at lancasterchamber.com/events as we continue to add additional dates for future events and programs.

4 | LANCASTERTHRIVING! | Fall/Winter 2023

The TECH ISSUE: The relationship between technology and business has become inseparable, redefining how companies operate, compete, and deliver value and success.

From integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to the harnessing of automation, businesses leverage these tools to optimize processes, gain actionable insights, and ultimately elevate their competitive edge.

Contents 12

Advanced Cooling Technologies (ACT) Assisting in Lunar Rover Mission ACT recently successfully completed and delivered the Thermal Management System (TMS) designed for NASA’s VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) mission.

COVER PHOTO

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The Future of the Virtual Assistant in Business: ChatGPT As we see the landscape of business continue to evolve, the integration of ChatGPT virtual assistants will become more commonplace in our workplace.

Cargas is an employee-owned software company offering software from Microsoft, Sage, Salesforce, and HubSpot, as well as custom-developed products. They sell the software, set it up, teach customers how to use it, and help them adapt it as their needs change over time. Their products streamline processes in accounting, supply chain management, and sales and marketing so customers can focus on what’s most important—growing and running their businesses.

27

Integrated Precision Agriculture Technologies

Precision agricultural technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) have been showing promises on addressing highly labor-intensive tasks, associated labor shortage, and high cost.

10,16, 23 & 30 Technology Solutions for Business

Find curated resources of technology tips from local technology solution & consulting companies that help your business harness the power of technology.

4 // Lancaster Chamber Upcoming Events 38 // O ut & About Member Ribbon Cuttings & Grand Openings 42 // Welcome New Members 43 // Lancaster Chamber Member Anniversaries

View Past Issues at LT.HoffmannPublishing.com Spread the Word #LCThriving #LancasterThriving #HoffPubs #LancChamber

FIND US ON: LancasterChamber.com

5

A Letter from Heather Valudes President & CEO of the Lancaster Chamber

In 1994,

the Today Show cohosts asked, “What is the internet, anyway?” (if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend watching it for a laugh!), and so began three decades of society figuring out the latest technology. Innovations today are unfolding at an unprecedented pace, and we find ourselves at another technology revolution.

In recent years, cutting-edge technology and automation has gone from convenience to being an integral part of reshaping industries and societies. From the seamless integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into our daily lives to the transformational power of automated systems, advancements are happening all around us.

AI is playing a significant role in helping businesses streamline operations, improve efficiency, and stay competitive. When you ask ChatGPT the role of AI for small businesses, it produces a whole litany of ways: automation of repetitive tasks, enhanced customer support, data analysis and insights, personalized marketing, inventory management, financial insights, cybersecurity, employee productivity, predictive analytics for decision-making, and cost savings.

But with all of these roles, it is important for businesses to carefully assess their specific needs and goals before implementing AI solutions, ensure and call for ethical AI practices, and consider the impact on employees during the implementation process.

In this edition of Thriving!, we invite you to join us in exploring articles that highlight how technology and AI are playing a role in our local community. We examine how businesses are leveraging AI. We dive into the ever-

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evolving world of precision machining and CNC. We learn about a local business involved with technologies heading to the moon. And we get insight into solutions that can help you address some of your “what is the internet, anyway” kind of questions in this new era of technology.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Thriving! and that you share your thoughts, insights, and experiences that are vital in shaping the discourse around technology forces moving us forward into new possibilities.

Sincerely,

Heather Valudes President & CEO, Lancaster Chamber

The opinions expressed in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

EDITOR & CONTENT MANAGER: Justin W. Johnson Director of Communications & Marketing, Lancaster Chamber jjohnson@lancasterchamber.com

Manage the Impact of Inflation. Ensure Adequate Coverage.

COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING SPECIALIST: Jared Spackman jspackman@lancasterchamber.com

Labor and supply shortages in many service industries are impacting property replacement costs. Coverage from your current policies may not be enough in today's economy.

Industry data reports

Thriving! Editorial Advisory Group Adam Aurand School District of Lancaster Sherry Bolinger Hoffmann Publishing Group, Inc. Carol Gifford, VisionCorps Scott Fiore, TriStarr Staffing Larry Guengerich, Landis Communities Tracy Hoffmann Hoffmann Publishing Group, Inc.

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is published quarterly by Hoffmann Publishing Group, Reading, PA • 610.685.0914 HoffmannPublishing.com

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7

Manufacturers are Harnessing the Power of AI and Advanced Technologies for Growth

T

he relationship between technology and business is redefining how companies operate, compete, and deliver value. Across South Central Pennsylvania and beyond, manufacturers are demonstrating remarkable resilience and adaptability in the face of rapidly changing market conditions.

Automation is also playing a pivotal role in this technological revolution. Manufacturers are harnessing automation to optimize repetitive and labor-intensive tasks. Robotic arms and automated assembly lines are enhancing precision and speed, resulting in higher production rates and lower error margins. This consistent quality assurance is vital for meeting customer demands.

Artificial intelligence has emerged as a cornerstone for small and mid-sized manufacturers. These businesses are finding ingenious ways to integrate AI into their processes to boost efficiency and competitiveness. AI’s data-driven decisionmaking capabilities enable manufacturers to optimize production and resource allocation, identify potential issues in real time, and make faster, more-informed choices.

This reduces their operational costs and enhances overall

8 | LANCASTERTHRIVING! | Fall/Winter 2023

productivity, which improves their bottom lines.

AI’s role in predictive maintenance, quality, scrap reduction, yield increase, and demand and inventory forecasting can have significant positive financial impacts. By analyzing historical data, AI can predict machine behavior, quality failures, and demand for parts, enabling manufacturers to minimize waste, extend the lifespan of critical machinery, and optimize inventory.

Data analytics is another crucial component of the AI toolkit. Manufacturers are using analytics to gain actionable insights from their operational data. This information also supports strategic decisions, allowing for better adaptation to market trends and customer preferences. In essence, data analytics is the compass that guides small and mid-sized manufacturers toward success.

This synergy extends well beyond the factory floor.

Strategic manufacturers are making investments in integrated systems that facilitate seamless communication and decision-making throughout their entire organizational hierarchy. We’re starting to see the adoption of a concept

known as a Digital Twin—a virtual representation of a physical object, system, or process generated by using real-time data and simulations—to provide a highly accurate digital reflection of the real world. This twin allows continuous monitoring, in-depth analysis, and predictive insights into the performance and behavior of the actual physical entity, giving decision-makers access to real-time data. We have seen that early adoption of AI and robotic automation can set SMEs apart from their competitors.

These trends are becoming more noticeable locally as companies look to AI and automation to solve ongoing workforce shortages. But the shift towards AI is not just about replacing human labor, it’s about enhancing human capabilities. AI and automation are not only revolutionizing manufacturing processes but are also creating a symbiotic relationship between humans and machines, leading to innovative solutions and a more resilient industry. The future of manufacturing lies in the strategic implementation of AI, collaborative partnerships, and encouraging environments where technology and human expertise merge to drive efficiency, innovation, and growth.

MANTEC, a non-profit on a mission to help manufacturers remain competitive and grow, offers a free Technology Assessment. Contact: Don@mantec.org. LT Don Bolton is MANTEC’s Business Advisor for Manufacturing Technology.

He hails from Michigan where he was a design and process engineer serving clients such as General Motors, Chrysler, Kuka, and Comau. Prior to that, Don was a welder fabricator for 12 years for clients such as TTX, Cannon Truck Equipment, and the DOD. In his role at MANTEC, he leverages his experiences to aid manufacturers in assessing their technology needs and integrating advanced solutions.

BY DON BOLTON, Manufacturing Technology Business Advisor, Mantec Contact Don at don@mantec.org

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9

Technology Solution f e at u r e

SAFEGUARDING YOUR DATA:

The Crucial Role of Backups for Microsoft Office 365 Tenants Data loss and security breaches are growing concerns in today’s digital world. As businesses increasingly rely on cloud-based services like Microsoft Office 365, the need for robust data backup systems becomes paramount.

This article explores the importance of backups for Microsoft Office 365 tenants and highlights the crucial role they play in safeguarding valuable data.

UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS OF DATA LOSS IN OFFICE 365 Data loss can occur in various ways, including accidental deletion, human error, cyberattacks, and hardware failures.

Contrary to popular belief, Microsoft Office 365’s built-in data protection measures are not all-encompassing. It is essential for businesses to recognize these risks and take proactive steps to protect their data.

WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS OF MICROSOFT’S BUILT-IN DATA PROTECTION? While Microsoft does provide certain retention and recovery features, they do not guarantee complete protection against data loss. For instance, the native recycle bin might have limited retention periods and may not allow individual items or folders to be restored.

Businesses must understand these limitations and seek additional backup solutions to ensure comprehensive data resilience.

BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTING THIRD-PARTY BACKUP SOLUTIONS Third-party backup solutions designed explicitly for Office 365 offer significant advantages over Microsoft’s built-in features. These solutions facilitate automated backups, granular recovery options, and long-term data retention.

By leveraging these capabilities, businesses can enhance data protection, minimize downtime, and improve their overall data recovery strategies.

BEST PRACTICES FOR IMPLEMENTING OFFICE 365 BACKUPS Implementing an effective backup strategy requires adherence to certain best practices. Regular backups are a fundamental aspect of data protection, along with testing the restoration process to ensure the integrity and availability of the backup data. Additionally, organizations must consider compliance with industry regulations and choose reliable backup solution providers that offer scalability, security, and support.

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Protecting data is crucial in the modern business environment, and Office 365 tenants must prioritize backups as a critical safeguard. Businesses must educate themselves about the risks of data loss, understand the limitations of Microsoft’s built-in data protection, explore the benefits of third-party backup solutions, and implement best practices to ensure the safety and recoverability of their valuable data. By taking proactive steps toward effective backups, organizations can mitigate risks, enhance data resilience, and maintain business continuity. LT

BY CHRISTOPHER BOMBERGER, Director of Technology, AVAIL Technology Solutions Contact Christopher at cbomberger@availnow.com

AVAIL Technology Solutions, based in Lancaster, PA, is your dedicated technology partner, specializing in Collaboration, Cybersecurity, Cloud Services, Networking, Connectivity, and Managed Services. Our consultative approach ensures cost-effective technology solutions that drive your business growth. From discovery to design, implementation, and support, we manage every aspect of your technology improvements, saving you both money and time. As IT procurement and management advisors, we work closely with clients, guiding them through the entire lifecycle of technology services. AVAIL’s commitment to excellence is evident in our customer-first approach, community-driven initiatives, and deep partnerships with renowned providers. We believe in honest communication, accountability, and fostering long-term relationships. With our proven consultative process, we discover your unique requirements, design tailored solutions, and seamlessly manage the entire implementation, ensuring your business thrives in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Choose AVAIL for a true partnership that prioritizes your success.

BECOME A PROUD MEMBER OF THE LANCASTER CHAMBER.

Be a part of something BIGGER and ELEVATE your BUSINESS with us!

If you have ever considered becoming a Chamber Member, NOW is the time! Set you and your team up for success in 2024. Become a Chamber Member now and receive 1 Month FREE PLUS a FREE Digital Banner Ad to promote and highlight your business.

When you join the Chamber, you are joining an organization that connects, engages, and uplifts your business all year long. We will create a customized membership journey for you and your team to ensure that you are getting the most from your membership.

From small businesses to larger organizations, we have the tools and resources to help you succeed.

How Businesses Engage with the Chamber 8,932

Unique Attendees Engage with the Chamber at 133 Events & Programs

944,790

Impressions & Reach on All Social Media Platforms

1,000+

Businesses Highlighted through Ribbon Cuttings, Digital Advertising, Social Media Spotlights, Email Newsletters, Digital Blog Articles, Member News and Print Publications.

**Free Digital Advertising By joining before December 31, 2023, you will receive a free digital ad in a selected number of the Lancaster Chamber digital marketing newsletters. Each of our newsletters is sent to a targeted business and local community audience.

Learn more about our newsletters at lancasterchamber.com/communications

18,000 Email Contacts 22,600 Business Contacts 32% Open Rate

Join now to elevate and set your organization up for success in 2024 and beyond!

Tom Wallace

Director of Business Development Direct: (717) 696-6235 Cell: (717) 575-1586 twallace@lancasterchamber.com

Javar Colon

Business Development Specialist Direct: (717) 696-6243 Cell: (610) 406-3516 jcolon@lancasterchamber.com

115 E KING ST, LANCASTER, PA 17602 • 717.696.3531 • LANCASTERCHAMBER.COM

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11

Advanced Cooling Technologies

Assisting in Lunar Rover Mission

A

dvanced Cooling Technologies, Inc., a leading engineering and manufacturing company based in Central Pennsylvania, is on a mission to be the best thermal management company in the world (and universe!).

ACT recently announced the successful completion and delivery of the Thermal Management System (TMS) designed for NASA’s VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) mission. NASA’s VIPER is a critical mission in the Artemis program, responsible for navigating the south pole of the moon, and identifying and mapping regions where ice is present. Thanks to past missions, we know there is ice at the lunar poles, however, to

12 | LANCASTERTHRIVING! | Fall/Winter 2023

one day use that water, NASA must study it closely. Ultimately, if we can harness the water in future missions, it opens endless possibilities for deep space exploration and sustainable life in space. NASA’s VIPER will venture into some of the coldest spots in the solar system during this pursuit, where it’s believed ice reserves have endured for billions of years. These permanently shadowed regions create a unique challenge for thermal management, which is ultimately to reject heat in normal operating mode but to also ensure that the electronics system does not experience failure from the extreme cold.

ACT’s team embarked on the ambitious journey to help NASA’s VIPER “Survive Lunar Night,” which includes a fourteen (14)-day dark period. Through intensive engineering efforts and qualification regimens, ACT completed the design, hardware manufacturing and testing and has shipped this one-of-a-kind thermal management system to NASA Johnson Space Center for final integration.

One key component was creating a “warm box,” which houses critical electronics to aid VIPER’s functionality. By utilizing Loop Heat Pipes, with passive thermal control valves, ACT was able to thermally link and reject heat through the radiator panels located at the top of the rover as needed. During lunar night, when temperature severely drops, the passive control valves block the thermal link to the radiators, allowing the warm box to remain at temperatures above the electronics’ failure points.

Throughout the development process, ACT maintained a close and collaborative working relationship with NASA engineers.

This partnership was instrumental in ensuring that the Thermal Management System met NASA’s stringent requirements and specifications. Both teams worked tirelessly to ensure the TMS delivery schedule remained on track, as delays could lead to the entire VIPER mission delaying a year due to launch windows.

ACT’s commitment to excellence and dedication to delivering reliable hardware further solidify its reputation as a trusted partner in the space exploration community.

NASA’s VIPER mission will be the first rover or space vehicle to ever map out where and how humans could possibly extract water in the future. This mission is made possible through many engineering accomplishments including this state-of-the-art thermal management system, delivered by Advanced Cooling Technologies.

Learn more about the mission: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/viper.

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YOUR ROOF PROTECTS YOUR BUSINESS. WE PROTEC T YOUR ROOF.

Learn more about ACT’s thermal management technologies for space: https://www.1-act.com/industries/space. LT

BY BRYAN MUZYKA, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. Contact Bryan at Bryan.Muzyka@1-act.com

801 Rohrerstown Road, Suite 100, Lancaster, PA 17601

(717) 696-1175

www.moserroofingsolutions.com LancasterChamber.com

13

BIG University is Central PA’s premier IT and conference. The one-day event is designed to provide forward-thinking businesses and IT professionals with a collaborative space to educate themselves and each other on current and future technologies.

T

he fifth annual BIG University, hosted at The Ware Center in downtown Lancaster on September 14th, focused on harnessing the power of teamwork to secure a safer digital future. Alongside industry experts, prominent Lancaster business leaders, and keynote speaker Brian Dawkins, over 130 attendees engaged in an afternoon of expert-level discussions on cutting edge security approaches, industry insights and top IT priorities for businesses.

The conference featured a diverse lineup of sessions tailored to the cybersecurity pro, non-technical individuals, and business executives. Topics ranged from CMMC, cyber law and AI to security awareness training and SIEM. Attendees had a choice of 10 sessions to choose from, plus a panel discussion on how technology has impacted local Lancaster businesses, and an inspiring keynote from Eagles legend Brian Dawkins.

Sessions were presented not only by the Business Information Group team, but local experts as well.

Don Geiter of Barley Snyder dove into cyber law and equipped attendees with essential strategies to help prepare them for the legal challenges of the modern

14 | LANCASTERTHRIVING! | Fall/Winter 2023

business landscape. Rich Everts, Co-Founder and CEO of Bestie Bot, took us on an insightful journey, examining the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of AI. Attendee Peter Ribaudo said this session “was the high point of [his] day.”

Nathan Shea of SecureStrux joined Devin Chwastyk of McNees Wallace and Mandy Maher of McConkey for a comprehensive discussion on the state of cybersecurity and looking ahead to 2024 from an insurance, legal and cyber perspective.

We were then joined by Nate Scott of Cargas Systems, Steve Zuckerman of Oaktree Development, Peter Barber of Two Dudes, and Claire Mooney of Penn State Health-Lancaster Medical Center for an engaging panel discussion on how technology has revolutionized their different industries from their perspectives.

The day concluded with a heartfelt and meaningful keynote speech from Brian Dawkins, Hall of Fame NFL Safety known for his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. The key lesson learned was to choose your core values and live by them. He lives by A.R.E.A. of Control – Actions, Response, Effort, Attitude. These four pillars help guide Brian to live intentionally and with passion. The

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discussions continued at happy hour where Brian joined the audience for networking and connections.

For the past 30 years, Business Information Group has helped hundreds of companies upgrade their technology to improve productivity, minimize downtime, and increase collaboration. BIG’s mission? To serve as an extension of their clients’ businesses as their most trusted technology advisor. The purpose of BIG University is to bring business and technology together – to prove that IT and cybersecurity aren’t limited to technical individuals. By educating our community, we can build a more secure digital future together.

To lean more about BIG University and sign up to receive BIG U 2024 updates, visit https://businessinformationgroup.com/ big-university. LT

BY MAURA MCGOWEN, Marketing Manager, Business Information Group Contact Maura at businessinformationgroup.com

LancasterChamber.com

15

Technology Solution f e at u r e

10 Essential Cybersecurity Tips to Protect your Business

E

very business has different risks and needs when it comes to cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is crucial for any organization because it safeguards sensitive data, prevents unauthorized access, and ensures the smooth functioning of digital operations. By protecting against cyber threats, businesses maintain customer trust, uphold their reputation, and avoid financial losses associated with data breaches. Additionally, strong cybersecurity measures are important for regulatory compliance and legal requirements, demonstrating a commitment to responsible and secure business practices. In an era where digital assets are integral to daily operations, investing in cybersecurity is a strategic necessity to mitigate risks and sustain long-term success.

Not sure where to start?

3. Digital Asset Inventory: Maintain a comprehensive inventory of all digital assets, including hardware, software, and sensitive data, facilitating better control and swift response in case of a security incident.

4. Regular Security Assessments: Conduct periodic cybersecurity assessments to identify vulnerabilities and assess the effectiveness of existing security measures, allowing for timely remediation.

5. Continuous Monitoring: Employ real-time security monitoring tools to detect and respond to potential threats promptly, reducing the impact of cyberattacks on your business.

10 ESSENTIAL CYBERSECURITY TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS

6. Incident Response Plan: Develop and regularly update an incident response plan to outline the steps to be taken in the event of a security breach, ensuring a coordinated and efficient response.

1. E mployee Education: Ensure regular cybersecurity training for all staff to raise awareness about phishing, social engineering, and safe online practices, reducing the risk of human error.

7. Access Control: Implement strong access controls, limiting user permissions based on their roles to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to critical systems and data.

2. D evice Protection: Implement robust endpoint security measures, including firewalls, antivirus software, and regular device updates to defend against evolving cyber threats.

8. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA for accessing sensitive systems and accounts, adding an extra layer of security beyond passwords.

16 | LANCASTERTHRIVING! | Fall/Winter 2023

9. Encryption: Utilize encryption for data both in transit and at rest, safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access, even if a breach occurs.

10. Tabletop Exercises: Conduct regular tabletop exercises to simulate cyberattack scenarios, allowing your team to practice and refine response strategies, enhancing overall preparedness.

Now that you’ve learned the 10 essential cybersecurity tips to protect your business, it’s time to put them into practice. But don’t worry, you don’t have to do it alone.

The Lancaster Chamber and Appalachia Technologies have teamed up to provide access to cybersecurity services through the BizCorp Cost Savings Program.

This program includes free resources and discounted services to help members defend against today’s rapidly evolving cyber threats. We work closely with businesses to identify their unique cybersecurity challenges and develop customized solutions to meet their needs.

To get started, contact Terri Bendl at Terri.Bendl@AppalachiaTechnologies.com. LT

BY MIKE MILLER, vCISO & Compliance Officer, Appalachia Technologies, LLC Contact Mike at mike.miller@appalachiatech.com

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At Appalachia Technologies, we help businesses in our community stay ahead of the latest cybersecurity threats through a combination of technology, service, and education. We begin with a security risk assessment of the environment and then we build a cybersecurity roadmap to identify and prioritize improvements to your overall security posture. Our managed security services allow you to focus on your business goals and objectives, while our SOC (Security Operations Center) proactively monitors, manages and responds to security events in your environment.

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17

ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE Introduces New AI-Driven Solution to Reduce Food Waste The College is using KITRO, an innovative technology system, in its dining hall to enhance sustainability efforts

E

lizabethtown College recently introduced a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to reduce food waste in the College’s primary residential dining location on campus, The Marketplace.

The new system, KITRO, identifies and measures discarded food items at the “all-you-care-to-eat” facility using a scale and camera while collecting real-time data insights that allow the College’s Dining Services team to make informed decisions about future menu choices and furthers Etown’s commitment to sustainability.

“At Elizabethtown College, we are committed to sustainability and are constantly seeking ways to be innovative in this space,” Elizabethtown College President Betty Rider said. “This new initiative is the latest of various ways Etown is leading efforts to leverage technology.

By implementing KITRO into our Dining and Food Services process, we aim to eliminate food waste and increase efficiencies on campus.”

Founded in 2017, KITRO is a Swiss company that harnesses the power of technology and uses it for sustainable change.

With artificial intelligence as the foundation, KITRO offers an

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“ Since introducing KITRO, students are already being more mindful of the food they are choosing for meals.”

— S avannah Greiner, Elizabethtown College Registered Dietician

automated food waste data collection and analysis solution utilized by food and beverage outlets worldwide.

Two KITRO systems are strategically positioned in The Marketplace to collect food waste. Students discard food waste into a trash can on a scale with a camera above it.

The system’s camera snaps a photo each time food is discarded and collects data that informs Dining Services which food items are most often wasted.

“Since introducing KITRO, students are already being more mindful of the food they are choosing for meals,” Elizabethtown College Registered Dietician Savannah

Greiner said. “We are excited to continue to track this data, share tangible information with our student body, and decrease food waste here at Etown.”

Although the College is in the early stages of the data collection process, patterns in food waste are beginning to emerge and are helping to identify instances when intervention can be the most impactful. These insights include a correlation between higher food waste and specific times and days of the week when The Marketplace is busier than usual.

“This could be attributed to students feeling rushed due to time constraints, prompting them to either quickly consume their meals or opt for larger portions, knowing they won’t have time for seconds,” Elizabethtown College General Manager of Dining Services Austin Benner said.

“We’re eager to review the remaining data as it becomes available and implement positive strategies that meet our sustainability goals here at Etown.”

More than 22 million pounds of food are wasted annually on college campuses across the United States, according to the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC). As the first higher-education institution in the United States to implement the KITRO system, Etown is remaining on the cutting edge of sustainability through creative, data-driven solutions.

This latest initiative adds to the sustainable strategies in the College’s daily operations, which also includes a pulping system that transforms food waste into electricity and fertilizer through Etown’s partnership with a local farm. LT

BY BRAD WELTMER, Director of Communications and Social Media, Elizabethtown College Contact Brad at weltmerb@etown.edu

LISTEN NOW! SEASON 2

What’s on Tap, Lancaster?

What’s on Tap, Lancaster? pours out the latest need-to-know trends, insights, and strategies for young professionals in the business community.

Featuring interviews with professionals from across Lancaster County, PA. What’s on Tap, Lancaster? will equip and inspire the next generation of leaders to cultivate a thriving Lancaster community.

SCAN TO LISTEN

WHAT’S ON TAP, LANCASTER? IS A PODCAST BY LANCASTER CHAMBER

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The Future of the Virtual Assistant in Business:

ChatGPT ChatGPT Generated Content – (blue text)

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hatGPT is taking the world by storm and is becoming more and more commonplace in conversations.

If you don’t know what ChatGPT is, we asked CHATGPT to provide us with a description of itself in basic terms. ChatGPT is a computer program created by OpenAI that’s really good at understanding and generating human-like text. It can chat with you, answer your questions, and even help you write things. It’s like a smart digital assistant designed to make computer interactions more natural and helpful.

The digital program has increasingly become more popular and normalized as a business tool in many industries in our business community. We are finding that more businesses are starting to discuss the use of ChatGPT in their daily business operations. ChatGPT can provide a competitive advantage by enhancing written communication, streamlining customer interactions, and optimizing content generation processes. Similar to many of the digital tools we currently use in our industries, ChatGPT could soon be a tool that all our staff will be using on a daily basis.

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We asked ChatGPT what it thought its future in business was.

Prompt: Provide an article under 500 words on the Future of the Virtual Assistant in Business. Discuss how the ChatGPT tool is going to impact business operations, decisionmaking, and productivity.

1. Redefining Business Communication: The future of virtual assistants in business is synonymous with a revolution in communication. ChatGPT, with its natural language processing prowess, enables businesses to create sophisticated virtual assistants capable of understanding and responding to humanlike text. This evolution goes beyond scripted responses, offering a more dynamic and natural interaction with customers and stakeholders. This, in turn, enhances customer satisfaction and solidifies brand credibility.

2. Impact on Decision-Making: As businesses navigate the complexities of data analysis, ChatGPT emerges as a powerful tool for informed decision-making. Its ability to comprehend and generate text facilitates efficient data interpretation, aiding in the extraction of actionable insights. The future sees ChatGPT contributing to a data-driven decision-making culture within organizations, enabling executives to

make strategic and timely choices based on a nuanced understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and internal processes.

3. Streamlining Operations: Efficiency is the cornerstone of successful business operations, and ChatGPT is positioned to play a pivotal role in streamlining tasks. By automating routine and time-consuming activities, such as scheduling, data entry, and information retrieval, ChatGPT frees up human resources to focus on more complex and creative aspects of their roles. This not only enhances overall productivity but also ensures that human skills are deployed where they add the most value.

4. Improving Customer Engagement: The future of virtual assistants in business is synonymous with elevated customer engagement. ChatGPT’s advanced capabilities allow for the creation of intelligent chatbots that can handle customer queries in real-time, provide personalized assistance, and guide users through purchasing processes. Businesses can cultivate stronger relationships with their customer base by offering

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THE FUTURE OF THE VIRTUAL ASSISTANT IN BUSINESS: CHATGPT continued seamless and responsive interactions, thereby fostering brand loyalty and positive customer experiences.

5. Adaptive Multilingual Capabilities: In an increasingly globalized business environment, language barriers can pose challenges. ChatGPT addresses this by offering adaptive multilingual capabilities, allowing businesses to engage with a diverse audience seamlessly. This not only expands market reach but also positions organizations as inclusive and globally conscious entities.

6. S calability for Business Growth: As businesses grow, so do their operational complexities.

ChatGPT is designed with scalability in mind, capable of handling a growing volume of tasks and interactions.

This scalability ensures that businesses can seamlessly integrate ChatGPT into their expanding operations without compromising efficiency or responsiveness.

7. Ethical Considerations and Continuous Improvement: As businesses adopt AI-driven virtual assistants like ChatGPT, ethical considerations become paramount.

OpenAI is committed to addressing biases and ensuring responsible AI use. Additionally, the future sees continuous improvements in the ChatGPT model, with updates aimed at refining its understanding, responsiveness, and adaptability to emerging business needs.

As we see the landscape of business continue to evolve, the integration of ChatGPT virtual assistants will become more commonplace in our workplace. These digital assistants will be just tools for automating tasks; they will be a catalyst for

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a more connected, efficient, and customer-centric future.

As businesses navigate the digital frontier, embracing the potential of virtual assistants is not just a choice but a strategic imperative. The era of seamless human-machine collaboration is here, and those who harness its power stand to gain a significant competitive edge in the marketplace.

“At RKL, we’re always exploring new ways to drive efficiency to allow our advisors to do what they do best – foster strong relationships and deliver strategic guidance.

Whether it’s predictive analysis, notetaking or even creative brainstorming, we’re leveraging AI to help our teams and our clients achieve what’s next for their organizations.

Most critically, we’re focused on utilizing these tools ethically and responsibly, and our policies and procedures ensure that confidential client data is never shared with AI models.”

— Eric Wenger, Office Managing Partner, Lancaster, RKL LLP "ChatGPT and other AI tools help rehash and reorganize information in a way that helps me plan my day, prioritize long meeting notes, and create agendas. I have to admit as an artist I was skeptical, and wary, but I've found its no replacement for real human ingenuity or emotional intelligence, rather, it helps increase our ability to organize information in a helpful way."

— Zachary Johnson-Medland, Creative | Principal, Gumption Design Co., LLC LT

BY JUSTIN JOHNSON, Director of Communications & Marketing, Lancaster Chamber Contact Justin at jjohnson@lancasterchamber.com

Technology Solution f e at u r e

Collaboration Tools for Team Success: A Tech’s Guide

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ffective collaboration between teams is not just beneficial, it’s crucial. Business leaders face the challenge of optimizing workforce efficiency in a world that has dramatically changed these last three years.

Today’s environment must be flexible and adaptable for internal team collaboration, as well as client collaboration.

To help achieve this, there are numerous technology products to support the integration of a hybrid workforce that keeps groups connected, while increasing productivity.

Since most businesses are using Microsoft 365 to some capacity, it is important to highlight a few options that are available and how to leverage those resources to boost your organization’s collaboration. These tools are typically included in your current licensing structure, eliminating the need for additional expenditures, and creating costeffectiveness for your organization.

Microsoft Teams is at the forefront of M365’s

collaborative tools. It serves as the centralized hub for team communication, bringing together chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and project management.

With Teams, your team can create dedicated channels for specific projects or topics, facilitating focused discussions

and easy document sharing. Features like real-time coauthoring and integrations with other M365 apps ensure seamless collaboration.

SharePoint is widely recognized for its robust capabilities in document storage, management, and seamless sharing across devices and applications. Beyond its documentcentric utility, SharePoint serves as a pivotal platform for the development of internal websites and intranets, promoting internal communication, collaborative efforts, and information awareness. This provides employees with a dedicated portal for timely updates, communication, and important information, accessible from any location, at any time, creating a more efficient and responsive work environment.

Microsoft Planner seamlessly integrates with SharePoint, enabling users to generate and delegate tasks, categorize them into well-organized buckets, and accurately track progress using interactive charts and dashboards. This integration creates a consolidated workspace, fostering project continuity and assuring each team member remains informed and aligned with their respective responsibilities.

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COLLABORATION TOOLS FOR TEAM SUCCESS: A TECH’S GUIDE continued

Yammer serves as the internal social media platform

for your organization, facilitating seamless company-wide communication, updates, and collaborative efforts.

This platform empowers employees to expedite problemsolving and access information expeditiously by leveraging the collective knowledge and expertise of their colleagues.

For instance, an employee can initiate a query within a Yammer group dedicated to their department, project, or area of interest, and receive insightful responses. This exchange of knowledge adds to a more informed and agile workforce.

These are only a fraction of the potential opportunities for enhancing workforce collaboration. Conducting a comprehensive assessment of owned resources is the first step for identifying ways to leverage and optimize your existing tech stack. Ultimately, the primary objective is to maximize efficiency and productivity—a principle represented by the motto “Do More With Less!” LT

BY TYLER YEAGER, Relationship Manager, Ark Technology Consultants Contact Tyler at tyeager@arktci.com

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At Ark, we are a trusted cloud services firm and strategic business partner. We are dedicated to empowering your business by providing the expertise, resources, and solutions you need to get projects done efficiently.

With a keen focus on your unique needs and growth objectives, we offer comprehensive IT services that not only fortify your cybersecurity but also drive innovation and productivity. As your strategic business ally, we’re committed to ensuring that your technology investments align seamlessly with your overarching business strategy.

CLOSING THE GAP: Out-of-the-Box and Custom Software

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uying business software is like buying a house—it comes with features you love at a basic level, but it’s bound to lack a few specific things you want. The logical course of action is to flesh out what you’ve purchased and make it work for your unique needs.

In the case of business software, users often start by investing in out-of-thebox products. These solutions can be purchased, downloaded, and used immediately with minimal or no customizations. Out-of-the-box systems are ready-made to address common business needs, such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for sales and marketing processes, or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for operations and inventory management.

For many businesses, out-of-the-box software will cover the majority of their needs. But companies in unique

industries like manufacturing and distribution or organizations with special workflows may find out-of-thebox software too rigid. To close the gap between what the software covers and what it doesn’t, these companies can invest in custom projects.

recognize that no solution is one-sizefits-all. That’s why we’ve helped many of our customers tailor their software.

Here are some of the ways our customers have enhanced their out-ofthe-box software with custom solutions

by Cargas.

Customizations—like add-ons and modules—build upon the out-of-thebox framework to meet business requirements, automate routine tasks, and integrate seamlessly with other solutions in a company’s tech stack. A custom project might seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to mean a huge project with a huge investment—it can be as straightforward as enhancing the systems you already have.

Small-Scale Changes, Big-Time Savings

As a trusted software partner for solutions from Microsoft, Sage, Salesforce, and HubSpot, Cargas knows just how incredible out-ofthe-box solutions are—but we also

Cargas helped MANTEC restructure Salesforce for more streamlined project contact reports. And because

The manufacturing nonprofit MANTEC was a loyal Salesforce customer for many years, using the CRM for customer-centric projects. But for all of the ease Salesforce brought to MANTEC, there was one small hiccup— the software lacked out-of-the-box reporting capabilities that aligned with manufacturing logistics.

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CLOSING THE GAP: OUT-OF-THE-BOX AND CUSTOM SOFTWARE continued

of this small change, MANTEC’s use of Salesforce has evolved.

“That one simple change was a gamechanger for our reporting capabilities and tracking the history of contacts for a project,” said Becky Shearer, MANTEC’s director of finance. “It takes less time to gather data.”

Accessibility Customizations When VisionCorps, a nonprofit supporting the visually impaired, adopted Microsoft Business Central, they faced a learning curve. The out-ofthe-box software presented challenges for team members who relied on accessibility tools like screen readers.

ERP pop-ups and visual elements were not accessible.

To address these issues, VisionCorps turned to Cargas for sight-related enhancements. Cargas customized the software to meet the individual preferences and needs of visually impaired users, ensuring a more accessible and user-friendly experience.

VisionCorps CIO and VP of Technology Chuck Blair appreciated that the customizations were built on a userlevel to accommodate a variety of accessibility needs.

“Inherently, there weren’t a lot of accessibility features in the solution.

Cargas sat down with our visually impaired users and configured their screens to their individual preferences.”

Proprietary Fuel Delivery Software Legacy technology—such as software built several decades ago—can hinder business growth. In the world of residential fuel delivery, where technological development is slower than average, software limitations can be especially detrimental.

That’s why when Wilson Oil & Propane needed new software for fuel delivery efficiency and forecasting, the team knew it was time to invest in a custom solution. At the time, existing fuel delivery solutions lacked wireless capabilities and predictive analytics, which Wilson Oil needed to accommodate customers.

Wilson Oil came to Cargas for help, and although Cargas didn’t have an existing energy solution, the team had dedicated software developers to custom-build mobile-friendly fuel delivery software.

As Cargas developers worked on this project, they realized that Wilson Oil’s needs reflected the larger needs of the industry—countless other fuel delivery companies needed mobile delivery, forecasting, and automation to continue serving customers across the United States. This custom solution became its own proprietary software— Cargas Energy—and has been one of the top fuel delivery solutions in the energy industry for almost two decades.

Customization— A Transformative Investment When companies invest in customizations, they’re investing in enhanced productivity and future cost savings. Custom software eliminates inefficiencies and fosters innovation, making it a strategic choice for organizations looking to thrive in a competitive landscape. While outof-the-box software has its place, customizations provide the flexibility and tailored performance to close the 10% gap between good-fit software and a best-fit solution. LT

BY ESTHER ANGELL, Vice President of CRM Cargas Contact Esther at eangell@cargas.com

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Precision spraying technologies for tree fruit orchards

Integrated Precision Agriculture Technologies for Tree Fruit Orchards

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he U.S. tree fruit industry (non-citrus) contributes approximately one-fourth ($15.4 billion) of all total economic

value of specialty crops ($60 billion), and apple is an important component of the tree fruit industry, contributing approximately $2.75 billion (USDA-NASS, 2020). The tree fruit industry is currently facing two major challenges: one is its highly labor-intensive tasks and associated labor shortage and high cost, and the other one is the massive application of agricultural materials (water, fertilizers, and chemicals) and its associated big waste and environmental impact.

Precision agricultural technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) have been showing promises on addressing these challenges at some extent.

Robotic chemical blossom thinning for apples

1. PRECISION AND ROBOTIC CROP LOAD MANAGEMENT FOR APPLES Crop load management for apples starts from branch pruning in the dormant season, and blossom and green fruit thinning in spring season. To achieve a good crop yield and fruit quality, it is critical to demonstrate a well-planned crop load management approach throughout the season. AI-based machine vision systems have been investigated for precision crop load management in recent years.

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INTEGRATED PRECISION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGIES FOR TREE FRUIT ORCHARDS continued

Robotic green fruit thinning for apples

Precision spraying technologies for tree fruit orchards

In our studies, AI-based deep learning models were developed for early flower buds, blossoms, and green fruits detection in an orchard environment. For blossom thinning, a robotic chemical thinning system was developed with integration of a machine vision system to detect flower clusters, a nozzle control system to target-spray the detected flower clusters, and an unmanned ground vehicle (mobile robot) to automatically drive in an orchard to conduct chemical thinning. Also, a robotic green fruit thinning system was developed with the integration of a machine vision system for green fruit detection, and a green fruit removal mechanism with a robotic manipulator for excessive green fruit removal.

2. PRECISION SPRAYING TECHNOLOGIES FOR TREE FRUIT ORCHARDS Sensor-guided precision sprayer technology has been developed and used in recent years. Three sensor types commonly used in pesticide sprayer development are ultrasonic sensors, digital cameras, and laser scanning sensors. A LiDAR sensor was used to detect tree canopy density, and then the sprayer nozzles were controlled to apply chemical rates based on the density of the canopy.

The research results showed that the chemical saving can be significant (i.e., over 50%) if canopy density is considered during spraying. Meanwhile, an inlet airflow control system was added to the sprayer, and the inlet air amount was controlled based on the canopy density.

The results showed that spray drift can be dramatically reduced if the inlet airflow is controlled, especially for these small and narrow trees.

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Precision irrigation system for tree fruit orchards

3. P RECISION AND AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION FOR TREE FRUIT ORCHARDS Soil moisture sensors have been proved to be effective for assisting the irrigation scheduling for tree fruit orchards. Precision irrigation based on soil moisture can determine when and how much to irrigate. An automatic irrigation system is capable of turning on/off water automatically or remotely as the crop needs; it no longer requires going to the specific site. A soil moisture sensorbased automatic irrigation system was developed and tested in apple and peach orchards. The system mainly includes an electrical pump station, three soil moisture sensors, a solenoid valve and control, and a LoRaWANbased internet of things (IoT) system. In this system, a solenoid valve located closely to the orchard block for an

irrigation zone will be remotely or automatically turned on/off for irrigation. The IoT system connects sensors and irrigation decisions through cloud servers, and the irrigation starts when the sensor reading reaches the dry threshold, and stops when it comes to soil water capacity level. LT

BY LONG HE, PHD, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Pennsylvania State University Contact Long at luh378@psu.edu

“Looking for new clients?

Our readers are active, community-minded decision makers with disposable income.”

Alicia M. Lee Regional Media Sales Executive alicia@hoffpubs.com 610-685-0914 *210

hoffpubs.com

Publishing Group

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Technology Solution f e at u r e

Is Managed Telecom Right for Me?

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oday’s world of technology services is so full of jargon and buzzwords it’s sometimes hard to figure out what the services have to offer and if they’re right for you. Unfortunately, some businesses miss out on valuable opportunities because it’s just too difficult to sort through it all. A good example is Managed Telecom.

Put simply, Managed Telecom is a set of ongoing, outsourced services that optimize your phone, internet and cloud capabilities while saving you money and relieving your team of significant work and frustrations.

Is it right for you? If you answer YES to any of these questions, Managed Telecom is likely a service you should get.

1. D o you have more than 50 - 100 team members using Telecom devices and services?

2. Are you operating in multiple locations or one large facility?

3. Is your IT or Administrative staff overwhelmed by dealing with Telecom issues?

4. Do you think you’re paying more than you should for Telecom services?

5. Do you need help identifying the right service providers for fiber and coax services for your existing and new locations?

6. Are you planning a network conversion project?

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7. Do you dread the legacy services disconnect process, including endless on-hold sessions?

8. Do you need assistance migrating legacy networks to newer technologies and faster bandwidths?

9. Are you planning a phone system upgrade or replacement project?

10. Do you want to migrate your legacy phone system to a newer cloud-based solution?

11. Would you like to upgrade your legacy call center to a newer omnichannel contact center?

12. Are you unsure and overwhelmed by choosing from all the available provider options?

13. Related to a merger/acquisition, do you need help with network and Telecom services inventory and identifying current provider contract end dates?

14. Do Telecom issues and challenges pop up more often than you would like?

15. Do your Telecom services need to comply with PCI, HIPAA or other requirements?

16. Are your team members and/or customers frustrated with your Telecom services?

17. Do your Telecom services go down too often?

18. Is keeping your Telecom services up to date too difficult and time-consuming?

12 BENEFITS OF MANAGED TELECOM A robust, high-value Managed Telecom solution will include a full range of services, including invoice management, project management, help desk, service optimization, reporting, inventory management, live staff assistance and more. The benefits can be significant: 1. Lower Telecom & Cloud Costs 2. Staff Efficiency

3. Higher Productivity

4. Ensured Compliance 5. Guaranteed Savings

6. Streamlined Bill Paying

7. Competitive Advantage

December 15 · 7:30AM - 9:30 AM Featuring Linda Duessel, Federated Hermes & Dave Hanson, Fulton Financial Advisors.

Come Learn about the 2024 trends you need for your business to succeed.

8. Greater Customer Satisfaction 9. Less Downtime

10. Easier Budgeting 11. Lower Stress

12. Improved Project Management & Technology Deployment However, all Managed Telecom programs are not the same. To maximize your business’s benefits, make sure you get a comprehensive solution as outlined above.

You will certainly enjoy the results.

Grudi Advantage offers an exceptional-value Managed Telecom solution through Grudi, Lancaster Chamber’s exclusive Telecom & IT partner.

Visit www.grudiadvantage.com, www.grudiassociates.com or call 717.838.5022. LT

BY WALT GRUDI, President, Grudi Contact Walt at wgrudi@grudiassociates.com At Grudi, we help your business succeed by providing a full range of managed communication and connection services that enhance your capabilities, reduce your costs and free your people to focus on critical business priorities.

From managed mobility services, office phones and VoIP phone systems to managed IT support, broadband telecom services, XaaS solutions, cybersecurity solutions and much more, we are the only partner you will ever need.

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LANCASTER COUNTY CAREER & TECHNOLOGY CENTER Trains New Workforce in Precision Machining

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oth listed as High Priority Occupations by the Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information & Analysis, Machinists and CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) Tool operators are a growing job market in the Lancaster region. CNC machines, in particular, are becoming more prevalent in the manufacturing realm, due to their accuracy, efficiency, and quality of the products they produce. As helpful as these machines are, they require a skilled workforce to program, run, and maintain. As a result, the industry surrounding these machines is also poised to grow in the next decade.

At the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center, we aim to educate Secondary and Post-Secondary students in high-priority trades. Our graduates enrich our local workforce and can step into careers in their field of

study following successful completion of their program.

Our Secondary Precision Machining program trains high school students on how to interpret blueprints and operate CNC machines as well as machining equipment like a lathe, drill press, band saw, and surface grinder.

During a visit to the precision machining lab, students were operating various machines and creating pieces and tools based on their respective blueprints. In their

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A keychain may seem like a simple piece. Still, in creating this promotional item, students get hands-on experience programming the CNC machines and creating items identical in size, shape, and weight. This accuracy is necessary when creating components that require precise calibration to create the perfect piece of a much larger puzzle. In addition to operating the machines, graduates will also be able to perform machine maintenance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure the manufacturing process runs smoothly in a factory or shop setting.

third month of school at the Advanced Manufacturing Center at our Mount Joy campus, high school students could explain how the tools worked, the materials used for the machining bits, and the process involved in making a piece from start to finish. Students were also creating alumni keychains using the CNC machines.

These keychains are sent to members of our LCCTC alumni association, and the students were pleased to show off their hard work.

Next year, the LCCTC is proud to expand the precision machining program to adult students in January, introducing a 210-hour course running on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday evenings, starting January 16 and running to May 30, 2024. This course will allow adult students to pivot into a machinist or CNC operator career following their completion of the program.

As manufacturing systems become more automated, those machines will need parts that are increasingly precise in their measurements and function. The LCCTC is proud to train a burgeoning workforce for this growing field.

If you or a loved one is interested in our programs, visit LancasterCTC.edu to learn more. LT

BY ELEANOR FARLEY, Communications Coordinator, Lancaster County Career & Technology Center Contact Eleanor at efarley@lancasterctc.edu

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This article contains eleven content ideas that will help you create a cohesive and compelling brand experience that guides customers through their decision-making process – from awareness to purchase and through to advocacy.

B2C Social Media Content Ideas for Businesses How It’s Made

Behind-the-scenes content gives customers a peek into the production or creation process and provides insights into the craftsmanship, quality control, or innovation behind your products.

Product Use Tips

Create content that shows how to use your product effectively and help customers maximize its value. A series of short videos that walk your audience through the process is popular.

Reviews, Testimonials, Before & After Stories

You have customers who are very happy with your products so why not share their good words with your social media audience? You can easily create posts that feature a positive online review. Get creative with your phone and record your top customer testimonials. You can have a lot of fun with before and after stories; just make sure you’re planning ahead for these.

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Credentials

Are you a Certified B Corporation or have you won any awards? Do you have any certifications that will separate you from the competitors in your industry? Embrace these credentials and share them with your social media audience. You might think it’s bragging, but these are things that are important to your customers!

Competitive Comparisons

What are some things that differentiate you from your competitors? An example of this is when Yeti came out with a marketing campaign that showed how their competitors’ products create waste while their products create less waste.

Contests, Promotions, & Giveaways

People can’t resist the power of free stuff. Use contests, promotions, and giveaways to increase engagement with your brand and collect emails that you can then add to your email campaigns. Several tools will help you create engaging and fun contests, promotions, and giveaways.

Google social media giveaway tools and also check out ShortStack.

Customer Support & FAQs

Conduct a Social Media Takeover

Entertainment, Humor, Inspiration

Go Live

Support a Cause

If you’re interested in discussing more, please feel free to contact me. I love talking about social media over a hot cup of coffee. kris@namespark.co LT

It’s amazing how much social media content you can create from a simple FAQ and from the questions that you receive from your current customers. List your FAQs and then have a team meeting where you brainstorm the different content (videos, infographics, static images, etc.) that you can create from your FAQs. You can also use questions that your sales and customer support team has documented.

We often take ourselves too seriously when it comes to creating content for social media. But if you think about your personal social media use, what is the content that you enjoy the most? It’s entertainment, humor, and inspiration.

Meet with your staff and brainstorm ways that you can create fun and inspirational content to share on your social media accounts.

Demonstrate your brand values by posting your support for a cause. Your customers want to see that you support and care about things beyond just your sales.

Takeovers put the reins of your social accounts in someone else’s hands, usually for 24 hours. Consider business partners and industry relationships that could be good candidates for a takeover. You can also feature employees.

The purpose of a takeover is to get exposure, so ideally choose someone whose audience demographic is relevant to your own.

Live video is one of the most engaging types of in-feed social content, partly because consumers are looking for authentic, less-produced experiences with brands. This is a great way to provide your thoughts on a timely topic that is relevant to your brand or to weigh in on industry trends and developments.

BY KRIS BRADLEY, Founder, NameSpark Contact Kris at kris@namespark.co

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Technology Solution f e at u r e

Maximizing Efficiency: How to Outsource IT Support for Your Small Business HAVE YOU FOUND YOURSELF ASKING THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS? “ Does my company have limited internal IT resources?”

“ Is my time consumed by IT management instead of primary goals?”

“ Are my current IT costs outweighing the benefits?”

IF SO, CONSIDER OUTSOURCING YOUR IT SUPPORT!

What is IT Outsourcing?

When outsourcing your IT, you hire a third party to deliver IT services and infrastructure solutions. These external service providers are known as Managed Service Providers or MSPs. When working with an MSP, your company hands over specific tasks and other IT-related projects. This can include infrastructure, directing strategy, maintenance, running the service desk, and other functions. The MSP can manage your entire IT environment or co-manage with someone on your team.

Ultimately, the outsourcing of tasks will be determined by your company’s overall goals and what you want to achieve. Regardless of whether you choose managed or co-managed, your business will see benefits.

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How to Outsource IT Support

One of the best ways to get started is to take a NIST assessment. The essential assessment takes less than 15 minutes, and it will point out the Critical and High security gap issues.

What are the Benefits of Outsourced IT Support?

As technology continues to develop, it’s not required to have resources in-house. This opens a world of opportunities for your business, including: Cost Control: hiring an in-house tech team can be expensive. Outsourcing IT support allows a business to obtain high-quality work at a low cost.

Time Savings: managers can delegate tasks to their MSPs so that in-house teams can focus on internal projects that need priority. For start-ups and new businesses, this helps decrease time to market.

Industry Experts: you’re bringing expertise to your team that you would not have access to otherwise.

BY NICHOLAS PAULUKOW, CEO and Visionar, One2One, Inc. Contact Nicholas at npaulukow@one2oneinc.com

Potential IT Outsourcing Challenges

When looking to outsource IT support, there are a few items that you’ll want to pay attention to, like where the MSP is located, what their history is, and whether they have a solid security plan in place. Hiring a reliable vendor will ensure the success of your long-term goals.

Depending on the outsourcing model you choose, the MSP you hire could be out of state, in a different time zone, and even in a foreign country. So, consider time differences or potential language barriers.

Look at the vendor’s website to get a better understanding of the industries and markets they serve. Does the MSP have a client list or portfolio of clients you can view? How long has the MSP been in business? If this information is not listed on the MSP’s website, it should be available during initial conversations.

Remember, when outsourcing your IT, you present sensitive information to a third party. Ensure the vendor includes language within the Master Service Agreement (MSA) that addresses security concerns.

Here’s to maximizing your efficiency and increasing overall cybersecurity! LT

At ONE 2 ONE, we know you want to grow your business confidently. To do that, you need technology and systems you can rely on.

The problem is IT is too technical to handle in-house, and outsourcing is hit or miss. Most companies feel frustrated, stressed, and even distrust IT providers. It makes sense.

We believe financial leaders like you deserve to be educated and empowered to make the right decisions about their business IT. ONE 2 ONE is committed to earning your trust by putting a human touch back into technology services. We speak your language and prioritize not to overwhelm and confuse you with tech jargon. If you can’t understand what you’re getting, you don’t know what you’re getting. We have been educating and empowering businesses for over 20 years.

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ABOUT

GRAND OPENINGS & RIBBON CUTTINGS

SHAKE SHACK (Grand Opening of New Location), 1430 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601

IB ADVISORS POWERED BY FWA (Celebration of Opening of Location), 52 North Queen Street, Suite 2A, Lancaster, PA 17601

ATT WIRELESS EXPERIENCE (Grand Opening of New Location), 2418 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602

LANDIS PLACE ON KING LANDIS COMMUNITIES (Grand Opening of New Location), 239 W. King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

38 | LANCASTERTHRIVING! | Fall/Winter 2023

SILANTRA ASIAN STREET KITCHEN (Grand Re-Opening of 2nd Location), 1917 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601

LANCASTER KETAMINE INSTITUTE (Grand Opening), 1689 Crown Ave, STE 2, Lancaster, PA 17601

BELLOMO & ASSOCIATES, LLC (Grand Opening of New Location), 1755 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601

PHOENIX PHYSICAL THERAPY (Grand Opening of New Location), 1577 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601

ARS LANCASTER (Launch of New IOP Programs), 2192 Embassy Dr, Lancaster, PA 17603

LANCASTER CITY BINN'S PARK (Grand Re-Opening), 20 N Queen St, Lancaster, PA 17603

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VISIONCORPS (Grand Opening of New Technology & Accessibility Center), 1917 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601

S'MORE SPACE STORAGE (Grand Opening of New Location), 105 W. Penn Grant Road, Willow Street, PA 17545

APEX CHIROPRATIC & WELLNESS CENTER (Grand Opening), 1725 Oregon Pike, Suite A104, Lancaster, PA 17601

INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL AESTHETIC (James Street MedSpa Extension Grand Opening), 459 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603

THE H&H GROUP (50th Anniversary), 854 N. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603

THE AESTHETIX LOUNGE (Grand Opening), 217 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601

40 | LANCASTERTHRIVING! | Fall/Winter 2023

BREWERY TOURS (Grand Opening), 217 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601

CONESTOGA TITLE INSURANCE CO. (Celebrating 50 Years!), 137 E King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

FRISCO'S (Grand Opening New Location), 2424 Willow Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

VILLE & RUE (Expansion Grand Opening), 8 West King Street, Suite 816, Lancaster, PA 17603

YTI CAREER INSTITUTE (Grand Opening of their New Culinary Arts Program), 380 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17601

CARHARTT (New Location Grand Opening), 355 Park City Center, Lancaster, PA 17601

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Welcome New Members and Partners to the Lancaster Chamber The Lancaster Chamber is thrilled to welcome these businesses to our network. Because of businesses that choose to be Members and Partners, we are able to fund powerful initiatives that are vastly changing the landscape of business. Now more than ever, your support is truly helping to shape the future of business and making Lancaster County a thriving community for all. We are grateful for the many businesses choosing to invest with us and our mission!

MEET SOME OF THE NEW MEMBERS AND PARTNERS BELOW: MAY

Customers Bank Wolfgang Confectioners 31 Fourteen Financial Services Team AT&T the Wireless Experience LSJ Studios Shake Shack KeyNet Technologies LLC I See Magic Koser Performance & Restoration LLC J Smucker Contracting Manor Communities Cimarron Investments BMS CAT Harrisburg Jason Burkholder Real Estate Team — Welcome Home Real Estate

JUNE

Foundry 48 LaborNow Danco Construction Hollister for Commissioner The Stewardship Business Plan Store Bevanda Exact Solar Phoenix Physical Therapy, East Earl Lancaster Proud LLC dba Parlor Doughnuts Winston Health, Inc. Upohar The Law Offices of William P Harrington Educational Data Systems Inc. Zion Community Services J.L. Clark Lancaster County Food Hub Energo Westfield Insurance

42 | LANCASTERTHRIVING! | Fall/Winter 2023

JULY

Color and Culture RW Communications Apex Chiropractic & Wellness Center Oak Street Health Kay Bela Coaching and Counseling S'More Space Storage-Willow Street WEH Logistics IHS Technologies Pallet Guys Ruppert Landscape Palmatier Electric Brown Brother Harriman Paradise Concrete Solutions s,a,rasool corp New York Life SoftwareLink, LLC Ellie Mental Health CGV Solutions, LLC

AUGUST

Matched Talent Services Certified Flooring Three Legacies Wrestling, New Member #3 Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley Mirelle Associates Inc Blossom Med Spa LLC Immigreat Lancaster, Inc. RW CONNECTION, MJ Premium Contractors The Aesthetix Lounge Ingredientsplus Koser Jewelers

Cirque Italia - Paranormal Cirque Pillar Home Health Care LLC Elwood Staffing Avon Grove Kitchen Maintenance: Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions GEM’s Catering LLC Hamilton Store

SEPTEMBER

Aspire WorkLabs, New Member #1 Julscon Artz Taktical Tek YTI Career Institute Mortgage Craft Lancaster County Women for Good Capital Coating C&J Catering Hubric Resources Nikki's Custard Aigul Bodnar State Farm Real Merchant Services of PA Carhartt

OCTOBER

Brewery Tours Wojdak Government Relations Tahir Transport Solutions Mezcla Ice Cream Matthai Material Handling Auntie Anne's

We are so grateful for the support of these Lancaster Chamber Members, especially during this challenging business landscape. Please take note of our Members who are celebrating special milestone anniversaries with us.

MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 5 YEARS (2018)

Donnelley Financial Solutions Wegmans Ranck Plumbing Heating AC Cummins-Wagner LongHorn Steakhouse EOS Worldwide - Bill Stratton Stoltzfus Meats, Inc. The Eckert Group LINKBANK The Wilbur Hotel By Hilton

10 YEARS (2013)

Heritage Floors, Inc. Landis Communities RMS Sandler Training Edwards Electric & Telecom, Inc. Weaver Energy, Inc. Hershey Financial Advisers, LLC Friendship Heart Gallery Smarilli Group Commonwealth Charter Academy Charter School Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences EchoData Group Lindsley Development Consulting Visiting Angels Bank of Bird-in-Hand Hursh Painting Company ALL Renovation & Design LLC Sustainable Energy Fund

15 YEARS (2008)

Precision Coating Technology & Manufacturing, Inc. Reliance Environmental, Inc. Hinkle Insurance Agency, Inc. Atomic Design, Inc. Dillow Associates Architects PhotOle Photography PNG Worldwide LLC American Music Theatre Land Grant Surveyors, LLC Larson Design Group JML Ingredients, Inc.

20 YEARS (2003)

Field of Screams, LLC/Schopf Bros.

Farms, LLC Master's Advisors, Inc. East Hempfield Township Batteries Plus Bulbs Getaways On Display/ Brochure Distribution B&B Integrations Shank's Extracts, Inc.

Jagtrux, Inc. Re-Bath & More Scheid Produce, Inc. AmishView Inn & Suites

25 YEARS (1998)

Gage Personnel McConkey Insurance & Benefits Lancaster Container, Inc. Achenbach's Pastry, Inc. Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, Inc. East Cocalico Township Rettew's Catering, LLC Horst Group Emerald Asset Management Versatek Enterprises, LLC Green's Tree Service Community First Fund

30 YEARS (1993)

Benchmark Construction Company, Inc. Lancaster Country Day School Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau Thyme & Seasons Catering/ Riverdale Manor

35 YEARS (1988)

Junior Achievement of South Central Pennsylvania, Inc. Smucker Company Cargas Systems Northwest Bank CAES Kelly Cadillac, Inc. Turkey Hill Dairy, LP Warwick Machine & Tool Company, Inc.

40 YEARS (1983)

Appel, Yost & Zee LLP Isaac's Famous Grilled Sandwiches Walz Group CPA Village Greens Golf, Inc. Central Penn Nursing Care, Inc. Hershey Paper Company Indoor City of Lancaster, Inc. Lapp Lumber Company

45 YEARS (1978)

Amish Farm & House New Holland North America / CNH Industrial America LLC South Central Transit Authority Benjamin/Roberts, Ltd. Dyer Company Wilbur Chocolate Retail

50 YEARS (1973)

Electron Energy Corporation Novelty Manufacturing Co. Evans Eagle Burial Vault Inc. Fenner Precision Polymers Burnham Holdings, Inc. Susquehanna Glass Company LNP Media Group Inc.

50 YEARS +

Wickersham Construction and Engineering, Inc. Lancaster County Association of Realtors® Yorgey's & Filling's Fine Cleaning Majic Services, Inc. Trout CPA Barley Snyder, LLP Cooper Booth Wholesale Charles F. Snyder Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc. RKL LLP Franklin & Marshall College B.R. Kreider & Son, Inc. Strasburg Rail Road Company Siegel-Ansel Bag & Burlap Co. D&H Electrical Construction LLC Jones Dealerships Maple Farm Autohaus Lancaster, Inc. Engle Hambright Davies, Inc. Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories, Inc. Bertz, Hess & Co., LLP Haverstick Bros., Inc. Gardner Russo & Gardner LLC Windstream Communications, Inc. Murray Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority Manor House Apartments DeBord-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory RLPS Architects M&T Bank Colony Business Systems Moore Engineering Company Significa Benefit Services, Inc. Elizabethtown College Eden Resort & Suites American Testing Laboratories, Inc.

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