1. Concord

Concord is a comprehensive contract management solution that offers robust features, such as digital signatures, deadline reminders, and version tracking. Its intuitive user interface allows users to store, manage, and collaborate on documents in a secure environment. The platform’s analytics tools provide valuable insights into contract performance and legal risks.

2. ContractWorks

ContractWorks is well-known for its simplicity and practical approach, making it an ideal choice for small to mid-sized businesses. It offers essential functionalities such as automated templates, e-signatures, and customizable reporting. Its Artificial Intelligence (AI) foundations enable quick implementation and accurate search results when fetching contracts or documents.

3. Agiloft

Agiloft offers a flexible contract management platform that stands out in terms of its adaptability and scalability. It can be easily tailored to suit your organization’s specific requirements. Agiloft supports out-of-the-box integration with popular third-party applications like Salesforce, DocuSign, and Office 365.

4. Icertis Contract Intelligence (ICI)

Icertis Contract Intelligence is an enterprise-level solution preferred by large organizations for its advanced features and the ability to manage contracts at scale. ICI utilizes advanced analytics and AI-powered search capabilities to deliver actionable insights about your contracts, streamlining the negotiation processes while ensuring compliance with regulations.

5. PandaDoc

PandaDoc is a user-friendly yet powerful software with features such as custom templates, e-signature support, streamline document generation, real-time notifications when documents are viewed or signed, and workflow approvals. The platform also integrates seamlessly with popular CRM systems, including Salesforce and HubSpot, making it a reliable choice for sales-driven organizations.

6. Coupa Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM)

Coupa CLM focuses on improving collaboration and minimizing risks throughout the entire contract lifecycle. With features such as guided authoring, automatic risk scoring, and configurable approval workflows, Coupa ensures that your contracts are created efficiently and comply with the necessary regulations. Additionally, it offers robust reporting and analytics tools to help you monitor contract performance effectively.

In conclusion, the best contract management software for your organization depends on your requirements and objectives. By considering the features, usability, scalability, and integration with other tools, you can efficiently manage your contracts while remaining compliant with regulations and improving overall workflow.

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1. The Knot (www.theknot.com)

The Knot is a comprehensive wedding planning website that offers planning tools, vendor recommendations, and inspiring ideas for your big day. You can create a custom wedding website, manage your guest list, receive RSVPs, and more with their easy-to-use interface.

2. Zola (www.zola.com)

Zola is a one-stop-shop for all your wedding needs. They offer registry services, free customizable wedding websites, and planning tools such as checklists and timelines. Zola also provides a marketplace where engaged couples can shop for essentials like invitations and save-the-dates.

3. WeddingWire (www.weddingwire.com)

WeddingWire offers a suite of online tools for managing everything from vendor selection to timeline creation and budget tracking. Their website also features an extensive library of advice articles and real weddings to inspire your own celebration.

4. Minted (www.minted.com)

Minted specializes in high-quality customized designs for wedding invitations, save-the-dates, and other stationery. Couples can choose from various unique designs created by independent artists or collaborate closely with the Minted team to create something truly bespoke.

5. Joy (www.withjoy.com)

This beautifully designed platform allows couples to create free custom wedding websites that include scheduling tools, photo sharing capabilities, online RSVPs, and personalized domains. Joy also offers a user-friendly app for guests to easily access all event information on their smartphones.

6. Appy Couple (www.appycouple.com)

Appy Couple lets couples create stylish wedding websites complete with planning tools, registries, and collaborative features. Guests can download an accompanying app to stay connected and receive push notifications with event updates.

7. WedSites (www.wedsites.com)

With a user-friendly interface, WedSites offers a range of planning tools, including a guest list manager, RSVP tracker, budget calculator, and vendor directory. The platform also includes customizable wedding website templates to match any style and theme.

8. Paperless Post (www.paperlesspost.com)

As the name suggests, Paperless Post specializes in digital invitations and stationery for weddings and other special events. Couples can create a beautiful suite of coordinated designs for their entire event, from engagement parties to thank you notes – all without cutting down a single tree.

Whether you’re newly engaged or already deep into wedding planning, these websites will help streamline the process and make every aspect of your day enjoyable and stress-free.

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In today’s fast-paced business world, efficient and accurate invoicing is crucial for managing your finances. Free invoicing software can come in handy for small businesses and freelancers alike that may not have the budget for paid options. With more tools at your disposal than ever, finding the best free invoicing software might seem like a daunting task. But fear not, as we’ve compiled the top options for your consideration here.

1. Invoice Ninja

Invoice Ninja is an excellent choice for small businesses and freelancers who require an easy-to-use and customizable platform. With over 100 templates to choose from, you can quickly create professional invoices that reflect your brand’s identity. The basic plan features unlimited invoicing, multiple currencies support, and integration with popular payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal.

2. Sufio

Sufio offers a user-friendly interface coupled with smart automation features that streamline the invoice creation process. With automatic tax calculations while sending invoices to customers from around the world, it becomes a breeze for your business or freelance venture to present professional invoices without worrying about incorrect numbers. The free package allows up to 5 invoices per month, which is suitable for small-scale operations.

3. Zoho Invoice

Widely known in CRM and project management domains, Zoho also boasts a powerful free invoicing tool in its arsenal. Zoho Invoice gives you access to essential invoicing capabilities like time tracking, recurring invoices, multi-currency support, and integration with popular online payment platforms. One noteworthy feature is the client portal where customers can view or pay their invoices directly.

4. Wave

Wave is a highly-regarded solution for entrepreneurs and freelancers seeking robust invoicing software at no cost. Besides offering the standard invoicing features such as tax calculation and customizable templates, Wave shines with real-time accounting integration that allows you to easily keep track of your finances in one convenient platform. Best of all, Wave offers unlimited invoicing and receipt scanning, making it an attractive choice for growing businesses.

5. Due

Due’s free invoicing software is aimed at helping small businesses accelerate their payment cycles. With a focus on speed and efficiency, the platform offers essential invoicing features like customizable templates, tax calculations, reporting tools, and even additional features like time tracking and project management. Due lets you issue up to 3 invoices per month for free.

Conclusion

Having access to reliable and professional invoicing software is crucial in today’s competitive business environment. These five top-rated free options cater to a variety of needs, allowing both small businesses and freelancers to effectively manage their finances while still maintaining a professional appearance. Evaluate each tool’s features, ease of use, and pricing structures to determine the best fit for your business needs.

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2. Project Gutenberg: This well-known website contains over 60,000 free e-books and audiobooks in various languages. Their audiobook collection includes human and computer-generated narrations.

3. Loyal Books: Formerly known as Books Should Be Free, Loyal Books offers a wide range of free audiobooks and e-books from different genres, including children’s literature and non-fiction works.

4. Open Culture: Open Culture is a vast repository of educational and cultural content that includes free audiobooks. The site also provides access to movies, online courses, and language lessons.

5. LibriVox Audio Books: This app connects you to a vast library of free public domain audiobooks—every title available on LibriVox can be accessed through this mobile app.

6. ThoughtAudio: ThoughtAudio provides classic literature and philosophy titles in audio format for free, perfect for individuals interested in intellectual content.

7. Digital Book: Digital Book has thousands of free e-books and audiobooks available for immediate download or streaming on any device.

8. Audiobook Treasury: This website features a wide range of unabridged audiobooks from various genres – ensuring hours of listening enjoyment.

9. Learn Out Loud: Primarily designed to provide educational content, Learn Out Loud offers thousands of lectures, interviews, speeches, and other learning materials in addition to free audio titles in various categories.

10. OverDrive: OverDrive connects you to your local library’s digital media collection – simply sign up using your library card number and gain access to free e-books, audiobooks, movies, and more!

11. Lit2Go: Lit2Go is a collection of free audiobooks and poems available from the University of South Florida. Their audiobook library includes stories and essays in MP3 format.

12. Podiobooks: Podiobooks distributes serialized, high-quality audio podcasts that you can listen to or download for later enjoyment.

13. Storynory: If you’re searching for free children’s audiobooks, Storynory offers an array of fairytales, original stories, and classics.

14. Audiobook Boom: Receive one free audiobook every Tuesday by subscribing to Audiobook Boom’s newsletter, giving you exposure to newly released titles.

15. YouTube: You might be surprised to find numerous full-length audiobooks uploaded on YouTube channels dedicated to this purpose.

16. Free Classic Audiobooks: This website lives up to its name by offering classic literature in audiobook format – all available to download in either MP3 or m4b formats.

17. Sync: Sync is an annual initiative that offers two free audiobook downloads for young adults every week throughout the summer months, perfect for keeping your teenagers entertained.

18. Hoopla: Hoopla is another digital media resource that partners with libraries to provide instant access to e-books, audiobooks, movies, music, and television series – all accessible with a
library card!

19. Google Play Books: Android users can take advantage of Google Play Books’ selection of free public domain books with accompanying audio narrations.

20. Spotify: While Spotify is primarily a music streaming platform, it also boasts a growing collection of free audiobooks sprinkled among its millions of tracks.

These 20 resources offer fantastic opportunities for listeners to explore new titles and enjoy their favorite literature through audiobooks for free!

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Large Language Models (LLMs) have been making waves in the fields of artificial intelligence and natural language processing (NLP). They are known for their ability to generate human-like text, solve complex problems, and even answer questions. But what exactly is a Large Language Model, and how does it work? In this article, we will explore the fundamentals, architecture, training process, and applications of these cutting-edge models.

Understanding Large Language Models

A Large Language Model is a type of machine learning model designed to understand and generate human language. It uses deep learning techniques to analyze vast amounts of text data, learn patterns within the text, and produce contextually relevant output. These models can be fine-tuned for specific tasks such as translation, summarization, or question-answering.

The foundation for most LLMs lies in a concept called Transformers—a family of architectures that rely on attention mechanisms to process language. Transformers have revolutionized NLP by allowing the model to process sequences of words by focusing on the relationships between them rather than linearly reading through the text.

Training and Preparing Large Language Models

Large Language Models require a substantial amount of training data, which usually consists of diverse web-based documents such as articles, books, websites, and forum discussions. Training an LLM involves feeding this data into the model so that it can learn grammar rules, common phrases, idioms, facts about the world, and even some reasoning abilities.

The primary steps in preparing an LLM include:

1. Tokenization: Breaking down input text into language building blocks called tokens (words or sub-words).

2. Embedding: Transforming tokens into feature vectors that the model can process.

3. Attention Mechanism: Determining the relationships between words within a context to attend to their importance.

4. Decoder Generation: Producing contextually relevant output based on the model’s accumulated knowledge.

Significant LLMs and Their Applications

Numerous companies have developed notable Large Language Models, such as GPT-3 by OpenAI, BERT by Google, and T5 by Google Brain. These models have shown remarkable capabilities, including:

1. Text generation: Creating coherent and contextually fitting text given a prompt.

2. Text summarization: Compressing information into shorter, concise summaries.

3. Machine translation: Translating text between different languages with high accuracy.

4. Sentiment analysis: Determining the sentiment (positive, negative, or neutral) of a piece of text.

5. Question answering: Providing accurate answers to questions based on context and prior knowledge.

Challenges and Concerns

While Large Language Models offer impressive capabilities, they also present certain challenges and concerns:

1. Ethical considerations: LLM-generated content may contribute to the spread of misinformation or be used for malicious purposes.

2. Bias detection: The training data for LLMs may contain biases that impact the output’s fairness.

3. Computational requirements: Training LLMs demands significant computational resources and power consumption.

Conclusion

Large Language Models have transformed the field of NLP with their remarkable abilities to understand and generate human-like language. As technology continues to advance, it is essential to explore methods for mitigating their potential drawbacks while harnessing their power for beneficial applications across various industries and domains.

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In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of access to technology for students. With the increasing reliance on computers for research, assignments, and communication, a lack of access to technology can hinder a student’s educational opportunities. As a result, many schools and organizations across the globe are developing and implementing free student laptop programs to help close the digital divide and ensure all students can thrive in the digital age.

Benefits of Free Student Laptop Programs

1. Leveling the playing field – Providing free laptops to students ensures that all learners, regardless of socio-economic status or background, have equal access to essential educational tools.

2. Increasing engagement – Studies have shown that students who have access to personal computers in school tend to be more engaged in their learning as they can easily participate in online discussions, group projects, and research activities.

3. Enhancing digital literacy – By providing laptops to students from an early age, schools help them become proficient in vital computer skills needed for future careers and further education.

4. Collaboration and communication – Laptops facilitate group work by enabling efficient collaboration through various applications, such as Google Docs and Microsoft Teams. Students can also maintain communication with teachers and classmates through email or other online platforms.

5. Supporting remote learning – During emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, having access to a laptop allows students to continue learning remotely without interruption. This is essential in maintaining progress for those who might not have access otherwise.

Successful Free Student Laptop Programs

There are several successful free laptop programs globally:

1. One Laptop per Child (OLPC) – A global initiative aimed at supplying rugged and low-cost laptops preloaded with educational software to children from underprivileged communities.

2. Computers For Schools (CFS) – A Canadian federal program that refurbishes donated computers from government agencies and private companies before distributing them to schools and non-profit organizations.

3. United States’ E-rate Program – A program that provides funding for schools and libraries to improve access to technology and internet services. Many schools use this funding to purchase laptops for students in need.

Challenges faced by Free Student Laptop Programs

Although free laptop programs have several advantages, they also face various challenges:

1. Funding – Obtaining funds to purchase laptops, whether through government grants or private donations, can be a significant challenge for schools and organizations.

2. Maintenance – Laptops are prone to wear and tear, which requires ongoing maintenance and occasional replacement of devices.

3. Technology training – Teachers need training on how to integrate laptops into their instruction effectively, which can be time-consuming and costly.

4. Internet access – In some areas lacking reliable internet infrastructure, providing students with laptops is only part of the solution; ensuring access to high-speed internet remains a crucial challenge.

Conclusion

Free student laptop programs are gaining momentum globally as a viable solution in bridging the digital divide. By providing all students with access to technology, these initiatives aim to ensure that every learner has an equal opportunity to succeed academically.
However, funding challenges persist along with ensuring maintenance and training for an effective implementation. Going forward, continued collaboration and support between governments, schools, private companies, and non-profits will be crucial in making widespread free student laptop programs a reality.

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As the population ages, medical alert systems have become increasingly important for maintaining independence and safety in the home. One such system that has gained considerable attention is ADT’s Medical Alert System. In this article, we’ll provide an in-depth review of the ADT Medical Alert System for 2023 and evaluate its features, pricing, and overall reliability.

Features of ADT Medical Alert System

1. 24/7 Monitoring: With ADT’s Medical Alert System, professional monitoring is available around-the-clock to respond to any emergency and dispatch appropriate responders when needed.

2. Waterproof Pendant: The waterproof pendant of the ADT Medical Alert System allows users to wear it even in places such as the shower or pool without worrying about water damage.

3. Fall Detection: The optional fall detection feature uses advanced sensors to detect sudden falls; it then automatically and quickly alerts the monitoring center for assistance.

4. GPS Location Services: ADT’s On-The-Go emergency system features built-in GPS location services to pinpoint your exact position during an emergency quickly.

5. Range: Offering a comprehensive coverage range, the ADT system provides peace of mind whether you’re indoors or outdoors within your property.

6. Compatibility: The system is compatible with various landline communication methods, including VoIP and digital phone services.

7. Backup Battery: The backup battery on the base unit ensures that the system works during power outages, further enhancing reliability.

Pricing

ADT offers three primary packages for its Medical Alert Systems:

1. Basic Package – With a $29.99 monthly fee, this package offers home-based monitoring with a landline connection.

2. Plus Package – This package provides an enhanced range of up to 600 feet from the base unit with no landline connection required at a cost of $35.99 per month.

3. On-The-Go Package – Offering a complete solution for active individuals, this package features one-button GPS tracking and automatic fall detection at a rate of $39.99 per month.

Conclusion

Based on our review of the ADT Medical Alert System for 2023, it is clear that the system offers a comprehensive array of features, providing users with peace of mind and ensuring their safety in various situations. While the initial costs may seem steep, considering its reliability, real-time monitoring, and customer support, the investment can significantly contribute to maintaining independence and overall quality of life for elderly individuals or those with medical conditions.

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Features

Both Life Alert and Medical Guardian provide essential features like fall detection, 24/7 monitoring, GPS location tracking, and two-way communication. However, Medical Guardian offers a more extensive range of equipment options such as wearable devices, in-home systems, mobile solutions, and even smartwatch integration. Life Alert focuses primarily on in-home systems with a limited selection of wearables.

Plans & Costs

Life Alert offers three plans: Basic In-Home Protection (starting at $49.95 per month), In-Home Protection with Fall Detection (starting at $69.95 per month), and Total Protection with Mobile GPS (starting at $89.95 per month). These plans have upfront equipment costs between $96 to $198.

Medical Guardian presents a more diverse set of pricing plans that cater to different preferences and budgets. They offer six plan options: Classic (starting at $29.95 per month), Home (starting at $34.95 per month), Family (starting at $39.95 per month), Mobile (starting at $44.95 per month), Active (starting at $49.95 per month), and Freedom (starting at $64.95 per month). There are no upfront equipment costs for most plans except for Active and Freedom with a one-time fee of $124.95.

Contract & Cancellation

Life Alert requires a 3-year contract, whereas Medical Guardian operates on a more flexible month-to-month basis. This distinction might determine your choice if you wish to avoid long-term commitments. Additionally, Medical Guardian provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing customers to test the service with confidence.

Customer Experience

Both Life Alert and Medical Guardian offer US-based call centers with trained operators available to support users in emergencies. While they both fare well in providing optimal customer services, it is worth mentioning that Medical Guardian holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, reflecting its commitment to customer satisfaction.

In conclusion, while Life Alert has been around longer and enjoys strong brand recognition, Medical Guardian offers a more extensive selection of equipment, greater flexibility in plans, costs, and contracts. Ultimately, choosing between them will come down to your unique needs and specific preferences. Evaluate your requirements carefully and review each provider’s offerings and terms before making a decision to ensure the safety and well-being of yourself or your loved ones.

The post Life Alert vs. Medical Guardian In 2023: A Comprehensive Comparison appeared first on The Tech Edvocate.

Walmart, the multinational retail company, has taken major steps to contribute to its employees’ education with their innovative college tuition program. Named Live Better U (LBU), this program assists Walmart’s associates in reaching their educational goals through tuition fees assistance and flexible learning options. In this article, we will explore how the Walmart College Tuition program works and how it benefits its participants.

The Live Better U Program:

Launched in 2018, Walmart’s Live Better U program aims to support employees in advancing their education and career growth. The program covers several areas including high school completion, college degrees, professional certifications, language learning courses, and technology programs.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for the tuition program, an associate must be employed with the company for at least 90 days and work at least part-time (20 hours per week). Both full-time and part-time associates in Walmart’s stores, distribution centers, and corporate offices can participate in the LBU program.

Partner Institutions:

The Live Better U program is partnered with six accredited universities across the United States:

1. University of Florida

2. Brandman University

3. Bellevue University

4. Southern New Hampshire University

5. Purdue University Global

6. Wilmington University

Tuition Fee Coverage:

Walmart covers 100% of tuition fees for employees participating in the LBU program, making higher education more accessible for its workforce. The program only requires associates to contribute $1 per day towards their college education (up to 365 dollars a year). This small contribution covers any remaining fees not included in the granted tuition assistance.

Degree Programs:

The LBU program offers a variety of degree options ranging from associate to bachelor’s degrees in various fields such as business administration, computer science, cybersecurity, healthcare management, information technology, supply chain management, and many more.

Flexible Learning Options:

Understanding the need for flexibility, the Live Better U program offers online courses, allowing associates to continue working while they pursue their education. This flexibility enables employees to maintain a work-life balance, accommodating their professional and personal responsibilities.

Additional Support Services:

Walmart’s LBU program provides its participants with academic coaching, financial planning tools, and resources to help them stay on track during their educational journey. These additional services ensure that employees have all the necessary support and guidance for successful
completion of their degrees.

Conclusion:

Walmart’s commitment to employee growth through its college tuition program, Live Better U, showcases the company’s efforts to build a skilled and educated workforce. By providing affordable higher education options and a supportive learning environment, Walmart empowers its associates to succeed both professionally and personally, creating a bright future for both the employees and the company.

The post How Walmart’s College Tuition Program Works: A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on The Tech Edvocate.

Free Student Laptop Programs

Numerous non-profit organizations and educational institutions have taken it upon themselves to provide free laptops to college students in need. Here are some noteworthy examples:

1. Computers With Causes

Computers With Causes is a non-profit organization that offers free refurbished laptops to those who can demonstrate financial need, including college students. By relying on donations from individuals and businesses, they provide functional computers for students at no cost.

2. The On It Foundation

The Opportunities Necessary to Increase Technology (On It) Foundation offers free laptops as part of its mission to bridge the digital divide in the United States. This organization focuses on providing families with K-12 children access to technology resources they need to succeed academically.

3. Laptop Scholarships

Some colleges and universities offer laptop scholarships that cover the full cost of a brand-new
laptop for high-achieving incoming students or those who show financial need. Make sure to inquire about this opportunity when researching prospective schools.

Technology Discounts for College Students

Tech companies recognize the importance of extending technology access to university students at affordable prices. Many organizations offer exclusive discounts specifically for college students:

1. Apple Education Store

Apple offers discounted pricing on MacBooks, iPads, and various other Apple products through its Education Store. Students must present proof of enrollment at a higher education institution or be accepted into one.

2. Dell University

Dell University offers significant discounts on laptops, desktops, and other electronic devices exclusively for college students. Students must provide a valid .edu email address to qualify for these discounts.

3. Microsoft Education Store

Microsoft’s Education Store provides college students with discounts on Surface devices, PCs, accessories, and software. This discount is available to students enrolled in higher education institutions.

4. Best Buy

Best Buy’s College Student Deals program allows college students to access exclusive discounts on laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices by signing up with a valid .edu email address.

In Conclusion

The availability of free student laptop programs and technology discounts is essential for ensuring that all college students have equal access to vital tools necessary for academic success. By taking advantage of these opportunities, higher education becomes more inclusive and empowering, allowing students from all backgrounds to excel in their chosen fields.

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