#professional services automation software

[techpsa]

Turn Proposals into Projects: Using PSA to Win and Deliver Profitably

Winning a project isn’t just about convincing a client — it’s about backing that promise with the ability to deliver it profitably. Too often, companies pour effort into dazzling proposals only to face challenges later: unclear scopes, overbooked resources, or tight budgets. What begins as a win on paper turns into a delivery nightmare.

Enter Professional Services Automation (PSA) software — a platform that not only helps you build winning proposals, but also ensures those proposals transition seamlessly into profitable, well-executed projects.

The Disconnect Between Sales and Delivery

For many service organisations, there’s a clear divide between the teams creating proposals and those responsible for delivering the work. Proposals are often created in silos, based on outdated spreadsheets, rough cost estimates, or limited visibility into actual resource capacity. Once the deal is closed, project teams scramble to make the plan work — often compromising on timelines, margins, or quality.

This disconnect leads to:

Overpromised deliverables

Underestimated costs

Misaligned expectations

Delays in onboarding and execution

Reduced profitability

PSA software bridges this gap by bringing everyone onto the same page — from the first proposal to the final deliverable.

How PSA Enables a Seamless Quote-to-Delivery Cycle

Here’s how PSA helps you turn proposals into projects — successfully and profitably:

1. Proposal Based on Real-Time Data

PSA connects with your project, resource, and financial data, allowing your proposal team to build estimates based on current rates, resource availability, and actual effort from similar past projects. This means your pricing is competitive and realistic.

2. Scope, Timeline, and Cost Clarity

PSA allows you to define the project scope, timeline, and effort breakdown within the proposal itself — often using a templated Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). This sets the stage for accurate planning, helping delivery teams hit the ground running.

3. Integrated Resource Planning

With visibility into who is available, who is already booked, and what skills are in demand, your proposal team can forecast project feasibility without risking overallocation or delays.

4. One-Click Conversion to Projects

Once a proposal is accepted, it can be converted into a live project in the PSA platform — carrying over all relevant details such as budgets, timelines, deliverables, and assigned team members. No need to rebuild the plan from scratch.

5. Profitability Tracking from Day One

PSA tracks actuals vs. estimates from the very start of the project. This helps managers spot risks early, adjust scope or effort where needed, and protect the bottom line.

The Benefits: Win Smarter, Deliver Better

With PSA, the proposal isn’t just a sales document — it’s the blueprint for successful delivery. The result?

Higher win rates through more professional, transparent proposals

Reduced scope creep and clearer expectations

Smoother onboarding and project kickoff

Improved collaboration across sales, delivery, and finance

Greater control over margins and revenue

Final Thoughts

Winning a project is just the beginning. The real challenge lies in delivering it profitably and predictably. PSA software transforms your proposal process into a strategic asset, ensuring every deal you win is one you can confidently deliver — on time and on budget.

[kytespsa]

Professional Services Automation (PSA) Software Market Analysis

The Professional Services Automation (PSA) software market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the increasing demand for solutions that streamline project management, resource allocation, and operational efficiency. As businesses strive to improve productivity and profitability in an increasingly competitive environment, PSA software has emerged as a critical enabler of success.

Market Overview

The global PSA software market is projected to grow significantly in the coming years, with key drivers including:

Rising Demand for Automation: Companies across industries are automating repetitive and manual processes to reduce errors, enhance efficiency, and optimize resource utilization.

Growth of Professional Services: Industries like IT/ITES, consulting, legal, and marketing rely heavily on PSA solutions to manage complex projects, meet client demands, and ensure financial transparency.

Adoption of Cloud-Based Solutions: Cloud-based PSA tools offer scalability, accessibility, and reduced infrastructure costs, making them attractive to businesses of all sizes.

Integration with Emerging Technologies: Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and analytics are transforming the PSA landscape, enabling predictive insights and smarter decision-making.

Market Segmentation

The PSA software market can be segmented by industry, deployment type, organization size, and geography:

By Industry:

IT/ITES

Consulting Firms

Legal Services

Marketing and Creative Agencies

Engineering and Construction

By Deployment Type:

On-Premise

Cloud-Based

By Organization Size:

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Large Enterprises

By Geography:

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Middle East and Africa

Key Trends Driving the Market

AI and Predictive Analytics: Modern PSA tools integrate AI to predict project risks, optimize resource allocation, and provide actionable insights for better decision-making.

Focus on Employee Experience: With talent retention being a top priority, PSA solutions now emphasize user-friendly interfaces and features like skill mapping and career development tracking.

Customizable Dashboards: Advanced PSA tools offer tailored dashboards for CXOs, project managers, and team leads, providing granular visibility into project and financial metrics.

Regulatory Compliance: Industries such as pharmaceuticals and finance require strict adherence to compliance standards, making PSA tools with integrated compliance features indispensable.

Market Challenges

Despite its potential, the PSA software market faces several challenges:

High Initial Costs: For smaller businesses, the cost of implementing PSA software can be a barrier.

Integration Complexities: Seamless integration with existing enterprise systems like ERP and CRM remains a challenge.

Data Security Concerns: As PSA solutions often handle sensitive data, ensuring robust security is crucial to gaining customer trust.

Key Players in the Market

The PSA market is dominated by several key players offering tailored solutions to meet diverse industry needs. These include:

Kytes PSA: A robust tool for managing end-to-end project operations, focusing on increasing margins and improving project delivery.

SAP PSA

Microsoft Dynamics 365 PSA

Oracle NetSuite PSA

Workday PSA

FinancialForce PSA

Future Outlook

The PSA software market is poised for continued expansion, driven by the increasing adoption of AI and cloud technologies. Organizations will look for solutions that not only streamline operations but also enhance collaboration and provide real-time insights into project and financial performance. The focus will shift towards building ecosystems that integrate PSA with other enterprise tools, enabling a unified approach to managing business operations. For more information read this report: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/professional-services-automation-software-market

Conclusion

In today’s fast-evolving professional services sector, PSA software is no longer just a tool; it’s a strategic partner in driving growth and operational efficiency. Kytes PSA exemplifies this shift by enabling businesses to digitize and automate project operations end-to-end, from opportunity to invoicing. As industries embrace the future of work, solutions like Kytes PSA are helping organizations unlock their true potential, ensuring long-term success in a competitive landscape. Explore how Kytes PSA can transform your operations and position your business for success in the digital era.

[kytesbyproductdossier]

How Kytes Proposal Automation Software Streamlines Your Business Operations

In today’s competitive business environment, speed and accuracy are critical in winning new clients and projects. For many professional services firms, the proposal creation process is one of the most time-consuming and error-prone aspects of their operations. Kytes Proposal Automation Software is designed to address these challenges by streamlining and automating the proposal workflow, resulting in faster, more accurate, and consistent proposals that help businesses operate more efficiently.

Eliminate Manual Tasks with Automation One of the biggest advantages of Kytes Proposal Automation Software is its ability to reduce or eliminate manual tasks. Instead of starting every proposal from scratch, the software enables teams to leverage pre-built templates, standardized content, and centralized data repositories. This not only saves time but also ensures that every proposal is accurate and compliant with company standards. Automation eliminates repetitive data entry, allowing your team to focus on strategic, high-value tasks.

Improve Collaboration Across Teams Kytes enables seamless collaboration between departments, making it easier for sales, legal, finance, and technical teams to contribute to proposals. With real-time collaboration features, multiple stakeholders can work on the same document simultaneously, reducing the back-and-forth of revisions and speeding up the approval process. This enhanced collaboration ensures that proposals are created faster, with fewer bottlenecks.

Ensure Accuracy and Consistency Kytes centralizes your proposal content, ensuring that all teams have access to the latest information. From pricing models to legal clauses, everything is kept up to date in the system, reducing the risk of errors. The software also ensures consistency in branding, messaging, and formatting across all proposals, which helps to build client trust and strengthen your company’s professional image.

By streamlining proposal workflows, Kytes helps businesses operate more efficiently, improve their proposal turnaround times, and ultimately, win more business.

[global-research-report]

Empower Your Workforce with Professional Services Automation Tools

The global professional services automation software market size is expected to reach USD 25.25 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 11.9% from 2024 to 2030, according to a new study conducted by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing usage of advanced technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and robotic process automation (RPA) in Professional Services Solutions (PSA) for making profitable decisions in businesses is creating robust market opportunities.

With these technologies, market players are helping various organizations for automating different business processes. Furthermore, big data analytics technology, coupled with the internet of things (IoT), increases professional services automation software’s overall productivity, contributing to the professional services automation software market growth. The professional services automation software market is anticipated to expand significantly due to increasing enterprises’ preference for professional services automation software to manage and monitor resource utilization.

Enterprises from the various industrial sector are partnering with PSA vendors for PSA solution deployment for their resource management operations. For instance, in January 2022, workgraph company, Soroco collaborated with the automation business of Information Services Group (ISG), ISG Automation to help its clients in accelerating their digital transformation by providing PSA services. The ISG Automation will provide its portfolio for advisory and implementation services including proof-of-concept deployments, software bots’ integration, and other train & managed services.

Rapid developments in advanced technologies and the growing popularity of PSA solutions are encouraging various companies to enter the professional services automation software market to enhance their business growth. Startups operating in the professional services automation software market are highly emphasizing participating in funding rounds to raise funds and strengthen their brand presence. For instance, in July 2021, a Remote IT management and professional services automation software company in Israel, Atera, raised USD 77 million in a Series B financing round led by K1 Investment Management and General Atlantic. The company will use this funding to expand its service offerings in automation software and business operations in untapped global markets.

Professional Services Automation Software Market Report Highlights

Business analytics segment is anticipated to reach USD 2,455.9 million by 2030. With automation in business analytics, organizations are making data-driven decisions and achieving greater profitability in their businesses, supporting the market growth

Marketing and communication segment is set to register a CAGR of 13.9% through 2030 owing to the increasing adoption of professional services automation software by marketing firms to automate their various time-consuming tasks and decrease the product time to market. These marketing and communication firms are focusing on establishing long-term partnerships with market players for cost optimization

Cloud integrations segment is expected to dominate the market with a share of USD 14,728.5 million in 2030. PSA software implementation through cloud integrations offers various benefits to organizations such as multiple cloud environment management through a single platform, reduction of manual intervention, workflow optimization, and enabling businesses to adopt the changing technology landscape, driving the segment growth

Small & medium enterprise segment is anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR of 13.6% from 2023 to 2030. Small & medium-sized enterprises are using PSA solutions for process time management, automating various tasks to allow employees to focus on other important works and control unnecessary spending of the company, thereby contributing to the professional services automation software market size expansion

Asia Pacific professional services automation software market is expected to register a rising CAGR of 14.0% through 2030 owing to the region's rapid digitalization and emerging startups. Supportive government initiatives for the software industry and the emergence of digital economies create a positive market outlook

Professional Services Automation Software Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global professional services automation software market report based on component, solutions, services, deployment, enterprise size, application, and region

Professional Services Automation Software Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Solutions

Services

Professional Services Automation Software Solutions Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Project Management

Project Accounting

Billing & Invoice Management

Resource Management

Timesheet & Expense Management

Project Analytics

Opportunity Management

Contract Management

Others (Knowledge Management and Others)

Professional Services Automation Software Services Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

System Integration Services

Consulting

Training and Support

Professional Services Automation Software Deployment Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Cloud

On-premise

Professional Services Automation Software Enterprise Size Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Large Enterprises

Small & Medium Enterprises

Professional Services Automation Software Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Consulting Firms

Marketing and Communication Companies

Technology Companies

Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Companies

Audit and Accounting Firms

Scientific Research and Development Companies

Legal Services

Others

Professional Services Automation Software Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

North America

US

Canada

Europe

Germany

UK

France

Italy

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

Australia

Singapore

South Korea

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Middle East and Africa (MEA)

South Africa

Saudi Arabia

UAE

List of Key Players

Autotask Corporation

Atlassian

BMC Software, Inc.

ConnectWise, Inc.

Deltek, Inc.

com

Kimble Apps

Klient, Inc,

Microsoft Corporation

NetSuite OpenAir, Inc.

Oracle Corporation

Planview

PROJECTOR PSA  

SAP SE

Upland Software, Inc.

Workday, Inc.

Order a free sample PDF of the Professional Services Automation Software Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[insurance-brokers-india]

What are the next steps after obtaining an insurance broker license, and how can you generate potential leads using Mzapp CRM software?

Congratulations on securing your insurance broker license! The journey doesn’t end here; it’s just the beginning of building a successful insurance brokerage. Here’s how you can proceed and leverage Mzapp CRM software to find potential leads:

Steps After Getting Your Insurance Broker License

Understand Your Market: Research your target audience (individuals, businesses, or specific sectors).

Develop a Business Plan: Set goals for client acquisition, revenue, and operational processes.

Build a Network: Partner with insurance providers and attend industry events to establish your presence.

Create an Online Presence: Build a professional website and maintain active profiles on social platforms.

Offer Value-Added Services: Educate customers on policies, claims management, and risk assessments.

Using Mzapp CRM Software to Generate Leads

Lead Capture: Utilize Mzapp’s integrated forms and web tracking tools to capture inquiries from your website or social media.

Automated Follow-Ups: Set up personalized email and SMS follow-ups to nurture leads effectively.

Lead Scoring: Prioritize leads based on their interaction history, ensuring you focus on high-potential prospects.

Data-Driven Campaigns: Use analytics to identify what works and launch targeted campaigns.

Seamless Policy Management: Impress leads by showcasing how smoothly you manage policies and claims through Mzapp.

Why Choose Mzapp CRM?

Mzapp CRM simplifies lead management, streamlines operations, and provides insights into customer behavior, making it easier to convert prospects into loyal clients.

Learn more about how Mzapp can transform your insurance business here.

[learning--tech]

Empower Your Business with DDS4U's Comprehensive Services

At DDS4U, we provide a suite of services designed to streamline your operations, drive growth, and ensure your business stays ahead in today’s competitive market.

AI-Powered Business Automation

Revolutionize your workflows with our AI-driven automation platform. By automating repetitive tasks and integrating advanced AI technologies, we help you save time, reduce costs, and improve accuracy, allowing you to focus on strategic initiatives.

Custom Software Development

Our experienced software developers create tailored solutions that meet your unique business needs. Whether you require a new application or need to upgrade existing systems, our innovative and scalable software solutions ensure your business operates efficiently and effectively.

CRM Solutions

Enhance your customer relationships with our comprehensive CRM platform. Manage customer interactions, streamline sales processes, and gain valuable insights to drive better business decisions. Our CRM system is designed to boost customer satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately leading to increased sales and growth.

Targeted Advertisement Platform

Maximize your reach and engagement with our cutting-edge advertising platform. Tailor your campaigns to specific audiences and utilize real-time analytics to optimize performance. Our platform helps you achieve higher conversion rates and a stronger online presence.

In-App Advertisement Space

Monetize your mobile applications with designated ad spaces. Our in-app advertising feature allows you to serve targeted ads to users, providing an additional revenue stream while ensuring ads are relevant and non-intrusive.

Referral Portal

Expand your network and drive business growth with our referral portal. Easily manage and track referrals, incentivize partners, and streamline communication. Our portal fosters strong professional relationships and opens new opportunities for your business.

Business Networking Platform

Connect with industry professionals and collaborate on projects through our dynamic networking platform. Share knowledge, explore partnerships, and expand your reach in a supportive community designed to foster business success.

Social Media Poster Design

Boost your social media presence with professionally designed posters. Our team creates visually appealing graphics tailored for social media platforms, helping you engage with your audience and enhance your brand’s online visibility.

Discount Booklets

Offer your customers exclusive discounts through our customizable discount booklets. This feature helps increase customer loyalty and encourages repeat business, driving higher sales and customer satisfaction.

Self-Managed Advertisements

Take control of your advertising campaigns with our self-managed ad platform. Create, monitor, and optimize your ads independently, giving you the flexibility to adjust strategies and maximize ROI.

Video Promotions

Enhance your marketing efforts with engaging promotional videos. Showcase your products and services, highlight unique selling points, and captivate your audience with compelling visual content that drives brand awareness and customer engagement.

At DDS4U, we are committed to helping your business succeed. Our comprehensive services are designed to address your unique challenges and support your growth ambitions. Partner with us to unlock new opportunities and achieve your business goals.

[wseinfratech]

Manual and Automation QA Plan | Get a Quote | WSE Infratech

Manual or Automated Quality Assurance is a clearly defined procedure for identifying bugs to be rectified from the end product. A typical quality assurance process in development involves testing the product for performance, functionality, compatibility, and usability. However, the impact of QA goes much beyond that!

While automated testing speeds up repetitive operations and increases productivity, manual testing is essential for developing products not ready to be automated. Both these services are carried out by trained specialists and offer a detailed insight into user experiences. Together, these methodologies provide a robust defense against potential issues, ensuring the final product meets the quality standards.

[customantibodymarket]

https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/market-report/global-professional-service-automation-software-market/16097/

[techpsa]

Project Management Pains? Here’s How PSA Software Eases the Pressure

Project management in the professional services world is anything but simple. Between managing timelines, aligning resources, tracking budgets, and keeping clients satisfied, project managers often find themselves stretched thin. When expectations are high and tools are disjointed, even the most experienced managers can feel overwhelmed.

That’s where Professional Services Automation (PSA) software steps in. Designed to bring structure, visibility, and control to project operations, PSA software helps reduce the burden on project managers while improving overall efficiency and profitability.

What Makes Project Management So Stressful?

Despite clear methodologies and capable teams, project managers still face common roadblocks that make their jobs more difficult than they need to be:

Lack of real-time visibility into project progress and resource availability

Disjointed tools for project planning, time tracking, and financial reporting

Scope creep due to vague requirements or shifting client expectations

Manual processes that delay updates and slow down decisions

Difficulty forecasting margins or tracking profitability mid-project

These challenges lead to project overruns, unhappy clients, overworked teams, and lost revenue — all of which pile pressure onto project managers who are already juggling too much.

How PSA Software Reduces the Pressure

PSA software isn’t just another tool — it’s a connected platform that brings together all aspects of project delivery under one roof. By simplifying and automating project operations, it gives project managers the tools they need to lead with confidence and clarity.

Here’s how PSA software helps ease project management pains:

1. Centralised Project Planning and Tracking

PSA platforms enable managers to plan, schedule, and monitor projects in one place. With a clear Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), task dependencies, and automated progress tracking, they can ensure projects stay on time and within scope.

Result: Less time chasing updates, more time managing outcomes.

2. Real-Time Resource Visibility

Assigning the right people to the right projects is easier with PSA tools that show availability, skill sets, and current workloads. This avoids resource conflicts and keeps project timelines realistic.

Result: Balanced workloads and fewer last-minute changes.

3. Automated Time and Expense Management

Manual timesheets are inefficient and error-prone. PSA software allows teams to log time and expenses quickly, with mobile-friendly interfaces and built-in approval flows.

Result: Accurate data, faster billing, and better project tracking.

4. Financial Control and Profitability Insights

PSA software integrates project performance with financial metrics. Project managers can monitor budgets, margins, and burn rates in real time — no spreadsheets required.

Result: Informed decisions, fewer surprises, and healthier profits.

5. Collaboration and Communication Made Easy

PSA platforms bring teams, documents, and conversations into one space. Everyone — from sales to delivery — works from the same version of the truth.

Final Thoughts

Project management will always come with challenges — but it shouldn’t be an uphill battle. With the right PSA software, project managers can shift from reactive mode to proactive leadership.

[kytespsa]

Streamline Your Business with PSA Integration

Transform how you manage projects and services with PSA integration. By automating workflows and unifying tools like CRM, ERP, and accounting systems, PSA integration eliminates manual tasks, enhances collaboration, and delivers real-time insights. From optimized resource allocation to automated billing, it boosts productivity and profitability. Kytes PSA takes it further with AI-enabled tools that seamlessly integrate into your operations, supporting Agile, Kanban, and more. Elevate your efficiency and achieve your project goals with Kytes PSA!

[kytesbyproductdossier]

Accelerating IT Project Delivery: The Influence of Software on Efficiency

In the realm of IT, the delivery of projects within stipulated timelines while maintaining quality is a constant challenge. The evolution of technology has ushered in a new era, empowering teams with innovative software solutions designed specifically to optimize project delivery. These tools play a pivotal role in elevating efficiency, streamlining workflows, and ensuring successful project outcomes.

Streamlining Workflows with Agile Methodologies Agile methodologies have revolutionized project management in IT. Software tailored for Agile frameworks provides a structured approach, fostering iterative development, frequent collaborations, and adaptive planning. It enables teams to break down complex projects into manageable tasks or sprints, ensuring continuous progress and the ability to respond swiftly to changes.

By embracing Agile-oriented software, IT teams enhance transparency, facilitate communication, and promote customer collaboration. These tools empower teams to prioritize tasks, adapt to evolving requirements, and deliver incremental value, ultimately accelerating project delivery.

Real-time Collaboration and Communication Efficient communication lies at the core of successful project delivery. Software designed for IT project management offers real-time collaboration features that bridge geographical gaps and facilitate seamless communication among dispersed teams. Instant messaging, video conferencing, and centralized documentation enable teams to exchange ideas, share updates, and resolve issues promptly.

Furthermore, these tools provide a centralized repository for project-related information, reducing the chances of miscommunication or information silos. This streamlined communication fosters a shared understanding of project goals, aligning all stakeholders toward achieving successful outcomes.

Resource Allocation and Optimization Managing resources effectively is imperative for timely project delivery. Project management software enables comprehensive visibility into resource availability, workload distribution, and skill utilization. With this insight, project managers can allocate resources judiciously, preventing overloading of individuals and ensuring the right skills are applied to the right tasks.

Moreover, these tools facilitate efficient task allocation, scheduling, and progress tracking, enabling teams to optimize their workflows. By automating repetitive tasks and providing predictive analytics, software solutions enhance productivity, allowing teams to focus on strategic initiatives.

Risk Mitigation and Adaptability In the dynamic landscape of IT projects, risks are inevitable. Project management software equips teams with the ability to identify potential risks early in the project lifecycle. It offers robust risk assessment tools, enabling teams to mitigate risks proactively and devise contingency plans to address unforeseen challenges.

The flexibility of software solutions allows teams to adapt swiftly to changing project requirements or market conditions. With real-time data and analytics, teams can make informed decisions, pivot when necessary, and steer projects toward successful outcomes.

Conclusion The integration of sophisticated software solutions has revolutionized the efficiency of IT project delivery. These tools streamline workflows, facilitate collaboration, optimize resource utilization, and mitigate risks, culminating in accelerated project timelines and improved outcomes.

In a technology-driven landscape where agility and adaptability are paramount, the influence of project management software in enhancing efficiency and driving successful IT project delivery cannot be overstated. Embracing these innovative tools empowers IT teams to navigate complexities, meet client expectations, and innovate in an ever-evolving industry.

[femmefatalevibe]

Femme Fatale Guide: Products & Services Worth The Splurge

Fashion:

A great couple of bras in black/nude (your best skin-toned shade)

Comfortable, breathable, and seamless underwear

Outerwear (Coats, jackets, blazers)

The perfect pair of jeans

An LBD that works from day to night

Comfortable, sturdy, sleek, and timeless footwear (a versatile black boot, a black heel, white sneaker, and a black flat/loafer/sandal)

A timeless and versatile crossbody or shoulder bag (a larger one for the daytime/work or school and a smaller one for nighttime/events)

One or two well-made classic jewelry item(s)

A conversation-starting item or accessory

Beauty:

Sunscreen

Any skincare/skin cosmetic products that are game-changers for you

A quality hair brush, comb, and hair towel

Your signature scent

A quality razor/hair removal product

Vitamin C/Retinol serums

Reliable hair tools and sturdy nail tools

A quality hair heat protectant/scalp cleansing or conditioning spray

Makeup brushes and beauty tool cleaners

Home:

Lamps/lighting

Couch/desk chair

Everything for your bed: Bed frame, mattress/sheets/pillows, etc.

Knives

Dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe dishes & cups you love

A full-length mirror

Vacuum

Storage solutions/cedar blocks or moth balls

Quality holders for everything: Paper towels, shower storage, hooks, mailbox/key bowls

Name brand paper products/household cleaners

Electric toothbrush & Waterpik

Sound-proof headphones/Airpods

MacBook Air

Health & Wellness:

High-quality lettuce and/or sprouts

Organic frozen fruits and vegetables (if fresh is too pricey)

BPA-free canned goods

Potassium bromate & glyphosate-free grain products

Snacks free of artificial colors

Quality coffee

An at-home massage tool/heating pad

Fur products for skin/hair removal

Vitamin C/Retinol serums

Quality running shoes

Anything that goes near your vulva or into the vagina: Sex toys, lube, condoms, toy cleaners, pads/tampons/menstrual cups, cleansing wipes, etc.

A yoga mat, resistance band, and a pair of small ankle weights

Spotify subscription

Books and audiobooks

Services:

Therapy

A top-tier haircut

House cleaning (even if it's only once every couple of months)

Top-tier hair removal/brow maintenance services of your choice

Best doctors, dentists, OB/GYN, and dermatologists you can get

At least one personal training/styling session in your life

Professional/Social:

Ownership of the domain for your full legal/professional name and/or business name

A CPA/bookkeeper/fiduciary financial advisor

Automation workflow/content management system software

A lawyer for contract review/LLC services

Personalized stationery/"Thank You" cards

Memorable client gifting for the holidays/milestone successes

Niche skill-based certifications (Google, AWS, Hubspot, etc.) or courses made by trusted professionals in your field

Subscriptions in world-leading and industry-authority digital publications

[meret118]

This week, we spoke with four federal-government IT professionals—all experienced contractors and civil servants who have built, modified, or maintained the kind of technological infrastructure that Musk’s inexperienced employees at his newly created Department of Government Efficiency are attempting to access. In our conversations, each expert was unequivocal: They are terrified and struggling to articulate the scale of the crisis.

. . .

“This is the largest data breach and the largest IT security breach in our country’s history—at least that’s publicly known,” one contractor who has worked on classified information-security systems at numerous government agencies told us this week. “You can’t un-ring this bell. Once these DOGE guys have access to these data systems, they can ostensibly do with it what they want.”

. . .

Given the scope of what these systems do, key government services might stop working properly, citizens could be harmed, and the damage might be difficult or impossible to undo. As one administrator for a federal agency with deep knowledge about the government’s IT operations told us, “I don’t think the public quite understands the level of danger.”

. . .

These systems are immense, they are complex, and they are critical. A single program run by the FAA to help air-traffic controllers, En Route Automation Modernization, contains nearly 2 million lines of code; an average iPhone app, for comparison, has about 50,000. The Treasury Department disburses trillions of dollars in payments per year.

Many systems and databases in a given agency feed into others, but access to them is restricted. Employees, contractors, civil-service government workers, and political appointees have strict controls on what they can access and limited visibility into the system as a whole. This is by design, as even the most mundane government databases can contain highly sensitive personal information. A security-clearance database such as those used by the Department of Justice or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, one contractor told us, could include information about a person’s mental-health or sexual history, as well as disclosures about any information that a foreign government could use to blackmail them.

Even if DOGE has not tapped into these particular databases, TheWashington Post reported on Wednesday that the group has accessed sensitive personnel data at OPM. Mother Jones also reported on Wednesday that an effort may be under way to effectively give Musk control over IT for the entire federal government, broadening his access to these agencies.

. . .

With relatively basic “read only” access, Musk’s people could easily find individuals in databases or clone entire servers and transfer that secure information somewhere else. Even if Musk eventually loses access to these systems—owing to a temporary court order such as the one approved yesterday, say—whatever data he siphons now could be his forever.

With a higher level of access—“write access”—a motivated person may be able to put their own code into the system, potentially without any oversight. The possibilities here are staggering. One could alter the data these systems process, or they could change the way the software operates—without any of the testing that would normally accompany changes to a critical system. Still another level of access, administrator privileges, could grant the broad ability to control a system, including hiding evidence of other alterations. “They could change or manipulate treasury data directly in the database with no way for people to audit or capture it,” one contractor told us. “We’d have very little way to know it even happened.”

. . .

Musk’s efforts represent a dramatic shift in the way the government’s business has traditionally been conducted. Previously, security protocols were so strict that a contractor plugging a non-government-issued computer into an ethernet port in a government agency office was considered a major security violation. Contrast that with DOGE’s incursion. CNN reported yesterday that a 23-year-old former SpaceX intern without a background check was given a basic, low tier of access to Department of Energy IT systems, despite objections from department lawyers and information experts. “That these guys, who may not even have clearances, are just pulling up and plugging in their own servers is madness,” one source told us, referring to an allegation that DOGE had connected its own server at OPM. “It’s really hard to find good analogies for how big of a deal this is.” The simple fact that Musk loyalists are in the building with their own computers is the heart of the problem—and helps explain why activities ostensibly authorized by the president are widely viewed as a catastrophic data breach.

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“‘Upgrading’ a system of which you know nothing about is a good way to break it, and breaking air travel is a worst-case scenario with consequences that will ripple out into all aspects of civilian life. It could easily get to a place where you can’t guarantee the safety of flights taking off and landing.” Nevertheless, on Wednesday Musk posted that “the DOGE team will aim to make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system.”

Even if DOGE members are looking to modernize these systems, they may find themselves flummoxed. The government is big and old and complicated. One former official with experience in government IT systems, including at the Treasury, told us that old could mean that the systems were installed in 1962, 1992, or 2012. They might use a combination of software written in different programming languages: a little COBOL in the 1970s, a bit of Java in the 1990s. Knowledge about one system doesn’t give anyone—including Musk’s DOGE workers, some of whom were not even alive for Y2K—the ability to make intricate changes to another.

. . .

Like the FAA employee, the payment-systems expert also fears that the most likely result of DOGE activity on federal systems will be breaking them, especially because of incompetence and lack of proper care. DOGE, he observed, may be prepared to view or hoover up data, but. . . it doesn’t appear to be prepared to carry out savvy and effective alterations to how the system operates.

. . .

But DOGE workers could try anyway. Mainframe computers have a keyboard and display, unlike the cloud-computing servers in data centers. According to the former Treasury IT expert, someone who could get into the room and had credentials for the system could access it and, via the same machine or a networked one, probably also deploy software changes to it. It’s far more likely that they would break, rather than improve, a Treasury disbursement system in so doing, one source told us. “The volume of information they deal with [at the Treasury] is absolutely enormous, well beyond what anyone would deal with at SpaceX,” the source said. Even a small alteration to a part of the system that has to do with the distribution of funds could wreak havoc, preventing those funds from being distributed or distributing them wrongly, for example. “It’s like walking into a nuclear reactor and deciding to handle some plutonium.”

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DOGE is many things—a dismantling of the federal government, a political project to flex power and punish perceived enemies—but it is also the logical end point of a strain of thought that’s become popular in Silicon Valley during the boom times of Big Tech and easy money: that building software and writing code aren’t just dominant skills for the 21st century, but proof of competence in any realm. In a post on X this week, John Shedletsky, a developer and an early employee at the popular gaming platform Roblox, summed up the philosophy nicely: “Silicon Valley built the modern world. Why shouldn’t we run it?”

More at the link.

The coup has already happened, and we lost.