Microsoft Teams is a cloud-based platform which creates one singular hub combining meetings, notes and files with various Microsoft and non-Microsoft apps in real-time. It was designed to create a place that people, conversation and content were bought together so that they have access to the relevant tools needed to collaborate with ease. What’s more… Read more »
The number of emails sent per day in 2015 reached over 205 billion. By comparison, WhatsApp only handles a meagre 65 billion message per day. This email figure was then projected to rise at an average annual rate of 3% over the next four years, hitting more than 246 billion by the end of 2019 (the equivalent of everyone on Earth sending 32 emails a day!). Email is the primary method of communication in business. However, it is also… Read more »
As cyber-criminals are advancing, keeping your data in your hands only when online is an ever-growing problem. Luckily, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) will extend a private network across a public network so that you can access the internet safely and privately. Wondering how you could improve your cyber-security? Research has shown that since 2016, the… Read more »
According to research, 93% of businesses will file for bankruptcy before the end of the year after a serious data loss event, yet, 80% of all companies responded that they were confident they would survive a major data loss event themselves. With such a frightening statistic, it is so important that organisations keep multiple backups. When a business… Read more »
In the digital world, passwords are required for nearly everything we do; for our computers, phones, websites, accounts and much more. Unfortunaly though, for the most part, passwords really suck. They can be really hard to remember and because of this, we end using easily guessable words or reuse the same passwords everywhere. If you’re… Read more »
The business world is a competitive one and in order to stand out, you must have a productive workplace. However, there are still a number of misconceptions surrounding productivity in the workplace. In an attempt to open your eyes to the truth, we have gone through 8 surprising facts about workplace productivity. Interested in finding… Read more »
In a report by BSI’s Cybersecurity and Information Resilience division, it was found that 73% of organisations are worried about security. However, one in six of those has no plan in place and a third conduct no type of security testing. Almost every day we hear about another cyber-attack. Unfortunately, at the rate cybercrime is… Read more »
Protecting workplaces from crime is a daily struggle for business owners. According to research, 95% of burglaries recorded to the police in the UK are not solved. CCTV is one solution that can be used to help reduce this figure. However, it is often a measure that is out of reach for many businesses due… Read more »
Sometimes things go well, sometimes they don’t; it’s how life works. However, in order to be productive, you must start in the mornings and setting out a routine will set you up for success in the workplace. Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss… Read more »
New enterprise business packages by Microsoft are changing the way we work. Technology has exposed us up to all sorts of innovative and exciting new ways that we can conduct our work lives. These have largely allowed us to be more productive, particularly on the go. Microsoft launches Office 365, a subscription-based version of the… Read more »
Do you often find your IT department is inundated with problems? Or is your network speed getting increasingly difficult to deal with? Moreover, as your business grows is your IT department or provider struggling to manage it? If any of these ring a bell, then it might be time to think about a change… a… Read more »
Insights from LogicMonitor’s Cloud Vision 2020: The Future of the Cloud Study predicted that 83% of enterprise workloads were going to be in the cloud by 2020. From this, it is clear that the cloud is here, and it’s here to stay. Although many organisations have already made the move to the cloud, there are… Read more »
We all have a work routine in which we try to get as much done as possible. However, research has shown that 30% of UK office workers have admitted to only completing 1-4 tasks every day. Granted, we will all have unproductive days from time to time, but are there any measures you can take… Read more »
Do you ever find yourself gazing at your computer screen as it freezes while opening up an application, asking yourself – why is my computer so slow? It is something we all will have asked oursleves, yet many of us fail to do anything about it. Not only is a slow computer frustrating but it… Read more »
Over the past decade, cloud computing has become one of the biggest IT buzz words. In this time, there has been a notable change in how organisations feel and think about ‘the cloud’. When we began, convincing people that the cloud was the future was a challenge. Now, that has all changed. Interested in finding… Read more »
You’re about to get to grips with a task that’s due in two weeks, but just as you’re about to start, the emails in your inbox steal your attention away. The two weeks are now almost over, and you’re beginning to worry thinking to yourself… why didn’t I get on with it two weeks ago?… Read more »
2017 was one of the more impacted years in terms of cyber-security. WannaCry caused troubles in the NHS, Equifax lost customer data and NotPetya affected companies such as Maersk and FedEx. When the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced in May 2018, cyber-security was put at the forefront of our consciousness again. This time… Read more »
With so much of our lives held on our digital devices and stored in the cloud, it is becoming easier to lose our identity to a stranger. Although much of our data seems harmless, it can either be stolen or commoditised by another without our permission. Consequently, securing our data online must be as essential… Read more »
As new versions of mobile phones are released, it seems as if all we do is long for it. According to research, when the Apple iPhone XS came out, thousands of apple fans were seen worldwide queuing overnight for the device, despite being the most expensive model yet! People love their smartphones for the most… Read more »
It’s great to be able to work from home. It helps you an opportunity to get away from some of the stress of a busy office and complete tasks in a relaxed setting. In fact, it is so great that data from the ONS shows that 4.2 million people worked remotely in 2015, a number… Read more »
Technology is now a huge part of our lives, impacting everything we do. It is developing at a drastic pace and with that comes a change in how we are working. As new technologies are emerging, our workforce expectations are evolving. According to experts, the pace and rate of change are exceeding our capacity to… Read more »
It is something feared by all organisations. You became victim of a cyber-attack. Despite our best efforts, cyber attacks are on the rise. It is now more a matter of when, not if your business is targeted. Cyber attacks happen for a number of reasons, but research has shown that in 2018, 48% of data security breaches are caused… Read more »
Many of us will have considered using our mobile phone for work, or already do. Let’s face it, carrying two phones around is not always practical, especially if you travel a lot. Unfortunately, there are a few key reasons why this might not be a great idea – especially if you already struggle to define… Read more »
When Sir Tim Berners-Lee created the internet 30 years ago, it was new and exciting being used to share information by connecting people. Over time though, the Internet has matured immensely, becoming a scary place full of risks. Did you know that there are 4.29 billion internet users in 2019? An increase of 366 million… Read more »
Did you know the average person spends 90,000 hours at work over their life time? Yet, research has shown 85% of employees are dissatisfied with their workplace. A business simply cannot function without employees. Therefore, to ensure good wellbeing and maximum productivity, it is crucial that they are satisfied in their workplace. The good news is,… Read more »
If you haven’t heard of GDPR yet, then you are quite possibly already in breach of some strict regulations. More likely, you have heard of GDPR, and your school has made some efforts to apply the rules. However, you may yet to have fully immersed yourself in the requirements and therefore cannot make wiser and… Read more »
You might be concerned by how your IT system can consume so much of your staff time and money. You could have it firmly fixed in the cost column and cringe with every purchase. Such a mindset can make it difficult to continue your investment in IT products. If all you see is expense, then… Read more »
Cloud storage and cloud computing seems to be the go-to for most individuals and companies. It is easy to set up and it allows files to be accessible from multiple devices with ease. The advantages of cloud computing also mean you can feel some sense of safety that your cloud data will always be available…. Read more »
On November 30th 2019, Serval Systems became part of the entrustIT Group of IT Managed Service Providers. The entrustIT Group offers cloud and traditional IT Managed Services working with business and not for profit organisations within the UK. From its base in East Grinstead, Serval will expand the geographic reach of the group across the… Read more »
There are times when you will be preparing an electronic filing of applications which you want dealt with without a hearing. Guidance on how to file such applications are explored in the Commercial Court Guide and layout stringent rules for how the material should be presented. Compliance with these requirements can demand much administration by… Read more »
The world is highly connected. Few places in the world do not have access to the internet and the copious amounts of information held there. Text messages, social media and even the humble telephone can pose a risk to client confidentiality. Let’s start with common sense Some things should go unsaid, but we should voice… Read more »
There is an argument to suggest that some IT is brought into schools because it is entertaining and engaging. Anything done on a computer, on a tablet or through the students’ smartphone can stimulate interest immediately. Educationalists might argue that the task is as effective off-screen as it is on, while some would say it… Read more »
There is no sector more shaped and improved by IT developments than accountancy. From the thick ledgers of old, with paper receipts and a calculator, we are now in the world of the cloud with software that covers all four areas of accounting. Charting the route to the best IT solutions for accountants now focuses… Read more »
Each day a solicitor is required to handle a massive amount of complex information; categorise this effectively and analyse it for its worth, before storing this for future use. Much of this data will need to be cross-referenced with other data and made available to a select number of people. Privacy is a significant concern,… Read more »
There is so much potential technology available to schools. With the growth in education-specific software, lesson enhancing apps, as well as reporting, monitoring and communication software, a school has an opportunity to revolutionise its offering with IT. Yet, add to this the potentials of hardware, from iPads to smartphones to interactive displays, laptops and desktops,… Read more »
The concern which, above all others, causes IT heads to think twice about migrating to cloud computing is security. This is understandable: from the hacker’s point of view, the cloud has a silver lining – a rich store of sensitive (and therefore valuable) data. This is why it is important, if choosing a provider, to make sure… Read more »
Surveys of business owners consistently reveal that among their biggest concerns at the moment are the uncertain economic outlook and cyber risk. While Serval Systems cannot, unfortunately, promise to speed up the economic recovery, we can certainly assist with data recovery (should the worst happen) and safeguard your system from cyber attacks. Here are our top ‘data… Read more »
The Lessons Every Business Should Learn From 2014’s iCloud Hack The 2014 iCloud hack that saw intimate images of celebrities being accessed and posted on the net, brought the security of the cloud into question last year. But is it the cloud itself that is the problem here? Many argue that cloud computing is actually more secure… Read more »
Legal firms are directly in the firing line when it comes to cyber crime thanks to the large amount of sensitive and confidential information they hold. Yet while such bounty is highly prized by hackers, surprisingly few law firms are prioritising IT security, making their business protection much weaker than that of other industries. Remote access to sensitive… Read more »
Why are IT Policies Necessary? Clear policies about how IT is or may be used lead to a well managed, effectively run business. They provide a set of instructions to ensure the smooth running of operations on a day-to-day basis. An up-to-date, fully functioning IT system is now fundamental for the majority of businesses to… Read more »
Hundreds of new pieces of information are being created in your business every day and what a costly disaster it would spell if all of it were to get lost. As you know data backup is essential for every business, but it can be difficult to know which one is best for your business. The right backup… Read more »
Anti-virus and firewalls may be the front runners in the battle against security threats however you may have another weak link lurking in your midst. Unless properly trained, your own staff could be the biggest threat to the security of your business network and information. Nowadays massive data breaches can be tracked back to a single click made… Read more »
Enhancing Your Business with the Right IT Solutions for You During our 15 years in the industry we have seen how IT improves businesses. However, simply adopting every kind of software that comes along is not necessarily going to do the trick. Instead you need to know which will be the right IT solutions for… Read more »
When you leave the office at the end of the day you lock the doors behind you. The same should be the case for your computers, in order to protect the information stored on them. A firewall is that locked door to secure your business IT network, designed to block unauthorised access from other, less secure networks… Read more »
Is your business using a co.uk or org.uk domain name? It might now be time to secure the new slimmer model .uk. Last month saw the release of new leaner domain name .uk by UK domain registry organisation Nominet. In its first 24 hours after launch .uk registrations surpassed 50,000 and Nominet expects this will rise… Read more »
Offsite backup is an essential component to any business’ disaster recovery plan. Without one you’re at risk of losing vital data should the unexpected happen, such as a fire, flood, theft or a major software or hardware failure. Protecting your essential data from being permanently lost with offsite backup will enable your business to continue functioning as… Read more »
Disaster has struck, you have had a major hardware failure, a fire or flood, or accidentally deleted critical data – what are you going to do? What would happen to your business should one of these scenarios strike? Long periods of downtime Unhappy customers Permanent loss of data With an effective disaster recovery plan (DRP)… Read more »
Ever had an email from an ‘official’ organisation asking you to disclose personal information, but you were not sure whether to trust it? Your instincts may be right. Scammers are sending emails disguising themselves as legitimate organisations, linking recipients to a fake log-in page in an attempt to hijack personal information, known as phishing –… Read more »
Every day businesses are becoming more reliant on the internet – from storing data in the cloud to running their systems through computers and the internet. But lurking in the shadows sophisticated malicious software is being created, e.g. viruses, worms and trojans, ready to exploit weaknesses in networks and steal personal data. For instance, did… Read more »
Cloud computing has been hailed as an IT game changer. Thanks to the Cloud, you can now discard your internal, complex infrastructure and manage your business’ data through the internet. Cloud computing is fully encrypted to your business and you are in charge of who accesses your company information. It is very secure, in fact it is… Read more »
Have you ever been on the move or sat at home and really needed access to documents from your office at work? If your documents are hardwired in the office server then they aren’t going to budge, leaving you unable to complete the task you intended to work on. But what if you could put… Read more »
The idea of the paperless office has been around since computers first arrived on the business scene and yet, all these years later, it is still largely a myth. Why does the thought of relying completely on electronics give us such cause for concern? Well, first, we’ve all heard the horror stories – from information… Read more »
Have you heard that web domains such as ‘.com’ and ‘.org’ are running out? Now new domains are being created such as ‘.london’ and ’.gallery’ and even wacky ones including ‘.ninja’ and ‘.cool’. This could mean big business for companies in the future. The first of the new top-level domains have been released, and over… Read more »
Productivity is a key component to achieving business goals and is a firm indicator of success, or possible failure. So what steps do you need to take ensure high levels of productivity? How do you know your employees and business are performing productively to maximise your business success? Using IT, such as business productivity software,… Read more »
As a business owner or manager you’ve probably made some resolutions, from how to grow your business with new leads through to ways to increase engagement with your existing customers. Why not follow our tips below for business success: • Get your IT systems in order Before you can consider increasing your leads and customer… Read more »
Imagine being able to run your warehouse more efficiently, without having to be concerned with making human errors or boring stock taking. Did you realise that a reliable IT support system can take care of many processes and help you manage your warehouse much easier. IT support manages most warehouse processes – from pulling orders… Read more »
Christmas is just around the corner, which for most of us means a mass exodus from the office. Opening hours at this time of year vary from business to business, so ensuring your employees or colleagues have their ‘out of office’ response set on their emails is an important part of your communications with your… Read more »
Spam emails are a modern day pest. In the same way we are hounded with junk mail through our letter box, we are pestered with unsolicited mail electronically as well. Spam or junk email has many of the same characteristics as postal junk mail, but its aim is often far worse. What are Spam Emails?… Read more »
Bustling offices, small businesses and internal IT support have never mixed well. Busy offices have limited resources and a working week is packed with day-to-day tasks, leaving little spare time for staff to focus solely on IT. Often it isn’t financially viable for small and medium businesses to hire a staff member dedicated to managing… Read more »
We all know how frustrating it can be to receive incorrect wages. But to ensure that we all get paid the right amount at the right time, accountants must rely heavily upon access to data, such as payroll information. While IT systems can make or break an accountancy business, a well designed network will ensure… Read more »
The introduction of hosted telephony has revolutionised the way in which offices work. With more flexibility and ease, businesses across the UK are reaping the benefits of VoIP hosted telephony technology. What is VoIP? Firstly, what exactly does VoIP mean? Voice over Internet Protocol (or IP) simply means that calls are made over the internet. VoIP operates… Read more »
Security and data protection are a major concern for businesses when it comes to working remotely. We’re often asked by our clients how safe remote access is, how it works and what the benefits are. Here are our most frequently asked questions about remote access and the best tools around: What does remote access mean?… Read more »
Poor IT infrastructure and processes not only affect customer satisfaction, but also employee productivity. If IT systems are letting you and your employees down, read on to find out how making improvements now could help to keep your employees happy and their productivity levels up: How IT Improves Employee Productivity Minimises the need for paperwork… Read more »
Anyone working with computers on a daily basis will be familiar with the IT problems which regularly arise. Both small and medium sized businesses rely heavily upon IT infrastructure, regardless of the sector you operate in. Having either an in-house IT expert or outsourcing to an IT support company is vital when it comes to… Read more »
We live in a digital world and running a business without any form of digital technology is nigh on impossible. Storing vital data, sending and receiving emails, capturing client and customer details – can you imagine attempting to run your business day-to-day without even the most basic technology? Finding an IT solution to match the… Read more »
As an integral part of your business, a working IT system keeps your employees and customers happy. Stories of big name companies whose IT systems have failed their customers are never far from the headlines and the damage can be long-term. Outsourced IT support services however allow your team to focus on their jobs, whilst IT… Read more »
As a company you are almost completely reliant on IT for day-to-day operation, it has never been more important to have a business continuity plan in place to ensure your business can continue to trade in the event of a crisis. Having IT support in place prior to a breakdown can ensure your business is protected 24/7 when… Read more »
