torrshydro.co.uk

Two out three organisations recognise the crucial role that cloud computing plays in the role of their digital transformation. Engaging with cloud computing support is a guaranteed way of decreasing business costs, increasing productivity and out-performing against competitors who are part of the 1/3^rd of organisations who are still not yet using the cloud as an integral part of their IT infrastructure. Cloud computing has revolutionised the face of IT across the globe with its versatility and 24/7 accessibility, enabling organisations of all size, to enjoy the cost saving benefits of 100% online access. If, like 2/3rds of organisations, you want to take your business on a digital transformation journey and embrace the future of technology, Knowall IT Support Soho is the managed business partner, which is equipped to facilitate that transition.

Cloud computing has been in use almost since the beginning of the history of computers themselves. In the early 2000’s, as the internet developed from travel blogs, brochures and chat rooms into the social and technological giant, global network of communications that it is today as a result of the creation of the internet. Since that time, what first began with the image of a world wide web has developed into what is now referred to the cloud. What is the cloud really? It’s the image that has been given to society to help them to conceptualise the way in which we are able to gain access to hardware and software that is not physically in front of us.

Simply put, cloud computing is to IT what Uber is to the transportation industry. You need a ride from A to B but you don’t have your own vehicle. You contact Uber and set up someone to collect you and drop you off where you need to be, and you pay the association transportation fee. Similarly, with cloud computing, you pay a fee for the IT infrastructure that you need, when you need it for as long as you need it. It gets your business from A to B, without you having to purchase the whole vehicle. Its available to you at any time, on-demand, without worrying about maintenance, up-keep, running costs or upgrades. Just like Uber, the infrastructure / vehicle is provided to you at the fraction of the cost and you simply pay for what you need, when you need it. While each organisation will experience the benefits differently, the benefits will be experienced immediately as a direct result of having access to the latest servers, applications or operating systems without the mammoth financial commitment on the hardware and software which is required to provide quality IT support.

Knowall IT Support Paddington is an award-winning IT service provider with the capacity to provide your business with high quality cloud and voice services, ensuring access to high performance computing and communications at the fraction of the cost. For the organisation who has not yet invested in this leading edge technology, contact Knowall IT Support Kensington for assistance with building your fully customizable, scalable, bespoke IT environment uniquely suited to elevate your business into the future.

Ensure your data is secure at all costs! In the digital age, your data is currency for those searching for an easy pay day. Valuable personal information is traced and tracked by not only marketers but also for individuals looking to steal your data for the purposes of defrauding you or your company. Not until you have been at the receiving end of a malicious attack by ransomware, does a person come to understand just how imperative it is to keep your data secure.

Ransomware is a cybercrime whereby data is held for ransom after being accessed via computers and mobile devices which are then locked and held hostage until the victim pays the required ransom. As an individual or organisation, you are an easy target to common types of attacks such as phishing. Phishing (pronounced fishing) is when an email is sent to an unsuspecting recipient, urgently requiring them to download a link or click on an attachment, under the guise of being a highly important piece of information for the recipient. Unsuspecting recipients may click without realizing that they are about to unleash a silent threat into their computers and any network that they happen to be a part of. Phishing can be perpetuated in that the ransomware can be forwarded without the knowledge of the original recipient and before you know it, your entire social and professional community has received a similar link, rendering them vulnerable to the same threat that you have just unknowingly fallen victim to.

The point of ransomware is to access the personal or professional information that is stored on all devices and networks and to lock users out of their own information until a ransom is paid. This type of cyberattack can cost a company an enormous amount of money, not only as a result of the ransom but also as a result of downtime or lack of production. The knock-on effect can be catastrophic. Ransom often presents in the form of Bitcoin (cryptocurrency) which is impossible to trace. As with normal hostage situations, once the ransom has been paid, the victim may receive a code or file which will decrypt the attack and release the data.

If you do not already have a plan to prevent a cyberattack on your business, then you may be the next victim of cyber engineering executed by online criminals.

One of the ways in which you can avoid being the victim is to engage with Knowall IT support west London cloud computing solutions for your organisation. Cloud computing means that you will enjoy the convenience of high-tech hardware as well as have access to the software at merely a portion of the cost of purchasing all of this yourself. Highly secured servers are yours to store your data without the headache of expensive upgrades for hardware and software.

Cloud computing is the way of the future and your company can be part of a shared social community which utilize shared-services from as many locations as required to effectively ensure the smooth running of your business. Always innovative Knowall IT offers an alternative approach with FileMaker Hosting which converts any FileMaker software already in use, safely and securely, to the cloud. Be it from abroad or from many local locations, your access is guaranteed with 24/7 connectivity utilizing your existing FileMaker license and the same look and feel you already enjoy.

Convert your existing FileMaker software to the cloud with hosted FileMaker.

FileMaker hosting gives you the stability of the desktop with the flexibility of the cloud.

• Use your existing FileMaker licence
• Access anywhere, anytime – Always available!
• Looks & feels the same
• FileMaker hosting is safe, secure & easy to convert

Top 10 Benefits of Flexible/ Home Working for Employers?

As an employee there are many benefits to working from home such as more time with the family, reduction in stress and less time commuting, however you might be wondering what the benefits are for the employer?

Read about the new UK law on Home Working / Flexible Working for all employees

A new law has been passed as of the 30th June 2014 introducing changes to the existing UK home working/flexible working laws, extending them beyond employees with children to all employees.  Some employers have been concerned about how this will affect production and the effect on their businesses.

We have decided to focus on the many benefits that home working and/or flexible hours can offer your business.

Top 10 Benefits of Home Working / Remote Working for Employers

The top 10 benefits of home working/flexible working for businesses are;

1.  Increased Productivity

Many studies taken place confirms that employees are more productive when working from home.  British Telecom (BT) has experienced a 20% increase in productivity thanks to telecommuting; they have over 15,000 home working employees out of 92,000 employees.

2.  Empowered Staff

Gaining trust with your employees who work from home makes them feel valued and empowered, feeling valued makes staff more committed and prove themselves to ensure the trust remains intact.

Staff should be paid for their skills, not their time.  Making your staff know that they are valued makes them feel empowered, but also more responsible for their output.

3.  Improved Staff Retention

Retaining committed staff is vital to any business and stability can only be beneficial to the company image. A large staff turnover can tarnish any company image.

4.  Brand’s Image

The benefits from being committed to CSR, happier employees, potentially extended opening hours, and access to a wider talent pool for employees, your brand’s overall image will likely improve.  You will have happy customers who will receive better and more efficient service.

5.  Expand Your Talent Pool

Working from home opens your business to being able to expand your talent pool potential thus being able to recruit talented individuals nationwide and not just locally. The positive effect on your business will be seen in increased productivity.

Perhaps consider a flexible start time enabling the employees miss out the worst of the traffic and are more productive at their desks.

6.  Extended Opening Hours

Many customers would like to consult outside the office hours for convenience, by encouraging flexible working hours the employee is likely to have no problem accommodating customers after hours.

By offering flexible hours or start times could mean your business can now be officially open for longer working hours in a day, or even at the weekends, at no additional cost to your business reducing overtime costs.

7.  Reduce Absenteeism and Tardiness

Many large companies have both found that flexible home working results in employees taking unnecessary time off and fewer sick days and happier employees who are more willing to commit to their employer.

8.  Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Every business must be committed to CSR and flexible working hours will assist greatly by reducing your business’s environmental impact, saving around 4000 kilograms of pollutants per employee per year in travel.

Your business is required to be socially responsible to its customers, staff, suppliers, general public, and the outside world.  Taking your business CSR seriously is a great marketing angle; customers support businesses that are seen to be socially responsible.

9.  Reduce Costs

Every business aims to reduce costs whilst not compromising on the productivity of the business. By offering a flexible work environment makes your business more appealing, and makes potential recruits more interested in working for you.  Apart from the salary, you’ll likely reduce your overheads, and potentially even downsize your office and its costs.

10.  Growing your Business

Growing and focussing on your business is of better value than having to manage your staff, contend with office politics and distractions. You can focus on the important aspects of the business.

Technology can make flexible and home working much easier

Make home working and flexible working hours work for your business by utilising the best technology available. The right use of technology can help make teleworking more effective. Knowall IT provides first class private enterprise cloud London for SMEs. Knowall IT’s Private Cloud Computing means that all staff can access their files, data, and applications from anywhere in the world.

Private enterprise cloud London for small businesses and collaboration tools such as will enable staff members to talk to each other (telephone, instant message, video conference, etc.), and collaborate (screen sharing, application sharing, presentations, etc.) more effectively than ever.