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O Comment I IN THIS ISSUE V R E INVOICE P REMITTANCE 04 Agenda Make 2015 the year of digital Osram lights up the Sistine Chapel “ ” transformation 12 Cover Story Neopost launches free guide to multi-channel SMS Happy New Year! Who knows what 2015 will bring? One customer communications thing that seems certain is that more and more businesses will be accelerating the process of digital transformation. 15 Document Management And with good reason. As we report on page 10, a new study Keys trends in document management and paperless processes published by Harvard Business Review Press suggests that businesses that succeed at digital transformation are on 19 Innovations average 26% more profitable than their industry peers. The workstation of the future and otherSMA RT WAYS TO MANAGE innovations As every issue of Business Info makes clear, just about every MULTI-CHANNEL COMMUoffice activityNI canC Abe improvedTION by Sdigitisation. In this issue, Stuart 28 Data storage Evans of document management company Invu wages war on Why tape still has a role to play in the age of cloud paper and the copier – he calls them ‘ghastly machines’, but they 31 Wearable Technology pay my wages; Maxine Park, founder of DictateNow, extols the What everyone will be wearing in 2015 productivity benefits of digital dictation and transcription; while Purple Wifi’s Gavin Wheeldon looks at how the even the clothes 32 Energy on our back are being digitised. James Longley explains how to reduce office energy costs Elsewhere, in this month’s cover story, Neopost, which is successfully transforming itself from a supplier of mailing 34 Flexible Working equipment into a customer contact specialist, urges readers to What are your options? do the same by embracing rather than ignoring their customers’ 36 Home Working communication preferences. Increasingly – though by no means Anjula Mutanda’s top tips on avoiding distractions at home exclusively – these are digital, mobile and social. For some, the need to support multi-channel customer communications 38 Mobile Technology could be just what’s needed to kick-start their own digital SMEs’ top priorities for investment transformation. 39 Dictation As all this is going on, some things remain the same, notably our Why it pays to talk more and type less natural love of light, greenery and good views. The absence of these from many office environments has been shown to increase 41 Software stress levels and destroy productivity (see page 4). One of the How SDKs speed up the development of corporate apps advantages of introducing digital processes and removing paper from your business is that you can fill the space you save with 42 Employment Law break-out areas, office plants, artworks and stimulating lighting – David Lester explains what’s on the and look forward to the even greater productivity improvements cards for 2015 as a result. James Goulding, Editor, [email protected] BUSINESS INFO GET YOUR FREE COPY FOLLOW US: Business Info is FREE. To make sure you get every issue FREE, as soon as it is published, just visit www.binfo.co.uk, click the ‘FREE MAG’ button and @BinfoMag www.facebook.com/BinfoMag add your details to our mailing list. You can read Business Info online at: www.binfo.co.uk
01732 759725 magazine 03 agenda
Light and nature are key Let there be LED light to well-being LED lighting is being selected by Working in environments with more and more businesses as an greenery and sunlight engenders energy-saving lighting choice. But, a 13% higher level of well-being as Osram’s instalIation in the Sistine and makes employees 8% more Chapel demonstrates, LED lighting has productive, a new report shows. many other qualities. Michelangelo’s The Human Spaces Report masterpiece is now bathed in light commissioned by flooring specialist from more than 7,000 LEDs that enable Before Interface and led by organisational the 5.5 million people who visit the psychologist Professor Sir Cary Cooper chapel every year to see more detail looked at the impact of the physical and brighter colours than ever before. office environment on employee well- being across 3,600 office workers in Despite a five to ten-fold increase in eight countries throughout EMEA luminance, the new system consumes It found that 55% of EMEA office up to 90% less electricity than the employees don’t have access to any previous lighting system. In addition, greenery in their working environment the almost complete absence of and 42% have no natural light – 7% ultraviolet and infrared radiation from have no window in their workspace at all. the lighting prevents damage to the Spain reported the highest number artworks. www.osram.com After of office employees with no windows (15%) and the most stressed workforce. Beware warm air hand dryers, says ETS In contrast, Germany and Denmark, which reported the least number of The European Tissue Symposium (ETS), the beyond the 15 second hand-drying time, with half workers with no windows (2% and 3% European organisation for tissue producers, is still present after 5 minutes and some still present respectively), had the happiest employees. warning of the health risks of jet and warm air 15 minutes after hand-drying. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of EMEA hand driers after ETS-funded research found www.europeantissue.com office workers are based in a town or that they could spread bacteria in washrooms. city centre and spend an average of 34 A study designed by expert medical hours per week in the office. Despite microbiologist Professor Mark Wilcox of the city dominated lives, the research found University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals workers have an inherent affinity to compared different hand drying methods and their elements that reflect nature. potential to spread bacteria from hands into the The top five natural elements EMEA air and onto users and bystanders. office workers wish for are: Air bacterial counts close to jet air driers were 1 Natural light found to be 4.5 times higher than around warm 2 Quiet working space air driers and 27 times higher than around paper 3 A view of the sea towels. 4 Live indoor plants In addition, bacteria remain present in the air 5 Bright colours Four out of 10 (40%) workers across EMEA said they would feel most One in four European workers feels stressed productive at their own desk in a solitary One-quarter of workers in Europe report feeling stressed at work all or most of the time, and a office, compared to 31% who said they similar proportion say that work affects their health negatively. would feel most productive at their own A report, published as part of the Europe-wide Healthy Workplaces Manage Stress campaign found desk in an open plan office. that psycho-social risks, such as monotonous tasks, high work intensity, tight deadlines, work-life unbalance, violence and harassment from the public or from colleagues, all contributed to work-related stress. Psychosocial risks in Europe: Prevalence and strategies for prevention published jointly by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) and the European Foundation for the Improvement of Working and Living Conditions (Eurofound) provides an overview of psycho-social risks in European workplaces and explains how to manage them at work and politically. Juan Menéndez-Valdés, director of Eurofound, said: “Reducing psycho- social risks and protecting workers from these risks is critical for allowing longer working lives and preventing early labour market exits.” https://osha.europa.eu A sea view helps well-being 04 magazine www.binfo.co.uk IF IT WORX, IT’S
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Stressed workers are less Leafy Surrey tops UK tree ranking productive Surrey Heath and Waverly local authority and utility companies to inform the Employees suffering from high stress levels have districts are the greenest areas of Britain, management of our landscape and protect lower engagement, are less productive and have with 40% tree cover, according to the first our infrastructure.” higher absentee levels than those not operating ever nationwide map of trees produced by The dataset is based on high resolution under excessive pressure, according to the Global aerial mapping specialist Bluesky. aerial photography, colour infrared data and Benefits Attitudes survey by professional services Surrey is home to five other districts detailed height models. It includes three firm Towers Watson. ranked in the top ten for tree cover. The individual map layers, detailing more than It found that over half (57%) of employees who remaining Top Ten places are taken up by 280 million trees with a canopy cover in claimed to be experiencing high stress levels were Neath Port Talbot with 32% and Bracknell the region of 20,000 square kilometres or disengaged. In contrast, only one in ten employees Forest and New Forest District Councils. 13.5% of land cover. claiming low stress levels said they were disengaged. The areas with least tree coverage are www.bluesky-world.com Moreover, half of the low stress group claimed to be Boston and South Holland in Lincolnshire, highly engaged. with just over 2%. Neighbouring Fenland Rebekah Haymes, senior consultant and well-being and East Cambridgeshire are also in the specialist at Towers Watson, said: “The research clearly bottom 10, as is the City of London. shows the destructive link between high levels of The district council closest to the stress and reduced productivity. A third of respondents national average is North Dorset District said they are often bothered by excessive pressure with tree coverage of 13.67%. in their job and this can lead to higher instances of Bluesky Managing Director Rachel disengagement and absenteeism – clear indicators of Tidmarsh said: “Behind the headlines, the low productivity in the workplace.” Bluesky National Tree Map is a serious Stress also influences absence levels with highly source of information that is already being stressed employees taking an average of 4.6 sick used by councils, government organisations days per year, compared to 2.6 days for low stress employees. Presenteeism, the act of attending work when unwell and unproductive, was 50% higher for Steelcase identifies top five open plan coping highly stressed employees, at an average of 16 days mechanisms per year versus 10 days for employees claiming to have low stress. As disquiet about noisy open plan offices grows, Steelcase has identified five ways Inadequate staffing was the biggest cause of that office workers can find peace and quiet at work. stress cited by employees, with 53% considering An international study carried out by market researchers IPSOS and the Workspace it a top cause of workplace stress. However, few Futures Team of Steelcase found that only 41% of office workers are able to undertake employers agree, with only 15% of senior managers important work in privacy. The rest have had to develop their own strategies to avoid acknowledging it as a cause of stress in their disruptions. These include: organisation. Conversely, a third (34%) of employers 1 Strategic anonymity: Being unknown or ‘invisible’ for a while in order to avoid thought technology that made employees available normal social distractions and restraints. Going off radar makes workers feel that they outside working hours was one of the top causes of are free of the restraints that come with normal social surveillance. Workers may choose stress, but employees largely disagreed, with only 8% to go to a café to avoid the social distractions of the workplace. listing it as a contributor to workplace pressure. 2 Selective exposure: Choosing what www.towerswatson.com others see by being selective about the personal information and behaviours that we reveal. Examples of selective Collaboration wall sharing can be opting for a telephone The Nice Wall from Bene is a room module for meetings, call instead of a video conference or brainstorming sessions and visual presentations. It is choosing which personal items to powered by we-inspire, a continuous frameless and display in a workstation. interactive wall, scalable up to 30 metres in length, 3 Entrusted confidence: Sharing that can be written on by seven people simultaneously information confidentially within a using Anoto digital pens. Combining the Nice Wall with trusting relationship, for example in a performance review with a manager. upholstered furniture elements from Bene’s PARCS series 4 Intentional shielding: Protecting yourself from others’ sight lines to avoid being turns any office space into an area for the exchange and observed or distracted. Many office workers like to create a personal space by using development of ideas. earphones to block out audio distractions or by sitting with their back against a wall. 5 Purposeful solitude: Physically separating yourself from co-workers in order to concentrate, recharge, express emotions, rejuvenate or engage in personal activities. These workers appreciate quiet spaces within the office or sit in the furthest corner of a large room. Bostjan Ljubic, vice president of Steelcase UK and Ireland, said: “Because people experience privacy in these different ways, the key is to design a workplace that supports them all. Workplaces dominated by enclosed offices won’t solve the engagement problem. The best way to support today’s workers is to provide the ability to move between individual time and collaborative time, fully leveraging the power of the workplace to strengthen satisfaction and engagement.” www.steelcase.co.uk
01732 759725 magazine 07 agenda
Co-location good for small firms Link between office design and Co-location is good for entrepreneurship, so says flexible workspace provider Regus. To mark well-being is ‘overwhelming’ November’s Global Entrepreneurship Week, it released the results of a poll in which three fifths of The evidence linking office design to the small firms said co-location inspired entrepreneurial health, well-being and productivity of thinking (61%) and innovation (60%). A big employees is overwhelming, the World majority of respondents agreed that collaborative Green Building Council (WorldGBC) workplaces provide better value for money (91%), claims in a new report, Health, wellbeing help to scale a businesses rapidly (82%) and create and productivity in offices: The next valuable business connections (75%). chapter for green building. Richard Morris, UK CEO at Regus, said: “Co-locating The report sponsored by JLL, Lend Lease with other businesses is an increasingly popular solution and Skanska finds that building design and our research corroborates our own customer features, from air quality and daylight levels feedback that working under the same roof (or even to views of nature and the interior layout, services and amenities, such as gyms, in the same office) as other firms breeds dynamism, can affect the health and performance of bicycle storage and green space, can help to entrepreneurship and valuable opportunities to learn office workers. encourage healthier lifestyles for building from others.” Some of the key findings include: occupants; www.regus.co.uk Indoor air quality: Better indoor air The WorldGBC says that with salaries quality (low concentrations of CO2 and and benefits typically responsible for 90% pollutants and high ventilation rates) can of an organisation’s expenditure, any higher lead to productivity improvements of 8-11%; construction or occupation costs are far Thermal comfort: Thermal comfort outweighed by even small improvements in has a significant impact on workplace staff performance. satisfaction and modest degrees of personal Jane Henley, CEO of the World Green control over thermal comfort can return Building Council, said: “The evidence linking single digit improvements in productivity; good office design and improved health, Lighting and views of nature: Several well-being and productivity of staff is now studies have estimated productivity gains overwhelming. There is unquestionably a clear as a result of proximity to windows, with business case for investing in, developing and experts now thinking that views from occupying healthier, greener buildings. windows are probably the more significant “This is something that office occupiers factor, particularly where the view offers a can demonstrate for themselves. Most New BREEAM rating connection to nature; businesses are already sitting on a treasure BRE Global has introduced a new BREEAM rating Noise and acoustics: Being productive trove of information that may yield scheme for building refurbishment and fit-out projects. in the modern knowledge-based office is immediate improvement strategies for BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-Out 2014 has a range practically impossible when noise provides their two biggest expenses – people and of certification options: Part One deals with the building an unwanted distraction; buildings. Understanding the relationship fabric and structure; Part Two is concerned with core Interior layout: The way the interior between the two can help businesses services (e.g. centralised M&E plant); Part Three deals of an office is configured (including achieve significant competitive advantage.” with local services; and Part Four with interior design. workstation density and configuration To help them do this, the report provides Refurbishment and fit-out projects can be assessed of work space, breakout space and social a simple toolkit that businesses can use against one or all of the four parts, or any combination, space) has been found to have an impact on to assess staff health, well-being and depending on which are relevant to a particular project. concentration, collaboration, confidentiality productivity based on levels of absenteeism, www.breeam.com/projects and creativity; staff turnover, medical complaints and www.breeam.com/ndrefurb Active design and exercise: Active revenue. design within a building, and access to www.worldgbc.org Flexible working boost to UK economy Citrix claims that greater flexible working allowances could add £11.5 billion annually to the UK economy. A Citrix-sponsored survey of 1,200 individuals by the Centre for Economics and Business Research found that 96% of the UK knowledge worker population would take advantage of flexible working if it was made available to them. This could potentially add an extra £11.5bn per year to the UK economy through the more productive use of available working hours, the equivalent of 0.7% of GDP. In addition, increased use of flexible working could save UK workers £7.1 billion in Sit or stand reduced commuting costs when you take into account the cost of the half billion hours New from Humanscale, the QuickStand height- people spend travelling. adjustable workstation encourages users to alternate An improved flexible working culture also has the potential to encourage the between sitting and standing postures. Available for economically inactive or unemployed to return to work, potentially boosting GDP by up to single or dual monitor configurations, QuickStand 4.7% (£78.5 billion) and helping to ease the skills shortage. securely attaches to the back of a fixed-height surface. www.citrix.com Monitor and keyboard platforms can be independently adjusted. www.humanscale.com 08 magazine www.binfo.co.uk MULTI-DOCUMENT, HIGH SPEED, COLOUR SCANNING
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1_00111354_Scanners Ad_Enduser_297x210_EN UK_v7.indd 1 02/12/2014 16:21 Old technology causes projects Digital transformation boosts profits to run late Business that succeed at digital transformation are on average 26% more profitable than their industry European organisations are struggling shared document, putting sensitive data at peers, so Didier Bonnet, Senior Vice-President at to adapt to the rapid evolution of risk; and only half of IT departments support Capgemini Consulting, and research scientists technology, new working habits and the employees’ use of new technologies. George Westerman and Andrew McAfee claim in a increasingly global nature of business, The research highlights that dispersed new book that synthesises three years of research according to a new report, Chaos Theory, teams working across different geographies by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and commissioned by cloud collaboration and time zones struggle to work together Capgemini Consulting. pioneer Projectplace. effectively, with over a third (37%) of Published by Harvard The pan-European survey of 1,240 respondents citing a lack of communication Business Review Press, Leading project managers supported by the Project as a major headache. Digital: Turning Technology Management Institute found that inefficient One in five (19%) of all projects runs late into Business Transformation ways of working and old technologies are and 14% run over budget. Project managers highlights how large global costing businesses 20 working days a year. admit that if they are working on eight or companies in traditional Email remains the main communication more projects, things spiral out of control, industries are using digital method amongst teams; two-thirds of with one in three (32%) projects delayed technologies to gain a strategic project managers can access sensitive data and a quarter (26%) exceeding the agreed advantage. in their organisation, but only half can see budget. Based on the study of who has read, changed or downloaded a www.projectplace.com more than 400 organisations, including Burberry, Lloyds Poor call handling rife Banking Group, Nike and Pernod Ricard, the authors identify the principles and practices that lead to Less than a quarter (23%) of consumers successful digital transformation and set out a step-by are satisfied with the way British step guide for other companies to follow. businesses handle their phone calls, www.capgemini-consulting.com/leadingdigital according to a study of 1,000 consumers by TNS on behalf of PH Media Group. Mark Williamson, Sales and Marketing Audio conferencing losing Director of PH Media Group, said: “Poor ground call handling is a constant bugbear for the British consumer but, despite this, it appears The European conferencing services market is undergoing Britain’s businesses have still not risen to the significant transformation as web and video conferencing challenge of raising standards. gain ground at the expense of audio conferencing. New “If only 23% of customers are pleased analysis from Frost & Sullivan, European Conferencing with the way their calls are being handled, Services Market, predicts that audio conferencing’s share this means there is an even larger number of the market will fall from 66% in 2013 to 51% in who have generated a negative perception 2019. The total European conferencing market, including through bad caller experience.” audio, web and video, is expected to grow from $1.78 phmg.com billion in 2013 to $2.58 billion in 2019. www.conferencing.frost.com In Brief...
Phone check WYOD risk technology and non-technology brands bring The average smartphone user checks their UK enterprises aren’t prepared for the security the category into mainstream consumer device 221 times a day, according to a study risks posed by ‘Wear Your Own Device’, warns consciousness. It says new capabilities like GPS of 2,000 smartphone owners commissioned by Accellion Inc. Its survey of IT decision-makers in and NFC connectivity are likely to become Tecmark. 100 enterprises reveals that fewer than one in standard in the next few years, helping to keep four considers wearable technology within their the average smart watch price above $200 until Butter fingers broader mobile security strategy; and just 41% 2020 at the earliest. In the last two years, UK consumers have spent of UK enterprises currently have a BYOD policy £4.6 billion on repairs to hand held devices, that can be extended to cover wearables. More the equivalent of £78 per head. The study by than half (53%) of IT decision-makers have yet protection plan provider SquareTrade found to consider the possible impact of wearable that more than one third (37%) of smartphone tech on data security, despite the fact that 81% users have damaged their phones. Of these, acknowledge an increase in wearable devices in half have suffererd reduced functionality as a the workplace could pose a security risk. result, with one third unable to use some or all of their apps. Even so, more than one quarter Watch this space (27%) of British smartphone users do not use a Juniper Research has forecast that more than protective case. 100 million smart watches will be in use One in four users of phones like the secure www.squaretrade.co.uk worldwide by 2019, as launches by premium Blackphone don’t use protective cases.
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The evolving workplace: How technology is shaping the workplace of tomorrow
The second Global Evolving Workforce 3 Office Workers vs. Remote Workers: Study by Dell and Intel identifies six key Perceptions of home working are shifting, workforce/workplace trends that business with 52% of employees stating that home managers should be aware of if they are workers are just as productive, if not more to attract, retain and motivate employees so, than office-based colleagues. now and in the future. These are: l Of those who spend any time working 1 One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Employees use from home, half believe they are more multiple devices to get their jobs done. Of productive there than in the office; 36% those who use desktops, more than half say they are as productive; and just 14% that the IT department takes employees’ also use another device. All of those who say they are less productive when working opinions into consideration when selecting use either a tablet or 2-in-1 laptop for at home. technology. work always use these in conjunction with l Home working has benefits for employees 6 The Future of Tech is Bright, But Not other devices. Almost two thirds (62%) of too: 30% sleep more; 40% drive less; and Fully Automated: Employees are generally employees consider the desktop PC their 46% feel less stress. On the downside, 38% optimistic about the future of technology. primary business device while at work. But of home workers snack more; 20% exercise They believe it will keep evolving and when doing work at home, laptops are less; and there are more distractions from continue to provide new benefits and used as frequently as desktops. spouses, children, parents and pets. capabilities, but will not fundamentally 2 The Office Is King: The office still is 4 Work Life Blurs into Personal Life: As change the way in which they work. the primary place of work, with 97% of innovations in technology continue to l They say that in the future, voice employees spending some time in their advance, people have more flexibility to recognition will be used instead of the employer’s office. On average, employees choose when and where they meet their keyboard (92%), tablets will completely in developed markets spend 32 hours per professional obligations. Almost two thirds replace laptops (87%), all computers will week in the office, compared to 26 hours (64%) of employees conduct at least use hand gestures (87%) and keyboards in emerging markets. some business at home after business and mice will be obsolete (88%). However, l Globally, employees work an average of hours, especially in emerging economies advances in technology won’t replace the four hours per week at an external location, where 83% check work email after hours, need for humans in the workplace: only such as a client’s office, and another compared to 42% in developed markets. 34% of respondents think their job will be five hours per week working from home, l The blurring of boundaries is most fully automated in their lifetime. compared with 29 hours per week working pronounced amongst executives: they in the office. use personal technology for work more Faced with these trends, Dell offers the l Office-based employees feel they work frequently than other employees (64% following advice to business leaders, best in an office, even though 48% say vs. 37%); are more likely to take work IT managers and human resource they are frequently interrupted. Almost one technology home for personal purposes professionals: in five employees wears headphones or (45% vs. 20%); and are more likely to n Activity-based work: Provide the right earbuds in the office. More than half (51%) access personal websites/apps/software at technology for the job, which might mean frequently IM or email colleagues who are work (67% vs. 49%). supplying multiple devices; located physically near them, rather than l More than half of employees globally n Seamless Access: Provide employees talking with them directly. use personal devices for work purposes with seamless access to their data and or expect to do so in the future: 43% of applications from any device, anywhere, at employees do so secretly without the any time; company knowing, with smartphones n Security: Don’t just ensure BYOD devices and laptops being the tools used most are known and secured; make sure the user frequently. and their access to information is managed 5 Technology leads to Happy Employees: and secured as well; One out of four employees globally n Diverse Environments: As innovations reports they are influenced by the in technology continue, people have technology provided to them at work increasing flexibility to choose when and and would consider taking a new position where they work, so employers need to if it provided better technology that provide tools that enable them to be enabled them be more productive. Fewer effective in their preferred environment. than half of employees globally report For those who don’t need such flexibility, provide a variety of workspaces to meet the task at hand.
For more in-depth analysis, please review the study in full at www.dell.com/ evolvingworkforce.
01732 759725 magazine 11 Cover Story
Close contact Get closer to your customers with the help of Neopost and make 2015 the year of multi-channel customer communications
As business leaders return to their Who’s in charge? commissioned by Netcall, 11% of desks after Christmas and the Consumers have always had the power consumers revealed that they had taken New Year, many will be wondering to vote with their feet and take their their business to a competitor after what 2015 holds. Amidst so many custom elsewhere. But in the past, it was failing to get a satisfactory response to a uncertainties, from the the price of often easier to endure poor service than complaint at the first time of asking. oil to the outcome of the General find an alternative provider or navigate Election, what are the factors that the complexities of switching supplier. Technology as enabler businesses can rely on and set their Today, things are very different. However, technology is much more than compass by? A number of factors, from market a stick to beat suppliers with. It is a great One certainty is the continued liberalisation to the world wide web, The twentieth enabler for businesses too. Today, those importance of customer service. This mean that in 2015 consumers hold the century that choose to do so can find out more was a key trend in 2014 and is likely cards. It is no longer the customer’s lot about their customers than at any time to become even more critical in 2015 to fulminate about poor service and consumer in history. as businesses expand their marketing then eat humble pie; today, with just a doesn’t exist Electronic payment systems, activities to build stronger relationships few clicks of a mouse, it is easy to find the rise of e-commerce and even with customers who all the evidence an alternative supplier and probably one to be fobbed people’s own social media profiles give suggests are becoming less and less loyal. that charges less. off – at least remarkable insight into the buying Almost one in three UK consumers The impact of technology is also habits and preferences of customers and (30%) surveyed by Vision Critical for changing customer expectations. not more than potential customers; while electronic customer service specialist Kana said People know what technology can do; once! messaging and social networks, allied that they had become less loyal to retail they know what is possible and are to commoditisation of computers, brands in the last five years, with 25% therefore less tolerant of delays, errors smartphones and tablets, enable identifying poor customer service as the or obstructive customer service. The businesses to interact with customers main reason. twentieth century consumer doesn’t like never before. exist to be fobbed off – at least not more Nor is technological innovation than once. limited to electronic communications. In a recent Censuswide poll Digital presses that allow businesses to
As part of a strategy to improve its through the post. Neopost proves customer communications, Ranson, a Ranson already used a Neopost franking provider of baking supplies to bakeries machine and folder-inserter and so it was the right choice for and patisseries around the UK, surveyed only natural that it adopted Neopost output baking specialist its customers to see how they wanted to management software to streamline and receive invoices, statements, credit notes, automate the company’s multi-channel leaflets and catalogues. communications processes as well. Approximately 70% expressed a Now, software automatically routes preference for mail, with 30% choosing to mailings to email or print, based on each receive documents electronically. customer’s preference. This has led to Ranson sends out about 100 letters a happier customers, lower mailing costs and day and after letting customers choose how significantly less manual processing, whilst to receive them, staff providing Ranson with verification that had to spend a emails have been sent. great deal of Marcin Rutowski, office administration time manually manager, said: “The solution Neopost separating those provided is very, very simple. I would that were to be recommend this multi-communications emailed from platform to other companies; it’s really saved those to be sent time and money.”
12 magazine www.binfo.co.uk its phone number online so that customers have to communicate by email or web chat, or it might charge for paper bills in an attempt to migrate customers to electronic billing. personalise mailings have transformed HOW TO REALLY CONNECT Such tactics are high risk. According direct mail, which remains a vibrant and to a survey by the Keep Me Posted effective means of generating business WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS campaign, which lobbies service and deepening customer relationships. NING BU providers and the Government to give AN DGE New techniques for linking physical PL T consumers choice in how they receive documents to websites and other digital bills, statements and other information, WOW content offer new possibilities by adding T 81% of adults want to choose how A R intelligence to the printed page. G they receive their information and 84% E Many businesses have fully embraced T don’t like it when that choice is taken these developments and transformed away. their customer communications by
making use of both online and offline A consistent experience T
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V R E mail, email, telephone, SMS & mobile, INVOICE P REMITTANCE Report 2014 suggests that wasted web and social media. marketing spend and lost productivity SMS due to bad data costs the average A necessary journey organisation 12% of its income: and To help businesses on this necessary SMART WAYS TO MANAGE 28% of those who have had problems journey, Neopost, in association with the MULTI-CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS delivering email because of bad data DMA, the professional body for the one- say that customer service has suffered to-one marketing industry, has produced as a result; a free guide explaining the rationale, How do you ensure a consistent benefits and pitfalls of a multi-channel as important. Mobile, social media, email, brand identity? If you communicate customer communications strategy. the web, direct mail and the telephone with the same person using a variety How to Really Connect with Your are all very effective methods of of methods, it is important to have a Customers – Smart Ways to Manage communication – when used in the right consistent image, for reasons of brand Multi-Channel Communications covers: way and in the right combination. integrity and customer reassurance, n The factors driving the uptake 81% of adults “However, businesses need to be especially when communicating or of multi-channel customer careful how they use these tools. A transacting online; communications; want to telephone call is more intrusive than a How do you maintain n The benefits of such a strategy, choose how letter – especially if made in the evening communications integrity? When including enhanced customer contact, – and a social media interaction might communicating via multiple channels, better response levels and lower costs; they receive not be appropriate for communicating how do you make sure that everyone n The different channels, and what information sensitive material. Each medium has receives the right communications via combinations of media are most its own qualities and strengths and the right medium? And can you prove effective; and 84% don’t businesses need to think carefully it if challenged? n What’s required for successful multi- like it when about when to use them. That includes As a customer contact specialist, channel communications; taking into consideration individual Neopost has been helping businesses n Advice on how to construct a that choice is customers’ own preferences, which might both large and small to answer these campaign; taken away. change depending on the nature of questions and implement successful n Examples of best practice; and the communication or the time of day. multi-channel communications n A useful checklist to refer to when Making the right contact with customers strategies. To find out how it can help creating a campaign. will strengthen relationships, but getting you to develop more profitable and it wrong could be damaging.” enduring customer relationships, please Neopost marketing manager Phil download a free copy of How to Really Winfield said: “Customer service is no The importance of choice Connect with Your Customers longer just a question of delivering The trap that many organisations – Smart Ways to Manage Multi- what’s been ordered within the agreed fall into is to force customers to Channel Communications from time-frame. With the emergence of new communicate in a certain way, usually http://www2.neopost.co.uk/MCC communication channels, the nature of to further a corporate cost-cutting or call 0800 731 1334. the customer contact has become just agenda. A company might fail to publish
01732 759725 magazine 13 The new DP-311 with easy voice recording, easy playback and easy search...... and no tapes.
Voice Recording, Made Easy 14 magazine www.binfo.co.uk Document Management
slowly than I would like, but department The future heads now understand that paper and the machines that produce them must be removed from business processes in order to achieve greater efficiency according to Invu and competitive edge. I am begging business leaders to accelerate the trend and replace over-priced copiers with a Stuart Evans, chief technology officer of document few good quality scanners and put this management company Invu, highlights the key trends clumsy era of computers for paper to affecting businesses in 2015. Over the page, he explains bed. With over 100% penetration of how organisations can get rid of paper without mobile devices in the UK, printing is compromising compliance now seen as a dirty activity and is being limited to transportation/delivery/ If Microsoft is to be believed, the Big Data shop-floor use cases. We shall see megatrends of the moment are Mobile, If Cloud is a little stratospheric, then the continued battle against paper. Cloud, Big Data and Social. And, to ‘Big Data’ is more or less surreal to Clean desks and paper-free offices are be fair, the signs are there. While IT our customers. Nonetheless, the new appearing in many places now and not departments are still trying to spell generation of business user understands because of the ‘90s paperless dream, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), the the value and nuances of data and wants but because of the clarity of vision of population as a whole is now used to, to use data to help drive their decisions new business owners and progressive IT and expects, mobility. Desktop sales and processes. Access to good quality directors. are in steep decline and smartphones, plentiful data can enhance or completely touch-laptops and tablets dominate. transform solutions. For most businesses Beginning of the end for shared drives Humans expect data to come to them this will not be an overnight epiphany, and huge mail boxes and software vendors now have to add but will smoulder for a few years as Many companies are still having trouble a twist of mobile to everything they disparate systems and poor data are knowing where important information is do – which can be a shock for some. herded into the new Big Data world. For kept. They have bloated mail boxes and Mobility will continue to grow into an 2015, we’ll see an increased demand for chaotic file shares that are not visible to expected aspect of business solutions. better and effortless reporting from a Most companies the business in any way – and Dropbox is more articulate customer. are not only making it worse. The Cloud To prepare the ground, start In 2015 I predict that many more The mobile revolution is very visible organising your data – show it some measuring the companies will be shutting down their – we all love toys – but the Cloud respect. Most companies are not correct things file shares and taking control of the revolution is much more disruptive measuring the correct things and are information in there. These shares have because it affects not just software lying to themselves about the accuracy and are lying been ‘dumping’ grounds and many functionality but the business terms of their data capture. 2015 will be the to themselves business owners will be looking to that surround it too. The Cloud is not year companies look to clean up their introduce easy discovery of information just ‘hosting’; it’s a whole new approach data capture process to ensure they are about the and policy-driven control of access. to software and its consumption. It analysing information that is beneficial accuracy of After all, everything you do at work is will change the speed of delivery and to them. corporate property. software sales cycle and enable new their data Add to this the fact that 80% solutions to be assembled as IT barriers Social capture. of your shared drive is irrelevant, are torn down. Meanwhile, social has caught the a duplicate copy or digital rubbish. From a vendor’s perspective, the attention of all businesses as a ‘new’ way Companies are realising that if they Cloud is a maturing and powerful new to reach and interact with prospects, discard the waste and put the remaining enabler that is ripe for use. Customers customers and competitors. Content- quality documents into a document are still wondering what it really is, but focused solutions will have to offer management system, business they will all too soon be demanding its more value from social content, events information is known and access is far benefits: reduced IT barriers for projects, and software systems than ever before; more efficient and IT money is saved. Opex commercials, powerful computing these features will start to become deal Companies are also starting to reduce features and scaling not possible on a winners. Long-standing businesses still their reliance on email – and the huge normal business network. Cloud is now have a hard time understanding the email boxes that employees hog. Email in its prime time of disruption when it ‘Social’ role in their business, but many is like ‘digital paper’ in disguise. Email is is vital for vendors to embrace it and of consultancies are doing a roaring trade a slush of notifications, conversations real interest to customers. helping them make the turn, and this and unmanaged agreements that can Cloud is a great place to collaborate activity will only increase next year. be moved around without anything but and in 2015 we will see many vertical the simplest of restrictions. Who’s to Cloud apps appearing that solve And what of Paper? say an employee won’t email something collaboration challenges and an increase Last year I predicted growing resentment important to the competition? Using a in the use of self-service in the Cloud. of the photocopier, and I am pleased company depository platform extends It means companies do not need to run to say there were signs of this – with a business’s control and will help you their own 24/7 server solutions; they sales of those ghastly machines finally prevent your email turning into chaos. can work in the Cloud with integration taking a downward turn. I am sorry into back office systems. to say that change is happening more Continued... 01732 759725 magazine 15 Document Management
...continued
Changes in how people use Invu? in a system and not just described in a that can automate processes, provide Whilst we expect users to keep enjoying standard operating procedure document, real-time information and offer security good Document Management, I expect printed out and left on a shelf. Auditors and compliance of critical data. Invu’s to see many more Finance departments now expect, and hope, to dock into an products are used by 1,600 organisations automating their Accounts Payable electronic store of data and electronic in diverse sectors including financial and function to make their processes audit trails that make their job easier too. professional services; manufacturing, more efficient and their controls engineering and construction; estate more effective. Invoice Processing is a Stuart Evans is Chief Technical Officer at management; education; housing fabulous solution that is high on benefit Invu Plc. Since joining the company in associations; transport & logistics; retail and relevance to businesses of varying 2007, he has overseen the development and wholesale; and leisure. size. Customers are now seeing the need of Invu Document Management, taking www.invu.net for Workflow solutions. They understand the Invu product portfolio from a simple that a process needs to be embodied eDM solution to a suite of products Admissibility and Retention: the best approach for document destruction Invu CTO Stuart Evans suggests a strategy for getting rid of bulky document must be an exact replica of the original document. paper documents while complying with longer-term document n Can it be used to produce reliable management regulations evidence? The scanned document must be of a high standard of legibility with Technology has shifted the reliance truth. As long as digital documents are no modifications between it and the on physical paper documents towards appropriately captured and managed, originating document. more electronic transactions and they have the same legal validity as n What are the specific regulations documentation, transforming the paper-based counterparts. around eDM in your sector? Each processing and retrieval of documents. Opting for an electronic document industry vertical is slightly different, so Yet, while physical documents are management (eDM) solution makes make sure you know what regulations extremely vulnerable to loss, damage good business sense. Effective document apply to your business. or misfiling, they are tangible and – if management is about far more than untampered – do provide absolute scanning and storing documents in Aligning business processes proof. It is this comfort factor that digital format. It is about using data The road to a paperless office can be stops many businesses from embracing capture to automatically pull out fraught with difficulties and unforeseen electronic document management relevant information and drive an The road to a challenges, which require not only a (eDM) solutions. electronic and automated process. This paperless office change of direction for the business, but Despite the fact that more documents includes document storage, but it can also a change of mind-set for employees. are being shared electronically, the also be used for invoice or payment can be fraught In addition to reviewing the ‘paperless office’ has not materialised quite status tracking or for streamlining and with difficulties technology involved, organisations must yet – though the journey is well underway. automating the approval process of address their own internal business Even today, destroying physical paper contracts, non-disclosure agreements and unforeseen processes. The British Standard BS evidence can feel unnatural and risky, and and other legal documents. challenges... 1008:20081 includes best practice advice this is stopping many firms from embracing The main benefit of an eDM approach to ensure the legal admissibility of the digital method wholeheartedly. There is that it creates an audit trail that is information. In complying with the code, are even cases where employees print and essential for potential legal challenges. a business can be as sure as possible that file documents they receive by email. While Operational documents, once captured they are satisfying official record-keeping it is critical that company documents electronically and saved in an eDM requirements. Importantly, this standard are stored and managed securely, some solution, will always be retrievable. is device-independent, as in the last companies have outdated views on why Meeting a court’s requirement for highly few years smartphone use and remote original paper documents should be reliable evidence is where the issue of working practices have grown hugely. retained. Legal Admissibility comes into play. Electronic filing is now increasing at As with paper-based documents, if the such a rate that it is commonplace for Is it safe to destroy originals? provenance of a document is clear regulatory bodies, such as HMRC, Original paper documents are usually and its integrity is incontestable then to declare the standards they destroyed because they are no longer admissibility is not considered require. Opting for an eDM needed and getting rid of them frees an issue. solution is therefore no longer up precious filing and storage space. However, before you a luxury; it is fast becoming a However, certain documents that reach for the shredder necessity. Whether you opt for are critical to an organisation’s legal and destroy hard-copy a web portal, cloud or server- obligations must be retained, for example documents, ask your eDM based solution, seek advice from HMRC tax forms, signed leases, title supplier the following relevant industry bodies and deeds and contracts. There is a common questions to ensure you stay contact other companies in your misconception that these documents on the right side of the law: sector to ensure your choice of eDM must be kept in hard-copy format, n How credible are your scanned and incorporates regulation and legislation but nothing could be further from the saved electronic copies? The scanned into your solution from the outset.
16 magazine www.binfo.co.uk Oh, Dear! They’re not — supporting my scanners anymore WHO DO I CALL???
OPEX, Knowledge, support, and a dedication to Unlike our competitors, MY HERO! customer satisfaction, who end-of-life their products (available 24 hours/7 days) make once they roll out their new lines, the comprehensive Service document imaging and material handling Organisation the SUPERPOWER in the industry! equipment is PRACTICALLY IMMORTAL! Does that make us heros? Why, yes it does.
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WWW.OPEX.COM 01732 759725 magazine 17
17351_OPEX_HeroFullPgAd_305x218mm_wBleeds.indd 1 9/23/14 11:56 AM Olivetti’s Range steps up to a new Level
When Olivetti launched its range of colour and mono MFPs and desktop printers this year, the aim was to guarantee all-round improvement thoughout the entire range of 35 new products that will be launched by the end of 2014.
It’s a tall order to bring so many new products to market but the variety and choice Olivetti, can now offer its customers, arguably differentiates the company from other manufacturers. Olivetti’s d-Color MF3300 33ppm A4 Colour MFP ideal for managing in-house print
Increased productivity Scanning for standard applications Across the range Olivetti’s new products offer outstanding As well as offering extensive scanning capabilities to email, speed and performance with exceptional fi nishing, long- FTP, SMB and WebDAV and scanning directly to the hard lasting consumables, large intuitive touch screen colour disk and USB, most of these devices can scan in many operator panels and standard duplexing. different formats such as JPEG, TIFF, PDF, Compact PDF, PPTX (PowerPoint), XPS and Compact XPS. Improved security Most of these new devices offer state-of-the-art security. The Direct printing capabilities hard disks can be overwritten and data can be encrypted Nearly all the models offer users the opportunity to print which provides added protection against improper use. directly from USB stick, some support AirPrintTM and some Network security is also guaranteed by utilising the latest support PDF, XPS, TIFF, JPEG and OOXML (Offi ce Open XML IPsec, IP fi ltering and IPP over SSL protocols and client including docx / xlsx / pptx) fi le formats, via a Web Browser authentication solutions. Utility, so that all bases are covered.
Impressive energy effi ciency Flexible media handling The entire range offers outstanding energy savings with very The extensive Olivetti portfolio offers some of the largest low TEC (Typical Energy Consumption) levels, low fusing paper capacities on the market with a range of optional temperatures, many newly designed power save modes; all additional cassettes and supports high media weights and ensuring compliance with the latest European Directives. large formats such as SRA3 and Banner (1.2m in length) size.
To fi nd out more about the range please call: Abi Stafford on 08450 346501 Email: [email protected]
2018 magazine www.olivettiuk.com innovations Smart technology for business people in the office, at home and on the move
Olivetti’s Range steps Stylish and secure Securikey Euro Grade safes are not just highly functional, with grades up to a new Level of protection from 0-5; they also come with the option of multiple customisation, from the colour of the exterior to the arrangement of inner compartments and the locking mechanism used. All models Sharp in name meet EN1143-1 security standards, are Association of Insurance Surveyors (AIS) approved and are included on the insurance companies’ Official Safe List. They also meet VdS approval, exceeding and nature insurance and security industry criteria. 01252 311888 • www.securikey.co.uk Sharp’s new range of edge-lit LED monitors have a built-in USB media Automation speeds up player that enables them to display video and images without being deliveries at Alton Sports attached to a network. Hampshire-based sports clothing specialist Perfect for simple signage applications, Alton Sports has shaved around two hours off the PN-Y range of LED backlit displays its despatch processing time, by implementing includes four models in sizes from 32 a web-based integration solution from to 55 inches. All offer full HD (1,920 NetDespatch that seamlessly connects its x 1,080) resolution and a range of PC order management system and its parcel and other video connections, including Another set of eyes delivery network. HDMI, DV-I and D-Sub. DV-I out enables ID Logistics and EOS Innovation, a French Founded in 2001, the family-owned business lists When Olivetti launched its range of colour and mono MFPs and users to display content from one source robotics company, are using robots as a more than 13,500 lines of sportswear online and desktop printers this year, the aim was to guarantee all-round simultaneously on up to five displays. supplement to flesh and blood security guards despatches hundreds of consignments every week. improvement thoughout the entire range of 35 new products that High brightness and contrast levels, in the former’s warehouses. Previously, Alton Sports would manually enter will be launched by the end of 2014. combined with an anti-reflective coating, The e-vigilante mobile surveillance robot is being details of orders placed through Amazon and its help the displays to deliver excellent used at a 25,000m2 ID Logistics facility in Orléans own e-commerce website, print the address labels It’s a tall order to bring so many new products to market but the colour quality and uniformity, even at to help secure goods belonging to a client in the and then notify Royal Mail. variety and choice Olivetti, can now offer its customers, arguably wide viewing angles, in any professional cosmetics industry. EOS Innovation’s first security Now, order data is transferred directly from differentiates the company from other manufacturers. Olivetti’s d-Color MF3300 33ppm A4 Colour environment. robot will complement the work of security guards. Amazon and the Alton Sports website through MFP ideal for managing in-house print Michael Bailly, product planning and The e-vigilante robot moves at speeds of the NetDespatch import engine, with labels marketing director, Visual Solutions, Sharp between 5 and 10 km/h, follows pre-programmed automatically streamed to thermal printers via Increased productivity Scanning for standard applications Europe, said: “We’re answering a new rounds and identifies anomalies, break-ins and a NetDespatch Connector application. Where Across the range Olivetti’s new products offer outstanding As well as offering extensive scanning capabilities to email, market demand for simpler, more affordable movements. When it detects an incident, it alerts necessary, CN22 and CN23 customs declaration speed and performance with exceptional fi nishing, long- FTP, SMB and WebDAV and scanning directly to the hard and reliable signage solutions, with high an off-site security operator, sending real-time forms are produced automatically. lasting consumables, large intuitive touch screen colour disk and USB, most of these devices can scan in many quality and robust professional displays video feeds and location information. The solution reduces operator error and speeds operator panels and standard duplexing. different formats such as JPEG, TIFF, PDF, Compact PDF, PPTX that do not require any technical support The security operator can take control of up order fulfilment, which is now normally within (PowerPoint), XPS and Compact XPS. to run. We see the PN-Y series benefiting e-vigilante remotely to assess the situation, 24 hours. Customers are notified by email when Improved security independent shops with no IT support, right categorise the level of alert and take necessary their orders have been despatched. Most of these new devices offer state-of-the-art security. The Direct printing capabilities through to big corporates or museums action while keeping clear of physical danger. The system has also streamlined the production hard disks can be overwritten and data can be encrypted Nearly all the models offer users the opportunity to print requiring signage for reception areas.” www.eos-innovation.eu of complex carrier manifests, called Sales Order which provides added protection against improper use. directly from USB stick, some support AirPrintTM and some Summaries, which are now produced at the click of Network security is also guaranteed by utilising the latest support PDF, XPS, TIFF, JPEG and OOXML (Offi ce Open XML a button. At the same time that these are printed, IPsec, IP fi ltering and IPP over SSL protocols and client including docx / xlsx / pptx) fi le formats, via a Web Browser Secure your office with Kibbi the data is transferred to the carrier’s Online authentication solutions. Utility, so that all bases are covered. London based start-up Ashiemymy has successfully Business Administration system, ensuring that completed an Indiegogo fund-raising campaign for the billing is always correct. Impressive energy effi ciency Flexible media handling The completely automated solution enables The entire range offers outstanding energy savings with very smartphone-connected Kibbi home security solution. The extensive Olivetti portfolio offers some of the largest Alton Sports to handle erratic volumes, which low TEC (Typical Energy Consumption) levels, low fusing Kibbi monitors a home or small office using an HD wide- paper capacities on the market with a range of optional increase dramatically in the lead up to Christmas temperatures, many newly designed power save modes; all angle security camera and motion and temperature sensors additional cassettes and supports high media weights and and just before the triathlon season in April to ensuring compliance with the latest European Directives. large formats such as SRA3 and Banner (1.2m in length) size. on doors and windows. If it detects anything out of the ordinary, Kibbi June. www.netdespatch.com automatically sends an alert to your smartphone with a live To fi nd out more about the range please feed so that you can assess the situation yourself. As well as improving security, Kibbi can be used to check when family members return home, call: Abi Stafford on 08450 346501 view footage of your home when you are away and control heating and other settings. Email: [email protected] Features include auto-arming, motion detection, night vision, custom alerts, sound monitoring via microphone, 1GB free cloud storage and secure authentication. www.qllondon.com/kibbi www.olivettiuk.com 01732 759725 magazine 19 innovations
The workstation of the future? Built-in Is the future of desktop computing immersive? cables Possibly, if Dell and HP are right. Both The credit card-sized M3000 and companies have released new immersive LM3000 PowerPack battery banks from computing solutions. PNY Technologies boast a slimline The first product in HP’s Blended Reality the design and built-in cables for charging ecosystem, the Sprout by HP combines the Sprout Android and Apple mobile devices. power of an all-in-one desktop computer with an Illuminator, which The M3000 has a Micro-USB cable intuitive user interface designed to break down combines a DLP projector and compatible with Android devices, while barriers between the digital and physical worlds. a four-camera sensory system including a hi-res the LM3000 features both a Micro-USB Key features include: camera and a 3D Camera for the instant capture and a Lightning cable, making it suitable n Two displays – an integrated 23in touch screen of 2D and 3D objects; for Android and Apple devices. and a horizontal capacitive touch mat that allows n The ability to interact with and manipulate Both models provide up to two full users to capture, create, move and manipulate content remotely, in real-time from anywhere in battery charges. They cost £22.99 and content using their hands or the bundled stylus; the world using HP MyRoom; and £29.99 respectively. n An integrated capture and projection system, n A suite of immersive applications designed www.pny.eu and optimised for Sprout by HP. Third parties can develop their own Sprout applications using the Sprout software development kit. HP simplifies proactive Sprout is expected to be available in the UK IT management for early this year. Following HP’s launch of Sprout, Dell SMEs announced its own ‘smart desk’ concept for HP has launched a cloud-based IT designers. This comprises interactive multi-touch management solution that enables LCD screens and a horizontal digital work surface SMBs to do more than just react to IT that ergonomically surrounds the user for natural issues. manipulation using touch, stylus and new- Working across most operating generation totem-based tools. systems (iOS, Android and Windows), devices and form factors, HP Touchpoint Rubber ring Manager’s web-based dashboard enables administrators to deliver proactive 24/7 Smartphone holders don’t come any simpler support, including the ability to: than the iLoop from Provoco. Made from 100% l Monitor the inventory and health of silicone, the soft, flexible ring is designed to fit devices; almost any smartphone and is small enough to l Remotely lock and wipe lost or stolen fit in your pocket. When not supporting your devices to prevent unauthorised access to smartphone, it can be used as a stress reliever. The company data; Provoco team is seeking funding on Kickstarter. l Automatically apply security and policy settings; connector, so that you can listen l Communicate proactive alerts so that Protective leather to your favourite music and charge IT admins can quickly troubleshoot and Mujjo’s new phone holders for your phone without any loss of prevent employee and device down-time; the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus protection. l Perform password and PIN resets; and incorporate a slanted pocket for The Leather Wallet Case is l Enable IT management from the office essential bank and ID cards. made from Mujjo’s signature or on-the-go. Available in black or tan, the vegetable-tanned leather. Waxed HP says HP Touchpoint Manager has Leather Wallet Case 80° has a soft, and carefully treated with aniline the potential to cut costs and increase the protective suede-lined interior oil to enrich ‘colour tones’, it productivity of IT staff by reducing the with openings for volume rockers, acquires a beautiful patina over need for multiple point solutions that can headphone-jack and lightning time. be costly and time-consuming to learn. It can also increase the lifespan of devices Emergency power by alerting SMBs to potential hard drive failures, security holes or battery failures. Sandberg’s Credit Card Power Bank boasts a built-in Micro The Basic version of HP Touchpoint USB cable. With a capacity of 850 mAh – enough for an extra Manager is available for £1.20 per user, 50% charge – Sandberg is pitching it as an emergency source per month. A Pro version with additional of power to keep you going until you can recharge your functionality is available for £6 per user, smartphone fully, at home or in the office. www.sandberg.it per month. www.hp.com/Touchpoint
20 magazine www.binfo.co.uk OMS OUTPUT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
THERE IS A This isn’t for me! WRONG WAY TO MANAGE COMMUNICATION
Right Customer AND THEN Right Message THERE’S THE Right Time Right Channel OMS WAY
NEOPOST OUTPUT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE HELPS YOU CREATE, PRODUCE & DISTRIBUTE CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS
Neopost Output Management Software FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OMS is a user friendly, cost effective way to: l Design documents simply and flexibly 0800 731 1334 QUOTING OMSBI l Manage personalised content [email protected] l Manage distribution via mail, email and SMS WWW.NEOPOST.CO.UK/OMSBI
Neopost Limited, Neopost House, South Street, Romford, Essex RM1 2AR.
4900 Neopost OMS trade ad_DEC 14 - ST_1.indd 1 15/12/2014 14:11 FAST & INTELLIGENT DOCUMENT SCANNING
SCAN. STORE. SHARE. SEARCH.
www.kyoceradocumentsolutions.co.uk/scanning 2022 magazine Telephone: 08457 103104. Facebook: KYOCERADocumentSolutionsUK. Twitter: @KYOCERADUK www.binfo.co.uk magazine Eldon Court, 75-77 London Road, Reading, RG1 5BS innovations QR code connectivity Epson has introduced the first portable business projector to feature QR code connectivity for quick and easy collaboration and knowledge sharing. Epson UK product manager Chris Goff said: “The iProjection QR Taking a wider view code connection makes it easy for anyone with a smartphone or MMD has enhanced its Philips 23-inch USB docking display with advanced IPS tablet to link to the EB-W28. Once the Epson iProjection app has panel technology offering a wider viewing angle of 178 degrees and brilliant, high been downloaded to a smart device, it’s just a matter of scanning contrast Full HD image quality. The Philips 231P4QUPES LCD notebook docking a QR code that’s projected by the EB-W28. It’s never been easier display (£239) gives notebook users access to desktop equipment, networks, to take what you’re seeing on a smart device and share it with a intranet and the Internet via a single, super-speed USB cable. For flexibility, the larger audience.” dock has an integrated Ethernet port, a single USB 2.0 port and two superfast Smartphone and tablet users can also connect their devices by USB 3.0 ports. A Philips PowerSensor automatically detects when a user is no cable via the MHL-ready HDMI input. longer in front of the monitor and instantly reduces screen brightness for energy Designed for small business premises and small corporate savings of up to 80%. www.mmd-p.com offices, the EB-W28 (£493 inc. VAT) boasts WXGA resolution, a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and 3,000 lumens brightness. An optional Wireless LAN adapter facilitates wireless projection from PCs and Laser projector has Macs. www.epson.eu clear benefits Medical practitioners at Northwick Panasonic re-enters large panel market Park, part of the London North West Panasonic has re-entered the large panel market with two Healthcare NHS Trust, are enjoying 4K professional LED LCD displays, the 98-inch TH-98LQ70 crystal clear images after Video of 160 specialist and the 84-inch TH-84LQ70. The LQ70 series is capable South Medical Television installed a consultants was able of 24/7 operation and has a protective glass panel and an high brightness, 6,500 lumens 1-chip to see in greater aluminium cabinet for protection in harsh environments, DLP laser projector in the hospital’s clarity than ever such as a shopping centre or bus/railway station, or for rental Himsworth Hall training complex. before what was applications with frequent packing, unpacking and transport. Alistair Holdoway, managing director happening in the The displays can up-convert non-4K sources to a higher level of Video South Medical Television, said: theatre.” of image quality. “The influential St Marks, a specialist Panasonic product marketing Moving images, tertiary hospital unit within Northwick specialist Tom Gibson said: “The PT- which were Park, uses the Hall for an annual RZ670 complements the company’s previously difficult meeting called Frontiers, at which they existing line-up of SOLID SHINE to compensate, are showcase their latest developments. projectors and features 20,000 hours of smooth and clear, “They are the UK’s top centre for working life. Projectors that don’t have with an optimal colorectal procedures and well known lamps or require filter changes offer viewing distance for their research and training. This year, significant benefits, reducing the Total 1.5 times the screen we installed a complete fibre network Cost of Ownership and maintenance height (half the transmitting from three endoscopy requirement.” optimal distance of rooms and two operating theatres in full business.panasonic.co.uk/visual- full HD screens). HD with two-way audio. The audience system Say goodbye to the flip-chart Free collaboration tool takes off SMART Technologies, famous for its interactive whiteboards, The number of registered users for the free has started shipping a modern alternative to traditional flip- version of Projectplace’s collaboration tool has charts and dry erase boards. surpassed 10,000, one third of whom access it The SMART kapp digital capture board combines ease of use using a smartphone app. with the ability to share and save work in real time, on any device, ToDo was launched in April last year, since anywhere in the world. when it has experienced a 20% month-on-month Winner of a Frost & Sullivan 2014 New Product Innovation growth in active users. Projectplace itself has Award, SMART kapp is a plug-and-play close to one million users in thousands of SMEs solution that requires no IT integration or worldwide, as well as big brands such as Carlsberg, internet connections. Just hang up the 42- Sony, Vodafone, BP and AEG. inch board and get to work. ToDo provides organisations of all sizes with Users can write on the sleek surface scalable, secure cloud-based collaboration based without risk of staining; save and share on highly visual Kanban boards. anything written on the board in JPEG or Johan Zetterström, CEO of Projectplace, said: PDF formats; invite remote participants “We are very happy that ToDo has been received this well. It is designed to be to view content via any browser on a visual, intuitive and easy to use. It makes everything your team needs, from smartphone, tablet and computer; and documents to contacts, instantly accessible.” automatically submit snapshots to shared ToDo is available in a Pro edition, with additional storage for the most accounts like Evernote, Google Drive or demanding collaborators, and a Plus version that lets users add modules such OneDrive. as Gantt charts. http://todo.projectplace.com www.SMARTkapp.com
01732 759725 magazine 2123 innovations
Personal touch drives growth of lettrs Lettrs combines the benefits of digital messaging with the personal touch and longevity of a handwritten letter. Already offered as an Android app, it is now also available for the iPhone and iPad. The platform for mobile-to-mobile letter writing enables writers to hand-sign their messages, select writing filters and attach photos and tags. Stylish and interactive Argos offers In addition, the iOS apps include a collection of Arjo Wiggins is adding interactivity to all designer themes; geo-location stamping of signed the papers in its Creative Papers range, customers lettrs, including photo attachments; a one-stop letter including Conqueror, Curious, Pop Set and centre for organising personal and public letters; and Rives. paperless receipts a tagging system for easy searching and sorting. The new Alive branding denotes creative Lettrs CEO Drew Bartkiewicz said: “The disposable papers that have a laminated layer of Argos has become the largest retailer in messaging apps today are a joke, nothing more than PowerCoat paper incorporating printed the UK to offer customers the option of digital crack for society’s youth. Our company is electronics. digital receipts instead of paper ones. committed to transforming the future of written The combination enables brand owners to After a successful trial, it is rolling out the communication and to powering the lasting mobile marry premium packaging, cards, corporate eReceipts platform to 750 stores in the UK letters we knew the world could write, even in a fully communications, labelling and advertising and Ireland. mobile network.” with NFC-enabled interactivity for a more The eReceipts platform gives Argos The Android app registered almost 1 million engaging customer experience. customers the option of an emailed receipt downloads within just three months. Arjo Wiggins writes: “Cost-effective so that they have a permanent digital record paper-based printed circuitry can be used of their purchases and warranties. Argos itself to reveal instructions or ingredients in an benefits from a new channel through which unlimited range of languages; take customers to build relationships with customers and to a dedicated website or online promotion; view real-time information on customers’ personalise a product; or facilitate instant shopping habits. sharing via any of the social media channels. Emailed receipts sent by eReceipts currently All it takes is a quick scan with an NFC- have open rates in excess of 70%. enabled mobile device.” www.argos.co.uk • www.ereceipts.co.uk Alive papers can also be used instead of swing tickets and RFID tags to deter shop- Augmented reality is latest piece of the marketing jigsaw lifting, facilitate stock control, deliver useful information or loyalty-building offers and Jigsaw Business Solutions has launched an image to access the content was created. reassure customers that a product is genuine. augmented reality (AR) application that John Bohan, Managing Director of Powercoat manages to do this without gives companies a new way to interact with Jigsaw Business Solutions, said: “Augmented the use of environmentally damaging PET customers and deliver personalised sales, reality offers firms a smarter way to reach plastics thanks to its unique cellulosic promotional and loyalty messages. smartphone and tablet users and engage with formulation and patented coating process. Once it has been installed on a smartphone them on a personal level. Our AR software is PowerCoat is FSC-certified, biodegradable or tablet, the Jigsaw AR application enables a a bespoke system which, unlike others on the and recyclable. Like ordinary paper, it can be user to scan an image or logo and gain access market, does not require a data connection to folded, cut, shaped, torn and even burned to to a hidden world of content that can be operate.” create a desired effect. continually updated – long after the original www.jigsawbusinesssolutions.com www.powercoatpaper.com/powercoat/ alive/ magazine they want. With one click, the nearest The easy way to find your stockists are displayed on a Google map. favourite magazine MyKIOSK.com is backed by the Federal A marketing beacon Association of Press Wholesalers whose members Mobikats has launched an enterprise-grade MyKIOSK.com is the latest example of how provide data on orders placed by retailers every iBeacon Platform that will enable retailers, digital tools are being harnessed to support day. This ensures that the information it provides museums, sports arenas, airports, hotels the printed word. is always up-to-date. The service currently covers and entertainment centres to interact with A search engine for magazines, it enables up to 5,000 magazines and 110,000 retailers in smartphone-wielding customers. Beura, the internet users in Germany (and soon Austria and Germany. Gaelic for iBeacon, provides customisable Switzerland) to locate the nearest stockist of One interesting possibility for publishers is iBeacons – low-energy Bluetooth transmitters their favourite newspaper or magazine, saving the option to integrate links or QR codes into that can track smartphones running a relevant much frustration and legwork, especially for their adverts so that someone standing at a app – and a messaging platform for delivering readers of minority interest titles. bus stop, say, could scan the QR on a poster for tailored, location-specific messages. iBeacons Users simply enter their location (or allow a new magazine and immediately locate the can detect a user at three unique ranges: their location to be determined) via a web nearest stockist. immediate at up to 20cm, near at up to 2m broswer or smartphone app and select the www.MYKIOSK.com and far at up to 50m. www.mobikatsenterprise.com
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Innovative • Flexible • Reliable • Supportive Telecommunication Services to Business since 1988 www.spitfire.co.uk innovations In Brief Queue reporter A free crowd-sourcing website and Sustainability declarations app has been launched to reduce time BINDING. Herman Miller is to issue independently verified Environmental Product spent queuing at tourist attractions and Declarations (EPDs) for certain seating products to help customers assess on the end of a telephone line. Wait a their environmental qualities and complete applications for sustainability Moment analyses wait/queueing times certifications, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). supplied by UK consumers and reveals YOUR WAY. The EPDs meet the requirements of the BIFMA PCR (Product Category Rule), the best and worst times for users to which will take effect this year and aims to give quantified environmental call banks, phone companies and other information through a globally recognized system. EPDs are available on service providers or to visit busy tourist request for the Aeron, Embody, Mirra 2, Celle, Caper, Sayl and Setu chairs. attractions. waitamoment.co.uk www.hp.com Scan this code and place Money for old laptops Sellyourlaptopformore.co.uk (SYLFM) your smartphone here Book a meeting room promises to pay the best prices for to see the Fastback unwanted laptops, MacBooks and in action. wherever you are netbooks. The Microsoft-registered A cloud-based resource scheduling and Refurbisher erases and reformats all booking system has been developed to meet drives, before refurbishing laptops for the needs of today’s ‘always connected’ resale. Laptops that are broken and mobile workers. can’t be fixed are used for parts. The Smartway2 lets users book meeting rooms, site provides instant quotes and issues desks and other resources through on-premise payment within 48 hours of receiving a touch-screen panels or remotely via an app for laptop via pre-paid post. Android, iOS and Windows Mobile devices. Entry-level DECT headset www.sellyourlaptopformore.co.uk When attendees turn-up for a meeting, The Sennheiser D 10 is an entry-level wireless they can check-in at a panel using password DECT headset for the office professional. Employment guidance authentication, NFC Tags, QR code scans, Offering connectivity to either a deskphone ADP, a provider of Human Capital Bluetooth and even facial recognition. or a softphone/PC, it has a full workday talk Management (HCM) solutions, has Nigel Reading, director of Smartway2 Limited, time of up to 12 hours and fast charging, with launched ADP HR Everywhere to said: “As organisations strive to lower costs by a 50% charge in just 20 minutes. provide small businesses with advice decentralising and encouraging flexible working, Call clarity is ensured with a noise-cancelling on employment law issues such as there’s been an explosion in the number of microphone, wideband audio and advanced redundancy, long-term sickness, mobile workers. When they need to meet with Digital Signal Processing incorporating both echo grievance procedures, TUPE, absence their partners or customers, it is essential the cancelling and audio equalisation. ActiveGard management, maternity leave and right collaboration resources are available on technology protects against acoustic shock. health and safety. Targeted at companies the day, without fuss. With Smartway2, we have There are three models to choose from: the with up to 149 employees, ADP HR brought resource scheduling right up-to-date D 10 phone for desk phones; the D 10 USB for Everywhere consists of a 24/7 online by creating a solution based around how people UC professionals; and the D 10 USB ML for portal and an ADP HR Advice Line staffed work and the tools and applications they use professionals using Microsoft Lync. by HR professionals and solicitors. daily.” www.smartway2.com/ http://en-uk.sennheiser.com/d10 www.adp.co.uk
Space saver Find a developer Cloud contact centre boosts PNY Technologies’ pocket- you can trust charitable donations sized Duo-Link On-The-Go The Canadian Cancer Society in Saskatchewan has Businesses that have an idea for a mobile (OTG) Flash Drive offers easy increased charitable donations by 40% since deploying app and need a developer to bring it to life file transfers and streaming cloud contact centre technology from NewVoiceMedia. are being encouraged to post their projects between PCs/Macs and The ContactWorld omni-channel engagement centre enables on AppFutura.com, a workspace that brings Android mobile devices. better interactions with supporters, volunteers and other FASTBACK 20 together mobile app developers and potential Equipped with USB and micro- stakeholders through seamless integration with Salesforce. customers. USB connectors, the Duo-Link For example, the ability of agents to access the wealth of ONE MACHINE, SIX DISTINCT BINDING STYLES Once a business has chosen a developer, OTG enables users to free information in Salesforce about past dealings with supporters AppFutura facilitates every aspect of the up internal memory on their resulted in a 30% uplift in participation retention and a 70% With no need for hole-punching; it takes just 20 seconds to bind a 350-page partnership including acting as a referee in Android smartphone or tablet. increase in pledge numbers during this year’s signature Relay case of a dispute; offering technical assistance document using our unique binding strips. Documents lie completely flat for Alternatively, content can be for Life fund-raising event. throughout the development process; making stored on the drive itself. It Catherine Moore, senior director of strategic engagement easy reading and posting and are fully recyclable after use. You can even use developers sign a Non-Disclosure agreement is available with capacities and platform development at Canadian Cancer Society, before discussing a project; protecting your custom branded image strips or produce paperback or hardcover books for a of 16GB (£12.99) or 32GB Saskatchewan Division, said: “NewVoiceMedia has been a intellectual property; and guaranteeing you are (£19.99). game-changer for our organisation. Now we are better able truly distinguished finish. the owner of the code provided. www.pny.eu to engage with people to increase the impact of our support, It’s free to create a developer profile or post prevention and advocacy programmes.” a project, and there are over 12,000 developers Real-time dashboards and extensive reporting provide using the site now, waiting to be connected with insight into engagement opportunities and visibility of call the right project. volume, duration and success rates, which has enabled the www.AppFutura.com Society to reduce call queues and abandon rates. www.newvoicemedia.com Visit us online at www.fastback.co.uk
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up information, mainly because physical for your data to be lost or corrupted. back-up reduces the risk of losing data Tape storage also provides encryption, Cloud Storage: completely. so that should your data fall into the Data stored in the cloud can and wrong hands (extremely unlikely in the does get lost and/or corrupted. A survey first place), a third party would not be conducted in 2013 by internet security able to make sense of it, rendering it What are the company Symantec found that 43% useless to them and to anyone else they of businesses have lost data in the pass it on to. cloud, which they have had to recover Thanks to recent innovations like LTFS from backups*. Yet, most cloud service (Linear Tape File System), tape storage alternatives? providers accept no responsibility for data is no longer an expensive, cumbersome losses in their service level agreements. option. Launched in 2010 by IBM, LTFS Lee Holsgrove explains how tape storage Providers of public cloud storage was developed specifically to address can work in conjunction with cloud storage services quite often subcontract tape archive requirements and to elsewhere, giving customers very little improve data access times. Being an to help keep your business data safe control over, or access to, their sensitive open standard format, it also addresses information. It may even be difficult for the concern that archived data will not Last year’s hacking of celebrity selfies the provider itself to identify and retrieve be readable in the future without the use put data privacy issues firmly into the your data from the plethora of other of specialised software. spotlight and raised important issues clients’ information. With cloud security breaches continuing about how individuals and organisations Businesses will also need to check that to hit the headlines, I urge anyone using store and protect their most sensitive their data is being stored in compliance cloud storage to perform their due information. Above all, it served as a with the laws of their country, and not diligence and, crucially, to investigate tape reminder that data is hot property and just those of the country where the cloud storage options for the most sensitive data every organisation has a responsibility server is hosted. Many cloud servers are you cannot afford to lose. to ensure that the information it holds based in the U.S. and operate under U.S. is secure and protected. law. UK-based organisations must comply Lee Holsgrove is Strategic Data There is no doubt that the cloud offers with the EU Data Protection Directive, Protection Development Manager at distinct advantages to businesses of all which outlines standards of protection Wincanton Records Management. sizes and should be embraced for the throughout the EU. WRM has over 20 years’ experience in benefits it brings, such as reduced cost the provision of off-site data protection and the flexibility of remote working. Tiered storage services, along with secure document However, the cloud shouldn’t be the sole Instead of relying solely on the cloud, we storage for live and archive documents, method a business uses to store and back- strongly advise organisations to adopt a data protection, secure records tiered approach to data. It is crucial that destruction and electronic document your most important data should have management. It holds ISO9001 a different strategy to less important accreditation for quality management information. For business critical systems and ISO27001 for security information, we advocate using tape management systems. storage, as well as the cloud. Data stored www.wincantonrm.co.uk on tape boasts a 99.99% reliability level, as well as robust security. If you use an *http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ outsourced supplier, computerised zone cloud-computing-users-losing- access, perimeter fencing and high- data-205500612.html security vaults make it near impossible
Yorgen Edholm, CEO of Accellion, a provider of secure mobile file sharing and 2015 Predictions collaboration solutions, shares his predictions for 2015 Mobile as enterprises realise they may need a field workers who fix machinery. Wearable 2015 will be the year of enterprise mobile combination of public and private cloud technology applications in the enterprise applications. The IBM/Apple partnership and solutions. We’ve seen this happen already with will grow exponentially once wearables are HP’s push into the mobility market illustrate GE. Despite claims by some groups that the introduced. just how large this market could be. So far, company will go ‘all in’ on the public cloud, apps created for enterprise use have been a security teams have stated that compliance Security mobile skin on existing desktop solutions. In or infrastructure issues mean certain data will A 100% secured environment is not 2015, enterprises will develop new, native remain ‘private’ and reside behind the firewall. attainable, so there will be increased demand applications that take full advantage of the for vendors to build security directly into mobile device form factor and mobile features Wearable Tech applications. Every app needs to be self-aware to create streamlined business processes. Wearables will find their first footing in the and self-protecting, so emerging companies enterprise and businesses need to prepare for will no longer be able to push security below Cloud this shift from a data security standpoint. Look user experience on the priorities list. In the Following all the security breaches that have at Google Glass, its most compelling use case future, security will have to be an integral part occurred recently, 2015 will see the beginnings is in industries where hands-free computing of the app. of a downward spiral in public cloud hype, is a matter of life and death – surgeons and www.accellion.com
28 magazine www.binfo.co.uk Philips Pocket Projectors
Project your business
Good communications are important for business whether in the office or when mobile. The new range of Philips Pico pocket projectors offer built in Wi-Fi so you can connect to the cloud for stored presentations along with YouTube videos and other popular business websites.
Key Features Key Business Applications • Connect and Project: • Any room can be a meeting room Model shown PPX3610 Laptop, android tablet and phone, iPad, • Exhibitions, board rooms, break-out areas iPhone, camera, video camera, USB, SD card – other models available. • One to one training, receptions & • Portable impromptu meetings Pocket sized, lightweight, 2 hour battery life, • Mobile presentations and demonstrations take and use anywhere on or off site – perfect for customer visits
For more info on the full range of Philips PicoPix pocket projectors simply email [email protected] or visit www.picopix.philips.com PrITRs A4 MFP April 14.pdf 1 4/9/2014 10:19:51 AM
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30 magazine www.binfo.co.uk PrITRs A4 MFP April 14.pdf 1 4/9/2014 10:19:51 AM
Wearable Technology
Google Glass Google Glass is a hands-free, head- Wearable technology: mounted camera and display that communicates with the internet through voice commands. Its use by individuals raises issues of privacy but for business beyond fashion customers it has proven benefits in certain applications. For example, it has Gavin Wheeldon, CEO of Purple WiFi, looks been used successfully in healthcare to demonstrate surgery to medical students at what you might be wearing in 2015 who can watch procedures remotely. In fact, Google Glass has uses in all Wearable technology refers to any Connectivity at types of education. Teachers can create electronic technology or computer that your fingertips: the ‘first person’ video guides and students is incorporated into items of clothing MOTA SmartRing, which themselves can record interactions with and accessories. These include fitness notifies wearers of new each other whilst working collaboratively trackers, smart watches and even smart messages, has exceeded its on a piece of work or whilst out in the rings that vibrate when we receive a funding goal on crowdfunding field. Manufacturing companies can use new email, text message or call on our website indiegogo.com. it to deliver on-the-job training or to smartphone. www.mota.com provide remote support to field workers. The smartest wearable devices can monitor their own health and wellness perform tasks that we might expect to more effectively’, has six sensors to keep Where will this all lead? carry out on a computer or laptop. In tabs on daily steps, heart rate, blood Wearable tech doesn’t have to be fact, in many cases, wearable tech is even pressure, body temperature and sweat removable like the examples above. more highly developed and sophisticated, glands. Invasive versions, such as microchip being able to scan, track and provide Listening to one’s whole body can be implants or even smart tattoos, have far- sensory feedback on our bodies, bio- important for the maintenance of good reaching implications for the future. rhythyms and physiological functions. health. For example, measuring GSR For gamers, there is the promise of a The whole idea of wearable (galvanic skin response - sweat to you and more realistic, immersive online gaming technology is that we remain hands-free I) provides an indication of stress levels environment through augmented reality and online at all times, with seamless that could act as a warning to people who that combines the real world with and instant access to the data we need suffer from stress-related illnesses. computer-generated sensory input. exactly when we need it. In retail, virtual mirrors that scan your So what are some of the most common Smart watches body shape and project clothes onto your types of wearable device in use today? Smart watches combine timekeeping image could enable shoppers to try on Gavin Wheeldon, functions with many of the features we clothes without removing those they are CEO, Purple WiFi Health-tracking devices expect from a smartphone including already wearing. Health trackers worn on the wrist provide text messages, email, web-browsing and feedback on things like heart rate, body fat media player functions. Enhanced clothing and weight – even on your skin’s electric The first smart watches performed In addition to questions of practicality conductivity. Information can be synced what now seem very simple tasks, such and functionality, researchers are also wirelessly with apps that help keep track as calculations, translations and games, having to consider fashion, as technology of personal health and fitness goals. and had to be paired with a smartphone is increasingly incorporated into t-shirts, For example, the Simband, which through Bluetooth. jackets, headbands and jewellery. Samsung describes as an open reference The latest models can operate on Trends to watch out for include solar design platform ‘for building advanced their own, often taking SIM cards just like clothes that can recharge your phone; a devices that will empower individuals to a cell phone, and act like mini wearable tracker that works out where each outfit computers running mobile apps – is in your wardrobe; bike helmets with including information downloaded from built-in navigation systems (safer than This year’s model health and fitness trackers. using a smartphone whilst cycling); smart socks that work out if you are running in What are likely to be this year’s most popular wearable a way that could cause injury; smart bras technology products and applications in the workplace? that track your heart rate; and designer To find out, enterprise mobile solutions provider Accellion clothing that uses technology purely for surveyed IT decision-makers in 100 organisations with more than aesthetic purposes. 1,000 employees. n The most popular wearable device: 41% said that they As wearable technology gains ground expected to see the Apple Watch in their organisation in 2015, in 2015, it is worth celebrating the fact ahead of Google Glass (36%); the Sony Smartwatch (20%); the that by 2018 there is predicted to be one Samsung Gear 2 Neo (17%); and the Pebble or Pebble Steel (16%). public Wi-Fi hotspot for every 20 people n The most popular application on wearable devices: email on earth. After all, without WiFi, wearable (29%), followed by social media apps (20%). technology would not exist. n The most popular work applications on wearable devices: www.purplewifi.net internet browsing (10%); document review via Word, Powerpoint or Excel (10%); telephone calls (6%).
01732 759725 magazine 31 Energy
James Longley of Business Energy Consultants (www.bizenergy.co.uk) saving technology has come a long discusses the energy issues facing businesses and offers some tips for way. You could invest in energy-saving reducing energy spend light controls that switch lights off automatically when they aren’t needed, or simply buy some energy saving LED bulbs or fluorescent tubes. Dealing with Revisit your contract One major way of saving money that’s surprisingly simple and frequently overlooked is to review your contract. I am often surprised by just how many the energy crisis businesses are either on the wrong tariff or on the incorrect VAT rate (this varies News that the ‘Big Six’ energy for different types of business). companies were singled out for Even if you are locked into a contract criticism by industry regulator Ofgem for two or three years, if you were given recently will not come as a surprise to the wrong advice initially and have been many of their commercial customers. put onto a contract that is penalising Despite ongoing energy price rises, you (for over-use or under-use), you may it seems that many customers feel be able to renegotiate your deal and let down by poor service levels, with potentially engineer a refund. increasing number of consumers VAT is another issue that confuses stating that they are ‘very dissatisfied’ companies. We have come across a with the service they receive from significant number of businesses that their energy provider. have been put on the wrong VAT rate, Price is often the major factor for subsequently paying more than they business users, and so many are prepared need to. Again, if this is the fault of the to put up with poor customer service for energy company (and it often is), you the sake of what they see as a good deal, should be able to claim a refund, which particularly if their business is a large could add up to thousands of pounds energy user. over the course of a year. Brokers who As someone who deals with energy n The Enhanced Capital Allowance Bizenergy office know the market and are used to dealing companies and their clients every day, I (ECA) Scheme is part of the interior with energy providers are best placed to don’t believe that anyone should put up government’s programme to reduce deal with this for you. with poor service. In fact, as a business energy consumption. The scheme Of course, it’s preferable to be in user you are likely to be a valued provides businesses with enhanced tax a good contract from the start, rather customer, even if the level of service relief for investment in equipment that than having to dig around to find out you receive doesn’t reflect that fact. So, meets specific energy-saving criteria. It where you have been overcharged. The remember that you are in a position enables companies to offset the cost of optimum time to investigate a new of strength because energy firms really equipment against their taxable profit as contract is around six months before want your custom. a 100% first-year capital allowance. the current one expires. Don’t be afraid to state your terms and negotiate – or Find the finance Audit your energy use appoint a broker to do it for you. Energy conservation is a big deal for If you haven’t done so before, it’s Energy is a major financial outlay and companies and the government, which advisable to carry out an energy audit an absolute necessity for any business. If James Longley, has strict EU targets to meet. As a of your company. Start by monitoring you are looking to reduce costs, improve Business Energy result, there are some funding schemes what and where energy is being used – margins or finance growth, looking at Consultants currently available that are worth or wasted. For example, are computers, your energy costs is a good place to investigating. For example: photocopiers, heating or lights being left start. Despite energy providers’ poor n The Green Deal (www.gov.uk/green- on when there is nobody around? There reputation for customer service, being a deal-energy-saving-measures) in effect are also other simple changes you can customer gives you a degree of power helps companies to borrow against make to cut energy consumption: when negotiating with your provider, so future savings in energy consumption in n Turn down the heat: are thermostat use that influence to ensure that you get order to finance energy-saving initiatives, settings too high in your offices or on a better deal. such as insulation or more efficient the factory floor? For every degree lighting and heating equipment. your thermostat is turned down, an 8% James Longley is a Director of Business n The Energy Efficiency Financing saving is achieved. Energy Consultants (www.bizenergy. Scheme, run by Siemens Financial n Follow my leader: appoint an ‘energy co.uk). He researches the energy Services and the Carbon Trust, allows champion’ who can take responsibility market and negotiates on behalf of businesses to invest in energy-efficient for reducing and monitoring how energy the hospitality industry and facilities technology with payments that can be is used. managers to find the most competitive offset against the energy savings made n Shine a light: lighting is a significant energy deals on the market. from using the equipment. cost for many businesses and energy-
32 magazine www.binfo.co.uk DO I CONTROL JOBS FROM ORDER TO DELIVERY? I HAVE TO. IS THERE A SINGLEAd EFI END-TO-END SOLUTION?
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+44 1246 298000 definitely.efi.com/14 ©2013 EFI. All rights reserved. Flexible Working
number of hours over the course of the year, with flexibility on when they work Flexible working: to accommodate peaks and troughs in business activity. Staggered hours: Each employee can set different start, finish and break times. your options Such arrangements can be of benefit to businesses that want to extend opening times without increasing total hours Bostjan Bregar outlines the different flexible worked by staff. working arrangements being adopted by Phased retirement: Now that the default retirement age has been phased businesses and their benefits out and older workers can choose when they want to retire, individuals can Recently introduced Government gradually reduce the number of hours they legislation permits any UK employee work to part-time over a given period. This with more than 26 weeks’ service eases pressure on them personally and to make an application for flexible allows a transitional handover period that working, and requires businesses will help the business prepare for their to consider these requests in a eventual full retirement. ‘reasonable manner’. On the surface, the combination of In an attempt to remove the cultural flexible options and alterations to the law assumption that flexible working may seem daunting, but the rewards of only applies to parents or carers, the ...elements flexible working can be hugely beneficial Government believes the change to the of flexible to your business and your team. law will make workplaces fit for the 21st some or all of their work from home or Often, taking the first step is the century and create a more engaged, agile, working are somewhere else other than their normal most difficult part, but by planning and results-driven and productive workforce. probably place of work. implementing a company-wide flexible So, what exactly is ‘flexible working’ Part-time: Allowing individuals to working policy and supporting teams and how could it change what your already reduce their hours to less than full-time, with the right technology, you can create employees do day-in and day-out? happening in whether by working shorter days or an organisational culture of always The reality is that elements of flexible your business fewer days. putting customers and staff first and give working are probably already happening Compressed hours: Unlike part-time yourself a competitive advantage as a in your business, if you’re the kind of working, this involves the same number truly agile business. person who checks your emails on your of hours as a full-time role but spread phone when you’re out and about, across fewer days, so an individual may Bostjan Bregar is co-founder and CEO or does a bit of work on the train in work four longer days each week, for of The 4th Office, a structured cloud preparation for a meeting, or if you’ve let example. workspace with intuitive collaboration, an employee leave early for a personal Flexi-time: Many companies will file sharing and task management tools appointment. These are all examples of establish core business hours (e.g. 10am that enable teams to work together flexible working in action. to 4pm) but allow individuals to set their efficiently, whether they’re in the same Flexible working arrangements own start and finish times to fit in with room or on the other side of the world. typically fall into one of the following other commitments. This may result in Established 10 years ago, The 4th Office categories: some shorter and some longer days, but embraces the principles of agility and Job sharing: The dividing up of over the course of the working week each flexibility in its own operations. It is based one job between two or more people, individual should do their contracted in Slovenia and the UK and expands and with the hours split between them. The hours in full. shrinks resources and skill-sets as required apportioning of hours does not need to Annualised hours: An extension of through a combination of full-time be equal. the Flexi-time principle that can work employees, freelancers and partners. For Flexible places of work: In the digital well for roles or businesses that have a further information on The 4th Office’s age, Wi-Fi, cloud storage and other high degree of seasonality. Individuals agile workspace or a free trial for your technologies enable employees to do can be contracted to work a certain business, go to www.4thoffice.com Free Guide The 4th Office has produced a free guide to flexible working explaining: n How the working landscape is evolving n Changes to the law and why the legislation has been updated n The steps you need to take if you receive a flexible working request
The employers’ guide to the flexible n Guidance on updating your existing flexible working policy working legislation The 4th Office Guide to Flexible Working can be downloaded from https://www.4thoffice.com/ web/blog/employers%E2%80%99-guide-new-2014-flexible-working-legislation).
34 magazine www.binfo.co.uk Private Cloud computing for businesses.
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are still very much connected. of home working Being self-employed can add an extra challenge. Consider building up a network with others in a similar position in your If you are one of those who finds it hard to As new research highlights local community or joining a social media focus when working from home, community. the pitfalls of home working, Anjula Mutanda has the following advice: Anjula Mutanda offers her top tips for success 1 Birthday suit or work suit? 5 Avoid the procrastination demon For some, the ritual of getting formally dressed This begins with the words “I’ll just....”. You can for work and ‘commuting’ to a designated fill in the blanks with: take a bath, vacuum the work space is needed to prepare mentally for house, update my status on Facebook or watch work. For others, it is less important. The key that box-set everyone’s talking about! is to focus on what works for you and the One of the most effective ways to combat type of work you do. Whatever you choose, it this temptation is to make a list of what you is important to be aware that how you dress need to accomplish and a time frame in which may subtly affect your attitude. You may enjoy to do it. Once you achieve one task, tick it wearing a dressing-gown all day, but doing off your list and move on to the next. This so could sub-consciously put you in a relaxed approach will give you structure, keep you on mood and slow you down. task and help you stay focused. When working alone, it is crucial to have If you are simply too distracted by the reminders that keep you in work mode, comforts of home, then consider swapping your whether that is wearing business-like clothing workspace for another, like the local library. or remembering to adjust your body language when taking business calls, for example by 6 Don’t be the gopher standing up or sitting up and smiling. Be careful that you don’t become the ‘go to’ person for running other peoples’ errands. Working from home can be interpreted by Neutralise your work space 2 family and friends as a licence to ask for This is almost the opposite of what we do when multiple favours, from picking up the kids or we work in an office. There, people have photos doing the shopping to taking a relative out for of family and other personal knick-knacks to the day. Having boundaries and being strict personalise their space. At home, the challenge about your time management will stop others is to create an environment that enhances work from taking advantage of you. productivity and helps you focus. Whatever the size of your work space, dress it for work by having work materials to hand like a printer, 7 Post–lunch slump laptop, post-its or a pin board. De-cluttering Sometimes known as the ‘graveyard session’, home distractions and adding workplace props the post-lunch slump between 1 and 3pm is the will help to create a more productive working Working from home is as contentious time of day when our energy levels, mood and environment. alertness tend to be at their lowest and when Meeting/Conference recording solutions from Olympus an issue as ever. Supporters say it we may feel a very strong urge to take a nap. In makes them more productive, while order to combat this, try to avoid eating heavily A wide range of recording options: detractors argue the opposite. 3 Work smart at lunch and find time for a brisk 10-minute A new survey of 1,000 workers ME-33 Boundary Microphones Understand your work pattern. Doggedly walk. Save the most mentally demanding tasks • these can be daisy chained to provide unrivalled recording range commissioned by office technology sitting at your desk until 5pm, just to feel that for periods when you are at peak alertness. specialist Altodigital gives ammunition you’ve been ‘at work’ for eight hours can be (between 1 and 6 can be connected) to both sides, with 40% of respondents counterproductive. You’ll know when you’ve hit • perfect for meetings of all sizes due to scalability claiming their productivity more than that turning point, when you move from being in 8 IT meltdowns doubles when working from home and the flow of work to simply twiddling your thumbs. When IT glitches occur, such as emails not ME-30W Conference Microphones connecting with the company server, internet a similar number admitting that their Identify when you are most productive and • 2 x Stereo microphones included with tripods and soft carry case achieve optimum results. The beauty of being in problems or crashes, we react emotionally. • Ideal for recording small to medium sized meetings motivation tails off after just four hours. However, frustration, blind panic and anger lead Working from Home – A productivity charge of your own work schedule is that you can set your targets, decide what you need to achieve to poor decision-making. The key is to wait a few report by psychotherapist Anjula Mutanda DM-650 Conference Kit for the day, and work towards those goals. minutes and see if the problem resolves itself. also reveals that 41% of home workers Taking a deep breath and cooling down gives you • Dedicated kit including DM-650 recorder, plus ME-30W microphones regularly skive, for example by watching the opportunity to think logically and consider and accessories TV (24%), doing household chores (27%) 4 Not alone alternative solutions. or playing with their children (26%). More Working from home can be isolating, and the Don’t over-personalise the event by declaring DM-670 Conference Kit than one third (35%) prefer to work in sense of being cut off from others for long ‘why does this always happen to me?’. This type • Dedicated kit including DM-670 recorder, plus 2 x ME-33 Boundary their pyjamas or dressing gown. periods can negatively affect your mood. If you of thinking can cause you to feel totally helpless, microphones and accessories are working remotely, build-in time to make so don’t do it! Don’t get upset about what you contact with your office. If possible, schedule can’t control. Instead, look at what is possible: www.altodigital.com time to go into the office, as this will act as a contact technical support, take a walk around the For further information or potential demonstration, physical and psychological reminder that you block or have a break. please email [email protected] 36 magazine www.binfo.co.uk www.olympus.co.uk/voice www.olympus.co.uk 4850_Olympus_Conference Advert_v2:Layout 1 14/12/2012 11:10 Page 1
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Meeting/Conference recording solutions from Olympus A wide range of recording options: ME-33 Boundary Microphones • these can be daisy chained to provide unrivalled recording range (between 1 and 6 can be connected) • perfect for meetings of all sizes due to scalability ME-30W Conference Microphones • 2 x Stereo microphones included with tripods and soft carry case • Ideal for recording small to medium sized meetings DM-650 Conference Kit • Dedicated kit including DM-650 recorder, plus ME-30W microphones and accessories DM-670 Conference Kit • Dedicated kit including DM-670 recorder, plus 2 x ME-33 Boundary microphones and accessories
For further information or potential demonstration, please email [email protected] www.olympus.co.uk/voice www.olympus.co.uk Technology
Jonathan Kini, Head of Small & SME Business at Vodafone UK, explains how technology is enabling UK businesses to work more flexibly
say communications technologies are fundamental and will help transform their business, particularly mobile solutions and smart devices. In fact, two thirds (68%) say the cost of not having mobile Investing solutions is greater than the cost of having them, a clear example of where the benefits of technology outweigh its costs. In the UK, 57% of SMEs have adopted tablets and 45% have adopted in the cloud services, a number that’s likely to grow as the need to access information anytime, anywhere grows. Most SMEs reported customer service as the main benefit of mobile services, future ahead of internal efficiencies. This highlights the importance of providing The global economy is starting to Leveraging technology to enable SMEs with cost-effective mobile solutions show signs of recovery and, in the UK business success that enable them to compete against in particular, SMEs and start-ups are From cloud services to mobile and larger organisations and deliver a more at the heart of this growth. In March tablets, technology is increasingly responsive customer service. this year, 2.26 million businesses were critical to business operations and is fast The top The study reveals that tablets, cloud VAT registered in the UK compared becoming the backbone of any successful priorities for services and unified communications are to 2.17 million in 2013 – a rise of business, regardless of its size. the emerging technologies that SMEs approximately 96,000 (4.4%). Since Today, customers expect a positive investment are most likely to adopt over the next then, the UK has made major strides experience and immediate response in technology 1-2 years. In light of the recent flexible to be ranked as the fourth most if something isn’t right. If a customer amongst working legislation, these technologies entrepreneurial economy in the world. is unable to get hold of someone to will be key in enabling employees to work A recent Vodafone survey of 1,700 remedy a situation, they will simply SMEs include remotely and increase productivity no small and medium-sized enterprises look for another option. SMEs realise company matter where they are located, whilst also (SMEs) across Europe reveals that 80% that in order to maintain a competitive providing OPEX savings. are confident about continued business edge, as well as keep up with larger websites Low adoption levels of unified growth in the coming years, with 50% enterprises, they need to invest in the and 4G data communications and managed devices already performing better than they were right technology that will enable them to and cloud to date, with less than a quarter of UK in 2011. With SMEs in the UK performing provide the 24-7 service their customers SMEs already using them, highlights an better than those in most other European expect. Four out of five (82%) SMEs that services... opportunity for growth as workforces countries over the last two years, have already invested in technology to become more mobile and the confidence is understandably higher here help them become mobile and work proliferation of devices increases. than on the continent. more flexibly say they have seen direct As green shoots emerge and business benefits as a result. Barriers to adoption economies begin to recover, SMEs are Take Diamond Logistics, for example. Despite the clear benefits of emerging looking to make smart investments to As one of the country’s fastest growing technologies, about 40% of SMEs maintain growth. Our survey shows logistics providers, its success depends on perceive cost as a prohibitive barrier to that, in addition to boosting spending its ability to respond quickly to customer their adoption. However, that doesn’t on staff, marketing and premises, SMEs requests. With business growing at a have to be the case, as cloud-based are prioritising investment in technology rapid rate, the company needed to invest infrastructures allow SMEs to deploy as a way to help to drive sales and in a communications infrastructure innovative technologies without heavy revenue. The top priorities for investment that would allow calls to be answered CAPEX investment in hardware. in technology amongst SMEs include anytime, anywhere. By linking its landline As SMEs get ready for tomorrow’s new company websites (17%) and 4G data to mobile, Diamond Logistics has been opportunities, they recognise the value of and cloud services (equal second with able to increase its level of customer leveraging emerging technologies. Doing 12% each). Smartphones and tablets are service and satisfaction, which has led so, not only gives businesses the flexibility not far behind, with 10% of SMEs making to the opening of 14 new locations and to operate from anywhere, it also aids devices an investment priority. plans to open a further 25 in 2015. customer service, workforce productivity Many other SMEs recognise that as and operational agility. No wonder most they grow they will need to ensure they SMEs see technology as fundamental to are supported by the right technology. their future success and are willing to A majority of SMEs in Vodafone’s study make the necessary investments.
38 magazine www.binfo.co.uk Dictation Talk more, type less Maxine Park, solicitor and co-founder of digital dictation and to include data covered by the Data Protection Act. Any breach is the transcription service provider DictateNow, argues that businesses of responsibility of the business that every size can increase productivity, efficiency and profitability by outsourced the work, so it’s essential that talking more and typing less businesses check the level of security provided, looking at the encryption used for sending and receiving work, Organisations seeking to improve the storage of finished documents, the staff productivity often overlook time location of the typists etc.. spent typing. Executives hired for their ability to sell, solve problems, Sounds familiar create solutions, train, explain, present, Despite the hype, for most users, voice negotiate and care for customers recognition software remains okay for continue to treat typing as a core skill. basic note taking and has a part to It makes no sense for valuable play, but will never replace the latest assets to waste time typing reports, transcription services available via presentations, documents, letters, even handheld devices, backed by experienced, long emails, when they could be doing qualified secretaries. what they were hired to do. Regional accents, background Everyone thinks they are quicker, but noise and pronunciation often lead in reality the composition typing speed to problems, to say nothing of the is about 15 words per minute (wpm) for obvious words that cause trouble for the average amateur typist. However, routed direct to them for transcription, even the best transcription typists: that same individual can dictate at more or it can be outsourced to an external council and counsel; affect and effect; than 100 wpm, producing a 3,000 word transcription service provider, ideally Walsall and Warsaw even. And of course, report in 30 minutes compared to more based in the UK. unlike an experienced secretary, voice than three hours if typing. ...in recognition software does not format the Talking instead of typing allows Confidentiality matters reality the document according to a user’s specific employees to utilise the skills for which Although the transcription process is requirements. they were originally employed and helps completely confidential, it’s important to composition the business grow. It can be no surprise consider whether anyone can overhear typing speed Increase efficiency If more UK businesses used dictation that the biggest users of digital dictation or record the dictation, to avoid the is about are the legal and healthcare sectors, inadvertent disclosure of redundancies, like the legal and healthcare sectors, where managers have long recognised shop closures, product launches etc.. 15 words per supported by transcription service the value of keeping skilled people away Typists can be granted remote access minute for providers charging by the minute, based from the keyboard – often a good place on dictation length, with no contracts, to client systems, ensuring sensitive the average to hide and take it easy. data never leaves the client’s servers on a pay-as-you-go basis, they would and removing doubts over potential amateur increase productivity and achieve greater Think digital security breaches. Businesses outsourcing typist. efficiency. Thanks to mobile technology, dictation sensitive work should seek service The flexibility the process offers is available to everyone, anywhere, with providers that are ISO 27001:2013 should appeal to any proactive UK secure applications for smartphones, iPad, certified – the international standard for business, allowing executives to make iTouch and BlackBerry allowing one- information security management. better use of their time in the office and touch recording. Importantly, users don’t Work being outsourced is likely utilise time wasted in the car, on the have to worry about getting it right first train and commuting to and from work. time, they can return to any point within It’s time to work smarter not harder, and a dictation and re-record passages or talking more and typing less is a simple insert new sections. step every business can and should take Digital sound files need transcribing, in what remains a challenging economy. but once recorded, users can prioritise their recordings and specify a time for DictateNow provides fast, reliable the transcription to be completed. Notes and confidential digital dictation and on formatting, pronunciation and spelling transcription services. With a large pool of can be added to ensure the finished experienced typists, all based in the UK, it transcription requires little amendment serves a wide variety of sectors, including on its return. legal services, accountancy, medical, If a business has the necessary property and the public sector. internal resources, the dictation can be www.dictatenow.com
01732 759725 magazine 39 PANASONIC LAUNCH NEW FASTER WORKGROUP/DESKTOP MONO NEW MODELS: MFPS WITH ADDED FUNCTIONALITY n The KX MB2120 is the entry level model and is designed for single The new Panasonic KX MB2100 range offers All machines comes as standard with a drum and use connectivity via USB. users a mid-range sized MFP with super-fast toner, separate replacements toners and drums n The KX MB2130 is the next model print and copy speeds. are available from your usual suppliers or online. up and features both Network The 3 new models in the range all provide fast The Duplexing feature is perfect for and USB connectivity allowing print/copy times of 26ppm and unprecedented environmentally minded businesses that wish to multiple users to get access duplexing at 24ppm cut down on unnecessary waste of papers without to the machine for printing, the downside of slower print times. With a built in ADF which also offer 26 scans scanning plus direct emailing per minute and either colour scanning as a PDF, The new KX MB 2100 range had been designed to (when set up with an address). Bitmap, Jpeg or TIFF either directly to you PC (Via offer users a fast quality print, copier & scanner a network) or to FTP. that can either integrate into a bigger managed n The KX MB2170 is the flagship print proposition or a stand-alone workgroups. model and comes with all the All models come with a Secure Print feature features mentioned on the which allows users to send their print to the With key features such as fast duplexing, 2 models above and in addition printer and then release the document to print scanning to email, future proof functionality & has Wi-Fi connectivity via a once they have keyed in their secure log in code, secure print the new range of printers is fully WPF button allowing fast and avoiding sensitive documents been seen by others capable to tackle all that a busy office whether or losing part of prints when accidently picked up SOHO, SME or Corporate can throw at it giving easy setup. by other users. users peace of mind, great quality prints/copies, and good value for money. The Network models are compatible with most mobile printing Apps. Google cloud is also supported.
For more information on the full range of Panasonic Printers, Scanners and MFPs simply visit http://business.panasonic.co.uk/communication-solutions or call 0207 022 6530. @panasonicuk Panasonic40 System Communicationsmag Companyazine Europe, Panasonic House, Willoughby Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 8FP www.binfo.co.uk www.printitmag.co.uk PRINT.ITPRINT.IT 23 9 Software
Opening doors for Specialist demolition, construction and civil engineering contractor in-house teams McGee Group has been using the Mobilengine Adam Dalnoki, CEO of paper-based tasks to a mobile platform. workflow solution to in new starter and site Providing up to 90% of a mobile simplify administration for induction forms; building Mobilengine, considers workflow app solution as a white label field workers. It enables site stock management; the benefits of Software product, SDKs like the new Mobilengine site managers and other safety inspections; the Development Kits (SDKs) platform enable mobile apps to be easily field-based employees issuing of permits; and a created and customised. to complete essential site diary. McGee Group that enable in-house With SDKs, in-house IT teams in a processes through a mobile plans to move all paper- development teams to build range of industries with field-based staff, app running on Android based administration and manage workflow apps including construction, sales, healthcare tablets. These include to a single Mobilengine and logistics, have the opportunity to daily resource allocation; application. from white label solutions specify, design and launch their own HR tasks, including filling www.mobilengine.com customised workflow apps without Imagine a world where 90% of your software development. runtime, integrated development daily tasks are already done. You In doing this, developers can environment, monitoring console, wake up and tea is already made; all themselves create forms; dashboards ..the use of comprehensive documentation and that’s left for you to do is pour the and reports; complex workflows, both on a white label support – all designed to improve the milk. You head to work and nine out mobile and backend; online web forms efficiency of the business by process of ten tasks are already complete so and data exports – with full flexibility to platform optimisation. all you have to do is concentrate on customise highly complex workflows. allows IT the one remaining job. In the evening, The benefit for the business is clear. teams to Mobilengine is the leading mobile dinner is already cooked and on the Taking out the requirement for external enterprise workflow solution. It helps table just waiting for you to add your software development can drastically concentrate companies automate field work and chosen condiment. reduce costs and the use of a white label on business go paperless. It has more than 1,500 For in-house developers, this is platform allows IT teams to concentrate customers worldwide, and some big the positive impact that a Software on business procedures instead of procedures... names on its SDK platform already, Development Kit (SDK) can have when developing something from scratch. such as Telenor, Siemens, G4S, Citibank, building a mobile workflow app – an A leading SDK will include all the McGee, Henkel and 3M. Resellers include increasingly popular tool that allows elements needed to build and manage T-Systems and Vodafone. organisations to transfer traditional mobile workflow solutions, such as www.mobilengine.com What’s in a name? Roisin McCrory, a partner at brand and you want to market it online, service cannot make any order for costs check out your preferred domain names or damages. hlw Keeble Hawson, explains as soon as possible. If a third party has l Consider buying variations of your how to protect your business already registered your favoured domain preferred domain name in addition to from cyber squatters name, there may be little you can do to the domain name itself, including ones force them to transfer ownership to you. with common typographical mistakes Running an online business can be a l Do not register competitors or third in relation to any words used within veritable minefield, especially when party brands as a domain name. Courts the name. If you are likely to be trading it comes to protecting brands from have consistently found in favour of brand in overseas’ markets you may want to unscrupulous cyber-squatters looking owners in such cases of cybersquatting. purchase domain registrations in those to make money. l If the domain name is not essential countries as well. Cybersquatting usually involves to your business, but you would like it, l As with all intellectual property, a party registering a domain name, keep a note of the date its registration actively monitor domain name activity often in bad faith, to gain a commercial lapses. If the current owner does not in order to protect your position. advantage – such as selling the domain renew it, you may be able to purchase For many businesses, operating online name or using it as a link to their own it. Equally, if you have registered domain is fundamental for growth and a web website to divert customers. names important to your business, do presence is instrumental to a marketing Although domain name registration not allow them to lapse. strategy. Monitoring, maintaining and, is a relatively straightforward process, it l If you do encounter a problem, ultimately, protecting your online brand can cause a business significant problems consider using a dispute resolution from potential cyber squatters is crucial if not done properly. The following advice service. For example, in the UK, domain if your business is to succeed. aims to help small businesses avoid names ending co.uk are overseen by some of the potential problems. Nominet, which provides a relatively hlw Keeble Hawson is ranked in the l There is no automatic right to a straightforward and cost-effective dispute top 10 in Experian’s table of the most domain name; they are available on a resolution service. However, its powers active advisers in Yorkshire’s mergers and first-come, first-served basis. If you have are generally limited to a transfer of the acquisitions market during 2013. developed a new product, business or domain name and, unlike a court, the www.hlwkeeblehawson.co.uk
01732 759725 magazine 41 Employment Law & You
2015, but it is likely that changes will Conservatives. The Conservative What To include a ban on exclusivity clauses. bench is looking for two main things should they be re-elected: the afore- 3. The Small Business, Enterprise & mentioned ban on exclusivity clauses in Employment Bill zero hours contracts and the creation of The Small Business, Enterprise and 3 million apprenticeships subsidised by Expect Employment Bill (going through benefits cuts. Parliament at the time of going to press) These don’t represent a massive also has changes to zero hours contracts, shake-up, but offer some hope to plus a number of other provisions, employees looking for more security In 2015 including improvements to whistle- and for employers that want to take blowing procedures; greater penalties for on apprentices but aren’t sure they can David Lester, Founder of Citrus HR, employers who pay below the national afford them. minimum wage; and financial penalties for Employers should also bear in mind outlines key employment law changes non-payment of industrial tribunal awards. that the Conservatives are pushing on the cards for 2015 for legislation in the summer to make 4. Increases in Holiday Pay caste discrimination a form of race calculations discrimination, which has implications Another thorny issue for employers, for workplace equality. holiday pay has received a fair amount Labour. Labour has been very of coverage in recent weeks. Following vocal in the last few weeks, with Ed the EAT ruling in November, further Miliband taking on Sports Direct’s zero clarification of what is included hour employment practices and, more in ‘normal pay’ is expected. More recently, the agency workers sector. It information should come out of the Lock proposes a number of policy changes, case tribunal on including commission in including: holiday pay calculations, as well as the n Raising the National Minimum Wage government’s task force on backdated to £8.00 per hour by 2020; pay. These developments will give n Banning exploitative zero hours employers a much clearer idea of how to contracts; address this subject. n Having as many young people on apprenticeships as currently go to 5. Shared Parental Leave university by 2025; and Applying to babies born on or after the n Changing agency workers legislation, 5th of April 2015, the new rules raise a with tougher regulation of employment number of questions that could limit agencies via licensing to deal with take-up. These include issues around the the unscrupulous behaviour of some Employment law is forever changing, implications for enhanced maternity employment agencies in the wake of a and in this respect it looks as though schemes and the ability of employers rise in temporary agency staff since 2007. 2015 is going to be no different to last to check information with a partner’s Whilst two of these policies are year. So what are some of the changes employer. similar to Tory ones, and the first in the pipeline that employers ought is simply a statement of where the to be preparing themselves for? 6. Fit For Work coalition’s changes to minimum wage If any of your staff have been off for would appear to be going anyway, they 1. Pensions Auto Enrolment more than four consecutive weeks, you offer a clear message that Labour is on Many companies are currently looking may well have heard of this already. the side of the employee. for advice on how to ensure their staff Delayed from late 2014, but due to be The stance on employment agencies are enrolled on a suitable pension implemented fully at the beginning of is something very different and could see scheme. However, it is widely reported this year, Fit For Work is designed to help more employers having to employ staff that demand will outstrip supply and employees and employers communicate on permanent work contracts rather than there are also concerns over how robust about long-term sick leave and get using agencies and paying lower rates of the schemes are. This is one development access to occupational health services pay – something that is sure to have an that employers will need to keep front of and support so that staff return to work impact across the nation. mind over the next 12 months. as soon as possible. With so many amendments and new policies on the cards, it is vital to be 2. Zero Hours Contracts Party politics and employment law prepared for any changes by keeping up- Whether employers like it or not, With a general election coming up, to-date with the latest news. changes will be brought in to make it wouldn’t be sensible to look at these forms of contract work better for forthcoming changes to employment law Citrus HR is the UK’s most employees. The findings of a Dept. of without considering the main parties’ comprehensive employment support Business review into employee status policies and what you should expect if service for new and smaller businesses. in the British workforce is due in March one or the other gets into power. www.citrushr.com
42 magazine www.binfo.co.uk FOLLOW THEM Top 30 UK Suppliers ON TWITTER
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01732 759725 magazine 43 THE NEW REDMOND MULTI-COOKER IS A PERFECT ADDITION TO A BUSY OFFICE/BUSINESS KITCHEN.
The Redmond multi-cooker is a versatile multi- functional electric cooking device with a selection of pre-programmed cooking modes & built-in timer. Designed to be an ideal addition for busy office kitchens, the multi-cooker enables you to cook lunchtime meals and snacks in a self contained, small device, where facilities are not available or space is limited. The Redmond multi-cooker can either warm pre-prepared food such as soups, stews, pasta dishes & rice dishes or can cook full meals from scratch by simply placing the ingredients within the cooker and switching to the appropriate programme. The Redmond range of multi-cookers are fully versatile and offer users the ability to Bake, Boil, Sauté, Fry and Roast, giving even the most inexperienced cook the ability to create a huge selection of meals and dishes with simple preparation. (Recipe Book included) So, if you fancy bacon & eggs for breakfast, cakes with your afternoon cuppa or you just want to liven up your lunchtimes with a delicious selection of healthy dishes without the need for full kitchen facilities, and far tastier than a microwave, then the Redmond multi-cooker can help.
Available from:
Search: Redmond Cook
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