WINDOWS Top tips to ensure an easy migration to Windows 11 PAGE 32 DATA How to make sure your data is fit for AI PAGE 20 PCs What you need to know about the new generation of AI PCs PAGE 34 SECURITY · CLOUD · ICT · SOFTWARE · HARDWARE PRINT · AV MANAGED.IT SECURITY · CLOUD · ICT · SOFTWARE · HARDWARE · PRINT · AV www.managedITmag.co.uk THE IT SERVICES MAGAZINE & NEWS SITE FOR IT MANAGERS, IT DIRECTORS & CTOS THE IT SERVICES MAGAZINE & NEWS SITE FOR IT MANAGERS, IT DIRECTORS & CTOS IN PRINT AND ONLINE MANAGED.IT SECURITY · CLOUD · ICT · SOFTWARE · HARDWARE · PRINT · AV www.managedITmag.co.uk IN PRINT AND ONLINE IN PRINT AND ONLINE www.managedITmag.co.uk SECURITY · CLOUD · ICT · SOFTWARE · HARDWARE PRINT · AV IN PRINT AND ONLINE Issue 66 · 2024 Say hello to your new office workers. Versatile and ready for tomorrow. EN ManagedIT-Ad2-cover.indd 1 17/05/2024 16:20
www.snom.com As part of the Snom ecosystem, you will benefit from the over 25 years of experience of the German business telephony specialist and work with a reliable manufacturer who provides tailor-made solutions for a wide range of market segments. Optimal IP solutions for every challenge
3 www.managedITmag.co.uk Read Managed.IT online... www.managedITmag.co.uk ISSN 2055-3099 (Print) ISSN 2055-3102 (Online) 04 News How AI is helping predict peach harvests 08 What’s New New technology for the home and office 10 Events Future tech in fast lane at oodwood Festival of Speed 11 Managed Services Sliding doors moment leads to rapid growth for Logixal 12 Cover Story Fujifilm’s four pillars of value 14 Telephony ISDN switch-off delay a mixed blessing 16 Employee Ownership Trusts A win-win for business owners and employees 18 AI The power of AI unleashed 19 Opinion Is it time to retire the Turing Test? 20 Data Management Is your data fit for AI? Andrew Carr explains how to make sure it is 21 Copilot OryxAlign launches Copilot workshops 22 Comms Is RoR – Return on Relationships – the new ROI? 24 Q&A Sandeep Johri, CEO of Checkmarx, answers our questions about the company’s application security platform 26 Collaboration Introducing the Ricoh 360 Meeting Hub 27 Labelling Brother desktop labellers now compatible with linerless labels 28 On-hold messaging Create messages in minutes with AI 29 Connectivity Spitfire implements MPLS for IOM 30 Printers The latest office printing news 32 Windows 11 Simon Townsend’s top tips for Windows 11 migrations 34 PCs What you need to know about AI PCs Editor: James Goulding 07803 087228 • [email protected] Publishing Director, Social Media and Web Editor: Neil Trim 01732 759725 • [email protected] Advertising Director: Ethan White 01732 759725 • [email protected] Art Director: Nick Pledge 07767 615983 • [email protected] Advertising Executive: Jeff Root 01732 759725 • [email protected] MANAGED.IT is published by Kingswood Media Ltd., 7 Amherst House, 22 London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 2BT • Tel: 01732 759725 No part of MANAGED.IT can be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. © 2024 Kingswood Media Ltd. Production Design: Sandtiger Media · www.sandtiger.co.uk The paper used in this magazine is obtained from manufacturers who operate within internationally recognized standards and which is sourced from sustainable, properly managed forestation. CONTENTS Managed.IT GET YOUR FREE COPY To make sure you get every issue FREE, as soon as it is published, just visit www.managedITmag.co.uk, click the ‘FREE Registration’ button and add your details to our mailing list. @manageditmag facebook.com/BinfoMag If you no longer wish to receive Managed.IT magazine please email your details to [email protected] SECURITY · CLOUD · ICT · SOFTWARE · HARDWARE PRINT · AV IN PRINT AND ONLINE www.managedITmag.co.uk THE IT SERVICES MAGAZINE & NEWS SITE FOR IT MANAGERS, IT DIRECTORS & CTOS ISSUE 66 · 2024 © National Robotarium and Fernando Auat Cheein
RFID HELPING PUT FLESH ON THE BONES OF DINOSAUR FOSSILS Earth Sciences Foundation, a fossil excavation non-profit, is using RFID (radio frequency identification) technology to improve the tracking and cataloguing of dinosaur bones excavated in South Dakota. A combination of RFID tags from HID, InfraMarker’s RFID System and Esri field mapping software has significantly reduced manual data entry and administrative tasks, freeing up field technicians to focus on core activities like research and fossil conservation. Within just five days, the excavation team had seamlessly catalogued 347 fossils. Tom Hebert, Founder and Director of Earth Sciences Foundation, said: “I can’t speak glowingly enough about how well this works for us. We are in the middle of nowhere. There’s no Wi-Fi connectivity here, and it (RFID) still works. “Using HID’s RFID tag technology, GIS mapping and geospatial curation, we can see the life of this fossil from the time we found it in the ground, to the time we put it in storage, to the time we prep it, clean it, restore it and display it in the museum. This allows people to follow the adventure of this bone from beginning to end. It also allows us and other scientists to do better research, collaborate easier and exchange ideas faster.” David Chose, HID Global Sales Manager, Americas, Identification Technologies Division, added: “An easy way to think about RFID tags is that they are a wireless barcode attached to an object that you can change and update. The big benefit here is that Tom and his team can update the RFID tags on fly. As these bones go through the whole process of being excavated to being displayed at a museum, each step of the process can be easily updated and documented.” www.hidglobal.com PEACH FAMERS COUNTING ON AI TO FORECAST HARVEST A new AI system that can accurately count flowers on fruit trees to predict harvest sizes up to six months in advance has been developed by researchers in Scotland, Chile and Spain. The AI system uses standard smartphone images to recognise and count flowers on fruit trees, even when petals overlap, with 90% accuracy. This is far better than manual methods, such as counting by eye or taking area samples, which can have error rates of 30-50%. By providing precise yield forecasts up to six months before harvest, the system allows growers to optimise water use, allocate resources efficiently and plan harvesting/ distribution logistics more effectively. So far, the tech has been trialled on peach orchards in Catalonia, Spain, with results set to be validated against the actual harvest in September 2024. If successful, the approach can be adapted for other major fruit crops like apples, pears and cherries, benefiting growers in the UK, Europe and beyond. The research project has been developed by academics and researchers from the National Robotarium, the UK’s centre for robotics and AI based in Edinburgh; the Advanced Center for Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Federico Santa Maria Technical University in Valparaiso, Chile; and the Universidad Andres Bello, also in Chile. Fernando Auat Cheein, Associate Professor in robotics and autonomous systems at the National Robotarium, said: “Farmers often rely on manual methods to estimate their yields, which can have a significant error margin. By leveraging the power of AI and the convenience of off-the-shelf technology like smartphones, our approach seamlessly integrates with traditional farming practices, making it easier for growers to embrace and benefit from innovative solutions without overhauling their existing methods. “Throughout the project, we worked closely with peach farmers in Spain to understand their challenges and ensure the system met their requirements. The farmers appreciated the simplicity and accuracy of the flower counting AI, noting its potential to help them make more informed decisions about crop management, such as targeted pruning and herbicide application. By focusing their efforts on areas of the farm that are expected to yield the most fruit, farmers can optimise resources, reduce their environmental footprint and maximise both the quantity and quality of their harvest.” The National Robotarium, a partnership between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, is part of the Data-Driven Innovation initiative, supported by £21 million from the UK Government and £1.4 million from the Scottish Government. The initiative aims to turn Edinburgh into the data capital of Europe and is part of the wider £1.5 billion Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal. https://thenationalrobotarium.com/ industry/#agriculture ... VIRTUAL MEETINGS A DRAIN ON PRODUCTIVITY Almost three-quarters (73%) of UK professionals think virtual meetings hamper productivity, according to a survey by specialist recruitment company Robert Walters. More than half (53%) say their workday is regularly Interrupted by virtual meetings, with one quarter joining five or more a day. When it comes to making important business decisions, 67% would opt for an in-person meeting over a video call (31%), with just 5% choosing a virtual meeting when they need to ‘get things done’. Daniel Harris, Director of Robert Walters London & South East, said: “Throughout the pandemic, virtual meetings were indispensable for maintaining communication and NEWS 4 01732 759725 NEWS © National Robotarium and Fernando Auat Cheein
connection with our colleagues and teams. However, the tide is now shifting. As more professionals return to the office, we’re still seeing Teams or Zoom meetings being scheduled for things that could be more efficiently and effectively handled through a brief message or email – resulting in less disruption to professionals’ actual working time.” www.robertwaltersgroup.com ... INTROVERTS DO IT REMOTELY Research by Apogee Corporation suggests that remote meeting technology helps introverts to overcome their inhibitions, with nearly one-in-three (30%) saying it enables them to communicate more confidently. Almost half (43%) of introverts say they feel able to voice ideas and feelings more freely when remote, compared to 28% of extroverts. In the survey of 1,001 employees in mid-size businesses with 500+ staff, 84% of extroverts say they are unable to work productively when remote. In contrast, 86% of introverts say they see no productivity improvement when working in the office. apogeecorp.com ... REMOTE WORKERS ARE WEAKEST LINK Almost two thirds (63%) of IT security decision-makers in the UK and US expect mobile/remote workers to expose their organisation to the risk of a data breach. More than half (55%) claim remote workers have done so knowingly in the last 12 months, according to a survey by Apricorn, manufacturer of softwarefree, 256-bit AES XTS hardwareencrypted USB drives. Three quarters (73%) of decision-makers believe remote employees lack the skills and technology needed to keep data safe (up from 55% in last year’s survey). ... TENABLE BRINGS VISIBILITY TO OT AT WEST BURTON ENERGY West Burton Energy has cut threatdetection alerts by 98% and improved efficiency by 87% after using Tenable OT Security to bring visibility, security and control to its operational technology (OT). The company’s Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant and 49 MW battery energy storage facility delivers 1,333 MW of power to the National Grid, enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes and businesses. Since deploying Tenable OT Security, purpose-built to safeguard converged IT and OT industrial environments, West Burton Energy has reduced the time and resources needed manually to manage its asset inventory by more than 200 hours per year, while also creating efficiencies in the identification, mitigation and remediation of OT vulnerabilities. Tom Keyworth, C&I Engineer at West Burton Energy, said: “With Tenable OT Security tuned and trained to prevent false positives we’ve reduced the number of reported events by 98%, resulting in tremendous time savings. What used to take two days per week to manage now takes only a few hours, and we’ve improved efficiency by 87%. Rather than chasing false positives, the team can focus on remediating the security alerts that put operations at the greatest risk.” West Burton Energy is also using Tenable Nessus, built into Tenable OT Security, to scan Windows servers and network switches and other IT equipment. Initiating a scan across the entire Windows environment helps the team discover vulnerabilities, for example, from the impact of an OEM’s latest release or a version of software that is out of date. www.tenable.com ... SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING GUIDE FOR SMES ACCA (The Association of Chartered Certified Accounts) has published a new guide to help SMEs with their sustainability reporting. Co-authored by Sharon Machado, head of sustainable business, and Aaron Saw, head of corporate reporting insights – financial, ACCA’s Sustainability reporting – SME guide contains advice on compiling sustainability-related data and reporting increasingly demanded by regulators and stakeholders. Sharon Machado said: “The creation and use of sustainability-related information helps SMEs, their advisers and stakeholders to see and take advantage of their opportunities and manage their risks. This will put SMEs in a much stronger position financially, making it easier to attract investment and obtain preferential terms of trade with suppliers. In the battle for talent, it will help them recruit and retain highcalibre employees.” www.accaglobal.com 5 www.managedITmag.co.uk NEWS LOGRHYTHM HELPING TO PRESERVE UK COMPUTING HERITAGE The National Museum of Computing (TNMoC), an independent charity housing the world’s largest collection of functional historic computers, has secured sponsorship from LogRhythm to help it preserve the UK’s computing heritage and inspire future generations to pursue careers in computing and cybersecurity. As part of its sponsorship, LogRhythm recently held its Customer Advisory Council and Partner Advisory Council at the museum located in the grounds of Bletchley Park and home to machines like Enigma, Lorenz the working Turing-Welchman Bombe and Colossus. Kev Eley, VP UKI & Europe at LogRhythm, said: “As soon as I stepped through the doors, I knew TNMoC was a good fit for LogRhythm. As the birthplace of British cybersecurity, it truly brings the history of computing to life and understands the importance of making the field accessible to everyone.” LogRhythm helps security teams stop breaches by turning disconnected data and signals from diverse log and threat intelligence sources into trustworthy insights. logrhythm.com continued... LogRhythm’s Kev Eley with Jacqui Garrad, Museum Director at The National Museum of Computing. SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING – SME GUIDE
6 01732 759725 NEWS LANDMARK WALK Staff at Konica Minolta have raised more than £4,000 for charity partners Candlelighters, Dynamic and Trust Links by completing the inaugural Konica Minolta 20km London Landmarks Walk. A team of 41 employees crossed the finish line together in Trafalgar Square after completing a circular walk past London landmarks such as Nelson’s Column, the Globe Theatre and the Tower of London. www.konicaminolta.co.uk ... NEW VENUE FOR TECH START-UPS Cloud computing company Civo is supporting London’s tech community with the launch of Civo Tech Junction, a multipurpose co-working and event space in the heart of Shoreditch. As well as providing facilities and a flexible workspace for freelancers, startups and established tech companies, the venue will host regular events on topics such as DevOps, machine learning, cloud computing, software development and security. Civo CEO Mark Boost said: “We’ve always believed in the democratic access to tech, whether through open source machine learning or truly interoperable cloud services. This is the spirit of the Civo Tech Junction, where we’re going beyond services to the open sharing of knowledge. We’re looking forward to further supporting London’s already thriving tech scene.” TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY GUIDANCE Business Disability Forum has introduced free online advice and resources to help businesses accommodate the technology needs of disabled customers and service users. Created by disabled people and accessibility experts from Business Disability Forum’s Technology Taskforce, the Technology Toolkit highlights how technology can improve the user experience for disabled consumers by making products and services more accessible (e.g. with live captioning on a phone), but also act as a barrier if the needs of disabled people have not been considered. Business Disability Forum’s Tech Taskforce Manager Lucy Ruck said: “Thinking about accessibility from the beginning reduces the need for retrofitting later and makes good business sense. But creating inclusive tech solutions is not just about disability. It is about making products and services that work better for everyone and for your organisation. This makes accessibility an essential issue for all businesses.” www.businessdisabilityforum.org.uk ... FROM SIDE-HUSTLE TO MULTIMILLION POUND BUSINESS Side-hustles have become a leading route for start-ups in the UK, with 39% of new businesses starting this way, according to a survey of 1,000 small business owners by Small Business Britain and eBay. Almost half (46%) of side-hustlers have grown these ventures to such an extent that they have been able to quit their jobs and run their businesses full-time. While one in five business owners (22%) starts their side hustle to make extra cash, the main motivations are to pursue a passion (43%) or to gain a better work-life balance (43%). Typical is joiner Joseph Holman who started his Luton-based restoration business, Green Doors, in 2014 as a side hustle after spotting a door in a skip. He restored the door, sold it on eBay and went on to start a sidehustle selling old windows and doors rescued from landfill. Today, Green Doors employs over 25 people, rescues 3,000+ items annually and generates nearly £2 million in turnover. Holman said: “Having dyslexia and ADHD allows me to see opportunities that others might miss, such as salvaging items that deserve a second chance. I began my entrepreneurial journey at the age of 12 on eBay, which provided me with a great platform to learn the ins and outs of running a business. This experience helped shape my current company, which now employs more than 25 people.” https://smallbusinessbritain.uk ... SMARTPHONES WANTED Virgin Media O2 and environmental charity Hubbub are calling on consumers to rehome unwanted smartphones through the latter’s Community Calling scheme. Established in 2020 in response to the pandemic, Community Calling provides smartphones to people who can’t afford devices or online connectivity, including refugees, victims of domestic abuse and disadvantaged communities. To date, the initiative has donated 20,000 devices to people across the country in partnership with Women’s Aid, Crisis, Migrant Help and Supporting Children with Diabetes. Devices are powered with free O2 mobile data from the National Databank, set up by Virgin Media O2 and charity Good Things Foundation. It is estimated that almost 15 million unused smartphones are gathering dust in homes across the UK. Virgin Media O2 and Hubbub are asking people to send unwanted working smartphones to Community Calling, where accredited tech partner Genuine Solutions will data wipe devices before passing them on to people in need who can use them to get online, access essential services, apply for a job or keep in touch with loved ones. https://www.hubbub.org.uk/ continued... Joseph Holman, 33, from Luton, started a side-line business restoring old doors and turned it into a thriving business rescuing and restoring thousands of items annually
7 www.managedITmag.co.uk AD HARDSOFT A different breed of business communications partner #GoodTogether Find out more gammagroup.co The best business partnerships are authentic and built on trust, which is why we place relationships at the heart of everything we do Loyal. Supportive. Reliable. By your side.
8 01732 759725 INNOVATIONS Intuit is building on last year’s launch of Intuit Assist for Mailchimp, an AI-powered tool designed to help marketers send more effective marketing campaigns, with the development of a revenue intelligence (RI) system that uses AI and automation tools to help Mailchimp customers identify untapped revenue. The AI-powered RI system draws on 60+ petabytes of data from 100 million users of Intuit TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks and Mailchimp to benchmark customers’ marketing performance, identify where they’re missing opportunities, recommend optimum times to target customers and generate personalised action plans and branded email and SMS content to win more business and boost revenue. Mailchimp is also bringing SMS functionality to customers in the UK, enabling them to reach target audiences through a combination of SMS and email marketing. https://mailchimp.com Revenue boost A wise choice The Meeting Owl 4+ is an all-in-one, standalone device featuring smart mics, speakers and a 360-degree camera capable of streaming 4K Ultra HD video. The ability to wirelessly connect three units makes the Meeting Owl 4+ suitable for use in conference rooms as well as meeting rooms and home offices. Featuring the latest AI-powered Owl Intelligence System (OIS) software, the Meeting Owl 4+ pairs with Owl Labs’ ecosystem of devices (including Meeting Owls, Owl Bars and Expansion Mics), automatically switching between cameras to capture the best view of in-room attendees. Meeting Owl 4+ can be managed remotely using the Nest management tool. OwlLabs.co.uk Easy set-up Nureva is easing the set-up and management of its Zoom and Microsoft Teams Rooms-certified HDL pro series audio systems (HDL310/410) with the introduction of a new web-based tool. Available from a PC, tablet or smartphone, the Nureva App can be accessed through a local area network and does not require a continuous internet connection, software download or account creation. Nureva CEO Nancy Knowlton said: “The Nureva App makes it easier than ever to deploy and optimise HDL pro series systems for effective collaboration in larger meeting rooms and classrooms. Not only can IT managers and integrators connect to these devices directly from any mobile device or browser, but our customers will continue to avoid the cost and complexity associated with traditional pro AV solutions.” www.nureva.com Canary in a goldmine Meeting Canary is a new app that uses AI to assess the effectiveness of online meetings. In collaboration with Professor Chris Reed from the University of Dundee and Professor Michael Dickmann of Cranfield School of Management, Meeting Canary has developed a formula for calculating meeting effectiveness. The FIRE metric, standing for Focus, Inclusion, Respect and Energy, enables Meeting Canary to identify and warn when a meeting is losing energy and focus or when interruptions and cross-talking are taking their toll. It also provides insights into meeting costs, meeting productivity, meeting inclusivity, top talkers and meeting sentiment. Meeting Canary is available as an app for Microsoft Teams and will soon be provided for other platforms. WHAT’S NEW The medium and the message Vieunite Pro is an all-in-one display solution that helps hospitality, retail and other businesses connect with customers, reinforce brand identity and provide a more stimulating, everchanging environment. It combines three elements: the Textura Pro canvas display (with a choice of frame styles); a curated library of artwork, including contemporary and world famous pieces; and the Vieunite Pro Portal content management system through which users can change artwork/messaging, create and schedule playlists, adjust settings, view analytics data and manage a network of Textura Pro displays. Prices start at £619 (ex VAT) for the display and Vieunite Pro Portal subscription. Vieunite.com
INNOVATIONS 9 www.managedITmag.co.uk Doorstep payment BigChange has launched an add-on to its field service job management system that allows payment for completed field service jobs to be taken on-site. After a customer reviews and agrees the payment, they receive a link from a payment app via email, SMS or a QR code displayed on the engineer’s device. This takes them to a ‘pay now’ screen on their phone for easy, one-click payment. Especially useful for domestic and noncontract work, BigChange Pay needs no complicated bank or credit card set-up and can be configured according to each business’s requirements. www.bigchange.com MeetUpgrade Logitech has announced the next evolution of its million-selling MeetUp video bar for huddle rooms. The MeetUp 2 AI-powered USB conference camera combines intelligent meeting features in an affordable package, including RightSight 2 which enables MeetUp 2 automatically to focus and frame in-room participants and RightSound 2 for advanced voice equalisation and noise suppression. Designed for up to six people, MeetUp 2 can be used in USB mode with an in-room computer or in BYOD mode connected to a laptop or mobile device with an optional Logitech Active USB Cable. IT admins can monitor room status, deploy updates and modify settings over ethernet or WiFi through Logitech Sync. Sleek and stylish LG’s new 136in Micro LED display for corporate meeting rooms, the LG MAGNIT All-In-One, combines a sleek, stylish aesthetic with a built-in speaker and easy access and usability. All interface connections are located on the front of the display with basic control buttons situated on the righthand side of the frame. The scroll wheel on the LG Magic Remote makes it easy for users to explore the display’s features and ‘point and click’ to activate whatever they need. For efficient management, the MAGNIT All-in-One is compatible with the LG One: Quick Share wireless screen sharing solution and a web-based AV control system. www.LG.com/b2b Clear water Bluewater is hoping to revolutionise the drinking water market with the launch of self-sanitising, freestanding Bluewater Flow indoor refill stations with a foot pedal for no-touch dispensing. Designed as a replacement for existing water fountains, water coolers and large jug dispensers, Bluewater Flow connects to any potable water line within a 100-foot range, dispensing both chilled and hot water on demand without plastic bottle waste. An advanced purification process removes up to 99% of the impurities found in typical tap water, while revitalising it with an infusion of electrolytes, increased alkalinity, oxygenation and trace minerals for a crisp, fresh finish. www.bluewatergroup.com Meeting equity Jabra is upgrading its Jabra PanaCast 50 intelligent video bar with Microsoft Intelligent Speaker, People Recognition and Multi-Stream Dynamic Composition capabilities. Microsoft Intelligent Speaker identifies who in a meeting room said what and attributes speaker names to transcripts, enhancing AI-based productivity tools such as Intelligent Meeting Recap and Copilot in Microsoft Teams. Microsoft People Recognition automatically adds the names of in-room participants to meeting rosters and to participants’ individual video streams provided by Multi-stream Dynamic Composition for PanaCast 50. This enhances meeting equity by providing video feeds of inroom participants that mimic the view of remote participants joining with a personal video camera. www.jabra.co.uk Advanced speech Voiceover marketplace Voices has added a text-to-speech platform, AI Studio, that enables customers to convert text into lifelike AI voices. Customers can browse a selection of voice clones from professional voice actors, input their script and generate an instant preview of their voiceover. The tone of voice can be matched to the needs of the script (e.g. conversational, excited, sad, funny) and both speed and pronunciation can be adjusted. Jay O’Connor, Interim CEO of Voices, said: “We’re really proud of the life-like quality of the voices and the platform’s ability to convey emotion through varying tones. Voices offers clients a range of options when it comes to their voice solution: they can work with a human, an AI voice, or both.” A hybrid pairing of human and AI voice gives clients the flexibility to maintain a consistent voice across all channels while leveraging the on-the-go adaptability of AI. https://www.voices.com/text-to-speech.
10 01732 759725 EVENTS 11-16 year-olds from 24 schools will enjoy a specially curated programme of talks and workshops from the Goodwood Education Trust and Future Lab exhibitors. Future Lab Ambassador, the astronaut Tim Peake, said: “I’m very much looking forward to returning to the Festival of Speed. It’s always fantastic to see the next generation of scientists, explorers, engineers and innovators interact with the Future Lab exhibits.” FOS TECH’s interest in new and emerging technologies extends beyond the Future Lab pavilion and onto the racetrack, with the Indy Autonomous Challenge team, a graduate of the 2023 Future Lab pavilion, attempting to set an autonomous racecar world record on the Goodwood Hill. Elsewhere, Electric Avenue will showcase electric and hydrogenpowered cars, enabling visitors to learn more about the benefits of switching to alternative-fuel vehicles and explore a wide range of models. These include the MG Cyberster, which made its world debut at the 2023 Festival of Speed. As part of its celebration of motorsports through the ages, the 2024 Festival of Speed features numerous other attractions including the F1 Pit Lane, where visitors can mix with the drivers and mechanics of six Formula 1 teams, the Forest Rally Stage, Supercar Paddock, Supercar Run, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance and Bonhams Cars Auction. goodwood.com This year’s Festival of Speed at Goodwood House, West Sussex on July 11-14 will once again feature the FOS TECH Future Lab exhibition of space tech, drones, robots and AI, alongside more than 600 cars and motorcycles from the past, present and future of motorsports. Exhibits on show in the Future Lab presented by Randox pavilion include eVolare, a vertical takeoff and landing electric jet; a solar-powered car from Durham University; wall-climbing robots; 3D-printed delivery vehicles; and many more ground-breaking innovations. As part of the Festival of Speed 2024’s STEM programme, 1,000 The Future Lab line up Exploring the theme of ‘Technology for a Better World’, Future Lab exhibitors are grouped into four categories: Protecting the Planet, Robots to the Rescue, Future of Flight and Our World in Pixels. Protecting the planet n Astroscale: developer of sustainable solutions for on-orbit servicing, satellite life extension and end of life and space junk removal. n Durham University Solar Car: the highest-ranking British team to finish the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. n Levidian Loop: decarbonisation innovators turning methane into graphene for reuse. n The Tyre Collective: a clean-tech start-up capturing tyre pollution. n Wayfinder: open-access, near-time visualisation of satellites and debris in the Earth’s atmosphere. Robots to the Rescue n Hausbots: unique wall-climbing robots. n Shadow Robot: the world’s most robust, dexterous robotic hand series. n Sheffield Robotics: bringing together industry and academics from the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University for robotics research. n Helixx: zero carbon, 3D-printed delivery vehicles built in flat pack Mobility Hubs. n Dexory: all-in-one autonomous warehouse solution for gathering realtime inventory data. n Earth Rover: developer of CLAWS, an autonomous weed control and crop data-gathering robot. Future of Flight n Dronamics: the world’s first remotely piloted cargo drone airline, the Dronamics Black Swan. n eVolare: Lilium Jet, the world’s first allelectric vertical take-off and landing jet. n Sees.ai: unlocking the use of drones at scale for industrial uses. n Hybrid Air Vehicles: the Airlander 10 hybrid helium airship. n Drone City: workshops and education for drone coders, pilots and builders. n Windracers: advanced autonomous logistics drones including the first Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) autonomous drone flight in the UK. Our World in Pixels n Performit Live: remote motion capture system connecting performers with directors and animators for remote rehearsal and performance. n Miirage: modular hologram system delivering audio visual effects with razor-sharp precision. n Metaverse VR: immersive digital training delivered by a skilled team of 3D modellers and artists. n Atlantic Productions: the world’s leading factual storytellers on the Apple Vision Pro. n GeoAcoustics: partners in the Seabed 2030 project aiming to map the world’s ocean floor by 2030. Future Lab showcases developments in the future of alternative-powered vehicles, deliveries and the metaverse Future tech in pole position at Goodwood Festival of Speed Tim Peake inside Future Lab at the Festival of Speed 2023. Photo by Dominic James.
11 www.managedITmag.co.uk Logixal opened for business on March 5, 2012, selling Xerox print devices and supporting them with its own service engineers. It quickly became a Gold-level Xerox dealer and, in 2017, was named Xerox Document Technology Partner of the Year and Xerox Finance Document Technology Partner of the Year. Since then, under the leadership of CEO Daniel Hoile and Managing Director Mandeep Kandola, the company has diversified its offering and now offers products and services across the four key pillars of IT managed services, unified communications (UC), managed print and document management. This diversification has powered rapid organic revenue growth, from £3.2 million in 2021 to £5 million in 2023. This year, Hoile is aiming to increase turnover by a further 40% to £7 million. So what are the secrets of Logixal’s success? What factors have enabled it to differentiate itself from its rivals and achieve strong double-digit growth? q It is a true MSP When Covid struck, Hoile took the decision to accelerate Logixal’s transformation from a managed print services provider into a true MSP. He describes this ‘a sliding doors moment’ that has enabled Logixal to be that trusted advisor needed by businesses as they embark on their own digital transformation. “I immediately invested a huge amount of money in transforming Logixal into an MSP. I took on an additional three or four IT specialists and I invested in Datto RMM and Autotask,” he explains. In addition to these popular MSP management and support A platform for growth and service excellence solutions, Logixal uses the ECI service platform. Together, they enable it to provide high levels of remote and on-site support. w A diversified offering At the same time, Logixal has expanded its product and services offering, giving customers a single source for print, document management, UC and IT managed services and a choice of vendors. “From a print perspective, we’ve now got relationships with Xerox, for their office machines, apps and Docushare document management system, and, since 2022, with Konica Minolta, which provides good, reliable kit and exceptional production machines. In December 2022, I took on Sharp for their AV and their touchscreen portfolio, and this January we added Ricoh because they also have DocuWare, which gives us another document management system. “Strategically, I believe we’ve got the best product range in the market. We’re no longer just picking up contracts for print and PaperCut, but for four, five or six other software solutions. We’ve got relationships with Redstor and Acronis for data backup and recovery. We’re offering managed cybersecurity and cyber training through the Huntress platform. We’re selling Microsoft licences (including Teams and Copilot), leased lines, mobiles and mobile device management. We’ve got seven or eight different products that we can sell into clients.” e A choice of service level Hoile believes that the decision to build in-house IT support capabilities, rather than relying on services provided by the likes of Xerox, Ricoh and Konica Minolta, has given Logixal the flexibility and freedom to provide customers with industry-leading service levels. “Everyone has a service offering, and customers are exploiting this by driving down prices. Our autonomy has allowed us to avoid getting into a race to zero by introducing a choice of four service levels – supreme, ultra, ultimate and next level. If a customer is motivated by price, they can choose supreme, the equivalent of gold from anyone else. If their priority is quality of service, they can move up one or more levels. We are now able to have completely different conversations with our customers.” r A focus on quality Logixal’s investment in its support capabilities and expanded product offering is underpinned by a focus on standards. As well as ISO 9001, 14001, 27001 and 20000 accreditations, Logixal has been Investors in People certified since 2014. It achieved Gold certification in 2017 and is now Platinum-accredited. Hoile cites investment in staff development as a key contributor to Logixal’s success and enduring customer relationships. “Over the years, we’ve managed to hold on to an awful lot of our staff. One of our engineers we’ve had for 10 years. The rest we’ve had for seven. Nigel (Pashley), our Chief Finance Officer, has been with us for nine and a half years. Two of our key core telesales people have been with us for 10 and 12 years. The average employee retention within the business is at least four or five years.” To find out more about Logixal’s products and services, please visit www.logixal.co.uk How investment in people, systems and services is helping Logixal meet the needs of its customers MANAGED SERVICES Daniel Hoile EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD LOGI XAL 4 IN PRINT AND ONLINE
12 01732 759725 COVER STORY Why launch a new range of office printers into a crowded and highly competitive market? This is a question often being posed to Fujifilm after the company launched the Apeos series of MFP devices in the UK earlier this year. There are four primary answers to this question, and in combination, they form the four pillars of value that Fujifilm is already known for in the Asia-Pacific market, where Fujifilm’s Apeos range of multifunction printers is wellestablished, and is currently the market-leading MFP range in the region1. Fujifilm’s Four Pillars of Value UNDERSTANDING FUJIFILM’S FOUR PILLARS q Security Cyberattacks pose an ever-growing threat to UK businesses, with the cost and sophistication of malicious intrusions rising at an alarming rate. The potential consequences of a single data breach can be devastating, leading to financial losses, damage to reputation, and even legal repercussions. In fact, Cybersecurity Ventures predicts the global cost of cybercrime will reach a staggering $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Office printers are often viewed by hackers as a weak link in cybersecurity defences and the path of least resistance past an organisation’s defences. There is How secure is your printer? How reliable is it? Can you “wow” your customers or clients with the quality of the work you produce on it? And, does it do more than just tick a box when it comes to sustainability credentials? good reason for this. Even though they are remotely accessible and often have access to highly sensitive information, multifunction devices are often overlooked and lack the same degree of cyber protection afforded to other parts of an organisation’s IT security. In today's hybrid work environments, where data is constantly flowing between devices and networks, safeguarding sensitive business information has become a critical challenge. Fujifilm’s Apeos series has security built in. Engineered with a multilayered security approach that extends beyond basic password protection, the Apeos series stands out for its advanced security features, such as secure booting, to ensure that only authorised firmware operates the device, preventing access to malicious software. Other security features include data encryption, which safeguards sensitive information during transmission and storage, making it indecipherable to unauthorised users. Fujifilm's commitment to security also extends to incident response. The Apeos series includes features like audit logs, which track user activity, and intrusion detection, alerting administrators to suspicious behaviour. This proactive approach enables swift action in the event of a security breach, mitigating potential damage. The comprehensive array of security features integral to the Apeos series, has earned it a prestigious BLI Security validation from Keypoint Intelligence, a leading independent evaluator of document imaging hardware and software.
Say hello to your new office workers. Versatile and ready for tomorrow. EN ManagedIT-Ad2-cover.indd 1 17/05/2024 16:20 13 www.managedITmag.co.uk w Reliability Downtime can be costly and disruptive, especially in today's fastpaced business environment and Fujifilm Apeos MFPs are designed to withstand the rigors of constant day-to-day office use. Fujifilm’s robust engineering ensures minimal downtime, reducing the risk of operational disruptions that could leave organisations vulnerable to cyberattacks. Fujifilm's multifunction printers are designed with reliability in mind, minimising downtime and ensuring consistent performance. The company's innovative IReCT (Image Registration Control Technology) ensures crisp, clear images with minimal colour misregistration, further reducing the risk of disruptions. e Quality The print quality of the Apeos series is exceptional, far exceeding quality levels typically expected from office printing equipment – and much more in line with the quality expected from a professional production device. The series combines a print resolution of 1200 x 2400 dpi, with vibrant colour reproduction, and innovative image registration control technology (IReCT), which minimises colour mis-registration. These features not only enhance the quality of printed output but also make the machines much easier to use, contributing to the overall user experience. But quality isn't just about the output, it extends far beyond the stunning printouts. Fujifilm quality manufacturing and design ensures that every aspect of the device functions as well as it possibly can, from the hardware, to the software, to the user interface. The entire user experience is taken into account, from intuitive interfaces and seamless cloud connectivity to robust device management tools. r Sustainability Growing environmental awareness has made sustainability a key consideration for businesses. It’s not just about ticking a box, but about making business decisions that have a real, positive impact on the planet. The Apeos series incorporates energy-efficient technologies like IH fusing and LED printheads, which significantly reduce power consumption and lower the carbon footprint. Additionally, the use of biomass plastics further reduces the environmental impact of these devices. The use of Super EA-Eco toner further contributes to energy savings, reducing the overall carbon footprint of businesses. Fujifilm's printers also improve the workplace environment by reducing operational noise, creating a more pleasant and productive space for employees. Fujifilm’s dedication to sustainability is further evidenced by the company’s prestigious EcoVadis Platinum Medal, a recognition of its leadership in eco-friendly practices and its commitment to minimising the environmental impact of its operations and products. A Holistic Solution for the UK Office Market Fujifilm was one of the earliest pioneers of digital toner print technology. Building on that heritage of more than six decades, Fujifilm's four-pillar strategy offers a holistic and innovative solution to the complex challenges faced by UK businesses. By understanding the interconnectedness of security, reliability, quality, and sustainability, Fujifilm empowers organisations to protect their valuable assets, maintain operational efficiency, print work they are proud of, and contribute to a more sustainable future. With products now launched in the UK and Italy, and with launches in multiple other European countries anticipated in the coming months, Fujifilm’s commitment to building trust and delivering comprehensive solutions is set to resonate with businesses seeking to navigate the ever-changing business landscape. By combining its rich heritage with cutting-edge technology, Fujifilm is poised to become a trusted partner for organisations that prioritise security, reliability, quality and sustainability. Click here to learn more. Or contact: Gary Organ, Head of DT (Device Technology) UK gary.organ@ fujifilm.com COVER STORY
14 SWITCH-OFF 01732 759725 communications providers) put a temporary halt to the forced migration of vulnerable customers to digital lines while it implemented the Government’s Charter to protect vulnerable customers and helped set up, in January 2024, the Telecare Action Board (TAB) to identify telecare users and others who will need to be protected in the switch to digital. In April, BT’s Consumer division re-started forced migrations to its Digital Voice landline service, while continuing to offer and develop alternative options for vulnerable and landline-only customers who don’t have broadband or mobile connectivity. These include free battery units providing backup power so that phones can continue to operate in the event of a power cut; and a hybrid phone with a battery back-up and the ability to make calls over the mobile network. This autumn, BT will be introducing an interim landline service that will allow landlineonly customers to stay connected within telecoms in the last 30 years, but there has been very little official endorsement of it. “As a result, businesses tend to respond to it in one of four ways: some acknowledge that it's happening and are already on that digital journey (often prompted by channel partners); some have a degree of apathy and think December 2025 is a long way off and all they have to do to go from the old technology to the new is to flick a switch; a third group doesn’t believe it will ever happen; and, lastly, there are those who are living in ignorance and know nothing about it. This is where ‘promotion’ at an executive and commercial level is required to bring it front of mind. while they are moved off the PSTN. This ‘pre-digital phone line’ will give customers who don’t have broadband the ability to use their landline until 2030 or until a digital solution becomes available. This option will also be available to business customers with specialist connectivity requirements, such as alarms, lifts and emergency lines, ATMs and payment terminals. In fact, BT Business is urging business and public sector customers to register their interest in testing this product. One of the benefits of the switch-off delay for businesses is that it will give them more time to audit their comms estates and identify any ‘specialist connectivity requirements’ they might have, while enabling them to develop an All-IP comms strategy and secure additional funding that might be needed for new equipment. Here is how some leading providers of business communication have reacted to news of the delay. “The fact that there hasn't been any official, public acknowledgement of the switch-off is detrimental to UK business and is partly why there's an estimated 9.2 million PSTN assets still out there that need to be transferred. “A lot of those PSTN assets are invisible. Businesses may not realise they're there or they might take them for granted and not know what the underlying technology is. Often, these are critical services that need to be ‘on’ at all times, such as alarm systems, keyholder alerts and emergency phones in lifts. The physical job of transitioning such assets onto an IoT solution or some IP back service is going to be a challenge given that we BT Group has extended the deadline for moving all customers – consumers and businesses – off the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and onto digital landlines, from the end of 2025 to the end of January 2027. The delay, which effectively gives customers another year in which to make the move, has largely been welcomed by the comms industry. The switch-off campaign has been criticised for a lack of government engagement, low levels of awareness and a failure to meet the needs of vulnerable customers who rely on a landline, including 1.8 million users of telecare for remote support. Unlike the copper PSTN network, which incorporates a 48 volt DC signal that ensures continued operation during a power cut, modern digital equipment provides no such safeguard, potentially putting lives at risk. In December 2023, BT Consumer (and other Time to audit comms Julien Parven, Director of Partner Business, Daisy “I think the deferment of the final deadline was inevitable. I also think it is beneficial. “It was inevitable because there just hasn’t been executive sponsorship at a government level, even though the switch-off is an ideal vehicle for propelling us towards the government’s goal of a ‘superfast Britain’. “Cast your mind back to the analogue to digital TV switchover and the coverage and level of sponsorship that received. To my mind, the PSTN switch-off is of much greater significance. It is probably the single most significant event to have happened More time to act, not delay Leading business telephony and connectivity providers react to BT Group’s decision to delay the PSTN switch-off by a year Julien Parven Daisy
SWITCH-OFF 15 www.managedITmag.co.uk The cost factor Jamie Snaddon, EMEA MD, 8x8 “A lot of organisations will be delighted at the news of the PSTN delay. The reality is that time wasn’t the main factor here: it was cost. A lot of UK businesses are struggling in the current economic climate and having to find funding for a major digital transformation project like this was something that many didn’t have the capacity to deal with. Economic forecasts suggest that the UK will be in a slightly better place by 2026, which is when the revised switch-off date will need to be budgeted for – if, of course, BT stick to the 2027 deadline – and that may give companies a chance to budget appropriately instead of rushing into a solution.” ····· Take action now Dom Norton, Director, Spitfire “Our message to customers is unchanged. Although this revised date buys more time, the huge task to move to an all-IP future-proofed service remains. Customers should aim to take action now, as the announcement only provides a oneyear extension and we are still likely to experience resource bottlenecks as the months go by. Prices are likely to continue to increase for the old network services (analogue, ISDN and broadband), adding to the decent cost savings already available on all-IP voice and fibre broadband alternatives, not to mention other benefits including more flexible working.” ····· Valuable breathing space Dale Parkinson, Managing Director – Connectivity, Giacom “BT Group’s decision to extend the migration deadline to January 2027 should not be viewed as an opportunity to stand down, but as an opportunity to take action. This extension provides the industry with valuable breathing space to address challenges and ensure a smooth migration to replacement services for all users and use cases.” ····· A double-edge sword Andy Fung, Solutions Architect, Espria “The extension of the digital switch-off deadline to January 2027 provides a welcome reprieve for businesses that haven’t yet completed the move and could allow them to avoid potential disruptions caused by a backlog of users rushing to migrate by the 2025 deadline. However, this delay is a double-edged sword, in that many businesses who have yet to make the move might question the urgency of revised timelines, potentially leading to more confusion. Clear communication, especially from providers, will be key.” ····· Exchange turn offs continue Paul Wakefield, Head of Product Management, Product Solutions, Gamma “Gamma’s messaging has consistently been that this is biggest opportunity the industry has seen in a generation. This is about the Digital Switch ON, and we have invested heavily to promote this as anyone who has seen Morph and/or our involvement as a National Champion in the Fit to Switch Campaign (www.fittoswitch. co.uk) can see. “We cautiously welcome the announcement on the basis that it will provide more time for industry engagement to overcome market apathy; more comprehensive penetration of the full fibre footprint to support digital delivery; and greater opportunity to implement solutions where digital is challenging – specifically critical care. “That said, it is important to note that exchanges will continue to be turned off and that the new 2027 date is simply an extension of the ‘end of the line’.” are already in mid-2024. The deferment gives an opportunity for those assets to be properly looked at and understood. “I would strongly encourage people to sit down with their supplier and have a conversation about auditing their estate, which may have been in situ for 5, 10, 15 or 20 years, to properly understand whether assets in the estate are needed or whether they’re redundant but still being paid for. It's not a cost-saving exercise. It's about reinvesting money being spent on unused assets and becoming a digital business. “This process will give businesses a proper foundation for their ICT plans and an opportunity to look at how they adopt new technologies to create efficiencies, improve productivity and, ultimately, boost profitability. “Gaining a deep understanding of where a business is today and where it wants to be tomorrow is so important because there is no one-size-fits-all or take-it-or-leaveit solution. IP may not be the right solution for everything. In some instances, a resilient multi-tiered IoT service that naturally switches between the strongest available mobile network might be the best option. “I use a very cliched analogy that if you take your kids shopping for a new pair of trainers, you're not going to buy the same pair that you bought two years ago because they will have grown and developed different interests. That’s no different to what we're doing here – the services a business procured in the past probably won’t satisfy their needs moving forward. “The key thing is for businesses to have a proper engagement with their provider around where they expect their business to be in 3, 5, 10 years’ time and how to futureproof their technology to enable them to achieve those goals.” Jamie Snaddon 8x8 Dom Norton Spitfire Dale Parkinson Giacom Andy Fung Espria Paul Wakefield Gamma
binfo.co.ukRkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDUxNDM=