Print.IT Reseller - issue 85

BULLETIN SMBs turn to automation, digitisation and security A Xerox survey found that 80% of SMBs globally consider the ability to automate tasks and processes key to surviving the COVID-19 pandemic. 85% were more reliant than ever before on communication technologies, remote IT support and security hardware and software. Other key findings included: 82% say digitising paperwork is important to their survival; 75% are more reliant on workflow technologies, compared with pre-pandemic set ups; 88% view security software and hardware that protects business information as core to their longevity, with 75% likely to upgrade current solutions this year and 65% said remote IT support was a substantial pain point – with 74% likely to invest in better solutions this year. Survey respondents were optimistic: 64% anticipate emerging from the pandemic stronger. 81% acknowledge the health crisis has made them more reliant on technology – and they clearly see that reliance continuing in order to support and secure a distributed workforce. Compared to last year, 75% have increased their technology budgets by an average of 34%. www.xerox.com Directors look to hybrid working for the future An IoD survey of around 600 business leaders has shown that over 60% of organisations plan to adopt hybrid working even after restrictions ease. 63% of business leaders intend to shift towards one to four days of remote working per week. One in five are not planning to introduce any form of remote working, while just around one in ten are now looking to work from home entirely. The Institute also found that business leaders were split on whether working from home was more or less productive. Around four in ten said remote working was more productive, while a slightly smaller 37% felt it was less productive for their work. The mixed response suggests that the hybrid working model is likely to provide the optimum balance for business leaders as the economy reopens, although many employers are yet to determine how this will work in practice. www.iod.com Sights set on DX initiatives Over half of manufacturers have their sights set on digital transformation initiatives to enhance their operational performance, according to research from InfinityQS. The company’s 2021 annual customer satisfaction survey reveals that 52% of respondents have already, or are exploring the option of adopting a digital transformation initiative, with advanced analytics (24%) as their top priority. In addition to advanced analytics, the other most popular technologies on the priority list include Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and cloud computing. www.infinityqs.com Poor password hygiene Yubico research shows that since the start of the pandemic employees have been engaging in poor cybersecurity practices on work- issued devices, with business owners and C-level executives proving to be the worst culprits. At the same time, enterprises are falling short on cybersecurity best practices that need to be implemented for out-of-office environments. Less than a quarter of respondents admit to even implementing 2FA since the start of the pandemic and even then, many are using less secure and less user-friendly forms of 2FA like mobile authentication apps and SMS one-time passcodes. The report surveyed 3,006 employees, business owners, and C-suite executives at large organisations (250+ employees), who have worked from home and use work issued devices in the UK, France and Germany. In the UK, 42% of employees feel more vulnerable to cyber threats while working from home, with 39% feeling unsupported by IT; 62% have not completed cybersecurity training for remote work; 22% would use the same work email log-in again after a security breach, while 31% would share work email passwords; and 62% would rather have their work credentials than personal data stolen. www.yubico.com PRINTITRESELLER.UK 7 01732 75972 5 1680 We can buy your unused toners As a Managed Print Service provider, we understand how important it is to deliver the best value and performance to your customers. After all, your business is all about helping your customers to reduce costs, optimise efficiency and automate processes. Our dedicated team at The Jolly Savage work closely with many Managed Print Service businesses to handle their customers’ surplus toner stock; if you have unused toners that you are interested in selling, contact us today for a no obligation quote. Are you a Managed Print Service provider? 01462 60 50 50 · [email protected] · www.thejollysavage.co.uk The Convergent Technology Event for IT Resellers & Providers Business Design Centre · London · 28 September 2021 2021 REGISTER NOW www.technologylive.co.uk Main Sponsor