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Employees lose 10 million mobile devices a year
EE has launched a new security portfolio as it releases research showing that in the
last 12 months more than 10 million mobile devices holding sensitive business data
have been lost by employees in Britain.
The new Super Secure 4GEE portfolio gives businesses the tools they need to secure
access to company data e.g. emails, presentations and databases; business applications e.g.
SAP, Microsoft Office, Salesforce, LinkedIn; and content on any mobile device and all major
operating systems.
The portfolio includes built-in security for large and medium organisations and hosted
mobility tools provided by MobileIron Cloud for small and medium-sized businesses.
World’s smallest
wireless scanner
After WiFi and printers, scanners are the
technology most desired by mobile workers
(see story above), suggesting there is a
good market for Dacuda’s new PocketScan.
Described as the world’s smallest wireless
scanner, the portable device enables users to
scan items up to A3 in size by moving it across
the page. Content is assembled in real-time
and instantly transformed into editable text,
tables or images. The PocketScan connects to
any PC, Mac or iPad via Bluetooth/iBeacon.
It was launched on Kickstarter on June 16,
raising $15,000 in two hours.
Compensation culture leads
to calls for reform
Research by AXA Insurance reveals
overwhelming support for reform of the laws
governing workplace injury compensation
claims to counter the activities of claims
management companies (CMCs).
One in four SMEs surveyed by AXA have had
a claim from an employee or former employee
made against their Employers’ Liability Insurance
in the last five years. Most (84%) believe this to be
indicative of a compensation culture.
An increase in claims made, despite a fall in
the number of reported workplace accidents and
injuries, has led to a rise in insurance premiums for
50% of respondents.
Of the businesses surveyed, 84% support
proposals for claimants to go through alternative
dispute resolution before pursuing a legal claim
and 79% support making medical examination
standards tougher.
There is broad support for legislative changes
already carried out by the Government: 71%
support the ban on so-called ‘no win, no fee’ offers;
and 78% support the ban on referral fees for claims
management companies.
Commenting on AXA’s findings, Professor
Christopher Parsons of Cass Business School, warns
that premiums will continue to rise.
He said: “The AXA research suggests that there
is a perception among employers of the existence
of a compensation culture. It seems clear that the
upward trend in Employers’ Liability premiums is
likely to continue given the reductions over the
years in Industrial Injuries Scheme benefits, which
have increased the incentives to make Employers’
Liability claims against employers.
“Considering the increasing size of injury awards,
which have consistently outstripped both earnings
and general inflation, further rises in Employers’
Liability premiums seem likely even if accident
rates continue to fall, as Employers’ Liability claims
are more attractive to injured workers and are
easier to make.”
Coffee drinkers develop
taste for WiFi
Over a third (37%) of workers choose where to
have a coffee based on the availability of free
WiFi rather the quality of the tea or coffee,
according to a survey by Samsung.
WiFi topped the list of reasons to choose a
mobile working venue, cited by 60% of respondents.
The ability to print came second (24%). Yet, only
3% of the 101 coffee shops included in the survey
provide printers for customer use.
The survey also found that 42% would like to
see a dedicated area for mobile working as nearly
half (46.9%) are put off by noisy the atmosphere in
most venues. Despite this, only 8% of coffee shops
offer dedicated working areas.
Tablets wanted
Computer Aid International has
made its first national appeal for the
donation of tablets and handheld
computers to help strengthen the work
it does with disadvantaged groups in
developing countries and the UK.
The appeal builds on a major drive to
double the donation of PCs and laptops
it already receives from companies,
government and other supporters.
Computer Aid aims to reduce poverty
in over 100 countries by providing
refurbished ICT solutions to hospitals,
universities, schools and not-for-profit
organisations. Chief executive Keith
Sonnet said: “Unless we keep abreast of
technological innovation and provide
tablets and emerging technologies, the
digital divide will only widen.”
The charity has recently been
nominated for a BT Ingenious Award
in the Tech4Good Awards 2014 for the
solar-powered ZubaBox developed in
conjunction with the African Medical
Research Foundation (AMREF).
First established in Kakuma refugee
camp in Kenya and now used in 10 other
locations, the Zubabox internet hub
contains 11 monitors running from a
single base unit. Six solar panels on the
20ft shipping container provide 18 hours
of electricity per day.
agenda
New Samsung printers incorporate NFC
technology, which enables users to tap and
print, scan or fax from a mobile device. Users
can also print emails, photos and PDF files
anytime, anywhere with Google Cloud Print, also
accessible through the Samsung MobilePrint app.
