What is an SME to do for email in 2014?

By on April 15, 2014 in Blog, Cloud computing, Microsoft

What’s next for small businesses now that the Microsoft server software that bore their name has gone end-of-life?

When Microsoft announced the retirement of Small Business Server 2011, they were accused by some of removing choice and imposing their vision for cloud-based email solutions on millions of loyal customers. So what does the future hold for former SBS clients?

Since 1997, Microsoft had always offered a bundled email server product with every release of its small business solution and SMEs had grown used to this idea. But since the withdrawal last year of SBS 2011, which included Exchange 2010 as a core component, the landscape now looks quite different. Instead, Windows Server 2012 Essentials, which is the successor to the Small Business Server product line, contains no built-in email system at all.

[themecolor]Good reasons to consider the cloud[/themecolor]

So what should a small business do for emails in 2014? Well, one cost-effective solution, being actively encouraged by Microsoft, is to leave your file store onsite whilst moving email delivery into the cloud. Windows Server 2012 Essentials integrates perfectly with Microsoft’s own Office 365 if this is the route you wish to take.

Indeed, there are some good reasons a small business may consider moving its old on-premise email server solution to a public cloud offering. Organisations of any size who rely on a single broadband line and power to their office in order for their email system to function know they cannot compete with the resources of an online data centre.

What’s more, planning for disaster recovery, archiving and backing up can be very expensive with on-premise messaging solutions, so a cloud solution can reduce admin costs, ensure higher service availability and shift responsibility for uptime to your cloud provider.

[themecolor]Some companies will want to retain ‘control’[/themecolor]

But not everyone is comfortable working in the cloud. Privacy concerns or other legal requirements mean that some SMEs may wish to pay more for an on-premise solution.

For example, Exchange 2013 comes with sophisticated content filtering which can enhance the protection of your company’s confidential data. So a small business with strict compliance requirements may opt for Exchange with Windows Server 2012 Essentials rather than Office 365 mailboxes. Yes, it can do that too.

So who said Microsoft had removed all choices? Although please note 25 users is the maximum number currently supported by Windows Server 2012 Essentials.

If you wish to discuss your own server or email upgrade options please do not hesitate to contact us on 01293 871971.

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Is technology rewiring our brains?

By on April 15, 2014 in Blog, General, Mobile devices, New technology, Topical

There’s little doubt that technology has changed the ways in which people carry out everyday tasks. Modern IT systems mean businesses are more productive and people generally better connected than they were twenty years ago. What doesn’t get talked about so much, is the negative impact this progress may be having on our minds.

Is it too strong a statement to say that as technology evolves, infiltrating our daily lives, it rewires our brains and affects the way we function?

Well, experts warn of a number of modern syndromes that are challenging our ability to unwind. Below are descriptions of the top three conditions. Read them for yourself and decide how many symptoms you are exhibiting. You know what they say – admitting you have a problem is the first step in making a recovery.

[themecolor]The fear of missing out (FOMO)[/themecolor]

FOMO – the ‘fear of missing out’ – is a real concern for many these days. Everyone’s connected to the wider world, even when there’s not another human being for miles. Traditional media has provided this to an extent but not in the instantaneous way we’ve become used to over the last few years. It’s become so normal, in fact, that symptoms of anxiety and frustration are common among those whose limited battery lives force them to withdraw.

What’s more social media such as Instagram and Facebook lead us to question the validity of our own lives when we see a constant stream of pictures and videos showing friends and colleagues travelling the world and attending endless parties. Ten years ago, you may have felt unadventurous sitting at home on a Saturday night with a glass of wine and a good book. But modern technology compounds this paranoia. Even if all night raves are not really your thing, you’ll probably recognise that pang: “Should I be doing something more interesting than this?” That is FOMO.

[themecolor]The consumer that never sleeps[/themecolor]

With stimulation available every second of the day via modern mobile devices, it’s understandable that some people struggle to switch off when the time comes for rest.

For many people these days, it’s normal to fall asleep beside the glowing and humming of a laptop or tablet and this could be altering the way we sleep. Some scientists have even claimed that our internal body-clocks are being affected. What’s more, most business people awake to the sound of a smartphone these days, plunging them straight into a world of technology before they’ve even had a chance to speak to another person.

[themecolor]Phantom vibration syndrome[/themecolor]

Is that my phone ringing? It seems we are now hard-wired to assume people are calling us even when they are not. In a study published by the journal Computers and Human Behavior, researchers found that 89% of the undergraduates they polled reported feeling “phantom vibrations,” the physical sensation that their mobile was vibrating, even when it wasn’t, once every two weeks. A survey of hospital workers revealed similar results.

It has been suggested that physical sensations, like an itch, are now being misinterpreted by human brains as a vibrating mobile phone. Clearly something different is being triggered by our brains today than was being triggered before mobile phones existed. Evidence, some might argue, that technology is becoming an extension of the human body.

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Can you afford to ignore SIP?

By on April 15, 2014 in Blog, Telecoms and mobile data

[themecolor]With 75% of all call traffic now coming from IP-based products, are we witnessing the demise of ISDN?[/themecolor]

Traditionally business telephony services have been delivered mainly using either digital (ISDN) or analogue technology. It can safely be said that this is fast becoming a thing of the past – the technology is out of date and isn’t able to offer the flexibility needed for business today. So, it’s not surprising that newer technology such as SIP, which can be installed quicker and is easier to maintain, has become the preferred option. SIP which stands for Session Initiation Protocol, is the protocol for initiating an interactive user session using mult-media elements such as video, chat, gaming and virtual reality.

The benefits of SIP over ISDN can’t be ignored. It offers a highly flexible, cost-effective solution for your business. Compared to ISDN, SIP is cheaper on a per-channel basis and it’s more flexible in terms of how and where geographic telephone numbers can be used.

Telecoms watchdog Ofcom has published figures that support the terminal diagnosis for ISDN. The regulator says that while UK fixed/mobile telephony spending has remained almost static since 2007, the number of ISDN connections fell by 23% in the same period. Furthermore Ofcom says that the number of ISDN30 channels has dwindled by more than half a million in the last two years, prompting industry professionals to conclude that there will be a wholesale migration to SIP sooner than we think.

For further information about M2 Connect services, please get in touch on 01293 871971 or visit https://www.m2computing.co.uk/m2-connect

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Android tablet sales more than double in a year

By on March 13, 2014 in Blog, Miscellaneous, Mobile devices

The number of Android tablet users increased by 123 per cent between 2012 and 2013, according to new figures from Gartner.

The research firm’s latest report shows that 121 million devices were sold in 2013, compared to 53 million during the previous year.

This means that Google’s operating system now dominates the market. Despite Apple and its own iOS platform showing strong growth towards the end of last year, Android now has a 62 per cent market share.

Sales of iOS devices, such as the iPad and iPad Mini, reached 70 million in 2013, marking a rise of almost 15 per cent. The platform’s market share, however, fell from 53 per cent to 36 per cent.

The growth has been boosted significantly by an influx of low-end devices, with manufacturers like Samsung, Google and Lenovo releasing products to cater specifically for budget-restricted tech fans. The report also highlights the importance of emerging markets, with growth in this area alone recorded at 145 per cent in 2013. In comparison, mature markets showed growth of just 31 per cent.

[themecolor]Tablets a ‘mainstream phenomenon’ [/themecolor]

Gartner research director Roberta Cozza says that despite prices falling, capability is still important. She was quoted by bbc.co.uk as saying: “In 2013, tablets became a mainstream phenomenon, with a vast choice of Android-based tablets being within the budget of mainstream consumers while still offering adequate specifications.”

It’s important to note that Android runs on tablets from a range of manufacturers, while iOS is only available on Apple’s own devices. This could explain why the Californian firm still dominates the vendor market. Samsung follows in second, despite showing the most growth in 2013.

Ms Cozza went on to say that Microsoft has some work to do if it is to build on the relatively small share of the market that its tablets currently have. Devices such as the Surface running on the Windows operating system currently account for around 2 per cent of all sales.

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Google puts Pegman back on the map

By on March 13, 2014 in Blog, Internet, New technology, Tips & tricks

The new Google Maps has been making its way onto desktops around the world just as they said it would. Following a preview campaign by many members of the public that has been running since May last year, the search engine giant is extending availability with high hopes for its new version.

In a blog last month, VP of Google Maps, Brian McClendon, wrote that it is now even easier to plan your next trip, check live traffic conditions, discover what’s happening around town, and learn about a new area.

So here is a quick refresher on what to expect in the new Google Maps. McClendon listed the improvements as follows:

[themecolor]Make smarter decisions.[/themecolor] Simply search for “coffee” in your immediate area, and you’ll be able to see results and snippets right on the map. When you click on a cafe, the map will suggest related results that you may not have known about. Some may also be happy to know this features works for pubs and winebars.

[themecolor]Get where you’re going, faster.[/themecolor] Car? Bike? Train? Find the most efficient route for you, with your best options laid out on the map, including the time and distance for each route. And with the new real-time traffic reports and Street View previews, you’ll become a commuting ninja.

[themecolor]See the world from every angle.[/themecolor] Rich imagery takes you to notable landmarks, sends you flying above mountains in 3D, and gives you a sneak peek of businesses you plan to visit. The new “carousel” at the bottom of the map makes all this imagery easy to access, so you can explore the world with a click.

To the relief of many users, the new version of Google Maps has also reinstated Pegman after a brief disappearance. As with old Google Maps, this small orange character can be dragged onto a map to bring up the Street View.

McClendon warned that, as with any product upgrade, there may be some ‘bumps in the road’ and he invited user reaction and comment.

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Microsoft boosts cloud appeal with security updates

By on March 13, 2014 in Blog, Cloud computing, New technology, Security

Microsoft’s decision to extend the use of multifactor authentication will improve security for Office 365 users, the company claims.

The firm has announced that it is making two-step verification available, for free, to those who use the cloud-based productivity suite on certain enterprise plans.  The latest announcement will not, however, impact those with the suite’s consumer and small business editions.

[themecolor]How safe is my online data?[/themecolor]

It’s one of the most common causes for concern when it comes to cloud computing solutions, so this development should be welcomed by those worried about the security of the files they upload.

With multifactor authentication in place, users are required to provide more than just a basic password to gain access. In theory, the second step could involve the use of physical attributes such as retina scanning or fingerprints, although Microsoft is not expected to go this far.

Speaking about how users will be affected, product manager Paul Andrew said: “With multifactor authentication for Office 365, users are required to acknowledge a phone call, text message, or an app notification on their smartphone after correctly entering their password. Only after this second authentication factor has been satisfied can a user sign in.”

This isn’t the first time such techniques have been used with the hugely popular Office 365; users in administrative roles were first given access in June 2013.

The tech giant’s new focus on security will also impact users of Office 2013 client applications, with two-step verification support also expected for Word, PowerShell, PowerPoint, Excel, Lync and Outlook.

In a blog post published recently, Microsoft’s technical manager for the Office 365 team, Paul Andrew, said that OneDrive for Business, which is set to be launched before the end of the year, will also be supported. This is the enterprise edition of the company’s flagship file-hosting service, which until recently was known as SkyDrive.

Multifactor authentication will be made available for those on a number of Office 365 plans, including the midsize business, academic, enterprise and non-profit editions. Businesses using SharePoint Online and Exchange Online will also benefit.

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Router hijacks signal technological evolution

By on March 13, 2014 in Blog, Miscellaneous, Security

The fact that cyber criminals have started to attack internet gateways instead of actual machines shows how technology is evolving, according to one researcher. Steve Santorelli from internet security firm Team Cymru made the claims after his organisation discovered a sizeable network of infiltrated routers stretching right around the world.

More than 300,000 devices were found to be infected, most of which were being used in households and small business premises. This makes it one of the most significant discoveries of its kind, with devices from a variety of manufacturers affected.

Team Cymru said that while the compromised routers were first found in areas of Eastern Europe, the threat had become more prominent in other areas of the continent, with a number of victims also located in Vietnam.

[themecolor]Man-in-the-middle attack[/themecolor]

Once access had been gained, the devices’ internal security settings were changed to remove certain restrictions. The report’s authors explained: “Attackers are altering the DNS configuration on these devices in order to redirect victims DNS requests and subsequently replace the intended answers with IP addresses and domains controlled by the attackers, effectively conducting a Man-in-the-middle attack.”

In theory, this would give the attackers more control over the pages their victims are directed to. As yet, though, it’s not clear what the compromised routers will be used for.

While this is the first attack of its kind to be carried out on such a large scale, Mr Santorelli said that it is similar in some ways to another case discovered earlier this year. In February, a network of routers was hijacked by attackers who then sent victims to malicious websites. It is thought that the motive for this scheme was to steal login details from users’ online banking accounts.

Team Cymru said that it has contacted a number of internet service providers (ISPs) and has also been in touch with police about the findings.

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Moving your business forward with Windows

By on March 13, 2014 in Blog, Microsoft, New technology

By now you should know that Microsoft is ending support for Windows XP on April 8th. The software giant is well aware that this message has been reported on, blogged about and tweeted ad infinitum over recent months and is keen to begin pushing some more positive forward-looking advice to business owners as the deadline approaches.

In a blog post written by Peter K. Han, Microsoft vice president of U.S. OEM, he says he does not wish to repeat what we already know but, instead, talk about the benefits of using Windows 8.1.

Han commented: “If you’re a Microsoft partner, or an engaged business owner, it’s no surprise to you that Microsoft is ending its support for Windows XP on April 8. The topic has dominated technology and business publications over the past few months, and I’m not here to repeat what you already know. Instead, I’d like to focus on the real potential I’ve seen from saying goodbye to one of my favourite versions of Windows.”

[themecolor]XP was a game changer but the game has changed[/themecolor]

Han referred to Windows XP as a ‘game changer’ in its time, an operating system that enabled new opportunities for businesses and helped users really discover the potential of Windows.

But there is no place for nostalgia in IT – the industry moves too quickly for that – and Han says that Windows 8.1 offers an opportunity to embrace that change.

So with smartphones now accounting for more than 50 percent of mobile phones and consumers changing their behaviour thanks to new products and services such as tablets and cloud computing, what benefits could a modern operating system bring to your business? Han identified the four key areas below.

[themecolor]Ways your business could benefit from Windows 8.1[/themecolor]

imageMobility

Windows 8.1 is just as happy running on a tablet as a desktop and Microsoft’s latest operating system was designed to maximize the new mobile and touch-focused computing world. So it provides users with the ability to work wherever, whenever and with any type of device, which is not the case with Windows XP.

Efficiency

Windows 8.1 is designed for speed and productivity. With a faster boot time, improved search and multi-tasking capabilities, cloud-based integration and enhanced multi-monitor support, your employees will find it easier to complete their daily tasks; while upgraded device management capabilities will have your IT administrator singing your praises.

Security

Use of the internet was not as widespread when Windows XP was in its infancy and, as hackers and cyber criminals have become more prevalent, new hardware and technologies have evolved to help protect your business. Windows 8.1 Pro is specially designed to take advantage of these new capabilities.

Remote access

Whether it’s an unexpected call from a client while you’re out of the office or an unexpected emergency, Windows 8.1 Pro enables users to create a Remote Desktop Connection to the PC enabling the user to connect from any internet-connected device in the world.

[themecolor]XP is dead. Long live Windows 8.1.[/themecolor]

Maybe Han has a point. As he concludes in his blog: “Change is not always easy, but upgrading to a modern operating system will ensure your business is best prepared for the changing landscape of how business is done in today’s digital world.”

Now this really is the final call for all users of XP to contact us in order to discuss their upgrade options. Windows 8.1 is not your only choice, but you do need to act quickly to avoid the potential threat of security breaches and incompatibilities that await you down the line.

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M2 Welcomes Paul Kollnig

By on March 13, 2014 in Blog, Company news, General

[themecolor]We are pleased to announce the new arrival of Paul Kollnig starting at M2 Computing this month.[/themecolor]

Paul joins us as a Business Development Manager to focus on new opportunities to grow the business.

Paul has a strong sales background in the IT industry and is passionate about following new technology trends. Outside of the office Paul spends his time at the gym, travels the globe and has a fondness of Single Malt Whiskey.

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