Having problems with your IT Provider?

Who are Project 6?  As you’re no doubt aware, a large proportion of ESP’s customer base are charities and other third sector organisations.  One of our longest customer relationships (and one of our favourites) is with Project 6 (previously Sheffield Alcohol Advisory Service and then Sheffield Alcohol Support Service and later becoming Project 6).  Project 6 provide support to individuals, families and communities in South & West Yorkshire, that are affected by some kind of substance use.

Here at ESP Projects our Support Team have exploring lots of different questions they get asked from our customers both new and existing. Today we explore “What is a VLAN?”. The short video below gives you chance to meet Scott Bishop from our support team who is going to explore this topic.

A VLAN, or Virtual Local Area Network, is a technology that allows network administrators to create multiple distinct network segments (virtual networks) within a single physical network infrastructure. Essentially, VLANs enable you to partition a network without requiring additional physical routers or switches. Here’s a breakdown of why VLANs are useful and how they work:

Missy aka #ESPDuck latest update…

OK, since we introduced you to Missy our #ESPDuck she has been extremely busy!!  She has been doing us (ESP Projects) proud and has represented us well over the last 12 months.  For those of you who have just joined Missy’s journey the link here explains what and who Missy is.  What is the #ESPDuck all about? (espprojects.co.uk) both Missy and the staff at ESP Projects in Sheffield have been working very hard. 

What is an IT Roadmap?  And why does my business need one?  Well, the simple answer is that it’s a plan.  A plan of how you intend to manage your IT Systems over the coming years.  A plan of how much you intend to spend on IT Systems and security over the coming years.  In ESP’s case, we use a 4-year roadmap that’s reviewed every 6 months.  The roadmap becomes an agreement, between you, the customer, and your IT Provider, as to how the IT Systems are going to develop within your business over the coming 4-year period.  It sets out some standard items, such as contract renewal dates, as well as replacement cycles for equipment such as PCs and Laptops.  It’s essentially a documented plan, based on best-practices for businesses, when it comes to their IT Systems. 

Here at ESP Projects in Sheffield we have been listening to the questions we get asked by our customers and we have chosen a few topics we are going to explore in more detail. One of the common questions we have been asked recently is, How do I avoid Phishing emails? In this blog we explore just that – So grab and coffee and have read.

OK, so you might be thinking “I have sorted this out already when I set my business up 5 years ago!” That’s great, but the truth is Firewall Security needs updating just like anything else that you have within your business. In this blog ESP Projects explore how important a Firewall Security Update is to your business. Firewall Security Updates are critically important to any business that relies on networked systems and data security. Firewalls act as the first line of defence against unauthorised access, cyberattacks, and other security threats, making them a cornerstone of network security.

Since the pandemic, employers around the world have needed to change. They’ve had to shift how their employees operate. Remote work is very much here to stay. Organisations and employees can both benefit from the work-from-home and hybrid work revolution.

Cost savings is a driver for supporting remote work. Employee morale and productivity also can be higher when employers grant this flexibility.

Ok, so lets look at security policies and the eventual demise of the password. I did something unusual (for me) the other day – I went out for a drink in Sheffield city centre. Why does that matter to you?  And why would I write about it here?  Well, it was while I was out mingling with actual real live people that a conversation arose about security and passwords (seriously, I’m an absolute blast when I am out on the town, honestly) and what the best policies are around passwords. It came to my attention that there are still a lot of people still following best practices from a decade ago…

What is the cost of aging IT hardware in my business? OK, so we all know that IT equipment costs money, and in a lot of cases, the IT hardware isn’t cheap when looking at the cost in isolation. However, there are many other things to consider when thinking about replacing aging IT hardware in your business. This article looks to look across the board at the impact of running old hardware in your business. The challenges associated with aging equipment include diminishing support, availability of replacement parts, and the frustration staff experience when using outdated technology. That impact can be on time, money or stress, but either way, it does have an impact. Read on to find out more about the cost of aging hardware to your business.