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Donna Aplin
In our tech-driven world, electronic devices have become indispensable. But with constant upgrades, what happens to the old gadgets? They tend to pile up and eat up storage space. But you can’t just throw them in the trash. E-waste poses a significant environmental threat if not disposed of responsibly.
E-waste is a term that refers to electronic devices that are no longer useful or wanted. These include things like:
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Donna Aplin
The global cost of a data breach last year was USD $4.45 million. This is an increase of 15% over three years. As we step into 2024, it’s crucial to be aware of emerging technology threats. Ones that could potentially disrupt and harm your business.
Technology is evolving at a rapid pace. It’s bringing new opportunities and challenges for businesses and individuals alike. Not all technology is benign. Some innovations can pose serious threats to our digital security, privacy, and safety.
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Donna Aplin
Technology is reshaping the world of work at an unprecedented pace. From artificial intelligence to web3, from the metaverse to the hybrid work model. We are witnessing a series of technological revolutions. They are transforming how we communicate, collaborate, create, and innovate.
Let’s explore some of the most impactful technology trends that are changing the way we work in 2024 and beyond.
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26
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Donna Aplin
Are you a small business owner or a freelancer who offers services online? If so, you might be wondering how to get paid by your customers in a fast and convenient way. You might have tried different payment platforms. But they often require you to switch between different apps or websites. This can be time-consuming and confusing.
There is now another option to streamline the payment process. Microsoft has launched the Teams Payments app. This is a new feature that allows you to request and receive payments from your customers. You do it within Microsoft Teams meetings.
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26
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Donna Aplin
These days, our lives are intricately woven into the digital fabric. From emails to photos, documents to apps, our devices store tons of information. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the sight of an endless inbox or app library.
As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time for a digital declutter. A clean and organised digital environment can help you improve your productivity. It also reduces stress. Here are some practical tips to help you declutter your digital space.
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26
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Donna Aplin
Cybersecurity has become paramount for businesses across the globe. As technology advances, so do the threats. Recognising this, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced new rules. They revolve around cybersecurity. These new requirements are set to significantly impact businesses.
These rules are a response to the growing sophistication of cyber threats. As well as the need for companies to safeguard their sensitive information.
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52
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Donna Aplin
In the age of smart living, our homes are becoming increasingly intelligent. They’re designed to cater to our every need. Smart gadgets are transforming how we turn on the lights, home security, and more. They even help us feed our pets from afar.
But with the rapid evolution of this technology, it’s crucial to make informed choices. To know what to adopt and what to avoid. Every smart technology isn’t as helpful as another.
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26
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Donna Aplin
Breached or stolen passwords are the bane of any organisation’s cybersecurity. Passwords cause over 80% of data breaches. Hackers get in using stolen, weak, or reused (and easily breached) passwords.
But passwords are a part of life. Technologies like biometrics or passkeys haven’t yet replaced them. We use them for websites, apps, and more. So, companies need a secure way to share passwords with employees. As well as help them manage those passwords more effectively.
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Donna Aplin
In the pulsating digital landscape, every click and keystroke echoes through cyberspace. The battle for data security rages on. Businesses stand as both guardians and targets. Unseen adversaries covet their digital assets.
To navigate this treacherous terrain takes a two-pronged approach. Businesses must arm themselves with a sophisticated arsenal of cybersecurity strategies. On one side, the vigilant guards of prevention (Left of Boom). On the other, the resilient bulwarks of recovery (Right of Boom).
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26
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Donna Aplin
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.
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Donna Aplin
There is no escaping the relentless march of AI. Software companies are rapidly incorporating it into many business tools. This includes tools like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and others.
Many people are still concerned about where AI will go. But there is no denying that it makes certain work more efficient. It can generate custom images on demand. Or write a company device policy draft in seconds.
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Jason Francis
What is an onsite server?
An onsite server is a traditional way to handle a business’ computer network, requiring a dedicated space within your office premises. It is a physical piece of hardware (kit) that sits on your business premises and provides services to the other computers on the network. Some examples of the things it ‘serves’ are File-sharing, Network Addressing, Virus Scanning & Print Services amongst other things. In many cases, you will end up with hardware that’s more powerful than what you require.
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Donna Aplin
The affordable meeting solution for SMB’s….In today’s fast-paced business world, it’s more important than ever to have a reliable and efficient collaboration platform. That’s where Microsoft Teams Essentials comes in. As a powerful collaboration tool, Teams Essentials offers businesses of all sizes a variety of features that help teams stay connected and productive, no matter where they’re working.
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Donna Aplin
In a world where technology constantly evolves, Microsoft stands at the forefront. It continues to pioneer innovations. Innovations that transform how we interact with our digital universe.
The fall Windows 11 update is a testament to Microsoft’s commitment to excellence. It’s more than just an upgrade. It’s a leap into the future of computing. Microsoft touts it as “The most personal Windows 11 experience.”
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Jason Francis
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.
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Donna Aplin
In today’s world, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. Businesses around the globe are increasingly embracing eco-friendly practices. This isn’t only for the positive impact on the environment. It’s also for the benefits they can bring to the bottom line.
Sustainable technology habits are not only about reducing your carbon footprint. They’re also about improving efficiency, cutting costs, and attracting environmentally conscious customers.
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Scott Bishop
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 know if my email is Dangerous?
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26
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Donna Aplin
Imagine you’re working away on your PC and see a Windows update prompt. Instead of ignoring it, you take action. After all, you want to keep your device safe. But when you install what you think is a legitimate update, you’re infected with ransomware.
That’s the nightmare caused by an emerging cybersecurity threat.
Cybercriminals are constantly devising new ways to infiltrate systems. They encrypt valuable data, leaving victims with difficult choices. Once ransomware infects your system, your PC is pretty useless. You either have to pay a ransom or get someone to remove the malware. As well as install a backup (if you have one!).
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26
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Donna Aplin
Smart homes have become a ubiquitous part of modern living. It doesn’t even seem unusual anymore to tell your refrigerator to add milk to the digital grocery list.
Smart homes offer unparalleled convenience and efficiency. You can control your lights and thermostat with a smartphone app. And have a virtual assistant like Alexa at your beck and call. But as we embrace the convenience, it’s essential to consider the potential risks. As well as take proactive steps to ensure that your smart home doesn’t turn against you.
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Sam Dack
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.
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