Digital Transformation: The Next Big IT Project

Research results show that almost 70% of businesses are integrating digital technology into all their operations, (digital transformation), as their top priority this year.

TechTarget’s IT Priorities survey involved 624 IT professionals. Whilst digital transformation will mean different actions to each business, it is clearly the main focus of IT attention and investment during 2019. Why? The results reveal the objectives involved:

1.     Streamlining operations, boosting internal efficiency and process management (47%)

2.     Improve employee performance and productivity (47%)

3.     Enhance customer experience and brand loyalty (43%)

4.     Enhance product or service innovation (40%)

5.     Addressing compliance and security requirements (36%)

6.     Accelerating time to market (28%)

7.     Enhanced customer insights (23%)

8.     Decreasing skills gap/acquiring new talent (19%)

Almost half of participants – 46% – have projects underway to achieve these aims.

TechTarget observes: “In last year’s survey, enhancing customers’ experiences was most frequently associated with digital transformation (48%) with improving worker productivity following at 43%. The shift in digital transformation drivers might be attributable to the realisation that to serve customers better, internal processes need to be tightened up first.”

IT Implementation Plans

Also revealed were the ways in which IT teams intend to achieve streamlining operations and improving productivity. Firstly, increased investment in technologies that improve employee experience and productivity is planned (39%). This is closely followed by increased use of cloud services (38%).

36% of participants intend to introduce environmental upgrades, modernising legacy applications and refreshing or upgrading on-premises IT infrastructure.

Paying for Digital Transformation

Most participants had additional budget to help pay for digital transformation. 55% of respondents expected a higher budget during this year whilst 8% would need to manage with less funding. The main focus of IT investment is security and risk management (44%), followed by cloud services (41%).

“As businesses expect more from their technology, it’s important that their systems and infrastructure can meet these operational needs,” explains Eric Hughes of EMH Technology. “Huge benefits exist for most businesses if they embrace digital transformation.”

The starting point? Have a no-obligation chat with the friendly team at EMH Technology. They’ll offer jargon-free advice about how digital transformation can help your business.

Interested in a career in IT?

At EMH we are always on the lookout for good people as they make a huge difference to our team and the service we give to our clients.

If you have experience in IT Support or Software Development and are looking for a new challenge please send your CV and covering letter to apply@emh.tech.

If you are a recruitment agent please do not call us about this.

IT Support: Are You Stuck?

It’s amazing how much we rely on our technology, especially at work. At EMH Technology, we offer friendly IT support. We cover everything from accessing your files on your phone to maintaining large servers. There’s one proven fact involved with supporting technology… there’s no such thing as a daft question. Please be reassured that:

1. You’ll speak with a real person, not an automated service, either by phone or our live chat service. (Our clients access support via our ‘iamstuck’ portal.)
2. Our team will discuss your IT problem in plain English, without technology jargon.
3. We will respond quickly and have the expertise to identify technology problems, resolving them and/or advising of any further action needed.

Whatever your IT problem, if you feel ‘stuck’ it’s ok to ask for help. There are a few basic checks to complete, after which it’s time to call for assistance.

Basic IT Support Checks

“My computer isn’t turning on…”

Firstly, check that the power cable is fully plugged into your machine and the wall socket. If you’re using a power strip, check to see if the circuit breaker has been tripped (this could be triggered by your computer or another device sharing the power strip). Also check to see if the power strip is properly plugged into the wall socket.

“My monitor display is distorted…”

This could be caused by a loose cable, magnetic interference from a nearby device (such as a fan or speaker) or bent/burnt pins within a video cable connection. These initial checks may resolve the distortion problem.

“I can’t send/receive emails…”

If your Internet connection is ok, check if your email server is encountering problems. Also, check to see if your email setting is ‘online’. People often turn emails to ‘offline’ when they need to concentrate on an important piece of work. It’s easy to forget to switch back to ‘online’ mode. If it’s a particular email that’s having trouble getting through it could be due to a file attachment that is too big for the system involved.

“I can’t access my files remotely…”

You need secure access to your company network or a cloud-based document management system. This is usually via a cloud service and allows you to find all your company files. If your company wants to support remote working, check the IT services involved.

“I’ve deleted a file by accident…”

If you back up your data you can usually access the most recently backed-up version. As well as having access to a backup solution we also recommend automated backup so your files are stored safely and securely.

“IT problems can feel very stressful, especially when they hinder deadlines or customer requirements,” says Eric Hughes of EMH Technology. “We aim to reassure clients that we’re here to help them and work to resolve their IT issues quickly.”

If you would like access to comprehensive IT support without any jargon, talk to the team at EMH Technology. We offer a range of IT support services from desktop support to cloud services, plus managed IT support. If you feel ‘stuck’, we’re here to help.

Who Owns Your Domain Name?

Your domain name is the address of your website. It’s heavily involved with your marketing and probably used for your organisation’s email addresses too. It is likely to have been brainstormed, researched and carefully chosen. But – do you actually own it?

The legal owner of a domain name is the person or organisation who is the domain’s registrant. Usually, domains have four contacts:

• Registrant/owner
• Admin
• Technical
• Billing

These contacts can be the same person or different people. If you are the registrant contact for your domain, you are the legal owner. It’s common for organisations to believe they own their domain names when actually they don’t. This can be problematic and expensive.

5 Domain Name Issues

1. Payment

Paying for the domain name and for domain name renewal is not the same as owning it. You need to be the registrant as well as the billing contact in this instance.

2. Hosting

Some hosting packages include domain name registration and renewal. The hosting provider’s details are often listed as the registrant and administrative contacts. The registrant details should be changed to show your organisation’s information.

3. IT Support

Many IT support companies help with registering domain names as part of their managed IT support service. “You can tap into this expertise and convenience while retaining ownership of your domain name,” explains Eric Hughes of EMH Technology.

4. Website Development

Most organisations outsource the development of their websites to access best practise and innovative technologies. Domains are typically registered by the agency involved. However, it is important the account details they enter are yours – not theirs – so the domain name is registered to your organisation. The agency can be the technical contact and you should be the registrant/owner.

5. Ex-Employees

It’s important to future-proof your account so your organisation has domain ownership and full access should the employee registering your domain leave your company. By ensuring that the organisation’s name and contact details appear within the account and registrant details, you should be aware of renewal requirements and be able to access your information… before your website and email stop working.

Next Steps

First, check who is listed as the registrant of your domain name. Online checkers are available, or you may be able to see these details by logging into your hosting account.

Next, update the registrant details if your organisation doesn’t already appear. You may be able to do this within your hosting account, or you may need to ask the current registrant to update the details. (This is probably your web agency or IT support company.)

Finally, should the current registrant be unhelpful, you may need to engage a dispute resolution service.

“Hopefully, updating the registration details can be achieved amicably,” says Eric. “Some unscrupulous companies charge a fee to release or update domain name details, especially as they know it can cost thousands of pounds to enter an official dispute resolution process.”

To find out more and discuss your domain name and IT support requirements, contact EMH Technology for a discussion without obligation… or IT jargon. We’re here to help.

Debunking The Myths of Cloud Computing

The terms “cloud storage” and “cloud computing” are widely used, however there is much misconception about what they actually involve.

Microsoft defines cloud computing as: “The delivery of computing services – servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, intelligence and more – over the Internet (‘the cloud‘) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources and economies of scale.”

The storage itself takes place in physical hardware, accessed via an internet connection. The name “cloud computing” was inspired by the cloud symbol that’s often used to represent the Internet in flowcharts and diagrams. (Read our earlier article about the business advantages of cloud storage.)

5 Myths of Cloud Computing

There are many misconceptions cloud computing and storage. Here is the reality involved:

Myth 1 – Security

Eric Hughes of EMH Technology explains: “With cloud computing, you enjoy three types of security: physical (data centres are secure), logical (firewalls, virus protection, etc.) and methodological (knowing approved users before data transmission). Properly securing data is the cloud service providers’ expertise.”

Myth 2 – Cost

The cost of cloud storage depends on several factors such as the amount of data you store, number of users and applications involved, plus your backup needs. A big advantage of cloud computing is that you pay only for the computing power you need. In addition, the cloud provider builds the cost of security and maintenance into their service.

Moving to cloud computing also removes the need for – and cost of – onsite data centres and their running costs. Eric advises: “Bear in mind that legacy code, internal dependencies and security contracts may mean that some software must remain on site (known as ‘on-prem’). Moving the majority of needs that work well in the cloud will free up time to focus on the remaining ‘on-prem’ requirements.”

Myth 3 – Control

Using cloud storage retains control over who accesses what data and how they can so this. Control over the data centre itself is lost, but so are the running costs and time associated with its support and maintenance. Cloud computing removes the need for many of these tasks, although some involvement with cloud computing is still required. “In the cloud, everything from the infrastructure layer upwards can be automated, but you’ll still need people with expertise and understanding to manage the tools involved,” says Eric.

Myth 4 – Difficulty

Many business owners and IT managers are concerned about the risk and productivity issues involved with cloud migration. Eric explains: “With the help of an experienced IT support provider you can migrate seamlessly with minimal downtime. It’s crucial to plan and schedule the transition to cause minimal disruption to business operations and to have the right support available throughout the process.”

Myth 5 – Environmental Harm

Concern exists about the environmental impact of cooling, lighting and maintaining huge data centres. A research study by WSP shows that: “Microsoft cloud is up to 93% more energy-efficient and can result in 98% lower carbon emissions than traditional enterprise data centres. Although the efficiency and carbon emission improvements vary depending upon the service being evaluated and the characteristics of the on-premises deployment, the study found significant energy efficiency and carbon emissions reduction in all cases considered.”

Microsoft is pioneering further environmental savings, installing a data centre on the seafloor near Scotland’s Orkney Islands in 2018. Using the sea as a natural way to help cool the hardware, this pioneering project will help “deliver lightning-quick cloud services to coastal cities.”

In Summary

“Migrating to the cloud requires more than simply plugging in technology,” says Eric. “It requires an ability to address a host of considerations – data migration, the business-specific capabilities of solutions, change management, governance, systems integration, security, and more. Once these issues have been addressed and the platform decided upon, businesses can enjoy huge benefits from cloud computing.”

If you are considering cloud storage or reviewing your cloud provision, talk to EMH Technology for a friendly, no-obligation discussion. Having debunked the myths, start to enjoy the magic of cloud computing.

Identifying Compromised Emails

Despite understanding how to create a strong password, many people use the same passwords for their home email as well as their work accounts. The same password is often used for other online accounts too – including banking.

Should your email become hacked, it has the potential to cause major problems for your organisation as well as for you as an individual.

What happens when your password is compromised?

Once compromised, hackers can use your password to access your contacts. By using the same password for home and work emails, the hackers can access both accounts. They send emails to your contacts or a list of their choosing.

Usually, a huge number of emails are involved. Content varies, causing inconvenience and a poor impression of you and/or your business as a minimum.

Hackers also use stolen email addresses to build profiles for identity theft and to capture additional information about you.

4 Signs that your email account has been hacked…

There are several key signs that someone – other than you – has accessed your email account:

1. Your password has been changed
2. Unfamiliar emails in your ‘sent’ box
3. Security messages about an unusual location/device accessing your account
4. Messages from your contacts (work or home) querying unusual emails that look like they have been sent by you

Once hackers have access to your account, they usually send a vast number of emails in a short period of time.

In addition, hackers can create rules to divert emails or delete them upon receipt. This means that unless you check your sent items, the hack may not be noticed for some time.

The sooner the hack is identified, the better.

Proactive alerting

Early notification of a hacked email account is the best way to minimise potential damage. EMH Technology is proud to use an internally-developed monitoring feature to identify compromised email accounts, fast.

The software looks at clients using Office 365 email and counts the number of email messages sent each hour.

We identify and report on the top senders and the number of emails via a secure Business Intelligence dashboard. Spikes in traffic are identified and should any unusual activity occur, we get in touch to check all is well. (The proactive alerting system doesn’t know who the recipients are or the subject or message content, so privacy is maintained.)

 

“One of our clients usually sends 20 to 30 email each day. Suddenly there was an overnight spike of 1,650 emails,” says Eric Hughes, founder of EMH Technology. “Both the timing and the volume were suspicious, so we called the client to inform them. Thankfully the spike was due to a legitimate invoice run. However, our client was grateful we had spotted the unusual pattern and checked it with them.”

Counteracting hackers…

Eric explains: “The best way to counteract hackers is to use two-factor authentication when logging into email accounts.”

This means that your identity is confirmed by asking for an additional piece of information beyond your password. This is often the answer to “something you have”, such as a code sent to your mobile phone. The strengths of this process are that the code is dynamically generated and that it is sent to you on a physical device, such as a key fob or a mobile phone, which you must have in your possession.

“Many of our clients use two-factor authentication where users enter a code as well as their password,” adds Eric. “A code can be generated by a mobile phone app or you could receive a text message.”

Peace of mind

Is your email system monitored for unusual activity?

Does your team use two-factor authentication?

Safe, secure technology is hugely important – to your business and its customers. Would you like to discuss your current system and explore options for improved security or proactive alerting? Contact EMH Technology for more detail without obligation. We’re here to help.

Technology Trends: What to Expect in 2019

During 2018, much of the technology news seemed to focus on data security. The Facebook/Cambridge Analytica scandal saw 87 million social media users’ details made available to the research agency without consent. Big businesses announced data breaches or miss-use, including Amazon, Uber and Marriott. Plus, the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) arrived in May 2018, affecting how business can capture, store and use EU citizens’ personal data.

With so many developments during 2018, what technology trends are forecast for the coming year? Here are some exciting predictions for 2019:

1. 5G Signal for Mobile Networks

5G is the new standard for mobile networks that promises increased broadband speed and reliability. According to The Daily Telegraph, EE will begin switching on its 5G signal in 16 cities in 2019, including London and Cardiff. Vodafone, Three and O2 have also announced plans to move over to the faster connection. To make the most of this technology you need a smartphone that can receive a 5G signal; these are planned for 2020.

2. Space Travel

Perhaps the most exciting tech potential for 2019 is the reality of passenger flights to space. Virgin Galactic’s recent trials were successful, with Sir Richard Branson talking of a March 2019 timescale for his first ‘commercial’ flight to space. SpaceX and Blue Origin join Virgin Galactic in the race to space tourism.

3. Smartphones

Several new technologies are predicted for smartphones this year:

• Samsung is expected to announce its folding smartphone – dubbed as either the Galaxy X, F or Fold. Google is said to be creating software to support the handset, hinting that the technology could find its way to other device makers, too.

• 3D sensors are coming to smartphones. Sony has started to push new, improved 3D sensors for better-than-ever face unlocking, plus more depth and new features. “Cameras revolutionized phones, and based on what I’ve seen, I have the same expectation for 3D,” says Yoshihara Satoshi, head of Sony’s sensor division.

• We will see more creative ways to disguise the infamous “notch” – the small indent at the top of a smartphone screen housing its front-facing cameras and sensors, reports The Week. Samsung and Huawei have kickstarted this latest smartphone trend with a new type of display that features a new style of selfie camera.

4. Automation

From convenient devices at home to industrial applications on a massive scale, automation will be a key focus of technological change in 2019. Core technical skills together with management and people skills being more important than ever. Does your team have the skills set needed to embrace the opportunities of technology?

6 Festive, Eco-Friendly Technology Tips

The festive season is wonderful but also has a huge impact on our environment. Technology can help ease the impact of Christmas on our planet and our wallets.

Here are our top tips for working with technology during the festive season:

1. LED Lighting – for Christmas and beyond

Christmas tree lights are switched on for an average of 10 hours a day over the festive period. Switching to LEDs is a quick and simple way to dramatically reduce your impact – during Christmas and usual business operations.

In a typical environment, commercial LED lighting will last 5-10 times longer than a traditional lighting while reducing energy consumption by 50-90%. You will also make significant savings in maintenance costs.

2. Cloud Computing

There are many business benefits to cloud computing, including complete flexibility and mobility. You can access data online from any location and on any device – perfect for a busy team displaced by Christmas travels. Cloud computing minimises the need to commute to a physical workspace. It’s a cost-saving and environmentally-friendly way of working.

3. Rechargeable Batteries

We think about battery life for Christmas presents and new devices – not always for our work environment. Whether it’s your wireless mouse or your smart screen controller, batteries are inevitably a part of everyday office life. Ensuring that your workplace uses rechargeable batteries conserves resources and can save money despite their initial cost.

4. VOIP Calls

VOIP is a technology which provides all your company telephone calls over an internet data connection rather than numerous analogue phone lines or ISDN. As many people travel during the festive season, VOIP enables greater flexibility for keeping touch from any location.

5. Green Gifting

How about these ideas for the tech-lover in your life?

• Energy-efficient computer monitor
• Smart power strips (that prevent power from going to electronics when they are plugged in and not switched on)
• Solar-powered battery pack (some are an all-in-one lantern, torch and power bank)
• E-Vouchers – saving delivery costs and emissions (plus people choose what they would like – no journeys to return unwanted gifts!)

6. Online Shopping

Whilst online shopping saves your own travel time and carbon emissions, shipping and deliveries can have a greater impact on the environment. Environmentally-minded technology company ITVET says: “More than a billion cards are delivered every year- that’s enough to stretch around the world five times. While Christmas cards are considered an unbreakable tradition, the environmental impact is an unnecessary use of resources and postal mileage. With the ability to add video and interactivity, e-cards can be as exciting as a handwritten greeting.”

In a recent survey:

• A third of young people chose to send virtual messages over a card.
• 20% of people admitted they won’t send a Christmas card this year at all
• 47% of young professionals will simply send a text to their friends and family
• 38% would choose social media

Although some may consider this the end of a tradition, online greetings are a big step towards an eco-friendly Christmas.

Eric Hughes of EMH Technology says: “There is still a considerable amount to do to develop environmentally friendly technologies. But it’s exciting to see the number of businesses which are proactive in trying to protect our environment.”

If you would like to discuss how technology can help your business to run more efficiently – for Christmas and beyond – call EMH Technology for a no-obligation discussion.

UK Technology: Mind The Skills Gap

A new survey has unveiled the current state of technology investment and skills within UK businesses. It also shows leaders’ views about the future of IT within the workplace.

The research involved UK workers within and outside of technology, plus business leaders (directors and chief executives).

The results, published by Computer Weekly, were very interesting…

Is Technology Taking Over?

86% of business leaders said there will be more technology requirements in the next three years, leading to more digital and technology jobs. They were confident that automation technology would help make employees more productive (69%). 76% of leaders thought that people would need to learn new skills in order to embrace technology advances.

There is an overall belief that IT advances in technology will be helpful for businesses, with a hesitancy amongst workers regarding how their role will be affected. The majority of office workers (67%) who do not work in a digital or technical role believe that automation will take over their role. Just over a third of business leaders (36%) share this view.

The big question is… does the UK workforce have the right technology skills to make the most of the technical opportunities available?

Investment In Technology

Participants cited three reasons for investing in technology:

• To improve business processes (67%)
• To enhance customer experience (65%)
• To enhance products and services (62%)

“It’s true that technology offers huge opportunities to businesses,” says Eric Hughes of EMH Technology. “From simply upgrading the equipment used to developing bespoke solutions to automate systems, technology can create more efficient processes helping both customers and employees.”

He adds: “Ultimately, technology can help to save time, boost sales and reduce costs. To achieve its potential, a training and support requirement is often needed. This ensures that technical developments are introduced smoothly and used effectively on an ongoing basis.”

The support required will vary according to the technology involved (hardware and/or desktop for example). The research shows the area of technology that businesses will invest in during the next year:

• Cloud (66%)
• Security (63%)
• Mobile (51%)

Most companies consider managed IT service provision to have a coordinated, consistent approach to all technology utilised within the business.

Skills for the Future

The research shows that the skills most required within the next six months are:

1. Programming
2. Project Management
3. App Development

Looking further ahead, business leaders also identify the skills they require over the next three years:

1. Big Data & Analytics
2. Cyber Security
3. AI/Automation

“Many business leaders are looking ahead and thinking about their IT and skills requirements,” says Eric. “Working with skilled and experienced IT professionals can establish systems more quickly and efficiently compared with starting from scratch internally. You can still achieve a bespoke solution, whilst enjoying the benefits and opportunities of leading technology quickly and with the relevant level of support.”

Are you thinking ahead?

To find out how IT can support your business goals, have a no-obligation chat with the friendly experts at EMH Technology. We’ll have all the skills you need – and none of the jargon you dread!