#WednesdayWisdom

"I think it's fair to say that computers have become the most empowering tool we've ever created. They're tools of communication, they're tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user."
- Bill Gates.

Indeed, computing and communications are the cornerstones of your business. And now thanks to 360ict, you can keep them reliable and effective with hassle-free, managed IT support and services to suit your needs wherever you are in Kent and London, so that you can get on with running your company.

Call us today and speak to one of our London based team on 020 8663 4000.

Helping Businesses in Bromley

If you own a small to medium-sized company in the London Borough of Bromley and need help with your IT infrastructure then 360ict can help.

We can support your IT department to suit your needs, whether that's hosting your services in the cloud, or proactively monitoring and maintaining your software to implement digital security, backup recovery and hardware requirements.

From a complete end-to-end service provision to a modular approach,we can offer all of the additional resources and support your needs whatever your budget.

For more information visit our site: http://bit.ly/28Rajlw

Cloud & DevOps World - Day 2

If you're not there already - you should be following ‪#‎CloudDevOps‬ on Twitter.

Cloud & DevOps World brings together the industry’s leading technologists and innovators to discuss the future of Cloud Computing. As well as talks, there are also demos and technical clinics.

Last year Forbes estimated that the Cloud infrastructure market could be worth upwards of $43 billion, demonstrating colossal growth over the next three years.

Cloud Computing is now a way of life for business - if you want to know how it can drive new opportunities for your organization, get in touch with one of the team on 0208 663 4000.

Helping Tomorrow's Workforce Today

Last week MPs warned urgent action is needed to deal with the UK's digital skills crisis or it risks damaging the country's productivity and competitiveness.

It is believed that 12.6 million adults lack basic digital skills, while 5.8 million have never used the internet at all, and with 90% of jobs requiring digital skills to some degree it’s a worrying statistic.

360ict believes that there is no place for digital exclusion in the world that we live in today and are extremely proactive as a company in helping to ensure tomorrow's workforce is leaving school or university with the digital skills that employers need.

“We have an active approach to work experience and apprenticeships here at 360ict, and have in fact recently offered one placement for the summer,” says Director Roy Charles, who a few years ago was summoned by David Blunkett to chair the South London Learning and Skills Council as a direct result of the press coverage they were getting on their unique apprenticeship scheme.

He was also part of the London Employer Coalition (LEC) – a group of business leaders from the capital’s main employment sectors who use their expertise and influence to address employment and skills issues within the city.

If you would like to find out more about the opportunities available at 360ict then get in contact 020 8663 4000.

Broadband Speeds Are Slower Than Advertised: Are you Paying for a "Fast Speed"?

Image credit: Besutilities Blog

A group of 50MPs have said that the way broadband speeds are advertised is misleading and should be changed. 

It's hard to miss internet providers' broadband adverts that showcase super fast speeds at a low costs, however only 10% of customers can obtain the fastest advertised speed. The British Infrastructure Group want greater powers to enable consumers and businesses to hold providers to account. 

The Advertising Standards Authority, who deal with all advertising complains, are aware of the concerns and would consider taking further action they said in a recent statement. 

The British Infrastructure Group said in a statement: "Our position on broadband speed claims in ads is based on extensive work undertaken in recent years, including a full public consultation on new guidance."

The group was set up by former Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps, who said consumers had "very few rights and protections" they can turn to if they are poorly treated by their internet service provider.

"Consumers must be given the power to hold their internet service provider to account when they let them down or outright mislead them into signing a contract that makes promises that bear no resemblance to the later reality. Consumers also need the power to leave contracts if they are found to have been misled."

It was found that other industries are forced to compensate customers for errors, including airlines and banks, and there's no reason why internet providers should be exempt. 

The group highlighted that there was no minimum level of compensation if customers received a poor service. Ofcom has asked fixed-line internet service providers to sign up to a voluntary code of practice, which requires them to provide consumers with more information and advice on maximum broadband speeds - but the key work is voluntary. It will be interesting to see if the British Infrastructure Group can turn that into a mandatory sign-up.

Are you are business own who feels that you're not getting the best broadband deal? Get in touch with 360ict to enjoy reliable, effective email and internet connectivity with secure cloud server rental available to give you 24-hour access and uptime.

360ict provides managed IT services and support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Croydon and Bromley. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website. 

Safe Harbour - What It Means For Tech Companies

Image credit: LinkedIn

What is Safe Harbour?

In 2000 an agreement called Safe Harbour came into force in the EU that prohibited citizens' personal data from being sent to places that don't have proper privacy protections. It was decided that American firms could self-certify that data being sent to their data centres would be properly protected, so that transfers to the US wouldn't be slowed down. 

What went wrong with Safe Harbour?

Everyone has heard of the whistleblower Edward Snowden, well in 2013 he leaked documents outlining the US security services' cyber-spying operations, which caused outrage throughout the world. Privacy campaigners have now been questioning what data sites like Facebook have been sharing with the NSA. However, up until recently there was no way of knowing as they were protected under the Safe Harbour agreement. But that's all about to change….Last October a court ruled that national data watchdogs need to review all transfers of data on an individual basis, but an agreement needed to be made with the US first.

What does this mean for tech companies?

Since October Europe and the US have been in negotiations regarding a new data transfer act and were meant to reach an agreement by January 31, however just when they looked like they were no closer to making a compromise, they formed the "EU-US Privacy Shield". Tech companies must be relieved as EU regulators were on the verge of enforcing a data transfer clampdown if an agreement hasn't been made soon. 

The new EU-US Privacy Shield, which will still allows the easy transfer of EU citizens' data, come with promises of better privacy protections from the US. Essentially, Europe is making the US abide by the same data protection standards found in the EU. Tech companies will also face regular compliance checks to ensure that they are still following the deal's rules.

Andrus Ansip, European commissioner for the digital single market said: “We have agreed with our US partners a new framework that will ensure the right checks and balances for our citizens.”

Vera Jourova, European commissioner for justice, said: “For the first time ever, the US has given the EU binding assurances that the access of public authorities for national security purposes will be subject to clear limitations, safeguards and oversight mechanisms.”

Are you still reluctant to share personal data? Let us know your thoughts! 

360ict provides managed IT services and support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Croydon and Bromley. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website. 

Minister Outlines 5-Year Digital Plan for the UK

Image Credit: Digital Catapult Centre

Ed Vaizey has proposed many schemes to make the UK a "tech nation" including driverless buses and virtual reality teaching by Nobel laureates.

The Government's strategy for innovation in digital technology will take place over the next five years and all departments "across government" will be included. Speaking to the Times Ed Vaizey said:  "We want the UK to be synonymous with digital, a place where technology transforms day-to-day life.

"The potential impact is profound. It might mean that the best educators from around the world are made accessible to all - with virtual reality sets bringing Nobel laureates into the classroom. That we can build better houses, faster. That more power is given to to the patient, and the care we provide for our elderly and sick is improved and made more affordable.

"That we use driverless robotic buses in rural communities or help people to find parking places using GPS technology.

"When people want to start a digital business, trial new ways of working or invest in cutting-edge technology, we want them to choose the UK. This revolution is here to stay, and the UK as the 'Tech Nation' is the future we want to build."

Taking inspiration from London's Tech City, which is located in Shoreditch, the plan will seek to expand on it's success.

Self-driving cars have already been tested in the Greenwich, Milton Keynes and Coventry, but it remains to be seen when/if the tests will turn into workable options of the country's transport systems. 

360ict provides managed IT services and support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Croydon and Bromley. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website. 

All I Want for Christmas is…. Faster Broadband

Image credit: The Inquirer

Ofcom, the UK's communications watchdog, have released a Wi-Fi checker application that can help broadband customers keep their Wi-Fi running at high speeds at home and in the office. The app, which works by sampling wireless signals to see if data is flowing without interruption, provides tips to help people spot what's slowing down their internet. 

The Wi-Fi can be slowed down by anything: from lamps and kitchen equipment to baby monitors, you name it and it could affect it. However it may surprise you that the number one item that's slowing down everyones Wi-Fi this Christmas is fairy lights. BUT if your router is far enough away from the electronics and up high, your Wi-Fi may remain unhindered. 

Ofcom's report suggests that the Wi-Fi in nearly six million homes and offices are not running as fast as it could be. It also said that 27% of homes in the UK have broadband connections with download speeds of at least 30Mbps, however, rural areas are still lagging behind, with only every 4 in 10 having decent connection speeds. Ofcom said:

"Ofcom has identified challenges in improving coverage across the UK. Around 8 per cent of UK homes – around 2.4 million – are currently unable to receive broadband speeds of 10 Mbit/s or above.

This jumps to around half (48 per cent, or 1.5 million) in rural areas, where speeds are often affected by premises lying further from the network’s local street cabinet or local telephone exchange."

Small businesses are also struggling to gain high-speed broadband connections. Around 130,000 SMEs are persevering on download speeds of below 10Mbit/s, according to Ofcom.

Are you struggling with your broadband? Maybe it’s time to upgrade your company’s communication systems. Communication technologies can be complex, but broadband internet gives you high-value, low-cost options if the right package is successfully installed and maintained, get in touch with 360ict today for more information.

360ict provides managed IT services and support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Croydon and Bromley. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.

Why India Invests in the UK

Image Credit: Indian Express

A few weeks ago China’s President made a visit to the UK to discuss the improvement of trade between the two countries, and now India’s Prime Minister, Mr Modi, has met with David Cameron to discuss bilateral deals worth around £10 billion. Is Mr Cameron making a point that the UK would be better off outside of the EU, where these kinds of deals would be much easier to accomplish without all the EU red tape? 

Mr Cameron believes that these are countries with whom Britain should do far more business, but with previous plans, like doubling trade with India between 2010 and 2015, failing, what makes this trip any different?

India is emerging as the strongest economy out of the Bric nations, Brazil, Russia, India and China,  and is growing at 7% per year. 

Earlier this year the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) released a report confirming that India is now the third-largest source of foreign direct investment into the UK, which increased to 64% in 2014. The UK India Business Council estimated that the total value of Indian investment in the UK totalled at £1.89 billion by the end of 2014s financial year, and 110,000 people are now employed by Indian companies. 

Talking to the BBC, Alpesh Patel of Praefinium Partners, said “that the ease of doing business in the UK, as well as the English language and familiarity with UK institutions, also makes the UK an attractive proposition for Indian investors.” But this works both ways, by 2015 the UK had invested £14.5 billion in India according to CBI, making the UK the largest foreign investor.  

With Mr Modi’s trip dubbed a success, more investment in the UK can only be a good thing. But should UK based companies now look outside of the EU, to countries like India, if they want to grow their business internationally?

What to expect from Theresa May’s new Surveillance Bill AKA Spy Bill

Image credit: Tech Week Europe

Yesterday Home Secretary Theresa May revealed her plans to fight crime and terror through a new surveillance law. The law will track the internet activity of everyone in the UK and all data will be stored for at least a year by service providers. This will allow the police and intelligence officers to check what sites people have visited anytime and without a warrant.

This bill will bring Britain in to the “digital age” according to May, as it will make “provision for the retention of internet connection records (ICRs) in order for law enforcement to identify the communications service to which a device has connected. This will restore capabilities that have been lost as a result of changes in the way people communicate.”

May hopes to bring together all the powers already available to law enforcements and intelligence agencies to obtain communications. This will also allow the state to hack devices and run operations to sweep up large amounts of data through the internet. This is the exact activity that was uncovered by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

So other than keeping a log of everyones browser activities, what else can we expect from the controversial Spy Bill:

• A panel of judges will have the power to block spying operations
• It will be a criminal offence to “knowingly or recklessly obtaining communications data from a telecommunications operator without lawful authority”
• Local councils will retain some investigatory powers
• The Wilson doctrine - preventing surveillance of Parliamentarians' communications - to be written into law
• Journalistic sources can’t be accessed without authorisation of a judge
• UK companies will be expected to help agencies hack devices and acquire information

Some have hailed the bill as a necessity to protect against crime, but others have warned about the unforgivable intrusion on the UK citizens personal information. Where do you stand?

Will Russia Commit The Ultimate Hack?

Image credit: Gizmodo

Russia’s relationship with the rest of the Western world has been tense for quite a long time and recently they’ve done nothing easy concerns. A report from the New York Times states that Russia could be developing plans to sever key internet communications, which has sparked fresh worries and unrest throughout Europe and North America. 

The article reports that there has been a spike in Russian naval activity near the locations of undersea cables. Various military sources are concerned that Russia could sever these connections in future wars. The cables are vital to the internet’s daily running and carry huge amounts of data between continents. 

There are many thousands of miles of these cables under the world’s ocean, some in incredibly hard to reach areas. Would this be the ultimate hack? Is it even possible to bring down a country’s internet communications? 

Speaking to the BBC, Keir Giles from think tank Chatham House said “I very much doubt that anyone would think of cutting off the US. It is only going to work in locations where the internet geography is going to create a vulnerability in communications.” There are simply too many connections going in and out of the US to bring down the country’s entire system, however Mr Giles added that there are parts of the world where Russia could be successful.

There has been no evidence so far of any cable cutting, but there is major concern that Russia plans to halt internet communications in the future knowing that the West’s governments, economies and citizens are dependent on it. 

360ict provides managed IT services and support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Croydon and Bromley. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.

Yet another cyber attack hits the headlines, this time TalkTalk are on the chopping block

Image credit: BT

It has been quiet on the cyber attack front over the last few weeks, but we knew that was too good to be true. The hackers are back and this time they’ve taken no prisoners, they have accessed the personal information of around 4 million TalkTalk customers.

The cyber attack, which took place on Wednesday, was a “significant and sustained” attack on TalkTalk’s website, and as result a criminal investigation has now been launched by the Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime Unit.

The company admits that there is a chance that not only names, home addresses and dates of birth have been accessed, but also phone numbers, email addresses, back account information and credit card numbers could be the in the hands of the hackers.

Talking to the media last night, TalkTalk CEO Dido Harding said the company “constantly updates its systems” against the “rapidly evolving threat of cyber crime.” However, this isn’t the first attack on TalkTalk, they have had a few security scares over the last year but this is the first attack to do some serious damage.

If you’re a TalkTalk customer it’s good to know that TV, broadband, mobile and phone services were not affected, but the attack will have had a major impact on the company as a whole. Stock prices are already down 10% and it’s going to be really difficult for TalkTalk to restore it’s dented reputation.

Ms Harding added: "It's too early to know exactly what data has been attacked and what has been stolen.”
"Potentially it could affect all of our customers, which is why we are contacting them all by email and we will also write to them as well.”

It’s going to be a long hard slog to reassure customers that they can provide a secure and robust system. These next few days will prove crucial for the company if they hope to make a comeback from one of the worst cyber crimes to ever hit the UK.

360ict provides managed IT services and support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Croydon and Bromley. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.

Microsoft Unveils Enterprise Class Devices

Image credit: The Next Web

Last week Microsoft unveiled the new Surface tablet and Surface Book, a high-end hybrid laptop, aimed at being the only devices professionals need at work and home. 

Microsoft says that both devices have enough battery life to last the working day, are thin and light with high specs and a sleek finish. Microsoft also boasts that the new Surface devices are up to 50% faster than the MacBook Air and Pro.

We like many of the new improvements including a screen that has very precise detection of touch with pen input. The Surface Book is a powerful machine with an Intel Core i7 processor, Nvidia GeForce graphics card and the screen can be detached so it can used as a tablet or flipped so it sits on top of the keyboard.

The Surface Pro 4 will be the first to run Windows 10, which will include Windows Hello and MDM support. According to Principal analyst from Ovum, Richard Edwards, these additions should appeals to enterprises’ need to simplify management and security.

With flexi working slowly becoming the norm, Microsoft is hoping that these machines will appeal to professionals who want to use a device in and outside the office. 

Edwards says Microsoft is looking to "displace the MacBook Air, which it sees as the target device favoured by the young and trendy people who like to be super mobile but still want that laptop experience".

Gartner research director Roberta Cozza highlights that capturing this market is essential if the Surface is to gain popularity within business. Enterprises are starting to listen to their staff on what devices to purchase, especially when they’re to be used at home as well and in the office. 

"They are building a portfolio that many professional users will like," she said.

360ict provides managed IT services and support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Croydon and Bromley. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.

6 Ways To Keep Your Company's Data Secure

Image via UK Security Jobs

Over the last few years the media has regularly reported on high-profile data breaches, with cheating site Ashley Madison - where the personal details of around 32 million members were leaked - being the latest company in the limelight. The loss of data has had a major impact on big corporations from financial to breach of trust. However, it’s not just the big companies that get targeted, SMEs are too. In the US last year a staggering $3.5 million losses were recorded from an average data breach. 

This week protection specialist Bit9 + Carbon Black released a survey showing that consumers in Britain are increasingly concerned that there are many data breaches companies have yet to discover. The researchers found that high-profiled security breaches have led to increased fear among the public, with 81% of people worrying that cyber criminals might've already stolen their data without anyone noticing. 

But you can put your customers minds at rest by adopting these six practices from 360ict:

- Stay up-to-date with software, data security news and internal reports

Updating all the software you use daily is essential to keeping your business secure. This includes operating systems and anti-virus software. 

- Create and follow suitable security and backup procedures

Security and backup procedures differ for each company, it’s always worth talking to a risk management expert. 

- Monitor security hazards, regulation and compliance

- Track your digital data

It’s important to understand what data is business-critical or sensitive and what isn’t. You must track this data and identify how it’s used and where it’s stored.

- Manage access to onsite data and protect data taken offsite

One of the main security hazards we face at the moment is the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). Locking down your data on the move has always been important but now companies need to control data on employees devices and accounts as well as on storage platforms. Picking the correct storage platform is also essential, with many companies opting for the cloud.

- Correctly dispose of data, documents, and equipment that stores data

360ict provides managed IT services and support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Croydon and Bromley. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website. 

Which Political Party Offers The Most Support For SMES?

Image Source: Mark Pack

When it comes to the political divide there’s one thing that all entrepreneurs and SMEs can agree on: extra government support is needed. 

The Entrepreneurs Network recently carried out an annual poll of 100 MPs, which shows that Labour and Conservative MPs have very different views on how best to support British entrepreneurs and SMEs.

Growth Business highlighted the key findings from the report:

• ‘It suggests almost two-thirds (63%) of Labour MPs believe increasing grants and loans for entrepreneurs would be the best way to support them’
• Among Conservative MPs, ‘a regime of tax cuts, including slashing business rates and corporate tax, is the most popular policy for driving entrepreneurial growth. Almost all (89%) from the ruling party are in favour of this approach’
• ‘The issue that splits the house more than any other is the potential impact of the UK leaving the EU – or Brexit. More than half (58%) of Conservative MPs believe that this would be a positive move for entrepreneurs – whereas only 1% of Labour MPs feel the same way’

MPs Are Vocal

• Growth Business quotes the Entrepreneurs Network Director Philip Salter as saying he was encouraged to see that 'MPs are increasingly vocal about supporting Britain’s entrepreneurs’
• ‘But he added he found MPs respective view on the EU the most enlightening – especially Labour MPs’ strong support for the EU.’

Ill-Informed About Current Programmes

Growth Business says both sides seem equally poorly informed about current support structures

• ‘More than one-third of Conservative MPs (38%) have not heard of the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). And a further 18% don’t feel they know enough’ to comment
• Labour MPs, despite presenting as broadly supportive of introducing more grants and loans, are ‘also similarly ignorant of current government programmes. More than half (61%) were not aware of Innovate UK – a series of competitions in which £536m of government money is up for grabs’

See the full piece on Growth Business.

360ict provides managed IT services and emergency IT support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Bromley and Croydon. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.

Will The Apprenticeship Levy Benefit SMEs?

Image source: www.tracweb.co.uk

The UK government is still 100% committed to the planned apprenticeship levy, despite concerns from business leaders, David Cameron said this week.

The Prime Minister has said the levy will help create 3 million apprenticeships across the country and will make larger employers contribute funding to apprenticeship training. 

A new series of industry standards will be introduced for apprenticeships in a varied range of professions from IT, engineering and transport to fashion. 

However, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has voiced concerns that it would not deliver the skilled youth businesses would want, and it would do very little to help SMEs. 

CBI said: "With an apprenticeship levy for larger employers set to be introduced following the Budget, the CBI is concerned that while it may fund more apprenticeships to meet the Government's target of three million, it will not deliver the high-quality, business-relevant training needed, and do little to help small or medium-sized businesses.”

David Cameron responded: "The greatest asset any employer has is their workforce. And by investing in them, they are investing in the success and future of their business. As a One Nation Government, we are committed to supporting three million quality apprenticeships over the next five years - to help strengthen our economy, deliver the skills that employers need and give millions more hard-working people financial security and a brighter future.”

The government has set an extremely high target to reach. Should they focus on creating quality apprenticeships over volume? Would the scheme be more likely to benefit small businesses if this were the case? 

360ict provides managed IT services and emergency IT support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Bromley and Croydon. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.

Are SMEs Doing Enough To Market Their Business Online?

Image source: Jerrard Wayne

A new survey conducted by ReachLocal in the UK has revealed that 55% of small businesses, believe that not enough is being done to market their business online. 

The survey polls UK SMEs from a wide range of industries and it explores how they feel about online marketing and managing the enquiries they receive. 

54% stated that they are not sure which marketing tactics are delivering a return for their business and 23% spend their money on the marketing initiatives that they think are successful, even if there is little evidence to back up their success. 

The survey also reveals that 31-35% of email or website enquiries are not responded to in less than an hour, a staggering figure that could cost small businesses a lot of money.

Paul Liascos, UK managing director for ReachLocal, said: “Online marketing can be highly effective, but it’s wasted money if you can't respond quickly to the enquiries generated. The whole marketing and buying cycle has to work well to ensure that companies do not leak leads.”

A Harvard Business Review study found that 50% of customers choose to do business with the company that responds to them first, and according to a researcher from Portsmouth Business School, small businesses are also lacking in social media marketing, even though they are more likely to be striking the right personal tone in comparison to big corporations. 

How do you feel about your online marketing strategies? Do you think there’s more that you could be doing? Let us know your thoughts. 

360ict provides managed IT services and emergency IT support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Bromley and Croydon. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.

Calais Crisis Costing UK Businesses Millions

Image source: independent.co.uk

Over the last few weeks drivers have faced huge delays at the Channel tunnel due to the migrant crisis in Calais. So far the UK and French governments haven’t found a solution to the number of migrants now arriving at the port. This has had a huge impact on British businesses as they are being forced to find alternative ways of transporting their goods over the Channel. 

Many companies have had to use aircrafts to transfers essential goods, but even though it is a quick-fix solution, it will cost a lot more money in the long run. 

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) believes the Calais crisis is costing the UK £250m a day in lost trade. The Guardian stated that the study, which was commissioned by Dove economics consultancy Oxera “calculated the annual value of goods in the 2.2m freight vehicles travelling via Dover and Calais to be £89bn, a figure quoted by the FTA as the yearly worth of UK trade.”

What's even more troubling is the fact that the figure could be higher still: Dover claims freight traffic has expanded "considerably" since the study and that it only takes into account ferries, which represent 63% of Channel crossings. The real figure could be as much as £160bn, which would equate to £440m a day in lost trade.

The owner of Lincolnshire-based Denby Transport told ITV News his own company has lost "tens of thousands" of pounds and Welsh haulage firm MCL Logistics told the BBC that it is facing a bill of £100,000 a month. Rolls-Royce, the British carmaker, spoke to The Financial Times and said that the crisis had caused huge delays to incoming car parts: “We have experienced disruption to our production. It’s a challenge, it’s disruptive and we’d rather it wasn’t happening.”

The costs calculated don’t even take in to the consideration the strain on public services. The BBC says Operation Stack has so far cost Kent Police around £700,000, while the Government has said it will spend up to £7m improving security around the tunnel to deal with migrants attempting to illegally enter the UK.

The government is also deciding whether more ferry capacity can be added to different crossing in the UK, including Hull, Portsmouth and Plymouth. However the FTA said the governments needs to come up with long term solutions: “It is an additional cost for hauliers to drive to other ports. If the truck drives another 40 or 50 miles then that adds to costs.”


360ict provides managed IT services and emergency IT support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Bromley and Croydon. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.

The Collaboration of The Year: Windows 7 + 8 = Windows 10. Will You Update?

Windows 10, the new operating system from Microsoft, has started rolling out to customers worldwide. 

Back in 2012 Windows 8 didn’t receive a very warm welcome from users, so this release is extremely important for Microsoft. There has been much speculation and hype about Windows 10 over the last few months, but was it worth the wait? 

Microsoft decided to bypass Windows 9 and jump straight to Windows 10 (a good marketing ploy to keep up with Apple’s OS X?!) in an attempt to combine the “best elements” of Windows 7 and Windows 8. One of the more controversial features of Windows 8, the “live tiles”, still features in Windows 10, but now they are used as shortcuts to the user’s favourite applications. The start menu is also back from Windows 7, which allows users to browse through a list of their most-used programs. 

Microsoft hopes that Windows 10 will steer the company in a new direction. Chief Executive, Satya Nadella, describes the OS as “Windows as a Service,” meaning that users can expect improvements to the OS at anytime through the internet, rather than having to wait for another big update in a few years.  

Aside from the live tiles and start menu, here’s what else is new in Windows 10: 

• The interface looks similar to Windows 7
• The “familiar and easy to use” OS has moved away from the touch-screen
• The virtual assistant, Cortana, is now available
• Windows Hello - a biometric authentication facility that lets people unlock their computer and specific applications by fingerprint of facial recognition scan
• Edge - A successor to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer
• There’s a new notification sidebar that lets users review recent notifications

Consumers and small businesses are being offered free upgrades on existing computers running Windows 7 or 8 at any point over the next year. Microsoft has made the OS system more appealing to developers through it’s new “universal app platform” too.

Big businesses are unlikely to adopt the OS right away, but will SMEs? Tech consultancy Gartner has advised its clients to wait until the second half of 2016 before they do the update.

For home uses, if you decide you don’t like Windows 10, it is worth knowing there is a "rollback" option that works for the first 30 days.

Have you started using Windows 10? Tell us what you think of it! 

360ict provides managed IT services and emergency IT support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Bromley and Croydon. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.

Encrypted Communication Apps Could Be Banned in the UK

Over the past few weeks the press has been warning that WhatsApp and all other encrypted communication applications could be banned in the UK. But why would the government ban these extremely popular communication applications? 

In 2012, Home Secretary Theresa May proposed a new communications data bill called Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill, which would compel technology companies to track, record and store mobile phone and web usage from their users. It has become known as the “Snooper’s Charter” but aspects of the bill have been deemed “inconsistent with EU law” - most notably Article Eight of European Convention of Human Rights, which concerns an individual’s right to privacy.

WhatsApp, iMessage, SnapChat and other popular messaging services use end-to-end encryption to keep texts and multimedia safe from prying eyes. David Cameron had hoped to outlaw this level of privacy to help law enforcement services track and monitor potential terrorist threats.

Many technology companies have spoken out against the measures and refuse to remove the end-to-end encryption from their services. Apple CEO, Tim Cook, said that Apple has “never worked with any government agency from any country to create a backdoor in any of our products or services ... and we never will."

Out of the 55,772 readers of the bill, 49,079 voted against the changes proposed that meant providers, phone companies and technology firms store a record of all online activity. This would include everything from Google searches to Facebook conversations and SnapChat videos, which could be accessed at anytime by law enforcement agencies. 

Here at 360ict we understand the need to protect the country from potential threats, but do you think this bill takes it a step too far? Let us know your thoughts.

360ict provides managed IT services and emergency IT support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Bromley and Croydon. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.