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

4 Technology Trends All SMEs Should Look Out For

Image Credit: Luxury Report Mag

Today every business uses some form of technology, but some companies are better at tracking and utilising new and upcoming technology that can transform their business for the better. 

These are exciting and fast moving times for SMEs, and businesses that start adopting evolving technology at an early stage will get the most benefits. So we’ve put together a list of key technology trends to watch out for:

1. The cloud

Cloud solutions take away issues around hardware costs and create a flexible, scaleable and cost-effective service by hosting on the internet. It also allows companies to utilise technology driven tools such as mobile, social media and big data. 

Translating your legacy on-premise applications into a cloud environment can be super easy when using an IT managed service provider.

2. NoSQL databases

If you continue down the cloud route you’ll find out about NoSQL databases, which are part of the larger enterprise big data movement. NoSQL is great for the unstructured data you find in mobile and social media, including video and audio. It’s agile, scalable and flexible, like other cloud based solutions, and it complements what relational databases can offer. 

3. Business sensors

Sensors provide a way for companies to learn about their business, employees and customers. The data collected can then be used to improve all areas of the company including sales and productivity.

Pegged among the “Internet of Things” that brings smarter “things” together, sensors and connected devices with analytics, security, data and integration platforms will transform areas of a business.

4. Don’t completely overlook software

There are many reasons why a lot of companies are moving entirely to the cloud, and there’s much hype in the media surrounding this technology, so it’s often easy to overlook advances being made in infrastructure and operations. The entire operating environment—server, storage and network—can now be virtualised and automated. Data centres of the future promise lower complexity and affordability.

Now businesses are looking at hybrid solutions: Look for an IT support company that can provide expert consultation on whether cloud computing services are best suited to your business, and can also implement a hybrid solution with cloud-based elements that work alongside your legacy 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.

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. 

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.