Insights and opinions based on our experts’ real-world experience.
Insights and opinions based on our experts’ real-world experience.
As one of the UK’s leading IT solutions providers, we keep our finger on the pulse across our industry. We also have a lot to say about all the latest trends, from the hardware that’s transforming modern businesses to the latest device deployment methods, remote working tools, cloud apps and more. We love talking tech. Here’s what we’re talking about right now – check back for more later.
Making hybrid working a success with IT
Download our whitepaper on flexible working for inspiration on how to improve productivity across your organisation, wherever your users are. Expect tips on the technology, tips and approaches you can adopt to increase collaboration, reduce inefficiency and maintain the strongest security standards to protect your data.
Ensuring every student can access what they need is crucial for any teacher, but even more of a challenge when working in a hybrid learning environment. Fortunately, Apple devices provide industry-leading accessibility features that make it easier to support every learner. In this article, we look at iPad in particular.
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NDI: The benefits and the use cases
NDI proved itself to be well suited to remote working during COVID-19 lockdowns. But what's it really like to use, and how does it work in different environments? We spoke to Lead Technical Consultant Chris Bailey to hear all about NDI for production, post and events.
Cybersecurity and the threats in media and broadcast
Cybersecurity is a hot topic – and not without reason. Companies in the media and entertainment industry are particularly at risk, with numerous high-profile attacks in recent years. But what are the threats, and what should you do to combat them?
Making hybrid working a success with IT
With the recent easing of restrictions, businesses must now adapt to yet another new normal and think about the return to the office. Hybrid working – where employees work partly on site and partly from home – seems the de facto choice for many companies. But what does that mean from an IT strategy and technology perspective? For hybrid working to be a success in your organisation, having the right IT strategies, policies and tools in place is absolutely essential. Practical considerations necessitate some form of return to the office for many companies, yet it’s not simply a case of reopening the doors and carrying on as you did before; it’s time to review your current environment and ensure it’s fit for purpose.
As we hopefully move out of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems certain that several of the IT and technology trends that were accelerated in 2020 will remain with us for years to come. Device as a Service offers numerous benefits to businesses looking ahead to a world of increased hybrid and remote working, and we expect to see further investment in collaboration software and cybersecurity, too. Economic recovery may not be a straightforward, overnight process, but we believe there are plenty of reasons for cautious optimism in our sector.
For Gen Z, who will dominate the global workforce in decades to come, technology is incredibly important when considering a job. In our own research with students, 69% said that being offered their preferred brand of technology either “would definitely” or “may” sway a decision to accept or decline a role. 81% of respondents preferred iPad to other tablet brands, 59% preferred Mac notebooks to other major laptops, and 58% preferred iPhone to competitor devices. Clearly, providing employee choice will be a huge factor in attracting and retaining the best staff.
The popularity of zero-touch deployment solutions has been on the rise for years. With the sudden surge in remote working prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect demand for them will only increase as companies look to make IT administration safer, quicker and simpler for their teams. Our Jamf management services allow IT teams to control and update every Apple device in their estate from anywhere, all without having to touch them – so expect lots more interest in the years ahead.
With the typical organisation now likely to maintain multi-platform IT environments with hardware, software and systems from a wide range of brands, it’s more important than ever to keep everything up to date. Just one obsolete device running an unsupported operating system could slow down productivity or create cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Adopting an evergreen IT approach, whereby everything is updated on an iterative basis through ongoing affordable investment, is a solution we think is becoming more and more attractive.
Media and broadcast goes remote
The broadcast industry has embraced the challenges of lockdown, with many productions shifting to remote workflows with great success. As remote production offers significant commercial potential – reducing the need for expensive premises, for instance – we foresee even greater uptake of technologies that enable it. In a recent example, we designed and deployed an innovative cloud production solution for the BBC series Springwatch that took multiple camera feeds into a processing system and then routed them to crew members working from home.
Improved procurement, increased productivity
We believe that bringing technology into your business shouldn’t be time consuming, complicated or challenging. Instead, improving your IT procurement should also boost productivity, helping you to focus your efforts on other areas of your company that need them more. We partner with customers to create dedicated procurement portals that make purchasing simple – exactly how we think it should be.
Video over IP is ever-more widespread. Network Device Interface (NDI) solutions have taken the market by storm, making it easy to deliver and receive HD video over IP in a high-quality, low-latency manner. Production and post-production facilities are among those already taking advantage of video over IP, but it’s also popular for use with eSports events and other live broadcasts. We expect the NewTek NDI solutions we provide to customers to continue to sell well in the near future.
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