A recent digital survey of over 200 Liverpool businesses showed that only three in ten businesses are supported by companies within the Northwest area.

PW Data Group are just a stone’s throw away and over 60% of our staff have tasted scouse. We realise that ICT has many ingredients, do you need just the carrots or the whole recipe?

INGREDIENTS

Serves: Businesses of all Sizes (4-6)

• Hosted Telephony (½ pound beef stew meat)
• Office 365 & Applications (½ pound breast of lamb)
• Hosted Desktop (1 large onion)
• Back up & DR (1 pound carrots)
• Connectivity (5 pounds potatoes)
• Servers & Storage (2 broth cubes)
• Security (2 teaspoons vegetable oil)
• Support (salt)
• Wireless Networks (pepper)
• Professional Services (Worcestershire sauce)
• Bespoke Projects (water)

At PW Data Group we connect people, applications and technology to create a return on your investment.

Let’s talk today to see if we can make up to 25% savings on your ICT.

Please give me a call

Gerard Coogan

Business Development Manager

Alexeron House, 4 Bridgewater Court, Lymm, Cheshire, WA13 0ER

Mobile 07741902279 Tel: 03333 66 00 77 Email: sales@b2bbusiness.com

www.pwdatagroup.co.uk

Connecting People, Applications & Technology.

Registered in England under company number 6532967 at 8 Winmarleigh Street, Warrington, Cheshire

The post PW Data Group we connect people appeared first on PW Data Group.

So, how will you keep your business data safe, and what is your backup disaster recovery contingency plan? Is backup alone enough to support your business? Absolutely not. Backup is simply the act of securing data both locally and remotely.

To help implement the right disaster recovery plan for your business, lets define backup, disaster recovery and business continuity in more detail…

What is disaster recovery?

Disaster recovery is the restoration of data in the event of any kind of disaster (large or small). It’s the development of a strategic plan by carefully considering all the steps involved in planning for and adapting to a potential data disaster. It’s an area of security planning that aims to protect your company from the effects of events such as IT system crashes, power failures and other events that might result in data loss.

Disaster recovery allows enterprises of all shapes and sizes to maintain and quickly regain full control of their IT systems and data in the result of a disaster by replicating company systems and data, minimising downtime and enabling continued operations. Sounds rather remarkable right?

So, how does business continuity compare to disaster recovery?

With a business continuity plan in place, your company operations will be restored quickly and effectively, helping to keep your business up and running, and minimising the short-term negative impact.

Although business continuity is closely related to disaster recovery, it differs in that it is a process. It’s that amalgamation of best practices, procedures, and mindsets that keeps your business running to matter what.

Backup and disaster recovery are essential element of business continuity. But while DR is the method of getting all important IT infrastructure and operations up and running following an outage, BC is the process of getting the entire business back to full functionality following an outage, including the physical processes such as how to turn on the power following a blackout.

Many businesses today are choosing to introduce disaster recovery as part of their business continuity plans to prepare for potential crises as both processes offer detailed strategies on how a business can pre-empt, persevere, and recover from a potential disaster.

What constitutes a “disaster”?

As a business owner, there are two main elements you need to be clear of regarding disasters.  Firstly, determining what issues constitute disasters, and secondly deciding on what the solution should be to enable the recovery to happen (and at what speed).

Start by assessing your existing risks in order to identify and determine how to minimise them. Minimising downtime and data loss is measured in terms of two concepts: the recovery time objective (RTO) and the recovery point objective (RPO).

It’s important you understand what the risks are to your business, what you are prepared to do and what actions need to be taken to mitigate or eliminate the risk completely.

How to minimise the risk of potential data loss

Depending on your allocated budget, the cost of downtime for your business and the value of the data being protected, there are a number of options available to you when looking to minimise the risk of potential data loss.

Ultimately, maintaining business continuity, minimising damage, and preventing loss are the fundamental advantages to be gained from an effective disaster recovery and business continuity plan.

To minimise the amount of loss and downtime your business sustains, whilst also discovering the preferred route of disaster recovery, we’ve put together 6 crucial steps to follow;

Step 1: Establish what constitutes a data disaster for your organisation and what amount of data needs to be backed up to reduce or eliminate this risk

Step 2: Separate the data into different locations and mediums

Step 3: Create automated backup procedures or deploy products that have them

Step 4: Be kept informed that successful backups have occurred by the systems taking the backup

Step 5: Test and check the validity of the backups. Perform regular recovery checks at File, Folder and Machine level to validate the backup process

Step 6: Sleep peacefully in the knowledge that you are avoiding a data disaster from which you need to recover from

What’s your plan should disaster strike?

Need help choosing a Disaster Recovery Solution for your business? PW Data Group can help… We can help to confront the challenges most commonly faced by businesses with a dedicated backup and disaster recovery solution. Contact us today for more information.

Useful links:

http://www.megabyte.net/importance-disaster-recovery-business-continuity/

https://www.datto.com/resources/backup-vs-business-continuity-info

https://www.csoonline.com/article/3209653/disaster-recovery/7-things-your-it-disaster-recovery-plan-should-cover.html

https://blog.newcloudnetworks.com/why-your-business-needs-a-disaster-recovery-plan

https://pwdatagroup.co.uk/disaster-recovery-contingency-plan/

The post Defining Backup, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity appeared first on PW Data Group.

With so many differences between organisations and new technology, there is most definitely not a one-size-fits-all solution. The key is to instead look for a solution that will help your business to save costs and increase efficiency. Within the IT realm, the question of on-premise versus Cloud environments often comes up. But which type of computing solution will work best for you?

Widespread adoption of Cloud solutions has led many vendors to shift focus from on-premise to Cloud delivery models, with Cloud technology revolutionising workplace computing resources. Yet, for businesses that haven’t already shifted their applications or data storage to the Cloud, the question “Which is the best solution for my business?” may have sprung to mind once or twice.

That said, there are companies that still prefer to deploy their software solutions on-premises as opposed to the Cloud. Both approaches offer their own unique advantages, but it may not be easy to distinguish which would be the best for certain types of organisations without the proper consideration.

If you’re not convinced a Cloud solution is the right choice for your business and would prefer to consider your options before making any rushed decisions, we’ve put together a list of benefits and challenges for both Cloud and on-premise solutions to assist in your decision-making.

What’s the Difference Between Cloud and On-Premise?

Fundamentally, the essential difference between a Cloud vs an on-premises software is where it lives. A Cloud-based computing resides online. It is accessed via an internet connection and is managed by your vendor. The Cloud provides shared computer processing resources, and also data to computers and other devices on demand. While as an on-premise deployment does not rely on internet connectivity to access your software.

Benefits of Moving to a Cloud-Based Solution

• Gain Worry Free IT

A significant characteristic of using Cloud solutions, is that because Cloud software is hosted for you, you needn’t worry about the maintenance of your software or the hardware it resides on. This is taken care of via your Cloud service provider.

• Added Protection

Your system and data are hosted on a private server, this gives you extra protection. How? Well, your data sits behind a variety of security protocols designed to limit who can access it and what each person can see. This means, no-one can access your data without the relevant permissions.

• Real-Time Capabilities

A Cloud-based solution works in real-time. Its connectivity provides unparalleled visibility, resulting in a smart supply network and advanced operating model. This real-time data can help to keep employees informed of all the latest happenings within a business, enabling enhanced accuracy.

• Promotes Smarter Thinking

A Cloud-based piece of software promotes smarter thinking amongst decision makers. Once your supply network is connected, analytics, cognitive equipment and smart apps provide the right information for decision making at the right time.

• Low Upfront Cost

If it’s your budget you’re worried about, you’ll find the transition to a Cloud-based system requires next to no upfront cost, while maintenance and other fees are billed within your monthly subscription, ensuring predictable costs and removing the need for annual contracts.

Drawbacks of Using a Cloud-Based Solution

• Premium Support is Extra

If you’re looking to gain premium support rather than basic support, you may incur additional costs.

• Long-Term, it’ll Cost More

If you plan on using a Cloud-based piece of software as a long-term solution, you’ll likely pay more than an on-premise solution.

• Connectivity is Key

If your internet connection is unreliable, a Cloud solution will be an unstable selection for your business.

Benefits of Using On-Premise Solutions

• Ideal for Long-Term Budgeting

If you have the expertise, on-premise can make sense for long-term budgeting. This is because you only pay for your user licences once, so the total cost of ownership is lower.

• No Need for Connectivity

You needn’t rely on internet connectivity with on-premise systems, or any other external factors to access your software.

• You’re in Control

Your software platforms, hardware and data are all yours. No-one else is managing these factors on your behalf, so you’re in control of the configuration, the system changes and the upgrades.

Drawbacks of Using an On-Premise Solution

·         Implementations Take Longer

On-premise implementations take longer due to the time needed to complete installations on servers and each individual computer/laptop.

·         Capital Expenditure is Larger

On-premise systems necessitate a large, upfront purchase which means capital expenditure is usually required.

·         You Are Responsible for Maintenance

You are responsible for maintaining server hardware and software, data backups, storage and disaster recovery with an on-premise system. This can be problematic for smaller companies who have restricted budgets and technical resource.

Which Solution is Right for my Business?

There is no right or wrong answer. The final decision will ultimately come down to budget and expertise. Every customer is different and has different requirements that will influence the choice of their deployment strategy.

Our Network IT Services

Need help choosing a network solution for your business? PW Data Group can help… Whether it is a complete “Cloud-based solution”, an on-premise wireless LAN, some simple structured cabling requirements or network design, we have the expertise to design install and support all types of voice and data networks. Our consultative approach means that we work with you to maximise the benefits required by your organisation, to deliver a return on your investment. Contact us today for more information.

Useful links:

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3192897/Cloud-computing/Cloud-vs-on-premises-finding-the-right-balance.html

https://pwdatagroup.co.uk/networking/

http://www.faronics.com/news/blog/4-key-differences-between-on-premises-and-Cloud-solutions

The post On-Premise Vs. Off-Premise: Which Should you Choose? appeared first on PW Data Group.

In doing so, there is no question that technology and communications will have – and already have had – a socio-economic impact on each of our lives (unless you’re one of the small minority that wishes to exist in a totally “off grid” compound).

So, how do we each ensure that it works for us, and that by creating value and benefits for all stakeholders, that these benefits far outweigh the potential risks of implosion?

The ability to create a network that gives the connectivity and security required for both the individual and the organisation cannot be overlooked.

But finding a solution that delivers a return on investment, as well as creating ease, flexibility and security is the challenge that faces us today.

See our latest article where we discuss why network mobility matters, and how we can help overcome the challenges it brings.

Today we see the ever-increasing use of technology intruding into every aspect of our lives, and whilst we readily accept many of the benefits, such as the simple light switch, we don’t consider the associated power generation and technology that enables us to turn dark into light.

We also readily accept how and where the technologies can be combined to produce greater benefits in a social and economic background, such as communication and collaboration. This enables us to share information, in an easy and secure manner, at a time most convenient to us, which often falls outside of the traditional 9-to-5 hours. The extension of various connectivity networks also mean that we are able to extend the work place beyond the traditional office, with a vast and steadily increasing number of mobile workers growing within the UK workforce.

Using Technology to Our Advantage

Having mastered the ability to make the various combinations of technology work to our advantage, the human desire to improve both technology and speed takes over. As does linking additional technologies in a collaborative manner to produce artificial intelligence.

Is it so surprising that a single device, such as smartphone, can detect that at 8am we might be interested to know that the current traffic situation means it’s going to take us 35 minutes to travel between Lymm and Manchester. This may be a little intrusive pre-coffee given that it usually takes us 35 minutes each day regardless, but what if is tells us it is going to take 2 hours? Perhaps then we are a little more grateful of the intrusion, as it has proven to assist us with useful information enabling us to make a choice of whether we should travel to work, or work from home.

When People Move, So Must the Network

The impact on social patterns of behaviour and the use of technology are far reaching but as people move around they expect, demand and require their network and devices to move with them to deliver secure and reliable connectivity. This needs to be as easy for the user. There is no need to understand the technology behind power generation and distribution, we just “want it now” and expect it to be always on and delivered safely. The same is true of data. We want it “always on” and to be delivered to us quickly and securely with no knowledge or concern about the technology behind it. This is a realistic expectation from the user’s perspective, however the designers of the networks for either power or data distribution must consider what happens if the supply is diverted or disrupted by various forms of cyber crime that prevents or inhibits the legitimate usage.

Connection & Speed On-the-Move

Wi-Fi, like electricity, has become the utility for connection and speed on-the-go, or in a static location, where it can even surpass the speed of wired connections in certain applications. Users demand “always on” high speed connectivity with guaranteed quality of service and security. Businesses use the same technology and networks to reduce their own cost of supply management, however there are also many unscrupulous individuals and organised crime who take advantage off the same networks and relish the opportunity to hack a network, made possible via gaps in security, to divert or intercept legitimate trade or transfer of funds. By inserting various botts and malware, they are also patient enough to wait for the best opportunity to attack.

Finding a Solution that Delivers ROI, Flexibility & Security

The ability to create a network that gives the connectivity and security required for both the individual and the organisation is not an insignificant task, but it can’t be overlooked. Providing the solution that delivers a return on the investment whilst creating ease, flexibility and security is the challenge that faces us today. Opportunities for businesses to reduce their operating cost through reduced real estate footprint and carefully guiding employees to fund and use their own devices is also key. Many users have a preferred device that they wish to use for both work and social, and as such there is the need to ensure that “bring your own device” (BYOD) connectivity does not compromise security or introduce virus issues for the organisation, particularly when capitalising on the cost savings and flexibility of not having to provide a device or even a workplace.

The Mobility of the Network Give Strength & Value to the Workforce

The Luddites and their march against the machines failed to prevent the industrial revolution taking place and neither will the march of technology into our lives be prevented, but we must ensure that value and benefits are created for all stake holders and that these outweigh the risks of implosion. Perhaps one of the banners seen on the marches reads ‘As the people move so must the network’ or alternatively ‘The mobility of the network gives strength and value to the workforce and the organisation’.

At PW Data, we specialise in working with businesses to connect people, applications and technology, to deliver a return on investment.

The post When People Move So Must the Network appeared first on PW Data Group.

And the way things are going… we’re certain this figure will rise in 2018. IT disaster strikes are more a case of ‘when’ than ‘if’ so, how can you remain in control when your business becomes a target.

No-one said running a business is easy, and this is particularly so when an IT disaster strikes. After all, the last thing you want is to be held accountable for a cyber-attack within your company.

So how you go about controlling future cyber-attacks to your enterprise? Well, we’re here to shed a little light…

We’ve put together six crucial questions that you should be asking… questions that business owners frequently type into their Google search, but struggle to find the answers to… In a bid to help you determine the real cost of disruption when your business falls victim to cybercrime.

Running a business has never been easy, and when an IT disaster strikes – which it will – the office of the owner or CEO is a lonely, uncomfortable place, particularly if the IT attack in question has brought the company to its knees!

Never has the pace of change been as great within the industrialised world as it is today, in the age of digitisation, which continues to drive growth and efficiency. Such a fast-moving pace of technology allows automation of tasks, and with the added supplementation of Artificial intelligence (AI), where machines are becoming self-learning, equally, the presence of threats to an organisation’s existence has never been so great.

The internet of things (IOT), countless digital processes and ‘always on’ connectivity, have led to a significant rise of cyber-attacks, from email phishing, to malware and botnets. So, when it comes to putting your business continuity plan in place, which questions should you be asking?

6 Cyber Security Questions Business Owners Ask that Google Can’t Answer:

1. Which Cyber Threats Am I Susceptible To?

Digitisation and the speed and reach of connectivity mean that there are more devices constantly seeking to connect with us and gain value from our most precious commodity – data.

The introduction of GDPR compliance is a testament to the need to ensure that the holders of your data are legitimate and have your permission. But is this also true of machine to machine (M2M) communications and the data they contain, after all, this can’t be considered personal, can it?

Could a simple internet connected coffee machine in the warehouse offer any confidential information other than how many cappuccinos your staff are consuming? Or is this modest machine connected to the same network that controls your online banking and manufacturing process?

2. Why Would Anyone Be Interested in My Data?

Well, for starters, a coffee vendor would be interested in this data and could provide you with a perfectly valid service, but do you know who they are and who else might be interested? In many cases, these devices come with easy-to-remember passwords such as ‘1111’ or ‘admin’, which could potentially give other interested parties access to your network, who may then go in, search around your network for far more interesting devices, and benefit from a far more lucrative menu.

3. When Will an Attack Like this Happen?

Any time is a good time for a machine to talk to another machine, and in today’s “always on” environment, you are effectively putting out the “always welcome” sign to any unscrupulous visitor (who’s significantly less subtle than the email phisher, who at least sends you a nice clue in their email as to their intentions and dubious identity).

In the machine to machine world there is no need to take breaks or talk politely to a difficult gatekeeper, they merely keep trying a sequence of random numbers until they get the acceptance they require. This could happen at any inconvenient time for us humans, after all, you are only in attendance 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. You may not even notice that you’ve had a “visitor” nor if they have collected more of your data, to the point where they have infected your entire network and data and are simply waiting for a time when they can make their demands or unleash havoc.

4. How Will I Know When an Attack Has Taken Place?

You may not know at all. Or you may find out very quickly when something goes wrong or you are contacted for the payment of a ransom for the return of your data or to unlock your various machines. In fact, ransomware demands are costing UK companies £346 million per annum, and even once businesses have paid such hefty amounts, they don’t necessarily get all their data back. What’s more, having paid once, they are likely to be on an “easy target revisit” list.

5. Where Is the Threat Likely to Come From?

Despite a popular misconception, hackers are not just “geeky teenagers” sat in a bedroom having a bit of fun. On the contrary, and in most cases, professional hackers are part of a sophisticated organised crime group.

6. Who Will Be Held Responsible for Allowing the Threat In?

Employees are normally not malicious, and they normally perform their jobs diligently, however in reality if enough threats are launched (M2M), it is inevitable that at some point an employee will inadvertently accept a phishing email or an invitation to click on a link that is potentially disastrous. From that simple click, a chain reaction begins, and it generally ends in disaster.

Ensuring Business Continuity

Backups and firewalls are no longer enough to make us feel safe. These will act as a deterrent and do offer some protection, but the face of disaster recovery is changing to link to a complete business continuity plan that works on the basis that when disaster strikes, recovery can be automatic, quick and painless, in line with the needs of your business. The key is that when this happens, you know about it quickly and action can be taken to isolate the threat and restore the integrity of your network to a given point in time to get your business back up and running.

To determine the value of preventing an IT disaster within your business, we recommend you ask Who, What, Where, When, Why and How, as above. Such simple questioning can help a business owner or CEO enormously by determining an acceptable level of risk against any investment required.

How much would you pay to restore your data and protect your business in the event of an attack?

It CAN, and it WILL happen, so plan ahead for restoring and ensuring business continuity is delivered at an acceptable price to your business, otherwise you run the risk of being held hostage or worse still, destroyed.

How Can PW Data Group Help?

Contact PW Data Group today for an informed, no obligation discussion. Or, why not ask for the ROI calculator on the REAL cost of disruption for the issues facing your business continuity plans? We’re here to help prevent disaster before it strikes.

The key is that when this happens, you know about it quickly and action can be taken to isolate the threat and restore the integrity of your network to a given point in time to get your business back up and running.

The post 6 cyber security questions you should be asking… appeared first on PW Data Group.

The post Cyber Security: Combating Malware, Botnets & Phishing Attacks appeared first on PW Data Group.

Why does awarding tenders to the lowest price bidder not make sense?

Companies and organisations today are constantly under pressure to produce low cost highly efficient solutions. A frightening thought is that every Government tenders, particularly for infrastructure projects such as to build the HS2 railway, Hospitals or Schools, are always awarded to the lowest price bidder. Indeed, electronic tender evaluation Apps have been created to design a “reverse auction” process to get companies to bid against the current lowest price in real time. Is it really a surprise that at some point the system collapses and implodes?

Perhaps it is not a surprise that following the collapse of Carillion that “the fingers” are already starting to be pointed at, the Old CEO, the current Directors and their remuneration packages. Did they contribute to the demise of the business or were they merely following a procedure to win business as the lowest prices supplier?

Were they forced to operate in a Government sponsored tender environment where the lowest price wins?

It is true that in some awards MEAT (most economically advantageous tender) can allow for some movement but invariably the emphasis is placed on economic rather than advantageous with TCO (total cost of ownership) overruling everything but the cost in the evaluation waiting.

Specifications must be met

Specifications for inert objects can be very specific, but it becomes more difficult to determine what constitutes the way services are delivered, and the need for human interaction to improve the process for both buyer and seller. As I write this piece the “automatic grammar checker” has changed my original phrase from the “manner in which”, to the way. Yes, this may be more efficient in using less words but it also creates a less human feel, as to the context of the subject matter, which is important in the manner of delivery and meaning.

Technology and the IOT creates an opportunity

Technology plays a vital part in being able to able to replace much of the expensive “human element” by replacing the process with efficient data or task processing computers and machines. The IOT ( internet of things) is a primary driver in this area as more and more machines are connected to each other via the internet to enable increased automation through connectivity. This, in turn, drives the need to connect with these computers and machines on a “speeds and feeds” basis and it has now become accepted by governments that the lack of connectivity is a major disadvantage in a “digital age”. A clear illustration of this is the funded Government programmes aimed at delivering “broadband “to the rural areas of the country.

If we accept that connectivity is essential to economic efficiency we then must look at how this is best achieved.

Connectivity costs are low

Less than 10 years ago Apple introduced the first iPad. Amongst many of its unique features, the device became the first meaningful handheld tablet not to have the option to be connected by a wire and hence access to cloud-based Apps was only via Wi-Fi connectivity. This in turn not only drove the demand for wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi) but also the need to connect into the investment already made in traditional computing resources, now referred to legacy systems and connecting back into the wired networks via high-speed switching. Due to the ease of access Wi-Fi has become the “4^th Utility” (behind water gas and electricity) and the demand for “always on” connectivity no longer a “nice to have”, but an essential part of Industry, commerce, as well as the digital society in which we live, as the plethora of social media Apps cross seamlessly from personal to professional existence. Google, Facebook, Fitbit, iTunes and Microsoft 365 are all becoming device agnostic but always on. The gateway to connect these devices is WIFI, but this is also the “edge” access to the network. No longer is the access to our property guarded by a single access point, we have now effectively opened all the doors and windows to our assets and potentially granting access to all areas.

Security must be considered

On the basis that property of any form is desirable to an interested party is it surprising that theft of data and the information it contains is valuable not only just to the legitimate owner.

How do we close the Pandora’s box to keep out the unwelcome “intruders” whilst maintaining the need for access and the flexibility? Inevitably the restriction requires security and the introduction of intrusion protection, anti-virus, and malware prevention. Ideally, we want to push this protection out to the “end point” edge of the network, but inevitably we know that “things” will get through whatever “firewalls “we have in place. From a tendering perspective, you are being asked to provide a cost for something that may never happen, and as such, this additional cost could move you into a losing position in the bid process. At this point, the argument of the given “specification” cannot be used to protect against unforeseen and unknown future circumstances, and hence an undefined specification, even though we know the event is highly likely. However, if we are to avoid a catastrophic failure from what will be the inevitable intruder, or possibly even a state-sponsored attack, then we must have a “wind -back” position that can be restored.

When considering the protection of any of our meaningful assets, even values such free speech and movement, it comes at a price that carries a high value and it should not be regarded as an opportunity to seek the lowest price but instead the best solution. The same applies to data, its connectivity and its storage along with compliance to protect and manage today’s data-hungry society. Our individual data starts to take on human form, with deep personality traits, knowledge and even our private innermost sensitives all of which needs to be treated with civility and care, if a homogeneous society is to be maintained. If this is not achieved it creates an opportunity for the less caring and more unscrupulous amongst us to view, manipulate or steal our most precious asset. At this point the real value of the recovery of the asset makes the “additional cost” of not looking after it look negligible as we ponder, the questions, if only and what if …………..

The lowest price can be the highest risk

Business, Society and Governments must recognise that the lowest price does not always win. Indeed, there is a high price to be paid if, security, compliance and safety are sacrificed just to achieve monitory gain at the point of purchase.

Technology can produce efficiency and lower cost, but the way people are connected to many different and “always on” applications needs to be secure, compliant as well as cost effective for the business or individual, but realistically this means that the lowest price culture will not work and potentially creates a threat to our very existence.

Lowest price buyer – be very aware!!

The post Questions Google can’t answer when it comes to Connectivity, Tech and Security appeared first on PW Data Group.

As a specialist networking and technology integrator, we connect people, applications and technology to create a return on investment. In designing and developing bespoke computer networking solutions, this new partnership offers a wider range of services than ever before.

With so many differences between organisations and modern technologies, we understand that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to internet connectivity. We work with you to help implement real benefits that network technologies can offer, providing you with a solution that will help you save costs and increase your business efficiency.

Unlike traditional onsite hardware that requires a site visit from an engineer should anything go wrong, the new partnership features a quicker and simpler solution of having all the equipment in secure UK data centres. What does this mean? In the very unlikely event anything with your connectivity goes wrong, a fully automated back-up service for your network is provided, should it be required.

Talk Straight combine cloud-hosted technology with two of the world’s foremost Web Filtering and Security companies; Lightspeed Systems and Fortinet. This unique blend enables us to control one of the best Web Filtering and Security services available.

The network design ensures all incoming and outgoing traffic which passes through the hosted filtering and security platforms. This ensures 100% of traffic is completely safe, keeping the network fully protected.

Using the combination of services means we can offer you faster connection speeds, ensuring access to instant high-speed bandwidth all day, every day, 365 days a year on a rock-solid network.

Click to find out more about School Network Security or Small Business Security.

The post We join forces to create super network services appeared first on PW Data Group.

The education sector is now seeing the real advantages

The education sector is now seeing the real advantages of rather than banning devices from the classroom, but treating the device as part of the establishments own ICT infrastructure and using the computing power and format that’s today students are familiar with.

Apps have created a demand for masses of data that can be accessed at the touch of a button, instantly from any location. These apps are not just amusing gimmicks or social media, they are essential “lifestyle managers.”

Cloud evangelist have told us that there is no need for us to own anything or store any data on our own premise,  just “simply” upload or down load as required. This coupled with software defined networks reduces the physical footprint and management of any network.

Now just for fun try googling the question below and see if you get anything that resembles an answer!

Google how do you fix a bus, full of passengers, that is moving at 50 mph?

Interestingly it comes up with a list of questions based on safety and codes of practice!

The post Questions that Google can’t answer -The face of evolving Networks appeared first on PW Data Group.

The advent of Cloud Computing has changed the way ICT solutions are put together. It creates wider choice for the users and the companies paying for the service, but, what is the TCO for supporting this service and our own ICT solutions?

Much is talked about the need to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) for our ICT  requirements but is this the right for solution for everyone? After all a one size suit (male or female) does not fit all. The reasons for this are many : Size, colour, fabric, durability, suitability,  look and feel / user experience.

In short there are many factors that as an individual user/wearer we determine are important to us, and against which we set our budget – to the extent that having determined all the individual factors we will decide to rent or buy.

Can we Google the answers to the above and come up with the solution? No and yet a short meeting with tailor, a series of measurements and a discussion around the budget and experience required can achieve this quickly and easily. Ask any Bride to be!  The same logic applies to IT solutions and service provision. Why then do people not consider what they want, as opposed to thinking let’s drive down cost?

Thoughts around calculating TCO for ICT service in today’s climate:

Firstly, should we not determine what value the service we are trying to create might be? More importantly, what does it need to deliver?

What is the risk to users,  the business, the brand and customer experience if we don’t meet a certain level of service and, do we actually know what should that be?

What impact would the loss of a particular area of the network have on all aspects of our business and how does this escalate over time to the point that it becomes damaging to our business and brand?

Surely then, service, and the service level agreements are nothing more than an insurance premium against which your supplier delivers?

The true issue is, does this level of service deliver what we want against all our values and the consequential loss (not insured against) that a failure will result in.

Determining TCO for Break Fix:

Break Fix, perhaps the original and most well-known solution. “if it breaks we fix it within 8 hours and we charge you £x per year”. Simple yes, but does this “cover “all your risks and costs?

Do you need “out of hours”, weekends and bank holidays and if so can the provider offer this, or are we exposed to zero cover at potentially one of our busiest trading times such as a bank holiday Monday?

Is the issue making sure that we have everything running as per our design or could we improve the design of the core network to remove the criticality of the “Break Fix”? i.e. no single point of failure.

Could we add key component spares to various locations to quickly replace the failed kit, if so how does this reduce the TCO costs or does it merely transfer the costs form OPEX into Capital?

Where and how does lifetime warranty on equipment fit into this? Does it mean that I no longer need to have support on a particular piece of equipment?

What happens if this item fails? How and how long is it before it is replaced and the normal service resumed? What will be the impact and cost of this? Key questions when considering Break Fix ICT solutions.

Other key considerations:

Do we have the appropriate skill base and procedures to manage the change control process required under any given set of circumstances?

Do we have all the H&S issues covered for access to the equipment at 11.30pm on a Sunday evening?

Do we have appropriate testing and training procedures in place?

Do we have all the current configurations for all switches and devices?

Would we be better with the alternative view of just paying for the network as a service or even software defined networks? This is possible, but do we understand what elements we want to have covered in this way as it is unlikely to be everything and a such do we need to determine which areas we want to be able to “increase and put down” quickly (e.g. storage to additional desktops and users?)

Assessing the risk:

Remember the risk (and Murphy’s law- “if it can go wrong it will and the worst possible time”) and how it impacts factors such as:

User experience– as simple as frustration at speed of connection to denial of service

Network design– will the failure introduce unacceptable latency or complete downtime?

Customer experience– does this interrupt our communications with our customers and can they still place orders or could this result in an abandoned trolley?

Company and brand reputation – years of hard work can be lost in seconds!

Does the interruption to or reduced service increase during a critical time window? Is this risk exponential, and at what point does the acceleration curve kick in that is effectively a catastrophic failure based on the loss of a customer or sale?

How and when does a contingency plan kick in and what is it?

How do we calculate our base line cost of support internally and externally?

What and where is the costing data to support this?

What is the potential cost of not having service versus the value of an uninterrupted risk mitigated operation?

In short Google, can’t answer these questions. After a suitable consultation and discussion with one of our consultants PW Data Group can tailor the exact needs of a support contract and network design to meet all your needs and let you get on with looking after your customers. Get in touch!

Read more:

Whitepaper on Disaster Recovery

High Availability Server Solutions

Business Continuity

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