25Sep

Thinking about purchasing from Microsoft directly? Here’s why a Cloud Solutions Provider is better

September 25, 2020 Tom Fuller 2

Why go through a Cloud Solutions Provider when you can simply purchase directly from Microsoft?

Customers often find themselves asking this question as they prepare to purchase software or cloud services from one of the world’s largest vendors. Understanding what a Cloud Solution Provider is, why the Microsoft CSP programme exists and what benefits it can offer customers can help you make a much more informed choice.

With a focus on customer experience and long-term relationships, the Microsoft’s CSP programme is thoughtfully designed and managed. Microsoft provides an ecosystem of resources and tools to their partners so they can offer customers an even better and more personalised experience than the vendor itself. Keep reading to find out the benefits of working with a Cloud Solutions Provider…

What is the CSP programme?

Microsoft developed the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) programme to provide customers with the resources and end-to-end support they need from a trusted partner. Instead of navigating Microsoft’s full and complex suite of products and services on their own, customers can have an expert guide in a CSP partner.

CSP partners are fully qualified to sell cloud services and software from Microsoft, and customers can rely on their software provider for a host of resources beyond just sales advice. With the CSP model, partners can add significant value to the overall customer experience; becoming an extension of their customers’ businesses and meeting specific needs in a very timely manner.

The true benefits of working with a CSP

Through the CSP programme, Microsoft can offer a higher level of product flexibility to customers. Microsoft has greater capacity to support partners, instead of individual end-users, in meeting the demands of customers. Customers benefit from deeper one-on-one engagement and added value only a CSP partner could provide. From support and managed services, to advice and end-user training, the benefits are extensive when you work with a partner.

Long-term relationship

Cloud Solutions Provider partners have the time and capacity to learn about your business. Instead of being just another name or number, your business has value to a CSP partner. They take the time to learn about your unique needs, the challenges you face, and your specific preferences. They can offer recommendations and tailored solutions, instead of the click-and-buy method you would experience directly with Microsoft. With a partner, you can build a long-term relationship that provides the right solution for growth and development.

High quality support and responsibility

A quality Cloud Solutions Provider takes responsibility for every customer they have. Typically small and independent businesses, partners take customer support seriously and are happy to get hands-on. Because the partner is qualified to diagnose and understand the needs of your business, they can prioritise your concerns and provide efficient resolutions to challenges that may arise.

Migration services

It’s more than just purchasing licenses. You can receive professional and managed services from your CSP partner, so you are never left hanging or in the dark. A CSP partner can do everything necessary to provide a smooth migration. You can have peace of mind knowing your business is in capable and caring hands.

Flexible payments and billing

Flexible billing is one of the greatest benefits a Cloud Service Provider can provide their customer. With a CSP partner, you only pay for what you need and use. If your business needs the flexibility to add licenses for a couple of months, your billing reflects your needs. When you need to drop licenses, you can do so quickly and without fuss. Scalability is as simple as letting your account manager know your requirements on one of your regular calls (Meet our new Account Manager Ashley, here)

Billing can be handled in a variety of ways depending on what make sense for your business; you can set up monthly payments via credit card, invoice, or debit, or arrange annual billing if that better meets your needs. Licensing costs are not paid upfront, so you can save considerably on your initial investment and keep your capital expenditure to a minimum.

A wide ecosystem of support and guidance

Microsoft has invested heavily in the CSP programme, providing partners with an advanced toolkit so they can offer top-tier service to customers. The partners in the Cloud Solutions Provider programme all have wide skillsets and bring considerable knowledge to the table. Partners typically have a range of experts within their organisation, enabling them to create custom solutions that work for an individual business instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.

You also have one point of contact handling all your licensing and support needs, instead of getting a different person on the phone each time you need support. There is no need to flip through notes, rehash old information, or waste time when seeking support and guidance.

Ready to find out more about the benefits?

Working with a trusted CSP partner can provide a better experience and more success with cloud services than purchasing directly from Microsoft. If you are interested in learning more about how a CSP partner can meet your specific needs, give us a call today. As an established Cloud Solutions Provider we are ready to help you transform your organisation with cloud and can support you every step of the way

Our experts are here to discuss any points raised in this article, or anything else...

Alternatively, call us on 0333 344 2204

Blog Post

Welcome to the team: 10 Questions with Ashley

Blog Post

Build a remote strategy with Microsoft

Security Post

What’s your plan for flexible working?

10Sep

Artificial Intelligence is improving cybersecurity for businesses

September 10, 2020 Tom Fuller 4

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity is a major opportunity; one that is expected to reach £34.7 billion by 2027, according to a recent global Meticulous Research report. The surge in growth is expected and very welcome; there are some priceless benefits to utilising AI in your business security strategy.

In a post-lockdown report delivered by Mimecast, it was revealed that cyberattacks grew by 33% globally in the first 100 days of the pandemic from January to March. The reason why? Increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals saw the opportunity to exploit vulnerable businesses that were working at home. Despite a soar in reliance on technology, spend on IT is estimated to fall by 7% in 2020; many organisations are making cuts, investing in less and trying to maintain financial stability. With businesses investing less in IT and security, they increase the risk of being targeted by hackers at an increasingly vulnerable time.

How AI can help to prevent cybercrime?

Insights and information

Using Artificial intelligence, businesses can learn about attacks or potential threats, understand any weaknesses in their security walls and prevent them before it’s too late.

Data automation

Organisations can use AI to analyse statistics and provide insights to their IT teams. AI can automatically assess risk types and likelihood of attack before human involvement is required. This saves employee time and adds additional layers of protection.

Less pressure on staff

Implementing AI within your security strategy can mean less emphasis on human error. In 2019, 90% of cyber data breaches were caused by human error, according to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Typically, human error regarding cybersecurity is caused by lack of awareness and education. By reducing the pressure put on humans to protect business data, companies are more secure, and employees are less accountable.

Cloud solutions like Microsoft 365 offer features including multi-factor authentication, encrypted emails and mobile device management. These features use artificial intelligence to identify and prevent attacks such as phishing emails, password hacking and malware. Businesses can add additional security layers to their M365 suite by investing in intelligent solutions from experts like Mimecast.

Fight fire with fire

Cyber criminals have become more sophisticated since the pandemic began. Many now employ AI to hide malicious and harmful codes in regular applications and scan for vulnerable domains. AI allows criminals to then release the malware at specific times and target specific users for maximise impact. Using AI within your security strategy gives you the level of protection required to properly combat these sophisticated attacks.

The benefits are endless

Ample research has been conducted into the capabilities that AI can offer within the cybersecurity space. By implementing a solution with AI embedded, businesses have the potential to detect and respond to a broad range of threats with virtually zero human input. Coupled with employee training and a layered security strategy, AI can offer an almost complete protection against cyber threats; a goal that has never been more important. Speak to us today to find out more about AI and how easy it is to implement.

Our experts are here to discuss any points raised in this article, or anything else...

Alternatively, call us on 0333 344 2204

07Sep

Unify remote and office working with Microsoft Teams

September 7, 2020 Tom Fuller 6

The workplace has changed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Organisations have been forced to adopt a remote culture in order to survive. Office workers have been forced to work from their homes to stay safe. Microsoft Teams, already a ground-breaking collaboration tool, has become even more paramount for millions of organisations around the world.

In 2019, Teams was already enjoying a whopping 32 million daily active users. That figure more than doubled in a matter of months following the arrival of the pandemic, and remote working became the ‘new normal’. Teams for remote working is a perfect match, but how can it support businesses in unifying remote and office working?

Adapting for a hybrid future with Teams

The pandemic isn’t disappearing at any rate yet, and social distancing is likely to be required for the next few years. Many organisations have found that remote working doesn’t hinder employee performance; quite the opposite in fact. For organisations capable of operating online, remote working should be embedded in their strategy and culture for the long-term.

Teams supports remote working seamlessly, but also provides the distinct ability to integrate and connect remote and office workers. For those looking to return to the office or enjoy the best of both working worlds, Microsoft Teams can offer you sustainable flexibility.

Teams integrates fully with the Microsoft 365 suite, giving users a familiar experience, regardless of location, that they will have already become accustomed to with Windows. Employees can switch seamlessly between office and remote, and with the ability to blur camera backgrounds, employees no longer need to worry about where they are in the house or what’s behind them. Whether in the office, at home or on the train, your employees will have the same working experience.

Unify office and remote workers with Microsoft Teams

Why it’s the only solution

The last six months have been trying for employees and businesses in almost every industry. It seems that there is no perfection solution when it comes to adapting your operations during a pandemic. The beauty of Teams is that, although it might not suit every organisation, you can tailor the software based on your preferences and build a more personalised system.

Microsoft is committed to developing Teams in line with the future of working; every month, new features that support a hybrid working style are being added to the ever-popular collaboration hub. It’s comforting to know that Teams has Microsoft’s enterprise grade security behind it and sits securely inside the Microsoft 365 protective layer.

Key features for hybrid working:

Full integration with Microsoft 365
A proven track record for flexible working
On-the-go, seamless switching from office to remote
Mobile app, desktop app and web access
Wireless hardware compatibility
Regular updates and new features focused on flexible working

Unify your working today

There are a few similar products available on the market that, like Teams, offer collaboration and connectivity through software. In truth, few come close to being able to offer the integration, security and connectivity that Teams provides. Microsoft Teams gives users and businesses the opportunity to digitally transform their workspace, removing the pressure of full-time office working and giving employees the flexibility to work anywhere, on any device in the cloud.

Talk to us today to find out how you can achieve a hybrid working style with Teams.

Blog Post

Artificial Intelligence & cybersecurity

Blog Post

Welcome to the team: 10 Questions with Ashley

Security Post

Protection from cyberattacks post-COVID-19

We're here to help!

Finding the right IT Support company is a tricky process. There are so many out there and it’s a minefield to choose from the many lists of services they offer. We believe that we’re different to most. We aim to be your Trusted Technology Partner.

Cyber Essentials internet Safety Certificate Bournemouth

Get in touch below and let us know how we can help. A member of our team will be with you to discuss your needs further or to answer any questions you might have.

Alternatively, call us on 0333 344 2204

We're here to help!

Get in touch below and let us know how we can help. A member of our team will be with you to discuss your needs further or to answer any questions you might have.

Alternatively, call us on 0333 344 2204

03Sep

How Microsoft 365 can help you simplify GDPR

September 3, 2020 IT Support Business 2

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been in the news a lot over the last few years. A ground-breaking EU privacy framework, it has empowered individuals across the European Union to use technology freely and safely with much reduced risk.

Yet despite all the hype around GDPR, the guidelines and rules are complex, and many businesses are unconfident about their compliance. So, what exactly does GDPR mean for your business? And how can using Microsoft 365 as a cloud solution help you simplify GDPR for your business?

What is GDPR?

GDPR is an EU regulation enforced in May 2018 which focuses on the privacy of EU citizens’ personal and sensitive data; whether that is a customer, an employee or a business partner. GDPR is concerned with strengthening the protection of data when it is collected, stored and used by organisations. The regulations outline expectations around data as well as guidelines on how to achieve those expectations.

Why does it matter to my organisation?

Every organisation must comply with the regulations, regardless of size or industry. Large fines face anyone in violation, so organisations must ensure that they are treating personal data very carefully and taking the time and effort to understand and follow the rules. GDPR isn’t just about customer data; employee and recruitment data are also covered under the regulation. Candidate data must be handled delicately and disposed of if unsure.

How does Microsoft 365 help achieve GDPR compliance?

• Get to know your data with Advanced eDiscovery

Probably the most important initial step to GDPR compliance is knowing what data you have. The Advanced eDiscovery tool allows you to take stock of what digital data your organisation is holding as well as filter it. You can also optimise your data, such as finding duplicate files and as such reducing your data quantity overall.

• Manage how data is stored

Having control of data and managing its use is integral to GDPR. Microsoft 365 has device management capabilities so you can ensure that data policies are set for different devices within the organisation. Microsoft 365 also offers advanced data protection across all devices.

• Protect your customer data with encryption and cloud security

Microsoft 365 is designed with security at the heart to ensure that businesses are protected against cyberattacks. Device management and data protection controls run across your whole business cloud network. Privacy settings are offered at admin and user levels and document encryption ensures that your sensitive files are only seen by who you choose.

• Track and report on data movement

GDPR place heavy emphasis on the reporting of data. Businesses must document and report on their data procedures to ensure compliance. Microsoft 365 simplifies the report process with tools such as audit logs which allow you to track and report easily and quickly. Data reports within 365 show data in classifications, the movement of the data and any transfers.

GDPR is prominent for any business and those responsible should ensure the appropriate policies and procedures are in place to remain compliant. Talk to us today to understand more about how Microsoft 365 can help simplify GDPR for your business, as well as the other benefits that support business success.

Our experts are here to discuss any points raised in this article, or anything else...

Alternatively, call us on 0333 344 2204

You won't want to miss a thing!

The truest words ever muttered by Aerosmith. Sign up to our mailing list and receive our Cloud data sheets. You’ll also be first to hear about industry news as-well as upcoming sales and promotions of our solutions and products.

There's even more to the story...

Microsoft Teams

Learn More

IT Support Services

Learn More

Microsoft 365 Business Voice

Learn More

IT Cloud Services

Learn More

IT Security Services

Learn More

IT Masterclass Training

Learn More

01Sep

Cloud computing: Frequently asked questions

September 1, 2020 IT Support Business 8

Cloud computing has seen a prolific rise in adoption in the last few years. With growth accelerated further by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, cloud technology is currently being used by a whopping 88% of UK businesses (Cloud Industry Forum report). The reported reasons why businesses are so quick to adopt cloud? Flexibility, affordability and scalability (Cloud Industry Forum report). This trio of benefits that cloud offers enables organisations to speed up growth and boost resiliency.

The unprecedented opportunity with cloud is clear, but many businesses still have queries and concerns. So, what are the most commonly asked questions by small and medium businesses in the UK?

1) What types of cloud are available?

Cloud solutions can be either public or private, with most organisations utilising public. A public cloud platform like Microsoft Azure pools resources in data centres, and users access them via the internet. Businesses can adopt a hybrid cloud, enabling them to benefit from a public cloud whilst still storing resources in their own local data centre.

2) What are the main benefits of adopting cloud?

As mentioned, flexibility, scalability and affordability are the three main benefits of cloud. Organisations can rely less on physical and on-premise infrastructure when they adopt cloud computing; improving their flexibility, opening them up to remote working and driving down costs of maintenance and hardware. Cloud solutions like Microsoft Azure enable organisations to pay only for what they use, meaning they can scale as required without any cost commitments.

3) How do I know if cloud is right for my organisation?

As a flexible and scalable solution, cloud can work for almost any organisation; regardless of size and industry-type. The key to ensuring that it is right for your particular organisation is to embed its use within the wider business strategy. Consider your IT requirements and demands, the complexity of a migration, and also your growth and development plans. Once you have evaluated how cloud will work for your organisation now and in the future, you can adopt and/or scale up the use of it.

4) What about security?

Cyber attacks are always in the news at the moment, and IT security has never been more important. Cloud solutions like Azure put parameters in place to secure and restore data if the worst happens. Features including encryption, identity management and multi-factor authentication provide a layered security approach to keep Microsoft users safe.

5) What kind of training does my workforce need to manage and work in the cloud?

This depends entirely on what kind of cloud solutions you decide to adopt. If you are looking to go as far as rebuild infrastructure in the cloud, then the employees responsible for managing that will need training. Most cloud providers like Microsoft provide training and certifications to support IT staff as users with understanding and becoming proficient in the solutions. We can help you with any training requirements in addition to advising on the right cloud solutions for you.

6) How do I develop a long-term cloud strategy?

Outlining your technical and business objectives is the first step. Identify why the need for cloud has arisen and how a cloud solution will embed within your business strategy. Once you have aligned the use of cloud within your wider strategy, it becomes easier to map out how you can scale the use of cloud to support business success.

Adopting cloud offers businesses the ultimate opportunity to modernise and improve their flexibility and resilience, whilst enjoying cost savings. Talk to us to find out how a solution like Azure could work for your business.

Our experts are here to discuss any points raised in this article, or anything else...

Alternatively, call us on 0333 344 2204

You won't want to miss a thing!

There's even more to the story...

Microsoft Teams

Learn More

IT Support Services

Learn More

Microsoft 365 Business Voice

Learn More

IT Cloud Services

Learn More

IT Security Services

Learn More

IT Masterclass Training

Learn More