Many of you will be returning from your summer holiday, refreshed and ready to tackle work again. The last 18 months forced huge work changes upon all of us and, whilst some will return to the office full-time, many will be working under the new “hybrid” model between home and office. In previous newsletters we have tackled a host of topics with the aim of optimising your devices and IT set up whilst remaining cyber secure. Now is a good time to focus on lessons learned as well as understanding some of the perhaps unexpected pandemic consequences.
Chip Shortage
Chips/semiconductors/microchips are a fundamental part of today’s electronics, whether mobile phones, tablets, cars or Wi-Fi boosters. We are amid an epic shortage of chips due to pandemic-related supply chain issues. The combination of limited manufacturing sites, port shutdowns and increased device demand has caused often long delays and, it’s not a problem that can be fixed overnight. This Popular Science article provides a good overview of the issues. So, what does this mean practically? We have seen increased shipping delays on some items so, if you are planning any device purchases or Wi-Fi upgrades, you may well need to factor in extended lead times. Do get in touch with us for advice on set up and scheduling [email protected]
Anti-Phishing Training
Our regular readers will be well-aware of our focus on cyber security, especially given the huge rise in cyber crime during the pandemic. In case you do need a reminder here’s August 2020’s blog on this topic. By now, you might well be equipped with the principles but, especially when you are busy, it can be all too easy to lose some of your vigilance. Practical training can be very helpful to refresh your “suspicion response”. We have arranged various testing programmes for clients, so why not get in touch to see how we can help?
Sustainable Device Management
However large or small your IT home and office set up, you will have multiple devices and, at some point, something will need replacing. Given the chip shortage, we have seen both some delays and, in some cases, price rises. Whilst replacement is sometimes unavoidable, current circumstances are another good reminder to have both device management and business continuity planning in place. To enable efficient IT management, our process involves first undertaking a device audit then, working with you to understand future needs and potential issues to formulate the right plan for your business. Why not get in touch to see how we can help?