Why outsourced IT always beats DIY

When you’re running a successful business, you just can’t do everything yourself.

You need to protect your time to focus on the bigger picture: Growing the business. Which means the things that you and only you can do.

Your IT is one of those things you need to trust someone else with. Once you do, there will be countless benefits to you, your team, and your business.

Are you neglecting your home office security?

Are you forgetting something when it comes to your business’s security strategy? It’s likely you are, and cyber criminals are already taking advantage.

More people than ever are working remotely. That means they’re using home networks and maybe even personal devices… and if you’re not taking the right steps to keeping everything secure, your entire business could be at risk.

The benefits of the PSTN switch-off

Remember 2012, when the analogue TV signal was switched off and we all went digital?

Well now it’s your phone’s turn, and in December 2025, the last old analogue phone service – the PSTN – is due to be switched off forever.

So if any devices in your business currently use the analogue phone system, you’re going to need to make some changes. That doesn’t just mean your landline phone – you may have alarms, lift emergency phones, some card machines (and you don’t still use a fax, do you?)

You have a bit of time to plan, but it’s important not to leave everything to the last minute on this. As we get nearer to the deadline, suppliers will be stretched and you’ll want to allow time to transition to a new system.

The big switch-off affects everyone. You need to be ready

You might already have heard that the UK’s Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) is being switched off in December 2025.

This affects everyone.

The old, analogue PSTN can’t keep up with the demands of modern communication, so the switch to fully digital will mark a big step forward.

Put simply, everything will use the internet.

But it’s not just our phone lines that will be affected by the PSTN switch-off. Any equipment that also uses PSTN will stop working too. That could be your alarm systems, cameras, fax machines (yes some are still in use!), even door entry systems and EPOS machines.

You may also need to update your broadband and some of your other hardware.

3 steps to better cloud security

Cloud services are become more common for business use. They are convenient, make working remotely easier and have more and more features added over time.

However, are you sure that your business data is secure?

Our latest video will tell you about 3 things you can do today to make sure that your data is as secure as possible

Your need-to-know guide to cloud security

The growth of cloud computing has completely changed how we work. But security in a cloud environment can create a long list of its own challenges.
In our new guide, we cut through the jargon to give you all you need to know to protect your business. You’ll discover what you can do for yourself to stay safe in the cloud, and where some professional help will make a big difference.

A little trust can go a long way

Countless employers still don’t trust their people to do their best work unless they’re physically in the office. But while managers may be struggling to adjust to our new hybrid world, this perception is a long way from the truth.

Research from around the world reveals that greater flexibility from remote and hybrid working often results in a major boost to productivity. Yet still some firms are bringing back an office-only policy.

Employers may be grappling with the fallout of the last few years and hoping that a return to the office will result in a post-pandemic productivity boost.

But seeing as hybrid workers show improved morale, greater creativity and better collaboration (compared with pre-pandemic levels), this could be a big step in the wrong direction.

How to get faster Wi-Fi in your office and for remote workers

How to get faster wifi in your business. watch out video and read our free downloadable guide

Are you using Teams to share sensitive data?

Microsoft Teams has fast become one of THE most useful business tools for the way we work today.

No matter where your people work from, they can communicate and collaborate quickly and reliably.

But this remote way of working can also open the door to some MAJOR security issues.

New research shows that nearly HALF of employees frequently share confidential and sensitive files via Teams.

That can be a big problem if employees are using personal equipment rather than company issued kit… it’s simply not as secure as work devices.

Some bosses think their people do less when working from home

Microsoft has become the leader of productivity over many decades. Can you imagine doing your day to day work without their software?

So it’s no surprise the tech giant recently conducted a major new survey into productivity in the workplace – and some of the results might surprise you.

Researchers surveyed 20,000 people working for businesses in 11 different countries.

They discovered the majority of bosses don’t believe their employees are as productive when working from home.

In fact, four out of five employers said they thought their people got less done when working remotely.

On the other hand, a massive 87% of staff felt they were MORE productive when working from home.

How is there such a big disconnect?