Desktop Computing

By March 30, 2016 Read More →

Synology announce the release of the DiskStation DS416slim

001Synology are pleased to announce the release of the DiskStation DS416slim. Now available worldwide the DS416slim is an ultra-small and compact Network Attached Storage system measuring at only 18.4 cm x 16.8 cm x 23.0 cm(7.2” x 6.6” x 9.0”) and less than 700g. This NAS supports a total of 4 x 2.5” SATA III/II hard drives and also one of the J series model which adopts the Marvell Armada 38X CPU family, equipping with Armada 385 Dual Core 1.0GHz CPU and 512 MB DDR3 memory. DS416slim promises great read/write performance of around 170.23 MB/s in reading and over 77.62 MB/s in writing through Link Aggregation in Windows environment. There are dual 1GbE RJ45 LAN ports located on the rear panel, ensuring continuous service uptime and reduce the risk of unexpected LAN failure. Additionally two USB 3.0 are included to support high speed data transfer, each located in the front and rear side. DS416slim comes backed with Synology’s 2-year limited warranty. 

004

Please note that the above performance is based on DSM 5.2 and the performance based on DSM 6.0 will be updated within 2 weeks. The unit should retail for around £222.00 including VAT or €248.64 excluding VAT.

DiskStation DS416slim

Incredibly Small NAS With Great Performance
Synology DS416slim is a palm sized 4-bay NAS with only 0.66kg in weight and measures 120mm x 105mm x 142mm, fulfilling your need for a personal cloud without taking up too much space. Despite its compact appearance, DS416slim makes no compromise on performance. DS416slim is powered by a dual-core CPU with hardware encryption engine and built-in floating point unit support. Under RAID 5 configuration in a Windows® environment, DS416slim delivers up to an average 170.23 MB/s in reading and 77.62 MB/s in writing through Link Aggregation, while delivering an average speed of 112.77 MB/s in reading and 78.81 MB/s in writing through single Gigabit LAN.1

The Dual Gigabit LAN with failover support ensures continual service uptime in the event of unexpected LAN failure, while the hot-swappable drive tray allows you to replace the hard drives without powering off DS416slim. Designed for easy replacement, the system fan can be quickly swapped, so the average time to repair can be significantly reduced. DS416slim comes with dual USB 3.0 ports, each on the front and rear panel, providing fast and convenient data transfer and backup to external storage devices. Running on Synology’s award-winning DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system, DS416slim shares a rich reservoir of applications available in DSM Package Center.
Cross Platform File Sharing

Synology DS416slim supports comprehensive network protocols, ensuring a seamless file sharing experience across Windows, Mac®, and Linux® platforms. Windows AD and LDAP integration allows Synology DS416slim to fit quickly and effortlessly into any existing network environment without the necessity to recreate user accounts. Cloud Sync keeps your Dropbox, Google™ Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Baidu and Box storage in sync with your personal DiskStation at home. Cloud Station suit allows users to sync files among multiple devices, no matter it’s Windows PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android™ tablets/phones, effortlessly keeping everything up-to-date. While you enjoy the seamless file sharing, all the file sharing over the Internet is protected at a high security level through the HTTPS, firewall, and IP auto-block that supported by DS416slim.

Reliable Backup Solution
To protect your valuable data, DS416slim can become a centralized backup destination for consolidating fragmented and unstructured information across your network through a range of options. Advanced backup privilege management makes network backup tasks safer and more efficient. Complete backup solutions such as Backup & Restore minimize the impact of disasters, keeping your valuable data safe and secure.
Your Personal Multimedia Bank

DS416slim helps you easily manage your multimedia contents and share them across Windows, Mac®, and Linux® platforms. With Video Station, you can organize your digital video library with comprehensive media information, watch movies and films, or record your favorite TV programs with a DVB-T/DVB-S stick. Photo Station’s intuitive design allows you to effortlessly organize photos into customized categories, smart albums and blog posts, and link them to social networking websites within a few clicks. Audio Station comes with built-in lyrics plugin, Internet radio and lossless audio formats support and provides music playback via DLNA, AirPlay®, and Bluetooth devices (A Bluetooth dongle is required).

Anywhere/Anytime Availability
No matter what browser you’re using, Synology offers handy features of QuickConnect and EZ-Internet, letting you enjoy accessing to the Internet with minimum effort. Combined with Synology’s mobile apps for every popular feature, including DS photo, DS audio and DS video for anywhere multimedia access, DS download, DS file, and DS cloud for seamless file download/access/synchronization, you can enjoy the content and data in your NAS anywhere, anytime.
Energy Efficient and Easy Management DesigN

Synology DS416slim is designed and developed with energy efficiency in mind. Compared with the average storage server counterparts, DS416slim consumes only 17.17 watts in regular operation. The support of Wake on LAN/WAN and scheduled power on and off can further reduce power consumption and operation cost. HDD hibernation can be configured to take effect automatically when the system has been inactive for a specified period of time. This not only saves energy but also extends the lifespan of the hard disks.

All Synology products are produced with RoHS compliant parts and packed with recyclable packing materials. Synology acknowledges the responsibility as a global citizen

Posted in: Desktop Computing, News, Press Releases, Storage Devices, Streaming Services
Tags:
By March 27, 2016 Read More →

AOC and Philips leaders in Europe’s monitor market

C3583FQ-BS_front_to_right_yellow_designAccording to the latest figures from the analyst Context, the European market for monitors shows significant signs of recovery after the turbulences one year ago. Western Europe stabilises, and also in Eastern Europe the market decrease has slowed down from quarter to quarter last year. In these market surroundings AOC and MMD, license partner for Philips monitors, have achieved further growth in their market share. In the last quarter of 2015, the two companies together grew by 4.5 percent compared to the same quarter the year before. With nearly close to 15 percent market share they together hold the number 1 position in Europe. AOC and MMD are subsidiaries of the world’s leading display manufacturer TPV.

In Western Europe, the two companies continuously grew their market share during the last four quarters and made a step of 12 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the quarter before. Together the two brands now hold the number 3 position in Western Europe.

“As did the entire IT industry, monitors have had a challenging year 2015. All market players had to handle a weak exchange rate for the dollar and economic uncertainties in several markets. With our focus on innovation and customer-centric strategy, we have managed to grow with both of our brands AOC and Philips right from the beginning of the year each quarter – even under these challenging conditions. This is now the basis for further growth, as we have signs that the market is recovering again”, says Thomas Schade, Vice President Europe at AOC and MMD.

In the market of the United Kingdom and Ireland the two monitor specialists continued their successful development. From quarter to quarter AOC and Philips monitors together increased their market share and together hold the number 4 position in the market. AOC alone grew by more than 23 percent on an annual basis. The market share of 7.3 percent for AOC is the highest market share for five years. 

Posted in: Desktop Computing, News, Press Releases
By March 24, 2016 Read More →

AOC Launches Premium Gaming Monitor Line-up

aocDerived from ancient Greek, AGON stands for competition, clash and antagonism. These are the strong characteristics that AOC, a market-leading display manufacturer claims for their upcoming gaming monitor line-up. The AGON series has been created to deliver the utmost gaming features and outstanding designs to the vast community of professional and hardcore gamers.

AGON – AOC’s New Gaming Line
During the year 2016, AOC plans to launch ten variants of its gaming monitors with either IPS or TN panels, each with premium technology to provide gamers with the most versatile gaming experience possible. The AGON series includes both standard and curved models with Flicker FREE technology developed by AOC; all of them enriched with either NVIDIA® G-SYNC™ or AMD FreeSync™ technology.

aoc

AGON – Developed for Awesomeness
With modern-day gamers’ increasing demand for visual precision and image quality in gaming monitors, it is essential for gaming monitors to be engineered not only with the latest technology but also exquisite exterior designs. Yet the AGON series seeks to reach above and beyond the status quo. Response times of 1 ms (TN), 144 Hz and higher refresh rates, height-adjustability, speakers and USB 3.0 ports are default features for this new line-up. With sizes ranging from 24″ 16:9 to 35″ ultra-wide, there will also be curved monitors, and resolutions from Full HD all the way to 4K. The combination of materials on the rear of the monitor will give the AGON an elegant and stylish finish, to perfectly supplement high-end gaming battle stations.

A launch event for the AGON takes place in Beijing today and the all-star Natus Vincere Dota 2 squad will be there to present the new monitor line to the press and PR professionals in attendance.

The first model of the AGON series will be available in the European market in June.

Key Features:

– AGON line-up by AOC
– 10 new gaming monitors
– G-SYNC and FreeSync
– AOC Flicker FREE technology
– Ergonomic, height-adjustable stand
– AOC Game Mode
– AOC No Input Lag Mode
– AOC Shadow Control
– FHD, QHD and 4K resolutions
– TN and IPS displays with 144 Hz+
– Sizes range from 24″ to 35″
– Curved and standard monitors

Posted in: Accessories, Desktop Computing
By March 16, 2016 Read More →

MMD Presents World’s First Quantum Dot Colour Display

quan MMD, the leading technology company and brand license partner for Philips Monitors, announces the world’s first monitor with Quantum Dot Colour technology. With colours that are more vivid, consistent and truer-to-life than ever, the new 27-inch E-Line display 276E6ADSS delivers professional colour quality with 100 % NTSC and 99 % Adobe RGB support, all at a consumer-friendly price.

Quantum Dot Colour – making the difference
Quantum Dot Colour is an innovative nanomaterial technology that produces incredibly accurate, saturated colour – in fact, over 30 % more colour than traditional sRGB LEDs. Additionally, it costs a fraction of most colour-critical technologies and uses 25 % less energy, so saves on energy bills as well.

Artem Khomenko, Product Manager Philips monitors Europe at MMD, explains what makes this technology so different: “With a typical LCD display, there is leakage between RGB channels that compromises how well the display can cover the colour gamut. This new LCD display with Quantum Dot Colour technology achieves much sharper channel distinctions, delivering consistent, vibrant colours across the entire gamut.”
 
The new 27-inch display is emblematic of the commitment of MMD to deliver better resolution and image quality to all users – because it isn’t just professionals who benefit from fidelity in colour reproduction. The expansive colour palette is also ideal for movie lovers, amateur photographers and designers who want the confidence of consistent and true colour reproduction.

Performance under the hood
To leverage the superb colour quality, the latest member of the E-Line series features IPS-ADS technology for added image clarity, Full HD resolution with 1920 x 1080 pixels, as well as an extra-wide viewing angle of 178 degrees. Also on board are Philips Smart technologies to complement the colour performance with enhanced contrast and brightness: SmartImage Lite dynamically enhances contrast, colour saturation and sharpness to suit what is displayed on the screen. SmartControl Lite is a fast, easy way for users to fine-tune display parameters. SmartContrast automatically adjusts colour, contrast and backlight intensity to make the viewing experience even richer and more immersive. And for extra performance, 5 ms SmartResponse puts response times into overdrive for fast-moving applications like gaming.
Another valuable feature for home users is MHL connectivity: users can simply connect mobile devices to the display using an optional MHL cable, and enjoy their mobile content on a much larger screen with Full HD resolution, excellent sound from the integrated speakers – and of course the colour fidelity of Quantum Dot Colour technology.

Elegance for the living space
In a home environment, the display has to look equally good even when turned off. With its glossy white finish and silver stand, the inspired elegance of the new 276E6ADSS display complements any living space. Attention to detail is superb: instead of protruding buttons, the display has touch controls – which keep the already slim lines clean and smart throughout.

The new Philips 276E6ADSS display will be available in March 2016 at an RRP of £239,99.

Posted in: Desktop Computing, News, Press Releases
By March 15, 2016 Read More →

What Gigabyte has in store at DSE 2016 in Las Vegas

brixGigabyte will be presenting its Gigabyte Brix BXi7G3-760, a compact barebone PC kit and a power house when it comes to handling high quality content over multiple interfaces. Featuring an Intel® 4th generation Core™ i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 graphics card, this very compact but highly potent PC is capable of handling three simultaneous displays, supports 4K resolution, and features the connectivity required to give its users the flexibility necessary in various applications such as digital displays. Also present at the show will be the BXi7-5775 featuring Intel Iris Pro 6200 technology which greatly boosts overall performance in 3D applications, the newly launched BXi7H-6500 designed with the latest Intel® 6th generation Core™ i7- 6500U, the BACE-3000, a fanless and low-power unit, as well as the Gigabyte Bear Ridge , a small form factor industrial computer with all the features and flexibility required to be a perfect IoT gateway solution, bridging unconnected legacy systems with their modern counterparts.

 

A New Motherboard for the IPC Industry

The Industrial PC industry represents a major source of growth and innovation. With the challenges that the modern global economy faces, companies need to be as efficient as possible. Like Big Data, Industrial PCs promise a new era of corporate efficiencies and innovation – which is why many of the world’s largest companies are investing in them.

 

Along with the Brix , Gigabyte will be unveiling the Q170TN, a newly designed motherboard with IPCs in mind. Built to Gigabyte’s UltraDurable™ quality standards, this motherboard is designed to last in the harshest of conditions and supports the latest generation of Intel processors for best performance. The Q170TN is capable of handling up to three digital displays with native 4K support, so you won’t have to compromise on display quality. Sporting 2 horizontally aligned SO-DIMMS slots for DDR4 RAM support, the Q170TN is also equipped with a DC-in port and an ATX12V 4-pin power connector (or optional Phoenix connector), offering an optimal design that will help you fit this motherboard in tight environments – making it a highly versatile component that can be easily integrated in various applications such as factory control panels, agriculture automation, vending machines or POS, to name a few.

 

Virtual Reality, Interactive Display and Commercial Display Solutions

In addition, Gigabyte will also be presenting its trusted system integrator solutions to display how Gigabyte can innovate with you.

 

In partnership with AVADirect Custom Computers which specializes in the design, engineering, and production of customized high-performance computer systems, Gigabyte  will be showcasing a live demo of its Z170N-Gaming 5 mini-ITX motherboard paired with an Oculus headset, grabbing the essence of the VR experience and bringing computing to a new dimension.

 

Four Winds Interactive (FWI) creates powerful communication tools that solves wayfinding challenges, enhances safety, increases sales, improves experiences, and more. Working together, Gigabyte and FWI were able to create a system running to get 4K content produced by Four Winds Interactive on massive 84-inch interactive display. Powered by a Gigabyte Brix BXi7G3-760, the system is able to present content such as local artwork, meeting room schedules or event promotions in an appealing way. Stop by our booth to have a look and feel of this innovative system.

 

And to complete our SI showcase, Instore Screen develops and assembles customized and branded commercial grade displays to fit any unique digital signage. Fully customized digital signage developed by Instore Screen will be showcased using Gigabyte’s Brix and Gigabyte Bear Ridge gateway system.

Posted in: Accessories, Desktop Computing, News
By March 9, 2016 Read More →

AOC launches the new 75 Series

aocWith their new 75 Series, AOC presents a new selection of energy-efficient 16:9 widescreen monitors for its professional customers. The stylish, comprehensively certified displays will be available in various sizes ranging from 18.5″ to 27″ (47 cm to 69 cm) at its largest, making the monitors suitable for different working environments. Users can select between a variety of high quality panels (IPS, TN) and will also benefit from the integrated Flicker-Free technology, ensuring comfortable viewing even during long periods of working. The 75 Series thus caters to various needs, making it an ideal addition to workplaces of all kinds.

Functional and sleek design
All monitors in the 75 Series come in an elegant, clean design in matte black and, with VESA wall mount compatibility that makes it possible to easily attach the displays to a wall, thus allowing for a versatile usage across different office settings. The monitors can consequently be utilised for public presentations, but also cut a fine figure at the workplace. Furthermore, each display comprises integrated stereo loudspeakers, meaning that users do not need to add extra clutter to their workstation.

High quality panels and enhanced connectivity
All monitors boast high quality panels (IPS, TN) and, excluding the E975SWDA and the Q2775PQU, also come with Full HD resolution. Particularly the I and Q models of the series impress with their IPS-panels, enabling colour uniform images and wide viewing angles. A highlight of the series is the Q2775PQU, which offers QHD resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels) and thus enables users to enjoy particularly crisp, detailed images as well as a more spacious desktop. It also allows for superior multitasking, being able to display four application windows with 720p resolution each at the same time. All models – with the exception of the 18.5″ model E975SWDA, which does not have HDMI – comprise VGA, DVI and HDMI inputs for connecting a variety of either digital or analogue sources. The higher models further encompass DisplayPort and USB 3.0, with the latter allowing users to easily connect USB peripherals. A fast charge USB port also empowers them to charge their mobile devices’ internal batteries extra-fast using the monitor. The main digital connection cables (DVI and DisplayPort) are included, so that users can get right to work.

Energy-efficient and ergonomically friendly
In a modern working environment, energy-efficient technology is of upmost importance to businesses who are interested in operating in a sustainable and cost-saving way. AOC’s new monitors of the 75 Series shine with their low energy consumption levels and are fully certified with a variety of ecolabels (e.g. EPA 6.0, TCO 6.0, EPEAT Gold). A hard power switch helps save even more energy when the displays are not in use. Another important aspect next to energy-efficiency is user health. An ergonomically friendly workplace is important to keep employees healthy and comfortable. All displays within the 75 Series are thus equipped with an array of ergonomic options that allow users to adjust the monitors to their individual needs. All 75P models are hereby fitted with height-adjustment, pivot, swivel and tilt functions. Each monitor’s usability is further increased by the integrated Flicker-Free technology that reduces flickering effects, which can frequently lead to the occurrence of eyestrain after long usage periods, particularly during office work.

The following models of the new AOC 75 Series will be available in March 2016:

With IPS panel:
I2475PXQU
I2775PQU
Q2775PQU

With TN panel:
E975SWDA
E2275SWJ
E2275PWJ
E2275PWQU
E2475SWJ
E2475PWJ
E2775SJ

These three IPS models will be available in June 2016:
I2275PWQU
I2375PQU
I2475PQU

For pricing information

Posted in: Desktop Computing, News, Press Releases
By March 2, 2016 Read More →

AOC showcases current product highlights at CeBIT 2016

aaDuring this year’s CeBIT, display specialist AOC invites you to take a look at its recent product innovations designed for B2C, B2B and gaming users alike. The manufacturer will showcase its diverse product line-up, including the recently released C3583FQ curved gaming monitor or 32″ widescreen 4K UHD display U3277PQU, at the booth of IT distributor api at Planet Reseller in hall 15 between 14 and 18 March 2016.

 

Immersive gaming experience
With its 2000 mm radius, the AOC C3583FQ is more curved than other conventional curved monitors and thus provides users with a fully immersive experience for games, streams, movies and more. It boasts an extremely fast refresh rate of 160 Hz, Adaptive-Sync technology (compatible with FreeSync™, with a 45 to 160 Hz range out of the box) and Wide Full HD resolution (2560 x 1080 pixels). Users can enjoy an ultra-smooth gaming experience without image tearing, stuttering, input lag or blur and further benefit from up-to-date connectivity standards including two HDMI (MHL) as well as DisplayPort inputs.

aaa

Large high-resolution display with rich features
The AOC U3277PQU boasts a 4K UHD resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, which is four times as much as a standard Full HD panel, therefore rendering photos, texts, videos, games and other content considerably sharper and more detailed. Intelligent features such as Picture-in-Picture or Picture-by-Picture allow users to view images from two different sources at the same time. High brightness levels, wide viewing angles and 100% coverage of the SRGB colour gamut (8-bit+FRC, 1 billion colours) create brilliant images that are appealing for home users and designers alike.

aaaa

Stunning pictures and smooth image reproduction
A stunning Quad HD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and ample screen real-estate of 25″ make the AOC Q2577PWQ interesting for all professionals who rely on razor-sharp images. The display’s short response time of just 5 ms ensures fluid image reproduction, enabling players and movie fans to enjoy clear images even during fast-paced scenes. Features such as the integrated Flicker-FREE technology, which reduces eye-strain during long working periods, various ergonomic adjustment options and up-to-date connectivity turn the display into a versatile companion for every workspace.

aaaaa

Eye-catcher with excellent image quality
The AOC I2481FXH’s asymmetric metal stand and borderless frame turns the 23.8″ (60.5 cm) display into a real eye-catcher that furthermore impresses with brilliant images and wide viewing angles. The monitor features an IPS panel with the Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and includes features such as Flicker-FREE technology to improve users’ viewing experiences. It can be connected to various devices thanks to its two HDMI connectors and VGA socket.

aaaaaa

Professional monitors for every use: the 75 Series
The AOC I2475PXQU (23.8”) and I2775PQU (27”) provide a glimpse of the new 75 series of professional monitors that AOC is releasing this year. Both monitors boast modern connectivity (HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.0) and diverse ergonomic features that make them especially suitable for professional users. The showcased models feature an integrated IPS panel with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, integrated speakers and are comprehensively certified.

Posted in: Desktop Computing, News, Press Releases
By February 24, 2016 Read More →

A look at energy labels, green packaging and energy saving monitors

aocCreating a sustainable workplace is becoming increasingly important for both professional and home users alike. Today, opting for energy-efficient, sustainably-produced technology is not only understood as being good for the planet, but also of benefit to users who can, for example, save ongoing electricity costs by choosing a monitor with low energy consumption. But considering the diverse certifications and eco-saving functions that currently exist in the various displays on the market, users often have trouble distinguishing the specific differences in eco-friendliness. To help make this task a little bit easier, AOC will this year present an overview of selected environmental certificates and eco-friendly monitor functions to assist users in their decision to make their workstation more sustainable.

EnergyStar 6.0 – Lower energy consumption
While there are several international and regional environmental certificates, users interested in exploring the sustainability of their current or future monitor will most likely come across the EnergyStar, TCO and EPEAT labels. The EnergyStar 6.0 certification mark hereby primarily provides information on the energy consumption and efficiency levels of a monitor. For example, it requires the display to automatically go into standby mode after a set period of non-usage. The label, which all current AOC monitors have been certified with, also specifies low energy consumption levels of less than 0.5 W for displays during standby. Purchasing a monitor that is certified with the most recent version, EnergyStar 6.0, thereby ensures a reduction in overall user energy needs and can potentially generate long-term cost savings.

TCO 6.0 and EPEAT – Ensuring sustainability throughout the lifecycle
Monitors labelled with TCO 6.0 and EPEAT fulfil a range of criteria that go beyond mere energy consumption levels. Both certificates require displays to be manufactured in a socially responsible manner using environmentally sound materials. Displays labelled with both certificates can be expected to enjoy a long lifetime. As such, they not only contribute to a reduction in electronic waste but also comprise a durable investment for their users. The TCO 6.0 label also ensures that displays numerous other requirements, such as high image quality standards as well as a diverse range of ergonomic adjustment options, which can promote user health benefits. Likewise, the EPEAT certificate requires monitors to be assessed in terms of their sustainability throughout their entire lifecycle, which is defined using a variety of both obligatory and optional criteria: e.g. is at least 90% recyclable packaging used. Depending on how many of these criteria a display meets, determines its Bronze, Silver or Gold rating.

Energy-saving functions
Most AOC monitors are not only fully certified with important labels but also incorporate additional features that help users work even more sustainably. In addition, some models boast an integrated zero power switch to allow users to shut down the monitor completely to save energy while away from the screen. All AOC displays include an Eco mode, which allows users to optimise energy consumption by adjusting the screen settings to different types of use, such as reading text or playing games. In terms of their power consumption, selected models of the Pro line use less than 0.1 W in standby mode. Moreover, the AOC e-Saver power management software enables users to set up a time period after which the monitor is shut down automatically to save energy.

Posted in: Desktop Computing, Editorial
By February 18, 2016 Read More →

4 Interesting Facts about Video Conferencing

There’s been a lot of talk about video conferencing. For many companies, it’s moving beyond talk right into application. Plenty of industries are already taking advantage of the benefits video conferencing solutions bring to the table. Here are some interesting facts about video conferencing that might prove helpful to you while you decide on how to upgrade your communication infrastructure:

No More Need to Travel

Powwownow says 56 percent of CFOs over the planet choose to do their meetings via video conferencing. It’s a great deal more convenient than traveling to wherever the meeting is set. Travel takes a lot out of your time and commuting presents unique challenges to employees. From driving to work through traffic or catching the train, and elbowing people aside for a chance to sit for a 2-hour trip commute, this can have a negative effect on how employees start their day.

For some employees, though, travel can be a constant and time-consuming part of their daily work schedule. Take lawyers, for instance. Some clients might request for legal assistance and ask the lawyers to come to their homes for a long and lengthy discussion. If it’s a long drive, lawyers stand to lose a lot in terms of gaining enough billable hours if they have to drive to where all their clients are.

In either case, travel is a notorious productivity-killer. With video conferencing though, lawyers can consult with as many clients as they can whether they’re at the office or on the road. With less time dedicated to travel, they can also devote more hours to consulting sessions with their clients.

A Lot of Cost Savings

Boston Consulting Group says companies who used video conferencing to cut down on their travel enjoyed a 30 percent drop in their travel costs. That’s a lot of savings for a company’s bottom line. And the good news doesn’t stop there. With less travel came other cost-savings as well. On-site training sessions that used to last for an entire month were now carried out in a week or two, with the rest of the training being implemented over video. That means less accommodation and food expenses. Annual seminars that used to take a week can now be done in a day, supplemented by a wealth of webinars and online conferences. Companies could now pay less for venue charges and enjoy greater profit. What’s more, businesses no longer had to rely on complicated hardware to set up their communication platforms. By relying on cloud-based solutions, companies can save a lot on hardware costs. Well-known industry players like Blue Jeans offer video conferencing equipment that cover room to remote capabilities. This means online conferences can be carried out, whether you’re in conference room equipped with a ton of equipment, at home with your laptop or halfway across the world with your tablet or mobile phone. That’s a whole lot of savings when you add them all up.

Greater Adoption of the Technology

71 percent of global companies are putting their money in the technology in a bid to slash travel expenses, IMMCA reports. As the number of users grow and the frequency with which they use the technology is a good reason to start migrating to cloud-based tools and solutions. That’s because shifting to the technology such as investing in audio visual solutions ensures compatibility. Compatible systems mean less to zero problems between you and your partner companies, users or customers. Another is to take advantage of the tech-dependent perks. As users multiply, more companies come out of the woodwork to play. Just take a look at the many online apps out there today. As technology evolves, you can expect to see more improvements and enhancements to come, which is good news for all. The better the technology, the more efficient it’ll be for everyone. And the more efficient it is, the greater competitive advantage it gives against your competitors.

A Bigger Market and Talent Pool

Video conferencing collapses boundaries, in more ways than one. It doesn’t just let provide you with opportunities for face to face interviews with potential talents or consultations with clients, it also lets you reach out to those talents or clients—regardless of wherever they are in the world. No need to board a plane and head over to Japan for a business consult. No need to fly out candidates for an interview, until not until you’ve whittled down the applicant list to two to three promising talents. And even then, video conferencing can provide you with the means to conduct the final interview right from your office, sans travel. So if you’ve been having problems finding the right people on your team, maybe expanding your search to global talents will get the job done. And if local prospects aren’t looking up, putting out feelers in the global market can net you the kind of customers your business needs.

Posted in: Desktop Computing, Editorial
By February 17, 2016 Read More →

Kidigi USB Type-C Sync & Change Cradle Unboxing

vlcsnap-error430Desktop chargers are nothing new however with USB Type-C slipping onto the scene there are now folks looking for new peripherals to replace their ageing MicroUSB versions.

The Kidigi USB Type-C Sync & Change Cradle is a destop cradle for the Nexus 6P that combines all you would expect from you typical desktop cradle for £24.99.

 

Posted in: Accessories, Desktop Computing, Phones, Videos/Unboxings
https://www.ukmeds.co.uk/surgical-face-masks