Monthly Archives: April 2023

Data, Networks, News, Telecoms

Robust Growth Expectations are Fuelling Network Security Investment, Reveal Communication Service Providers in UK Research from A10 Networks

All the UK communication service providers (CSPs) surveyed believe robust growth in traffic volumes will continue in the next 2-3 years with two-thirds (67%) expecting traffic to rise by 50% or more. 

 

A10 Networks today published research, Global Communication Service Providers: Market Growth Fuels Security Investments, revealing the priorities, expectations, and perspectives of CSPs across the globe as they evolve and expand their services and infrastructure in an increasingly complex digital environment.

The study was undertaken by independent research organisation, Opinion Matters, among 2,750 senior IT professionals from a range of communication service providers across 11 regions around the world, with 250 UK respondents surveyed.*

It found that all (100%) of UK service providers surveyed expect to see traffic volumes rise in the next 2-3 years. Two thirds of respondents expect to see traffic increase by 50% or more – with one quarter (25%) believing it will soar by 75% or more.

As a result, four key themes ran throughout A10 Networks’ second UK CSP survey. These were: focusing on investment, preparing for growth, expanding services to meet underserved communities, and seizing opportunities to expand into new markets with new services.

Commenting on the positive growth levels, Anthony Webb, vice-president of A10 International, said: “These predictions align with the sustained traffic growth we’ve seen in recent years. Although the pandemic created a one-off burst in growth which we witnessed in our 2021 survey, with 98% of UK CSPs surveyed stating this, we are now seeing more sustained patterns emerging which show continuing growth at a considerable rate. Likewise, these positive growth levels are creating both the urgency and the confidence for CSPs to undertake substantial investment projects.”

 

Network security strategy is becoming more sophisticated and diverse

The survey found that UK respondents’ top three priorities for network security investments were:

  • 32% simplification and integration of disparate, disconnected point security solutions.
  • 32% ransomware and malware protection services.
  • 30% upgrading firewalls.

Anthony Webb continues: “Although upgrading firewalls and other security appliances was in the top 3, this was less dominant than it was two years ago when we did our first CSP survey. This points to the fact that today’s network security strategy must be wide-ranging, with a well-rounded approach that can handle the full spectrum of emerging threats to maintain a high quality, reliable, and secure service for customers.”

 

Providers are working to close the digital divide

Alongside investing in network security, UK CSPs are planning to expand their networks to reach unserved or underserved communities:

  • 63% of UK respondents say they are expanding their networks to unserved/underserved communities.
  • 49% are planning to expand for an uplift of more than 10% of their current subscriber base.
  • 14% are expanding for an uplift of more than 50%.
  • 37% are planning to build additional data centres and expand to provide additional capacity for other service providers.

Anthony Webb added: “Connecting communities is central to reducing inequality and supporting digital opportunities, so it is heartening to see this positive direction of travel. Combining this with robust security strategies will result in more people and communities worldwide benefitting from safe, reliable digital services.”

 

Enterprise cloud migration is having a positive impact

Enterprise cloud migration has been a strong trend over the past decade, accelerated by the pandemic. The survey found that UK CSPs are now focusing on finding the right mix of cloud services to support future plans:

  • Overall, 69% of UK respondents report a positive outcome related to their cloud transition.
  • 27% say it has directly generated revenue.
  • 21% say they have evolved to offer public cloud and managed data centre services.
  • 21% now have differentiated services that have increased their relevance to customers.

Anthony Webb comments: “It is interesting to see that one in four CSPs say they have gained revenue as customers have distributed workloads and data centre functions between private, on premises and public cloud. This cloud transition is also evident when it comes to key purchasing criteria for network equipment, as being in a cloud-native form factor was a must-have criteria, with 30% saying this.”

 

IPv6 transition remains an ongoing challenge

Worldwide demand, as CSPs globally add more subscribers, has made IPv4 addresses scarce. Providers therefore need to plan for transition to IPv6. However, the survey shows that only 34% of UK respondents expect to achieve this in the next 2-3 years.

  • More than one third (34%) are adopting a strategy of carefully managing their IPv4 pools and gradually transitioning to IPv6.
  • 32% aim to run the two in parallel.

Anthony Webb concludes: “This shows that CSPs are adopting a more cautious approach to IPv6 adoption, leveraging existing investment and carefully managing existing IPv4 addresses or running the two in parallel, rather than accelerating full transition plans.

“A10 Networks’ Global Communication Service Providers: Market Growth Fuels Security Investments report shows that CSPs are at a crucial point as they aim to capitalise on demand and seize opportunities to grow and diversify their business. To realise their full potential, service providers need to scale and protect their networks so the infrastructure they provide is secure and highly available.”

The global report also contains analysis of variations between individual countries and regions surveyed. Download the full report here: Global Communication Service Providers: Market Growth Fuels Security Investments

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*Methodology: A10 Networks commissioned a survey, undertaken by an independent research organisation, Opinion Matters, in January 2023. 2,750 senior IT professionals from a range of communications service providers were surveyed from a variety of operators including: mobile, fixed-line telecom, cable, converged, MVNO and MVNA and OTT providers. This is the second global research survey A10 Networks has undertaken into the communication service provider environment expanding on the previous study conducted in 2021. Markets surveyed were UK, Southern Europe, US, Germany, India, Middle East, Benelux, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Nordics, Central & South America.

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A10 Networks (NYSE: ATEN) provides secure application services for on-premises, multi-cloud and edge-cloud environments at hyperscale. Our mission is to enable service providers and enterprises to deliver business-critical applications that are secure, available and efficient for multi-cloud transformation and 5G readiness.

We deliver better business outcomes that support investment protection, new business models and help future-proof infrastructures, empowering our customers to provide the most secure and available digital experience. Founded in 2004, A10 Networks is based in San Jose, Calif. and serves customers globally. For more information, visit www.a10networks.com and follow us @A10Networks.

Logistics, Logistics Tech, News, Tech

New Ivanti Wavelink Report Shows 85% of Supply Chain Professionals Plan to Invest in Technology to Increase Productivity in the Next Year

Ivanti Wavelink, the supply chain business unit of Ivanti, today announce the results of its “Heavy Lift: Supply Chain Trends for 2023.” Ivanti Wavelink worked with more than 200 warehouse workers, drivers, line workers, warehouse managers, analysts, customer support specialists, and C-suite to gauge the current state of the supply chain.

A key takeaway from the survey is that technology increasingly plays an important part in productivity as labor challenges continue. The survey indicates it’s difficult—and critical—to get and keep the right people in the right roles, and respondents are looking to intuitive technology to help workers do their jobs as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Respondents’ concerns over labor shortages and enabling worker productivity were consistent—and significant – throughout the study. Time to train the workforce (52%) and high turnover (50%) were the most-noted workforce challenges. Additionally, 41% also cited the need for digital upskilling.

To help address these concerns, organizations are embracing technology and automation to enhance worker experience and productivity. Around 85% of respondents plan to invest in new technology and/or build upon existing technology in the next year, with more than half (53%) indicating they intend to increase automation by up to 30%.

The right technology can be leveraged to make warehouse jobs easier, more efficient, more productive, and with far less physical burden. The most-used tools were hand-held mobile computers with barcode scanners (58%) and tablets (50%). Wearable computers and automated picking tools are currently less utilized but trending upwards, with respondents indicating that these tools are the top items they plan to invest in throughout the next year.

Tech that’s easy to deploy and is ultra-dependable could accelerate adoption. The survey says that reliability/uptime is the biggest consideration when evaluating new tech (69%), but other concerns are close behind: ease of deployment (67%), ease of learning (63%), and adaptability—characterized as a system that can quickly react to needed changes (63%).

“With the current shortage of available labor, many industries are better equipping their teams with technologies that help them optimize workflow. By embracing technology to help streamline operational efficiency, organizations can increase productivity, reduce costs, save time, and improve customer satisfaction,” said Brandon Black, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Ivanti Wavelink. “Additionally, by implementing technology and automation that uses real-time data, companies can gain end-to-end visibility that allows them to evaluate information more efficiently and be more agile in mitigating issues.”

According to the IDC White Paper Next-Generation B2B Integration Enables a Digital-First, Resilient Supply Chain, “Organizations of all sizes need to speed up their transformation initiatives to increase flexibility, agility and visibility for a more resilient supply chain. Digitizing supply chains through modern integration, automation and secure and connected ecosystems makes it easy to manage information flows and uncover the insights to ensure continued operations, even in the face of major disruptions.”1

 

Read the full survey report here.

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1 IDC White Paper, sponsored by OpenText Corporation, Next-Generation B2B Integration Enables a Digital First Resilient Supply Chain, doc # CA49778622, January 2023.

 

About Ivanti Wavelink:

Ivanti Wavelink is a global leader in supply chain solutions that focus on task worker operational excellence in business-critical environments. Over 25,000 customers have deployed Ivanti Wavelink solutions to accelerate warehouse operations, reduce risks, and increase productivity through intelligent insights and automation. Our market-leading mobile enterprise platform, combined with our innovative mobile and IIoT solutions, can enhance task worker productivity at the edge and drive efficiency and profit to the bottom line. Ivanti Wavelink is part of Ivanti, a global technology company that enables and secures Everywhere Work. Ivanti is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah and has offices all over the world. For more information, visit www.ivanti.com/wavelink.

 

Business & Property News, Data & Analytics, News

The Data City helps DSIT drive growth in the UK economy.

Leeds-based data consultancy, The Data City has secured a six-figure project with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Cambridge Econometrics to map high-potential business clusters around the UK.

The work will help DSIT drive the growth of the UK economy and support the government’s Growth Plan. The project sees expert analysts from Leeds-based The Data City working closely with both organisations to explore science, technology, research & innovation cluster formation and performance. It involves identifying groups of businesses with a high potential for growth and sharing characteristics that can be defined as a cluster.

 

The Data City is successfully mapping the UK’s emerging economy, providing researchers, policymakers and investors with real-time data on dynamic sectors and the companies within them.

 

The primary focus of the multi-stage study is to identify groups of firms that meet the different criteria and can be considered ‘true’ clusters. The project involves collecting, processing and analysing four primary datasets before data processing and analysis.

 

The team will then identify groups of firms based on their patterns of activity and location. The work will be undertaken through network analysis of the UKRI and Patent and Academic Activity Datasets. Both databases will then be linked, and a complete list of clusters will be finalised.

 

As registered secure data users, Cambridge Econometrics will process all secure microdata and ensure non-disclosive before sharing it with other partners.

 

Once the data has been collected, processed and checked, it will be used to produce the final report, added to the cluster database, and built into an interactive website created by The Data City.

 

The Data City is a data-as-a-service company providing unique, real-time industrial data on the most dynamic emerging economic sectors. Delivered by a cutting-edge AI, The Data City’s platform combines all the data needed in one place, from open data sets and website text to company financials and investment data, allowing users to make impactful discoveries in minutes.

 

The Data City team has spent the last seven years working with industry bodies, academic and sector experts and government departments to build an extensive library of new economy sector classifications that, once classified, are made available to all of its customers.

 

Alex Craven, CEO of The Data City, said: “It is a testament to the hard work of our team that we can work in partnership with leading organisations to play an important part in the UK’s Growth Plan. The innovative approach we have proposed will prove more effective in identifying a wider selection of clusters of different types than any single approach would be capable of, leading to a much more comprehensive and detailed picture of the UK cluster landscape that will ensure that support is targeted to companies with great potential for growth and job creation.”

 

About The Data City:

The Data City is a UK Data Services SME that has developed a SaaS platform through which it has established a new standard in industrial classification, particularly focusing on the emerging economy. Working with government and private organisations, the platform allows policymakers, economists, investors and analysts, among others, to understand the economy and markets in real-time.

 

Finance and Banking, News

How to Choose the Right Payment Processing Solution for Your Small Business

In today’s world, businesses of all sizes are expected to offer convenient and secure payment options to their customers. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), choosing the right payment processing solution can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it’s important to take the time to research and compare different providers to find the one that best fits your business needs.

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a payment processing solution for your SME:

  1. Fees and pricing: Payment processing providers charge different fees, including transaction fees, monthly fees, and setup fees. It’s important to understand the pricing structure of each provider and compare them to find the most affordable option for your business.
  2. Security and compliance: Your customers’ payment information must be kept secure to protect them from fraud and identity theft. Look for a payment processor that is compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and offers features such as tokenization and encryption to protect your customers’ data.
  3. Payment types and methods: Different payment processing providers offer different payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Consider which payment methods are most popular among your target audience and choose a provider that offers them.
  4. Integration and compatibility: Your payment processing solution should be compatible with your existing hardware and software systems, such as your point-of-sale (POS) system or e-commerce platform. Look for providers that offer easy integration with your current systems.
  5. Customer support: If you have any issues with your payment processing solution, you need to be able to contact customer support for assistance. Look for providers that offer 24/7 customer support and multiple contact channels, such as phone, email, and chat.
  6. Reputation and reviews: Do your research to find out what other SMEs are saying about the payment processing providers you are considering. Look for providers with a good reputation and positive reviews from other small businesses.

Examples of Payment Processing Providers

When it comes to payment processing solutions, two popular providers for SMEs are Exactly.com and Stripe.com. Each offers a range of services to help businesses accept payments from their customers, but they differ in their specific offerings and features. Let’s take a closer look at what each provider has to offer:

Exactly

Exactly.com is a payment processing provider that offers a range of services to help SMEs accept and manage payments. Some of their key offerings include:

  1. Open banking: Exactly offers open banking services, which allow businesses to access their customers’ bank account data securely. This can help streamline payment processes and reduce the risk of fraud.
  2. Payment gateway: Exactly provides a payment gateway that integrates with a range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards. Their payment gateway is also compatible with a range of POS systems and e-commerce platforms.
  3. Payment processing: Exactly offers payment processing services that are PCI DSS compliant and include features such as tokenization and encryption to protect customer data.
  4. Payment links: Exactly allows businesses to create payment links, which can be sent to customers to facilitate payments quickly and easily.

Stripe

Stripe.com is another popular payment processing provider that offers a range of services to help SMEs accept and manage payments. Some of their key offerings include:

  1. Checkout: Stripe offers a customizable checkout solution that can be integrated with e-commerce platforms and mobile apps. This allows businesses to accept payments quickly and easily from their customers.
  2. Billing: Stripe provides billing tools that allow businesses to create and manage invoices, subscriptions, and recurring payments. This can help streamline payment processes and reduce administrative overhead.
  3. Invoicing: Stripe also offers a standalone invoicing solution, which allows businesses to create and send professional-looking invoices to their customers.
  4. Payment processing: Stripe offers payment processing services that are PCI DSS compliant and include features such as tokenization and encryption to protect customer data.

In conclusion, choosing the right payment processing solution for your SME is crucial to providing your customers with a convenient and secure payment experience. By considering the factors listed above and doing your research, you can find the provider that best fits your business needs and budget.

News

Gym bosses await green light on 6,000 sq metre seaside health complex

A NEW health, exercise and wellbeing complex will breathe life into a seaside town centre and give the economy a welcome lift.

Sion Pritchard and Rich Blake, directors of LVL5 Gyms Ltd, are awaiting a decision on plans to transform empty units at the former Tudno Castle hotel site in Llandudno into a high-quality gym, coffee, and smoothie bar, changing rooms, sauna, spin zones and more.

The 6,000 square metre two-floor facility will employ up to 10 people and both Sion and Rich – who hail from Conwy county – are hopeful their proposals for the coastal resort will be supported by the local community.

“We have had a lot of positive feedback and are confident LVL5 Gyms can bring something fresh to Llandudno,” said Sion.

“It’s a fantastic location and as we are both from the area it means a lot for us to be able to open a business in such a vibrant space, in a place we know so well.”

Rich, a personal trainer and Workplace Resilience and Wellbeing Master Practitioner (WRAW MP), added: “What we are proposing is something unique, with a focus on the wellbeing of our customers and gym users.

“We have invested in the very latest technology and machinery, but mindfulness and making exercise more accessible in a warm, welcoming environment is one of our top priorities, especially post-pandemic.”

The gym will feature innovative equipment including the region’s first Fit3D Proscanner, and its foundations are built on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – Self-Actualization, Esteem, Love/Belonging, Safety and Physiological.

“The entire space will be centred around the mind and body, having a healthy routine and positive focus,” said Sion, who is also managing director of award-winning retail chain PetPlace.

“This will be a place people can come to train and lift weights but also to be part of a community, socialise and experience something new, something different from the norm – we are excited to see how things develop.”

Rich added: “This is the perfect location, and our aim is to create a setting unlike any other in this region.

“There is demand out there for a gym like this, with state-of-the-art facilities and a mission to support the mental and physical health of customers and the community.

“We will be so proud to be able to do that on our doorstep right here in Llandudno and thank everyone for their support so far.”

Edward Hiller, Managing Director of Mostyn Estates, congratulated LVL5 Gyms and said their arrival will bring something new to the town.

“We are delighted to be welcoming them to Llandudno and have recognised for some time that there is a gap in the market for a premium offering like this,” he said.

“LVL5 has a really clear ambition to provide a facility the town can be proud to host, so we wish them the very best for the future.”

For more information, visit www.lvl5gyms.com or follow @lvl5gyms on social media. Alternatively, email info@lvl5gyms.co.uk. 

HR, Law, Leadership

How can businesses navigate ongoing economic headwinds?

Written by Sharon McDermott, co-founder and managing director at Trenches Law

The word of the year for 2022 may have been a cocktail of gaslighting, goblin mode and permacrisis, but we think the best way to describe it would be ‘unpredictable’. From changing leadership to conflict and COVID, we all deserved a pat on the back for getting through it.

Despite turning over a new leaf as we headed into 2023 with optimism, it soon became apparent that the new year wasn’t going to be plain sailing either. Amongst many things, the UK found itself in the midst of an unprecedented cost of living crisis.

Perhaps one of the most notable changes in the world of work was the continuation of remote and flexible roles — with a landmark law passed in December, which grants employees the right to ask for such arrangements from day one.

This resulted in many employers re-evaluating their physical spaces. Indeed, at Trenches Law, we have since closed down one of our buildings to protect staff from spiralling commuter costs. But for others, the office is a safe haven – protecting them from taking video calls in dressing gowns, and helping them to keep energy bills down at home.

So how can we redress the balance and look after our staff in such a turbulent economic climate?

Nurturing the top talent

Rising inflation means many staff are seeking more competitive salaries — particularly in the telecoms sector. This understandably puts managers in a tricky position. At Trenches, we’ve introduced a 5% pay rise for all staff, but we also understand that employee welfare goes well beyond salary alone.

With this in mind, it’s about introducing supportive measures to nurture the workforce. This starts with offering flexibility – particularly around remote working. Some employees prefer to avoid the commute, while others may rely on the energy savings or the social interaction in the office. We need to encourage a culture of communication that supports both.

It’s also important to remember that this is not necessarily about 9-5 or 10-6. It’s about empathising with staff and accommodating their needs – for example, allowing time to pick children up from school and reduce childcare costs, or finish an hour early if they desire, and make up time another day.

Checking in with teams

A culture of communication also means ‘checking in’ on your teams. Whether this is a weekly virtual call or a one-on-one in the office, it’s essential that people feel acknowledged and valued. We’re proud to have introduced access to mental health first aiders – trained, impartial third parties in whom staff can confide, particularly if they feel like they cannot speak to their colleagues.

There are also the ‘little things’ that make a big difference. Keeping personnel motivated while watching costs can sound like a balancing act – but it doesn’t have to be. The smallest gestures can aid productivity and put a smile on the faces of those in your team.

For example, we sent all our staff a tea-themed advent calendar, helping them to keep warm throughout December. We also offer our employees the freedom to go to the gym during the day — not least because off-peak memberships are often cheaper and gym floors are less crowded. Plus,  exercise produces endorphins that help us keep on top of our mental health through tricky times.

Taking a long-term view

While we may be facing a cost-of-living crisis right now, it’s important to make long-term changes, not simply pay lip service. We’ve already seen the benefits of long-term remote working post-COVID. We’re going to keep our staff motivated with these gestures, and this starts from the moment they’re hired.

Trenches Law offers a fully-funded apprenticeship programme, providing accessible training to new starters. For existing staff members, we also have a paid-for learning and development programme, allowing teams to pursue a vocational qualification at no cost.

Again, as business leaders, we need to view this with a long-term lens. While there are associated costs with learning and development schemes, retention rates can improve by up to 50% with strong learning cultures. Remember that the average cost for hiring a new staff member starts from £3,000 – and that’s not accounting for training or other HR benefits. The longer we can hold onto top tier talent, the better our bottom lines.

Above all, have faith

We are all feeling the pinch right now and emotions will be running high. That’s why it’s so important to invest both money and time into your workforce – and your support is underpinned by confidence. Show your employees that you trust them to choose their own schedules or pursue new learning opportunities. They don’t need to be micro-managed.

We have all seen the headlines showcasing the consequences of poor staff practices recently. From mass firings to resignations and even strikes, the fate of our businesses lies in our people’s hands. We cannot underestimate the importance of looking after our teams.

So, what can you do as a manager? By offering a flexible and personal approach, you’ll help your teams feel included and valued, wherever they’re working. The cost-of-living crisis may be a temporary situation, but a company culture lasts a lifetime.

Trenches Law is a telecoms law specialist. Find out more.

Digital Transformation, Networks, News

Xalient Launches Next Generation AIOps Platform Martina 2.0

Real-time monitoring, anomaly detection and behavioural analysis for optimal user experience

Secure network transformation specialist Xalient today announced the launch of its next generation AI-driven network intelligence platform, Martina 2.0. Martina 2.0 is a comprehensive AIOps platform designed to focus on the user experience across different locations. By analysing the operations of devices within each location, Martina 2.0 ensures high levels of resilience and performance are maintained, enabling customers to deliver a consistent, positive user experience across the organisation’s network.

A robust and efficient solution for managing network devices across multiple locations, Martina 2.0 ensures high availability, resilience, and in essence makes the network invisible to users by providing customers with secure, reliable, predictable and performant connectivity – all the time. Providing network telemetry, reporting, observability, behavioural analysis, and network intelligence, Martina 2.0 delivers a visual representation and real-time monitoring of the user experience, predicting and trouble-shooting potential issues before they arise.

Martina 2.0 is built with advanced modular aspects which include:

  • Martina Observe, for network telemetry, reporting and observability.
  • Martina Predict, which incorporates context-gathering capabilities to provide richer insights around network behaviour and anomaly detection.  Martina Predict ingests device statistics such as utilisation, latency and packet loss using machine learning algorithms to forecast future values, detect anomalies in real-time and identify seasonal patterns and trends.

Martina 1.0 was originally launched on-premises in 2021 through a Partnership with the University of Bradford and Innovate UK which started in 2019. Today several tier one customers, via Martina’s dashboard, can easily see what is happening within their infrastructure and triage the most important alerts. Now Martina 2.0, the latest cloud installation, transforms Martina from a virtual network assistant into a comprehensive AIOps platform. One that enables customers, via a single pane of glass, to have rapid and accurate visibility of any issues that need to be prioritised and addressed.

 

Commenting on the Partnership, Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Network said in February 2023: “This Partnership has been graded ‘outstanding’ and we would like to congratulate all those involved in achieving this excellent outcome and to thank Xalient for its contribution to the ongoing success of this AI-driven network intelligence initiative.”

 

Intuitive design and scalable operational capabilities

Via a convenient mobile app, the C-Suite and CIOs/CISOs have complete visibility into the network service with easy-to-use, accurate data – at any time. With its modular design and scalable architecture Martina 2.0 can easily be expanded and adapted to accommodate growing and changing network requirements. And its out-of-the-box integration with popular IT service management (ITSM) platforms means there is streamlined communication between teams with faster response times, more effective issues resolution, and overall improved network operations.

 

Stephen Amstutz, Director of Innovation, Xalient, comments: “Through a very intuitive and easy-to-use interface, this next generation of Martina lets our managed services team – in collaboration with the customer – know exactly what alerts they need to be prioritising. This enables both Xalient and our customers to be more proactive in our impact assessments. For example, we could be monitoring over 2,000 sites and there might be 10 sites where we are experiencing a loss or impact to the service. We don’t have to wait for the customer to call us and point this out, we can proactively predict, monitor and prioritise action, reaching out to their support desk with our diagnostics to quickly resolve the issue.”

 

In summary, Martina 2.0 key features include:

  • Real-time user experience monitoring
  • Availability monitoring for optimal user experience
  • Simple colour-coded system status indicators
  • Automatic device failure detection and recovery
  • Customisable notifications and alerts
  • Comprehensive reporting on device performance and user experience indicators
  • Scalable and flexible architecture for evolving network infrastructure needs
  • Out-of-the-box integration with popular ITSM platforms
  • Behavioural analysis and forecasting including seasonal trends recognition
  • Context gathering and real-time anomaly detection
  • Comprehensive network data collection
  • Metrics for impact assessment and issues location
  • Automated root cause analysis and network troubleshooting

 

The next advanced module of Martina (Resolve) is already in development and in addition to all the above features will enable automated resolution. Martina 2.0 is part of Xalient’s Innovation Suite which includes its intelligent connectivity and cloud access solution, SONA. SONA is delivered as a complete managed service and provides cloud and inter-region connectivity in a more cost-effective OPEX model, simplifying the networking overheads for the customer, while improving the performance of their cloud services. Also included is WANDA, which enables organisations to deploy and maintain networks at speed and scale with consistent accuracy.

Xalient has experienced rapid growth in recent years, receiving recognition from both the Sunday Times Hundred 2022 list of Britain’s fastest-growing private companies and the FEBE Growth 100 list, which champions Britain’s fastest-growing, founder-led private companies. This success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Xalient team. As Xalient looks to the future, with its advanced next generation AIOps platform, it is committed to continued growth and success, building on its achievements, and striving to be at the forefront of its industry. To learn more about Xalient and its services, visit www.xalient.com

 

Education, Law, News, Outdoors

Sam Hawking Property Lawyers Sponsor Coronation Mountain Challenge

Port Talbot legal expert, Sam Hawking Property Lawyers, has been announced as the lead sponsor for Christ College Brecon’s epic Coronation Mountain Challenge.

The Coronation Mountain Challenge, which takes place on the King’s coronation May bank holiday weekend, is part of the school’s ambitious 2041 Mountain Challenge which launched last year.

It will be held annually up until 2041 which will mark the school’s 500th anniversary and aims to raise money year-on-year for the Christ College Brecon Foundation and Brecon Mountain Rescue.

The challenge invites competitors to take on one of three different hiking routes around the Brecon Beacons: a low level 10 mile, a high level 13 mile and a more challenging high level 23 mile route which covers some iconic peaks such as Pen y Fan, Corn Ddu and Fan y Big.

Last year, Sam Hawking, Principal at Sam Hawking Property Lawyers, completed the challenge with his whole family. He said: “Christ College Brecon held a fantastic inaugural event last year with the different routes catering for all abilities. My wife and 10-year-old daughter completed the 10 mile walk, my eldest daughter the 13 mile route and myself the 23 mile race, and we all had a fantastic day enjoying the stunning views of the Beacons.

“We are so pleased to be sponsoring the event for the second year and my family and I can’t wait to face the challenge again.”

Father and daughter Graham (70) and Alison Rees also completed the 10 mile low level route last year. Alison said: “The Mountain Challenge was great fun, following a pleasant route along the canal towpath with some beautiful scenery along on the way. Pupils cheered us on at the checkpoint giving us a boost to finish, completing in good time with a burger awaiting us at the end! It was a fantastic day out.”

Sign up to the Coronation Mountain Challenge at https://www.christcollegebrecon.com/our-community/coronation-mountain-challenge/

Cloud Providers, News, Technology

JumpCloud and Google Introduce New Productivity and IT Management Solution

Full cloud alternative to legacy solutions reduces costs and IT work, while increasing user productivity and security 

JumpCloud Inc. today announced it is partnering with Google Cloud on a new joint offering that enables businesses to combine Google Workspace with the open directory platform provided by JumpCloud to strengthen their security and how they manage hybrid workforces. Organisations now have an open, cloud-forward, and secure alternative to single vendor, legacy solutions. They also have the freedom and flexibility to move to modern, cloud-based solutions to support hybrid work and mixed platform environments.

“As businesses continue to shift toward hybrid work models, IT teams must evaluate which tools enable them to securely optimise workforce productivity at scale,” said Kevin Ichhpurani, vice president of global partner ecosystem and channels, Google Cloud. “Global organisations can now combine Google Workspace’s innovative communications capabilities with JumpCloud’s device management and directory services, providing IT teams with a modern collaboration solution that is flexible and can evolve with their business’ needs.”

The Google Workspace and JumpCloud package combines collaboration and productivity, directory services, device management, single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and more in a single offering. Organisations have the freedom to choose best-in-class devices, applications, and infrastructure providers without vendor lock-in and high fees.

“Closed, legacy, and on-premises systems are rigid, making it nearly impossible for organisations to modernise with cloud solutions,” said Greg Keller, co-founder and chief strategy officer, JumpCloud. “Our partnership with Google Cloud gives IT teams an open, modern, and affordable solution to ensure their workforces can collaborate effectively with Google Workspace and any IT resource from any location from a trusted device. This package also delivers tremendous opportunity for Google Cloud’s channel partners, empowering them with a single, competitive solution for workforce collaboration, directory services, and device management.”

Google Workspace and JumpCloud packages are available through Google Workspace resellers around the world. To learn more about the offering, join JumpCloud’s IT Hour on Friday, 28th April at 4:30 pm BST where Google Workspace’s Head of ISV Partnerships Seth Siciliano and JumpCloud’s Principal Strategist Chase Doelling will discuss the details and benefits of the new collaboration.

 

About JumpCloud

JumpCloud® helps IT teams Make Work Happen® by centralising management of user identities and devices, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to adopt Zero Trust security models. JumpCloud has a global user base of more than 200,000 organisations, with more than 5,000 paying customers including Cars.com, GoFundMe, Grab, ClassPass, Uplight, Beyond Finance, and Foursquare. JumpCloud has raised over $400M from world-class investors including Sapphire Ventures, General Atlantic, Sands Capital, Atlassian, and CrowdStrike.

Learn more: https://www.jumpcloud.com/

Fintech, News

Suresite addresses unattended market needs as contactless payment device solution goes live

Demand for Suresite’s new unattended contactless payment solution, launched through a partnership with Vianet, soars as the forecourt retail specialist breaks into new sectors

Leading forecourt retail specialist Suresite Group has announced its new ‘unattended’ contactless payment solution is now live, and has exceeded initial demand expectations, positioning the company as a pioneer for this largely under-served market.

Thanks to a strategic partnership with payment solutions provider Vianet in late 2022, Suresite has developed a solution to meet the rising demand for unattended card transactions and the increasing appetite for contactless payment solutions among consumers. Juniper Research’s latest Contactless Payments research predicts contactless transactions will grow 130% globally in the next five years, taking the market size from its current $4.7tn to $11tn in 2027.

The launch of this new payment solution marks a significant milestone for Suresite Group, providing momentum to penetrate new markets, such as vending.

 

Nick Horne, sales and commercial director at Suresite Group, says: “In today’s economic climate, cost savings, smart decision-making, and efficient operations are essential for businesses to navigate financial pressures and uncertainties. As a result, automated retail businesses are on the rise, driven by changing customer expectations and experiences that require an evolution in payments. Thanks to our focus on innovation and customer-centric solutions, we’ve been quick to identify and address these evolving demands with this new launch, which is already taking us into new verticals.  With the ability to accept payment via contactless devices at any unattended site, we’re providing customers with the prospect of ‘more-sales-less-cost’, which – excitingly – puts us at the forefront of a growing industry that’s been largely under-served and overlooked.”

 

The new solution sees the firm’s market-leading acquiring services join forces with Vianet’s contactless payment solution hardware, which is available in two versions, the Smart Contact and the Smart Contact Pro – making it an exciting option for merchants too.

With zero hardware costs, customers benefit from a competitive, user-friendly and highly secure payments solution able to futureproof most unattended solutions such as washing machine services, coffee machines, charging points, and unmanned jet washes and air and vac stations.

 

Demand has been high in the initial weeks following the go-live date, with customers impressed by a number of key benefits. These include:-

  • the hardware is highly secure being PCI level 1 certified
  • transaction fees are competitive
  • customers can receive cash in their bank from 24 hours
  • there are additional capabilities to advertise other services

 

What’s more, with direct access to a first-class engineering team, 24/7 tech support and Suresite’s 5* feefo-rated customer service team, customers have also been impressed by the comprehensive level of support on offer.