Monthly Archives: August 2024

News

First images of revolutionary new £230k North Wales Esports arena

THESE are the first images of a groundbreaking new £230,000 college Esports arena.

The cutting-edge facility has been built at Coleg Cambria Deeside and is one of only a handful of further education gaming complexes in the country.

Lisa Radcliffe, Assistant Principal for Technical Studies, said state-of-the-art equipment and technology – including 36 YOYOTECH high-spec stations featuring the latest I7 Intel processors and RTX4070 graphics cards – secure Cambria’s position as a pioneer of Esports education in the UK.

“Our aim at Deeside was to create a gaming hub and centre of excellence for our current and prospective students,” said Lisa.

“Alongside this, the development will support the strategic aims of the college by widening access and becoming fully inclusive, helping to increase participation for learners that may feel disengaged or at risk of being NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training).

“This will all enhance our course programme with leading external stakeholders, creating and contributing to our local community.”

The college’s own Esports squad – Cambria Chimeras – were victorious in the Apex Legends Spring Cup earlier this year, defeating opposition from across the country, including college and university teams.

Esports is a booming multi-billion-dollar sector, and learners have already received visits from talent scouts representing some of the world’s top gaming organisations and professional teams, such as Excel Esports.

Lecturer Lauren Crofts said there are exciting times ahead for the Esports programme.

“The Esports course has been hugely popular over the last few years and grant investment has seen the introduction of the two new gaming arenas, one of which will be a Sim Racing performance area.

“The other gives us more room to look at Shoutcast live media streaming, to develop other skills and game creation, utilising the space and introducing state-of-the-art technology, as well as taking Esports into local primary and secondary schools to explain the wide range of careers out there in this industry.”

Lisa added that the college’s partnership with YOYOTECH – a company at the forefront of the UK gaming revolution, installing and managing bespoke Esports arenas and selling high-end PCs – will only grow as the industry continues to boom.

A YOYOTECH spokesperson said: “After first meeting with Lisa her passion and drive to enhance the learners experience at college was infectious. Together we identified an opportunity to build upon and grow their existing Esports provision to accommodate their expanding course programme.”

The PCs at Deeside have been paired with MSI pro gaming peripherals to help learners compete at the top of their game, alongside AOC 27” 165Hz gaming monitors.

The space has been optimised with two separate desk designs, complete with LED edge lighting and PC locking shelves, with a divider which can split the facility into two to allow separate gaming competitions, lectures and workshops.

“It is an incredible set-up, one our existing students will love, and definitely a USP for those looking to join us in the years ahead,” said Lisa.

For more information on Esports at Coleg Cambria, visit the website: www.cambria.ac.uk.

News

Predictive Maintenance and Optimisation with Panasonic TOUGHBOOK: The Future with AI and IoT

Written by: Jacek Wielgus, Key Account Manager at Panasonic Connect

 Panasonic TOUGHBOOK is synonymous with reliability and innovative technologies that support public administration, emergency services, utilities, and businesses in demanding work environments. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in TOUGHBOOK models, such as the latest TOUGHBOOK 40mk2, enables predictive maintenance and optimisation of maintenance activities. These advanced technologies minimise downtime, enhancing operational efficiency and precision in the field. Examples from various sectors demonstrate how AI and IoT in TOUGHBOOK contribute to a revolution in maintenance management and operational performance.

AI and IoT technologies in Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices significantly boost the capabilities of predictive maintenance and optimisation. AI enables real-time data analysis, identifying patterns that may indicate potential technical issues. This allows for preventive actions, minimising downtime and repair costs. For example, in the TOUGHBOOK 40mk2, AI can analyse data from external temperature and vibration sensors to detect anomalies early in the equipment’s operation.

The new Intel Ultra AI chipset available in the TOUGHBOOK 40mk2 greatly enhances the performance of AI applications. With its revolutionary hybrid architecture, combining high-performance P-cores with energy-efficient E-cores, this chipset delivers exceptional computational efficiency, supporting advanced AI tasks such as machine learning and data analytics directly on the device. It integrates powerful AI engines that optimise local data processing, significantly reducing latency and improving real-time decision-making capabilities, making it ideal for businesses requiring rapid and efficient computing solutions. The integration of Intel’s cutting-edge Arc GPU further enhances graphics performance, allowing for seamless multimedia handling and visual tasks, and with the support for Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6E, it ensures fast and reliable connectivity, crucial for modern business operations.

IoT facilitates remote monitoring and management of devices, which is particularly useful in remote locations. IoT sensors collect data and send it to a central system, where it is analysed by AI. This allows operators to monitor equipment status, perform remote diagnostics, and take immediate corrective actions. The introduction of advanced AI and IoT features in our TOUGHBOOK enables users to predict failures and optimise maintenance in ways that were previously impossible. This not only reduces time and costs but also significantly increases reliability and operational precision.

TOUGHBOOK also allows for local data processing, ensuring quick decision-making even in remote locations with limited connectivity. In areas where cloud connectivity is not always possible, companies need applications that also work offline.

Operational Efficiency Through Modern Technologies

SeekOps, an American technology company specialising in the detection, localisation, and quantification of gas emissions using advanced sensors and drones, uses TOUGHBOOK to manage methane sensor-equipped devices for leak detection. The TOUGHBOOK, with its durability and long-lasting batteries, is ideal for harsh field conditions, enabling precise leak localisation, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and safety. IoT technology in TOUGHBOOK enables real-time remote monitoring and data transmission, with IoT sensors collecting data on the equipment’s technical condition and potential hazards, allowing for the quick response and risk minimisation.

Rosen Technology, a German company specialising in pipeline measurements, also uses the TOUGHBOOK40 to record and analyse pipeline measurement data worldwide. This illustrates how TOUGHBOOK are utilised across various industries, improving operational efficiency and safety.

The integration of AI and IoT technologies in our TOUGHBOOK opens new possibilities for companies like SeekOps and Rosen Technology. Through precise monitoring and real-time data analysis, users can act proactively, which not only increases operational efficiency but also raises the level of safety in challenging field conditions.

The Potential of AI and IoT Technologies

Panasonic is intensively developing AI and IoT technologies in its devices to enhance operational efficiency and user safety. Increasingly advanced AI algorithms enable more precise failure prediction and maintenance optimisation, significantly minimising downtime. With the development of IoT, intelligent sensors collect real-time data, enabling immediate response to any irregularities and threats.

The future of AI and IoT technologies in portable and industrial devices looks promising. These innovations have the potential to transform infrastructure and operations management in many sectors, such as energy, water supply, and transportation. Portable devices with built-in AI and IoT systems are becoming the standard, offering new possibilities for real-time resource monitoring and management. Panasonic, through its TOUGHBOOK, continues to introduce innovations, providing tools that are not only durable but also intelligent and efficient, contributing to a revolution in operations management.

 

Business, Business News, Employee Engagement, Employee Experience

Kontroltek Champions Growth and Unity Through Employee Ownership

Kontroltek, a leader and trusted partner in industrial electronic and mechanical repairs, has announced the successful creation of an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), transferring majority ownership of the company to its employees. 

 

This transformative step, facilitated by GS Verde Group, marks a new era of shared success and sustainable growth for the company.

 

Andrew Follant, Managing Director of Kontroltek, said: “Since starting Kontroltek, it has always been my vision to find a way to share the success of the business with all my employees and this was a perfect way to do that.

 

“The EOT will promote long-term and sustainable growth for the group. As beneficiaries of an Employee Ownership Trust, all our eligible employees are now even more personally invested in our success, ensuring exceptional service and satisfaction for all our customers and driving a culture of engagement and collaboration.”

 

Kontroltek provides comprehensive industrial electronic and mechanical repair, supply and maintenance solutions to industry across the UK, specialising in the repair and supply of industrial automation components. With a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, Kontroltek has established itself as a trusted partner in engineering reliability.

Business, Charity Events, Charity News

Charity Cath raises thousands for cancer

Swansea’s Catherine Robinson, account executive at Howden’s south Wales office, has raised £4,833 for multiple cancer care charities since April 2023.

Starting with the London Marathon in 2023, Catherine raised £3,453 for Young Lives vs Cancer. The following year, she ran the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon for the same charity, raising £1,130 and additionally raised £250 for Macmillan Cancer Support through taking part in its Marathon Hike in July of this year.

Catherine will be running the London Marathon once again to raise funds for Young Lives vs Cancer in April 2025.

On why fundraising for these charities is so important to her, Catherine said: “I am in true amazement of Young Lives vs Cancer and their work. When completing the London Marathon in 2023, I was greeted by an inspiring young volunteer who had a terminal brain tumour, and this was the moment I knew I had to help the charity as much as I could. The charity has given me so much support both in mindset of running 26.2 miles and raising the funds.

“My fundraising for Macmillan was more of a personal story. My mam beat cancer in 2021 under the support of Macmillan, but we sadly then lost my stepdad suddenly to cancer in June 2023. So, when my friend asked me to do the marathon hike this year which fell on my stepdad’s birthday, I knew I couldn’t say no. While this was emotional to complete on such an important date, it was an honour to give something back to the charity and play a part in helping those who need it in the future.

Catherine’s boss Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director at Howden Wales, said: “We are incredibly proud and in awe of Catherine and everything she has managed to do for these charities. We support her every step of the way and strongly encourage anyone who can to donate via her Enthuse page. We wish her all the best with London 2025.”

You can support Catherine’s fundraising for Young Lives vs Cancer here.

News, Tech, Technology

Ransomware in the Global Healthcare Industry

Written by Leon Ward, VP, Product Management, ThreatQuotient 

 

The World Health Organisation (The WHO) recently hosted a webinar to discuss the critical importance of cybersecurity in the healthcare sector, which highlights the severity of the situation the industry is currently facing. Healthcare organisations are increasingly relying on digital systems to facilitate their daily workflow, but the prevalence of outdated legacy technology in the sector is rendering it vulnerable to cyber-attacks with severe consequences.

As has been demonstrated with this year’s high-profile attacks on healthcare organisations, such as incidents concerning the UK’s NHS and the US’ Ascension and Change Healthcare, the healthcare industry must review its priorities, the threats it faces, and its security measures, without delay.

Investing in data availability

Healthcare organisations store valuable personal and health information within Electronic Health Records (EHR). These records contain data that are hot commodities on the black market: from full names, birth dates, and health monitoring information to social security numbers, billing and insurance details. Storing data digitally allows healthcare organisations to share important information quickly between staff and across borders, facilitating faster, more comprehensive patient care, but it also carries risk.

Employees often have access to more information than they need to see. Should an employee accidentally click a phishing link or be exposed to malware, a bad actor can potentially access an organisation’s entire system. Further, storing data digitally makes healthcare organisations dependent on their systems, meaning that in the event of a cyber-attack they can be brought to a standstill. For example, the Ascension Healthcare Incident resulted in ambulances being diverted, and staff resorting to writing information on paper, slowing essential operations.

Immediate access to accurate patient data is not just a convenience; it’s a matter of life and death. However, this urgency for data accessibility must be balanced with stringent security measures. The vulnerability of confidential medical data to malware and ransomware attacks necessitates unwavering vigilance and robust security controls.

Relying on legacy systems

Many medical facilities and clinicians operate on outdated systems and devices, often running obsolete software versions and lacking adequate security measures. A single compromised legacy system can serve as a gateway for major data breaches, highlighting the critical need for modernisation and security upgrades. The risk for such an event is high, as legacy systems are often unsupported by their original developers, leaving them without essential security patches and updates.

Unfortunately, it’s not just the resilience of their own systems healthcare organisations should be considering. An emerging trend that is quickly gaining traction in the threat landscape is supply-chain attacks: which is when an organisation is subjected to a cyber-attack, and it travels to their partners and customers. The NHS fell victim to a ransomware attack on its third-party partner, Synnovis. This can result in considerable impacts on healthcare services, and potentially life-threatening delays.

This places healthcare organisations in a precarious position, as these attacks can be inserted at any point in the supply chain. To mitigate this risk, they must understand the cybersecurity posture of their partners, and establish a collaborative relationship that emphasises sharing threat intelligence. This will improve the cybersecurity posture of the entire supply chain.

Integrating modern assets

Another challenge the healthcare industry faces is that while they embrace new technologies to enhance efficiency and patient care, like IoT medical devices and EHR applications, they also expand and complicate their attack surface. This exposes sensitive data to a myriad of threats and makes it hard to monitor for threats and anomalies. The intersection of innovation and security presents a daunting challenge for healthcare organisations striving to embrace progress without compromising patient privacy and safety.

This puts the healthcare industry in a difficult position. Shying away from adopting new technologies can cause organisations to sacrifice the quality of their care, and lead to them having outdated technology and security measures, which increases the risk of a cyber-attack. However, integrating new technologies and driving innovation in their sector can create numerous challenges that their security teams struggle to keep pace with.

Ransomware is becoming democratised

From a risk perspective, valuable, easily accessible data with outdated cybersecurity measures, and an industry with a low tolerance for downtime, creates the perfect target for cyber-attacks. Bad actors are economic with their attacks: often valuing low-risk, high-reward targets that are likely to acquiesce to their demands. According to a recent Sophos State of Ransomware 2024 Report, ransomware attacks within the healthcare industry are not only on the rise, but over half the victims would pay up to 111% of the original ransom.

The threat landscape is also evolving, with ransomware quickly becoming a democratised industry. New developments such as Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) and Ransomware-for-Hire Services enable anyone to launch a ransomware attack, even if they lack technical skills. Gen AI-based attacks are also increasing; resulting in more sophisticated attacks and phishing campaigns that can be more difficult to identify.

Combating the Threats

To combat the threats outlined above, a threat intelligence platform emerges as a robust solution that helps simplify cybersecurity efforts and support digital transformation. By aggregating all sources of threat intelligence and vulnerability data into a central repository, healthcare organisations can gain a holistic view of their cybersecurity landscape, enhancing visibility and informed decision-making.  They can also enable an organisation to prioritise threats based on their impact on the health system environment. This means that teams can filter out noise and focus on critical assets and vulnerabilities, ensuring that resources are allocated where they are most needed.

Additionally, they can automate the dissemination of threat intelligence, empowering healthcare organisations to quickly share information against cyber adversaries. Armed with intelligence, teams can proactively hunt for malicious activity, swiftly identifying and neutralising threats before they can wreak havoc on patient records and organisational integrity. A threat intelligence platform accelerates analysis and response to attacks, enabling rapid mitigation against evolving threats.

Through assessing and understanding its current cybersecurity posture, and the threat landscape, the healthcare industry will be able to update its cybersecurity infrastructure in a more comprehensive fashion. Threat intelligence platform solutions, enable healthcare organisations to improve the overall security of their supply chain, and patch its existing cybersecurity issues, whilst maintaining its daily operations.

Business Advice

4 Tips for Choosing the Ideal Marine Generator for Your Boat

A generator is an important part of the boat’s power system. It allows you to enjoy all the comforts you would have at home while enjoying your time in deep waters. Nevertheless, with the many types and sizes of generators, it is easy for you to get confused in the selection. Boat enthusiasts argue that after the main engine, the marine generator is the second most expensive boat element. For this reason, you must make the right and worthwhile choice. Here are a few tips for selecting one.

1. Know the Size and type of Your Need

One of the things you must assess is the amount of electrical power you need. This is usually measured in kilowatts (thousands of watts) and depends on your preferences. For instance, if you want air-conditioned comfort 24/7 during your cruise, you must be prepared to spend.

To know the size and type of marine generator you need, calculate the wattage for all your appliances. Please keep in mind the lights, light electronics and other non-essential tools that draw electricity. A good boat or marine generator should have at least 1500 or 1800 RPM (Rotations per Minute). However, your precise needs will determine how much you need.

2. Understand Your Fuel Options

As you embark on selecting a suitable marine generator set, consider picking one that operates on the same fuel as the vessel’s inboard. If your boat uses gasoline, your best shot will be getting a gasoline generator. Not only is it convenient, but it also minimizes your carbon footprint as you focus on using only one option.

Even so, the above tip may not apply to on-board fishing boats that have gas inboards. This is because the fishing boats tend to be less ventilated. Following this, it would be way better for you to use diesel marine generators than gas models.

3. Ease of Installation

How easily can you install the marine generator? To know this, you must assess the installation guidelines for compatibility. Most marine generators require you install water intake systems to cool the engine. Others require you to add strainers to protect the generator’s cooling system from debris.

Before you get any marine generator, ensure that you understand the installation guidelines alongside any other tools or equipment that may be needed. Make sure you have enough room for them to function optimally.

4. Used or New

The debate on whether to buy a new or used marine generator is pegged on many factors. For starters, used marine generator sets represent a sizeable saving as long as you get them from reputable dealers such as Pool Trading. On the other hand, new generators are generally expensive but come with the security of a longer warranty. Nonetheless, everything comes down to your available budget and the desired features.

Conclusion

Getting the right marine generator for your boat doesn’t have to be such a difficult task. Simply assess your desired features and settle for the appropriate size and type. After this, you should focus on the fuel options and the ease of installation. Don’t forget to check out both new and used generator options to determine what works ideally and optimally for your vessel.

News

WellBe Link Support the Community with Free Mental Health Training

Local entrepreneur, Joanna Buckland, founder of WellBe Link in Yeovil, is dedicated to making mental health training accessible to all. Specialising in workplace mental health and wellbeing solutions that drive social change, Joanna understands the critical need for mental health first aiders on site. Recognising that not all organisations can afford this training, she launched an initiative to offer two free places on every WellBe Link mental health first aid course. Ranked among the best training providers for mental health first aid in the country and boasting a 5-star Google rating, these courses aim to remove funding barriers and promote mental health awareness.

These free places are open to volunteers across all sectors to ensure that those who so generously give their time to support their local communities feel equipped to deal with mental health related queries and are able to support others when needed.

The mental health first aid training sessions are vital for those volunteering in the community as they are often the front-line workers who will need to respond in the first instance. These courses educate the learners on all aspects of spotting the signs of mental illness, addressing it and provide them with the skills they need to support vulnerable individuals with confidence.

This incredible initiative would not be the success story it currently is if it wasn’t for the wonderful organisations that have joined forces with WellBe Link and who, through purchasing workplace wellbeing packages, have also taken up the opportunity to sponsor these free places for their community.

So far business including HR Star and Pentadel have sponsored places for volunteers from organisations across Bristol, Somerset, and Gloucestershire including YCDT and the Watch Project.

This initiative has only been running for 2 years and is still in its infancy but it has already helped so many voluntary organisations and is set to support at least another 10 by the end of the year

If you are a volunteer, or run an organisation that is supported by volunteers then you can apply for a place here.

There are currently spaces available for

October 14th and 15th

November 18th and 16th

December 16th and 17th

News

Kong’s 2024 API Impact Report Finds 83% of Developers Say AI Investments Have Created Opportunities for New Products

Kong Inc., a leading developer of cloud API technologies, has released the results of the 2024 API Impact Report, which finds developers working with AI feel overwhelmingly positive about its benefits to business strategy. According to the report, 92% of developers say AI is a priority in their organisations with 83% reporting AI investments have created opportunities for new products or services in the last year. The findings highlight a shift in public perception, with developers choosing to embrace AI versus fearing it.

Additionally, the report found that the global economic impact of APIs is expected to reach $17.3 trillion by 2030. In the same timeframe, the value of APIs to enable AI is expected to grow 170%, highlighting the need to have a strong API strategy in place for future innovation.

“We’ve reached the moment where AI adoption is imperative; however, doing so strategically will be the ultimate marker of long-term success,” said Marco Palladino, CTO and co-founder of Kong. “Our report highlights the need for infrastructure underneath AI applications that provides strong governance while enhancing AI performance.”

Of course, strengthening security should remain a priority as the report finds an expected 548% growth in the forecasted annual number of API attacks by 2030. Understandably, data privacy and security/governance were a top concern for nearly 60% of developers surveyed when it comes to integrating AI services with existing microservice infrastructure.

Additional key findings include:

  • Though 80% say their organisations have guidelines or restrictions on AI use, 60% say they find ways to work around the restrictions.
  • ChatGPT is the most used LLMs among developers surveyed, followed by Azure AI and Google Gemini.
  • Half of developers and managers say their organisation needs to be more aware of the business value of APIs.
  • 60% of developers are passionate about working with AI.
  • Developers cite the most critical aspect of API management in the next 1 to 2 years will be the integration with AI.

It is clear developers have embraced AI with 57% saying AI will make their job easier. While 80% of organisations have put guidelines in place for AI, the challenge remains on how to enforce them effectively without hindering productivity. This brings us to the need for a stronger API strategy, because while AI enables platforms to become intelligent, APIs are what build the platform. Starting with a base of observability, security and governance allows organisations to adopt AI quickly, without opening them up to vulnerabilities.

This study examined the financial landscape of API infrastructure and associated technologies, analysing the economic trends alongside the costs tied to different API security vulnerabilities. Expert opinions on the use of AI in the workforce and the future of AI were obtained through a survey of 747 IT professionals and business leaders conducted in June and July 2024.

To learn more, check out Kong’s 2024 API Impact Report.

About Kong

Kong Inc., a leading developer of cloud API technologies, is on a mission to enable companies around the world to become “API-first” and securely accelerate AI adoption. Kong helps organisations globally — from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises — unleash developer productivity, build securely and accelerate time to market. For more information about Kong, please visit www.konghq.com or follow us on X @thekonginc.

News

Profitroom offering hoteliers free digital health check amid 100,000 staffing shortage crisis

Profitroom is handing hoteliers a valuable lifeline – as latest data from Office for National Statistics reveals a staggering 100,000 hospitality vacancies – with free digital check-ups.

With digital health emerging as the key solution to overcoming staffing challenges, Profitroom is providing free digital health checks* for registered attendees at their ‘Profitroom On Tour’ events.

Running from September 9th to 12th, the touring events will provide hoteliers a free opportunity to speak to the experts to boost their digital health and enhance their operations in the face of staffing challenges.

It comes as shock ONS data reccently revealed hospitality is now among the top four industries with the most job vacancies, trailing only behind service industries, human health and social work, and wholesale and retail trade.

The tour will visit St Michaels Resort; Cornwall at 5pm 9th September; Woolacombe Bay Hotel, Devon at 5pm 10th September; Stratton House Hotel, the Cotswolds at 5pm 11th September; The Great House, Sonning at 6pm 12th September.

Hoteliers will be able to gain valuable insights from hospitality tech experts, including:

  • Neil Fletcher who can help hotels optimise their digital presence and ad strategy
  • Maria Macree who can help hotels better target their audience and uncover trends through data analysis
  • Lucy Prothero who can help hotels drive direct revenue and growth, with focus on their tech stack
  • Michael Jones who can help hotels enhance customer experiences, improve retention for sustainable growth and maximise direct profitability
  • Daniela Meaden who can help hotels create new bespoke packages and support hoteliers with setting up discounts to maximise on direct revenue
  • Patryk Luszcz who can help hotels capitalise on tech advancements, industry trends and harness developments to drive direct bookings

Patryk Luszcz, UK Regional Director at Profitroom said: “Staff shortages have long been a major challenge in hospitality and require innovative solutions to overcome.

“In a highly competitive digital landscape, simply having a website isn’t enough. Investing in fast loading speeds, intuitive website design and seamless booking tools are crucial to ranking highly on search engines and driving traffic into the right areas of your business.

“As a team largely made up of previous hoteliers and tech experts, we deeply understand the tailored strategies needed to overcome staff shortages. Many of our clients have seen up to a tenfold increase in direct bookings with the right Google Ad strategy.

“We want more hoteliers to wake up to the potential of a digitally healthy hotel. That’s why we’re launching our Profitroom On Tour events, offering support to hoteliers across the UK to boost their digital health and operations.”

Patryk’s top tips for those looking to improve their hotel’s digital health include:

Regularly Update Your Website

Keep your website fresh and optimised by performing a site audit every month. Address issues like speed and SEO to avoid penalties from frequent Google algorithm changes. Building a new site might be more cost-effective than retrofitting an outdated one.

Invest in Targeted Advertising

Boost your visibility with targeted digital ads. Focus on both non-branded ads for local searches and branded ads for your hotel. Highlight unique offerings like dining and spa packages to attract more guests directly to your site.

Utilise AI and Analytics

Leverage AI tools and Google Analytics to track your marketing performance and improve your Return on Ad Spend (ROAS). These tools can provide valuable insights to refine your strategies and target your audience more effectively.

Enhance Social Media and OTA Strategies

Use social media for quick wins but integrate it into a long-term strategy. Develop campaigns to reduce reliance on OTAs and drive direct bookings, boosting your profitability and reducing third-party fees.

To speak to the Profitroom experts about your hotel’s digital health, book your seat for a Profitroom On Tour event between September 9th and 12th by visiting: https://blog.profitroom.com/uk-on-tour-2024. To find out more about Profitroom please visit: www.profitroom.com.

Tech

New Orbi 770 Series Mesh System expands NETGEAR’s WiFi 7 portfolio offering incredible value for multi-gig speeds and revolutionary performance

NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTGR), the leading provider of innovative and secure solutions for people to connect and manage their digital lives, today expanded its WiFi 7 mesh and standalone router lines with the new Orbi 770 Tri-band Mesh System NETGEAR’s most affordable WiFi 7 mesh system to date build on the company’s promise to provide powerful WiFi performance and secure connectivity.

 

WiFi 7 Changes the Game

WiFi 7 unlocks 2.4 times faster speeds than WiFi 6, delivers low latency and better handles WiFi interference for families to seamlessly enjoy next gen 4K/8K streaming, video conferencing, gaming, and more. Since the launch of NETGEAR’s first WiFi 7 offerings – Nighthawk RS700S, Nighthawk RS300 and Orbi 970 – multi-gig internet speeds have become more affordable, work from home demands have remained steady, and more devices such as AR/VR headsets or AI-focused platforms like CoPilot+ have been introduced that require extreme low latency and higher throughput.

While WiFi 7 adoption is growing and new generations of smartphones, laptops, and other devices are hitting the market at a rapid pace, IoT threats are increasing and router security at the device level is critical to keep digital lives and homes protected.

“NETGEAR’s singular focus has always been to create and provide industry-leading solutions with powerful performance and secure WiFi connectivity,” said David Henry, president and GM of Connected Home Products and Services at NETGEAR. “Our newest WiFi 7 addition, Orbi 770, deliver these connectivity benefits to a wider audience, helping them experience unprecedented speed and performance on their devices and applications with the strongest possible security available today.”

  

The Mesh System – Orbi 770 Series

Orbi WiFi 7 Tri-band mesh system provides exceptional performance and lightning-fast speeds up to 11Gbps[1] for up to 100 devices across homes of up to 6,750 square feet with a 3 pack. It improves connection speeds by combining the 5Hz and 6GHz bands using Multi-Link Operation for both fronthaul to connect to devices and backhaul to connect the router & the satellites. Its 2.5 Gig internet port unlocks the ability to fully experience the multi-gig internet speeds available today, making it future proof for a new era of entertainment, hybrid work, and next generation devices and applications. The ample 2.5Gig LAN ports on the router and satellite can be used for multi-gig wired connections between the two or to connect a shared storage or a gaming PC/console.

The slim, cylindrical bodies of the Orbi router and satellites are purposefully designed for optimal performance and make them a subtle addition to any desk, shelf, or entertainment unit. Each unit features four high-performance internal antennas with high-powered amplifiers for 360-degree coverage, regardless of the home layout, from the front door to the back garden. Orbi 770 offers a robust WiFi connection using preamble puncturing which selectively blocks interference for a stable connection, keeping the home network functioning flawlessly.

  

Peace of Mind with Cutting-Edge Security

Home network devices see an average of 10 attacks on home networks every 24 hours[2], making it critical to safeguard your digital life starting at the router. Powered by state-of-the-art encryption protocols and advanced threat detection mechanisms, NETGEAR routers stand as the first line of defence against evolving cyber threats and include security features such as automatic firmware updates, VPN support, cutting-edge WPA3 security, access control, and guest WiFi network options.

The Orbi 770 series will be the first product to have an additional layer of security with the new Advanced Router Protection feature, only available from NETGEAR. This feature protects the router from not only known threats but also from most unknown threats using a combination of AI heuristics and advanced exploit prevention to recognise and block exploitation attempts. Additionally, it enables the capability to quickly release live patches for threats without needing to wait for a new firmware release. This significantly improves response times compared to the traditional method of releasing firmware updates for each specific router model and further strengthens our commitment to provide industry leading security protection for our router/mesh products from cyberattacks. Advanced Router Protection which has been developed in partnership with Bitdefender will be rolled out to the rest of the WiFi 7 lineup later this year.

For added protection, Orbi 770 include a 30-day trial for NETGEAR Armor™ Powered by Bitdefender, providing an automatic shield of security for connected devices and added privacy with VPN. Unlike traditional endpoint antivirus products, Armor is built into the router as an all-in-one security solution, protecting computers, security cameras, baby monitors and other IoT devices on the network and eliminating the need for multiple security subscriptions or software.

Both also come with NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls™ to easily manage kids’ time online across their connected devices and promote good online habits for the family. Basic features are available free of charge. A subscription fee applies for a Premium Plan after a 30-day trial.

Orbi 770 Technical Specifications:

  1. Ultra-Fast WiFi 7 Tri-Band Speeds up to 11Gbps – Experience combined Multi-Gigabit speeds up to 11Gbps with 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands.
  2. Higher Capacity & Robust WiFi – Supports WiFi 7 technology enhancements like 320 MHz, 4K QAM and preamble puncturing.
  3. Multi-link Operation – Combines two WiFi bands at once, for both backhaul (shared 5GHz & 6GHz) and fronthaul (5GHz & 6 GHz) to improve network reliability, reduce latency, and ensure data is delivered with maximum speed.
  4. Multi-Gig Speeds with 2.5 Gig Internet Port – Use the 2.5 Gig internet port for multi-gig cable and fiber plans. Compatible with any internet service provider.
  5. More Multi-gig Wired ports on Router and Satellites – Plug in wired devices to improve performance or setup a multi-gig wired connection between the router and satellites via three 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports on the router, and two 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports on the satellites.
  6. Do It All with the Orbi® App –Easily manage your network from anywhere, including pausing the Internet, running Internet speed tests, tracking your Internet data usage, setting up separate guest networks, and more.