Monthly Archives: September 2024

Commercial Property, Commercial Property News, News, Offices

What’s Your Office Space Horoscope? Discover Your Work Zodiac.

The team at team at  Canvas Offices,  a high-end, flexible office space provider with buildings across central London locations such as Mayfair, Shoreditch, and Farringdon, take a light -hearted look at office life!

 

We all have very particular likes and dislikes when it comes to the space where we work, but have you ever wondered why? We look to the stars for answers and dive into the world of horoscopes to explore how your office space could be a reflection of your zodiac sign. We’ve matched twelve different types of flexible office space to the twelve astrological signs, revealing the cosmic connections between your workspace and your personality.

 

Aquarius: The Tech-Savvy Shared Office

Your office space: A modern, tech-enabled office with cutting-edge amenities and outside space to let your big ideas breathe.

Your work zodiac: As an Aquarius, you’re innovative and forward-thinking. Your office is a reflection of your love for the progressive. A world that can adapt to your needs, and where the world is made easier by technology, explaining your natural attraction to new ideas. You thrive in a collaborative environment where you can share knowledge and learn from others. You also have an independent, contemplative side where you also need your own space, and this must be respected.

Key features: Modern, tech-enabled flexible office, state-of-the-art equipment, fast Wi-Fi, collaborative spaces, opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals. Options for privacy when needed.

 

Pisces: The Creative Studio Office

Your office space: A bohemian, inspiring co-working studio with plenty of natural light and creative spaces.

Your work zodiac: As a Pisces, you’re imaginative and intuitive. Your workspace is a place where you can let your creativity flow. You thrive in an environment that is inspiring and supportive. Your workspace is a reflection of your inner world, where you can lose yourself in an ocean of ideas.

Key features: Soft lighting, calming colours, comfortable seating, optional shared working spaces, plenty of natural light, access to quiet spaces for focus, and collaborative areas for idea sharing. Incorporating elements of nature, such as plants or water features, can enhance the Pisces’ creative energy. This environment allows Pisces to tap into their intuition and create a harmonious workspace that supports their imaginative nature.

 

Aries: The Hot Desk Hustler

Your office space: A bustling, open-plan hive of activity. You are drawn to the flexibility of hot desking and will rise to the challenge of ‘friendly’ game of pool, so long as you win!

Your work zodiac: Just like the fiery Aries, you’re a natural-born leader, full of energy and ambition. You thrive in a dynamic environment where you can bounce ideas off others. You love a change of scenery and working in different venues can spark that natural curiosity. Your workspace is a battleground for brilliant ideas, and you’re always ready to take on the next challenge.

Key features: Standing desks, collaborative breakout areas, freedom to roam between buildings in the collection, energising music, a pool table or pin ball machine and a well-equipped kitchen with strong coffee.

 

Taurus: The Cozy Coworking Corner

Your office space: A comfortable, well-equipped space full of greenery with plush chairs in the relaxation zone, and plenty of natural light.

Your work zodiac: As a Taurus, you value stability and comfort. Your work space is your sanctuary, a place where you can focus and be productive. You like your own space and don’t mind voicing it. When it’s time to flex, you need a good reason for it and someone there to make it easy can soothe your natural stubborn streak. You appreciate the little luxuries, like a good coffee machine, ergonomic furniture and beautiful architecture.

Key features: A choice of comfy sofas and armchairs, soft lighting, plenty of greenery, soundproof phone booths, a private kitchen stocked with delicious treats.

 

Gemini: The Flexible Flex Space

Your office space: A versatile space that can be adapted to suit any mood or task. Think private meeting rooms, collaboration zones and breakout areas that can be flexed to suit the day.

Your work zodiac: Gemini, the twins of the zodiac, are known for their adaptability and curiosity. Your workspace is a reflection of your multifaceted personality. You thrive in an environment that allows you to switch between tasks and collaborate with others. You enjoy flexing your social skills letting your intelligence and wit shine bright in more social settings.

Key features: Mix of open and enclosed areas, private booths, collaborative meeting rooms, fast Wi-Fi, social events and communal spaces for conversation opportunities and a office manager that can make almost anything happen.

 

 

Cancer: The Home Office Haven

Your office space: A quiet, private office space full of personal touches, with the freedom to flex your fun side in communal space when the mood takes you.

Your work zodiac: As a Cancer, you value home and family. Your office space is your personal sanctuary, where you can feel safe and secure. You’re beautifully emotional, creative and intuitive, and you need a space that inspires. A private phone booth is a must for intimate conversations or some focus time away where no one can disturb you. You like to be around people, but don’t always enjoy being in the spotlight, so a balanced space that allows both is essential for you to do your best work.

Key features: Comfortable furniture, soft lighting, personalised stationary and family photos, access to shared and private meeting rooms, sociable space for interaction on your terms.

 

Leo: The Corner Office Charmer

Your office space: A spacious, private office with a commanding view and space to flex your showmanship when work puts you in the spotlight.

Your work zodiac: Leo, the lion, is a natural-born leader who loves to be centre stage. Your office space is a reflection of your confidence and ambition. You thrive in an environment where you can shine and be recognised for your achievements. Let’s not forget the ‘need for private quiet space’ side that comes when the king or queen of the jungle just needs to chill and recharge.

Key features: Spacious private office, commanding view, high-end furnishings, plenty of natural light, dedicated receptionist or building manager, new and adventurous places to eat and drink just moments away.

 

Virgo: The Organised Office

Your office space: A minimalist, well-organised office space with everything you need within reach.

Your work zodiac: As a Virgo, you’re practical, efficient, and detail-oriented. Your work space is a reflection of your meticulous, analytical nature. You value organisation and functionality, and you’re always looking for ways to improve your productivity. Naturally helpful, you appreciate this trait in others and enjoy it more than most when a plan comes together.

Key features: Spacious and simple, yet tastefully designed office with well-organised, ergonomic furniture, ample storage, natural light, shared kitchen facilities, freedom to change space when you need to suit the task or work mode, outside space like a terrace or garden.

 

Libra: The Collaborative Coworking Lounge

Your office space: A stylish, social working space with plenty of opportunities for collaboration. Quiet focus time to make decisions, contemplate your approach and exercise your natural charm when the right moment presents itself.

Your work zodiac: As a Libra, you value harmony and balance. Your workspace is a place where you can connect with others and share ideas. As an inherently social creature, you thrive in a collaborative environment and enjoy working with people who share your passion.

Key features: Stylish, social coworking lounge, comfortable seating, plenty of natural light, relaxed atmosphere, networking opportunities, shared amenities.

 

Scorpio: The Intense Innovation Hub

Your office space: A dynamic, high-energy space that fosters creativity and collaboration.

Your work zodiac: Scorpios are passionate, determined, and fiercely independent. While they value focus, they also thrive in stimulating environments. Your workspace is a melting pot of ideas, where you can delve deep into projects while also connecting with others who share your passion. Your positive intensity shines bright when one-on-one, so communal areas that inspire are a must, or exploring the surrounding neighbourhood for a local spot that speaks your flavour-led language.

Key features: Open-plan office with private focus pods, collaborative breakout areas, state-of-the-art technology, natural light, games areas and independent bars and restaurants around the corner.

 

Sagittarius: The Adventurous Exploration Zone

Your office space: A vibrant, open-concept space filled with stimulating decor and opportunities for growth.

Your work zodiac: As a Sagittarius, you’re a natural-born explorer with a thirst for knowledge and adventure. Your office is a launchpad for your ideas, where you can connect with diverse individuals and embrace new challenges. You thrive in an environment that stimulates your intellectual curiosity and fosters a sense of community.

Key features: Dynamic flexible space, opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and industries in shared spaces, outdoor spaces, vibrant social scene in the surrounding neighbourhood, and the freedom to roam from building to building.

 

Capricorn: The Executive Suite

Your office space: A prestigious suite office, with high-end furnishings and a panoramic view over-looking icons of the city.

Your work zodiac: As a Capricorn, you’re ambitious and driven. Your office is a reflection of your success and status. You value privacy and exclusivity, and you want a space that inspires you to achieve your goals. You enjoy a calm and serene colour scheme with well-tendered planting and natural light pouring into every well-appointed room.

Key features: A prestigious suit office, high-end furnishings, panoramic views, impressive reception area, support services from your office provider, private kitchens, impressive board rooms, and facilities with shared space for larger events.

 

Does your horoscope resonate with you? Remember, this is just for fun, but it’s interesting to see how our office spaces can reflect our needs and personalities. Do you agree with your office space horoscope? Let us know in the comments!

 

AI, Business Expansion

Shipley publish 20th anniversary edition of their business growth best practice model (BG3) – ‘ready for AI, but it’s still all about people’

Shipley, specialists in helping clients grow their business by winning more, larger competitive contracts, today published the 3rd edition of their best practice model.

The Capability Maturity Model for Business Growth, version 3 (BG3 for short), incorporates guidance on the application of generative AI to business growth and findings from a recent Shipley global research study on people practices – both with implications for senior leadership.

The simplicity of the model’s five by five matrix presentation belies the more than two decades of consulting experience and research studies that underpin it.

The five columns in the matrix represent the capability categories which organisations need to master in order to grow – these are:

  • Working with customers
  • Providing leadership and direction
  • Developing people
  • Having effective processes
  • Making sure the business has a supporting information infrastructure

The five rows then set out increasingly sophisticated (or mature) business growth practices, from the chaotic hero cultures at level 1, to the optimising approaches at level 5.

Findings from Shipley’s 2023 global research study on recruitment, retention and realising full employee potential have been reflected in updates to the developing people category.

BG3 also includes current and predicted use-cases for generative AI, from drafting proposal content, to supporting decision-making, developing competitive strategies, and in simulating likely customer evaluation scores. BG3 also includes a refresh of the whole model based on a decade of application experience.

Paul Deighton, Shipley board member and BG3 author, commented 

“BG3 has been designed to simplify the overwhelmingly inter-connected, many-moving-parts complexity of business growth so that priority improvements and investments are clear and actionable to senior executives”.

“We have to be ready for AI, but it’s still all about people.”

“Our clients are trying to win major business in the most competitive and complex environments. Our mission in Shipley is to help them succeed – BG3 is our latest contribution in achieving that goal”.

 

Book link:

https://www.shipleywins.co.uk/product/capability-model-for-business-growth/

Shipley’s 2023 global research study on recruitment, retention and realising full employee potential:

https://www.shipleywins.co.uk/global-survey-reveals-front-end-of-business-recruitment-challenges-outpace-staff-retention-concerns-among-senior-employers/

 

Employee Benefits

Is fairness in international benefits practical or even possible?

By Adam Harding – Divisional Director – International Benefits at Howden

 National Inclusion Week (23-29 September)[i] raises awareness of the importance of inclusive workplaces, and it’s also a chance to consider if employers can truly offer equitable employee benefits across their global workforce. Are there potential pitfalls and key considerations when striving for fairness in a diverse, international landscape?

Let’s consider the pros and cons

While offering complete equity in employee benefits across a global workforce is an attractive proposition, implementing this is complex and nuanced.

Providing uniform benefits can foster unity within the workforce, ensuring all employees, regardless of their location, receive the same support. This demonstrates an employer’s commitment to a diverse workforce and reinforces organisational values. It can also simplify administration, particularly for smaller organisations without local HR teams, by reducing the complexity of managing multiple benefit plans. Streamlined benefits can help control costs by eliminating the need for numerous tailored solutions.

Moreover, international healthcare policies are increasingly aligning with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals. Benefits now often include coverage for treatments such as menopause and HRT, gender reassignment surgery, infertility, and, in some instances, developmental disorders. Offering such inclusive benefits can strengthen an organisation’s commitment to supporting the diverse needs of its global workforce.

However, ensuring uniformity in international benefits is far from simple. Some of the biggest challenges are that regulations, cultural norms, and employee expectations vary enormously across different regions.

This approach can also be more expensive. In the UK the NHS provides free healthcare for local employees, but in the USA employees need robust health insurance.

Also, if an employer offers a global insurance product that doesn’t meet regulations – in the Netherlands for example its law to provide local health insurance – they may end up paying twice for the same benefit. It’s easy to see why a one-size-fits-all approach may not be ideal.

Key considerations for employers

Cultural sensitivities

Benefits valued in one region might be irrelevant or even inappropriate elsewhere for example, menopause support may be welcomed in the UK or USA, but it could be culturally insensitive in regions like the Middle East. Similarly, mental health benefits are becoming more recognised in some countries but might not be a priority in others. Even standard benefits, like holidays or paternity leave, can vary drastically from one region to another.

Employee expectations

Employee needs differ not just by location but by age, gender, and life stage. For instance, a young expat without dependents may prioritise different benefits than a local employee nearing retirement with a family. Tailoring benefits to these needs is essential.

Financial considerations

Tax systems and cost of living vary significantly across countries. For example, Dubai’s tax-free system can leave employees better off, but the higher cost of living means benefits must reflect these financial realities. 

Growth stage

The size and structure of the company matter. What works for a global organisation operating in 10 countries might be impractical for a start-up expanding into a new region. Acquisitions abroad can further complicate things, as existing benefit structures may be difficult to align.

Top tips for managing international benefits 

  • Understand local regulations – Before implementing benefits, ensure they comply with local laws and regulations. This prevents costly duplications and ensures that all statutory requirements are met avoiding potential fines.
  • Consider cultural sensitivities – Tailor benefits to align with local cultural norms where possible. What is valued in one region may be inappropriate in another, so it’s vital to understand the cultural context.
  • Use benchmarking – This is great way to compare benefits across different countries. It helps in creating a benefits structure that is both fair and adapted to local needs; however, firms must commit to the time and budget to do this effectively.
  • Engage employees – Regularly communicate with employees to understand their expectations and needs. This ensures that the benefits provided are valued and relevant.
  • Plan for flexibility – Build the benefits strategy to allow for adjustments as the company grows or as local market conditions change. This prevents potential issues that can arise from rigid, one-size-fits-all policies.
  • Educate and communicate – Clearly communicate the benefits package to employees and explain why certain benefits are offered in specific regions. Transparency helps in managing expectations and increasing satisfaction.

Conclusion

Achieving fairness in international benefits is a complex balancing act that requires careful consideration of local laws, cultural sensitivities, and the diverse needs of employees. While complete equity may not always be feasible, striving for fairness through flexible, region-specific strategies can help create a more inclusive and supportive environment. Global businesses must prioritise understanding their workforce and leveraging data and expert advice to tailor benefits that align with both company values and employee expectations. In the end, the goal is not necessarily uniformity, but ensuring that all employees feel valued and supported, no matter where they are in the world.

[i] https://www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk/national-inclusion-week/

 

Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing Limited is part of the Howden Group. Registered in England and Wales under company number 2248238, with its registered office at One Creechurch Place, London EC3A 5AF. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Register No. 312841).  The Financial Services Register can be accessed through www.fca.org.uk

 

Leeds, News, Storage

Ready Steady Store celebrates 5 years of success for Leeds Ring Road Store

Leading self storage provider, Ready Steady Store, is celebrating its 5th year anniversary for its Leeds Ring Road Store.

Located just off the Ring Road in Holbeck, the store is conveniently situated for residents and workers in Lower Wortley, where its proximity to Beeston, Farnley, Middleton and Morley, makes the site an ideal solution for customers in the surrounding areas.

 

Leeds Ring Road store offers a range of storage units, varying in size to cater to customers’ specific needs, including drive-up units available for customers who require special access to heavy equipment. The store has lots of great offers available to make self storage an easy, safe, and affordable option for customers, including an introductory offer of up to 12 weeks half price on all units, and a special deal with Enterprise van hire, that enables customers to hire a van from just £49 per day.

This latest milestone follows a period of significant success for the Leeds Ring Road store, including being previously recognised for its hard work at the prestigious Self Storage Association UK Awards, securing second place for ‘External Site Operator Store of the Year 2024’.

 

“We are so pleased to celebrate a successful 5 years at our Leeds Ring Road store”, said Mehran Charania, Director of Ready Steady Store, “It’s been a pleasure to work with the local Leeds community providing various storage solutions for homeowners, students and businesses. We look forward to continuing to offer quality self storage solutions to our customer.”

 

Since 2006, Ready Steady Store has expanded its services significantly, offering cost-effective storage units located in the Midlands, and South, North and East of England. Achieving much growth over the last few years, Ready Steady Store is continuing to expand its services and operations, making it one of the fastest growing self storage providers.

For more information about Ready Steady Store’s Leeds Ring Road store, please visit: https://www.readysteadystore.com/self-storage/leeds-ring-road/

Business Tech

Peartree Cleaning Launches Bespoke Service Management App

Peartree Cleaning, the contract cleaning specialist, has launched a bespoke app designed to deliver streamlined and accessible operational reporting and KPI scorecards to its 300 plus clients across the UK. It is the latest iteration of the company’s fully bespoke Peartree 360 management tool and follows an investment in excess of £300k in development costs.

The new app provides a user-friendly platform for real-time data collection, reporting, and performance tracking, ensuring that the highest standards of service are maintained at all times. Information is live with real time notifications of site visits, audits and PPM. Clients with multiple sites can easily switch between locations with the screen updating automatically. It also gives access to Peartree’s comprehensive Scope1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions data providing valuable information on an organisation’s carbon footprint, enabling science-based calculations.

Users are able to generate detailed operational reports that cover all aspects of the cleaning services. These reports include data on efficiency, quality, and compliance with health and safety standards. It also features KPI scorecards to measure performance in key areas, such as response time sand customer satisfaction. These tools enable Peartree to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to enhance its services.

Bradley Reames, Managing Director at Peartree Cleaning, said: “Faced with constant compromises from the off the shelf software solutions that are commonplace in our sector, we took a strategic approach and opted to design and build our own software platform. The result is a solution that is unrivalled in the sector which ensures full transparency and accountability and provides valuable and reliable insights which enable us to continuously improvement our service.”

Education Tech

Discovery Education Unveils New Collection Of Digital Resources Supporting Black History Month Observances

Global edtech leader Discovery Education today unveiled a new collection of engaging, high quality digital learning resources, supporting Black History Month observances in UK primary schools.

 

Discovery Education’s rich new collection of digital resources celebrates Black History Month by shining a bright spotlight on the untold stories of Black history and culture. With this exciting content, teachers are empowered to engage pupils with new and powerful perspectives on Black History that will educate and inspire.

 

Available via the award-winning digital learning service Discovery Education Espresso, this suite of resources has been specially curated to help pupils learn about Black history and culture not just during Black History Month, but throughout the school year.

 

Suitable for pupils from EYFS to KS2, the resources include:

 

  • Recognising Black History: An interview with Historian and Author David Olusoga, about the importance of teaching Black history in schools
  • Black Women in History: Engaging videos exploring the lives of pioneers such as Rosa Parks, Mary Seacole and NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson
  • Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls : Animated extracts from the bestselling book series – featuring Nigerian writer and feminist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  • Black History Month Lessons: Bite-sized lessons, differentiated by Key Stage
  • Who Am I? Question sheets to help pupils write fact files about Black pioneers

 

Lizzy Lambley, Discovery Education’s UK Head of Production, said:

 

“Discovery Education is proud to support Black History Month by providing teachers with dynamic content and digital resources to bring these powerful stories into the classroom.”

 

The Black History Month resources are available to Discovery Education subscriber schools via Discovery Education Espresso, the curriculum-centred daily learning platform for primary schools.

 

Explore Discovery Education’s award-winning digital learning services at www.discoveryeducation.co.uk.

 

Find out more about Black History Month at www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk

Automotive, Business & Property News, Car News, Driving, Driving at Work, News

HPI advises used car buyers on how to spot and avoid motoring scams.

Experts at HPI identify 109 stolen cars daily and over 2,000 as insurance write-offs. To help used car buyers avoid adding to these statistics, HPI has compiled the most common ways used car fraudsters operate and is advising how not to fall foul of their scams.

Many motoring scams have remained the same for years, while others employ the latest tech to hoodwink unsuspecting customers. In either case, a used car buyer’s best defence is familiarising themselves with popular scams.

 

Scams range from tech-based mileage-blocking devices and clearance fraud to more traditional schemes such as odometer clocking and vehicle registration cloning.

Mileage blockers are a relatively new type of scam tool introduced by fraudsters that alters a car’s true mileage reading. The device, which can be cheaply bought online, restricts and lowers the mileage of a vehicle whilst driving.

Mileage blockers connect with smartphones to instruct a car’s odometer on what value the owner wants the odometer to display or when to stop recording mileage. This practice is particularly unscrupulous because the owner can still provide a complete car service record history with bogus mileage that looks genuine and legal.

 

Under UK law, altering the mileage on a car is legal, but it is illegal to sell that car without disclosing any known mileage discrepancies to the buyer. However, it is possible to be prosecuted for mileage fraud under the Consumer Regulation Act if there is proof that the fraudsters are traders and have clocked a car for financial gain.

 

The practice of cloning involves changing a car’s identity. This usually happens because the car has been stolen, and thieves want to sell it quickly to an unsuspecting buyer. It can also happen when organised criminals want to avoid detection, so they clone a car that can’t be linked to them or, at a lower level, when offenders want to avoid paying traffic or parking fines generated by ANPR cameras.

Falsifying a car’s identity can involve changing the number plates, forging documents such as the V5 (the registration certificate) and tampering with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

 

Clearance fraud is one of the more modern and organised scams and is when criminals seek out vehicle owners with outstanding finances. Experts at HPI report that one in every three cars they check still has outstanding finance. The seller is responsible for paying any remaining motor finance – such as personal contract purchase (PCP) or hire purchase (HP) – before the car is transferred to a new owner because they do not technically own the vehicle until it has been paid off.

Clearance fraudsters contact unsuspecting owners and offer to pay off the finance on their behalf if they sell them the car. Criminals will buy the vehicle for less than market value and then sell it for a profit without paying off the finance. That means the subsequent owner has a car with financial baggage that should never have been sold in the first place and which they cannot legally sell on.

 

Clocking involves reducing the odometer reading to make it look as though the mileage is lower than it really is. The lower the mileage, the greater the value, so buyers are deceived into thinking the car is worth more, and it could well be hiding a much greater level of wear and tear.

Checking a car for mileage discrepancies comes as standard in the HPI Check. By building up a history of a vehicle’s mileage across multiple data sources and millions of records, any discrepancies are highlighted, arming car buyers with the information and confidence they need when dealing with used cars. The company is continually making enhancements to its data as it invests to help motorists tackle fraud.

An HPI check will also verify the VIN number, provide a guide valuation and estimated fuel costs, and include an MOT history check.

Jon Clay, identification director at HPI, (pictured above) commented: “An HPI check is a one-stop shop to guard against vehicle fraud, but there are also plenty of things to look out for when inspecting a used car in person that can reveal a scam.

“When buying any used vehicle, it’s essential to understand its history. The HPI Check will flag any worrying information held against the vehicle by finance and insurance companies, the DVLA, the Police and other industry bodies. A comprehensive HPI Check is vital before buying a used car and is the first line of defence against vehicle fraud. Also, when conducting a mileage check, we can identify any mileage discrepancies using our extensive database with over 500m mileage records.”

 

HPI first launched its vehicle history check in 1938, highlighting that used car scams are nothing new. Conveniently absent documents, questionable mileage or something in a car’s back story that doesn’t quite stack up are just a few indicators that a potential purchase may not be all it seems.

 

Added Jon Clay: “Checking a car’s mileage with HPI, as well as looking more closely at the vehicle’s comprehensive history, can give prospective buyers peace of mind regarding mileage and vehicle provenance, and can lead to safer, happier motoring.”

For more information and advice, visit the HPI motoring scams blog.

News

AlgoSec launches its AI-powered Security Platform, to securely manage application-centric connectivity and remediate risk in real time

Global cybersecurity leader AlgoSec has launched its newest Security Management platform version, featuring advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology that provides an application-centric security approach and a clearer picture of risks and their impact. With this new release, the AlgoSec platform enables users to accurately identify the business applications running in their complex hybrid network and leverage intelligent change automation to streamline security change processes, thus improving security and agility.

“Security professionals are overwhelmed with a barrage of alerts that provide no context between critical threats and minor issues,” said Eran Shiff, VP Product of AlgoSec. “By mapping applications, security teams can understand their criticality, automate changes and prioritise alerts that truly matter, saving countless hours through automation.”

Gartner predicts that by 2027, 50 per cent of critical enterprise applications will reside outside of centralised public cloud locations, underscoring the complexity that network infrastructures face. Today’s networks are 100 times more complex than they were 10 years ago, and the pace of deployment and development at which security teams are expected to work is 100 times faster. AI-powered application discovery enhances a security team’s ability to detect and respond to threats in real time. An application-centric approach automates change management processes, identifies security risks and mitigates risks before they impact the network infrastructure.

“In today’s evolving cyber landscape, it’s essential that we rapidly identify and prioritise threats as they occur,” said Robert Eldridge​​​​, Security Solutions Director of Natilik. “AlgoSec’s AI-powered platform helps us deliver proactive network visibility and risk mitigation to our clients, keeping them ahead of potential threats”.

Securing hybrid infrastructures relies on four pillars that are essential to AlgoSec’s platform update:

  • AI-driven application discovery – Advanced AI feature designed to automatically discover and identify the business applications that are running by correlating them to security changes that have been made.
  • Intelligent and automated application connectivity change – New enhancements allow security professionals to directly adjust existing Microsoft Azure firewall rules for new application connections. Additionally, there’s added support for application awareness in Check Point R80+ firewalls.
  • Reduce risk exposure and minimise attack surface – New features focus on tightening security posture and minimising potential vulnerabilities. It streamlines Microsoft Azure Firewall rule management by identifying and recommending the removal of unused rules. It reduces risk exposure by automatically generating change management tickets to eliminate overly permissive rules. Additionally, it ensures compliance with the latest ASD-ISM regulations.
  • Better visibility across complex hybrid networks – AlgoSec has enriched its capabilities to support visibility of network security devices including: NSX-T Gateway Firewall, Azure Load Balancer and Google Cloud map and traffic path (in early availability).

To learn more about updates to the AlgoSec Security Management platform, click here.

AlgoSec will demonstrate the key capabilities of release A33 during its upcoming annual AlgoSummit user event. To register, click here.

News

Partou nursery shortlisted for outdoor learning award

Partou Bumpkins Day Nursery and Pre-School in Whaddon has been shortlisted for Outdoor Learning Environment of the Year at the prestigious National NMT Nursery Awards.

The award will be given to the nursery which has, in the view of the judges, “created an outdoor ‘living classroom’ that inspires and excites children.”

Partou Bumpkins is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted for the exceptional levels of childcare and early years education it provides to families throughout Royston.

The nursery’s outdoor learning environment, Nature Rangers, invites children aged three and above to immerse themselves in the wonders of nature.

Nestled within a spacious grassy area featuring a classroom, known as ‘the cabin,’ Nature Rangers integrates all seven areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Children engage in a wide array of activities across distinct areas such as a large sandpit, firepit area, mud kitchen, bug houses, herb garden, mud mound, obstacle course and a bird lookout house.

They are encouraged to explore freely, fostering a child-led approach to learning which is central to Partou’s ethos across the 106 nurseries it operates in the UK.

Amy Chipperfield, Partou Bumpkins Nursery Manager, said: “As a team, we are passionate in our belief that children should have endless opportunities to explore and learn whilst being in a safe and happy environment.

“Nature Rangers is designed to empower children by fostering confidence and creativity through a blend of structured safety protocols and open-ended, nature-based activities.

“We are over the moon that the outdoor environment we have crafted has impressed the judging panel for such a high profile national award.

“It is a shared success for the team members, families and children at our beautiful nursery.”

Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director, said: “Partou Bumpkins is run wonderfully well by a long-standing nursery team that boasts strong relationships with families and children throughout the local community.

“As Nursery Manager, Amy began her journey at Bumpkins almost 12 years ago as an unqualified practitioner before gaining her qualifications and a wealth of experience whilst working in several different roles.

“The depth of knowledge she has built up over this period goes a long way to explaining why the nursery is so highly regarded locally and nationally.

“Nature Rangers is a shining example of what can be achieved by creative thinking, professionalism and an understanding of the individual needs and interests of young children.”

News

Unit4 Sees Strong Momentum with Customer Cloud Migrations

Unit4, a leader in enterprise cloud applications for people-centric organizations, has closed the first half of 2024 with a range of customers selecting Unit4 to deliver an enhanced customer experience, as they accelerate their digital transformation strategies.

 

The company finished H1 with strong cloud migration and go-live momentum, including:

  • Hartpury University and College, a leading specialist education provider in animal, agriculture, business, equine, sport, and veterinary nursing based in Gloucestershire, UK
  • Bedford College, is a further education college located in Bedfordshire, UK
  • University of East Anglia, is a public research university in Norwich, UK
  • Arklow Shipping Limited, a coastal shipping line operating out of Arklow, Ireland and Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • Edinburgh College, the largest college in Scotland, formed in 2012 as part of the merger of Edinburgh’s Jewel and Esk, Telford, and Stevenson colleges. Providing further and higher education courses across the Edinburgh region to serve both domestic and international students
  • AB Energivärden, based in Stockholm, Sweden, provides long-term, cost-effective installation and operational solutions for indoor climate and energy efficiency to property owners and managers.

 

In a world that is becoming ever more digital, organizations must become more dynamic to respond to ever-changing customer demands and market uncertainty. Unit4’s Cloud Migration program enables its existing on-premises ERP, FP&A and Unit4 Financials (U4F) customers to evolve their application environments and realize the competitive advantages of moving to SaaS-based systems.

 

Customers benefit from streamlining business processes and driving interoperability between applications, to create the agile foundations needed to become more digitally enabled and thrive in unpredictable market conditions. With a single view of all the data within an organization, Unit4 customers can be confident they are making accurate decisions that will help to drive sustainable growth and accelerate productivity.

 

Unit4 also recognizes that moving to the Cloud is a journey which can be complex unless it is properly planned and implemented. To aid its customers at every stage in the “land, adopt and expand” cycle of moving to SaaS applications, Unit4 launched Success4U. It is designed to help customers identify the right migration path and speed up time-to-value while minimizing disruption to essential business processes.

 

Analyst Recognition

During the first half of 2024, Unit4 received analyst recognition from Dresner Advisory Services for ranking #1 in Workforce Planning and Analysis, and BARC’s ‘The Planning Survey 24’ where Unit4 achieved outstanding results. The company also announced that  Moody’s Investors Service changed Unit4 Group Holding B.V.’s outlook rating to positive from stable, and S&P Global Ratings upgraded Unit4’s credit rating and issued a positive outlook for the business.

 

“All organizations are navigating a changeable macroeconomic climate, which requires a new approach to their operations,” said Johan Reventberg, Chief Revenue Officer, Unit4. “Those organizations which require flexibility, scalability, a simplification of internal IT resources and better processes, are choosing to invest in the Cloud. Our customers, who have chosen to move to Unit4 ERPx, are benefiting from maximizing the value of their data to make more informed decisions which, in turn, helps to ensure they are more resilient to uncertainty. We are proud that our customers continue to put their trust and partnership in us to run their businesses, and we are confident that we have the right foundations to help them on their Cloud journeys.”