We are pleased to announce a non-obligatory advisory service for assessing your organisation for Microsoft 365 Cloud services.

We are a Microsoft Silver Partner and customers who have opted for our advisory services have testified saving up to 20% costs from our recommendations.

Are you still using Skype for Business?

The platform reaches end-of-life next July and rising larger out of its shadow is Microsoft Teams… there’s never been a better time to make the switch. Let's talk!

#skypeforbusiness #microsoftteams #remoteworking

#Microsoft365 allows you access to a central hub for teamwork with flexibility and choice in how you connect, share, and communicate.

As they say, teamwork really does make for dreamwork. Get in touch with us, and we'll help you collaborate better. #MSPartner

No matter where your firm is today on its pandemic-induced digital journey, you can apply new digital capabilities to improve operational agility, reduce costs, and accelerate revenue growth.

By @forrester

https://www.zdnet.com/article/accelerate-digital-transformation-with-the-right-strategic-partner/

#Microsoft365 brings together the best of Windows 10, Office 365, and Enterprise Mobility + Security into an integrated solution to empower employees. 

Get in touch with us for a complete, intelligent and secure solution to empower your employees.

GDPR two years on...

Data protection laws have been broadly successful says, European Commission - but problems around fragmentation and other issues remain.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/gdpr-two-years-on-why-theres-still-work-to-be-done-on-data-protection/

Microsoft claims that the company has built Teams on their Microsoft 365 hyper-scale, enterprise-grade cloud, which offers some pretty heavy-duty security and compliance capabilities.

Here's our blog post about privacy and security in @MicrosoftTeams.

https://www.simplex-services.com/privacy-and-security-in-microsoft-teams/

A look at the big three cloud vendors’ on-site offerings by @ComputerWeekly:

AWS’s Outposts, Gateway and Snow hardware, Azure’s Stack and Arc appliances, and Google Cloud’s software-defined Anthos.

https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Cloud-storage-on-site-hardware-AWS-Azure-Google-Cloud

#ShopSimple connects the local stores and consumers in the Sussex area (to begin with) and enable customers to procure products and services from the stores and suppliers they know and trust.

Download today! https://shop.simplexservices.co.uk/

Introducing #ShopSimple... a new product by Simplex Services to bring hyperlocal marketplace to the UK.

Download it today on your Android and iOS devices! As part of the pilot, the service is already live in the Sussex area.

https://www.simplex-services.com/shopsimple-hyperlocal-marketplace-uk/

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted businesses, some of which weren't ready for remote working or have concerns around security.

Simplex Services is offering a free, non-obligatory advisory for your organisation's IT Health.

Click here for more details:
https://www.simplex-services.com/simplex-advisory/

Resilient companies:
1) build strong, trusted, and dependable relationships with customers
2) become a preferred employer
3) protect their revenues and reputation during a crisis
4) recover quicker than their competitors

https://go.forrester.com/blogs/business-resilience-is-no-longer-optional/

We're delighted to share that @Microshareio has inked a reseller agreement with Simplex Services to expand market penetration of its Clean = Safe Smart Building solutions.

Press Release:
https://www.microshare.io/2020/06/03/microshare-inks-global-reseller-agreements-with-notiria-and-simplex-services/

There are a few reasons distribution is a trend now for most enterprises using a single or multiple public clouds.

https://www.infoworld.com/article/3542672/prepare-for-the-future-of-distributed-cloud-computing.html

A few hundred small servers, scattered throughout the country and linked by fiber optic cable, should theoretically be capable of providing the same value to customers as one hyperscale data center.

Just because something can be done, however, should it?

https://www.zdnet.com/article/where-the-edge-is-in-edge-computing-why-it-matters-and-how-we-use-it/

“Now more than ever, people need to know that their virtual conversations are private and secure.”

– Jared Spataro, Corporate VP – @Microsoft365

Here's our blog post about security and privacy in @MicrosoftTeams:
https://www.simplex-services.com/privacy-and-security-in-microsoft-teams/

Simplex has helped a popular Chinese food chain in England manage their order management system.

Our intervention stopped expense leakage and enhanced fraud detection, and had a positive impact on costs and employee productivity.

Have a business challenge? Get in touch with us!

Check out our latest blog post about privacy and security in @MicrosoftTeams:

Core points:
- Trustworthy by default and design
- Security and privacy for video conferencing
- Identity and account protection
- Encryption and advanced threat protection

https://www.simplex-services.com/privacy-and-security-in-microsoft-teams/

With COVID-19 restrictions, if you need help to enable your staff to work from home and stay productive, we'd help you work it out.

We'd also like to help you with a free, non-obligatory advisory for your IT Health.

Get in touch with us:
https://www.simplex-services.com/simplex-advisory/

In a session with @kevin_scott as he talks to industry guests on the future of tech. ^MB #MSBuild

Here's a recap of everything that was announced around @Microsoft365 at the #MSBuild.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2020/05/19/microsoft-teams-fluid-framework-new-microsoft-365/

Microsoft will host its annual developer conference as a virtual event this year. Our colleague, @mohitbajaj will be 'at' the event, starting with Satya Nadella's keynote which kicks off in an hour.

Stay tuned for updates. #MSBuild

The coronavirus crisis has upended operations as we knew them. To meet the challenge, CIOs must channel a lean startup mentality and rethink their approaches to managing IT.

https://www.cio.com/article/3542680/8-tips-for-driving-digital-strategy-during-covid-19.html

Hosting all the applications with a single cloud service provider may invite trouble even if distinct datacentres are chosen to host these applications.

Here's our blog post about the benefits of a multicloud strategy.

https://www.simplex-services.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-multicloud-strategy/

Businesses should revisit automation with renewed vigour as the COVID-19 crisis abates, according to Forrester.

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/05/13/automation_coronavirus_forrester/

Most CIOs don't have metrics for gauging the success of digital projects, such as new mobile apps or chatbots.

But CIOs who fail to quantify these initiatives may find themselves outflanked by nimbler rivals, analysts say.

@ClintBoulton writes in @ciouk

https://www.cio.com/article/3236446/digital-kpis-your-keys-to-measuring-digital-transformation-success.html

In our latest blog post, we discuss how to avoid “IT lockdown”, it is imperative for CIOs and CISOs to revisit their IT building blocks and improve the security around them to avoid “IT distancing”.

https://www.simplex-services.com/security-challenges-cio-ciso-covid-19/

The new normal of work, business travel and multiple industries is being written as the economy tries to re-open after the COVID-19 crisis.

While exact details are evolving, this earnings season provided a bevy of comments on what the future looks like.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-does-the-new-normal-look-like-post-covid-19-15-cxos-answer/

The Covid-19 crisis is accelerating digital transformation among companies of all shapes and sizes, and the public sector is no exception, as decision-makers rally to find solutions to meet fast-changing requirements despite underlying legacy challenges.

https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Changing-realities-of-digital-transformation-in-the-public-sector

.@IBM has announced a broad range of new AI-powered capabilities and services that are designed to help CIOs automate their IT infrastructures to be more resilient to future disruptions and to help reduce costs. #Think2020

https://newsroom.ibm.com/2020-05-05-IBM-Unveils-New-AI-Designed-to-Help-CIOs-Automate-IT-Operations-for-Greater-Resiliency-and-Lower-Costs

IBM has announced new services and solutions backed by a broad ecosystem of partners to help enterprises and telecommunications companies speed their transition to edge computing in the 5G era. #Think2020

https://newsroom.ibm.com/2020-05-05-IBM-and-Red-Hat-Launch-New-Edge-Computing-Solutions-for-the-5G-Era

At the upcoming #Think2020, catch our friend, Prakash Somani delivering a session on 'Modernizing workloads to optimize IT with reliability'. Prakash is the Director of Cloud Migration and Transformation Services Offerings at IBM.

Free registration: https://www.ibm.com/widget/ibm/think20/Ondemand?search=3904

The world is witnessing an unprecedented crisis and uncertainty. And opportunistic cybercriminals are quick to take advantage of the situation.

It is imperative for CIOs and CISOs to start improving the security around them to avoid “IT distancing”.

https://www.simplex-services.com/security-challenges-cio-ciso-covid-19/

Following the call by Crown Commercial Service (@gov_procurement) for help in meeting the challenges for the public sector that COVID-19 has brought, we have put our offer forward.

We are happy to offer help, despite our challenges, to keep things going.

https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/covid-19/covid-19-buyer-information/catalogue-of-supplier-offers/

The COVID-19 pandemic may be the tipping point for demonstrating the success and benefits of remote work at scale.

@ArchieDeskus, CIO at @intel, reveals how IT enabled the massive transition in a seamless manner at Intel.

https://www.cio.com/article/3540490/how-intel-it-transitioned-to-supporting-100-000-remote-workers.html

To avoid “IT lockdown”, it is imperative for CIOs and CISOs to revisit their IT building blocks and start improving the security around them to avoid “IT distancing”.

Here's our blog post about the steps you can take to mitigate the risks.

https://www.simplex-services.com/security-challenges-cio-ciso-covid-19/

A group of 14 technology companies have come together to launch a new UK industry association dedicated to tackling online safety, with support and backing from the government, campaigners and charities.

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252482195/UK-tech-companies-launch-new-online-safety-body

A Gartner survey has revealed that while 30% of employees worked remotely before the coronavirus pandemic, 81% or more are currently working remotely and 41% are likely to do so at least some of the time once a return to normal working is permitted.

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252481579/Coronavirus-More-than-two-fifths-of-employees-likely-to-continue-remote-working-after-pandemic

“That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives... the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known"

- Carl Sagan

It's never too late to care. #EarthDay

"Hybrid cloud and AI are two dominant forces driving change for our clients and must have the maniacal focus of the entire company.”

- IBM CEO @ArvindKrishna in his first day letter to staff

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/04/07/arvind_krishna_becomes_ibm_ceo_letter_to_staff/

"When the current Covid-19 pandemic is over, businesses will start to invest in their operations, with an acceleration of digital transformation to support new operating models and boost resilience."

@Karlfl writes in @ComputerWeekly

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252481779/Covid-19-will-leave-its-legacy-on-global-IT-services

The SophosLabs 2020 Threat Report explores some of the major changes in the threat landscape that emerged over the last year in cloud computing.

Here's our blog post about the security landscape for cloud computing.

https://www.simplex-services.com/security-landscape-for-cloud-computing-in-2020/

"An important lesson in 2020 is that a shift from centralized to distributed business models will further expand the gap between businesses that can compete and win based on the stakeholder experience."

@ValaAfshar writes in @ZDNet

https://www.zdnet.com/article/scale-distribution-and-occupying-mars-covid-19-is-a-catalyst/

In today's webinar hosted by the Sussex Innovation Centre (@sinc_innovation), Saikat Chatterjee, Enterprise Solution Architect at Simplex Services, will be on the panel to discuss how to survive and thrive during a pandemic.

Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/survive-thrive-how-to-pivot-to-a-direct-to-consumer-model-tickets-101878575562

Sussex Innovation Centre (@sinc_innovation) is hosting webinars to help support your business during the current crisis.

Saikat Chatterjee, Enterprise Solution Architect at Simplex Services, will be discussing how to survive and thrive during a pandemic.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/survive-thrive-how-to-pivot-to-a-direct-to-consumer-model-tickets-101878575562

Happy #Easter, everyone!

On this #GoodFriday, may we be blessed with the spirit of self sacrifice for a better and healthy community, nation and the world.

Microsoft is continuing to make adjustments to various Microsoft 365/Office 365 services with the aim of providing continuity during the coronavirus pandemic.

@maryjofoley writes in @ZDNet.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-makes-more-tweaks-to-its-m365-services-in-light-of-increased-remote-work-demands/

The #WorldHealthDay today is a good time to extend our pledge of staying at home and staying safe as we fight a pandemic.

Together, we shall overcome this.

And to all healthcare workers in the frontline... Thank you!

Introducing our initiative - #InspiredCare4U - for the carers, elderly and vulnerable and their families, and our NHS as they manage the COVID-19 outbreak.

Details: https://www.simplex-services.com/inspiredcare4u/

Microsoft is sharing more guidance around capacity limits it is putting in place for its cloud resources caused by higher-than-usual demand due to the coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-cloud-services-demand-up-775-percent-prioritization-rules-in-place-due-to-covid-19/

CIOs opting to hunker down and wait out COVID-19 should think again. By revving up their digital business strategies, they position themselves for growth when the pandemic subsides, say experts and CIOs.

@ClintBoulton writes in @CIOonline.

https://www.cio.com/article/3533993/doubling-down-on-digital-transformation-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic.html

Find out what CIOs and CISOs need to know to enable their end-users to work remotely and stay secure during the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis, and learn how users can help themselves in this guide by @alexscroxton on @ComputerWeekly.

https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Coronavirus-How-to-implement-safe-and-secure-remote-working

We turn six today!

We are six today!

Microsoft says Teams usage is spiking because of remote working due to #COVID19 outbreak. Meanwhile, it's readying more new Teams features for delivery later this year.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-teams-usage-up-by-12-million-in-the-past-week-hitting-44-million-daily-active-users-due-largely-to-covid-19/

The shift from a centralized defense model to a distributed and containment model in managing a pandemic has highlighted the level of preparedness for businesses to function in a world that is highly distributed and digitally enabled, writes @ValaAfshar.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/covid-19-and-the-new-business-normal/

Considering the #COVID19 outbreak, Simplex Services will help enable organisations set up their employees to work remotely as a complimentary service. Get in touch!

Check out our blog post for details.
https://www.simplex-services.com/coronavirus-work-from-home/

Datacentre operators are being urged to consider postponing or cancelling any upgrades or migration projects to reduce the risk of their IT staff contracting the #COVID19.

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252480226/Covid-19-Uptime-Institute-advises-suspension-of-non-essential-datacentre-projects

Considering the current health crisis, we at Simplex Services are enabling organisations to set up their employees to work remotely.

Get in touch with us, and we'll help you set up at no cost leveraging @MicrosoftTeams. #COVID19 @MicrosoftUK

https://www.simplex-services.com/coronavirus-work-from-home/

Gartner has recommended three short-term actions that chief information officers should take to prepare for business disruptions as a result of the #coronavirus health crisis.

https://www.cio.com/article/3532029/coronavirus-3-things-cios-need-to-do-now.html

The UK IT priorities 2020 survey has found that organisations are driving forward application modernisation initiatives and using SaaS for user computing.

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252479797/IT-Priorities-2020-Digitisation-drives-IT-modernisation-growth

#HappyHoli to all our friends from India!

Hosting all the applications with a single cloud service provider may invite trouble even if distinct data centres are chosen to host these applications.

In this blog post, we talk about the benefits of a multicloud strategy: https://www.simplex-services.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-multicloud-strategy/

Wishing all you women there more power, strength and success. Keep shining, keep creating magic! #WomensDay

Let the clouds make your life easier. #FridayHumor

A @forrester survey for 2019 revealed that working with services providers to accelerate transformation is the top transformation action that decision-makers are taking this year.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/digital-services-2020-time-for-a-reality-check/

Experts believe that #Brexit will impact technology firms operating within Britain in a variety of ways.

- Data residency
- Starting problems
- Access to talent

Read more in our latest blog post:
https://www.simplex-services.com/how-will-brexit-impact-the-uk-tech-and-it-industry/

Chinese public cloud challenger Alibaba is undoubtedly making waves in the west, but does it have what it takes to seriously trouble the likes of Amazon Web Services and Microsoft in the infrastructure-as-a-service market?

https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Alibaba-versus-Amazon-Microsoft-and-Google-Does-the-Chinese-cloud-challenger-have-what-it-takes

Adapting to change is a key survival skill for every modern CIO. Two prominent CIO leaders share their advice on how to thrive in today's rapidly-changing digital environment.

Read more: https://www.zdnet.com/article/cio-strategy-become-a-transformational-chief-information-officer/

Having identified a business challenge that AI is able to solve, CIOs must consider the stages towards successful AI – which is, after all, only a technology and not an outcome in itself.

https://www.computerweekly.com/ITinfrastructure/Where-to-start-with-AI-the-journey-from-business-need-to-delivery?asrc=SS_CW_NEWS

Hosting all the applications with a single cloud service provider may invite trouble even if distinct data centres, availability zones or regions are chosen.

In our latest blog post, we write about the benefits of a #multicloud strategy.

https://www.simplex-services.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-multicloud-strategy/

Backup product maker @Veeam has launched version 10 of its Availability Suite.

Key additions in this full-number upgrade include NAS backup, and the ability to recover virtual and physical machines to a VMware virtual machine.

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252478546/Veeam-Availability-Suite-v10-adds-NAS-backup-and-cloud-tiering

The UK may have finally left the European Union, but the now the wrangling over key aspects of the country's future relationship with Europe – including data flows – really begins.

@dannyjpalmer writes in @ZDNet

https://www.zdnet.com/article/on-data-protection-the-uk-says-it-will-go-it-alone-it-probably-wont/

Umm... we're sorry? 😉

Microsoft would like nothing more than to pick up some of those juicy Oracle corporate customers, so it has quite a bit to gain from the deal. For Oracle, it plugs a gap in the database goliath's lineup.

@richard_speed writes in @TheRegister

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/02/12/microsoft_oracle_cloud_coop/

Today is Safer Internet Day!

Let's all work towards an internet that is safe and stimulating for everyone. @UK_SIC

#saferinternetday #SID2020

Companies are moving more applications than ever to the cloud, but many of these initiatives fail. Learn how to avoid making your own cloud migration mistakes.

Read more on @searchCIO: https://searchcio.techtarget.com/feature/Cloud-migration-failures-and-how-to-prevent-them

If your business is still running on Windows 7, you have some important decisions to make.

Get in touch with us! #SwitchWithSimplex

https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-your-companys-windows-7-exit-strategy/

Everything's that wrong with IT consulting.

We can do better. Get in touch!

For progressive organizations that want to fly cloud-ward without placing all their eggs in the same basket, they can do just that: leverage a multi-cloud environment.

Here's our blog post about the key criteria for adopting multi-cloud: https://www.simplex-services.com/multicloud-a-reality/

According to @Canalys, AWS remains the biggest provider of infrastructure clouds with a revenue haul of $34.6bn in 2019 but for the first time it has pulled in less than double that of nearest rival Microsoft.

@timanderson writes in @TheRegister:
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/02/04/worldwide_cloud_computing/

The UK is half-way through a ten-year national programme designed to boost quantum technologies, which has so far benefited from a combined £1 billion investment from government and industry.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-quantum-revolution-is-upon-us-but-we-dont-really-know-what-to-do-with-it/

When thinking about migrating to the cloud, these are three core models to choose from: SaaS, PaaS and IaaS.

Here's what each does and how to determine which model is right for your business. @EstherShein writes in @TechRepublic

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/saas-paas-iaas-the-differences-between-each-and-how-to-pick-the-right-one/

Get in touch with us, maybe? 😉

The UK’s cyber security industry employs 43,000 full-time workers, and contributed nearly £4bn to the UK economy in 2019, according to DCMS.

@alexscroxton writes in @ComputerWeekly

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252477508/UK-cyber-security-sector-worth-more-than-8bn

.@PwC has been undergoing a large digital transformation effort that includes upskilling its workforce to become more technology and analytics savvy. The benefits of those efforts are starting to bubble up.

@ldignan writes in @ZDNet.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/four-lessons-from-pwcs-digital-transformation-workforce-upskilling-efforts/

The SophosLabs 2020 Threat Report explores some of the major changes in the threat landscape that emerged over the last year in cloud computing. These will continue to impact cybersecurity in 2020.

https://www.simplex-services.com/security-landscape-for-cloud-computing-in-2020/

Happy #RepublicDay, India!

India has taken massive leaps towards being a force to reckon with globally, especially in the field of science and technology.

We congratulate all our friends and associates in the country.

Gong Xi Fa Cai! #CNY2020

Wishing everyone good luck, good health, and prosperity in the #YearOfTheRat.

“Little Missteps, Big Breaches”

The @SophosLabs 2020 Threat Report explores some of the major changes in the threat landscape that emerged over the last year in cloud computing, and will continue to impact cybersecurity in 2020.

Read our blog post:
https://www.simplex-services.com/security-landscape-for-cloud-computing-in-2020/

Besides supporting cloud-native software development, DevOps’ biggest gains lie in legacy systems, says @puppetize field CTO.

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252476273/Why-enterprises-should-care-about-DevOps

Global IT spending is on the up, @Gartner_inc says, rising from $3.8 trillion in 2019 to $3.9 trillion in 2020, spurred on by the upcoming end of support for Windows 7 as well as enterprise cloud software purchases.

@SecurityCharlie writes in @ZDNet.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/worldwide-it-spending-to-reach-3-9-trillion-in-2020/

The lessons learned from a decade of digital transformation provide a roadmap for those embarking on their own initiatives.

@CIOonline, @Computerworld, @CSOonline, @infoworld and @NetworkWorld team up to dissect that legacy from every angle.

https://www.cio.com/article/3513849/the-state-of-digital-transformation-in-2020.html

Cloud is mainstream but the datacentre’s here to stay.

This has resulted in a trend towards as-a-service in the datacentre where big storage array makers and the cloud giants meet.

https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Big-storage-meets-cloud-in-the-datacentre-as-a-service-revolution

We've moved... but only just! We're still at @sinc_innovation but moved to a new office.

If you'd like to note, our new Brighton office address is:
35, Sussex Innovation Centre, Science Park Square, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9SB

Google has launched Cloud Premium Support in a bid to improve cloud services for enterprise clients.

More details here: https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/management-tools/enterprise-support-upgrades-for-mission-critical-work

You need the right tools to enhance and optimize your organization's productivity.

We can help. Get in touch!

After Windows 7 reaches the end of support this month, @Microsoft will no longer provide technical support for any issues, software updates, and security updates or fixes.

We can help you migrate to Windows 10 in quick time. Get in touch!

https://www.simplex-services.com/windows-7-end-of-life-support-windows-10-upgrade/

2019 has been quite the year as far as #cybersecurity is concerned. Here are the top 10 cybersecurity stories of 2019, which open a window onto the 2020 cyber threatscape.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2019/12/27/the-top-10-cybersecurity-stories-of-2019-a-window-onto-the-2020-threatscape/#6718bbd87992

An online survey of 450 IT leaders from companies in the U.S., UK, Ireland, and Germany found that although line-of-business leaders are gaining power because of cloud purchases, IT is still most often responsible for budget, security, and compliance.

https://www.informationweek.com/strategic-cio/it-strategy/cio-influence-shifts-as-cloud-spending-rises/d/d-id/1336679

Meet Subodh Rawat! 👨‍💻

Subodh is part of #TeamSimplex as a Solution Architect and is an experienced CCIE Certified Network and Security Architect. 🧮

Cloud computing in 2020...

Here's what @jlwallen predicts for the cloud and cloud-adjacent technology in 2020 and why he encourages you to dream big in this @TechRepublic feature.

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cloud-computing-in-2020-predictions-about-security-ai-kubernetes-more/