The latest in technology news by Amicus ITS

Growth in enterprise app stores

“Apps downloaded from public app stores for mobile devices disrupt IT security, application and procurement strategies,” said Ian Finley, research VP at Gartner. By 2017 Gartner expects 25% of enterprises to have developed their own app stores and to be negotiating with software vendors for products that can be added to the ecosystem. We believe this shows the move from apps downloaded from traditional commercial App Stores to business stores hosting secure, trusted Apps for corporate use.

 

Live Messenger closing down, Skype & Lync on talking terms

Microsoft has announced it will be enabling its two communication products; Lync and Skype to talk together to enable audio call and Instant Messaging interoperability as well as shared presence.  In addition Microsoft is shutting down Windows Live Messenger and encouraging users to login to Skype, we see these aggressive actions as a way of ‘market share growth’ for Microsoft over the coming year.

 

Datacentre risk v cost.

With increasingly tightening budgets, businesses are taking risks when choosing a datacentre strategy. Reports show cost is becoming the single top priority over resilience, capacity and backup strategy. However, as recent high profile failures show, if data is lost or hard to recover, the original cost savings don’t look quite as good. This is a warning to choose your datacentre (or datacentres) wisely.

 

Google on the high-street?

Recent rumours indicate Google may join Apple and Microsoft with their own physical retail stores. Google would be able to use these stores to sell their Nexus phones and tablets directly to customers in addition to their Chrome Book. Google could also let the public get “hands-on” with in development products like their wearable computer; Google Glass. We think products like these “smart glasses” are a tricky sell without being able to try before you buy.

Your weekly news direct from Amicus ITS

Amicus ITS makes Global MSP Rankings

The annually published MSPmentor 501 is a global ranking of the World’s Top 501 Managed Services Providers, and celebrates quality of Service, Growth and Expertise within the Global MSP arena.  Amicus ITS are delighted to have been placed 29^th Globally and 4^th in Europe.  This is a great accolade of what we think has been a fantastic effort from all of our teams for our role as trusted advisor and service provider to our clients in both the healthcare and corporate markets.

‘It is an honour to be recognised this year as one of the Global Top Managed Service Providers. To be ranked 29^th in the world and 4^th across Europe is a fantastic achievement by the team’ said Steve Jackson, Managing Director Amicus ITS who himself was ranked as one of the Top 250 entrepreneurs in his industry at the end of last year.

Dell goes private with help from Microsoft

Michael Dell, the original founder and current CEO of Dell is taking the company private. This is possible through a combination of cash and equity direct from Dell, investors affiliated with Silver Lake, MSD Capital and a $2 billion loan from Microsoft. Microsoft may be looking into making Dell the ‘signature’ platform for Windows 8 PCs and tablets and if so how will this affect Microsoft’s own new hardware team and other OEM partners?

Have you been Scroogled?

“Scroogled” is a Microsoft made anti-Google marketing campaign, It shows users how Google uses your personal information from searches, emails and documents, to help push paid adverts over perhaps more relevant unpaying results. Microsoft’s marketing team has been pushing these “Scroogled” ads recently on their new Outlook.com website. This is an aggressive move against Google, but aims to promote their Bing service.

Surface Pro succeeds where other have not

After just hours of the Surface Pro going on sale last Saturday the 128GB version was sold out. Customers were upset at not being able to pick up the new device on launch day. Microsoft will need to be careful on treading on the toes of their OEM partners who have not yet made a huge splash selling Windows 8 tablets.

Top technology news for MSP’s

Can 4G resolve problems with on-the-go access to data?

The continued rollout of new wireless network, 4G, is expected to give users the fastest broadband in Europe.  With speeds of up to 5 times faster than the previous 3G, how will 4G impact desktop virtualisation? We believe the new wireless network may help aid the adoption of desktop virtualisation on mobile devices, allowing users to remotely access their information more often and at a much faster rate.

Google back ‘one password’ strategy

With the huge increase in cyber-crime and phishing attacks, Google thinks it’s time to say goodbye to the traditional password and look to something new.  Google’s security experts, Eric Grosse and Mayank Upadhyay, propose consumers use an encrypted USB-like device that people would use to log into password-protected websites and online accounts. The web giant stated how the miniature device could be used to log into websites with a single password.  We understand that with the great challenge this poses to governance procedures, this is far from being put into practise. However it does highlight some critical issues in the current online environment. 

What can the Surface Pro offer a Business Environment?

Microsoft have announced their much anticipated Surface Pro tablet will be released at the later than expected date of 9^th February in the U.S.  This latest tablet has been one of the top talking points for IT professionals over the last couple of months, but to what extent can the Surface Pro make a significant business impact in your organisation? We predict a noteworthy one.  With its incorporated Windows 8 OS and its ability to access the same business applications as you can on a laptop, the Surface Pro is destined to see the rise of mobility at work.

Nokia 3D printing for phones

As competition in the mobile market becomes fierce, mobile operators are constantly coming up with new innovative ideas to make them stand out from the crowd, and Nokia’s 3D homemade case is no exception.  Embracing 3D printers, Nokia have released design files so users can ‘make their own’ plastic accessories.  With the current hefty price tag of 3D printers, will users miss out on the Nokia’s latest innovation?