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A New Supply Chain Shortage Is Here, Let’s Talk About Helium

The global IT channel is facing a new supply chain bottleneck, and it might be from an unexpected place. We’re talking about a shortage of helium.  

Recent geopolitical events in the Middle East have severely disrupted operations at Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, a facility responsible for roughly one-third of the global helium supply. Compounding this, the closure of commercial shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz has forced specialised cryogenic transport ships to take much longer routes, causing liquid helium to boil off and degrade during transit.  

While helium is known to most as a lighter-than-air gas, it is critical to the IT channel and global technology infrastructure. Here is why this shortage matters to public and private sector organisations.  

 

The Role of Helium in IT Hardware 

Helium has properties that make it irreplaceable in two key areas of technology manufacturing:  

  1. Semiconductor Fabrication: The production of advanced processors—particularly the high-performance components required for intensive workloads—relies heavily on helium for wafer cooling and photolithography. Without an adequate supply, fabrication plants must ration their use, leading to an immediate slowdown in output.  
  1. High-Capacity Storage: Enterprise-grade hard disk drives (HDDs) of 10TB and above are hermetically sealed with helium. Because helium is significantly less dense than air, it reduces internal turbulence, allowing manufacturers to fit more platters into a single drive. This lowers power consumption and operating temperatures in data centres.  

 

Impact on the Channel and Customers 

With major manufacturing hubs drawing down their reserves, the IT channel is preparing for extended lead times. As production slows, the market is expecting pricing volatility and constrained availability for high-capacity storage drives and advanced computing components. For organisations planning data centre expansions or large-scale device deployments, these upstream constraints will translate into longer project timelines.  

 

How XMA is Responding 

At XMA, we are actively monitoring the situation to protect our customers’ project delivery schedules. Our managed IT services and infrastructure solutions use hardware from our global technology partners, and our supply chain teams are working daily with these vendors to secure allocations. 

Instead of leaving our public and private sector customers exposed to unpredictable market shifts, we are adapting our procurement strategies. If you have significant hardware refreshes or data centre updates planned for 2026, we advise engaging with your XMA account manager early to forecast your requirements and secure the necessary inventory. 

Growing Our Impact: XMA and the National Forest

We understand that the business of creating, providing and maintaining technology all has a footprint. At XMA, we are committed to making that footprint a positive one. That’s why we’re taking our sustainability efforts back to the roots – literally!  

 

A New Grove for the Future 

We are proud to announce our partnership with the National Forest to plant a dedicated grove of trees. This initiative is a core part of our goal to support the environment while we provide the IT infrastructure that keeps the UK running. 

 

Spin to Plant: Interactive Sustainability 

You won’t just hear about our trees – you’ll help us plant them! Throughout the year, we’ll be taking this initiative on the road to various events. If you visit an XMA stand, you’ll find our Sustainability Wheel.  

Here’s how it works: 

  • Spin the Wheel: Give it a whirl to determine exactly how many trees XMA will plant on your behalf.  
  • Choose Your Tree: You’ll receive tokens to vote for the species you’d like to see in our grove.  
  • The Options: Pick between a variety of tress including Oak, Silver Birch, or Hazel.  

 

Why We’re Doing This 

Our aim for the year is simple: to plant as many trees as possible. By integrating this into our events, we turn sustainability into a shared goal with our customers and partners. We provide the solutions that keep your organisation resilient, and together, we help make the UK a little bit greener.  

Come find us at our next event and take a spin! 

If you’re interested in XMA’s ESG goals and how we can help you achieve yours, visit our ESG page

5 Realities of the Current UK IT Market

The UK IT market is currently a high-stakes environment where traditional demand signals have been replaced by supply-side volatility. For organisations planning their 2026 technology investments, understanding this shift is the only way to ensure project delivery and cost certainty.

As our Industry Expert notes, the market is no longer behaving in a traditional demand-led way:

“Availability, component mix, and cost coverage are increasingly the factors that determine what can be sold, when, and at what price.”

Here is how you should navigate this supply-led landscape to avoid order disruption and budget overruns.

  1. Distorted Demand Signals

Recent data suggests growth in the commercial PC sector, but true end-user demand is currently difficult to read. Several factors are creating “noise” in the market:

  • Pull-forward behaviour: Organisations are bringing purchases forward to bypass anticipated price hikes or supply risks.
  • Pricing volatility: Frequent changes make quarter-to-quarter comparisons difficult and blur the line between real incremental demand and simple timing effects.
  • Inventory positioning: Reported growth often reflects stock positioning by partners rather than actual sell-out to customers.

 

  1. Configuration is the Primary Driver of Cost

The operating environment is currently being shaped by component cost pressure, specifically in memory and storage. According to our Industry Expert:

“Pricing and lead times will continue to vary by configuration rather than by product family alone, and changes are often driven by factors outside of any single vendor’s direct control.”

Higher-spec configurations are the most exposed to these pressures. This means that two similar devices from the same technology partner may have vastly different delivery timelines based purely on their internal components.

 

  1. Predictability Requires Standardisation

Historical cycles of pricing stability are being replaced by a more reactive model.

  • Where stability exists: Pricing is most reliable where supply is broad and the component mix is standardised.
  • The risk of bespoke builds: Niche or high-performance configurations are highly exposed to late re-quotes and delays.
  • Alignment is key: Longer price holds are only possible when the configuration and availability are perfectly aligned from the start.

 

  1. Lead with Availability, Not Just Specification

The most effective way to manage your technology pipeline is to prioritise what can be delivered today. As our Industry Expert explains:

“Customers value clarity upfront more than locked pricing that cannot ultimately be honoured.”

We recommend starting procurement conversations with standard configurations that have a reliable supply chain. Being transparent about the risks associated with non-standard builds reduces surprises and allows for better long-term planning.

 

  1. The Outlook for the Rest of the Year

We expect continued variability in supply and cost through the end of October and the remainder of the calendar year. While availability is improving incrementally, it is not uniform across all builds. Our Industry Expert summarises the strategy for success:

“In a market shaped by supply, cost and OEM behaviour rather than clean demand, predictability comes from alignment, not rigidity.”

Secure Your Technology Pipeline

Navigating a changeable landscape requires a partner who prioritises transparency over rigid, unachievable promises. XMA’s agility as a privately-owned business and deep relationships with technology partners allow us to steer your requirements toward available supply, ensuring delivery confidence for your critical projects.

Contact your XMA Account Manager today to align your configurations with current market availability, or talk to us at enquiries@xma.co.uk.

The Browser is Now the Security Perimeter

85% of the workday now takes place inside a browser*. So why is your security infrastructure still anchored to a network edge that your employees have long since left behind? This isn’t just a technical misalignment, it could be leaving UK IT leaders completely blind to the risks of a modern workforce. While the way we work has evolved, the way we secure that work has remained static, creating a significant window of opportunity for modern threats. 

Standard browsers are not designed to protect against risks like Shadow AI, where proprietary data is pasted into unapproved LLMs, or visual leaks via smartphone photos. If your security doesn’t live where your employees actually work, how can you expect to see the danger coming? 

 

Cutting the “Legacy Tax” 

Many UK organisations remain tethered to expensive VPNs and resource-heavy VDI environments just to support one or two “heritage” Windows applications. This “Legacy Tax” results in high licensing and hardware costs for a fragmented environment that is notoriously difficult to secure. 

XMA provides a unified control plane that moves security directly to the browser tab. We partner with industry leaders like Google Chrome Enterprise Premium and Cameyo to deliver this solution, allowing legacy applications to run as individual tabs within a secure browser environment. It is time to stop supporting expensive legacy anchors and start securing the modern workspace. 

 

Tangible Outcomes for UK IT Leaders 

By shifting to a browser-based approach, you can implement context-aware actions and robust data loss prevention (DLP) policies: 

  • GenAI Guardrails: Use contextual prompts to block data transfers to unapproved AI tools. 
  • Visual DLP: Protect sensitive information with dynamic watermarking and screenshot blocking. 
  • Cost Efficiency: Access a complete security solution for £6 per user per month while extending the life of your current hardware. 
  • Zero-Provisioning: Remove the need for VPNs or client-side agents on endpoints entirely. 

 

Build Your Roadmap 

Modernising your security posture does not require a “big bang” migration. XMA recommends a phased approach, starting with a 60-day Proof of Value. 

This allows you to test premium features (including deep malware scanning and URL filtering) for up to 5,000 users. There is zero cost to begin, and crucially, there is no impact on end-user productivity during the testing phase. Why remain blind to your risks when you can see the solution for yourself? 

Download our eGuide Now

*https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/Omdia-state-of-workforce-security

AI Without the Overhead: A Practical Path to Modernising Your Workplace with AMD and Windows 11 Pro

The Reality of AI for IT Teams 

The requirement to deliver AI capabilities at scale is now an immediate, critical standard for public sector IT leaders. Whether you are managing local government, the NHS, or education departments, you are tasked with adopting AI tools to drive operational efficiency while acting as a front-line defender against an escalating wave of cyberthreats.  

For organisations handling sensitive citizen data and navigating strict regulatory landscapes, maintaining a robust and compliant security posture is a non-negotiable requirement. You must modernise your technology stack within highly structured procurement frameworks, such as the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) or G-Cloud, ensuring every investment demonstrates clear value-for-money and adheres to stringent data security protocols.  

However, for most IT departments, this aim brings significant challenges: 

  • The Resource Gap: IT decision-makers are currently operating at the intersection of modernisation demands and strict cost containment. 
  • The Security Paradox: Modernising the technology stack is urgent, yet it often conflicts with a workforce already operating at full capacity. 
  • Infrastructure Strain: Moving every AI task to the cloud creates latency issues and unpredictable costs that many UK businesses prefer to avoid. 

At XMA, we understand that modernisation should not result in complication. By combining Windows 11 Pro with AMD Ryzen™ processors, we provide a pragmatic way to meet these demands. 

 

How AMD Supports AI-Ready Workplaces 

AMD is shifting how AI is handled by moving the heavy lifting from the cloud directly onto the device. This is achieved through integrated AI acceleration built into the hardware. Windows 11 Pro devices featuring these advanced AI capabilities are ready for immediate use, allowing for integrated management and an intuitive experience. 

  • On-Device Processing: Processing AI workloads locally on the device leads to superior performance and efficiency. 
  • Time Savings: Organisations using these modern AI-ready PCs expect time savings of up to five hours per employee each week [1]. 
  • All-Day Productivity: Modern hardware allows for up to 22 hours of streaming battery life [2], keeping teams productive outside the office. 
  • Data Privacy: Keeping data on the device rather than sending it to external cloud servers helps maintain data sovereignty, a critical requirement for BFSI and Public Sector organisations. 

 

Security Benefits for Modern Windows Environments 

Security is a foundational requirement, not an optional add-on. AMD Ryzen™ processors provide multiple layers of protection that align with the “secure by design and secure by default” philosophy of Windows 11 Pro. 

  • Quantifiable Protection: Organisations have reported a 62% drop in security incidents after moving to Windows 11 Pro devices [3]. 
  • Silicon-Level Defence: The Microsoft Pluton security processor is integrated into the CPU, providing a hardware-based root of trust that is updated via Windows Update for long-term resilience. 
  • Targeted Threat Reduction: Hardware and software working in harmony have contributed to a 3X reported reduction in firmware attacks3 and 2.9X fewer identity theft incidents [3]. 
  • Compliance Ready: These protections allow organisations to meet stringent regulatory standards, such as Cyber Essentials Plus or NIS2, without requiring complex third-party software layers. 

 

Reducing the Operational Strain on IT Departments 

The goal of any technology rollout should be to simplify, not disrupt. The AMD and Windows ecosystem is designed to reduce the “firefighting” often associated with new tech adoption. 

  1. Faster Onboarding: Using Windows Autopilot allows for zero-touch deployment, which speeds up onboarding and helps ensure consistent compliance across all devices. 
  1. Unparalleled Efficiency: IT teams anticipate a 10%–50% reduction in help-desk efforts due to faster provisioning and smarter content discovery [1]. 
  1. Reduced Management Time: Proactive diagnostics and improved reliability lead to a projected 30% reduction in device management time [1]. 
  1. Operational Resilience: Tools like Configuration Refresh automatically revert unauthorised security changes, maintaining your compliance posture without manual intervention. 

 

The Outcome: A Secure, Practical Path to AI Adoption 

Modernising your workplace with AMD and Windows 11 Pro provides a path to innovation that does not compromise control. You gain 50% faster workflows and collaboration on average, allowing your team to focus on strategic growth rather than technical debt [4]. 

Visit the New Business For Work Landing Page

Footnotes 

  1. New Tech: The Projected Total Economic Impact Of Microsoft Copilot+ PCs.Microsoft-commissioned study by Forrester Consulting, July 2025. Projected benefits for a single composite organization that has US$1 billion annual revenue and 2,000 employees with 80% using Copilot+ PCs. In comparison to a mixed environment of conventional Windows 11 and Windows 10 PCs. 
  1. Battery life varies significantly by device and with settings, usage, and other factors. See Windows Performance Lab. 
  1. Windows 11 Survey Report. Techaisle LLC, September 2024. Commissioned by Microsoft. Windows 11 results are in comparison with Windows 10 devices. 
  1. Results in comparison to Windows 10 PCs. Improve your day-to-day experience with Windows 11 Pro laptops, Principled Technologies, April 2023. Report commissioned by Microsoft.

Why Your Supply Chain is Your New Security Perimeter

Picture of Scott Wright

Scott Wright

Scott is XMA’s Head of Pre-Sales. An IT industry greybeard, he believes strongly that proper planning & preparation prevents disasters waiting to happen.

In my role heading up the Pre-Sales team here at XMA, I spend a lot of time looking at the “big picture” of IT security for our public sector clients. One trend is becoming impossible to ignore: the shift from internal network security to the complex, often opaque world of supply chain risk.

Historically, we focused on “locking the front door” of the organisation. But today, your operational resilience is only as strong as the least secure vendor in your ecosystem.

 

The Government’s Clear Signal on Supply Chain Risk

The UK government isn’t just suggesting we take this seriously, they are providing a direct mandate. The official guidance on tackling security risk in government supply chains identifies third-party vulnerabilities as a primary threat to national infrastructure.

For public sector bodies (from local authorities to the NHS) the message is clear: you are responsible for the security of the data you handle, regardless of which third party is processing or storing it.

 

The Evolution: From Cyber Essentials Plus to NIS

Most of you have (hopefully) already achieved Cyber Essentials Plus (CSE+). That is a vital baseline, but it is no longer the finish line. The government is now pushing for public sector verticals to align with the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations.

Moving toward NIS compliance requires a move away from “point-in-time” security. You can’t just check a box once a year. You need:

  • Complete Visibility: A clear map of every entity that has access to your network or data.
  • Continuous Assessment: A way to monitor the security posture of your suppliers in real-time.
  • Proactive Mitigation: The ability to identify a supplier’s weakness before it becomes your breach.

 

The Legislative Hammer is Coming

We are tracking pending legislation that will make supply chain risk management mandatory for several public sector verticals. Far from just avoiding a fine, it centres around maintaining your ability to operate. Non-compliance could lead to exclusion from critical procurement frameworks like G-Cloud or the Crown Commercial Service (CCS).

 

How XMA and Risk Ledger Solve the Complexity Problem

Managing this manually via spreadsheets is a recipe for failure. It’s slow, inaccurate, and data is out of date the moment it’s saved.

XMA utilises partners such as Risk Ledger to replace that manual headache with a professionalised, automated platform. Instead of chasing suppliers for audits, Risk Ledger provides a “social network” of security data.

  • Defensible Compliance: We provide the evidence and data needed to prove your due diligence to auditors and your board.
  • Reduced Overhead: Automating the assessment process frees up your internal IT team to focus on strategic projects.
  • Real-Time Alerts: If a supplier’s security status changes, you know immediately – allowing you to take action before a risk turns into a crisis.

 

Let’s Secure Your Chain

Security is about resilience. In the public sector, it’s also about public trust. At XMA, we’re not interested in selling you products, we work with you to implement a compliant, scalable framework that protects your organisation and the citizens you serve.

Navigating the Memory Price Surge: Stability in a Volatile Market

The global IT hardware market is currently facing significant headwinds. With DRAM contract prices almost doubling in early 2026, organisations across the UK are re-evaluating their device procurement and refresh strategies.

To understand how XMA is helping customers maintain stability during this period of volatility, we sat down with our Commercial Director, Paul Hamilton. Paul shares insights into how we use our Tier-1 partnerships and UK-based logistics to provide certainty for Enterprise and Public Sector (CPS) organisations.

How XMA Is Supporting Enterprise and CPS Customers Amid Rising DRAM Costs

Paul Hamilton: “With DRAM contract prices almost doubling in early 2026, many organisations are understandably concerned about the impact on their device procurement and refresh strategies. At XMA, we are taking proactive and measurable steps to help our customers maintain stability, predictability and value during this period of market volatility.”

  • Strategic Engagement at Executive Level: “We are in active, ongoing C‑suite dialogue with the world’s largest PC manufacturers. These direct relationships ensure we have early visibility of market movements, production constraints and forthcoming allocation changes enabling us to advocate for our customers at the highest level.”
  • Tri‑Party Engagement for Transparency: “Where appropriate, we facilitate tri‑party conversations between customers and our tier 1 vendors. This gives organisations a clear, unfiltered view of the vendor’s position, supply outlook and pricing dynamics. It ensures decisions are informed by real time insights rather than assumptions or market noise.”

     

  • Maximising the Channel Ecosystem: “XMA works across the breadth of the channel ecosystem to secure the best possible availability and inventory positions for our customers. By leveraging our scale, partner status and long standing relationships, we ensure our customers benefit from priority access to the latest stock positions and market intelligence.”
  • Secured, Ring‑Fenced Inventory: “For strategic partner accounts, we are already securing and ring‑fencing dedicated inventory in advance. This provides our customers with more predictable planning cycles, reduced exposure to sudden price spikes and assurance that the devices they require will be available when they need them.”

Budget Resilience: Evidence-Based Advice for IT Directors

For IT Directors managing multi-year refresh cycles, what evidence-based advice are we giving to help them demonstrate the ROI of proceeding with upgrades now versus waiting for a price reversal that analysts suggest is unlikely before 2027?

Paul Hamilton: “This discussion extends beyond immediate cost pressures and moves into a broader strategic assessment of organisational resilience and value creation. While rising component prices will influence deployment budgets, the wider geopolitical landscape spanning security threats, productivity demands, and ongoing supply chain volatility means that delaying refresh cycles often introduces greater operational and financial risk.”

“To support IT Directors in demonstrating clear, evidence‑based ROI, XMA partners with customers through structured innovation workshops. These sessions provide up‑to‑date insight on advancements in security, AI‑driven productivity, endpoint performance, and professional services.”

Supply Chain Agility: Strengthening UK Logistics

What specific changes have we made to our UK-based fulfilment and logistics operations to ensure we can still meet “just-in-time” delivery requirements despite global component shortages?

Paul Hamilton: “XMA has taken a series of proactive steps to strengthen our UK‑based fulfilment and logistics operations, ensuring we can continue to meet “just‑in‑time” delivery expectations despite global component shortages.”

“We have worked closely with our Tier 1 vendors to analyse market demand patterns, forecast volatility, and secure forward‑looking inventory positions within our UK logistics facility. By committing to early allocation and ring‑fenced stock, we can protect customers from both sudden availability constraints and unpredictable price fluctuations.”

“In practical terms, this operational model allows us to:

  • Hold dedicated inventory locally, enabling reliable next‑day delivery across the UK.

     

  • Reduce the impact of global supply chain disruption, thanks to pre-secured and strategically stored stock.

     

  • Provide greater pricing stability, insulating customers from short-term spikes driven by component scarcity.

     

  • Streamline fulfilment workflows, ensuring devices can be configured, kitted and dispatched rapidly from within the UK.

     

  • Strengthen vendor collaboration, giving us early visibility of constraints and enabling smarter sourcing decisions.”

What Does This Mean For Our Customers?

Navigating market volatility requires more than just reactive purchasing, it demands a partner with the scale and relationships to provide stability. By prioritising forward-looking inventory and direct vendor engagement, XMA ensures your technology roadmaps remain on track despite global component pressures.

Get in touch with your XMA account manager to discuss your upcoming IT projects, or contact us directly at enquiries@xma.co.uk to learn how we can protect your hardware budget.

The AI Capability Gap: Why Procuring Hardware Is Not a Strategy

Picture of Andrew Downes

Andrew Downes

With broad expertise of both Corporate and Public Sector challenges, Andrew specialises in translating complex technology concepts—from Datacentre and Cloud to Cyber Security and AI—into clear, services-led solutions that differentiate the business and deliver genuine value to the customer.

Artificial Intelligence represents a major wave of technological investment, with 68% of UK enterprises either implementing or planning to implement AI solutions. To meet this demand, the strategies and partner programs of major vendors are heavily influencing the market. 

We are seeing a massive shift in infrastructure design across the entire technology stack. Key players like Microsoft, AWS, and Google are embedding complex AI services directly into their cloud environments. For on-premises and hybrid requirements, vendors such as Cisco, HPE, and Dell are releasing infrastructure explicitly built to handle intense AI compute and data storage workloads. Simultaneously, cybersecurity leaders like Fortinet, Sophos, and Palo Alto Networks are adapting their tools to secure these new, rapidly expanding environments. 

However, this rush to adopt has created a significant capability gap. Procuring an AI-optimised Dell server, or provisioning advanced machine learning environments within AWS, is a transaction. It is not a strategy. When organisations treat AI as a simple hardware or software upgrade, high-performance systems sit underutilised, integration with legacy systems causes disruption, and a lack of proper governance increases operational risk. 

To achieve a measurable return on investment (ROI) and optimise your total cost of ownership (TCO), you need more than capable technology, you need the practical expertise to apply it effectively. 

 

Bridging the Gap Between Procurement and Performance 

At XMA, our approach is built on practical understanding. We know that buying the equipment is the easiest part of the process. True operational resilience is established in the post-implementation phase, through rigorous integration, training, and ongoing management. 

Here is how we ensure your organisation gets the most out of its infrastructure investments once the hardware is delivered: 

  • Strategic Integration and Configuration: AI infrastructure rarely exists in a vacuum. Whether you are deploying HPE servers or Cisco networking gear, we ensure your new hardware communicates securely and reliably with your existing legacy systems. We handle the complex configuration required to optimise data flow and prevent operational bottlenecks. 
  • Governance and Risk Mitigation: Advanced AI capabilities require access to vast amounts of corporate data, which expands your attack surface. We work with our security partners to implement strict identity management and access controls directly into your infrastructure, ensuring you maintain compliance and mitigate security risks. 
  • Targeted Workforce Training: The most capable infrastructure is a wasted investment if your team does not know how to operate it safely. We provide targeted training programs that give your IT staff the specific skills required to manage, monitor, and maintain your new AI environments, reducing human error. 
  • Proactive Managed Services: To free your internal team from day-to-day firefighting and allow them to focus on strategy, we provide proactive managed IT services. We monitor your infrastructure to identify and fix issues before they cause costly downtime, ensuring long-term stability. 

 

Focus on Business Outcomes 

Technology is a tool that requires an expert hand to deliver results. Simply buying equipment with AI capabilities does not solve business problems. 

XMA provides reliable, secure, and affordable managed IT services. We help you modernise infrastructure, scale IT securely, and prove the value of IT to your board. We work with you to ensure your technology investments are fully integrated, properly governed, and actively driving business value. 

Contact us at enquiries@xma.co.uk or talk to your XMA Account Manager about our full range of infrastructure capabilities.

Beyond the Hype: How HP and AMD are Delivering Practical AI and Security for UK Businesses

Today’s workplace demands constant adaptation. Hybrid work models require flexibility, security threats are more sophisticated than ever, and the arrival of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shifting from a future concept to a daily productivity tool. 

Your organisation’s devices are the critical link in navigating these challenges. Sub-par hardware can lead to security vulnerabilities, poor performance in critical applications, and a frustrating experience for your staff. 

This is why we are taking a close look at the new generation of HP EliteBook laptops. Advanced by AMD processors, these devices are built to provide a practical, high-performance, and secure foundation for both public and private sector organisations. 

 

The AMD Processor: A Practical AI Engine 

Several of these new devices are “Next Gen AI PCs.” It means the AMD processors inside include a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU). 

In simple terms, an NPU is specialist hardware designed to run AI tasks efficiently. 

  • Instead of: Using the main processor (CPU) or graphics card (GPU) for an AI-driven task (like real-time background blur during a video call or running a local AI assistant). 
  • The NPU handles it: This frees up the CPU and GPU for the work you are actually trying to do. 

What this means for your business:  

  • Better Performance: Applications remain fast and responsive, even during demanding video conferences or when using new AI tools. 
  • Longer Battery Life: The NPU is highly efficient, drawing less power for these common tasks, which is critical for hybrid and mobile workers. 
  • Improved Security: By processing more AI tasks locally (right on the laptop) less sensitive data needs to be sent to the cloud, reducing your attack surface. 

 

Security: A Resilient Foundation 

For any IT leader, security is non-negotiable. For a business owner, a breach is a critical risk. The HP EliteBook series addresses this directly with a multi-layered security approach. 

Models like the HP EliteBook 8 G1a feature HP Wolf Pro Security. Far from being just antivirus software, it is a resilient, hardware-enforced security solution. It provides: 

  • Self-Healing BIOS: Can automatically recover from a firmware attack. 
  • Hardware-Based Isolation: Traps malware in a virtual container to prevent it from infecting the rest of the PC. 
  • Phishing Protection: Helps defend against credential theft from malicious websites. 

This provides the operational resilience required by enterprise and public sector organisations and the “peace of mind” that small business owners need to focus on their work. 

 

A Device for Every Role 

This new HP and AMD lineup provides choice, allowing you to standardise on a secure platform while equipping different users with the right tool for their job. 

  • HP EliteBook 8 G1a 14″ Notebook: This is the premium option for executives and mobile professionals who need top-tier security and AI performance in a portable format. Powered by the AMD Ryzen™ PRO processor, it utilises a dedicated NPU to manage AI workloads locally to extend battery life, while delivering silicon-level security features that mitigate firmware attacks and protect sensitive corporate data. 
  • HP EliteBook 6 G1a/G1ah 14″ Notebooks: These are the versatile workhorses of the fleet. They balance portability with robust performance, including options with the latest AMD Ryzen™ 5 processors and AI capabilities. 
  • HP EliteBook 6 G1ah 16″ Notebook: Ideal for users who need more screen real estate, such as finance teams, data analysts, or developers. It provides the same enterprise-grade features and AMD power on a larger display. 

 

The XMA View: Beyond the Box 

Choosing the right hardware is the first step. Integrating it successfully into your environment is the next. 

As a HP Amplify Power Partner, XMA helps organisations procure, configure, deploy, and manage HP devices at scale. Our specialists understand the specific compliance and security needs of public sector bodies and the efficiency and reliability drivers for private enterprises. 

We provide the tools and services to ensure your new HP devices deliver real business value from day one. 

 

Ready to build a more secure and productive hardware fleet? Contact your XMA Manager today or email enquiries@xma.co.uk to discuss your requirements 

Walking the Walk: XMA’s End-Of-Year Community Impact

At XMA, it’s important to show up for the people and places around us. This quarter, we wanted to see how much practical good we could do, both through our daily habits and specific fundraising events. 

Here is what happens when you turn good intentions into action. 

 

£8,000 via YuLife 

How far can a walk around the block really go? As it turns out, quite a long way. 

We use the YuLife app to track our wellness activity. But rather than just counting steps, we converted that activity into currency. By simply moving more and banking mindfulness minutes, our team generated a total of £8,000 in donations. 

We split this evenly across four causes that deal with the essentials of life: water, food, and the environment. 

  • £2,000 for Big Blue Ocean Cleanup: Removing plastic from our seas. 
  • £2,000 for Clean Water for Families: Because safe drinking water shouldn’t be a luxury. 
  • £2,000 for Planting Trees: Restoring habitats and capturing carbon. 
  • £2,000 for Share The Meal: Providing food to children in urgent need. 

 

£325 for Macmillan Cancer Research 

In November, we proved that you can fight cancer with coffee and cake. We hosted our very own Macmillan Coffee Morning, where our teams baked, bought, and ate their way to a £325 total. 

It sounds simple, but that money pays for Macmillan nurses to support families facing their toughest days. 

 

Service Desk Style Statements: Over £100 for Children in Need & RSPCA 

Our Service Desk team is usually focused on technical fixes, but this quarter they focused on fashion crimes for a good cause. 

They traded their usual office wear for a Pyjama Day, raising £60 for Children in Need. Not content with just one wardrobe change, they also hosted a “What a Load of Shirt” Day, raising a further £42 for the RSPCA with tacky and loud shirts! It proves that you don’t need to take yourself seriously to make a difference. 

 

Our XMA Charity Raffle: Over £2,000 for Local Support 

We rounded off a fantastic November with our XMA Company Raffle and Fun Day, raising £2,045 to be split between two vital organisations in Scotland: CEA (Committed to Ending Abuse) and River Kids. 

These charities do heavy lifting in our Scottish community, whether it’s helping victims of abuse rebuild their lives or supplying toys and essentials to disadvantaged families. We are proud to back them with the funds they need to keep operating. XMA matched staff donations, which provided an additional £1,000 to each charity! 

Find out more about CEA: Home – CEA – Committed to Ending Abuse 

Find out more about River Kids: https://www.riverkids.org.uk  

 

The XMA Giving Tree: Delivering for KidsOut 

Christmas is supposed to be magical, but for children living in refuge after escaping domestic violence, it can be incredibly difficult. 

Through the KidsOut Giving Tree initiative, our employees bought and donated gifts and necessities to be distributed this Christmas. The total items donated is in excess of 200. It’s a small gesture that ensures a child has a gift to open on Christmas morning. 

Find out more about KidsOut: KidsOut – The Fun & Happiness Charity 

 

Thank you to everyone at XMA who walked, baked, bought raffle tickets, or donated a gift. Here’s to doing even more in 2026! 

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