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A Tale of Two Users: How the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Works for Sarah the Consultant and Gary the IT Manager

In any modern UK organisation, technology is a tango for two: the user who demands performance and flexibility, and the IT department that requires security and control. It’s a difficult balance to strike. A device that is powerful but unmanageable creates security risks, while a locked-down device can obstruct productivity. 

Let’s follow a typical workday for Sarah, a Senior Consultant, and Gary, her IT Operations Manager, to see how the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Series is designed to meet their very different, but equally important, needs. 

 

Sarah’s Perspective: A Day of Uninterrupted Productivity 

For Sarah, her work device is the primary tool for her job. She needs it to be a seamless extension of her workflow, whether she’s in the office, on a train, or at a client site. 

8:15 AM: The Commute 
Sarah’s day starts on a crowded train into London. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is ideal for this. It is the thinnest and lightest Galaxy Tab to date, so it doesn’t add bulk to her bag. The Armour Aluminium chassis and IP68 dust and water resistance give her confidence that it can handle the occasional knock or splash of a daily commute. The bright Dynamic AMOLED 2X display lets her clearly review client documents, even with the morning glare from the window. 

9:30 AM: The Client Workshop 
In her first client workshop, Sarah’s focus needs to be on the people in the room, not on taking notes. Using Transcript Assist, her Tab S11 creates automatic meeting minutes, freeing her to lead the discussion. When she needs to highlight a key point on the presentation, the redesigned hexagonal S Pen provides a comfortable, precise way to make annotations directly onto the screen. 

11:00 AM: Deep Work at the Desk 
Back at a hot desk, Sarah needs to switch from presenting to producing. She connects the Tab S11 to an external monitor, and Samsung DeX mode provides a full, PC-like desktop experience. She can have multiple windows open (a spreadsheet, a report, and her email) and drag and drop content between them. The MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ processor provides the performance to run these applications without any slowdown. 

3:00 PM: Afternoon Collaboration 
A large project file needs to be sent to a colleague across the office. Sarah uses Quick Share to transfer the file wirelessly to their device in seconds. After a full day of use, the Tab S11 Ultra’s large 11,600 mAh battery still has plenty of charge, so she isn’t looking for a power outlet before heading home. 

 

Gary’s Perspective: A Fleet Under Control 

While Sarah is working, Gary is responsible for the security and management of all 500 tablets like hers. For him, a device’s value is measured by its security, manageability, and total cost of ownership. 

Deployment and Onboarding 
When the company decided on the Tab S11, Gary’s first thought was about deployment. Using Knox Suite, the process was simple. Knox Mobile Enrolment allowed his team to configure all the devices with the company’s security policies and required applications before the employees even opened the boxes. This reduced setup time from hours per device to minutes. 

Security and Compliance 
For Gary, security is the highest priority. The Galaxy Tab S11 Series is built on the government-trusted Samsung Knox security platform, which gives him peace of mind. 

  • Hardware-Level Protection: Knox Vault is a physically isolated, hardware-based security system. It protects the company’s most sensitive data (like passwords and digital certificates) from attack by operating independently of the main processor and OS. 
  • Access Control: A fingerprint scanner ensures that only Sarah can access her device. Through Knox Manage, Gary can remotely lock or wipe the tablet if it’s ever lost or stolen, protecting corporate data. 

Fleet Management and Support 
Gary’s goal is to prevent IT problems, not just fix them. The Knox platform provides the tools he needs for proactive management. 

  • Controlled Updates: With Knox E-FOTA, Gary’s team can test and schedule OS updates across the entire fleet, ensuring that a patch doesn’t cause issues with critical business applications. 
  • Proactive Monitoring: Knox Asset Intelligence gives him a dashboard view of the entire fleet’s health. He can identify devices with degrading battery performance or storage issues and address them before they impact Sarah’s workday. 
  • Reduced TCO: The tablet’s 5G model supports both a physical SIM and an eSIM. Gary can provision a corporate data plan on the eSIM, allowing employees to use the physical slot for a personal SIM. This allows one device to serve both work and personal roles, reducing the number of devices his team needs to support. 

 

A Strategic Asset for Both Sarah and Gary 

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Series successfully serves two different but critical roles. For Sarah, it is a powerful, portable tool that adapts to her varied workday. For Gary, it is a secure and efficient platform that he can deploy, manage, and protect at scale. 

This turns a simple tablet purchase into a strategic asset designed for the operational realities of the modern UK workplace. 

To learn more about the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Series and to arrange a demonstration, contact your XMA account manager or email enquiries@xma.co.uk today. 

Simplifying Your Endpoint Strategy: A Guide to Chromebooks for UK Businesses

Managing endpoints across an entire organisation is a primary function of any IT department. For many, it’s a continuous cycle of patching vulnerabilities, deploying software, and managing high device costs. This is particularly true for businesses supporting a mix of office-based, remote, and frontline workers who all have different needs. A modern device strategy must be secure, cost-effective, and reduce the operational strain on IT. 

This is where ASUS Chromebooks present a strong business case. By operating on Google’s ChromeOS, these devices are built from the ground up for a cloud-first world, offering a direct answer to many traditional endpoint challenges. 

 

Security and Management by Default 

Instead of relying on third-party security software, ChromeOS has security built into its core. Every application runs in its own isolated ‘sandbox’, meaning threats are contained and cannot impact the wider system. With verified boot and automatic updates that run in the background, devices are always running the latest, most secure version of the OS without user intervention or IT downtime. 

For your IT team, management is handled through the cloud-based Google Admin Console. This allows for zero-touch enrolment, where devices are configured automatically out of the box, and provides your team with the tools to enforce policies and deploy applications to the entire fleet remotely. For organisations that need deeper controls, Chromebook Plus Enterprise unlocks advanced security and management capabilities. 

 

A Device for Every Role 

Of course, the hardware needs to be right for the user. In our new guide, we detail the specifications of the latest ASUS Chromebook business range to help you match the right device to the right role. 

The guide covers the full spectrum: from the durable and cost-effective ASUS Chromebook Flip CX1 for frontline tasks, to the highly portable CM30 Detachable for mobile workers, and the powerful ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus Enterprise for executives who need premium performance. 

 

Beyond the Device: Full Lifecycle Management from XMA 

Procuring the hardware is just the first step. To get the full value from your investment, you need a plan for deployment, in-life support, and eventual retirement. Our guide also outlines how XMA’s services complete the picture. We provide: 

  • Device Management as a Service (DMaaS): We handle the logistics and management of your Chromebook fleet, freeing up your IT team. 
  • Flexible Leasing: Acquire the hardware you need without the upfront capital expenditure. 
  • Support and Break-Fix: Minimise downtime with rapid, reliable repair and replacement services. 

To get a detailed breakdown of the ASUS Chromebook range and understand how a managed service from XMA can reduce your total cost of ownership, download our guide today. 

Download the XMA Guide to ASUS Chromebooks for Business

When It Comes To Windows 10 End-of-Support: Don’t Replace, Refresh Your Device Strategy

When It Comes To Windows 10 End-of-Support: Don’t Replace, Refresh Your Device Strategy

The final day of support for Windows 10, October 14, 2025, is now just weeks away. For many organisations, the initial reaction is to focus on the operating system upgrade itself. However, the move to Windows 11 presents a more fundamental challenge that an OS update alone cannot solve: hardware compatibility.

A significant portion of existing device estates simply do not meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11. This reality is forcing a difficult and often unplanned conversation about a large-scale device replacement. For many, this will feel like a reactive and expensive problem.

But it doesn’t have to be. This deadline should not trigger a panic-buy. Instead, it should be the catalyst for a more strategic, data-driven approach to your entire device estate. It’s time to move from a reactive replacement cycle to a SMART Device Refresh.

The Cost of Inaction and Unplanned Refresh Cycles

Organisations still running on Windows 10 after the deadline will be required to purchase Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for every non-compliant device to avoid exposure to cyber threats. This is a significant financial drain with no return on investment. The cost escalates dramatically, doubling in the second year and doubling again in the third, creating a recurring budget item spent only to maintain an obsolete OS.

Furthermore, many organisations are already caught in a cycle of reacting to device failures and budget availability rather than making informed, data-driven refresh decisions. This approach often leads to overspending on devices that are not suited to user needs, while leaving other areas with inadequate technology that hinders productivity and impacts employee morale.

A Strategic Approach: The XMA SMART Device Refresh

XMA’s SMART Device Refresh service provides a structured, data-driven plan to navigate the Windows 11 transition and optimise your entire device estate for the long term. We help you balance performance, user experience, and cost-efficiency.

Our approach is built on providing actionable insights to make smarter investment decisions. We help you avoid overspending and extend device lifecycles where appropriate, without compromising on security.

How We Help:

  1. Insightful Hardware Assessment: Our first step is a fast-track assessment of your entire hardware estate. We identify which devices are compatible with Windows 11, which ones are not, and which can be redeployed to other roles extending their useful life. This gives you a clear, data-driven baseline for your migration plan, as well as a more sustainable approach to your IT assets.
  2. Data-Driven Procurement: For devices that require replacement, we provide a streamlined procurement service. Our advice is based on a deep understanding of user needs, ensuring you invest in hardware that is powerful enough for the job but affordable enough for your budget. For example, we use insights on application usage to ensure a designer gets the right GPU and a data analyst gets the right CPU, avoiding unnecessary expense while improving productivity.
  3. Flexible Procurement and Lifecycle Management: We understand the pressure on capital budgets. We offer flexible procurement options through public sector frameworks, including financing and as-a-service models that can shift expenditure from CapEx to a predictable operational cost. For a complete solution, our Device Management as a Service (DMaaS) can handle the entire device lifecycle, from procurement and deployment to ongoing support and secure disposal, reducing the burden on your internal IT team.

The Windows 10 end-of-support deadline is a chance to break the reactive cycle of device management and implement a cost-effective, long-term plan that aligns with your organisation’s goals.

Don’t pay the price for delay. Contact XMA today at enquiries@xma.co.uk to build a SMART device refresh strategy for your transition to Windows 11.

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New Laptops for Less Than a Latte? The Smarter Formula for Public Sector IT

For anyone trying to make their IT budget add up, the equation is already difficult. Now, add a new, urgent variable: the end of Windows 10 support in October 2025. It’s a massive deadline breathing down our necks, and it comes just as public sector budgets are feeling the squeeze more than ever. So, the big question is, how on earth do you modernise your tech without breaking the bank? 

For years, the go-to move for public sector organisations has been to buy a mountain of new PCs, a huge capital spend that makes the finance team wince and ties up cash for years in kit that starts losing value the moment it’s unboxed. It’s time to ask: is that really the smartest play anymore? 

It’s time for a recalculation. It’s time to find a smarter formula for funding Public Sector IT. 

 

Give Yourself Some Breathing Room 

Shift that huge, one-off cost into a predictable, manageable monthly payment. That’s the simple magic of leasing. Instead of a massive Capital Expenditure (CapEx) hit, you move to a simple Operational Expenditure (OpEx) model. 

This means you’re not locking away a fortune in depreciating assets. You have the financial agility to invest in other things your organisation desperately needs, all while knowing your tech costs are fixed, with no nasty surprises. 

Perspective Makes Perfect 

For example, imagine trying to balance the budget at a school. We all know textbooks don’t come cheap. So, what if you could get a brand-new, AI-ready Surface device for a student for less than you’re already spending on books that are out of date the second you buy them? It’s a bit of a no-brainer. 

Our Surface leasing plans (partnering with CF Corporate) start from just £5.95 a week. When you see it like that, giving every worker access to top-tier technology doesn’t seem like a dream, it seems like a sensible, strategic decision. You could likely equip an employee with a new device for less than the weekly bill for coffee and biscuits in the staff room. 

 

Solving for X(MA): Adding an Expert to Your Equation 

At XMA, we have a proven theorem for making Public Sector IT work. We are on all the right public sector frameworks, like the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), so you know you’re in safe hands. XMA are also one of the UK’s only Surface Authorised Surface Providers (ASP). 

But what does being an ASP actually mean for your organisation? It means peace of mind, plain and simple. When a device inevitably gets dropped or damaged, it means: 

  • Your data stays safe. Forget shipping devices to unknown locations. Repairs happen in our own secure, in-house facilities under strict protocols that safeguard sensitive student and staff data.  
  • You get back to teaching, faster. Our efficient, return-to-base repair service minimises workplace disruption. Certified Microsoft technicians get devices diagnosed, fixed, and back in action quickly.  
  • No warranty headaches. We only use authentic Microsoft parts for repairs, so your device’s full warranty coverage is maintained.  
  • A single point of contact. We manage the entire process, from diagnosis to delivery, so you’re not juggling multiple contacts and chasing updates.  

XMA and Surface are a winning formula: our Device-Management-as-a-Service model, backed by our ASP status, takes the entire device lifecycle—from deployment to maintenance and end-of-life—off your plate. Pair that with a leasing plan that breathes life back into your budget, and you’re well prepared for the future. 

The 2025 deadline isn’t a problem without a solution. It’s a chance to stop using a flawed formula and find one that adds up to a better result for your employees and your budget. 

Ready to recalculate your organisation’s IT budget? Explore our Surface leasing options and let’s find the right formula for you. Discover more about our ASP status here and explore DMaaS here. Get in contact with us via enquiries@xma.co.uk or talking to your XMA Account Manager today. 

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Android Desktop: Potential Use Cases and Benefits

This is the second in a series of blog posts exploring Android Desktop. Our Head of Pre-Sales, Scott Wright, will be looking at the current state of Android Desktop, following its improvement as release approaches, examining use cases, looking at essential apps & peripherals and more. 

Picture of Scott Wright

Scott Wright

Scott is XMA’s Head of Pre-Sales. An IT industry greybeard, he violated his own rule about being an early adopter when he bought the first Android phone at launch and hasn’t regretted that decision.

Most of this blog will be talking about the benefits of a mobile device with any sort of desktop interface, rather than Android Desktop specifically, so before we start that let’s talk for a moment about why the launch of Android Desktop is causing such a buzz. 

Desktop solutions for Android are currently available from several device vendors with Samsung’s DeX being the most established. Motorola Ready-For (also on Lenovo ThinkPhones), Huawei Desktop Mode and Xiaomi MIUI Desktop mode are also available. These solutions are vendor specific which raises concerns for many organisations, should the vendor cease supporting them then the organisation will be forced to change device in order to continue with their device strategy. With Android Desktop as a core part of the Android offering (and Apple promising to follow suit) not only is desktop mode legitimised a standard phone feature but organisations adopting a vendor specific solution like DeX have a fall-back plan that does not require device replacement, substantially reducing risk. As such, there is considerable interest in Android Desktop, even from organisations who are considering or who have adopted a vendor specific solution. 

Below I am going to expound on some of the possible benefits and give examples of the use cases that might realise those benefits. 

Benefits: Managed Device Reduction 

The most immediate benefit for many organisations will be a reduction in devices. Many organisations are issuing both a laptop and mobile to a large cohort of users with fairly light computing requirements. This is especially wasteful for front-line workers for whom the mobile is the primary device and the laptop is an occasional use device. Replacing the managed laptop with a laptop-shaped docking station (“lapdock”, more on these in a future blog post) reduces cost but also reduces the number of devices requiring licences and updates, eliminates a large number of devices as potential sources of data loss (a laptop left in a taxi, for example, cannot contain any data as it is merely a docking station) and more. Shared desktops can also be replaced with docking stations or docking monitors, reducing the number of managed devices.  

Benefits: Shared Desktops 

For users with a mobile device who also use shared desktops, for example many healthcare workers, solutions such as VDI, roaming profiles, follow-me desktop and similar are used to make moving between shared desktops as seamless as possible but typically have substantial cost and complexity associated with them. These solutions and the shared desktops themselves can be eliminated and replaced with docking stations or docking monitors while providing an even more seamless working experience, not only between shared desktops but also between desktop and mobile device, allowing healthcare professionals to transition seamlessly between patient interaction spaces and desk-based working. 

Benefits: Security Implications 

Anywhere that shared devices are in use presents a challenge for data security. Data must not be unintentionally accessible between users and this is especially important in settings where that data is highly sensitive, such as a clinical or law enforcement settings. With most Police officers being issued a mobile device, utilising docking monitors in place of shared desktops for docking stations prevents inadvertent data access between users via the shared device.  Using lapdocks rather than laptops as a car-working solution means that it is impossible for data to be stored locally, reducing the risk associated with device theft. 

This benefit is also useful in other contexts, for example many higher education institutions have a pool of shared devices which are made available to learners. The HE organisation must ensure not only that data does not inadvertently pass between users but also that malware which might be introduced by a user does not impact other users of that shared device. By offering a pool of shared lapdocks, rather than laptops, these concerns can be eliminated. This will, of course, require waiting for most mobile devices to offer a desktop mode – likely several years before most Android and Apple devices are running a suitable operating system version. 

Benefits: Attracting Younger Workers / Learners

Many of the young people entering work or higher education have limited Windows / MacOS experience. Their personal devices are mobiles or tablets and the bulk of their school IT experience is using Chromebooks or iPads. Several regions will shortly see the first cohort of learners leaving school who have had a Chromebook or iPad as their learning device for the entirety of their secondary education and over the coming years this will increasingly become standard.

Offering a mobile-centric working experience, even if only as an option, may allow business and HE organisations to make themselves more attractive to these young persons that they are seeking to attract.

So, in summary, while this solution may not be suitable for all users at this time, organisations may be able to realise a reduction in managed devices and their associated costs, increased user satisfaction and an improved security posture.

The next post will explore the current state of Android Desktop in Beta and the functionality offered. If you’re interested in exploring an Android desktop solution, contact us at enquiries@xma.co.uk.

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Intelligent Endpoints: The New Standard for IT Success

Is your IT estate working for you, or are you simply working for it? 

Modern devices provide a strong foundation for any organisation, delivering the performance and built-in security that business operations depend on. But as environments become more complex, that foundation is no longer enough. The real challenge has moved beyond the device itself and into the user’s experience. When that experience is poor, the consequences are significant. 

The focus must now be on the Digital Employee Experience (DEX). Far from a passing trend, it’s now a strategic imperative. According to Gartner, by 2026, 50% of digital workplace leaders will have a DEX strategy and tool in place.1 The reason is simple: data shows that 74% of workers feel they lack the right technology to be successful2, and a staggering 34% are living with ongoing IT problems that their service desk is unable to fix.3 

This is a gap that needs to be closed. The solution requires a fundamental shift in perspective: turning your endpoints from passive tools into proactive, intelligent assets. 

 

The Next Evolution: From Endpoint to Insight Point 

So how do you bridge the gap between device potential and employee reality? The answer lies in data. 

HP’s Workforce Experience Platform (WXP) is a cloud-based platform designed to meet this challenge directly. It gives IT teams centralised visibility and control over their entire digital ecosystem by collecting and analysing data from all connected endpoints. 

 

A Single Platform for Your Entire Fleet 

A common obstacle to achieving a unified view of IT is the diverse nature of a typical device estate. Real-world environments are not homogenous. They are a complex mix of hardware and software from different vendors, acquired over many years. 

HP’s WXP is designed for this reality. It is a true multi-vendor platform, built to be completely manufacturer and OS agnostic. Whether your estate consists of PCs from Dell and Lenovo, Apple Macs, or a mix of all three, WXP provides a single source of truth. The platform sees it all, integrating data not just from PCs, but also from printers, video and audio endpoints, virtual machines, and software applications to give you a complete picture. 

The platform works by gathering and processing billions of data points from across this entire IT estate. Its AI engine analyses this telemetry to identify performance trends, predict hardware failures, and flag security issues (often before they impact your users). This is how you move from a reactive “break-fix” model to a proactive one. It’s the difference between fighting fires and preventing them from ever starting. 

 

Real-World Problems Solved by WXP 

Adopting a platform like WXP solves the specific, resource-draining problems that IT teams face every day. 

Problem

Nearly half of all employees don’t contact IT when they experience issues that impact their work.  

More than an inconvenience, it’s a silent drain on productivity and a source of constant friction. Every unreported issue is a hidden cost, and every unresolved ticket is a crack in your operational foundation. 

The WXP Solution

The platform’s predictive analytics identify issues before a user even knows to complain. It can flag that batteries on a group of devices are failing and need replacement under warranty, or identify that Teams is crashing frequently across the organisation. 

This allows IT to address the root cause, slash ticket volumes, and improve first-call resolution rates. 

Problem

A single non-compliant device is a potential entry point for a catastrophic breach. Manually trying to keep up is no longer a viable strategy, a gamble you can’t afford to lose.

The WXP Solution

WXP provides a single dashboard to monitor fleet-wide security in real-time. It delivers specific, actionable alerts, such as “Windows Secure Boot disabled on ≥ 5% of devices” or “BitLocker disabled on 3% of devices”.

This gives IT teams the forensic data needed to remediate vulnerabilities and prove compliance without the burden of manual audits.

Problem

Every piece of under-utilised hardware gathering dust in a storeroom is wasted budget.

Every kilowatt of unnecessary power consumption is a missed opportunity to reduce costs and meet crucial environmental goals.

The WXP Solution

The platform helps improve IT ROI by identifying under-utilised assets that can be re-deployed elsewhere in the business, reducing unnecessary hardware spend.

On the sustainability front, it can monitor power consumption across the device fleet, providing the tangible data needed to support environmental reporting and drive down operational costs.

 

Why This Matters for Stretched IT Teams

For Enterprise IT Directors, their mandate is to mitigate risk, govern a complex estate, and align technology with business strategy. WXP delivers the data needed to make that happen. It provides the evidence required to move from tactical firefighting to strategic leadership, making informed investment decisions and proving the business value of the IT function to the board.

For Public Sector IT Managers, the pressure to deliver more with less is relentless, alongside strict security and procurement rules. WXP helps these teams by automating routine compliance and security checks, freeing up specialist resources to focus on critical projects. The platform’s ability to provide hard data on asset utilisation and power consumption provides the justification needed to prove value-for-money—a cornerstone of public sector accountability.

As workplace environments become more complex, ignorance is not an option. Intelligence is everything. By transforming endpoints into sources of intelligence, the HP Workforce Experience Platform provides the tools to build a more secure, efficient, and resilient IT environment.

To see exactly how the HP Workforce Experience Platform can be applied to your organisation, book a free, no-obligation demo with one of our specialists today. Talk to your Account Manager or contact us at enquiries@xma.co.uk.

Footnotes: 
1. Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Digital Employee Experience Management Tools, Dan Wilson, Tom Cipolla, et al., 6 March 2025. Gartner is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. 
2. HP Internal Research 
3. Forrester, State of the Services Desk, 2024 Published February 21, 2024 

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Android Desktop: An emergency option for when your laptop is broken, or a paradigm shift in client devices?

This is the first in a series of blog posts exploring Android Desktop. Our Head of Pre-Sales, Scott Wright, will be looking at the current state of Android Desktop, following its improvement as release approaches, examining use cases, looking at essential apps & peripherals and more. 

Picture of Scott Wright

Scott Wright

Scott is XMA’s Head of Pre-Sales. An IT industry greybeard, he violated his own rule about being an early adopter when he bought the first Android phone at launch and hasn’t regretted that decision.

What is Android Desktop?  
Android Desktop is a desktop-like experience for Android phones when connected to an external display, and typically also to a keyboard and mouse. It provides a larger display area, a taskbar, applications in moveable, resizable windows and so forth with the intent to make your phone a practical device to work on. It is currently available only on beta versions of Android 16 which are available on selected Pixel and other devices but will become a core Android feature. Apple is also working on an equivalent for iPhone but, as usual, they are keeping their cards close to the chest. More on that when there is news. 

A desktop mode for phones, when connected to suitable equipment. is not a new idea. Several phone manufacturers have offered their own takes on this, most notably Samsung with their DeX offering that launched in 2017. DeX was arguably a little ahead of its time, applications were not universally available with a web interface and phone hardware was significantly less powerful than today. There is also a concern with adopting vendor specific solutions, although Samsung, for example, are as far from a fly-by-night company as you can get. The availability of a vendor agnostic solution which is a core part of the Android operating system has put this back onto many organisations’ radars due to potential reductions in devices, benefits for frontline workers and more. 

How to Access Android Desktop 
If you want to try this yourselves then you’ll need a Beta version of Android 16 (ideally the current version QPR1 Beta4 but at least Beta2) and a suitable device. A Pixel 6 or newer is supported and some other vendors do also offer Beta versions of Android to their users. Enrolling in the Beta program and updating your device is quick and easy with a Pixel and you can revert back but do be aware this will likely require a device wipe. For other vendors see their instructions and warnings, some are more involved and complex than others.  

All of the usual caveats around Beta programs do, of course, apply. There will be incomplete functionality, bugs, issues and more so do consider if you should do this to your device. I have a laptop, my personal phone and a spare work phone that just needs the SIM swapping over to be running again so I have lots of options if I hit a problem. Do also note, if this is a work-provided device, then you should seek permission before installing a Beta OS and may need your device profile changing to permit that and to permit access to the developer options (which you will need). 

If you are using a Pixel device then go to the “Your eligible devices” section at the link below, opt in and then perform a system update. I found this to be a very straightforward process. 

Android Beta Program

After installing Android 16 Beta then you will need to enable the developer options. To do this go into settings and navigate to About phone > Build number (bottom of the menu). Tap on the build number repeatedly until you either get a message telling you that developer options are enabled or until you are asked to unlock the device (pin, biometrics, etc). The developer options will now be available. It’s a very long menu so search for Enable desktop experience features and enable it.  

Now you can connect your Android device to suitable peripherals, most USB-C laptop docks and docking monitors will work to provide a display, keyboard and mouse to your Android device. 

More To Come 
There are lots of questions to be answered – What’s the best way of accessing M365 applications?  What specification of device is needed for a good experience? What are the essential peripherals, both for the desk and when travelling? What apps cannot be used successfully? Follow along with me as I explore what Android Desktop can and can’t do as I try to live with it as a work device. 

The PSTN and ISDN Switch-Off Is Happening. Your Business Needs a Plan.

The UK’s traditional phone network, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which also includes Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines, is being permanently switched off. The final date for this is 31st January 2027. As of September 2023, it is no longer possible to buy new PSTN or ISDN services.

This is not a simple change. It will affect any device that uses a traditional phone line. This includes not just your office phones, but also other systems such as:

  • Fax machines
  • Alarm systems (intruder and fire)
  • Door entry systems
  • CCTV
  • EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) terminals
  • Franking machines
  • Telecare and medical alert devices

If your business relies on any of these, you need to act now to avoid service disruption. One year ago, we told you about the initial changes. Now, let’s see if there have been any crucial updates.

Why is this happening?

The PSTN is old technology. It’s expensive to maintain and cannot deliver the speed or reliability required for modern business communications. The move to digital, IP-based services like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a necessary technological step forward.

What does this mean for your business?

All voice and data services that currently use the PSTN or ISDN will need to be migrated to an IP-based alternative. This means you will be using your internet connection to make calls and transmit data. The benefits of moving to a digital system include:

  • Cost Savings: Lower monthly fees and reduced hardware costs are common.
  • Flexibility: Your staff can work from any location with an internet connection. It is also straightforward to add or remove users as your business needs change.
  • Improved Functionality: Modern VoIP systems offer advanced features like video conferencing, call routing and integration with other business software.
  • Business Continuity: In the event of an outage, calls can be automatically rerouted to other locations or mobile devices, ensuring you stay connected.

What you need to do

The 2027 deadline is final. To ensure a smooth transition, you should start planning now. XMA can help you by:

  1. Auditing Your Systems: We will identify all devices and services in your organisation that rely on the PSTN or ISDN. This includes not just the obvious, but also the easily overlooked systems like alarms and payment terminals.
  2. Assessing Your Connectivity: We will analyse your current internet connection to ensure it has the capacity and reliability to handle your voice and data traffic. We can recommend and implement any necessary upgrades.
  3. Migrating Your Services: We have partnered with RingCentral, a leading provider of cloud communications solutions, to offer a straightforward migration path to VoIP. We will manage the process for you, from planning to implementation, to ensure a seamless transition with minimal disruption to your business.

Don’t wait until the last minute. The move to all-IP is a significant change, and leaving it too late could result in a loss of service and impact your business operations.

Talk to your XMA Account Manager, or contact us today at enquiries@xma.co.uk to discuss your requirements and create a migration plan that is right for your business.

Why Compact Workstations Are the Future of Hybrid Work

The shift to hybrid and hot-desking models is permanent. For IT teams, this has fundamentally changed hardware requirements. The traditional, bulky desktop tower that once defined corporate IT is impractical for a workforce that needs to operate effectively from various locations, be it a central office, a home study, or a shared workspace. Today’s professionals require compact, powerful, and secure computing that adapts to their location, without compromising on performance. The challenge is to deliver this capability consistently and securely across a distributed workforce. 

 

The Challenge: Power and Flexibility Without the Bulk 

Many organisations face a difficult trade-off. Their teams need high-performance computing for demanding tasks like CAD, graphic design, and complex data analysis. Yet, the physical constraints of modern offices and home-working environments don’t accommodate large, power-hungry hardware. Bulky towers consume valuable desk space, generate excess heat, and are ill-suited to flexible desking arrangements. While laptops offer portability, they often cannot deliver the sustained, specialised performance of a dedicated workstation, creating a gap between user requirements and device capability. 

 

The Solution: Compact HP Workstations with AMD Processors 

This is where a new category of device provides a direct solution. HP has engineered workstations that deliver professional-grade performance within compact and mobile designs, specifically addressing the challenges of hybrid work. 

  • HP Z2 Mini G9: As the world’s most powerful mini workstation, this device packs high-end performance into a versatile chassis that is small enough to be mounted behind a monitor or under a desk. It can be configured with professional-grade NVIDIA RTX graphics, making it capable of handling demanding 3D workflows, and holds Independent Software Vendor (ISV) certifications for key applications like Autodesk and SolidWorks. This guarantees hardware stability and performance for the critical software your teams rely on, removing guesswork and instability. 
  • HP ZBook Power G11 A: For users who require workstation capability on the move, the ZBook provides the processing and graphics power to run demanding applications from any location. It’s not simply a powerful laptop, it is a mobile workstation. Configured with AMD Ryzen™ PRO processors and professional NVIDIA RTX™ Ada Generation Laptop GPUs, it delivers the sustained performance needed for video editing, 3D rendering, and data analysis without the throttling common in thinner, non-specialised devices. It removes the choice between mobility and performance, equipping remote and hybrid workers with a single, reliable device for all their professional needs. 

 

The AMD Ryzen™ PRO Advantage 

Integral to the performance and security of these workstations are the AMD Ryzen™ PRO Processors, built for modern professional environments. Feel secure with AMD Memory Guard, which encrypts system memory in real-time to protect against physical attacks if a device is lost or stolen. For IT teams overseeing a fleet of remote hardware, AMD PRO manageability simplifies deployment and maintenance. Easily perform out-of-band management, deploy images, and push security updates to devices anywhere. 

 

The Space, Power, and Security Trifecta 

The combination of HP’s compact engineering and AMD’s processor technology directly solves the three core challenges of modern IT provisioning: 

  • Space-Saving Flexibility: The small footprint of devices like the Z2 Mini frees up desk space, enabling cleaner, more flexible hot-desking and home office setups. 
  • Workstation-Class Power: Users can run professional applications for CAD, design, and data science without the performance throttling often found in non-specialised hardware, backed by ISV certifications for stability. 
  • Robust Security & Manageability: IT teams get devices with built-in, hardware-level security and the fleet management tools they can depend on to secure and maintain a distributed workforce. 

 

Why XMA? 

Choosing the right hardware is only the first step. XMA is the partner that helps organisations successfully integrate these solutions. We provide the practical services required to move from procurement to productivity. Our teams can assist with choosing and configuring the precise specifications your users need. We offer flexible leasing and finance options to make technology acquisition more predictable, alongside deployment support to get your new workstations imaged, asset-tagged, and delivered to users, wherever they are. We also manage the sustainable and secure disposal of your legacy equipment. 

Discover how HP compact workstations can equip your hybrid teams. Contact an XMA specialist today. 

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Your AI Strategy, Simplified: Practical Guidance from XMA

Artificial Intelligence. It’s a term that dominates headlines and boardroom discussions. Yet, for many organisations, a fog of complexity and uncertainty surrounds AI, making it difficult to see a clear path forward. This challenge is compounded by existing business pressures. Organisations are grappling with a 3x increase in cyberattacks between 2023 and 2024 and losing three weeks of productivity per year for every 39% of employees seeking IT support. It is no surprise, then, that 39% of organisations also struggle to identify clear use cases for AI amidst these immediate demands.

At XMA, we understand this. Our role is to demystify AI for our customers. We believe the utility of artificial intelligence shouldn’t be obscured by technical jargon, but should be a strategic tool that is accessible and aligned with your specific business objectives.

 

Moving Beyond the Hype: A Focus on Business Outcomes

The journey into AI doesn’t need to be a leap into the unknown. We see AI as a spectrum of opportunities, from improving data analytics and automating processes to redefining customer experiences and creating new business models. The key is to first identify where AI can deliver the most significant impact and value for your specific organisation.

Our approach is built on understanding your strategic priorities and then mapping AI capabilities to those goals. We help you cut through the noise, focusing on practical applications that drive measurable value, whether that’s using AI to increase productivity, gain deeper insights from your data, or create more efficient services.

 

Answering the Key Questions for Leadership

Many leaders we speak to are working through the same fundamental questions about AI adoption. Our process is designed to provide clear, direct answers.

  • How do we separate realistic AI applications from fleeting trends? We focus on your operational data and strategic goals to identify high-value, achievable projects, not speculative technology trends. This ensures resources are directed at applications with a clear business case.
  • What are the practical first steps to integrating AI into our existing infrastructure? We begin with an assessment of your current infrastructure to establish AI readiness. This allows us to create a phased, practical roadmap for integration that minimises disruption and aligns with your existing technology stack.

  • How can we ensure AI adoption is secure, ethical, and delivers a tangible return on investment (ROI)? Our framework incorporates governance and security from day one. We build ROI models based on defined outcomes, such as cost reduction or productivity gains, ensuring every AI initiative is accountable and its value is demonstrable.

  • What skills and cultural shifts are necessary to use AI effectively? Successful AI adoption is as much about people and processes as it is about platforms. We provide guidance on developing a data-driven culture and upskilling your teams, ensuring your organisation is prepared to operate the technology it adopts.

Your Next Step: A Clear Path to AI Clarity

The potential of AI is significant, but realising it requires a clear vision and a credible partner. It’s time to move beyond the buzzwords and start building a practical AI strategy that delivers tangible benefits to your organisation.

Ready to gain a clear perspective on how AI can benefit your business? We invite you to book an Executive Briefing on Demystifying AI. This tailored session is designed for senior leaders to discuss specific challenges, explore relevant AI opportunities, and understand how XMA can work with you to navigate the AI landscape with confidence.

Book your Executive Briefing today and start your journey to AI clarity.

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