Archive

Making the most of digital workspace transformation – Part 1

As working practices and norms continue to change and develop, and the debate about what works best rages on, the ability to adapt your business’ working methods quickly is growing in value. Of course, quick reactions shouldn’t come at the expense of business collaboration, or security. So, how do you clear this delicate obstacle?

The right technology and processes can make an enormous difference. Modern operating systems and software, such as Windows 10, continues to evolve and offer increased levels of flexibility for businesses and private users alike. The rise of the cloud further boosts this, with remote collaboration now near-seamless, as opposed to just a few years ago, when working from home could be challenging. This rate of development is showing no signs of slowing down.

As long-term partners of Microsoft, and experts in the use of technology like Windows 10, Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Azure, we’ve been trusted by many public and private organisations to help prepare them for the challenges presented by changing work habits. We achieve this through a distinct, four-step process we call the digital workspace quadrant.

Getting a sense of what you need to meet your unique needs should always start by taking a closer look at where your business currently stands. What technology do you currently use? How much do you pay for it? Are you using it to its full potential? Programs like Microsoft Teams can offer massive advantages to a business if used properly. We’ll take a close look to see what value can be extracted from existing tools, before looking at new ones.

From here, we’ll start to work with you to define and build your business case for change. To do this effectively, we’ll involve employees from across your business, in order to get a sense of their unique challenges, insights and ideas.

By combining this knowledge gained from your team with comprehensive audits on your technology, infrastructure and existing skillsets, we’ll pick out the ideal technological solutions for your challenges.

From here, our deployment and management expertise comes into play. We’ll make use of deployment tools like Windows Autopilot to ensure any new device delivery goes smoothly, without any setup time necessary.

We’ll also work to make device management significantly simpler. Windows Autopilot enables legacy app containerisation, which allows older Windows apps that are no longer supported to carry on running within the latest version of Windows 10. This means that, if you have an essential piece of bespoke software that’s out of date, you don’t need to immediately replace it, or jeopardise your wider security in the process.

Any technological or cultural change is a big step for a business to take, especially at a time when working culture is evolving so quickly. At XMA, we’ll work with you to make it as simple and painless as possible. From enabling new hybrid opportunities to making the most of existing tech and infrastructure, with our expert support and quality products from major vendors like Microsoft, digital workspace transformation can be that little bit easier.

To learn more about our digital workspace quadrant process, and how we can help you make the most of workplace transformation, keep an eye out for part two of this series, which focuses on keeping security high without restricting access.

Making the most of digital workspace transformation – Part 2

As widespread digital workspace transformation continues to progress, and the working standards of individuals and businesses continues to evolve, keeping pace is increasingly important. If a business is behind the curve, it becomes ever more difficult to attract and retain talent. But with the desire for remote and flexible working being higher than ever, how can you meet this need without jeopardising your business security and continuity?

XMA can help you with this. In a previous blog, we looked at how we can use an effective planning and deployment strategy to help your business embrace new ways of working. In this second blog, we’ll be looking into the ways we can help you keep control of your network, without ever laying your hands on the devices your team uses.

When people work remotely, it’s likely that the range of devices available to them will go up. For example, some people might have a powerful PC at home, while others might prefer to work from a personal tablet or phone occasionally. While this boost to staff convenience is hard to ignore, it does raise several major security concerns. As these devices are outside your management control, they could be an ideal access point for hackers and viruses. As a result, many businesses are choosing to restrict access to managed devices only.

Whether you choose to allow a varied range of devices to use your network, or supply specific machines to each member of your team, we can help. Sophisticated endpoint and access management systems, enabled by Windows 10 technology, allow you to retain control while enabling an enormous level of flexibility for your teams. This will let you simplify automated provisioning, configuration management, and software updates for every single device that uses your network, regardless of operating system.

Device management is just part of the battle. Alongside close and customisable control over access, based on your specific needs and wishes, we’ll also develop a robust and personalised data security and risk management policy. This will consider the sensitivity of your data, how much access is required for each individual, and much more.

Using the latest software and zero-trust techniques from Microsoft, including Windows 10 Authenticator for two-factor authentication, we can start to create an environment that enables digital workspace transformation, without jeopardising security for the sake of access.

Enabling cultural change is naturally important for a business, especially right now, but doing it in a way that’s sensible, safe and suitable for you is incredibly important. It’s not something to be rushed, you need to pick the right path for you. Our team will help you to pick the right path, and use the best technology from Microsoft, along with other major vendor partners, to make it a reality.

We’ll be continuing our blog series on digital transformation in the weeks to come, so keep an eye out for part three. If you’ve not read the first part, or would like a reminder, you can find it here

XMA and Keele University empower students through iPad delivery and training

In September 2020, Keele University opened a veterinary school in partnership with Harper Adams University. Keele already had a strong reputation in UK higher education, and aimed for the new veterinary school to be the best in the country.

Keele designed the new veterinary course to be highly vocational, with
lots of hands-on elements. This meant students and staff needed a device that could support a mixture of classroom and field-based learning.

Planning Essentials drives vision for Connected Falkirk Programme

The Connected Falkirk programme was developed to transform learning and teaching using digital technology and meet the growing demand for digital skills in life, learning and work. XMA’s experience of large-scale deployments meant we were able to help in upscaling the council’s ideas into workable plans, starting with the delivery of the Planning Essentials workshop.

XMA streamlines IT procurement at the University of Oxford

With an ongoing goal to reduce costs and improve operational efficiencies, the university were looking at how this could be applied to the procurement of their IT products and services. There was also a need to make technology more accessible, particularly during a time where remote working is required. XMA worked alongside the university’s procurement team, to deliver a solution that would help resolve these challenges.

XMA has worked closely with Reading University and Microsoft Surface in designing and launching the new Behavioural and Experimental Social Sciences (BESS) Lab.

“The BESS lab is a mobile data collection service, that entails a bank Microsoft Surface Pro devices that users can check-out and take anywhere with them, wherever they need to collect their data.” – Dr Steven Bosworth, Co-Director, BESS Lab, University of Reading.

“The purpose of the lab is really to encourage interdisciplinary research as much as possible. We chose the Surface Pro devices specifically, because of the functionality and the flexibility which allows us to be able to record responses from a wide variety of people in a wide variety of circumstances, to which other devices wouldn’t allow us access to.” – Dr Eugene McSorley, Co-Director, BESS Lab, University of Reading.

Contact MicrosoftSurface@xma.co.uk for more information.

The objective of the Agreement is to create a 1-stop-shop for IT commodity products and related services, enabling IT service departments to meet all requirements from a single framework; It also aims to reflect current technology, whilst ensuring sufficient flexibility to meet technology changes in the digital and IT market.

The catalogue range will include the supply of (but not limited to):

• peripherals (i.e. printers, scanners, USB memory sticks, external hard drives, web cams, keyboards, mouse devices, speakers, digital cameras etc.);
• consumables (i.e. storage disks, cables, spares/ replacement parts, tools for repairs/ cleaning materials);
• ancillary products (digital cameras, Dictaphones, etc.); and
• low volume hardware purchases (smartphones, monitors, tablets, laptops etc.).

The full agreement consists of five lots, of which XMA have been named sole supplier on Lot 1, as well as achieving a place on Lots 2 and 5.
Lot 1: Commodity IT Hardware Catalogue
Lot 2: IT Hardware
Lot 3: Licensing and Subscriptions
Lot 4: Audio Visual
Lot 5: Solutions

Ian Cunningham, Sales & Marketing Director at XMA had this to say:

“XMA are delighted to be selected as partner to the National Procurement Service for Wales in the provision of a National IT commodity products eCatalogue. Our appointment is a reflection of the commitment we have to providing Public Sector customers in Wales with the most cost effective, broad ranging IT products, all delivered through our market leading eCommerce platform.”

The catalogue is accessible, secure and offers value for money. The catalogue is now live and you are invited to register your interest here.