Click Networks - IT Support Glasgow

Click Networks - IT Support Glasgow
Click Networks - IT Support Glasgow

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Google Nexus launch event delayed by Hurricane Sandy

Google's Android event planned for New York yesterday afternoon has been cancelled because of Hurricane Sandy but Microsoft will launch Windows Phone 8 in San Francisco this evening. 

 The event was expected to be the announcement of a new Google Android handset, the LG-made 'Nexus 4', as well as at least one new Android tablet and, possibly, an update to the Android operating system.

 The event was due to be held on the west side of Manhattan at 10am local time but with Hurricane Sandy approaching the east coast of the United States, Google has been forced to cancel the event. In a statement, it said: "We are cancelling our Monday morning event in New York due to Hurricane Sandy. We will let you know our plans as soon as we know more. Stay safe and dry, The Android Team.”  


The cancellation gives Microsoft the opportunity to focus all attention on its Windows Phone 8 launch event in San Francisco this evening. Though some manufacturers have shown off Windows Phone 8 handsets already, details of the operating system have not been fully revealed. Microsoft is expected to do that this evening. 

 Some details of Google's planned announcements appear to have leaked over the weekend. On Friday, Carphone Warehouse published a page on its website that gave details of the Google Nexus 4 handset.  


Google was also expected to have planned to announce a new, 10-inch Nexus tablet at today's event. Over the weekend, pictures were published online purporting to show a Samsung-manufactured 10-inch tablet. The tablet would join the Asus-made Nexus 7 tablet that Google launched in the summer. 

 For the full article read it here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/9640311/Google-Nexus-launch-event-delayed-by-Hurricane-Sandy.html

For more information about tablets, cloud technology and IT Support Glasgow visit the Click Networks website: http://www.clicknetworks.co.uk 

Thursday 25 October 2012

Windows 8 and the Surface tablets

Windows 8 has prompted the launch of new hybrid computers which can function as a standalone tablet or be connected to a keyboard to act as a touch-enabled laptop.

Windows 8 marks what is arguably the most radical tech launch of the year.

Microsoft aims to leapfrog the competition by offering a touch-based, dynamic, futuristic-looking interface which can run on processors designed for both high-spec computers, and chips more commonly associated with smartphones.

Its market-leading status is at stake.

More than 1.5 billion devices currently use a version of Windows, making it by far the most installed operating system, according to tech research firm Gartner.

But investors are more concerned about the firm's growth prospects amidst growing competition for customers' cash.

"We think the industry changed with the iPad launch because the tablet is effectively a PC - it doesn't need to be connected to a network to work and runs third-party applications," Steve Brazier, chief executive of research firm Canalys, says.Windows 8 introduces a new user interface designed to be operated via a touchscreen "Once you segment the market that way, Windows share of the global PC market has fallen to 72%. Three years ago that would have been over 95%.

"If you add the PC market together to the smartphone market - which we call the intelligent device sector - Windows share falls to 32%."

Windows 8 and its close relation Windows Phone 8 are designed to reverse that trend. One thing is certain: Microsoft's efforts will have industry-wide ramifications.

A study by Gartner indicates worldwide PC shipments were 8.3% lower than the previous year in the July-to-September quarter. That spells trouble for companies including HP, Dell and Acer which have seen sales decline as a consequence.

A successful launch might recharge demand, but first they must face the prospect of a challenge from Microsoft's own tablet, Surface.

Read the full story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20044887

Monday 22 October 2012

The hidden cost of online shopping 'free' postage!

If you've spotted a £47.97 charge or similar on your bank statement or credit card bill with the words "Prime Member Fee" next to it and don't know where it's from, then it's likely you've inadvertently signed up for online retailer's paid service such as Amazon's One Month free trial of Amazon Prime.

Check back to see if you bought something from Amazon in the months prior to the charge. If at the time you ticked to get "free" delivery then by doing so you were taking up the free trial. If you're unsure check your past emails, you should have received reminder emails letting you know the trial was ending and how to cancel if you wished.

Once the month's up the annual fee is £47.98 so that sum will have been taken from your account. To ensure you don't pay a penny you need to cancel the service. 

Provided you or any registered guests on the membership haven't made any eligible purchases then you can cancel at any time once the trial's finished and the full amount will be refunded.

To cancel, the quickest and easiest way is to go to the "Prime Settings" section of your Amazon account page and click the "Cancel membership" button. If you'd prefer to speak to someone in person to do it you can call Amazon's freephone customer service number on 0800 496 1081.

The refund should be in your account within two days.

If you're still within the trial period and want to cancel just click the "do not upgrade" button in your account's Prime Settings.

Read the full independant advice at: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

Talk about double standards for business???


US auction site eBay has paid only £1.2m in tax in the UK, according to an investigation by the Sunday Times.

The newspaper said that its tax bill in 2010 comes despite eBay's UK subsidiaries generating sales of £800m.

The auction site - which also owns PayPal - responded that it "complies fully with all applicable tax laws". 

The report comes after coffee giant Starbucks was also accused of paying just £8.6m in corporation tax in the UK over 14 years.

According to the Sunday Times, eBay had sales of £789m during 2010 in the UK at its four British subsidiaries. Using its worldwide profit margin of 23%, it would have made a profit in the UK of £181m, leading to corporation tax owed of £51m.

Instead, it paid £1.2m, the report said.

Read the full article here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20022365

Friday 19 October 2012

Google: A Look Inside its data centers

As part of an effort to build appreciation for how it actually runs online services like search, Google is showing off its massive computing resources.

Google only rarely gives outsiders a look at its data centers, but today it's trying to make up for lost time with a large online photo gallery and Street View tour of the computing hardware.

The company launched a new site, "Where the Internet Lives" with a lot of eye candy for people who enjoy racks of computer gear, raised-floor ventilation systems, multicolored cables, and massive air-conditioning chillers. Urs Hoelzle, Google's senior vice president for technical infrastructure, announced the site in a blog post today.

It's short on details for those who want to eye Google's servers up close, but there are some glimpses in the accompanying video about Google's data centers and in a view from last year.
But to a certain extent, Google's individual servers are beside the point. They may be a fundamental computing unit to ordinary people, but Google thinks at much larger scale. Several jewels in the company's software crown -- MapReduce, the Google File System, and Spanner, for example -- are designed specifically to run on massive clusters of machines and to keep on running even when individual servers fail.

Superficially, Google's custom-built servers look similar to the one unveiled in 2009, though: computing components bolted or strapped to an open-topped piece of sheet metal. Steve Jobs might have cared about the aesthetics of his computers' innards, but for Google, the highest calling is the most purely economical and functional object.

Showing off the data center is smart move for a couple reasons. First, it could help outsiders value an operation at Google that's under increasing scrutiny for consuming tremendous electrical power in an era when enlightened companies are supposed to minimize their impact on the environment. Second, it could trigger some ooh-aahs among people who've begun to take Google's truly impressive computing achievements for granted.

It's something Google can genuinely brag about. The company gets grief for alleged privacy invasions and monopoly abuse, but the company has earned respect when it comes to running a colossal computing operation. Not for nothing do people joke that Skynet is most likely to become conscious within Google's infrastructure.

 Article via c|net

Wednesday 17 October 2012

HOW SAFE IS YOUR DATA?

This was a very hard lesson to learn for a Police Force.

Don't scrimp when it comes to protecting your valuable company data, or you could be very sorry.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-19960966

Contact Click Networks to ensure you are doing all you can to keep your data secure and away from the wrong people.

Regards
The Click Team.

Monday 15 October 2012

The IT projects keep coming in thick and fast at Click Networks.

We have recently completed another excellent new Website for a brand new Financial advisers client of ours, Rimmington Thomson based at Charring Cross in Glasgow.  

http://www.rimmingtonthomson.com/ 

They are very pleased with our work and as a result we have been commissioned to help with other projects, such as Microsoft Office 365 implementation, IT support and we have even implemented a social media strategy for them too.

If we can help with designing your Website, or offer any of our other excellent IT services, we would be delighted to hear from you too.

Thanks from all at the Click team.

Microsoft's Windows 8 OS

Microsoft's next operating system will come in just three different flavours, the company has announced. For those with Intel-compatible machines, the OS will be available in two versions - Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro.

And for those with devices, largely tablets, powered by ARM-designed chips there will be a Windows RT version. Microsoft wants to simplify how it markets Windows 8, which is expected to launch in autumn 2012.

The complex flavours of past Windows - from basic to home, premium to ultimate - have become something of a joke among tech experts. Microsoft has called Windows 8 the most significant redesign of the Windows interface since its groundbreaking Windows 95 OS.

 The ARM version of the OS is the newest edition and reflects Microsoft's desire to unify the engine known for running desktop computers with that for tablets and smartphones. Windows RT will sit alongside Apple's iOS and Google's Android operating systems.

Source: BBC News

Wednesday 10 October 2012

Click Networks - Daily Newsletter

Tuesday 9 October 2012

Save ££££'s with Click Networks IT Managed Support

Are you confident you are receiving the best service and value for what you pay your IT company?

Click Networks  have been providing IT Support for many years across the UK to a varied client base, and we regularly uncover companies who are unhappy with their IT providers and the high costs they charge.

Here are some simple reasons why you should consider Click Networks to support you, and if these are not enough, we do not charge our managed support clients for any new single PC installations unlike other IT companies. This benefit on it's own saves our clients an hourly install charge that would otherwise be expected with all other IT companies.

 Why choose Click Networks ?
 
We offer a FREE IT Audit to every new prospect before we support them, and we can save YOU substantial costs as Click Networks offer the most competitive IT Support in Scotland as our clients have found out.

Contact stuart@clicknetworks.co.uk  or call our sales team on 0141 530 9116 today to see what we could save your company.

Monday 8 October 2012

Click Networks extend free Broadband offer

Due to the high demand and, excellent feedback we have received, I am delighted to say we have decided to extend the original charity offer to any new client who signs up for 12 months Managed IT Support from us by the end of October 2012.

All you need to do is call us and we can conduct a free IT audit of your site, and subject to our mutual agreement and you having an existing analogue line available, you could benefit from our excellent 12 months business broadband service for 1 year.

Call or email Stuart Macdonald at Click Networks today to learn more and we could have you up and running in no time.

 

Sunday 7 October 2012

4G to hit Glasgow and Edinburgh very soon !

Edinburgh and Glasgow set to get 4G phone service in November: Superfast 4G services are to be made available in... http://t.co/iSr2Odmt

Friday 5 October 2012

4G Mobile Technology Explained

There has been a lot of talk in the news recently about 4G mobile phones and the technology behind them. Here we take a quick look at the basics and what we will realistically see in the way of improvements to our mobile internet experience.

Telecoms regulator Ofcom has allowed the company behind Orange and T-Mobile in the UK, to use its existing bandwidth to launch fourth-generation (4G) mobile services.

The move means 4G, which allows much faster downloads, could launch in the UK earlier than previously planned.

But what will 4G services mean for you and your business?

One of the principal differences between 4G and 3G models is the speed at which they can download files from the internet. A typical 3G phone can connect to the internet at a maximum speed of up to 7.2Mbps, a whereas a 4G phone will be able to do so at up to 300Mbps.

Faster mobile internet connectivity will also bring an incredibly smooth browsing experience to 4G phones, thus calling time once and all on the days of web pages failing to load at peak usage times. 

Mobile phones will never completely replace a powerful work/home computer, but they will certainly replace home phones, physical phone lines and may be home broadband connections. If mobile phones can provide speeds of up to 300Mbpps, then a fixed line connection of 24Mbps at home will seem slightly anemic.

Sources: BBC News, USwitch.com

Thursday 4 October 2012

Expanding Team - Stuart MacDonald

Stuart MacDonald - Click Networks - IT Support Glasgow

Hello,

My name is Stuart Macdonald and my new role within Click Networks is Sales and Marketing Manager, so I am responsible for the business development of the company as well as all Social Media and Marketing activities.

I will hopefully be in touch over the next few weeks to discuss any potential opportunities we can work on together, but in the meantime I have drafted a brief overview of what we offer, please note this list is not exhaustive as we are adding to our portfolio all the time.

I am confident that we can address most IT requirements, but where we have any gaps I will be looking to fill these with business partners and professional contacts as appropriate.

I look forward to speaking with all our new and existing clients and meet up soon to discuss my exciting new role and what Click Networks and I can do for you and your clients.

If you or any of your business contacts are interested in reviewing their current IT Support arrangements or other IT Services, please let me know by clicking on my contact details below.

Our Services

This is a brief snapshot of the current services we can offer:-


Microsoft Office 365 hosted services
Microsoft Sharepoint design and development
Virtual Infrastructure services both Hyper V and VMware 
Bespoke Click Cloud and Hosted services from our Glasgow data centre
Network Installation and Support Services
Bespoke Managed IT Services 08.00-6.00pm- (24/7 available)
Hardware & Software procurement
Security Management – Internet, Spyware, Anti- Virus, Anti- Phishing & more
Project Management – Office moves, Implementations and more
Structured Network Cabling provision
Internet connectivity solutions-Data & Voice
Mobility – remote access anytime anywhere
Business Continuity – Disaster recovery
WEEE provisioned Secure collection and destruction of Hardware
Microsoft and Application Training
Bespoke Web Development and Hosting services


Kind regards,
Stuart Macdonald
Sales & Marketing Manager

M: 07714 769 253
T: 0141 530 9116
SMS: text click to 60060 (we call you back) 
E: stuart@clicknetworks.co.uk
W: www.clicknetworks.co.uk

Click for a free Office 365 trial

Wednesday 3 October 2012

IT Support Glasgow - Right On Your Doorstep

Click Networks have recently moved office to a fantastic city centre location to provide even better IT Support for companies in Glasgow, surrounding areas and across Scotland.

With the majority of our new and existing clients being city centre based we felt it was worth the hassle of uprooting all our equipment and staff to bring our services directly to your door.
Being an established family run business providing cost effective IT support & the best customer care for many years, we were willing to go that extra mile for our clients. 

With faster response times the move has not only allowed us to spend more time on site it has allowed us even better communication with clients providing them with only the services they actually need we are rarely beaten on support costs.

To celebrate this move and our expansion we have re-launched Click Networks with more new IT services,  more support staff, a new brochure and a fantastic new website. You can now raise a support ticket directly from our website in a matter of seconds which gets sent directly to our support engineers in the field.

You can visit our new website here: http://www.clicknetworks.co.uk