Data centres are using more RAM than ever before

Behind everyday services like email, file storage, video calls, and online backups are huge data centres. These facilities run thousands of servers, and each server needs a large amount of RAM to work efficiently.

As more businesses move to cloud-based systems, demand for server memory has grown rapidly. Cloud providers tend to buy RAM in bulk and on long-term contracts, often taking priority over consumer and small business supply.

Because manufacturers have limited production capacity, this means less RAM is available for desktops, laptops, and small servers, which pushes prices up and increases delivery times.

Artificial intelligence is taking priority

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems require vast amounts of very fast memory to operate. Training and running AI models uses far more RAM than traditional software, and manufacturers are now focusing heavily on producing memory specifically designed for this purpose.

Major technology companies and data centre operators are willing to pay a premium to secure this memory. As a result, RAM manufacturers are prioritising high-end, specialist memory for AI systems instead of everyday RAM used in PCs.

Companies such as Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and Micron Technology are directing more of their production towards these higher-value markets, which further reduces availability elsewhere.

What this means in simple terms

In short:

• Big data centres and AI platforms are buying most of the world’s RAM
• Manufacturers are focusing on higher-profit, specialist memory
• Less RAM reaches the general market
• Prices remain higher for consumers and small businesses

RAM is no longer just a standard computer part. It has become a

Microsoft 365 Home vs Business: What’s the Real Difference?

Many people assume that Microsoft 365 Home (Personal & Family) and Microsoft 365 Business are essentially the same product, just with different pricing. Unfortunately, that assumption often leads to GDPR problems, data loss, and in some cases, licensing issues.

In this guide, we break down the real-world differences in plain English, using examples from businesses we support here at RLS Computer Services. By the end, you’ll know exactly which version is right for you or your organisation.

A Real Story: When a Cheaper Licence Becomes Expensive

A few months ago, a small local business contacted us in a panic.

They’d set up all their staff using Microsoft 365 Family, thinking it was “basically the same as Business, just cheaper”.
Then one day, they discovered they’d lost a batch of customer files stored in an employee’s OneDrive. Unfortunately, this employee had left the company — and because the licence belonged to them personally, the business had no legal or technical right to access those files.

Worse still, they were potentially in breach of data protection rules.

This story is far more common than you might think.

Microsoft 365 Home vs Business: The Core Differences

1. Microsoft 365 Personal & Family (Home) — Personal Use Only

The Home editions are designed for:

• Families
• Households
• Personal devices
• Students
• Individuals

The major limitations:

• The licence belongs to the individual, not the company
• No central admin or security controls
• No SharePoint or Exchange (the business-grade cloud services)
• No control over data ownership
• No compliant backup options
• Not suitable for GDPR-regulated data

Home editions are not designed for business, clubs, local authorities, or organisations of any kind.

2. Microsoft 365 Business — Built for Organisations

Microsoft 365 Business is designed for:

• SMEs
• Charities
• Parish & town councils
• Schools
• Clubs & committees
• Any organisation handling data from members, customers or the public

What you get:

• Licences owned by the organisation
• Full Microsoft 365 Admin Centre
• Controlled access to OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams & Exchange
• Device and account management
• GDPR-ready security and compliance tools
• Multi-factor authentication
• Optional backup and retention controls

These features are essential for anyone handling sensitive or regulated information.

“But I Don’t Own My Company’s Data with a Home Subscription?”

Correct — and it’s one of the biggest hidden dangers.

If company data is stored in an employee’s personal OneDrive:

• You do not legally own that data
• You may not be able to retrieve it if that person leaves
• You may breach GDPR by storing data in a non-compliant personal cloud

When a staff member leaves, so does your control over the files stored under their account.

Business Advantage: You Retain Full Control

With Microsoft 365 Business:

• Your organisation owns the tenant
• Permissions can be reassigned instantly
• IT admins can suspend accounts without losing data
• You can remote-wipe lost devices
• Data stays inside controlled, UK-based Microsoft cloud environments

With Home editions, none of this is possible.

Pricing: Is Microsoft 365 Business Really More Expensive?

Many people assume so — but when you compare the features, the difference is surprisingly small.

Microsoft 365 Personal & Family (UK Pricing)

(Correct at the time of writing)

• Personal: £84.99/year (£8.49/month)
• Family: £104.99/year (£10.49/month) for up to 6 people

Includes:

• Office apps
• 1TB OneDrive per user
• Install on up to 5 devices per user
• No business or security tools

Microsoft 365 Business Plans (UK Pricing)

(Approximate monthly prices, month-to-month)

• Business Basic: ~£5.52 per user/month
• Business Standard: ~£11.52 per user/month
• Business Premium: ~£20.28 per user/month

Includes:

• Business-grade desktop apps (Standard & Premium)
• SharePoint, Exchange, Teams
• Full security and admin controls
• Compliance tools
• Optional enterprise-level backup
• Install apps on multiple devices per user

A small monthly increase brings massively improved security, control and compliance.

Buying Microsoft 365: Home vs Business

Home Edition — Simple Online Purchase

Buy directly from Microsoft:

• No partner involvement
• No setup
• Support via Microsoft
• Suitable for families and individuals

Business Edition — Best Purchased Through a Microsoft Partner

A trusted partner, like RLS Computer Services, provides:

• Licence supply & management
• Full Microsoft 365 tenant administration
• Security configuration
• Backup and retention policies
• SharePoint/Teams/OneDrive setup
• GDPR-compliant configuration
• Ongoing support

Think of a Microsoft Partner as your business cloud IT department.

Backup & GDPR: A Critical Difference

Microsoft 365 Home offers only:

• A 30-day recycling bin
• No advanced recovery
• No audit trail
• No retention policies
• No compliance centre

If something is deleted — especially by mistake — it may be gone for good.

Business Plans Offer:

• SharePoint version history
• Tenant-wide retention policies
• Full audit logging
• MFA security
• Optional full Microsoft 365 backup

For councils, charities, local authorities, sole traders and SMEs, this is essential.

So Which Version Should You Choose?

Microsoft 365 Personal & Family — Choose this if:

• You’re a single user or family
• You only need the basic Office apps
• You’re not storing customer/member data
• You’re not a business, club, school, or local authority

Microsoft 365 Business — Choose this if:

• You run any organisation
• You handle personal or sensitive information
• You need security, retention & compliance
• You want Teams, SharePoint, Exchange
• You want data to stay under company ownership
• You want proper IT administration

Final Thoughts

Choosing between Microsoft 365 Home and Business isn’t about features — it’s about data ownership, security, compliance, and control.

If you’re unsure which version you need, or if your organisation is currently using the wrong one, we can help.

At RLS Computer Services, we can:

• Assess your current setup
• Recommend the correct Microsoft 365 plan
• Migrate your data safely
• Configure security and compliance
• Provide full ongoing support

Get in touch today for expert guidance

For UK businesses that rely on newsletters, customer updates, appointment reminders, or any form of outbound email marketing, these changes require immediate attention to avoid rejections and spam filtering.

Why This Change Matters

Microsoft’s updated policies aim to reduce spam, spoofing, and fraudulent email. While this strengthens the email ecosystem, it also means:

• Messages without proper authentication may be blocked or sent to Junk.
• Poor list-hygiene practices could damage your sending reputation.
• Organisations using outdated or poorly configured systems may find their emails failing silently, resulting in missed communication with clients and customers.

Key Requirements for Bulk Email to Outlook.com

1. Mandatory Email Authentication: SPF, DKIM & DMARC

Your outbound email must pass:

• SPF – verifies your authorised sending servers
• DKIM – cryptographically signs messages to protect integrity
• DMARC – enforces identity alignment and monitors authentication failures

Microsoft is now rejecting or degrading delivery for bulk senders who fail these checks.

Callout:
If you use platforms like Mailchimp, SendGrid, HubSpot, CRM systems, ticketing platforms or VoIP software, your DNS records must be updated to include their SPF and DKIM settings.

2. Stronger Bulk Email Compliance

Microsoft now requires:

• A working unsubscribe link, ideally one-click
• All unsubscribe requests honoured within 48 hours
• A valid, monitored From/Reply-To address
• No spoofing or misleading domain usage
• Clear identification of your organisation within every email

3. List Hygiene, Bounce Management & Complaint Reduction

Maintaining clean, compliant mailing lists is now essential.

• Remove addresses that bounce repeatedly
• Remove subscribers who remain inactive over time
• Stop sending to anyone who flags your messages as spam
• Avoid purchased or low-quality third-party lists

Callout:
Poor list hygiene is now one of the fastest ways to damage your domain’s reputation at Outlook.com.

The Risks of Non-Compliance

Failing to meet these requirements can lead to:

• Hard bounces or outright rejections by Outlook.com
• Placement in the Junk Email folder
• Long-term reputation issues affecting all outbound mail
• Delivery failures for important transactional messages (invoices, notifications, password resets)
• Wasted time and reduced engagement

For organisations with clients or customers using Outlook/Hotmail addresses, the impact can be especially significant.

Real-World Checklists for UK Businesses

These practical checklists help ensure compliance and maintain strong email deliverability.

Technical Checklist: Email Authentication & Infrastructure

• SPF record exists and includes all sending platforms
• DKIM signing enabled for every system that sends email
• DMARC record configured (at minimum: p=none)
• Marketing and transactional emails use separate domains/subdomains
• “From” address is valid and belongs to your controlled domain
• DNS updated to match all external tools (Mailchimp, CRM, VoIP, portals, etc.)
• Regular monitoring of DMARC reports
• Email provider not sending from shared/untrusted IPs

Bulk Email Checklist: Marketing & Newsletter Campaigns

• Clear, functional unsubscribe link in every email
• Unsubscribe requests processed within 48 hours
• Reply-To address monitored daily
• All recipients opted-in and properly segmented
• Campaign frequency controlled to avoid complaints
• Consistent branding and sender identity
• Content designed to minimise spam triggers

List Hygiene Checklist: Protect Your Sender Reputation

• Immediate removal of hard bounces
• Removal of long-term inactive users
• Removal of repeated soft-bounces
• No sending to anyone who marks you as spam
• No use of purchased or unverified email lists
• Double-opt-in used for new sign-ups

Best Practice Recommendations

1. Separate Marketing and Transactional Email

Use dedicated subdomains for campaigns (e.g., updates.yourdomain.co.uk).
This protects your main domain’s reputation.

2. Apply a Robust Email Policy

Define who sends what, using which domain, via which platform.

3. Monitor Deliverability

Review DMARC reports and keep track of domain and IP reputation trends.

4. Review Third-Party Integrations

Ensure all platforms sending on your behalf are authenticated correctly.

Final Thoughts

Outlook.com’s new requirements represent a major shift in how bulk email is assessed.
Properly implemented authentication, unsubscribe management, and list hygiene are no longer optional — they are essential for ensuring outbound communications reach your customers’ inboxes.

Businesses that invest time now in strengthening their email infrastructure will benefit from:

• Higher delivery rates
• Fewer spam complaints
• Improved trust and domain reputation
• More successful customer communication overall

Need help implementing this?

If you want to ensure full compliance with these new Outlook.com requirements — including SPF, DKIM, DMARC configuration, DNS changes, list hygiene strategy, or platform integration — contact RLS Computer Services for assistance.

At RLS Computer Services, we understand that data protection is not just a legal obligation – it’s also a matter of trust between your organisation and the people you serve. Whether you are a local authority, a parish council, or a small business, compliance with the UK GDPR is essential. Two of the most important areas we support our clients with are Article 25 – Data Protection by Design and by Default and Article 32 – Security of Processing.

Article 25: Data Protection by Design and by Default

This article requires organisations to embed data protection into the way they design and use systems. At RLS, we ensure that every deployment – whether it’s a new computer for a single user, a Microsoft 365 setup for remote working, or a full network infrastructure upgrade – has security built in from the outset.

For example:

• When we configure Microsoft 365, we enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) as a default setting, so users have a higher level of protection against unauthorised access.
• When setting up new computers, we configure them with BitLocker encryption to ensure data is secure even if a device is lost or stolen.
• For councils and public bodies handling sensitive citizen data, we implement role-based access controls, ensuring that staff only have access to the data necessary for their role.

This approach ensures compliance with Article 25 by designing systems with privacy and security at their core, rather than as an afterthought.

Article 32: Security of Processing

Article 32 focuses on the technical and organisational measures organisations must take to secure personal data. At RLS, we take a “security from the ground up” approach for all our clients, ensuring that risks are minimised and systems are resilient.

Examples include:

• Regular patching and updates to keep software protected against known vulnerabilities.
• Endpoint protection and firewall management to safeguard against malware and external threats.
• Secure backup solutions, ensuring that even in the event of a ransomware attack, critical data can be recovered quickly and safely.
• Staff training and awareness sessions, as human error is often the weakest link in data security. By raising awareness, we help organisations maintain compliance in day-to-day operations.

For UK organisations, particularly local authorities and small businesses, these measures provide assurance that personal data is handled securely, meeting both GDPR requirements and the expectations of the public.

How RLS Supports You

Compliance doesn’t have to be complex. With RLS Computer Services, you have a partner who makes sure GDPR principles are built into your IT systems by default and reinforced through strong security practices. From one-off device setups to fully managed IT support contracts, we ensure that your organisation remains compliant, secure, and trusted.

If you would like to discuss how we can help strengthen your GDPR compliance, get in touch with us today.

As part of our managed services we apply updates, upgrades, patches and maintenance to our clients devices on a specified date and time of the week. This is so we can keep to tight schedule on workloads and all devices are managed to the same level.

The task of updating a client’s device (computer, laptop, tablet or mobile) isn’t easy and we follow a strict timetable to make sure that nothing slips through the net, however we need our clients to adhere to the schedule for it to take place.

What Work Do We Carry Out?

Although the work can vary from client to client the majority have these mandatory processes implemented.

Software Updates (Mac & Windows)

• Microsoft Office
• VLC Media Player
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• 7-Zip
• Google Chrome
• Microsoft Edge
• Mozilla Firefox
• Thunderbird
• Microsoft Teams
• Brother iPrint & Scan
• and many others..

Operating System Patching & Updates

• Windows Updates (Critical & Important)
• Windows Service Packs (if applicable)
• Microsoft Office Service Packs (if applicable)
• Includes Mac OS recommended software, security, and stability updates

Maintenance

• Full System Virus Scan
• System Clean Up
• Empty Temporary Files

When Do You Carry It Out?

We carry out the work overnight as to not disturb your working day, however sometimes Windows devices may need to reboot the next day.

What Do I Need To Do?

• Leave your computer, laptop, tablet or mobile switched on
• Make sure your device is connected to the internet either via WIFI or LAN connection
• If using a mobile device make sure it is plugged into the mains supply
• Make sure all files are saved & applications are closed.
• There is NO need to be logged in.

If you work from home then these updates can be done there as long as you have a fast Internet connection, just follow the procedure above.

How Will I Know It’s Completed?

If you don’t hear from us assume everything is alright, however in some cases we might need to access your device to complete a task (i.e. installing drivers for printers, graphics cards, IOS updates, etc.). In these cases we will make a separate arrangement to complete the work.

What Happens If I Miss The Deadline?

If you forget to leave your device on, don’t worry it will get completed either the next day or the next weekly cycle depending on the urgency of the update, patch or upgrade. However, we have no control over the time and cannot guarantee it won’t disrupt your working day.

In the fast-paced digital landscape, understanding the distinction between an Intranet and the Internet is crucial for small businesses, charities, and local authorities looking to enhance their internal communications and operations. While the Internet serves as a global platform accessible to all, an Intranet provides a private network exclusive to authorised users within an organisation. Harnessing the power of Intranets, organisations can bolster security measures through robust authentication methods like MFA, ensuring data protection and secure information sharing. By delving into practical applications and the significance of strong passwords and authentication apps like Microsoft and Google Authenticator, this piece aims to illuminate the transformative potential of Intranets in fostering seamless collaboration and productivity within diverse organisational settings.

Demystifying Intranet and Internet

Intranet vs Internet: Clearing the Confusion

Many people confuse the Internet with an Intranet, but they serve very different functions. The Internet is a vast, public network that connects millions of computers globally, allowing users to access and share information widely. An Intranet, on the other hand, is a private network specific to an organisation. It’s used to securely share company information and computing resources among employees. Think of an Intranet as a private version of the Internet, a secure and controlled space where only authorised individuals can operate. This exclusivity protects sensitive data and facilitates communication and collaboration within the organisation. Employees can find everything they need within this network, from HR documents to project collaboration tools, without the risk of external threats. This clear boundary between the two networks is fundamental for maintaining internal security and efficiency.

Core Benefits of Intranets

Intranets bring a multitude of benefits to an organisation. Primarily, they enhance internal communication, allowing for instant messaging and updates which keep everyone on the same page. Document management becomes streamlined as well, as employees can access the latest versions of files without confusion, reducing errors and saving time. Customisation is another key advantage; an Intranet can be tailored to the specific needs of an organisation, displaying relevant information such as news, dashboards, and analytics that drive informed decision-making. Moreover, Intranets support collaboration, making it easier for teams to work together on projects, share ideas, and solve problems, irrespective of their physical locations. With security as a cornerstone, Intranets provide a safer environment for handling sensitive information, bolstered by measures like MFA and strong passwords. Overall, Intranets act as a central hub for all organisational operations, enhancing efficiency, security, and unity.

Enhancing Security within Intranets

Strong Passwords: The First Line of Defence

The security of an Intranet is paramount, and it begins with strong passwords. Passwords act as the first line of defence against unauthorised access to an organisation’s private network. A strong password is complex and difficult to guess; it combines letters, numbers, and special characters to create a barrier that protects valuable data from external threats. Regularly updating passwords and avoiding the use of common words or easily accessible personal information further reinforce this barrier. Educating employees on the importance of strong passwords is essential, as human error often leads to security breaches. Encouraging the use of password managers can help staff maintain a unique and robust password for their accounts. In addition, implementing organisation-wide policies on password creation and updates ensures consistent practices in safeguarding the Intranet. With diligent attention to password security, organisations can significantly reduce their vulnerability to cyber attacks.

Two-Factor Authentication: Doubling Down on Security

In addition to strong passwords, two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an extra layer of security for Intranets. It requires users to provide two distinct forms of identification before gaining access to the network. Typically, this involves something the user knows, like a password, paired with something the user has, such as a code from an authentication app like Microsoft or Google Authenticator. This dual-verification system makes it significantly harder for unauthorised individuals to breach the network because even if a password is compromised, they still need the second factor to proceed. 2FA is particularly beneficial for protecting sensitive areas of the Intranet, such as financial records or personal employee information. By implementing 2FA, organisations demonstrate a commitment to robust security practices, providing peace of mind for both the management and the staff and ensuring that their private network remains just that—private.

Practical Intranet Applications

Internal Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Intranets excel in facilitating internal collaboration and knowledge sharing within an organisation. They provide a centralised platform where employees can access shared resources, such as templates, manuals, and internal policies. This central repository of information ensures that everyone has access to the latest, most accurate information. Collaboration tools integrated within Intranets, like forums, wikis, or project management systems, allow team members to communicate effectively, share insights, and track progress on collective projects. This is particularly useful for small businesses and local authorities where resources may be limited, and efficient knowledge sharing can drive significant improvements in service delivery. Charities can also benefit from such streamlined communication, as it allows them to coordinate volunteer efforts and manage fundraising activities more effectively. By breaking down silos, Intranets enable a culture of openness, fostering an environment where knowledge is a shared asset.

Streamlining Organisational Processes

An Intranet can significantly streamline organisational processes by automating routine tasks and centralising essential functions. For example, small businesses can use Intranet platforms to manage leave requests, expense claims, and even onboarding processes, reducing the administrative burden on staff. Charities can benefit by coordinating event planning and donor management through their Intranet, enabling them to focus more on their core mission rather than on paperwork. Local authorities can utilise Intranets to handle internal requests, distribute public information to staff effectively, and manage community initiatives through a single portal. These streamlined processes lead to increased productivity as employees spend less time on manual tasks and more on strategic activities. Furthermore, centralising processes reduces the likelihood of errors and ensures a consistent approach to task management, which is crucial for maintaining quality control across the organisation.

Useful Links:

Microsoft Authentication App: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/security/mobile-authenticator-app

Understanding macOS Version History

Since 2010, Apple has consistently rolled out new versions of macOS, each with its own set of enhancements and refinements. Here’s a historical list of macOS versions released since then, along with their names and release dates:

1. Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard – Released on August 28, 2009
2. OS X 10.7 Lion – Released on July 20, 2011
3. OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion – Released on July 25, 2012
4. OS X 10.9 Mavericks – Released on October 22, 2013
5. OS X 10.10 Yosemite – Released on October 16, 2014
6. OS X 10.11 El Capitan – Released on September 30, 2015
7. macOS 10.12 Sierra – Released on September 20, 2016
8. macOS 10.13 High Sierra – Released on September 25, 2017
9. macOS 10.14 Mojave – Released on September 24, 2018
10. macOS 10.15 Catalina – Released on October 7, 2019
11. macOS 11 Big Sur – Released on November 12, 2020
12. macOS 12.7 Monterey (Star) – Released on October 25, 2021
13. macOS 13.6.2 Ventura (Rome) – Released on November 7, 2022
14. macOS 14.1.1 Sonoma (Sunburst) – Released on November 7, 2023
15. macOS 15 (Sequoia) – released September 16, 2024

How to Tell Which macOS Version You Are Running

Identifying the version of macOS currently installed on your Mac is straightforward:

1. Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select “About This Mac” from the dropdown menu.
3. A window will appear displaying the name and version number of your macOS installation

How to Upgrade to the Latest Version of macOS

Now that you know which version of macOS you’re running, here’s how to upgrade to the latest version:

1. Ensure that your Mac is compatible with the latest version of macOS. You can check compatibility on Apple’s website.
2. Back up your important files using Time Machine or another backup solution.
3. Connect your Mac to the internet and plug it into power.
4. Click on the Apple logo and select “System Preferences.”
5. Choose “Software Update.” Your Mac will check for available updates.
6. If a new version of macOS is available, click “Upgrade Now” to begin the installation process.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade. Your Mac may restart several times during the process.

Conclusion

Upgrading to the latest version of macOS ensures that you have access to the latest features, performance improvements, and security enhancements. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily upgrade your Mac to the newest version of macOS and stay up-to-date with the latest developments from Apple.

To learn more about the features of the latest macOS version, visit Apple’s official website highlighting macOS Sonoma.

Happy upgrading!

If you are torn on the idea of picking up a new PC because yours is getting old and slow but don’t want to spend the money on a brand-new computer just yet, another great option is looking at some physical upgrades for it.

SSD Upgrades

Our most popular improvement is an SSD upgrade. This is taking the old hard drive (HDD) in your computer, where everything is stored, and transferring it to a new solid-state drive (SSD). Almost every new computer you buy will come with an SSD and now we are able to bring your computer up to the same level. On paper it is 2x faster than your old HDD, but we have recorded improvements of over 3x the speed on booting up and opening applications, and with prices starting at £80 for a 500GB SSD, including data transfer and fitting, this is the first upgrade we suggest to people when their computer is running slow.

RAM Upgrades

Another enhancement we have seen performance benefits from are RAM upgrades. We often see older computers with 2GB-4GB of RAM which is fine when they came out but with applications becoming a lot more resource intensive, we suggest 8GB as an adequate amount. The price of RAM has dropped over the years as well, so prices start at £60 (fitted) for 8GB of DDR4 RAM which makes this a very low-cost solution to an out-of-date computer.

Health Checks

If a physical improvement is not necessarily what you are looking for, then maybe a health check would be better. This includes a full service of the computer, diagnostics, updates and clear out of unneeded system files. Bringing your computer in for a service doesn’t just speed it up though, it will keep it clean, up to date and give it an extended life as well. But not every computer comes in for its service and then straight back out, just like your car, there can be issues we find with the computer, but the service gives us the opportunity to catch it before anything catastrophic happens like a failing hard drive. Just having a chance to look at the computer will allow us to spot any problems starting to arise and can either fix them or suggest a replacement before it’s too late and you end up with all your data lost. With Health Checks costing £48 it is worth contacting us and getting your computer in, so you can browse with the confidence that your computer is healthy and secure.

Still time to buy a new computer?

If none of these options interest you and you have still got your heart set on that new shiny PC, we can also help you out there. We sell new and renewed computers so if you tell us your needs and budget, we will be able to find you a PC that fits you perfectly. Whether you need a fancy custom-built PC, a new Fujitsu laptop for work or a renewed* HP computer for home use we supply it all and if you buy through us, we move your data from the old machine to the new one for free.

*Our new ‘renewed’ range of computers are really showing their worth at the moment, not only are they a fraction of the price of a new computer but they are also more eco-friendly by keeping the amount of tech trash down and creating a new life for these computers. If you would like to find out more about these watch our YouTube video here explaining what we have on offer.

Contact us

If you are interested in any of these services and would like to book in a time to upgrade, or even if you would just like some more information on it, call us on 01553 776937 or email support@rlscomputers.co.uk

Make sure you download and install the latest version of the Android OS, this will install essential updates to your version of software.

Update Samsung Email app

Go to the Samsung App store and see what applications need updating, specifically look for the Email App and if an update is available implement it.

Update Android apps

Go to the Google Play Store and update your apps. Specifically keep an eye out for the following recommendations to resolve this issue:

• Android System Webview
• Google Chrome

What is Coronavirus

Coronavirus or COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

The advice given by the NHS is stay at home for 7 days if you have either:

• a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
• a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly

How will this affect your Business?

If your business has employees who shows signs of the symptoms, the advice given at the time of writing this article is to self-isolate for 7-days. This means to stay at home and isolate yourself from contact with people, this could mean businesses loose key personnel from work. So how can you use technology to provide business continuity with your office staff?

What You Can Do?

• Consider reducing the amount of contact with your customers, use email more efficiently
• Consider using VoIP services to communicate to customers, by doing so, customers can still contact the company and calls will be diverted to key sales and technical advisors even though they are working from home.
• Review your Work from Home Policy and make sure you are covered under GDPR and the DPA 2018
• Consider implementing remote working by using cloud services like Azure and Office 365, staff can work from home and access files and documents and collaborate with others.
• Use communication tools like Skype and Microsoft Teams to have branch meetings, training sessions, discussions.
• Setup VPN access so that your staff can access on-premise servers and resources
• Use social media more effectively for advertising and updating customers on your own COVID-19 procedures.
• Use social media to speak to your customers by using Live Streaming services on Facebook and YouTube.
• Smartphones can be used to connect with the back office and customers with tools like SharePoint, Teams and Skype.

Conclusion

Companies should consider what technology can be employed to support those who must work from home during the crises and self-isolation. Using readily available IT resources like Office 365, Skype and social media can all be used to guarantee continuity in your business.

Further Information

• Government’s website
• Government Advice for Businesses
• Advice for Home isolation
• Government Guidelines on Hand Washing
• Our Company Action Plan

I am actually not going to discuss this ongoing investigation or the laws. Instead, the purpose of my post is to educate people of the role of an admin on these social media pages and the importance of managing them correctly and professionally and within the confines of rules set down by the platform providers.

Using Facebook as an example, they have a whole section on community standards and how users should post respectfully and take into consideration all those using the same platform. For example, Facebook have a section 13 titled “Hate Speech” that defines what is the rationale behind this policy and therefore admins must adhere to it explicitly. If an admin does not apply the Facebook rules and policies set down, in managing a page to these standards the page could be taken down and an admin could actually be held accountable (albeit partially) for the content and not complying.

I appreciate this makes an admin job very difficult where they have to weigh up the difference between what is socially acceptable and what can be seen as personal feelings or opinions. However, the admins role is a matter of fact and must be taken very seriously indeed. it also means that admins are put under extreme pressure by these social media platforms to manage and make sure that the page and posts are all fair and run within the rules with no exceptions.

The last point I want to make is about how admins are treated managing these pages. I get calls and emails from people all over asking for my advice in regard to this matter and my advice is clear. Using the same rules laid down by these social media platforms that the admins have rights too, they shouldn’t be abused, there should be no hate crimes against them for managing these pages within the guidelines set out by the provider and those people who make crimes against admins face prosecution under Hate Crimes. The Crown Prosecution Service defines a hate crime as a range of criminal behaviour where the perpetrator is motivated by hostility or demonstrates hostility towards victims disability race religion sex or sexual orientation or transgender identity, furthermore a hate crime can include verbal abuse intimidation threats harassment assault and bullying as well as damage to property.

So, to conclude if you are going to admin a page then you do so within the confines of the rules set up by that platform provider. furthermore, those who choose to publish posts on these pages must also comply with the rules set out with the provider and the laws within the UK.

References

Facebook Community standards: https://www.facebook.com/communitystandards/objectionable_content

Crown Prosecution Service: https://www.cps.gov.uk/hate-crime

Microsoft is officially dropping extended support for all of these on January 14th 2020. So you need to get a action plan in place in plenty of time so your business is prepared and to reduce downtime in your business workflow.

We would also like to add that Microsoft Office 2010 is also End of Life come October 13th 2020, this not only has the same outcome as the Operating Systems but also new features are now available in Office 365 upgrades.

Does this mean my Windows computers & servers will stop working?

Solutions

When Windows Operating System reaches end of support, your computers and servers will still work. However, Microsoft will no longer provide security patches and updates. Whilst you could continue to use your unsupported computers and servers, this puts your business at a greater risk of viruses, vulnerabilities and compliance.

The answer is simple, upgrade to Windows 10 Pro and Windows Server 2019. There are many paths to this solution, one of which includes being under our Enterprise Managed Services and let us roll-out your upgrade. Move some of your infrastructure to the “Cloud” with Azure & SharePoint. We can move your legacy Exchange 2008 Server into the cloud and provide you a Managed Hosted Exchange platform including a migration plan so you will have little to no downtime, rather than investing in a new server.

Microsoft Office 365 subscription offers the latest version of the office suite and is updated on a regular basis. You still can purchase the office suite as a one-time purchase per licence however this limits you to that version.

Compare Office 365 subscription with Office 2019

If you prefer, we can also provide new computing solutions and on-premise servers running the latest Windows OS from Fujitsu, that are energy efficient lowering the cost to run them and are cost effective. Or a combination of both, it really depends on your needs.

To learn more or arrange a evaluation of your IT, please contact Rob Lucas on 01553 776937 or email info@rlscomputers.co.uk.

A Backup Retention Policy governs the time that you keep backed up data, with it you would also consider the archive rules, format, method of storage, access policy and encryption. All of which must be documented for legal and privacy reasons under the DPA (including the new GDPR).

The most common retention policy used by most IT professionals is the Grandfather–Father–Son method for maintaining a period of tiered restore points. This method is a rotation scheme whereby a daily backup (the son), a weekly backup (the father) and a monthly backup (the grandfather) are created to maintain a good backup strategy.

Simply put, each week the backup from the last 7-days (daily backup) is aggregated into 1 backup called the son and is held as the weekly backup. Each 4-weekly is then aggregated from a son to a father and is held as the monthly backup and finally the last 6 months is then aggregated from a father into a grandfather and becomes the last 6-months backup. This process can vary depending on your retention policy, your legal requirements for completing data backups and how often you implement a backup (i.e. hourly vs. daily or monthly vs. 6-monthly).

For legal purposes in building your retention policy you need to consider what the impact would be if you needed to recover lost data and over what period. If for example your backup policy was:

• Daily backups – 7 days
• Weekly backups – 4 weeks
• Monthly backups – 6 Months

This would mean that for an initial loss of data that was immediately recognised by a user you would resort back to the previous day, if however, the mistake wasn’t immediately acknowledged, and it was a couple of weeks later you would resort to looking through weekly logs for the missing file and if the issue didn’t manifest a good few months later you would have to restore to searching in the last 6-months log for the file. However, you now need to consider if this is both acceptable for your business and for the data subject. It could be that the impact on business might have a financial cost or it could be that a data subject has put in a SAR (Subject Access Request) which must be complied with within 30-days (under GDPR) and you don’t have the information at hand. Therefore, a policy needs to be clearly drafted considering all scenarios considering the worst-case scenario’s