Rack Servers Versus Blade Servers – which is right for your business?

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It’s a common question we hear a lot – what’s the main difference between blade and traditional rack servers?

More importantly, businesses want to know which type of server is right for them.

Let’s start with the basic differences.

They both do the same job, but physically there are some pretty big differences.

Rack servers – what we might call traditional servers – are essentially stand-alone computers that run applications. Everything is contained in a case – hard drives for storage, a network card, processors, RAM and power pack with a fan.

Blaggers And Your Business – Why Helpful Staff Are Your Biggest Danger!

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We’ve all received those lame emails asking to check our bank details or urging us to enter some personal information or other because we’ve won a $645 million prize in some South American lottery.

I bet you, like me, have often wondered how anyone can be so gullible that these emails work. But of course some people are fooled, that’s why the emails keep coming.

The real danger often comes, though, not from some geeky hack, but from the fact that your staff are probably too unsuspecting and too helpful.

Welcome to the scary world of Social Engineering.

Is A Virtual Desktop Right For Your Business?

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One of the things we’re often asked about is the Virtual Desktop. A lot of people seem to have heard the term, but aren’t really clear what it is or whether it’s right for their business.

The concept of a Virtual Desktop is actually pretty and bring a number of benefits such as enhanced security, easy software upgrade paths and reduced hardware costs.

We have helped more and more businesses move to a Virtual Desktop Environment so is it time your business considered the option?

Why Windows 8 Will Be Great For Businesses

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The launch of Windows 8 later this year is, without doubt, going to be massive game changer.

And that potentially applies to any company that uses IT in the workplace.

I’ll tell you why in a second.

But first let me say that I’ve had a play with the new Windows operating system – admittedly only the beta developer’s version – but I can already tell you I have no doubt it’s going to be a winner.

Read This Before you Buy Laptops for Your Business

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By Gary Sargent Vendor Relationship and IT Product Manager

You might think that buying notebooks for a business was pretty straightforward.

And, quite honestly, it can be.

Except that we see so many people get it all wrong – just because they don’t ask all the right questions before they buy.

The commonest mistake is an understandable one – people focus entirely on getting the highest-looking spec for the cheapest price.

Your Business and the dangers of ‘Bring Your Own Devices’

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By Gary Sargent, Vendor Relationship and IT Product Manager

Mobile security has become a seriously BIG concern within business IT, and for good reason.

It’s a relatively new issue, but it’s now really starting to dawn on a lot of companies that what is a terrific opportunity can also represent a threat.

What’s brought this about is the advent of the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) concept.

And this really taken off with the increasingly widespread use of highly portable smartphones and tablets. BYOD is quite simply causing a blurring of the lines between being at work or at home.

Winners and Losers – Let’s Give Kids a Head Start in IT

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We’ve just been visiting the winners of the CleverBoxes Classroom of the Future competition.

And I can tell you, handing over 25 free net books and two Lap Cabbies to a bunch of bubbly and hugely grateful primary school kids is a good way to pick you up for the rest of the day.

But I have to say there was a moment when I felt suddenly saddened by what I saw and it made me worry about how we’re preparing our youngsters for the future.

To see these young children (all eight and nine year olds), so full of fun and fired up with creative ideas and to talk to their teachers who were so infectiously enthusiastic, made me feel pretty humble.

The Next Big Things in Schools IT

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By Gary Sargent, Vendor Relationship and IT Product Manager and Dave Bolton, Sales Manager

The massive IT in Education show (BETT) in London is probably the best place to spot the big trends in education IT.

Last week, when we were down there with the CleverBoxes team, there were a few big themes that really struck us.

One of the main buzzes is all around Interactivity.

Interactive products with touch screen technology are THE big thing, and they really do represent fantastic learning tools.