Month: December 2021

Jabra and UMA deliver integrated meeting room technology solutions to transform the workplace

Jabra and UMA have partnered to deliver innovative video conferencing and meeting room solutions, enabling Jabra devices to be managed seamlessly from one place on the UMA dashboard with real-time analytics.  With Jabra PanaCast intelligent video conferencing cameras, users can manage meeting room occupancy levels and control room occupancy levels from a desktop, smartphone or meeting room display panel to optimise the use of office space.

The Jabra PanaCast and PanaCast 50’s unique 180-degree field-of-view covers the whole room and generates anonymous room occupancy data.  This feeds real-time information into the UMA dashboard, providing insights and analytics. UMA automatically makes a meeting room available to book in the event of a no-show. Rooms can also be automatically booked by simply walking in.

With the shift towards hybrid working, companies are reviewing their technology investments and utilisation of office space. UMA enables users to manage meeting room and desk utilisation, room, resource booking and device management of audio-visual devices, all from a single pane of glass.  Organisations are now able to optimise their facilities and technology infrastructure to create an efficient and safe workplace, compliant with Covid Winter Plan workplace guidelines.

 

The combined value proposition of UMA and Jabra allows customers to realise an improved return on their technology investments through the availability of business intelligence and simpler mechanisms to support and maintain their meeting room technology. Users can check the status of Jabra devices, remotely diagnose and fix issues, and push software updates.

Nigel Dunn, Managing Director, EMEA North at Jabra says, “We are thrilled to be teaming up with UMA to deliver a new standard in meeting room solutions for hybrid working. Jabra PanaCast’s data-driven insights and analytics gives a real-time view of how the workplace is being used, enabling companies to improve efficiency and maximise their real estate. It’s now time to start thinking about future-proofing offices and taking conferencing and the meeting booking experience to the next level.”

Stephen Milner, CEO UMA says, “Jabra’s range of meeting room technology will enhance the collaboration experience and with the integration to UMA, end customers will benefit from rich data insight on workplace occupancy and environment and an easier way to manage and support Jabra technology through its lifecycle. We look forward to the collaboration with the Jabra team and together driving innovation to transform the workplace.”

Nathan Rogers, Head of Channel, UMA says, “I’m looking forward to continuing to build a strong partnership with Jabra.  The UMA and Jabra integration will deliver meaningful insights to businesses ensuring they understand how their real estate is being used.  UMA delivers a simplified user experience to enable the booking of meeting spaces, and when partnered with the Jabra PanaCast the business has enhanced analytical data at their fingertips.  Jabra’s audio experience and smart UC technology working in coalition with our Workplace Software will deliver a game changing advantage to users.”

Working in partnership with our mutual UK and European distributors means the reseller and Integrator customers will get a cohesive approach.”

The Jabra PanaCast is supported on UMA’s platform today, with PanaCast 50 to follow in early 2022.

Crypto Trading: A Beginner’s Guide On Avoiding Risks

Cryptocurrency is getting better compared to recent years, and if you are not updated with the latest news, Bitcoin has recently reached its all-time high. That’s right, its market value has increased, and people who have invested are happy about it. Added to that, Ether also hit its all-time high. If you haven’t invested in crypto, you might be missing out on something big. 

If you are new to the crypto world and you want to get involved through investing or day trading, one of the many essential things you should be aware of is that cryptocurrency has risks. There were a few investors who didn’t prepare themselves for these risks, and it heavily affected their investments. As a new investor, you should be well prepared before you start spending your money. It is advisable that you turn to a website with 24/7 support and beginner-friendly software like the Bitcoin Superstar crypto trading platform. In this article, we will show you a quick guide on what you should prepare for to avoid the risks associated with crypto.

Bottlenecked Exit

Considering that there are more than 1600 varieties of cryptocurrencies, this vast number ensures that there’s a thing for everyone and anyone looking to get into cryptocurrency. Though that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to get big with your assets – the ease of entry with cryptocurrency with a bottlenecked exit means that you’re going to struggle as you exit your investment with particular crypto coins.

If you think of it like everyone rushing to get into the stores during Black Friday, you’re for sure to get caught in the mayhem and may even find yourself struggling to get out. Reasons for a bottlenecked exit with cryptocurrency could be due to the technological difficulties, currencies being inconvertible, and a very little party of those who would like to trade. In addition, you wouldn’t want to get caught in the panicked reaction of the crypto market.

Not Physical, Uninsured, and Illiquid

One of the desirable traits that cryptocurrency does possess is that it is decentralized. Therefore it doesn’t have to go through the painstaking process that banks and centralized markets go through. However, although it might be desirable, that doesn’t guarantee its usability and its insurability when it’s time for you to use your crypto coins.

Cryptocurrency is entirely digital, so you’re sure to encounter some struggle when you want to spend your coins – which brings up the struggle of converting your coins. Not to mention the inherent volatility that cryptocurrency’s nature has, you’re going to find it challenging to choose the best times to cash out – since the values are constantly fluctuating.

Prone To Manipulation and Extortion

In the first place, when dealing with cryptocurrency, you should be using money that you’re already prepared to lose. However, in the rare case that you aren’t ready to do so with your crypto, then you might be subject to social engineering and misinformation risks. In addition, especially those newer to the crypto world can be easily susceptible to extortion, fraud, and market manipulation.

Security Risks

Being an investor in cryptocurrency means that you should be prepared for any of the malicious attacks that could come your way – which means that you should double down on your security as much as you can. Ensure that the exchange platforms you’re active on can guarantee your asset security since it will burn a hole in your pocket if your assets get stolen from underneath your nose.

Not only are the newer investors prone to such unfair treatment, but there are still some veteran investors that can still fall under the traps of investment scams and other attacks like phishing and hacking – which nobody would ever like to happen to them. Not to mention that most of the transactions that occur are irreversible and untrackable by normal means since most of the information is basic and confidential.

Conclusion

There are plenty more risks associated with cryptocurrency, so if you’re looking to make it big time in the crypto world, you’re going to need to do some thorough research. In addition, you’re going to need to make up some plans and follow some strategies that other big-timers made – though you could always add your twists to the strategies and tactics.

How To Avoid High Fees When Transferring Money Online

Transferring money overseas through your bank is one of the easiest ways to get the funds where they need to go. However, that convenience often comes at a price. These money transfers often come with high fees that means you end up losing some of your funds in order to pay it off. Here are some ways in which you can transfer money online without the cost of high transfer fees.

Exchange Rates

One of the biggest factors that impacts the money you are sending, potentially decreasing the amount that is received is the current exchange rates between two money markets. It is smart to consider the different exchange rates for your relevant currencies to determine if you should send the money. If exchange rates favor one currency and that is not in the direction you are sending your transfer, it might be a good idea to wait until those rates improve. If the rates are beneficial for your transfer, you might want to consider even increasing the amount you are sending in order to fully maximize the transfer. Of course, these situations and circumstances don’t apply to everyone, and some people need access to funds immediately, not having the ability to wait for a better window or time frame. In that case, you will want to look at options to save on transfer fees or rates with different companies.

Money Transfer Companies

Instead of using a bank, consider businesses that focus on transferring money. The benefit of utilizing or going through different companies is that you get better rates in terms of the exchange of currencies, as well as lower fees associated with utilizing their services. A drawback with these companies is that because they are not as known or popular as bank transfers, the money transfer can take longer to complete for several reasons. First, you will need to open an account with the company you are transferring money with. Once set up, the transfer itself may also take an extra day or two longer to complete than traditional financial institutions. However, if time is not of the essence and you can afford to take a couple extra days to transfer your funds, the extra effort and time may be worth it to ensure that you are able to send the most money possible. These, of course, will vary from company to company, so be mindful of what companies in your area provide in terms of services and options.

Money Remittance Company

When it comes to making smaller transfers, consider using a money remitter. These are ideal for sending money to family and friends, as opposed to sending money for business or commercial purposes. This is similar to a money transfer company, but deals with physical currency, while other transfer companies deal with cashless transfer options. This can be especially important and essential for certain countries and different circumstances where you need to send money in its cash form quickly. Be mindful to use the best international money transfer app for your needs, ensuring that the availability is present in your country and that the transfers go through with full confidence at the lowest rates. These transfers are also optimal for smaller amounts of money transfer versus larger transfers. 

Peer To Peer Transfer Companies

These companies operate in a similar way as money transfer companies, acting independently from banks or financial institutions. However, they operate in a unique manner that allows them to save you money. When it comes to peer to peer transfers, the money is not physically sent from one country to another. What occurs is that money you intend to send to another country is then matched by another transfer going in the opposite direction. This saves on transfer fees, creating a lower cost to the customer and recipient in general, making such peer to peer companies a viable solution for many users. In terms of transfer time, these may be faster than other companies since money is not physically moving itself, but being drawn from currency of that area. 

When you are sending money overseas, there are many factors to consider to ensure that you are using the options that are most optimal and ideal for your situation. Consider the transfer amount you need to send, as well as the different currencies, exchange rates, and transfer fees. You work hard for your money and you want to ensure that as much of it stays in your pockets or makes its way to the people that need them.

Scorn, the visceral biomechanical labyrinth, set to release in October 2022

Ebb Software has revealed that Scorn, the highly anticipated atmospheric first-person adventure game, set in a nightmarishly biomechanical universe, will be opening its twisted gates in October 2022.

Revealed on the Xbox Showcase, the announcement trailer teases players with an all-new in-game environment and invites speculation about the disturbing encounters awaiting players on their journey.

Alongside the announcement of the launch date, Ebb Software have also released a deeper development update for their Kickstarter community. This update includes a more technical look at the team’s development progress for Scorn, an interview with their art team and shares a behind the scenes sneak peek at some work-in-progress content. You can check out the community post here on Kickstarter 

“We’re really pleased to be able to share more news on the game and its release date. Scorn has been a real work of passion for the entire studio. The atmosphere, the journey, and the experience, we want every moment in Scorn to elicit an emotional response and feeling. It is our hope that Scorn stays with players long after they reach its ending. We’re looking forward to sharing more news and updates with our community as we move closer to launch” – Ljubomir Peklar, CEO Ebb Software

 

Tech Tips for a Happy Festive Season – Tara Gale Dell Technologies Ireland

By Tara Gale, Client Solutions Product Manager, Dell Technologies Ireland

With the festive season fast approaching, people across Ireland will be spending significant time purchasing gifts for loved ones online. It is expected that this year’s holiday season will be another year of record-breaking online sales.

We often spend so much time on our chosen e-commerce platform, that it never crosses our minds what happens behind the scenes. There are many threats online, especially during this time of year, and it’s very important to make sure that as you navigate shopping online, you are doing so safely.

Often, we get excited to purchase and open a brand-new device that we forget how we can make use of our old one. Have you thought about recycling your old version or extending the battery life of your current tech gadget? At Dell Technologies, we are here to help guide you to safely shop for new tech, dispose of the old and keep powered up over the festive period.

SAFE SHOPPING ONLINE

The convenience of the internet continues to create new opportunities for online shopping by ways of apps, microsites and so on. However, it’s also a time of year when experts see an uptick in cyberattacks. With both An Garda Síochána and Europol recently warning businesses and shoppers of the dangers of ransomware in the lead-up to Christmas[1], consumers should stay vigilant and follow these tips to stay protected while online shopping:

  • Be sure to use a secure website by looking at the URL (https://)
  • Avoid making purchases on public computers and public Wi-Fi as they may contain malicious software and are not secured
  • Ensure you have a strong password or passphrase, consisting of numbers, letters and special characters
  • Never reuse or recycle passwords and use multi-factor authentication whenever possible
  • Never click on suspicious links

YOU BOUGHT A NEW PC, NOW WHAT?

You successfully got through the online shopping experience for your new device, now what?

Data is often stored on the hard-drive of your PC or computing device. So, when it’s time to make that holiday upgrade to a powerful new system you’ve had your eyes on, you’ll want to safely remove your personal files and information from your old device before disposing of it.

For this, you have options. Some computers already have data removal software. For Dell computers, many models include the Dell Data Wipe feature built into the System Setup. Other brands may have similar software. If your computer does not have software to erase the hard drive, there is software you can purchase.

Once you have removed your files from the computer, what should you do with it? We see out-of-use devices as a valuable resource, one that can go on to be refurbished, reused or recycled. We believe in working with industry to advance sustainability by recycling materials needed to produce our devices.

Through Dell Technologies, we make it simple for our consumers to participate in one of our free consumer recycling programs – taking back any brand, in any condition. In Ireland for example, if your computer is a bit older or no longer working, our Return to Dell mail-back service offers free recycling, even covering the cost of shipping.

TRAVELLING WITH YOUR NEW LAPTOP? TIPS TO EXTEND YOUR LAPTOP BATTERY LIFE

Whether you are closer to home or on the road to visit loved ones over the holiday break, I understand the obstacles that come with technology on the road and the feeling when your battery life runs out along the way. Now that you have your new laptop up and running, let’s make sure the battery life will last as long as possible during your travels this festive season. Here are a few quick tips that may help conserve some battery time:

  • Power off your device before placing it in a laptop bag or other enclosed area.
  • Always use the original AC adapter provided with the laptop. Do not use third-party AC adapters or batteries.
  • Reduce the brightness of the screen.
  • Reduce the amount of open software.
  • Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures. If the system is exposed to extreme cold or hot temperatures, allow it to reach normal temperature before use and before charging.

When it comes to online shopping it’s important not to lose sight of the dangers, even more so in the coming days and weeks. Whether you are buying a new device or disposing of old one, take note of all of the above and make your online shopping experience safe and sustainable.

From everyone at Dell Technologies Ireland, enjoy the festive season.

Tech Review – The Edifier X3 TO-U TWS earbuds

Edifier have been another one of my favorite brands here and they deliver a range of audio products at affordable prices which is great for all, they have all ends of the market covered and even with entry level products they do not skimp on quality especially with their earbuds as these come in at the under 50 euro range and it is not their first either and once again they execute this.

Build Design and fit

These are a simplistic pair of earbuds that look clean and fit well and robust and comes in two colours, the charge case is small and compact too and will fit in any pocket and they are stylish

Controls and features

OK so here is where you are missing some bits however remember the cost, they have no volume control auto play and pause and do not work individually, skip and reverse tracks is here your voice assistant and call control and these all work fine with the large area to tap to make the command you wish and they work both sides too and overall a great experience.

Sound

They sound good being honest and anyone who picks them up will be happy, there is some bass present here and loud volume too and overall a genuine great audio experience with highs lows and mids fine too and no distortion at max volume either, no lag latency noticed either from my ususal test loop.

Edifier X3 TO-U series techbuzzireland

Conclusion

These are an easy recommendation here for anyone even for a gift this christmas, they sound good and look good and execute what is real value for money for what they cost and the audio experience is great.

Main Features:

Qualcomm aptX audio decoding delivers highly defined sound tuned by a professional acoustic team.

Bluetooth V5.0 provides a better signal transmission for minimal interruptions.

Lower power consumption for 6 hours playback time and extra 18 hours with charge case.

Easy operation by touch control.

Ergonomic, compact design with IPX5 rating for comfort and long periods of wear.

One-Step Pairing for a faster connection.

The X3 To-U is available from Amazon at £39.99 in Pink or Blue 

Video Link 

How to Deal with Friendly Fraud and Chargebacks

In order to have successful business operations, every company or organization needs to keep an eye on every element that makes those operations a success. From marketing, sales, engineering, accounting, HR to security, business can’t be successful if all of those elements are not doing as well as the others. While most of the businesses try to keep all of them in balance, a lot of them still don’t pay as much attention to the area of security as they should. Fraud and cyber attacks have become an ever present threat that can impact any business or organizations, which is why it is no longer possible to keep your head in the sand and ignore the threats. Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, the volume of cyber-crime and cyber-attacks has become significantly more prevalent around the world with the rate of attacks skyrocketing by over 600% compared to previous figures.

 

Protecting their business from the threat of fraud should become everyone’s priority, but ecommerce shops are under bigger risk than any other sector as they are one of the favorites targets. There are various types of fraud that can impact ecommerce shops from triangulation, transaction fraud, card testing or even an account takeover, but the one ecommerce businesses find hardest to deal with.

What is Friendly Fraud?

Even though this type of fraud is called friendly , it is nothing friendly in any type of fraud as they all cause significant damage to the ecommerce store. It is called friendly because it is conducted by legitimate cardholders and not by fraudsters using stolen card or payment details. SEON’s view on friendly fraud separates them into 5 different categories ranging from accidental to malicious fraud.

Unintentional Friendly Fraud: This happens as a genuine mistake as the customer either didn’t recognize the transaction on their bank account or they completely forgot about the purchase.

Intentional Friendly Fraud: This type of fraud happens when a customer deliberately requests a chargeback from their card provider even though they have knowingly made a purchase. 

Merchant Error: According to Braintree, this happens when a customer requests a chargeback because of merchants issues like a delayed delivery, missing products or even unclear merchant descriptors.

Shared Card Fraud: Also known under the name family fraud, CNBC explained that this type of fraud happens when unauthorized purchases are made with the shared card, often by the child that is using parents devices.

Policy Abuse Fraud: This happens when customers take advantage of flexible return or refund policies which is why it is imperative your return policy is accessible and easy to understand.

Protecting your business from friendly fraud

Main problem with friendly fraud is that customers don’t try to contact the merchant in order to resolve the issues but they go directly to the bank requesting a chargeback. This can cause even bigger financial damage to the merchant than just losing a revenue from sale, as they would have to pay a chargeback fee and in the worst case scenario the bank might terminate their account as they consider them a high risk. This is why it is extremely important that merchants are easily reachable and their contact info is clearly stated on their website. 

Second step you need to do is to update your return policy and clearly state all the terms and conditions that the customer is required to follow in order for you to process a refund. It needs to be easily understandable and more importantly accessible to prevent unwanted chargeback just because customers didn’t have access to your return policy. 

Next, you should implement a cybersecurity protocol that will help protect your business from different types of fraud, including friendly fraud.

86% of chargebacks are likely causes of friendly fraud which means 86% of chargebacks could’ve been prevented by clear return policy and open communication between merchant and customer.

Free Movie Weekends this Christmas with Virgin Media

To say a big ‘thank you’ to our TV customers, Virgin Media are running TWO Free Movie weekends this December to make the Christmas celebrations a little brighter. During these two amazing weekends, Friday 10th – Sunday, 12th December and Friday 17th – Sunday, 19th December –  Virgin Media TV customers will get access to movies on demand for a full weekend! They can choose from a huge catalogue of Christmas crackers, classics and blockbusters. What better way to get into the mood for Christmas?

To avail of the offer, customers will just need to follow these simple steps and they’ll be on their way:

  • Click the On Demand button on their remote control, browse the movie catalogue in Virgin Movies, select their movie and click “Rent”.

  • Input their PIN code (Every Virgin TV customer has one) If they haven’t change it, the default PIN will be 0000. Their rental will NOT show up on your next bill (once they have booked it during the promotion period and they keep their viewing to 10 movies!)

They can find more info on the On Demand homepage on Horizon, or by going to Channel 100 on their Digital TV (D4A) or multi-room box and click “Messages” or the On Demand Homepage on TV360.

Customers can also find out more about all the great movies we have to offer by browsing On Demand on their Set Top Box.

Benefits Of Integrating TV Advertising Into Your Marketing Strategy

TV advertising is an often overlooked marketing tool. It may seem outdated to some, but it can be a powerful way to reach your target audience and get your message across. If you want more information on the benefits of TV advertising, read this blog post.

Introduce your business to potential customers

One of the primary benefits of integrating TV advertising into your marketing strategy is that you can introduce your business to potential customers. TV advertising is a great way to get in front of a large audience and make an impression. You can also use TV advertising to educate potential customers about your products or services.

However, you have to be creative in the ads that you will show your potential customers. In this case, the seasoned creative animators behind https://www.wearefrantic.com/ suggest that you invest in advertising that is high-quality and engaging. This means that the ads should be fun, creative and use entertaining content that customers can’t help but watch.

Reach a larger audience

Another benefit of using TV advertising is that you can reach a larger audience. This is because TV advertising allows you to capture the attention of a wider range of people, including those who are less tech-savvy and may not use social media or search engines regularly. However, many consumers remain cynical about this type of marketing tactic as they have been exposed to too many ads that are irrelevant or annoying. This means it is important to produce high-quality ads that are relevant to your target audience and will capture their attention.

Generate leads and sales

TV advertising can also help you generate leads and sales. This is because TV advertising offers a direct way to reach customers who are interested in what you have to offer. You can also use targeted TV advertising to reach specific demographics that are likely to be interested in your products or services.

TV advertising is also useful for increasing sales because it offers an immediate return on your investment (ROI). With traditional marketing campaigns such as print or online advertisements, you may have to wait months before seeing any results. However, with TV advertising you can see a significant ROI in just a few weeks. 

So, if you’re looking for an effective way to introduce your business to potential customers and generate leads and sales, consider using TV advertising. Just be sure to produce high-quality ads that are relevant to your target audience. Also, keep in mind that you can maximize the ROI for your TV advertising campaigns by using digital marketing strategies in combination with TV ads, such as social media posts and website banners that link back to the television commercial or related content on your company’s website.

Create a brand identity

With an ad on TV, you will be able to create a brand identity for your business. In the same way that TV shows have themes, so too will you be able to create a specific theme and tone for your ads. This makes it easier to get across what your product or service is all about without having to use words to convey this message.

In addition, when you produce high-quality TV ads, you will be able to create a positive image for your business. This is important as it can help you attract new customers and keep existing customers loyal to your brand. So, if you’re looking for some of the benefits that come with using TV advertising in your marketing strategy, look no further. TV advertising can help you create a brand identity for your business.

Increase customer loyalty 

You will also be able to increase customer loyalty with TV advertising. As mentioned earlier, when you produce high-quality and relevant ads, you can create a positive image for your business that will attract new customers. However, existing customers will also appreciate the effort you’re putting into marketing your business. This means they are more likely to remain loyal to your brand and recommend it to their peers.

TV advertising can be an effective way to increase customer loyalty, especially if you produce targeted campaigns that are relevant to specific demographics. So, if you’re looking for a way to attract new customers and keep existing ones loyal to your brand, consider using TV advertising in your marketing strategy.

 

 

The benefits of TV advertising are many and varied. From generating leads and sales to reach out to new markets, there’s a reason that the most successful companies invest in this marketing strategy. It may be time for your business to take advantage of what television ads have to offer as well. Keep in mind that with just one commercial you can reach millions of potential customers.