Datapac’s Managed Threat Ops service analyses over 380 million cybersecurity events in first year

Datapac, Ireland’s leading technology solutions and services provider, is today announcing that its Managed Threat Ops service has analysed over 380 million cybersecurity events since it was first launched 12 months ago.

A cybersecurity event is any activity on an organisation’s network that may be indicative of a security concern, such as a failed login attempt or a login from a different geographical location.

Other events in the past year have included suspicious movement within company networks or otherwise unusual behaviour patterns, lateral movement techniques that may be used by attackers to move within a network after gaining initial access, and anomalous user behaviour that may indicate a compromised account or insider attack.

Managed Threat Ops provides 24/7/365 cyberthreat hunting, response, and neutralisation to stop cybersecurity incidents in their tracks. It leverages a combination of human-led expertise and AI acceleration, enabling organisations to change their cybersecurity approach from reactive to proactive and freeing up internal resources.

In its first year, the service has been adopted by customers across a broad spectrum of organisation sizes and industry verticals such as legal, the public sector, distribution, construction, retail, hospitality, and not-for-profit. Managed Threat Ops provides proactive support to businesses of all sizes, including single-site SMBs as well as national and multinational enterprises.

Since adoption, some key benefits noted by customers are that the service operates in the background with minimal notifications or interruptions to workflows, and delivers speedy remediation in times as low as 15 minutes in the event of an incident.

Driving the demand for the Managed Threat Ops service is the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. Increasing threat sophistication means that some traditional cybersecurity solutions, such as antivirus, firewalls, and unmanaged endpoint protection, are often not enough to provide sufficient protection for businesses.

In the coming year, Datapac expects a number of key driving factors will contribute to increased uptake of the Managed Threat Ops service. These include new pieces of legislation that are due to come into effect – the NIS2 Directive and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) – which mandate robust cybersecurity measures to ensure compliance and security management best practices.

In addition, in line with growing cyber threats, cybersecurity insurance is becoming a necessity for more organisations. In order to secure favourable premiums and, in many cases, to secure cybersecurity insurance at all, organisations need to have 24/7 managed threat detection and response in place.

Patrick J Farrell Solicitors in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, adopted the Managed Threat Ops service to protect their highly sensitive organisational and customer data. “In times of increased cybersecurity threat, we felt the need to have a managed threat service and we are very happy with the service we get from Datapac in providing that,” said Niall Farrell, Managing Partner.

Karen O’Connor, General Manager, Datapac: “A key strength of the Managed Threat Ops service is its ability to cut through the cybersecurity noise, as some seemingly benign security events could bypass most traditional cybersecurity systems, posing a risk to data security. More and more organisations of all sizes are realising the benefits that 24/7 managed threat detection and response services can provide in the modern threat landscape. Managed Threat Ops is robust enough to meet the demands of larger enterprises, yet scalable enough to operate within the more moderate budgets of organisations in the SMB space. Going forward, it will also help organisations to remain compliant as new regulations come into force. We’re looking forward to continued success with the service amid increasing demand from customers for proactive and reliable cybersecurity.”

Revolut’s revenues surpass $2.2bn, with record profits of $545m in 2023

Nik Storonsky, CEO of Revolut said: “This year, we took our biggest steps yet on our mission to deliver the best product and the best customer experience at great value to customers, everywhere. Our customer base is expanding at impressive rates, and our diversified business model continues to fuel exceptional financial performance, delivering revenues of over $2.2bn in 2023 and a record profit before tax of $545m. With a net profit of $428m, 2023 was our third profitable year in a row.

“Every day, our products create value for new customer segments and new global markets. We remain committed to our ongoing UK banking licence application in addition to bringing the Revolut app to new markets and customers around the world. Even as we reached 45 million global retail customers six months into 2024, Revolut remains poised for exponential growth in 2024 and beyond, continuing to redefine the financial services landscape as we’ve known it.”

2023 Performance Highlights 

Strong financial performance amidst wider market challenges (see Figure 1) 

Revolut delivered record profits and revenue growth, while navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical, macro-economic, and regulatory environment. 

– Group revenue increased by 95% from $1.1bn (€1.1bn) in 2022 to $2.2bn (€2.1bn). – Revolut has now been net profitable for three years in a row: 

– Profit before tax was $545m (€503m), and net profit grew to $428m (€395m), up from $7m (€7m) in 2022 

– Net profit margin for the year was 19%, reflecting the inherent efficiency and scalability of Revolut’s business model, improved partner unit costs, and continued growth of high-margin revenue streams. 

Accelerated growth driven by diversified revenue model, expansion into new markets and deepening customer engagement (see Figure 2)

Revolut’s revenue diversification continued to drive sustainable growth with no single product stream or country accounting for more than 30% of total revenue in 2023. – Over the year, Revolut added almost 12m new customers globally, the highest YoY increase in the company’s history, bringing the total to 38m in 2023. 

– 70% of new retail customers joined organically or were referred by someone they know. Word of mouth growth complemented by further investment into marketing and sales functions, including for Revolut Business which was onboarding 20,000 SMEs (small and medium enterprises) each month by the end of the year. 

– This growth was consistent across all revenue streams of Revolut’s diversified business model, with more customers engaging in more its products: – Cards & Interchange: $605m (€559m), up 59% from $379m (€352m); – FX & Wealth: $491m (€454m), up 46% from $334m (€310m); 

– Subscriptions: $303m (€280m), up 53% from $196m (€186.5m); 

– Total customer balances increased from $16.4bn (€15.2bn) to $22.7bn (€21bn). – Due to expanded treasury capabilities, higher customer deposits, alongside the tailwind of increases in central bank rates, and acceleration in the credit portfolio, interest income grew to $621m (€575bn) in 2023 compared to $102m (€95m) in 2022. 

– Customer usage accelerated with transaction volume increasing by 58%, reaching close to $870bn (€804bn). Monthly transactions as of Dec 2023 totalled 590m, up 73%. 

– An increasing number of customers have adopted Revolut’s services through paid subscriptions, with 41% growth in customers opting for a paid plan. 

– As of June 2024, Revolut is the most downloaded app in the Finance category in Europe, ranking first in 17 countries. 

– The company expanded into new markets, including Brazil and New Zealand, bringing its global footprint to 38 countries. 

Investing in best-in-class products and talent to meet consumers and businesses’ financial needs 

With a focus on core banking services in Europe, Revolut doubled down on reinvestment to support future growth, including product development and expansion into new markets. – $300m (€277m) was allocated to advertising and marketing to supplement our organic growth. We also scaled our B2B sales team to over 900 employees by the end of 2023, as we aim to better serve the needs of larger enterprises. Total headcount increased by 38% YoY to 8,152. 

– Revolut also developed new local features across key European markets: – IBAN: The company expanded local IBAN offerings for retail customers in France, Ireland, Spain and Netherlands. 

– Credit: Personal loans were launched in France, Germany, Spain as well as credit cards in Ireland and Spain. 

– Savings & Funds: Money Market Funds was launched across 22 countries in the EEA with balances reaching nearly $1.9bn (€1.7bn) since launch.

2024 outlook (see Figure 3) 

– Continued customer growth: As of June 2024, Revolut has reached 45m customers globally, representing an increase of 7m in the first 6 months of the year. The company is on track to surpass 50m customers by the end of FY24. 

– Expanding products and features: In addition to launching its existing suite of products in more markets, in the first six months of 2024, Revolut has launched: – eSIMs: Allowing customers to buy phone data packages through the Revolut app, signifying our push into non-financial services (available in the UK and select EEA markets). 

– RevPoints: Revolut’s loyalty programme – which enables customers to earn points on everyday spend (available in the UK and select EEA markets). – Revolut Robo-Advisor: A semi-automated tool that uses algorithms to manage investment portfolios, allowing customers to invest in a diversified tailored portfolio without spending hours on research and continuously managing their portfolios (available in the US and EEA). 

– New Global HQ: Revolut announced a deal to move its global HQ to the YY building in Canary Wharf. The move will help facilitate the future growth of Revolut’s UK and global operations. 

Focus on Ireland 

Revolut’s profitability has enabled it to invest in building the best-in-class products that Irish consumers rely on, while its growth is a result of continuing to innovate on its market-leading app. Revolut has gained the trust of more customers in Ireland, becoming their primary bank. 

– Revolut had 2.7m customers in 2023, an increase of more than 21% from the end of 2022, when Revolut ended the year with 2.2m customers. 

– Today, Revolut has fast become the best solution for customers to manage their finances daily. The brand has become a verb in Ireland, with “Revolut me” the typical way to send money between friends and family, or to children. 

– Revolut offers financial products for almost all needs in Ireland, ranging from current accounts, to credit cards, to investing; while mortgages remain firmly in the pipeline. – By the end of 2024, it has set its sights on reaching the 3 million customer mark. – Revolut isn’t just for retail either. At the end of 2023, Revolut had close to 52% more companies in Ireland using Revolut Business than at the end of 2022. 

As a major player in the Irish financial services sector, Revolut boasts many talented leaders who hold senior leadership roles across the bank, steering the company towards becoming the world’s first truly global financial app. Revolut’s ambitions are matched by its customers. 

– Revolut is an employer of choice, and has 10% more staff in 2023 than 2022 and over 23% more in 2024 (YTD) than 2023. It employs more than 175 people here, many of whom hold highly-skilled roles working out of Dublin and remotely across the country. 

– An increase in trust, talent, and ambition has seen Revolut capture the attention of the Irish market. After the launch of its up to 3.49% interest bearing Instant Access Savings accounts, Revolut received deposits in the region of 9-digits in a fortnight.

– Balances are up across the board by more than 50% (2022 vs 2023) and over 26% (2023 vs 2024 YTD), emphasising how its big ambitions are backed by its customers. 

Revolut was recently recognised by financial comparison site Bonkers.ie as ‘Ireland’s Best Consumer Business’ and ‘provider of the Best Current Account’, whilst it ranked 9th as part of the Ireland RepTrak® 2024 study earlier this year. 

The 2023 Annual Report can be viewed online or downloaded in pdf format at: revolut.com/financial-statements/

Irish businesses have the potential to deliver quality applications fast and at scale with Automation and AI to support their strategic growth

Globally, CEOs expect their digital product revenues to almost double over the next five years. This projection underlines the urgency for organisations to optimise their modern app delivery processes and capabilities to compete. Delivering quality at scale, however, sees slow implementation due to slow software delivery, developers still spending two-thirds of their time on manual and mundane tasks. With 45% of organisations shifting to a value-led approach by 2025 to remain competitive, the solution is an automation-centric strategic approach.
The organisational design of application delivery and the placement of quality within that value chain are essential to ensuring the alignment of metrics and business objectives at individual, team, and organisational levels.
“AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality transforming software development. Organisations can now supercharge the way they deliver software and applications to their customers, by embracing solutions built on AI, automation or low-code.
This is supported by data found in the recent IDC InfoBrief, we commissioned, which highlights how AI and automation are driving productivity and quality.  These valuable insights highlight the key role of quality at all stages of the software delivery process”, said Eduardo Amaral, Quality Management, DevOps & Automation Global Director at Noesis.
According to the IDC InfoBrief, Quality at Scale, 2024 Edition, sponsored by Noesis the use of Generative AI in the development process will lead to increased speed and higher productivity, giving companies the ability to quickly scale up. It also states that modern app delivery is a 2024 priority for 80% of organisations, with business outcomes such as increased agility to meet business requests, faster product development and increased business resilience being the key driving factors.
“If an organisation wants to remain competitive, a value-led approach, leveraging automation and AI, will ensure quality practices become central to software and application delivery” added Amaral.
Noesis, which has recently expanded into Ireland, recognises the potential for Irish businesses to improve their efficiency in delivering software and applications to the market and highly-efficient customer-centric solutions by using technology in the process, from ideation to development, quality testing and delivery.
“Ireland is a very exciting growth market for us, where we see tremendous potential. We know, and we can see this in the research, that there is still a lot of work to be done especially in driving value at scale. To deliver productivity excellence and quality at speed and scale, organisations need a DevOps-centric approach, that considers both culture and practices. Automation is key in this process, but it requires strategic planning, team orchestration, and a well-defined automation strategy. This is where, with our expertise and global footprint and know-how, we can help Irish businesses leap ahead to a very exciting future, that’s full of potential”, concluded Ricardo Batista, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Noesis.
The whitepaper can be downloaded from here

OIKLA Launches Perception: A Breakthrough Audio Hearing Protection Algorithm for Remora PRO

OIKLA, a trailblazer in audio technology, proudly announces the release of Perception, a revolutionary audio hearing protection algorithm designed for Remora PRO. Leveraging the advanced capabilities of Sonical’s embedded operating system, CosmOS, Perception marks a monumental leap in preserving auditory health while delivering unparalleled audio experiences through headphones and all other ear-worn products.

Remora PRO epitomises OIKLA’s commitment to innovation, offering users an immersive audio experience like never before. With the integration of Perception, Remora PRO guarantees optimal sound quality and user well-being in any listening environment.  In the light of recent data from the World Health Organisation that brings to our attention the huge number of hearing issues being uncovered, in particular with younger listeners, we believe everyone should be protecting their hearing.

OIKLA’s Perception technology seamlessly blends two powerful features to provide an audio experience that feels louder and more immersive while maintaining safe listening levels. This innovative approach ensures users enjoy their favourite sounds without risking their hearing health. Grammy award-winning engineer and producer Ricky Damian endorses this groundbreaking technology, highlighting its potential to revolutionise audio experiences.

Smart Hearing Loss Prevention

Proactive Threshold Monitoring – The technology monitors listening levels and alerts users or limits audio when safe thresholds are exceeded, ensuring continuous protection against hearing damage. This feature ensures that even as audio levels increase, user safety remains a top priority.

 

Advanced Loudness Compensation

Dynamic Content-Based Adjustment – Harnessing the latest ISO standards, Perception fine-tunes loudness based on the audio content and the frequency spectrum of the headphone acoustics. This ensures that users perceive sound as louder and more dynamic without the need for higher volumes, thereby reducing the risk of hearing damage. Audiologists can provide expert advice and solutions to optimize hearing aids or sound systems for safe and effective use.

Enhanced Spatialization – Advanced loudness compensation algorithms amplify spatial audio cues, offering a deeply immersive listening experience. This enhances the perception of sound depth and direction, making the audio experience more engaging and realistic.

“Our partnership with Sonical has allowed us to combine cutting-edge technology with a steadfast commitment to user well-being,” said Luigi Cosi , CEO at OIKLA. “With the launch of Perception for Remora PRO, we are proud to offer users an unparalleled fusion of exceptional audio performance and advanced hearing protection capabilities.”

Gary Spittle, CEO of Sonical adds “Sound level monitoring and hearing protection are among the most requested features that end users ask us to support.  Oikla’s solution comes from the professional plugin community and is a fantastic addition to the CosmOS enabled ecosystem”.  

Remora PRO, equipped with OIKLA’s Perception audio hearing protection algorithm is poised to revolutionise the way users interact with audio content, setting new standards for immersive and responsible listening experiences.

Learn more at www.remora.pro

Bank of Ireland recruiting for 100 technology roles

Bank of Ireland is recruiting for 100 technology roles to support digital projects across the Group. The roles will help drive some of the Group’s most important technology projects including new customer features on digital channels, protecting customers against fraud, and advanced data analytics.

The Bank is filling roles across data, delivery management, engineering, resilience and cyber, recruiting talent within areas such as cloud, open banking, APIs, AI and emerging technologies.

Bank of Ireland continues to invest significantly in technology across the Group. In 2023, the Bank saw an 18% year on year increase in active digital users, with over 60 enhancements to the mobile app including biometrics and additional fraud monitoring. Continued digitisation in Wealth and Insurance saw the launch of a customer portal and strong adoption of its digital advice platform.

Earlier this year, Bank of Ireland announced the largest single investment in ATMs in the last decade, with a new fleet of state-of-the-art ATMs being rolled out to all branches throughout the Island of Ireland. The Bank also announced an investment of €15 million on new fraud prevention technology.

Ciarán Coyle, Group Chief Operating Officer, Bank of Ireland said: “We continue to invest in our talent, technology and infrastructure, to ensure customers have the very best banking services. We’re currently progressing a range of innovative digital projects across the Group and we want to recruit talented specialists who can enhance the banking experience for our customers.

“Bank of Ireland offers an exciting and dynamic environment for career development. In addition to exciting projects, we provide a supportive environment with inclusive workplace policies, flexible remote work options through a network of hubs, and competitive pay and benefits. We are looking for the very best talent to join our technology team as we continue to deliver improvements for customers and colleagues across the organisation.”

New recruits will be entitled to Bank of Ireland’s suite of market-leading Family Matters policies including maternity and paternity leave, parents leave, foster care leave, early pregnancy loss, surrogacy, fertility leave, all of which are paid leave entitlements.

To apply for roles currently live, click here:

Robot dog simulates heat stroke symptoms and warns of the dangers of a hot car

The Nordics’ leading petcare brand Musti Group launched a campaign warning dog owners to never leave their dog alone in a hot car. The campaign features a custom made robotic dog that simulates the symptoms of a heat stroke. The robot is placed inside a car and its movements are triggered by changes in temperature.

 

While Nordic summers are not always particularly hot, dogs with their fur coats are prone to heat strokes even in milder temperatures. Dogs should never be left alone in the car during summer, because the temperature inside a car can get dangerously high even on cloudy days. Even though awareness around the issue has increased, authorities in the Nordic countries still receive numerous reports of dogs left in hot cars every summer.

With their new campaign, the Nordic pet care specialist Musti Group wants to educate both dog owners and passers-by, who might come across dogs left in a car during summer. The campaign features a fully functioning robotic dog, which shows how fast a car turns into a death trap for pets. The robot simulates the symptoms of a heat stroke, and its movements are triggered by the temperature inside the car it’s placed in.

“When it comes to recognising dangerous situations, real life experience is the best form of education. By creating a tangible, cautionary example that people witness with their own eyes, we hope to increase awareness of how and when to act in these situations both as a dog owner and a passer-by,” Eveliina Rantahalvari, Musti Group’s Head of Nordic Marketing says.

Rantahalvari also states that dogs have a higher risk of suffering a heat stroke, because they are not able to regulate their body temperature by sweating through the skin.

“The temperature inside the car rises dangerously high faster than many people realise. Even leaving the car’s windows open is not enough to ensure the dog is not at risk,” Rantahalvari says and reminds that if passers-by notice a trapped dog, the animal might be in need of immediate help.

“If you notice a dog left in a hot car, the first thing you should do is try to get in contact with the owner. For example, in a store or shopping center, you can ask the staff to make an announcement to try and alert the owner,” Rantahalvari says.

The symptoms of a dog’s heat stroke include, among other things, severe lethargy, dark redness of the tongue and oral mucosa, convulsions and tremors. The situation might be very serious, if the dog is no longer panting or showing signs of restlessness, but instead lies still apathetically. If the owner of the car cannot be found quickly, the helper must contact the emergency centre and ask for instructions to help the dog.

“During summer, overheating is also a threat outside the car. It can be prevented by giving the dog enough water, staying in the shade, swimming and, for example, with ice cream made for dogs,” Rantahalvari reminds.

 

Read more at: www.mustigroup.com

Introducing Connect Pro, the revolutionary magnetic cable: a new era of charging convenience

Sydney based consumer electronics brand, Chargeasap, known for its incredibly successful crowdfunding campaigns which have raised more than $8.7M over its eleven campaigns, is pleased to announce its latest innovation, the Connect Pro. It is the world’s first magnetic cable featuring a built-in power reader, showcasing real-time power output in watts on an LED screen and supports both 100W USB-C PD and 27W Apple Fast Charge.

The Kickstarter campaign is now live with up to 69% off the Connect Pro with Super Early Bird and Early Bird rewards from an RRP of $19. Each cable set includes a 1.2m cable and a preferred tip, with color options in black and gunmetal.

Charge all USB devices with only one cable: Fed up with juggling multiple cables for different devices? Imagine needing just one magnetic cable for all of them! In this tech-centric world, everyone is constantly relying on multiple smart devices whether working remotely, traveling, or just on the go. Keeping everything charged can be hard work and carrying round a tangled mess of cables is no fun either.

It works with all three major USB types: USB-C, Apple Lightning, and Micro USB which puts it into a league of its own. Once the compatible tips are inserted into the devices, it becomes a universal USB cable compatible with any modern USB devices such as smartphones, tablets, USB-C PD devices including laptops, cameras, GoPros, speakers, headphones, Nintendo Switches, microphones and even drones to name but a few. Say goodbye to cable clutter and hello to simplicity with one cable for all charging needs!

World’s first 100W magnetic cable with LED screen: Connect Pro boasts a revolutionary built-in power reader, displayed on a sleek LED screen, so it’s easy to check at a glance that all devices are charging at maximum speed. It’s the ideal cable for regular travelers and anyone with a busy, on-the-go lifestyle.

As pioneers of magnetic cables, Chargeasap is constantly pushing boundaries. That’s why it has reengineered its best-selling Infinity range to include upgraded features, perfectly complementing today’s powerful devices.

Charge a Macbook at full speed: With 100W Power Delivery 3.0 PPS, this magnetic cable can fast charge your laptop, perfect for devices such as the MacBook Pro 16″. The Connect Pro cable matches the maximum charging speed of the original Apple USB-C cable.

Lightning fast charging for Apple devices: Connect Pro is the world’s first magnetic cable to fully support 27W Apple Fast charging for Lightning devices like the iPhone 14 series and earlier models. Charge your iPhone at maximum speed, reducing the iPhone 14 Pro Max charging time from empty to full in just about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Overcoming Apple chip restrictions, this achievement marks a significant milestone that earlier magnetic cables couldn’t achieve. We’re proud to lead as the first magnetic cable capable of supporting both Apple iPhone 14 and 15 max charging speeds.

Save money: There’s now no need to buy individual cables for all the differing devices or when companies, like Apple, alter their charging ports. Compatible with both iPhone 14 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max, this magnetic cable is future-proof, ensuring compatibility, even with an iPhone 20.

Say goodbye to cable snags: Leave laptop tripping accidents in the past with this Magsafe inspired connector, ensuring a snag-free experience and complete peace of mind. Say goodbye to worries and start the day smoothly with its yank-safe connection.

Data transfer: Connect Pro facilitates two-way full-speed USB 2.0 data transfer, clocking in at 480 Mbps, between any USB devices.

Effortlessly connect devices: Connecting to a phone during tricky situations, without interrupting flow, has never been simpler, whether driving, on-the-go, in a meeting, or immersed in a game. This user-friendly magnetic connection removes the need for precise plug insertions, making it easier for individuals, including those with dexterity challenges, to connect and disconnect any devices with just one hand. No more struggling to connect devices, even in the dark.

Strongest magnetic connection yet and built to last: These cable sets feature N52 grade neodymium magnets, known as the world’s strongest commercial grade magnets. These magnets are powerful enough to support up to 1.1kg (2.4lb), including devices like the 682g (1.5lb) iPad Pro. Trusted by over 300,000 customers since 2016, they highlight Chargeasap’s commitment to quality and durability.

Since the Infinity magnetic cable series, the brand has made significant upgrades, including increasing magnet thickness by 9% from 6.8mm (Infinity) to 7.4mm (Connect Pro) for a stronger magnetic connection. This enhancement is complemented by an innovative locking mechanism, ensuring a more secure connection and longer lifespan.

Each cable set includes a 1.2m (3.9ft) cable, with an optional 2m (6.5ft) cable available separately, providing durability and lasting value for all your devices.The cables feature an anti-fray neck design, minimizing the risk of fraying or snapping at common weak points, thus increasing their lifespan which not only outlasts all devices but also delivers lasting value. Every cable includes a complimentary cord wrap, perfect for adjusting the cable’s length or swiftly tidying it away for neat storage or transport. Say goodbye to messy and tangled cables for good.

Light Indicator: Ever plugged in a phone at night, only to wake up to a dead battery? With Connect Pro’s LED light indicator, which turns green upon successful charging, users will instantly know when a device is charging properly. This indicator, along with the LED screen, ensures no device is unconnected whilst the user thinks it’s charging.

The Connect Pro Kickstarter campaign commences on the 25th June with up to 69% off the Connect Pro with Super Early Bird and Early Bird rewards from the RRP of $19. Each cable set includes a 1.2m cable and a preferred tip, with color options in black and gunmetal. As is the case with all Chargeasap’s magnetic cables, the Connect Pro comes with a fifteen year guarantee so users can be fully confident it will last the test of time.

Kickstarter rewards:

1 x Connect Pro Super Early Bird with 68% off from $60 to $19

1 x Connect Pro Early Bird with 62% off from $60 to $23

1 x Connect Pro Indiegogo with 53% off from $60 to $28

2 x Connect Pro Super Early Bird with 68% off from $120 to $38

2 x Connect Pro Early Bird with 62% off from $120 to $46

2 x Connect Pro Early Bird with 53% off from $120 to $56

3 x Connect Pro Super Early Bird with 68% off from $180 to $57

3 x Connect Pro Early Bird with 62% off from $180 to $69

3x Connect Pro Indiegogo with 53% off from $180 to $84

5 x Connect Pro Super Early Bird including 2 cable cases and one magnetic cable organizer with 65% off from $300 to $105

10 x Connect Pro Super Early Bird including 5 cable cases and 2 magnetic cable organizers with 67% off from $600 to $200

Product Specifications:

· USB-C Output: 9V 1.67A/ 9V 2A/ 20V 3A/ 20.2V 4.35A/ 20V 5A

· Apple Output: 9V 3A

· Micro USB Output: 5V 2.4A

See chargeasap.com

 

Tech Review – Chipolo Card Point

The Chipolo Card Point is the latest tracker wallet finder for Google’s Find My Device app and there is several types of offers to choose from there is the Chipolo Card Point which we will look at today and then there is the Chipolo One Point.

This card is super thin at 2.4mm and will fit in any wallet or space you have in mind to store it to track your items and you can then locate on Google Maps there has been previous options available for iOS and other devices in the past we checked out here before like the Chipolo One Item Tracker the Chipolo Card Spot wallet finder and the Chipolo Item Tracker.

This is set to take on Apple with the worldwide Android Network and works really well and works as you would expect from Chipolo only better now with the ability with Google Maps to help you along the way with the options to be notified

when found and if nearby you get hints to find your item or wallet just like Apples Air tag so if you are one to misplace things this is the item for you and check out the video for more below..

 

The App 

Compatibility:

Pairing requires an Android phone or tablet.
To use Google’s Find My Device app on your Android phone or tablet to locate Chipolo Point, the device must be running Android 9 or later with Google Play Services installed.

Register your Chipolo CARD Point after adding it to the Google Find My Device app and you’ll get an email reminder with a 50% discount code for a new CARD Point in 2 years. Send your used CARD Point back to us for recycling free of charge.

Another example of the devices whereabouts when shared to a friend

Features

Make it ring – The loud sound of the Chipolo Point will help you find your misplaced things quickly.

Find nearby – Get distance hints in the Find My Device app and pinpoint the location of your misplaced things.

Locate far away – Check the location of your things on a map with the help of Google’s Find My Device network.

BUY

Video Review

Expert suggests summer of sport TV time for workers may boost return to office and team morale

As we approach a summer of sport across Ireland, many avid supporters may be looking to keep up with their sport of choice. With Euros already begun, Wimbledon on the way and the Paris Olympic Games kicking off from July, many workers residing in the office may hope to catch matches and games whilst at work.

Past YouGov studies have revealed only 23% of employees at a permanent workplace have permission to watch TV at work, meaning a large portion of the workforce will miss out on watching the action live, or worse, will instead choose to miss work so they can get involved in the action elsewhere.

The same survey noted that almost 1 in 3 (29%) of workers would like the opportunity to watch sporting events whilst at work. More than a fifth of male employees surveyed in the research suggested watching sporting events encourages ‘good team spirit’ in the workplace.

Is TV time at the office the key to boosting team spirit and morale?

Shane Duffy, Managing Director at Click Offices says that hosting watch parties in the workplace is a great way to not only encourage employees into the office, but to also provide flexible working solutions that fosters greater team morale.

“We all know how hard it’s been to get people back to the office since the pandemic, and with more people than ever choosing flexible working patterns that allow them better work/life balance, you really have to make coming to the office a worthwhile affair for employees.

It’s all well and good providing varied work environments and top of the range serviced offices, but employees are wanting more than just coffee making facilities and proximity to a good sports bar to watch the game after work.

“Gen Z especially are wanting more of an experience from their work days, and their motivations are different to the generations before them. It’s not just all about the money for them, they want to feel like they’re part of a team, they need motivation in other ways.

A survey recently showed that more than half of Gen Zers say that watching live games is one of the best ways to engage with the Euros especially, and so combining their passions outside of work with an enthusiastic work environment is an easy way to attract and maintain the Gen Z workforce.

“What’s more attractive to employees than coming together with your work mates to watch some sport, enjoy some food, have a laugh and maybe answer a few emails while you’re at it?”

How to balance fun work environment with HR-approved inclusivity

Hosting a workplace watch party isn’t as easy as bringing in the big TV and putting on some food and drink for the team – there are a number of things employers need to be mindful of when encouraging staff to let their hair down in a professional environment.

David Rice, HR expert at People Managing People shares his top tips for hosting a workplace watch party that won’t get you in trouble with the HR team.

  1. Keep Things Inclusive

“Just make sure you create a welcoming environment for everyone. That means food options for everyone, including those with allergies or dietary requirements. Put out a quick survey so you know if there’s anything people can’t enjoy, such as gluten or shellfish. This way you have options for everyone.

“As for alcohol, you’ll want to think about the fact that some folks don’t drink or may be in recovery for alcoholism and provide support if the event is triggering in some way. Whether that’s pairing them with other people in recovery or creating alcohol free spaces for them to enjoy.”

  1. Avoid Creating Distractions

“These sorts of events are good in a few ways. For one, they definitely boost morale and create a sort of bonding experience for employees where they can find common ground and chat with people they wouldn’t normally interact with. But it also breaks up the monotony of the working calendar and provides something memorable. This is a nice way to mark a time of the year and create memorable experiences in the workplace.

“If it becomes excessive, it can be a distraction. If you have employees who are fans of other countries, it’s important to be respectful of everyone and celebrate their cultures. Nationalism is inherent to some extent in international sports, but that can turn ugly if nurtured in the wrong way.”

  1. It’s Not That Deep

“Since the Ancient Greeks, sport has been used to entertain, celebrate and enjoy a distraction from daily life. This time in history isn’t that different and we should use it to remind ourselves that life isn’t just corporate deadlines and P&L reports.

“Sports inspire people to try harder, take better care of themselves, overcome adversity and work together. That’s why they’re such a great metaphor for teamwork in all settings, but in this case, the CEO doesn’t have to make some cringey reference to getting the ball over the goal line, people can just see the dynamics of teamwork and how everything comes together by watching what plays out.”

  1. Promote Workplace Flexibility

“Summer tends to be a period in which people cash in annual leave or they tend to disengage as their desire to be out and about in the sunshine increases. By embracing these types of events, you allow for people to break without actually taking holiday or just actively disengaging. They’ll appreciate your flexibility and understanding of the importance of such events in the national culture.”

For more information on serviced office solutions in Dublin, please visit Click Offices: https://www.clickoffices.com/serviced-offices/ireland/dublin