Tag: Digital

Dell Technologies makes ‘Digital Futures in Healthcare’ programme available on-demand

Dell Technologies today announced that it is making its pioneering ‘Digital Futures in Healthcare’ educational programme available on demand due to the significant demand amongst those working within the healthcare sector.

The programme which provides healthcare professionals in Ireland with the tools and knowledge to apply new technologies within healthcare settings has been rolled out in partnership with the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Since its launch in September of last year, the online course has provided 1,400 healthcare workers and leaders with the opportunity to develop much sought-after skills to accelerate the digital transformation of Ireland’s healthcare system.

Due to the significant demand for the programme, everyone involved in providing healthcare services in Ireland will have the ability to upskill and play an active role in transforming the way healthcare services are designed, developed and delivered into the future. To register for the on-demand content, visit: https://dell.to/3pNLugL.

This comes as the Government this week unveiled its new National Digital Strategy, entitled ‘The Digital Ireland Framework’, which sets target in the provision of digital public services. The strategy includes the phased deployment of electronic health record systems, telemedicine, remote care monitoring solutions and the greater use of ePharmacy and ePrescribing.

Participants of the ‘Digital Futures in Healthcare’ programme to date have gained unique insights into the importance of cyber security, data analytics, next-generation remote imaging, diagnostics and machine learnings as well as the organisational change required to adopt technology in healthcare. These insights will help healthcare workers at all levels to support the roll-out of emerging technologies, connected health, and personalised health solutions which will help to improve patient outcomes.

Speaking about the course, Jason Ward, Vice President and Managing Director of Dell Technologies Ireland, said: “The past two years has demonstrated the benefits of embracing technology to empower our frontline workers while meeting the needs of patients. We now have an opportunity to accelerate the pace of digital transformation to meet the goals of Sláintecare.

 “That’s why we’re delighted to see so many people from across the healthcare system take part in our ‘Digital Futures in Healthcare’ programme in the past five months and gain the skills to help Ireland become a European digital leader. By gaining the skills to apply digital tools withing GP surgeries, hospital settings and many more, our healthcare workers can become digital change makers. 

 “To ensure that every person in the healthcare sector has an opportunity to take part in the ‘Digital Futures in Healthcare’ programme, we are making the course available on-demand for free. I would encourage anyone interested to register and help unleash a new era of healthcare transformation in Ireland.” 

Included among the subject experts delivering the programme include Ryan Heynes, Healthcare leader for Dell Technologies Ireland; Paul Reid, CEO of the HSE; and Neil O’Hare, CIO and Professor of Health Informatics at Children’s Health Ireland. The final two sessions of the programme focused on ‘Emerging Technologies in Healthcare’ and ‘Connected Healthcare’ will go live on February 16th and March 24th respectively.

The Rise of the Digital Nomad and Tools You’ll Need for the Nomadic Lifestyle

There’s little doubting the world of work is changing – and changing rapidly. Where once it was the case employees were required to suffer the humdrum Monday-Friday, 9-5 (including the often-draining daily commute), the considerable advances in connection speeds, technology and devices in recent years have heralded a new age of the remote workforce. 

The move to freelance and gig working had already been growing momentum towards the end of the last decade however, with the emergence of Coronavirus and the resulting lockdown and isolation measures that ensued, employers had little choice but to embrace the concept of a geographically remote workforce. 

Of course, the tech required to let full-time staff work from home is pretty much identical to that needed to allow freelancers to also join the throng, helping increase the trend for so-called digital nomads – employees happily working in a third-party capacity, untethered by the traditional confines of office space and geographical proximity. 

Jobs best suited to the digital nomad model

As the web and technology have come to play an increasingly important role in all aspects of our business and social lives, so the blurring between the real and virtual worlds has continued apace and, these days, it’s almost impossible to think of any aspect of life that isn’t (at least to some degree) mirrored in the digital realm. With so much real-world information now also stored digitally, there is barely a single aspect of commerce that doesn’t now rely on electronic assets. 

While there are certainly some jobs that are particularly suited to nomadic workers (e.g., programming, design, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), online marketing, etc), in truth, the majority of jobs now rely on working with computers and data. Any job that involves the production of information in a digital format could, feasibly, be performed remotely by a nomadic workforce. 

The minimum requirements

Of course, to work online, you’re going to need a reasonably fast connection (the faster the better) and some kind of input device – a laptop is typically the preferred tool of choice. With WiFi now so ubiquitous in most developed nations around the world (not to mention the fact we pretty much all own connected smartphones these days), getting online should not prove a problem. Don’t forget a pair of classic Ray-Ban​, they’ll protect your eyes wherever you go!

Other tools you might want to consider

A laptop and means of connection are prerequisites; however, you could also consider:

Cloud storage – Essential for backing up files

Speakers – Speakers are particularly useful if you’re producing multimedia work but are also great for powering your Spotify work playlist

External hard drive – For when your cloud connection is running slow

A capacious, secure backpack – Required to carry work essentials safely

Travel sleep kit – Handy for when you’re pulling long hours on the road

Universal travel adaptor – An extension lead capable of plugging into any foreign power supply to keep your devices charged and working

All-in-one external power bank – Essential for when you can’t find power but need to get some juice to your gadgets. Choose a model that can power all your kit – from your laptop to mobile phone and speakers.

NAD Launches New M23 Hybrid Digital Stereo Power Amplifier

NAD Electronics, the highly regarded manufacturer of high-performance audio/video components, takes value and performance to a whole new level. The M23 Hybrid Digital stereo power amplifier (£2999 / €3499 / US$3499 / CDN$4599 MSRP), available in January 2022, builds on the Purifi Eigentakt amplification technology first introduced in the acclaimed M33 BluOS Streaming Amplifier – a once-in-a-decade amplifier innovation that will define the pinnacle of power and performance in the category for years to come. Continuing NAD’s long-standing tradition in identifying and developing cutting-edge amplification technology, Eigentakt nearly eliminates harmonic and intermodulation distortion and noise while its load-invariant frequency response can drive even the most demanding of loudspeakers to their highest performance.

According to Cas Oostvogel, NAD’s Product Manager, “The sonic character of the M23 is reinforced in the story told by the numbers. This is an amazingly powerful and transparent amplifier bringing new levels of refinement and dynamics at any level and sets a new benchmark for performance and value in its category.”

Powerful Eigentakt™ Amplifier Technology
The Masters M23 Hybrid Digital stereo power amplifier features Eigentakt™ amplifier technology, manufactured by NAD under license from Purifi. This new technology nearly eliminates harmonic and intermodulation distortion and allows for an even, wide, and load-invariant frequency response.

In common with the previous generations of NAD Hybrid Digital technology but unlike most Class D amplifier designs, the M23 offers a minimum of 200W per channel with amazing reserves of dynamic power at lower impedances. It is capable of beyond 260W dynamic power per channel even into 8 ohms, and beyond 520W into 4 ohms. It can effortlessly power any loudspeaker to live performance levels with amazing efficiency and low power consumption.

The M23 in bridge mode is the perfect addition to expand the power of an M33 BluOS Streaming Amplifier to create a 2 x 700W system or is an easy upgrade to power any high-performance separates system.

Thanks to the advanced Purifi Eigentakt amplifier technology, all this power comes at a lot less cost than traditional technology while delivering improved performance!

A Diverse Performer
It is easy to find amplifiers that can excel in one or two areas. The M23 HybridDigital stereo power amplifier featuring the Eigentakt amplification technology provides nearly unmeasurable distortion, ultra-high damping factor, and unconditional stability with any speaker.

Leaving old fashioned and power-hungry linear power supplies and Class A/B output stages behind, the M23 features proven switch mode power supplies and Class D output stages that are very linear over a wide bandwidth and provide consistent performance into all speaker loads. With tight, detailed sound, amazing control, and transparency, the M23 is a stereo power amplifier that truly does break down barriers to audiophile-grade sound.

The M23 is the perfect addition to expand the power of an M33 BluOS Streaming Amplifier or power any high-performance separates system.

The M23 features all alloy casework that is elegant yet practical. Rigid panels with magnetic iso-point feet provide a solid foundation for the multi-layer circuit boards and intricate internal construction. The M23 employs a completely modern and fresh take on the traditional stereo amplifier, with a combination of features, performance and value for money not found elsewhere.

Key Features of the NAD M23 Hybrid Digital Stereo Power Amplifier

– Purifi Eigentakt™ amplifier technology
– Continuous Power Output: 2x200W into 8 ohms; 2x380W into 4 ohms
– Dynamic Power Output: 2x260W into 8 ohms; 2x520W into 4 ohms
– Bridged Power Output: 700W mono continuous into 8 ohms
– Virtually immeasurable noise, harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion
– Wide, flat frequency response into any loudspeaker load
– Balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) auto-sensing inputs
– Three-position adjustable gain control
– 12V trigger input

‘Ireland’s Future is MINE’: Microsoft & RTÉjr launch exciting new digital skills competition for primary schools.

Microsoft Ireland and RTÉjr today announced they are joining forces to launch an exciting new national digital skills competition which will challenge primary school students across the island of Ireland to use Minecraft: Education Edition to help shape Ireland’s sustainable future.

This week, every primary school in the Republic of Ireland will receive a unique code in the post so they can register for a Minecraft: Education Edition account to take part in this exciting initiative. Primary Schools in Northern Ireland will also be invited to participate and will be able to use their existing Minecraft: Education Edition accounts to compete in this first-of-its-kind competition.

Primary Schools are invited to tune into rte.ie/learn from 30th September where they will be able to watch Dream Space TV which features amazing Minecraft: Education Edition Lessons that will run for six weeks. Delivered by the teachers of Microsoft’s Dream Space, the lessons are designed to support teachers to deliver digital learning experiences in the classroom.

Throughout the six weekly online episodes, students will be learning how to use Minecraft: Education Edition through the medium of fun challenges! These challenges will be aligned to both the Republic and Northern Irish curriculums covering subjects from English, Maths, Science, Geography, SPHE and more. Microsoft’s Dream Space team will also provide each school with comprehensive teaching guides to ensure that participating schools are supported throughout the episodes and for their competition submission.

Microsoft Ireland and RTÉjr today announced they are joining forces to launch an exciting new national digital skills competition which will challenge primary school students across the island of Ireland to use Minecraft Education Edition to help shape Ireland’s sustainable future.
Pictured participating in a special Minecraft session in DCU were Amy Byrne and Conor Gannon from 5th class in Glenasmole National School participated in a special Minecraft session in DCU St. Patrick’s Campus. Full details can be found at http://www.rte.ie/learn. Pic:Naoise Culhane

With the necessary skills to participate in the competition developed during the first five episodes in the sixth and final episode details of the nationwide competition will be revealed. It is during this episode on November 11th that full details of the competition will be revealed, and students will be challenged to shape Ireland’s sustainable future through the medium of Minecraft. Schools will go head-to-head with the finals expected to take place in April 2022.

Speaking about the launch of the competition, James O’Connor, Vice President of Microsoft International Operations, said: “At Microsoft, we believe in the power of technology to inspire young people, ignite their imaginations and help them to see the world in a variety of new ways. Our Dream Space experience is one of the ways in which we make this possible. We’ve been delighted to work with the team at RTÉ to make Dream Space available to more students over the past year as the country navigated different stages of the Covid-19 emergency from home schooling and hybrid learning models. We’ve since reached over 40,000 students via our virtual offerings and at Microsoft we’ve been excited to see the impact that the experience has had on students and teachers right across the country.

 “We’re now growing this collaboration with RTÉjr through the launch of this nationwide competition for primary schools today. This inclusive competition will help ensure that young people across the country can experience how technology can shape their world and how the skills they develop can reshape Ireland’s future. I know the Dream Space team have an exciting series coming up which will introduce students to the amazing world of Minecraft: Education Edition and guide teachers on how to introduce this educational tool into the classroom. We hope all primary schools will avail of this opportunity and we look forward to supporting you all on this learning journey over the coming months.”

 Suzanne Kelly, Group Head of Children’s and Young Peoples’ Content said: “Today’s kids are Digital natives and its vital that their experience of the global online community is a positive one. When the opportunity arose for RTÉ to connect with every kid in Ireland and show them how to code through gaming, we jumped on it. Everyone in the school yard knows what Minecraft is and now thanks to Dream Space TV & Minecraft: Education Edition, we’re bringing it directly to every school in Ireland. It’s coding, innovation, creativity, and teamwork, all wrapped up in one incredibly exciting experience. There’s something for everyone here.

 “This competition will really challenge our school kids and give them a platform to amaze us.  It’s very exciting and it’s never been done before here in Ireland. We’re very proud to be able to play an equal part in this with our colleagues in Microsoft Dream Space.”

To participate in the competition schools will need a Minecraft: Education Edition account. Primary schools in Northern Ireland already have access to a Minecraft: Education Edition account but Microsoft will be making accounts freely available to participating primary schools in the Republic of Ireland for a nine-month period to allow pupils to take part. Minecraft: Education Edition is a game-based learning platform that allows teachers to deliver a variety of curriculum lessons to promote creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. The learning platform offers teachers an alternative teaching and learning tool to engage pupils and ignite their passion for learning.

Using the code provided in the post, primary schools in the Republic of Ireland can register for their Minecraft: Education Edition accounts at www.irelandsfutureismine.com. The Microsoft Dream Space TV episodes and a full range of accompanying teacher guides containing direct links to specific curriculum areas, worksheets and extension tasks will be available at www.rte.ie/learn.

NUMARICS: Switzerland’s First Fully Digitalised Startup & SME Accountant. #Fintech #NUMARICS

Swiss fintech start-up Numarics enables startups, SMEs and freelancers to do their accounting effortlessly and 100% digitally. With this strong business model, the founding team confirms the innovative strength of Switzerland as a business location.

Accounting, payroll, tax returns, invoicing, document management and much more are now streamlined via the Numarics ecosystem on the web or via app. Numarics has made the onboarding process incredibly simple – start-ups and SMEs can be activated on the platform in just a few minutes. Instantly, all the critical, administrative activities that are crucial to running a successful SME can be done in a digital and streamlined way via the Numarics app.

For entrepreneurs who want to organise their accounting seamlessly, independently and mobile.

The founders of Numarics believe that focusing on the core business leads to success – entrepreneurs focus on their key business and Numarics takes over administration and fiduciary services via the digital ecosystem.

Numarics was developed by experts from the fields of accounting, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and auditing. The founders have developed a digital and highly innovative ecosystem that is specifically tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs. With a consistent mobile-first approach, Numarics is Switzerland’s first accounting solution for startups and SMEs that can be completely controlled via a mobile app.

“Switzerland is a safe haven for businesses, and start up hubs like in Zurich are booming. It is simply outdated to still do your business administration with expensive accounting software and manually operating accounting providers. Numarics is the first digital accountant on the smartphone, providing an innovative ecosystem for Swiss startups,“ says Dominique Rey, Swiss Certified Public Accountant and CEO & Co-Founder at Numarics.

Users focus on their business – Numarics does the rest.

Co-founder Kristian Kabashi is an expert in the digitisation of business processes and is instrumental in digitising competent and reliable fiduciary services at Numarics. The digital expert believes that technology should be used to dedicate oneself to creativity by handling repetitive, administrative tasks technologically. In the process of developing Numarics, he has focused on the experience: “The experience of accounting up to now has been the same as a visit to the dentist. You know you have to do it, but it’s just no fun,” Kabashi says, adding, “With Numarics, running a business becomes the easiest thing in the world. Our users do their business, we do the rest.”

Numarics works and learns via intelligent algorithms. Each booking process is broken down from one minute to a few seconds. Documents are scanned with the mobile phone and categorised by setting filters. The app then learns from recurring expenses and income and consequently automates itself more and more, becoming faster and faster.

Kristian Kabashi and Dominique Rey

The founders are committed to creating a digital SME solution that is easy to use and absolutely transparent in terms of costs. Numarics is available for startups from only CHF 149 /month – the package includes all fiduciary services and financial administration for startups and SMEs: document management, accounting, financial statements, tax returns, VAT and payroll. Tax advice is provided via push notifications in the app. In the affiliated Numarics Academy, top experts such as Numarics Board Chairman and Professor for Finance Volker Doberanzke teach business management in free webinars.

If users need specific information, entrepreneurs can book consultations with certified experts at Numarics at the click of a button. Various banking institutions can be connected to the Numarics ecosystem to provide the user with a fully integrated financial experience.

“Expat founders regularly have different needs. They only understand Swiss regulations and tax requirements to a limited extent – also because there are many terms that translate differently. For these entrepreneurs, we want to make Switzerland more open as a start-up country,“ says Rey.

Tech Review – TAPiTAG a digital solution to end paper business cards. #TAPiTAG #Tech

We are all so familiar with the humble business card though recent times maybe no so much and now with things slowly getting back to normal we are probably making orders to get some new business cards done up right now…They have been a staple in the business community for years passing on information to clients but you have to come up with a design or pay someone to do that and from past experience the more you add to the card the card quality the costs stack up and you can only order a certain minimum amount and this is annoying and time consuming and can be costly and with the environment in mind which I am not going to bang on about here you save the planet too..

 

TAPiTAG has the solution here that is simply a win win for everyone and it is cost effective you can design your card add what you like and have a one stop shop to pass on all your information in one go, how much more could you ask for?? This is a simple solution to end the need for business cards that you perhaps carry around in your car, have boxes of them in your office and so on and this fits in your wallet or a tag you can have on your device it is simple, effective and well executed.

How does it work

There is no app required to begin with which is nice for a change and it uses NFC technology. NFC has been around for years and we slowly adopted it here in Ireland for some years and now we see the benefits of how useful it is and most of today’s smartphones have this built in. You simply tap the back of a phone that is NFC compatible and job is done, On the iPhone you tap near the top and on Android devices you tap in the middle.

Set up 

You can create your account on phone or desktop there is a QR code on the card you can scan and once you get going you can then edit as you need and tailor to your requirements

Will it work with phone cases 

A question I have been asked several times and from my own selection of phones and cases here there was no problem even with leather and thick cases like otterbox.

Is the cost worth it

You will have people complain about cost with any piece of tech but when you see what these products do and how easy life is made and the cost savings over time even for the average joe it is well worth the spend, people who network meet at corporate events and trade shows and much more will see just how great this product is and the fact you can customise these to your needs makes it an easy win for everyone.. The tag will cost 14.99 and card 24.99 there is no need for dirty paper and with things as they are this is a contactless solution to benefit everyone.

BUY 

 

What’s Behind the Surge in Digital Payment Options?

Any successful business will tell you that the customer is king, which means that if you want your business to do well you really need to listen to what they’re telling you. If you look carefully enough, there is a tonne of data to be had from any customer interaction with your company – what products did they buy, which pages on your website did they visit, what led them to your website in the first place? This data helps your company perfect the customer shopping experience, which is essential if you want to have a happy customer base which is most definitely something that you should be striving for. 

The Online Shopping Experience

Customers have a lot of expectations from their online shopping experience and in many cases, much more than if they were visiting a physical store. This is because most people recognise that with a store you’re not able to control all eventualities – maybe there will be a queue for the tills or maybe another customer will ruin their day. However, online is seen as something completely different and as a result, customers expect so much more.

When you’re considering the experience your online customer has, looking at their journey on your website and with your brand is essential. Not only will you want a sales funnel that helps you follow the journey of any potential sales leads, but you should look at the bigger picture. It isn’t just retail stores that should look at the customer journey – online casinos, filing streaming websites and even social media platforms should look at what their customers need and what they can do to cater to as many customers as possible. 

The idea behind a smooth customer experience is to encourage your new (or returning) customer to buy from you. When you get them to this stage, you really want to make this as easy and hassle-free as possible. They’ve already got as far as wanting to purchase from you and as such, if you put them off at this stage you’ve wasted the whole customer journey. Your pay page should be easy to read, effective and of course, reliable. This is why so many digital service providers have opted to offer as many different payment options as possible – to ensure customer demand is met as often as possible. 

Why Are There So Many Options?

As a business, imagine you get your customer through every step of your website – they’ve found you, they like what they see, they’ve chosen products, selected a shipping method, agreed to pay the total shown and then they can’t pay in the way they want. Not only are they going to be really frustrated, the chances are they’ll simply close the page and go somewhere else for their products. To lose the sale at this late stage is extremely frustrating and something that no business really wants to go through. Rather than risk this happening lots of businesses have invested in being able to offer a variety of digital payments to their customers. This helps to ensure that even if the customer’s preferred choice isn’t available, there is likely to be a backup choice that they’re happy with; and therefore they complete the transaction.

The gambling industry, in general, has been particularly forward-thinking when it comes to payment options, with many of them even stepping up their game and working with Cryptocurrency. They understand the instant nature of casino transactions and that their users want their payment to be able to go through immediately and with as little hassle as possible.

What Are Customers Looking For From Digital Payment Options?

Different customers will be looking for different things from companies and their payment options. Mostly they are looking for the same as the rest of their experience with the company – for it to be smooth, effective and hassle-free. A big part of this comes from the customer being able to pay in the currency they want using the method that they want. The internet has opened up internationally shopping massively but customers don’t want to be confused by exchange rates or unsure whether what they’re spending is a good deal. As such, offering payments in a range of currencies is really important. This helps to make the payment process as simple as possible and that is the best way to help encourage them to complete their payment transaction.

Then, depending on the online service they’re using, what they’re looking for may vary. For example, if someone is using an online casino then they’ll be looking for payment processes that allow for a superfast process when it comes to withdrawing funds. Over recent years Processing speeds for withdrawing funds are seemingly getting faster and faster, and customers no longer expect to wait 3 to 5 business days for their money and instead want their winnings immediately. 

What Are Companies Looking For From Digital Payment Options?

When considering what payment options to offer their customers, companies will want to ensure that the ones they offer cater well to their customer’s needs. On top of that, they’ll want to consider transaction fees – after all, if you’re a retailer that is selling thousands of products a day even a small transaction fee can add up.  As such, it will be important for a company to know that not only are their transactions going to be smooth and quick but that it will come at a price that is affordable. They’ll also want to be able to offer their customers a secure payment service, so a company that supports this and allows a company to provide this is essential. 

Realistically the surge in digital payment options come down to both customer demand and the fact that there are now so many options available. Advances in technology means that there are more digital payment options than ever, so it makes sense that e-commerce websites take advantage of as many of these as possible, to help ensure that customers are kept happy. 

 

Protect Your Digital Privacy with These 4 Effective Tips

While many of us know that the internet can be a sketchy place, few people are aware of just how important it is to protect their own data and ensure digital privacy for themselves. Yes, it seems clear that bigger companies with financial or healthcare-related data need to be more careful, but ordinary folk? What do we have that hackers would be interested in accessing?

It turns out each of us has a ton of information that could benefit a cyber-criminal. The following will help point out some elements of digital privacy that you can apply to your everyday digital life to help ensure that you and those closest to you are safe from digital threats.

Use Alternative Search Engines

Yes, Google might be the most popular search engine available, but it’s far from being the most secure. Everything you do on Google is monitored and analysed. Sometimes this data is then sold to the highest bidder influencing everything from marketing to elections. Yes, your data can be used to help sway elections. Scary, right?

 

Avoid handing everything over to Google by switching over to an alternative search engine. Many are available, but one of the most secure is DuckDuckGo. You want a search engine that never stores your personal information, never stores your search history (meaning they have nothing to sell to advertising firms), and never tracks your searches whether you’re in private mode or not. 

You might be shocked to realise how biased the information you’ve been getting is when you see the difference in search results. If a search engine doesn’t store your information and use it to feed its algorithms, you end up with data and search results that are outside of your bubble. Be forewarned; for many people making the switch, this can be a scary realisation. Unknowingly, you might have been ingesting false or biased information for years, and suddenly those folks you adamantly disagreed with might not seem so crazy.

 

Blur Out Your Home On Google Street View

Google Maps has taken over navigation and resulted in fewer people than ever getting lost, but this isn’t to say that there aren’t considerations that need to be made. Burglars and other criminals often use Google Maps to figure out entrances or gain vehicle information (including license plate numbers if your car was in the driveway when the image was taken). To blur out your home, face, or vehicle, go to your address on Google Maps street view, click more options (three dots), click “report a problem,” click “report inappropriate street view,” adjust the window to make sure everything you want to be hidden is included and answer the questions presented about what you want to blur.

If this sort of guide feels shocking to you, you’re not alone. There are countless simple, step-by-step outlines to help make online security easier. Spend a bit of time finding a security information website that explains things to you in a way that you can understand. Tutorials and guides have been written for folks with all different backgrounds meaning that you will be able to find the information you need in a digestible way.

Update Your Software

You know those annoying messages you get on your phone and computer asking you to download updates that you keep putting off? It’s a good idea to go through with these updates because often, they include data security elements as hackers get more sophisticated, and so do anti-hacker elements of the software. Security bugs can leak valuable information, and software companies are constantly improving their security features.

 

Use A VPN

 

A VPN is a virtual private network. It adds an extra layer of security by disguising your data through encryption and hiding your IP address while you’re online. Not only does this help keep you safe while browsing the internet on public and open wifi networks, but it also keeps your information safe from your internet service provider. Yes, the internet company that is allowing you internet access in your home. A fun bonus of having a VPN is that you can access online materials that are limited to a single location, like Netflix in another country or free live streams happening all around the world.

The above tips can help you keep yourself and your data safe. It’s important that you don’t bite off more than you can chew right from the get-go. It’s far better to make a small tweak that you can maintain for years to come than to spend two weeks keeping yourself completely safe and burning out. Over time, you can add more and more tweaks to keep improving your privacy.

 

Dalata records one million guest interactions on new contactless platform from Granite Digital. #GraniteDigital #Dalata #Hotels

Granite Digital, Ireland’s leading full-service digital agency, today announces that it has delivered Ireland’s first fully contactless hotel guest services platform for Dalata Hotel Group, which has already reached one million guest interactions. Developed in collaboration with Dublin-based hotel booking software provider P3 Hotels, the innovative web portal is transforming the hotel guest experience, as hotels continue to adapt to operating under COVID-19 restrictions.

Dalata is Ireland’s largest hotel operator with two leading brands – Maldron Hotels and Clayton Hotels – as well as managing a portfolio of further partner hotels. The group has implemented the contactless solution across its 44 owned, leased and operated hotel locations in Ireland and the UK. Many guests will utilise the platform within it’s first 12 months.

The digital platform is designed to aid social distancing and COVID-19 safety protocols in hotels by enabling contactless check-in, check-out and hotel services, as well as securely and seamlessly facilitating the track and trace process for all visitors. Physical interaction is minimised, with hotel patrons accessing the platform through a link in their check-in email and using pick-up and drop-off boxes for room keys on arrival and departure.

Robert Carpenter, Co-Founder, Granite Digital and Stephen McNally, Deputy Chief Executive, Dalata Hotel Group

From the web-based portal, guests can browse hotel information and services, order in-room click-and-collect dining, reserve breakfast and dinner slots and book swimming and gym sessions. The portal also facilitates instant messaging so guests can order additional towels, toiletries, all linen supplies and cleaning services.

To guard against the spread of COVID-19, Dalata is also operating a revised cleaning regime for each hotel room and public space across its locations. It is working with global certification leader Bureau Veritas to ensure compliance and best practice with regards all health and safety measures in the hospitality sector. In combination with its newly launched digital platform, Dalata is seeking to offer guests peace of mind as well as a transformed visitor experience – leveraging technology to deliver convenience and more responsive services.

Stephen McNally, Deputy CEO, Dalata Hotel Group, said: “This new platform is now operating really well across the Dalata Hotel Group, and guest reaction has been excellent. The software is a landmark development for the hospitality sector in Ireland. It is the result of deep consultation with our innovative technology partners Granite Digital & P3 to develop a platform that can not only help achieve compliance with COVID-19 measures, but also revolutionise guest interactions for a more connected world.”

“The health and safety of our valued guests is paramount and the online platform is a cornerstone of our thorough approach to creating a clean and safe environment in each of our hotels. Looking to the future, we wanted to put digital at the heart of the guest experience so visitors can enjoy the same level of information, interactivity and responsiveness that they are accustomed to in other sectors. This platform helps us to do exactly that.” 

 Robert Carpenter, Co-Founder, Granite Digital, said: “Both the Maldron and Clayton Hotel brands are highly regarded and well-known in Ireland and increasingly growing in strength in the UK. It was fantastic to work with a true leader in hospitality who was so open to applying innovative ideas to address the significant challenges posed by COVID-19.

 “The clever application of digital technologies to traditional sectors and processes can be the key to unlocking these challenges and carrying Irish businesses through this crisis and beyond. By moving quickly to bring this platform to the market and rolling it out to all of its hotels, Dalata has demonstrated the almost instantly transformative impact that customised digital solutions can have.”