Tag: news

Ping to launch as perfect replacement to Skype for business messaging

With Microsoft officially shutting down Skype in May, a new purpose-built communication platform has emerged as the ideal successor.

Ping, a secure and fully encrypted end-to-end messaging platform, is primed to launch as a modern, intuitive, and industry-focused alternative to legacy platforms like Skype and Teams.

Designed for seamless transition

Unlike Microsoft Teams, which is being positioned as Skype’s successor, Ping is built with speed, security, and usability at its core.

It enables professionals to migrate effortlessly, offering a straightforward way to download and transfer their Skype contacts directly into Ping.

A dedicated iGaming directory

What sets Ping apart is its fully authenticated iGaming industry directory, allowing users to connect instantly with verified professionals across major operators, suppliers, and service providers.

Unlike traditional messaging platforms, Ping ensures company-verified employee authentication, reducing spam, fraud, and phishing risks while fostering trust and transparency across the industry.

Built for the modern age

Available on both desktop and mobile, Ping delivers a seamless experience across multiple devices. More akin to WhatsApp or Telegram than Skype or Teams, it provides real-time messaging, voice and video calls, and enhanced security features designed for the fast-paced iGaming sector.

“With Skype fading into obsolescence, the industry needs a communication tool that truly understands its needs,” said Ping CEO Agne Galvelyte.

“Ping is not just a replacement—it’s an upgrade. It brings the iGaming community together with verified connections, industry-specific features, and a modern interface that makes business communication effortless.”

Ping is set to become the go-to communication tool for iGaming professionals following an official launch on 25 March 2025.

Almost half of people in Ireland use their smartphones during meals

Almost half of people in Ireland (47%) use their smartphones during meals and 70% say they spend too much time on their devices, a new Deloitte survey has found.

The survey of 1,000 people in Ireland was carried out as part of Deloitte’s Digital Consumer Trends report.

It shows that three-quarters of adults (74%) tend to use their mobile phones as soon as they wake up while 54% say they tend to stay awake later than planned because of their devices. Over one third (34%) check their phone at least 50 times a day and 15% do so more than 100 times.

Young people are also more likely to stay up later than planned due to phone use with 73% of those aged between 18-24 and 60% of those aged 25-34 years admitting it delays their bedtime. More women (74%) than men (66%) say they spend too much time on their smartphones while adults aged 18 to 44 express the most concern.

Nearly everyone in Ireland, 95%, now owns a smartphone, and almost half of those surveyed (47%) use their smartphone or smartwatch to pay for goods and services in-store through digital wallets, up from 36% in 2023.

The use of wearable devices (55%) has declined from 67% in 2023 while the ownership or use of games consoles is down from 40% to 37%, most likely due to the lack of new console releases in 2024. Just 7% of people own or have access to a VR headset.

42% of those surveyed own a Samsung, the most popular mobile phone brand, up from 38% in 2023, while 38% own an Apple phone.

Android is the most popular phone type in every age group with the exception of 18-24 where 64% own Apple handsets and 35% own Android. Almost three-quarters of those aged 65-75 (74%), 69% of those aged 45-54 and 66% of those aged 35-44 use Android phones.

The survey found the average respondent has access to 2.3 subscription services. 74% have access to a video streaming service and Netflix is the lead service by a significant margin despite a drop in penetration from 65% of respondents in 2021 to 59%.

Just 26% now say they share a video streaming service with someone from outside their household, down from 37% in 2023. This comes amid a clampdown on password sharing by Netflix, which introduced new rules and now effectively only allow users to regularly stream from one main location.

Younger subscribers are more likely to share accounts with people outside their households with 39% of those aged 18-24 doing so and 44% of those aged 25-34.

27% of those surveyed cancelled a video streaming subscription in the last 12 months. Unsurprisingly cost was the main reason for doing so jumping from 24% to 31%, followed by lack of usage at 29%, down 4 percentage points on 2023.

Fake news on the rise

 71% of respondents to the survey said they’d been exposed to online information designed to deliberately mislead. A total of 53% said they had more regularly found material online that was subsequently proven to be fake. This is up from 46% in 2023.

Television remains the most popular choice for news consumption in Ireland with more than half the population (57%) preferring it for updates. This trend is particularly strong among older demographics with 83% of those aged 65-75 choosing TV over other mediums.

The most popular method of staying up to date for the 18-24 (67%) and 25-34 (57%) age group is social media, which is cited by just 24% of the 55-64 and 11% of 65-75 age groups.

Overall, 40% say they like to get their news from radio, 39% use news websites or apps, and 38% use social media. Only 14% cite print as a preferred source.

Interestingly, more than half (58%) of 18–34-year-olds have made a purchase through social media in the last year. 22% of 18–24-year-olds and 29% of 25-34 year olds have bought something through a brand advert or a sponsored post.

John Kehoe, partner, Audit & Assurance, Deloitte Ireland said: “Our digital consumer trends survey shows that smartphones have become the most essential device, surpassing laptops (81%) and tablets (61%) in accessibility and consistent use across all ages. They are replacing physical wallets and remain the preferred tool for banking, shopping, browsing and gaming. However, recent innovations have been incremental rather than groundbreaking. Generative AI could change this by making smartphones more personalised and intuitive. Despite their benefits, concerns about excessive use persist – 47% use phones during meals, and many delay sleep to stay online. As smartphones shape daily life, it’s important to balance convenience with mindful usage.”

Commenting on the rise of fake news revealed in the report, Lorraine Griffin, partner and Chair of Deloitte Ireland, Tax & Legal, said:

“Our research highlights the increasing exposure to misinformation, particularly online. As news consumption shifts towards social media, and almost three in four respondents in our survey encountering intentionally misleading content, the need for media literacy and critical thinking has never been greater. Education remains key in empowering individuals to navigate digital spaces responsibly, ensuring access to information is accompanied with the skills to assess its accuracy.”

Fujifilm Introduces the instax WIDE Evo Hybrid Instant Camera

FUJIFILM Europe GmbH, Imaging Solutions Division, today announced the latest addition to its popular instax™ line of instant cameras and smartphone printers with the introduction of the instax WIDE Evo™ Hybrid Instant Camera (WIDE Evo), whose unique hybrid format combines the excitement and satisfaction of traditional instant camera functionality with the benefits of digital imaging technology to edit, save and share photo images. WIDE Evo takes these capabilities a step further, with the ability to create wide format images that print onto instax™ WIDE instant film (sold separately), along with a host of other advanced capabilities designed to enhance the photographic image taking experience.

“Like the groundbreaking instax mini Evo™ instant camera that came before it, WIDE Evo offers a creative way to chronicle life’s milestones, creating a bridge between digital and analog photography,” said Shin Udono, Senior Vice President, Imaging Solutions, FUJIFILM

The Instant Evo-lution Continues:

“Hybrid photography gives the photographer the flexibility to choose which images to instantly print, which images to share, and which images to store for later access. WIDE Evo does all of that, in a new wide format body, and with a host of new and improved lens and film effects and modes to enhance the user experience even more. Furthermore, it uses instax™ WIDE film our largest instax™ film format, that gives photographers greater flexibility with even more room to get creative with.”

WIDE Evo outputs high-quality prints directly from the camera. Images can also be printed from a user’s iOS or Android smartphone camera roll using the free instax WIDE Evo™ App. The app also features remote shooting capabilities and additional image enhancement options. Additionally, to inspire creativity and encourage image sharing, the instax WIDE
Evo™ App offers the newly introduced “Discover Feed”, which allows users to explore printed instax™ photos uploaded to the Discover Feed by other WIDE Evo users in a photo gallery format and view their lens, film, and degree effects and film style settings applied. Additionally, using Bluetooth, users can favorite the effects displayed and replicate the combinations on their camera via the App.

 

Features include 

Integrated Wide Angle Option WIDE Evo features the widest lens on any instax™ instant camera, at 16mm. Users can
choose to take images at the standard width, or opt for Wide-angle Mode, which maximizes the camera’s lens capabilities to get all of the action into the photo.

10 Lens Effects x 10 Film Effect Options

100 Combinations Of Creative Expression, Now With Added Degree Control
Like the instax mini Evo™ instant camera, WIDE Evo features 10 lens effects and 10 film effect options, offering 100 different combinations for users to express themselves. WIDE
Evo adds Degree Control, which allows the user to determine the degree to which each lens effect is applied to their image.

6 Film Styles to Enhance The Look Of The Image
In addition to the lens and film effects, WIDE Evo offers 6 film styles to customize images even further, with options including normal, a cinematic look with black bars across the top and bottom of the image, a classic film strip look, a traditional date/time stamp format, a contact sheet look, or a vintage collodion process effect.

Selfies, Storage, and More
WIDE Evo also features a 3.5-inch LCD Monitor on the back of the camera to allow users to view added effects and edits and is supported by a built-in Lithium-ion battery which enables the camera to print up to 100 images per charge, depending on the specific use case. A Micro SD card slot (Micro SD Card sold separately) ensures there’s plenty of room to store additional images for later enjoyment (approximately 45 images can be stored in the camera’s internal memory), while the Selfie Mirror helps users nail selfies every time.

In addition to the new hybrid instant camera, new accessory and film options have also been
introduced:

New instax WIDE Evo™ Hybrid Instant Camera Case

Accompanying the introduction of the WIDE Evo is the instax WIDE Evo™ hybrid instant camera case (sold separately). Made from premium faux leather, the case features an adjustable shoulder strap for optimal carrying comfort and portability. For added convenience, the top portion can be removed, allowing users to keep the camera in its case during use.

New instax™ WIDE Brushed Metallics Instant Film
The instax™ WIDE Brushed Metallics instant film features a metallic, dark gradient border to instax™ WIDE instant film photos. Available in a 10 exposure pack, the film is compatible with all instax™ WIDE instant cameras, the instax Link WIDE™ Smartphone printer, and the instax WIDE Evo™ hybrid instant camera.

Pricing and Availability
The instax WIDE Evo™ Hybrid Instant Camera will be offered in a classic black and grey combination finish at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of €380.00 (inc, VAT).

The instax WIDE Evo™ Hybrid Instant Camera Case will be offered in black at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of €45.00 (inc, VAT). The instax™ WIDE Brushed Metallics Instant Film will be offered at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of €11.50 (inc,
VAT).

All are expected to be available for purchase from 4 th February 2025.

For more product information, visit instax.ie/cameras/wide-evo/

See our instax reviews

 

 

YASHICA Launches Revolutionary Night Vision Device

YASHICA, an esteemed name in the world of photography with over 75 years of rich legacy, proudly announces the release of the YASHICA Vision: a revolutionary night vision that redefines low-light observation, combining advanced features and superior technology to bring the night to life in stunning 4K UHD full-color detail. 

YASHICA Night Vision comes to redefine nocturnal exploration with its high-tech night vision, featuring an impressive 5x digital and 3x optical zoom. It captures the night in full-color and IR modes, offering clear visibility from up to 600 meters away—an ideal companion for activities like hunting, camping, hiking, or observing wildlife in their natural habitat.“The application of night vision technology on camera aligns with the core value of YASHICA products – providing innovative tools and gadgets to empower users who enjoy photography no matter where or when they are,” says Kondo Hidenobu, the CEO of YASHICA. 

“Nighttime is scary because of the feeling of vulnerability in the unknown and unseen. Our latest product is the game-changer solution to break down the barriers of low-light conditions and deliver values to customers with improved images and videos with clarity and details.”

Boasting advanced 0.0037lux sensitivity, this night vision marvel ensures that even the faintest starlight brings your surroundings into sharp, full-color focus. With its intuitive design and powerful technology, YASHICA Vision pushes boundaries even further, allowing the observation of objects in pitch darkness, such as basements, from 20 to 50 meters away, using only the first level of the IR illuminator—no additional light source is required. 

Key Features include but are not limited to: 

  • Full-Color Night Vision 

YASHICA Vision introduces a full-color night vision mode, departing from the conventional green or monochrome spectrum. This feature enhances your ability to observe the night environment in a more natural and nuanced way, even in challenging lighting conditions. 

  • 4K UHD Image Quality 

Equipped with advanced optics and a superior CMOS sensor, YASHICA Vision offers high-resolution 4K UHD images. This feature allows users to reveal previously unnoticed details in low-light conditions, fostering a deeper connection with the surrounding environment. 

  • Up to 600m View Distance 

YASHICA Vision extends your observational reach with an exceptional view distance of up to 600 meters in complete darkness. This capability enables users to explore and appreciate the nocturnal world with enhanced clarity and detail. 

  • 3x Optical Zoom, 5x Digital Zoom 

Providing versatility in capturing distant subjects, YASHICA Vision features a 3x optical zoom and a 5x digital zoom. This functionality allows for precise framing and observation without compromising image quality, making it a valuable tool for various scenarios. 

  • Long Battery Life 

With a focus on prolonged usage, YASHICA Vision offers up to 16 hours of battery life. This extended duration empowers users to engage in extended nocturnal activities, be it wildlife observation, night exploration, or simply immersing oneself in the tranquility of the night.

 

Ultimate Clarity with F/1.0 Aperture 

The YASHICA Vision stands apart from other night visions with its wider F/1.0 aperture blade and 7-layer coated lenses. Engineered to capture every nuance of the environment, the Vision absorbs more light than any other model in its class, effortlessly illuminating even the darkest scenes. Not only does this mean more details, but it also translates to brighter, sharper visuals that truly bring the night to life. 

Built for Adventure, Crafted for Durability 

Tailored for outdoor enthusiasts, YASHICA Vision boasts a robust construction with IP65 water and dust resistance. The binocular night vision is not merely a device but a reliable companion for extended adventures. Equipped with a compass, SOS/guiding lights, and an expansive 512GB storage capacity, YASHICA Vision is ready to endure the elements and support users in their quest for exploration. This durability ensures that the vision performs seamlessly in challenging environments, providing peace of mind for those embracing the great outdoors. 

A Design Tailored for Convenience 

YASHICA Vision’s handheld structure and user-friendly interface are designed to enhance the spontaneity of adventures. The intuitive design ensures ease of use, allowing users to seize the moment without being hindered by complex controls. The binocular design aligns with the natural viewing experience of the human visual system, offering a comfortable and immersive way to engage with the surroundings. YASHICA Vision empowers users to explore with confidence, capturing the essence of the night in a way that feels intuitive and natural. 

SPECIFICATIONS

VIDEO RESOLUTION Up to 4K
IMAGE RESOLUTION Up to 58MP
FOCUS RANGE 50 cm to infinity
OBJECTIVE LENS 25mm
APERTURE F/1.0
IR ILLUMINATOR 850NM
IR LEVELS 3 levels

 

VIEWING RANGE 600m
DISPLAY 4-inch TFT ultra-high definition display
SCREEN RESOLUTION 400*960
EXTERNAL MEMORY Micro SD card supports up to 512GB
ZOOM 5x Digital zoom
SENSOR Galaxycore 1/2.9 CMOS
BATTERY 5000mANh built-in lithium battery
OPERATION TIME up to 16 operation time with IR off, up to 5 hours of operation time with IR on

 

What’s in the box: 

  • Night vision device 
  • Type-c charger 
  • Cleaning cloth 
  • Neck strap 
  • Storage box 

Availability 

YASHICA Night Vision is currently available for pre-order through Indiegogo, prices starting at $149, with shipping commencing in June 2024.

Links: 

Indiegogo campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/yashica-vision-night-vision-capture-night-in-4k–2#/

Google announces the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro

It our is that time of year when everyone awaits to see what the latest is form Google and we have a slew of new products in store this years as expected and again features galore on the new handsets which are the ones I carry the most as my daily drivers. Google have announced not only new phones but a new watch following up from last years wearable which we also look forward to checking out. Stay tuned for more on the Pixel devices and cases here on site and our YouTube channel. Meet Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, engineered by Google and built with AI at the center for a more helpful and personal experience. These phones are packed with first-of-their-kind features, all powered by Google Tensor G3. And they’ll get seven years of software updates, including Android OS upgrades, security updates and regular Feature Drops. Take a closer look at the new phones — everything from the beautiful design and new sensors to updated cameras.

A polished look made for your everyday

Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are elegantly designed with softer silhouettes, beautiful metal finishes and recycled materials.

Pixel 8, with its contoured edges and smaller size than Pixel 7, feels great in your hand. It has a 6.2-inch Actua display, which gives you real-world clarity and is 42% brighter than Pixel 7’s display. Pixel 8 features satin metal finishes, a polished glass back and comes in Rose, Hazel and Obsidian.

Pixel 8 Pro’s 6.7-inch Super Actua display features our brightest display yet. So even in direct sunlight, you’ll love how true-to-life your Ultra HDR images look. It also has a matte glass back with a polished aluminum frame and comes in three colors: Porcelain, Bay and Obsidian.

And on the back of the Pixel 8 Pro, a new temperature sensor lets you quickly scan an object to get its temperature. Use it to check if your pan is hot enough to start cooking or if the milk in your baby’s bottle is at the right temperature. We’ve also submitted an application to the FDA, to enable Pixel’s Thermometer App to take your temperature and save it to Fitbit.

More camera improvements

Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro feature powerful, upgraded camera systems for stunning photo and video quality, plus game-changing editing tools.

Every camera on the Pixel 8 Pro has been upgraded, starting with the main camera that captures better photos and videos in low-light settings. The bigger ultrawide lens delivers even better Macro Focus, the telephoto lens captures 56% more light and takes 10x photos at optical quality, and the front-facing camera now has autofocus for the best selfies on a Pixel phone.

And Pixel 8 has the same updated main camera, plus a new ultrawide lens that enables Macro Focus.

The camera app has an intuitive, redesigned interface, letting you quickly find and capture content in your favorite photo and video modes. And for Pixel 8 Pro, you’ll have access to Pro Controls, giving you more creative control of the Pixel Camera with settings like shutter speed, ISO, 50 MP photos throughout the zoom range and more.

We’ve all been in that situation where you have the perfect group photo, but someone isn’t looking at the camera. Best Take uses the photos you did take to get the photo you thought you took. To make that happen, an on-device algorithm creates a blended image from a series of photos to get everyone’s best look.
Magic Editor in Google Photos is a new experimental editing experience that uses generative AI to help you bring your photos in line with the essence of the moment you were trying to capture. You can reposition and resize subjects or use presets to make the background pop — all with just a few taps.
Audio Magic Eraser lets you easily reduce distracting sounds in your video, like howling winds or noisy crowds. This first-of-its-kind computational audio capability uses advanced machine learning models to sort sounds into distinct layers so you can control their levels.

Later this year, Pixel 8 Pro will get Video Boost, which pairs Tensor G3 with our powerful data centers to apply cutting-edge processing to your videos. It adjusts color, lighting, stabilization and graininess, and the result is stunning videos that look true to life. Video Boost also enables Night Sight Video on Pixel for better low-light smartphone video quality.

Features to help you save time and get things done

Now you can quickly get more context and dive deeper into a webpage. With Summarize, Pixel can generate a summary of a webpage, so you can quickly understand the key points. And your Pixel can even read aloud and translate webpages for you so you can listen to articles on the go.

Pixel is even better at understanding the nuances of human speech, so you can talk to it more naturally to get things done. If you take a pause or say “um,” it will wait until you’re done before responding. Use your voice to quickly type, edit and send messages, even if you speak multiple languages.

And with improved AI, Call Screen now helps you receive 50% fewer spam calls on average. It will silently answer calls from unknown numbers with a more natural-sounding voice to engage the caller. It’s also smart enough to separate the calls you want from the calls you don’t. And soon, Call Screen will suggest contextual replies for you to tap to quickly respond to simple calls, like appointment confirmations, without having to answer the phone.

7 years of updates to keep you and your personal information secure

Google Tensor G3 works with the Titan M2 security chip to protect personal information and make your Pixel more resilient to sophisticated attacks. And now, Face Unlock on Pixel 8 meets the highest Android biometric class, allowing you to access compatible banking and payment apps like Google Wallet.

With Pixel, you receive exclusive features and updates that keep your phone getting better over time. For the first time, we’re providing seven years of software support for Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro — including OS upgrades, security updates and regular Feature Drops.

See more 

Top New Technologies for Students. #Tech #Students

Are you looking for the most innovative and promising technologies in education? Discover top technologies for students here in this post. 

Technologies are changing the world at railway speed. Education is one of the fields that faces lots of drastic changes. Now, students are getting opportunities to use the most modern methods of learning, enjoy remote education, and benefit from using a whopping number of various advanced educational services. In this post, we’ve collected a list of the most innovative technologies for students that are likely to change the industry within the shortest terms.

Adaptive Learning

Currently, most students get similar academic assignments regardless of their academic performance. Crowds of learners find the tasks to be extremely difficult. Many of them are constantly wondering “Can someone do my homework for me?”, as well as “Is there anyone who can write my college paper for me?” Most of the students are searching for help online and are often feeling desperate with completing tons of tasks within the shortest terms. 

Adaptive learning is designed to help students learn at their own pace. For example, you might be able to pass tests easily but fail to write excellent essays. This way, the system will identify your strengths and weaknesses to offer the most relevant tasks to boost your skills. As a result, you will get instructions on how to write academic papers or discover some topics for essays. Generally, the educational system will soon be able you track your learning behaviors and provide you with the best assignments for your needs. 

3d Technologies 

3d printing is currently gaining incredible popularity. Using this type of printers allows students to elevate their creativity to a higher level, get hands-on experience, and make the entire process of education more productive. Students can implement their ideas, create innovative solutions, and just give shape to their outstanding imagination. 

Artificial Intelligence 

AI is likely to transform the entire system of education. Although artificial intelligence is one of the most discussable trends, it is hitting lots of fields, including education. This type of learning will provide students with more immersive learning and will give lots of new opportunities to remember important facts easily. Medical students are likely to benefit from this feature the most – learners will be able to watch operations in real-time and better understand the human body. 

Cloud Services 

Being one of the most widely used services, cloud computing is now incredibly popular among millions of students. Learners can have access to different files, lectures, and courses from any device anytime. This makes the process of learning incredibly convenient and easy. Moreover, it brings communication between students to the next level. Now, young learners can effortlessly edit the same document or work on the same project simultaneously. Moreover, teachers get easy access to their completed assignments, enjoying a more flexible process of sharing knowledge. By the way, cloud technologies are still evolving. 

All in all, the number of technologies that can change the future of education is just amazing. Moreover, the new alternatives might also soon appear on the market. Keep in touch with the latest trends and apps in education to make your learning process easier and more comfortable. 

 

Irish Tech firm Workhuman valued at $1.2bn. #Workhuman #Tech

Irish technology company Workhuman has announced that London-based alternative asset manager Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) has become an investor in the organisation, as part of its European investment strategy, acquiring a minority stake in the company from existing shareholders. Morgan Stanley acted as exclusive financial advisor to Workhuman in a highly competitive process. The transaction values Workhuman at $1.2 billion.

Workhuman, the world’s fastest-growing social recognition and continuous performance management platform, develops pioneering technology to make employees feel more appreciated and socially connected at work, creating happier and more productive workplaces for some of the world’s biggest organisations including LinkedIn, Procter & Gamble, Cisco and Eaton. Over five million employees around the world are on Workhuman’s platform, across 160 countries.

Workhuman continues to support organisations globally in building human connections and increasing productivity in the workplace, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first half of the year, more than 300,000 employees have started taking advantage of Workhuman’s Social Recognition and Life Events cloud products. The company has built out its suite of human applications with new features in existing products, and introduced Moodtracker™, an always-free employee survey platform that focuses on making real changes within organisations. In addition, Workhuman is offering special editions of two of its Workhuman Cloud products – Life Events® and Conversations®  – free for any organisation to use until March 2021.

Globoforce co-founder and CEO Eric Mosley.

“We are excited to welcome ICG as a strategic investor, while providing liquidity to some of Workhuman’s earliest supporters,” said Eric Mosley, Workhuman co-founder and CEO. “ICG’s support helps put us on a great path forward as we get ready for the next phase of Workhuman’s growth. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we all need human connection. Our continued double-digit growth and ongoing business momentum is a sign that organisations are craving a way to build better relationships and foster trust with their employees, no matter where they are.”

“Workhuman is a truly unique HR platform provider that we are excited to be in partnership with,” said Benoit Durteste, CIO and CEO of ICG. “The business’s historic performance is testament to the results it delivers for clients and their employees, reaching organizations in more than 160 countries. In the past couple years, and even more so as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations have begun to realize the power and value of their people and have been forced to innovate and thrive in new ways. Workhuman provides them with progressive tools to understand, engage with and better utilize their employees in ways they never could before.”

As part of Workhuman’s strategy to drive growth, three accomplished executives have recently joined the company’s leadership team. Chris DeMeo, formerly of Staples, took the role of VP of Customer Marketing; Dr. Patti Fletcher, who comes from SAP SuccessFactors, joins as VP of Brand Marketing; and Jason Griggs, previously at Workday, takes the reins as SVP of Global Sales.

For more information about Workhuman, please visit www.workhuman.com.

workair expands remote-working services to support businesses hit by Covid-19. #workair #cloud

Leading Irish cloud-communications company workair has expanded its suite of remote-working services to enable Irish businesses to continue to work in a distributed way and survive the Covid-19 crisis.

The company’s move to grow its offering comes as details of the new Programme for Government’s measures for remote working emerge.

workair is providing a new unified communications platform which supports remote, mobile, and home-based workers to collaborate and connect with customers at any time and on any device.  It follows workair’s recent support for leading health insights company LetsGetChecked, which enabled the latter to continue its development of critical new Covid-19 testing services that confirm patient results within 48 hours.  LetsGetChecked has just raised $71m in funding as the start-up sees huge demand for its at-home health testing kits.

In parallel with its partnership with LetsGetChecked, workair has been ramping up its services to meet surging demand for distributed and remote working solutions since the Covid-19 outbreak.  It has enabled other companies challenged by the recent national lockdown restrictions, such as travel agency Hannon Travel, law firm Whitney Moore, HR software company Intelligo, and Eden Recruitment, to continue servicing customers in an innovative, efficient and cost-effective manner.

 

Stephen Mackarel, Managing Director of workair Ireland, said: “With countries, economies and the whole business world grappling with the unprecedented challenges of Covid-19,  companies need remote solutions to help sustain their businesses, reduce costs and drive efficiencies in what is the toughest of times. Already focused on cloud-based solutions for every type of business, we have been ramping up our fully-functional remote-operation services since the outbreak, and now our unified platform will further enable our clients’ staff to continue to be productive and customer-focused remotely in this incredibly challenging environment. Companies of all sizes in Ireland are dealing with massive financial, operational and CRM challenges and business managers are having to work out totally new ways of leading.  Our single, unified technology solutions will drive efficiencies, keep costs down, provide performance metrics and ultimately support enterprise recovery in the new Covid-19 business world.”

LetsGetChecked is a leading health insights company that allows customers direct access to a wide range of testing options and clinical services from home.  The company recently announced it is to offer innovative new testing services to those working within the healthcare system and to at-risk groups as part of the fight against Covid-19.

Since partnering with LetsGetChecked 12 months ago, workair has been helping the company to provide 8×8’s unified communications solution across its worldwide base.  The Covid-19 pandemic necessitated LetsGetChecked to make a more rapid deployment to enable remote-working solutions for its staff following the closure of its Dublin and New York offices.  Within 10 days, workair helped LetsGetChecked to re-activate its call centre operations, enabling its customer-support staff in Ireland and New York to operate remotely and continue critical work enabling testing services for the Covid-19 disease.

Mark Donaghy, Product Manager at LetsGetChecked, said: “It’s been great to be a part of such a tangible example of businesses pulling together like this. LetsGetChecked has seen a huge increase in test orders because our customers can safely test from home without putting themselves or others at risk.  Thanks to the quick turnaround from the workair team, we have been able to keep this vital medical service going at a time it is needed most and we are now actively testing and supporting healthcare workers with our coronavirus testing solution.”

With more than 30 existing clients already using its cloud-based technology to support employee productivity and customer engagement, workair is leveraging its expertise to help many more companies support their staff to make the transition to effectively work from home easier in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis.  Since the outbreak in Ireland, the company has been working closely with existing clients, as well as providing solutions to new customers, enabling SMEs of all types to continue to effectively run their day-to-day business, ensuring their staff can work remotely to service customers in Ireland and abroad.

workair provides unified communication platforms for businesses of all sizes through various communications, meeting, project management, customer engagement and analytics tools. workair provides a seamless and easy to use experience by providing all of these services in one central location, increasing efficiency and reducing costs in a manner that connects effectively with existing CRMs.

workair has well-established partnerships with leading, award-winning communications providers with a global footprint. Unified platforms from 8×8, Ring Central and LogMeIn enable workair to provide customized solution to meet specific businesses’ needs.  workair is making enterprise grade solutions affordable to businesses of all sizes, future proofing businesses in their transition to the cloud. Voice, video, Instant messaging, analytics and  meetings removes the need for employees to switch between multiple platforms and applications, bringing all services onto one user-friendly platform. workair’s offering reduces both complexity and cost while fostering a collaborative work environment by enabling employees and customers to be connected anywhere and on any device.

Since its launch, workair has worked with businesses in many sectors including the motor, auctioneering, law, recruitment, travel, financial service, and healthcare industries with cloud-based solutions benefitting management, employees, and customers.