Tag: Tara Gale

Future Proofing Your Business: The Smart Path to a PC Refresh

As Windows 10 approaches its end-of-life on October 14, 2025, businesses here in Ireland face a crucial transition to Windows 11. This shift is more than a software update; it’s a strategic opportunity to leverage advanced AI-enabled devices that future-proof IT operations. Windows 11 offers more than compliance with current software – it’s a chance to embrace high-performing, secure systems that set the stage for long-term competitiveness. Tara Gale, Client Solutions Country Lead, Dell Technologies Ireland tells us more.

Moreover, with Government aiming to ensure that 75% of Irish businesses embrace AI by 2030, employees will increasingly rely on high-performance hardware and advanced processing power in their devices to embrace the AI opportunity that lies ahead. By embracing AI PCs, organisations can stay competitive and achieve key business goals all by enhancing operational efficiency, security, and employee productivity.

Why act now?

October is fast approaching and transitioning to a new operating system across an enterprise is complex. Businesses that remain tethered to legacy systems potentially face critical risks, including increased cybersecurity vulnerabilities, non-compliance, compatibility issues, and reduced operational efficiencies. For example, as older platforms lose access to security updates, sensitive company data becomes more vulnerable to breaches, phishing attacks, and ransomware.

Here are key considerations for businesses embarking on a PC refresh as part of their transition to Windows 11:

1, Assess Current Hardware and Software Compatibility

Before making any changes, businesses should start with an assessment of their existing PC fleet. One crucial aspect to note is the updated hardware requirement for Windows 11, so planning ahead for software updates or replacements will help avoid downtime and ensure a seamless transition. Many older devices do not meet the hardware requirements to upgrade to Windows 11. The first step in the transition process is to understand your client hardware estate.

Businesses can stay on Windows 10, but Microsoft will start charging for extended security updates from October 2025. All Windows 10 devices are eligible, and a license for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is sold as a subscription per device. This is an expensive cost on an older device with no new features and functionality. Planning now will help determine which devices or systems can be upgraded and where new investments are required.

2. Embrace AI-Optimised Hardware

A critical component of future-proofing your business lies in adopting AI-optimised hardware. AI PCs powered by neural processing units (NPUs) are built with AI accelerators that work in tandem with existing CPUs and GPUs. AI PCs can empower users to accomplish more, faster: from streamlining workflows to enhancing video conferencing and integrating advanced AI features into creative processes.

For example, Dell’s latest line of AI-powered PCs is designed to leverage the features of Windows 11, like Copilot, your AI assistant, or Dell’s latest Copilot+ PCs with unique on-device AI experiences, like real-time adaptability. Dell AI PCs offer intelligent performance, longer battery life, cooler and lighter laptops. Coupled with Microsoft’s AI and cloud tools, this collaboration aims to redefine how businesses view workforce empowerment and operational ingenuity.

3. Prioritise Security with Modern PCs

Findings from Dell’s Innovation Catalyst Study reveal that 83% of organisations have been impacted by security attacks in the past 12 months, mainly from malware, phishing, and data breaches. Built-in PC security can de-risk organizations, yet just 4 in 10 organizations surveyed strongly agree that they emphasize buying technologies or applications with security built into them. Therein lies a major opportunity.

The security features in Windows 11 are best utilized on newer hardware. With Dell commercial devices, your workloads and data are protected wherever your employee’s work. Secure design principles and robust supply chain controls mitigate the risk of product vulnerabilities and tampering. Unique built-in defences activate zero trust principles, protecting the device while in-use, making them the world’s most secure commercial PCs¹ – an ideal partner to the most secure Windows System ever. As device-based attacks grow in our hybrid world, foundational PC security features like Dell-unique BIOS verification. Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and virtualization-based security (VBS) become more critical than ever.

4. Embracing a New Era of Workforce Productivity and Collaboration

Enterprise Strategy Group cited 58% of organisations have started deploying PCs and laptops with built-in AI processors, and an additional 33% plan to do so. Relying on legacy systems can frustrate teams, reduce engagement, and harm retention efforts in today’s hyper-competitive job market.

For instance, Dell’s AI PCs with Windows 11 Pro, come equipped with advanced hardware supporting machine learning processes and intelligent task execution, allowing employees to manage workloads effortlessly. Whether it’s automating repetitive tasks or maximizing computational power for data analytics, Dell and Microsoft are enabling a new era of work, one that promises improved experiences for employees while driving measurable business outcomes.

5. Plan for Better Total-Cost-of-Ownership and Sustainability

While there’s an upfront investment in upgrading, businesses will quickly recoup their costs with reduced IT maintenance, lower error rates, and improved resource utilisation. With a modern OS and hardware ecosystem, companies spend less time troubleshooting tech issues and more time driving their core businesses. In addition, flexible payment and financing solutions present a flexible monthly subscription-based model that eliminates the need for significant initial investments, providing the flexibility to scale PC infrastructure up or down as needed. This approach allows organisations to overcome financial barriers and access state-of-the-art technology.

A PC refresh tied to a Windows 11 upgrade also offers a chance to adopt more energy-efficient devices that not only save costs in the long term but also align with sustainability goals. This means that customers can be rest assured knowing the devices they purchase are being produced in ways that help reduce e-waste, increase recycling, and are energy-efficient, both in production and in use. This not only saves power costs but also improves corporate social responsibility metrics.

Regular technology refresh cycles ensure that companies utilise the most energy-efficient devices. While there are initial costs associated with these refresh cycles, the improvements in energy efficiency lead to substantial reductions in future, making it a cost-effective investment in the long run, and boost overall efficiency and environmental stewardship. By upgrading to Windows 11 and integrating advanced AI-powered PCs, Irish businesses can future-proof their IT infrastructure and maintain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Harnessing the power of AI: a new era for business productivity and efficiency

The technology landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, comparable in impact to the rise of smartphones in the mid-00’s. While we’ve had a constant stream of technological advancements since then, none have had the same transformative impact as the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI isn’t just another tech trend or ‘phase’; it’s a fundamental reshaping of the way in which we live and work. Tara Gale, Client Solutions Country Lead, Dell Technologies tells us more

The transformational impact of AI has been recognised by Government in its National AI Strategy and National Digital Strategy which aims to have 75% of enterprises in Ireland using AI by 2030.

For businesses, embracing AI is no longer optional and empowering workforces to adopt it into everyday practices is crucial. But success really hinges on providing them with the tools they need to harness its full potential. Refreshing PC estates across organisations is essential for achieving this and this promises multiple benefits from enhanced productivity and efficiency to ensuring competitive advantage.

Analysts are predicting that with an AI-enabled PC, workers can benefit from tools that are more responsive to their needs than ever before. Technology providers too are promising that these devices represent a significant leap beyond traditional computing, offering a potent blend of processing power and intelligent features that can redefine and improve processes across organisations. A refresh cycle of this nature can offer workers an immediate, tangible benefit from incorporating AI into daily processes – all while leaders plan for more comprehensive AI strategies to drive long-term growth.

But despite the significant benefits that the devices have to offer, there is still hesitation among business leaders to fully invest. Looking into this more closely, we understand that there are numerous barriers to more widespread adoption.

Cost and investment justification

According to Dell Technologies’ latest Innovation Catalysts Study, the main barriers to adoption are uncertainty, cost concerns and the fact that established use cases are still in development. This has resulted in one in two Irish businesses struggling to keep pace with advancements in Generative AI (GenAI).

The novelty and rapid evolution of the technology can make long-term planning difficult, especially in cases where AI’s benefits aren’t immediately clear. This makes it difficult to justify the potentially substantial upfront investment without a clear and immediate return on investment (ROI).

At the same time, our own research has revealed a widespread awareness  that AI will play a transformative role in industries with 62% investing in AI-optimised technology to enhance the work experience. Businesses are accepting that integration of AI tools is soon to become inevitable and largely unavoidable. It also became apparent in our research that businesses in Ireland are broadly positive about the ability of AI-powered machines to significantly augment human capabilities.

As we look towards a future defined by AI, businesses must embrace change and seriously consider the transformative power of AI PCs to empower their workforce.

Enhancing Human Potential

AI-enabled PCs are not just about raw computing power. They are designed to amplify human ingenuity.

These devices act as intelligent partners that can streamline workflows, automate repetitive processes, and provide instant access to information. This allows more time for strategic thinking and creative problem solving, which are crucial for driving innovation and achieving business success in today’s competitive landscape.

Professionals can explore new ideas, experiment with different approaches, and actively develop cutting-edge solutions that drive competitive advantage. Increased productivity and efficiencies in this way lead to faster turnaround times, improve project outcomes and a better utilisation of the available resources.

Similarly, features such as Copilot+ embedded within AI PCs also provide instant access to information and insights that can help humans to make more informed decisions. It can quickly gather relevant data, analyse it, and present it in a clear and concise manner.

This empowers professionals to make smarter, data-driven decisions while mitigating risks and optimise outcomes.

Unprecedented Productivity Gains

Automating repetitive tasks and streamlining work also has the benefit of reducing the cognitive load on the workforce. This can lead to a reduction in stress levels and improved engagement for enhanced productivity and innovative thinking.

The seamless multitasking enabled by AI- PCs further empowers professionals to effortlessly juggle multiple tasks for uninterrupted productivity and enhanced focus.

AI-intensive tasks, such as image recognition, natural language processing, and machine learning are particularly beneficial for professionals who need to work on multiple projects or applications simultaneously. For example, a designer can simultaneously edit high-resolution images, run 3D rendering software, and communicate with clients via video conferencing, all without experiencing any lag or performance issues.

Maximising ROI with Enhanced Services

Knowing that return on investment after an AI PC refresh is a major concern, it’s imperative to prioritise a seamless transition that maximises value and minimises disruption.

Partners that facilitate connection to a wider ecosystem of software and expertise can be a huge support through the transition. They can assist with strategic planning and deployment, using their deep understanding of AI technologies and best practices to help organisations avoid common pitfalls and minimize any costly downtime.

Similarly, proactive monitoring and maintenance services provided by partners ensure optimal performance at all times. These services include regular software updates, hardware diagnostics, and remote support, ensuring that AI PCs are always operating at peak efficiency.

Dell Tech Forum 2024

The future of business lies in embracing AI, and AI PCs are essential to unlocking this future. By partnering with Dell, organisation can empower their workforce and fully harness the potential of AI PCs to drive business success.

The upcoming Dell Technologies Forum on October 8th in the Convention Centre Dublin will explore the transformative power of AI PCs, offering important and practical insights for organisations aiming to unlock the power of AI and enhance growth. Featuring a range of AI expert speakers and innovation specialists, the conference promises to help businesses across the country advance their AI journey and position themselves for future success.

To learn more and register for Dell Tech Forum, click here.