Exertis Future Business

With a 25% growth opportunity, we take a look at what’s driving demand

How ransomware and APTs are increasing security challenges and what to be aware of

Autumn issue 5.

IT PAYS TO BE SECURE

b u s i n e s s

CI GROWTH ROAD

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Copyright ©Exertis (UK) Ltd 2016

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The phone that works like your PC. By connecting your Microsoft Lumia 950 or 950XL to a Microsoft Display Dock*, along with an HD screen and keyboard, Continuum for phones lets you use your phone like a PC while still being able to make and receive calls.

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Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950XL with Continuum.

The phone that works like your PC.

The power, security and productivity of Windows 10 is here. And with a Microsoft Lumia, it’s anywhere.

Beyond the desktop. Beyond the office. Beyond expectations. It’s your business. Mobile.

Key benefits • Stay productive on the go • Capitalise on existing Microsoft investments • Line-of-business apps made easy

• Protect against modern security threats • Manage your mobile devices • Microsoft Lumia. Microsoft inside and out.

Call today to find out more! *App availability and experience varies by device and market. Some apps and content sold separately. Microsoft account and Wi-Fi or data connection required for some features; carrier fees See www.microsoft.com/mobile/support for compatibility information. Microsoft Display Dock, accessories and some apps and content sold separately.

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To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

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SMARTER WAY TO LIVE

ARE YOU ON THE CI GROWTH ROAD?

35

TIME TO TUNE TO WIRELESS

CONTENTS 05 EXERTIS COMMENT Phil Brown introduces the summer edition of The Future Business

06 NEWS IN BRIEF

19 ARE YOU ON THE CI GROWTH ROAD?

Gartner predicts a 25% growth in CI. We take a look at what’s driving this demand

A quick look at what’s happening in the technology market

How Exertis is tackling the changes in the print market with a strong focus on OA

We look at the current technology trends you should be aware of

43 TOOLS FOR THE TRADE

14 A SMARTER WAY TO LIVE

A timely reminder on why ICE can keep you cool when it comes to server and storage configuration

Why continued urbanisation requires development of smarter cities

24 HOMEWORKING: FSB SUGGESTS WHAT FEMALE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS NEED TO CONSIDER

A selection of hints and tips for being successful in business

28 HOT PICKS A range of best-selling business and mobility products available at Exertis

How ransomware and APTs are increasing security challenges for consumers and business

Why a robust infrastructure is required for the increased demand for faster Wi-Fi from more devices

37 THE PRINTER COPIER CONUNDRUM...

08 MARKET STATS UPDATE

16 IT PAYS TO BE SECURE

35 TIME TO TUNE TO WIRELESS

33 HOW TO MANAGE YOUR MARKETING DATA Why and how you should manage your most valuable asset

46 MUST HAVE ACCESSORIES How 2-in-1’s are bucking the trend in the PC market

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Box clever Think hyper-converged

PRIMEFLEX Cluster-in-a-box: The smart hyper-converged infrastructure that lets you get on with the job. When you’re providing critical services or apps, you ask a lot of your servers. You need them to handle tough workloads, keep costs low and expand with your business. Fujitsu’s PRIMEFLEX Cluster-in-a-box is the smart hyper-converged infrastructure solution for fast and simple access to the benefits of virtualisation, straight out-of-the-box.

• A smart solution that lets you focus on innovation • Go straight out-of-the-box to a fully virtualised IT environment in one hour • A simple, hassle-free entry to hyper-converged infrastructure • All configured and tested prior to installation • All the benefits come with just one maintenance contract from Fujitsu

SPEAK TO YOUR ACCOUNT MANAGER TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION

Fujitsu recommends Windows.

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To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk

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Publisher Exertis Editor Nerissa Tong Design Sophie Hammond Website store.exertis.co.uk

WELCOME FROM EXERTIS

Altham Sales: 01282 776 776

Welcome to the summer issue of The Future, Business.

Whatever the uncertainty in IT spending caused

by Brexit, our focus at Exertis is ensuring that our customers and vendors continue to make the most of the opportunities that exist – and there are plenty out there. Having access to such a broad portfolio of products across a variety of technology areas, and selling to such a diverse range of customers, ensures we are better placed than many of our competitors.

So let’s start on a positive note. Our feature on the continued growth of converged infrastructure is one such opportunity. We have two leading players in this market in Fujitsu and Dell, and we are the number one disti for both vendors. Don’t forget we have a team of 25 highly trained sales staff in server and storage, as well as the most innovative configuration tool – there’s a reminder about the benefits of ICE in this issue.

and businesses can protect themselves against these problems. Fortunately, we have an excellent team of security specialists at Exertis to help advise you on the best approach.

If you live in an urban area, and more than 50% of us already do, then you’ll find the article on smart cities of interest. Technology is obviously a key driver in trying to cope with urbanisation and the problems associated with it.

Address: Shorten Brook Way, Altham Business Park Altham Accrington Lancashire BB5 5YJ To place an order please call 01282 776 776 between 9am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday Basingstoke

Enjoy reading our regular news, “hot picks”, “must haves” and “how to” articles as well. You’ll notice we have some great new products and some new vendors on board.

In the print area, we are investing heavily in the OA market with some very experienced appointments and

Finally, don’t forget Exertis is a major partner at the Convergence Summit South at Sandown Park on 27th/28th September 2016. We will have an exclusive area showcasing over 20 of our vendor partners providing solutions in the convergence market, and

a new office location. You can find out more about this in our OA article on page 37 and why we see this as a growth opportunity.

our own professional services, wireless and mobility solutions, and range of cables and connectors. Hope to see you there.

Of course, security is never far from the news and cybercrime is an increasing challenge with more ransomware and APTs reported. Our feature on page 16 highlights why these happen and how consumers

Phil Brown Sales and Commercial Director

Sales: 01256 707 070 Address: Ashwood Chineham Business Park Chineham Basingstoke Hampshire RG24 8EH To place an order please call 01256 707 070 between 9am – 6pm Monday to Friday

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(VAD) Channel Clearance Cloud ometry / square format.

Professional Services that differentiate y are used to help visually identify information about our business Home Entertainment Heating & Cooling Lighting Public Sector B U S I N E SRetail S 06 Cloud Components Clearance (VAD) Cloud Clearance design and should not be a mixture of light or dark colour alternatives.

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of fraud and computer misuse in the UK last year. These Components Computing Consumables Iconography templates are availablepalette to download from theincidents brand hub at towww.exertisbrandguid relate to unauthorised access personal data including hacking,

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Mobile Networks MobileServices Accessories Audio Software Specialist Office Networks People Audio Accessories Automation Storage Office People Supplies Audio Automation Business People Peripherals Print Supply Chain Automation Business Channel Professional Services Peripherals Print (VAD) Tablet Channel Business Clearance Professional Services Print Public Sector (VAD) Technology Channel Clearance Cloud Professional Services Public Sector Retail NEWS ON TV (VAD) Television Cloud Clearance Components Retail PublicRetail SectorServices UC Devices CloudComputing Components Retail Services / Finance RetailRevenue UC Systems Components “4K UHDComputing and OLED are expected to grow strongly in the remainder Consumables of the decade,” said David Tett, Market Analyst at Futuresource.

Retail Services / Finance “These Revenue technologies will help to restore value in the worldwide TV Visual market as average selling prices are expected to increase over the Xbox next few years.” OLED is forecast to account for 7% of shipments Computing Consumer by 2020,Consumables compared to just 0.2% in 2015, as interest in this premium display technology increases.

Security Revenue / Finance Xbox Smart TVs continue to see strong growth in all markets with shipments growing by 11% in 2015 and more than 75% of sets are Consumables Digital expectedConsumer to feature smart connectivity by 2020. Another feature, Futuresource Consulting has released its latest worldwide TV market report which states that shipments of 4K Ultra High Definition (4K UHD) sets grew by almost 160% in 2015 to a total of 32m units. This is expected to rise to almost 140m by 2020, by which time 4K UHD shipments will command 52% of the market. Despite this growth, total TV shipments fell by 2% during 2015.

Security Retail Services Revenue / Finance Computing Consumables Consumer Computing Consumables Consumer Symantec research has revealed that the average Security Revenue / demand Finance ransomware DVDs andis £525, up from £223 at the Digital Consumables Consumer end of last year. While results of a new iGov survey, Entertainment reported

by Gigamon Inc. revealed that 69% of Consumables Consumer Digital respondents were concerned about the rise of Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), but only 18% Security DVDs and currently deploy an APT solution. Please find out Exertis Digital Consumer more in our security feature on page 14.

Entertainment Digital Consumer Servers RESELLERS CONVERGE AT EXERTIS CSS DVDs and Exertis Gadgets Digital EVENT Entertainment

viruses, malware and DDoS with 97% involving the internet in some way. Not surprisingly, about two thirds of fraud incidents involve loss of money or goods.

Servers Software ExertisGames Gadgets

Interested in voice, data, mobile, IT and everything in between - then join Exertis at the Convergence Summit South at Sandown Park on 27th/28th September 2016. We will have an exclusive area showcasing over 20 of our vendor partners, providing solutions in the convergence market and our own professional services, wireless and mobility solutions, and range of cables and connectors.

Software Specialist Software Gadgets Games

David Dungay, Deputy Editor of Comms Business Magazine, said “There is no other opportunity in the channel calendar to meet with all the major convergence suppliers under one roof. As the markets continue to converge it is essential partners stay ahead of the curve to deliver products and services customers need.”

Specialist StorageSoftware Gaming Growth Games Supplies Storage Growth Gaming

Hear what the industry experts say about the market, with some of our key vendors taking part in panel discussions including LogPoint on the topic of “Opportunities in Security” and ShoreTel on “The rise of contextual UC”.

Supplies Supply Chain

You can still register to attend this event at: http://bit.ly/2aMDO9V

Growth Home Entertainment Heating & Cooling

INTEREST IN DETACHABLES NOT ENOUGH TO

Tablet Supply Chain DECLINE HALT TABLET

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The worldwide tablet market fell an additional 16% in Q2 2016, as shipments dropped to their lowest point in three years. According to Canalys, 35m tablets were shipped in Q2.

Tablet Technology

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‘Competition from smartphones and, more recently, convertible 2-in1 PCs has resulted in the weakness we currently see in the consumer segment, particularly cheap slate tablets running Android,’ said Wilmer Ang, Canalys Research Analyst. Away from the consumer market there are some positive points that indicate a slightly brighter future for tablet vendors.

Marketing Lighting B.I.G Red Book © Exertis Microsoft Television UC Devices “Microsoft’s Surface Pro and Marketing Microsoft Mobile

curved screens, is still a focus for Samsung but others have largely reduced their line-ups of curved sets.

Digital Consumer

Microsoft Mobile

the iPad Pro have confirmed that there is a growing demand for detachable tablets in business,” added Research Analyst TuanAnh Nguyen.

Altham 01282 776 776 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

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The graphic style for the icons is a flat, minimal, oneProfessional Services Peripherals Print Storage Office People Networks Servers (VAD) Security Revenue / Finance UC Devices Security Revenue / Finance UC Devices 07 To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk When using icons in designs, the colour should rema Professional Services Supplies Print Public Sector Office People Peripherals Software (VAD) Security UC Systems Security UC Systems All templates are available to download from the bra Professional Services Retail Supply Chain Public Sector People Specialist Software Peripherals Print SMART OPPORTUNITY FOR RESELLERS (VAD) Visual Servers Xbox Visual Servers alternatives.

Xbox or dark colour Professional Services Tablet Retail Services Retail Public Sector Peripherals Print Storage Resellers can now get the benefit of adding SmartSign to their (VAD) BACKUP AND RUNNING WITH STORAGECRAFT Servers Software Accessories AV solution Xbox Used by a wide range of companies and Servers Xbox portfolio.

Software organisations for internal and external communication, SmartSign is Professional Services a completely packaged digital signage product that lets you create, Technology Retail Services Revenue / Finance Retail Supplies PrintSector Public publish, deliver, schedule and display content on any platform and (VAD) Software any device. Filip Backlund, Smartsign country sales manager UK said Specialist Software Resellers now have the opportunity to engage with StorageCraft, Accessories Audio Software Specialist Software “Exertis has led the way in the convergence of AV and IT, enabling a multi-award winning vendor of backup, disaster recovery, system new customers to enter the market as well as supporting traditional migration, virtualisation, dataServices protection software and services Professional Security RetailSector Services Revenue / Finance Television SupplySmartsign Chain provides a great opportunity for resellers Public AV resellers. solutions. Retail (VAD) to add digital signage content delivery to an AV solution across a Specialist StorageSoftware Specialist Software Storage multitude of vertical market applications.”

Hill, Exertis enterprise solutions sales director said: “Disaster Audio Accessories Automation orJason dark colour alternatives.

FUTURE

WHAT’S NEW AT EXERTIS

recovery is a mission critical requirement for every business and Security Revenue / Finance StorageCraft is wellServices known for providing rapid system and data Retail Retail Public Sector recovery solutions. Supplies Surprisingly, many end customers have no Storage business continuity plans and with the disaster recovery market set to Supplies Storage grow ten-fold over the next few years, resellers now have the perfect opportunity to provide simple to manage, high performance and Security Retail Services Revenue /a Finance Retail proven back-up and recovery solution for all their customers.”

Supplies Supply Chain Supplies Supply Chain Servers Security Retail Services Revenue / Finance Tablet Supply Chain Tablet Supply Chain Servers Software / Finance Security Revenue Tablet Technology Tablet Technology

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Exertis has been awarded the Context

Automation Business ChannelChannelWatch broadline distributor of the

Visual Xbox Television

year 2015/2016. “Exertis won this award because a high proportion of those who marked them down as their main distributor went on to nominate them for the award.

Amongst a number of performance criteria, they scored particularly highly for their speed of delivery and their credit terms.” said Theo Gibbons, CONTEXT marketing manager.

Channel Business Clearance Xbox UC Devices

EXERTIS APPOINTS LEADING SIEM VENDOR

Channel Software Clearance Specialist Cloud Security Software UC Systems Technology CONTEXT is the world’s leading ICT channel sales and price tracking Television Technology Television organisation working with distributors, resellers and vendors.

LogPoint,Specialist an advanced Software Security Information and Event Management B.I.G Red Book © Exertis Version 1 - Components August 2015 20 Storage Visual Servers Xbox Clearance B.I.G Red Book Exertis August 2015 20 (SIEM) vendor that enables businesses to live © up to compliance Version 1 -Cloud Television regulation, optimise their UC enterprise’s Devices potential and protect valuable Devices assets, is Television nowUC exclusively available for resellers.

Supplies Storage Servers Xbox Software Gareth Bray, Exertis head of commercial for enterprise solutions said “LogPoint complements our existing portfolio of networking and network security solutions, giving our partners a new and exciting proposition. LogPoint’s incredible leading edge technology and Supplies Supply Chain very competitive cost means we can offer a genuinely compelling Software Specialist Software alternative to other SIEM applications. Combined with Exertis’ full services wrap including scope, design, proof of concept, training, installation and 24 x 7 support, we can ensure our partners have a completeSupply offering with assistance at every point of the sale”.

Tablet Chain Specialist Software Storage

SWANN CHOOSES EXERTIS TO EXPAND ITS PRESENCE IN RETAIL AND B2B

Tablet Technology Supplies Storage

Swann, the world’s largest manufacturer of DIY home security and Technology Television Supplies Supply Chain video surveillance equipment, has been added to the Exertis portfolio.

Exertis will offer the entire Swann product range including: security cameras; DVRs and NVRs;B.I.G wirelessRed and Book IP cameras; video doorbell © Exertis systems and the new Xtreem drone range to retailers, installers and Television Devices Tablet Supply Chain exclusively toUC B2B resellers.

Swann is recognised for its innovative surveillance and monitoring technology with a range of systems to suit every budget, whether for homeTablet or business.

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WI-FI HEAVEN FOR RESELLERS Wireless

Consumables Consumer Digital Exertis has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Airangel, the UK’s premier provider of venue based, value-add WI-Fi systems and services. Rob Leggett, Exertis’ sales director for wireless and solutions2015 said “Airangel is the Versionmobility 1 - August 20perfect complement to our wireless infrastructure portfolio. We already provide a choice of Wi-Fi infrastructure solutions to fit organisations large and small, centralised and distributed, Airangel enhances our offering in public facing Wi-Fi adding next generation customer connection, engagement and insight solutions.”

Digital Consumer

Further information on these new additions can be found on our website or please speak to your Account Manager for details.

Technology Television

B.I.G Red Book © Exertis Television UC Devices

Version 1 - August 2015

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NETWORKS, SOFTWARE AND CONTENT BY 2020.

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VIDEOWALLS BOOM! THE MARKET REACHED $3.4 BILLION IN 2015 TRENDS INDICATE DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH INTO 2020!

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Altham 01282 776 776 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

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Altham 01282 776 776 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

With BullGuard everyone’s a winner As well as Award-winning Internet Security products, BullGuard resellers also benefit from our unique Partner Advantage scheme:

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A FAMILY MADE FOR BUSINESS Find the right 2-in-1 device for you.

Whatever your business needs.

THINKPAD® X1 TABLET Tablet. Laptop. Projector. You decide.

We call it the ThinkPad® X1 Tablet, but it’s so much more than your average 2-in-1 hybrid. The unique modular design lets you turn the X1 Tablet into anything from a portable entertainment centre, to a creativity device, or a productivity laptop. Use the stylus pen for sketching, annotating documents and taking notes. Whether for work or leisure, the high resolution 2K display features widescreen IPS technology and an integrated, adjustable kickstand for viewing at any angle.

• Available with up to Intel® Core™ m7 vPro™ Processor • Windows 10 Pro • 0.76cm thin and 0.77kg light • Integrated Pico Projector (Presenter module sold separately) • Up to 15 hours of battery life with the Productivity Module

PART CODE: LEN20GG002BUK

THINKPAD® X1 YOGA Weighs less. Does more.

The definition of versatility, this ultralight 2-in-1 adapts to your business with 4 flexible modes to work, present, create and connect. The full-sized, backlit keyboard is spill-resistant and the keys retract automatically when not being used as a laptop, so they are not exposed when the keyboard is face-down. Thin, light and tough, the ThinkPad® X1 Yoga is tested to military specifications and made to endure extreme conditions.

• • • • •

Available with up to Intel® Core™ i7 vPro™ Processor Windows 10 Pro Spill-resistant keyboard OLED Display: Richer colours & deeper blacks Dockable Stylus Pen: Take notes, edit graphics & documents

PART CODE: LEN20FQ0040UK

Altham01282 01282776 776776 776| |Basingstoke: Basingstoke:01256 01256707 707070 070| |store.exertis.co.uk store.exertis.co.uk Altham

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To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

LENOVO™ YOGA 900 BE Product flexibility meets business versatility.

Recognisably different, the Yoga 900 BE is unbelievably thin and elegant. From the 360o watchband hinge, to the eye catching colour options, this 2-in-2 will turn heads. Packed with the latest Intel processing power and customisable features of Windows 10, your Yoga 900 will be your constant companion. Take productivity to the next level, in the office or on the go. Life moves fast and so do you.

• • • •

Windows 10 Pro World’s slimmest Intel® Core™ i convertible PC Just 1.29 kg light and 14.5 mm thin Enterprise-ready

PART CODE: LEN80UE0017UK

LENOVO™ MIIX 700 BE 2-in-1 usability for business flexibility.

It’s the familiar feel of Windows, only improved. Thanks to its unique watchband hinge, the IdeaPad® MIIX 700 will make you stand out from the crowd. As you flip effortlessly between laptop, stand and tablet modes in your favourite coffee shop or café, be sure to check out those envious admirers. Using the Bluetooth-enabled keyboard, you can even sit apart from your MIIX and still tap away. With stunning visuals and performance, work smarter and take computing to the next level.

• Next level computing with the new Intel® Core™ m7 processor • Windows 10 Pro • Superior hinge design with infinite adjustable screen angle • Active Pen experience with 2048 levels of pressure • Always stay online with the integrated 4G LTE Module in option

PART CODE: LEN80QL00B6UK

Contact your Account Manager today for more information Intel® Core™ Processor Family Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings or specifications at any time without notice. Models pictured are for illustration purposes only. Lenovo is not responsible for typographic errors. Information advertised has no contractual effect. Lenovo may not offer the products, services or features discussed in this document in all countries. Promotions are for business customers only and are subject to availability. Promotions may be withdrawn or changed without prior notice. Lenovo, the Lenovo logo and ThinkPad are trademarks or registered trademarks of Lenovo. Intel, the Intel Logo, Intel Inside, Intel Core, and Core Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Other product names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. ©2016 Lenovo. All rights reserved.

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A SMARTER WAY TO LIVE PLANNING FOR A SMARTER ENVIRONMENT It wasn’t that long ago that the word smart was mainly attributable to someone’s appearance, now it is much more widely used to describe some form of intelligence. So we have smart objectives, smart car, smart TV, smart watch, smart meter, smart home, smart tech and smart cities.

Technology has changed the way we live, not only at home and work but also in the cities where we reside. It’s in our cities where we may next see more of this smart revolution.

No wonder that many analysts refer to the Internet of Things as the “next industrial revolution”. The ability to connect devices and control environments is already having a huge impact for businesses, governments and consumers. Analysts love statistics and there are many out there. Business Intelligence predicts that IoT devices connected to the Internet will more than triple by 2020, from 10bn to 34bn. IoT devices will account for 24bn, while traditional computing devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc.) will comprise 10bn. A staggering $6 trillion will be spent on IoT solutions over the next five years according to the analyst.

No matter what industry, from manufacturing to agriculture, retail to healthcare, transport to defence, businesses will be embracing IoT

solutions to lower operating costs, increase productivity and open up new market opportunities. Consumers will be looking to reduce energy costs, lower insurance premiums, eliminate mundane tasks and add convenience to their lives (The Exertis smart tech programme is clear evidence of this trend). Lastly, governments both local and national will increasingly turn their attention to creating smarter cities.

URBANISATION REQUIRES SMARTER CITIES At the end of 2014, more than half of the world’s population was said to be living in urban areas. This is expected to increase to 75% by 2050 to almost 7bn people. Urbanisation by its very nature consumes vast amounts of natural resources and creates equal amounts of negative impacts through greenhouse gas emissions. No wonder that city planners, architects and engineers are interested in technology initiatives that provide efficiency and mobility. The strain on resources for big cities will be enormous and technology will be imperative in making these more efficient, sustainable and competitive in a number of key areas: transport, energy, health care, water and waste. Smart cities are seen as the solution to tackling urban growth by providing smarter urban transport networks,

Altham 01282 776 776 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

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upgraded water supply and waste disposal facilities and more efficient ways to light and heat buildings. Forecasts from Frost & Sullivan suggest the global smart city market will be valued at $1.565 trillion in 2020. Some 1.1bn connected things are now in use in smart cities according to Gartner research, rising to an estimated 9.7bn by 2020. Not surprisingly, the big high tech companies like IBM, Cisco, GE and Intel are interested in this opportunity but there are hundreds of smaller vendors of hardware, software and apps that are active in building the smart city of the future.

Office Networks People Office People

SENSORS AND METERS

replacing a fleet of shuttle buses. Insurance company AXA is one company helping to deliver driverless cars, partnering with two of the three UK’s government funded driverless cars projects: Venturer in Bristol and UK Autodrive in Milton Keynes. The latter will carry out on-road trials in Milton Keynes and Coventry, using cars provided by project partners Ford, Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors European Technical Centre. The programme will also trial a fleet of lightweight, self-driving ‘pods’ for use on pavements and other pedestrianised areas. One of the objectives is to integrate driverless vehicles into existing urban environments. Trials are expected in the autumn. AXA state that more than 90% of accidents are caused by human error and believe that driverless cars will be commonplace by 2025.

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There are already many existing examples of how technology is being used to make cities smarter. At the simplest level sensors have been deployed to wirelessly manage streetlights and traffic signals to lower energy costs. In the UK for example, Bournemouth council instigated a plan to install city-wide Wi-Fi on lampposts on a project to replace 16,500 street lamps with low energy LED fittings. The council was reported to be spending £1.1m a year on street lighting and it was estimated that the new lights would conserve energy, reduce the town’s carbon footprint and deliver efficiency savings of £32.2m over the next twenty years. The savings generated could pay for the Wi-Fi which could then be used to connect sensors and other smart city initiatives. London, Manchester, Bristol, Milton Keynes and Leeds are amongst other UK cities that are deploying smart city initiatives. Examples include: using sensors to monitor water mains for leaks, particularly beneficial with the UK’s issue of maintaining a reliable and consistent water supply; using sensors to monitor air quality for high pollution levels and even for crowd control and parking availability. There is no shortage of initiatives.

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Full scale implementation of a smart city is more difficult and expensive for existing cities but China expects to build 300 new smart cities and India around 200 in the coming years. A frightening prospect maybe, but certainly collaboration will enable initiatives to be shared.

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SMARTER WAYS TO TRAVEL

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Transport is being seen as particularly important. Using data, sensors and smart technology is seen as a way to ease traffic congestion, speed up public transport and provide drivers with better real time information. We already have smart motorways that use technology to actively manage the flow of traffic controlled and monitored from a regional traffic control centre that can activate and change signs and speed limits. Smart motorways increase the capacity of the road, without the expense and hassle of widening the road, by either temporarily or permanently opening the hard shoulder to traffic. This helps keep the traffic flowing freely.

is key and this will require public confidence in how the data is being collected and used. Improving security standards on storage and access will be as important as the initiatives themselves.

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Residents of these smart cities will need to see the value in improving their quality of life as well as local authorities seeing the ROI. So perhaps an initiative in Dubai, which uses a happiness meter to collect data from ordinary citizens via their smartphone about the cleanliness of streets, or the happy face kiosks at airports providing information on the effectiveness of security systems, will become commonplace in many areas of the smart city.

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Automated and driverless cars have regularly featured in the news.

Heathrow operates driverless laser-guided pods to carry up to four passengers and their luggage from the car park to Terminal 5. The pods are battery-powered, driverless vehicles offering a convenient and novel way to travel to and from the terminal. The fleet of 21 pods travel along a dedicated guideway, reaching speeds of up to 25mph. For airport operator BAA, the on-demand vehicles improve passengers’ experience of the airport and help reduce emissions by

Whatever the next evolution of smart tech to create smarter cities, resellers who would like to know more about wireless, smart tech or mobile opportunities should speak to their Exertis account manager today.

Sources & Acknowledgements: Deloittes, gov.uk, Computerworld, Daily Telegraph, Raconteur

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YOUR MONEY OR YOUR FILES

AudioBusinessServers ExertisGames X Gadgets Automation Software Security Once infected, the virus gets to work preventing access to files, ZERO-DAY RANSOMWARE ATTACKSoftware Automation Business Channel Specialist According to a number of security experts, ransomware is now the fastest growing form of computer virus. No-one seems to be immune, as just a couple of months ago cyber criminals targeted Microsoft Office 365 corporate users with another zero-day ransomware attack. Avanan, a cloud security platform which uncovered the attack, estimated that about 57% of organisations using Office 365 on the firm’s security platform received at least one copy of the malware in a corporate mailbox during the attack. Like most computer viruses, ransomware is often instigated by a phishing e-mail, spam or a fake software update, tricking somebody into clicking a link or opening an attachment. It’s also a growing threat for mobile devices as it can be hidden in an app that someone is installing.

from documents to pictures, videos and audio files. Indeed anything that you might have on your PC. Once the PC is effectively locked down, the cybercriminal demands a fee, often in Bitcoins to avoid traceability, until the ransom is paid. Of course, like all ransom situations, you can never be sure that your files will be restored even if the fee is paid. Failure to pay in the timescale and you risk losing the files forever unless you have a back-up and many people don’t.

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The unique characteristics of ransomware is its ability to encrypt all types of files and the operating system of the computer, the demand note that is displayed on your screen requesting payment in a certain timeframe, and its ability to often go undetected by traditional antivirus. Also the possibility of it spreading to other PCs connected on a local network and its complex nature, which is why these are cybercrimes committed by criminal gangs that stand to make huge amounts of money.

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Furthermore, ransomware isn’t picky about its targets. Naturally, you

would expect home users to be most at risk because they are less Channel Growth Gaming Clearance Cloud Storage SuppliesSoftware savvy about the risks, less likely to have anything more than antivirus Specialist Software in place, which is frequently ineffective in preventing ransomware, and least likely to have regular back-ups in place. However, businesses are equally prone to attack. Small businesses, because they are often underprepared for cyber-attacks and may be less stringent in their

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FUTURE

BYOD policies. Big businesses, because often complex computer systems can be vulnerable if exploited through technical means, and ransomware can also affect servers and cloud-based file-sharing systems. The risk of reputation loss for a reported attack on bigger business may be more penal than the ransom itself.

So far in 2016, ransomware has become the most profitable malware type in history. A recent report from Cisco expects to see this trend continue with even more destructive ransomware that can spread by itself and hold entire networks, and therefore companies, hostage.

PREVENTION RATHER THAN RESTORATION Of course, there is a range of security products on the market but none are infallible, therefore deploying a layered approach, utilising technologies such as anti-virus, web filtering and firewalls are sensible measures. Patching software security files to prevent malicious software from exploiting them to infect a system is also recommended along with limiting user permissions to prevent malware from being installed on a system without an administrator’s password. However, the simplest way to prevent ransomware attacks is to regularly backup all of the important contents on your PCs. This can be done on an external drive which should be disconnected when not in use to avoid corruption or perhaps stored in the cloud such as Microsoft’s OneDrive or Dropbox. Creating full backup can be time-consuming, but it’s often the best option, because any and all compromised data can be recovered from such backups following a data disaster. Dedicated backup software can make full copies of hard disk drives and store them on some external source, usually a storage drive that is disconnected and purposefully kept offline following backups.

As some malware can emanate from ads on the web, ad blockers can avoid the threat of potentially malicious ads. In addition, there are some simple user behaviours that can limit the risk: never open spam emails or emails from unknown senders, never download attachments from spam emails or suspicious emails and never click links in spam emails or suspicious emails. What is clear is that some form of prevention is less costly than the effort to restore.

APTs: DATA RATHER THAN CORRUPTION Aligned to ransomware, Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) are another form of cyber criminology often used to target high-profile organisations that have high value or sensitive data. These can occur over a long period of time as these types of attacks are designed to remain undetected in order for the criminals to navigate through an organisation’s network to identify and access the critical data.

Consequently, APTs are not generally used to damage a network or PC. Their goal is more to cause costly security breaches, and as such are highly customised and sophisticated, designed to remain undetectable by traditional security measures.

The objective of an APT is to achieve on-going access, without discovery, employing sophisticated evasion techniques. Entry can often be instigated either through a disgruntled insider or an employee unknowingly being tricked by a phishing attack. Once access is achieved, the attacker establishes a back door, bypassing security. Detection can often be difficult but an increase in late night log-ins or an unusual amount of outbound data being discovered are signs of an APT intrusion. To help combat these security threats, two vendors who provide comprehensive protection include SonicWALL and Kaspersky.

To find out more about these products, please contact your Exertis account manager today.

SONICWALL CAPTURE ADVANCED THREAT PROTECTION SERVICE SonicWALL has developed a proactive approach to protection through a cloud based scanning service that filters all traffic and attachments and blocks them if they’re found to contain bad code.

SonicWALL Capture extends firewall threat protection to detect and prevent zero-day attacks. The firewall inspects traffic and detects and blocks known malware and intrusions. Supporting analysis of a broad range of file types and multiple operating systems, suspicious files are sent to the SonicWALL Capture cloud service for analysis. If it’s unsure it will hold the file in a “sandbox” until it can be further investigated and a decision to delete or release is made. When a file is identified as malicious, a signature is immediately deployed to firewalls with SonicWALL Capture subscriptions to prevent follow-on attacks.

This APT protection is the next evolution in the fight against cybercrime and forms part of a multi layered security system for business.

KASPERSKY END-POINT SECURITY Kaspersky is a leading provider of end-point security providing a wide range of security capabilities to fight against advanced cyber threats (detecting suspicious activities and protecting against zero-day attacks). As the majority of enterprise cyber-attacks are initiated through the end-point, Kaspersky is well positioned to provide a powerful security solution for businesses of all sizes.

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ARE YOU ON THE ROAD?

CI GROWTH ROAD?

Converged infrastructures (CI) have become increasingly popular over the last few years and that popularity isn’t diminishing, with Gartner predicting a 25% growth over the next four years. IDC estimated the total converged storage/compute infrastructure market to be worth $17.8bn this year, up from $4.6bn in 2012.

So what has driven this demand? Reduced cost of ownership and complexity in the data centre are certainly two important reasons.

IT departments in organisations are under pressure to reduce cost not only in data centre infrastructure but also in the skills required to build and maintain the technology. Often data centres are faced with the issue of making various computing products work together, optimising their performance and maintaining a cost effective maintenance service. Typically, components of a converged infrastructure include servers, storage, networking equipment and software. A converged infrastructure can help reduce the overall cost in time and effort required to integrate bespoke solutions.

There are two types of converged infrastructure stacks. One where a single vendor provides all the hardware, virtualisation and management software along with the service and support.

These are typically sold as a bundle of components that include compute, networking and storage. This has the advantage of simplifying deployment, ensuring optimisation and reducing ongoing maintenance. The second type is referred to as “reference architecture”. These describe configurations of server, storage and networking that are validated by the vendor but purchased separately.

The momentum for converged infrastructure highlights the time and effort required for bespoke solutions where interoperability, maintenance and scalability can add to the challenges faced by an IT department. This is particularly seen in smaller organisations where certain expertise may not exist.

BENEFITS OF A CONVERGED INFRASTRUCTURE So what are the main benefits for companies to implement a converged infrastructure? Most industry experts call out the following: •

Faster provisioning and deployment: the design, build, configuration and testing has already been carried out by the reseller and vendor.

•

Validated solution: the vendor and reseller have already tested that the configuration works.

•

“One throat to choke”: the advantage of purchasing from a single vendor eradicates any disputes that might occur in a multi-vendor infrastructure and importantly simplifies the support model. If something goes wrong, there is only “one throat to choke.”

•

Decreased maintenance: one point of support for patches, code releases and software updates.

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•

Easier saleability: expanding requirements to meet increased demand is less arduous.

•

Reduced IT manpower: fewer personnel, less training, less indepth expertise required by IT departments.

•

Long-term savings: the total cost of ownership with CI is less than other systems.

Some analysts point out that CI can reduce the choice of best in class components and identify that initial costs may indeed be higher.

However, growth in this market clearly demonstrates that converged infrastructure offers greater flexibility, scalability, ease of deployment (even for resellers that have less expertise in this area) and a lower cost of ownership.

Exertis’ enterprise team can advise resellers on the best solution, from entry level upwards, for customers looking to deploy a CI infrastructure. Here are some of the solutions available.

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PowerEdge FX is a groundbreaking architecture with building blocks of servers, storage and networking in a compact 2U chassis. This solution is optimised for both modern and legacy workloads that enable users to scale workloads quickly, adding resources incrementally without the expense and inefficiency of overprovisioning. These blocks include: • 4-socket, 2-socket and 1-socket server and microserver modules • High-capacity direct-attached storage modules • Flexible networking IO modules Combine various modules with the FX2 chassis, a compact 2U rackbased enclosure that shares cooling, power, networking and PCI expansion slots, to quickly deploy the exact combination of compute, storage and networking resources companies need to best fulfil their business requirements.

PowerEdge VRTX brings converged data centre functionality and performance right into an office environment with the towersized PowerEdge VRTX converged solution. Designed specifically for remote-office and small-office environments, VRTX integrates servers, storage, networking and management in a single, compact chassis with office-optimised:

FUJITSU PRIMEFLEX CLUSTER-IN-A-BOX

• • •

Fujitsu’s PRIMEFLEX Cluster-in-a-box solutions deliver a complete, pre-integrated environment that’s engineered for simple and straightforward virtualisation – straight out of the box. Built with smaller businesses and branches in mind, Fujitsu has removed the need for specialist IT skills, delivering a complete solution that enables you to go from the box to a virtualised IT environment in less than an hour.

Fresh air validated configurations allow businesses to avoid special cooling equipment or any need to worry when AC is turned off during non-business hours. Moreover, as a business grows, VRTX is a rackable system (5U) that can be seamlessly incorporated into an organisation’s data closet or large enterprise data centre.

With Fujitsu PRIMEFLEX Cluster-in-a-box, you can move away from an expensive, piecemeal approach to hardware procurement.

Instead, you can simplify IT with a single solution from a single vendor, managed and supported as a single product. The entire system has been pre-built, pre-configured and pre-tested to maximise availability, minimise management requirements, and deliver business value from day one.

For SMEs that have a requirement for sub 25 virtual machines, Fujitsu offers a Cluster-in-a-box solution that comprises two PRIMERGY CX2550 M2 server nodes (expandable to four), shared storage, overlaid with Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2. A start up Wizard takes the complexity out of the set-up procedure enabling the user to easily migrate their physical or virtual server to the new solution.

PRIMEFLEX Cluster-in-a-box is perfectly suited for organizations with experience in administration of Microsoft Windows Server.

For further information, talk to Exertis, Fujisu’s largest distributor in the UK.

DELL CI SOLUTIONS Dell converged infrastructure solutions contain pre-integrated server hardware, disk storage systems, networking equipment and unified management software. From large enterprise data centres to remote and branch-office data closets to quiet, small-office settings, Dell has the right solution.

Dimensions and acoustics Power requirements Data protection and security features

Designed specifically for small offices and enterprise branch offices, but versatile enough to be incorporated into a large data centre, PowerEdge VRTX is at home taking on a wide variety of assignments, from business-office applications to tier-1 back-end workloads.

Match blade-server and storage-capacity specification to the business requirements, and easily expand as the need grows. Up to four hot-plug PowerEdge server nodes allow you to mix and match 4-socket M830 and 2-socket M630 blades.

PowerEdge blades can be enhanced with highly scalable, low-latency internal shared storage. Each server node has access to user-defined drives, which is essential for clustering and virtualisation. It also helps enable efficient processing through peak periods and can improve server-use flexibility. Install up to 12 x 3.5” HDDs (70TB max.) to scale for capacity or up to 25 x 2.5” HDDs (50TB max.) to scale for performance.

Avoid acquiring, cabling, powering and managing an external networking switch by using the VRTX integrated 10GbE and 1GbE internal switch module. However, if higher networking performance is required for the deployment, an optional pass-through module or optional dual-port or quad-port 10GbE NIC (on each server node) can be employed.

For information on Dell CI solutions, talk to the Exertis enterprise team. Both Rack and Tower versions of the VRTX are deployed in our Enterprise demo room and can be viewed on request for resellers and their customers. Field units are also available for customer training or for loan.

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Voyager 5200 UC ®

Your voice, your day, your way.

Today any place can be a workplace, whether it’s a coffee shop, a cubicle, a conference room or a cab, you can be sure that with every call, your mobile workers can focus on the voice on the line, not the wind or noise around them. Featuring our most advanced, adaptive noise cancelling and WindSmart® technology to cancel out disruptive noise, enabling you to be heard so no one ever sounds less than professional.

It is not how far you travel. It is how close you sound.

Superior audio on both sides of the call

• Four adaptive microphones and proprietary DSP work together to reduce disruptive background noise

• Six layers of WindSmart technology ensure your voice comes through clearly Intuitive features • Smart sensors answer calls by simply putting on the headset and transfer calls between mobile phone and headset • Up to 30 metres/98 feet of range from supported smartphone or laptop with BT600 USB Bluetooth adapter • Enhanced voice alerts announce caller ID, mute, connection status and talk time level • Rigorously-tested ergonomic design for all-day comfort Simply say “answer” or “ignore” to manage incoming calls • Activate Siri, Google Now, or Cortana with the touch of a dedicated button Worry-free mute assurance

• Dynamic mute alert senses and alerts you when you begin

to speak while muted • Dedicated mute button for quick mute access and timed voice alerts announce mute status • Visual mute status shown on BT600 USB Bluetooth adapter and desktop screen* *Requires Plantronics Hub.

Contact your Exertis Account Manager to learn more!

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HOMEWORKING:

FSB SUGGESTS WHAT FEMALE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS NEED TO CONSIDER The last decade has seen a boom in the number of women working from home, with a 45% increase in female homeworkers, compared to a 13.5% increase in their male counterparts. In total, 800,000 Brits became ‘homeworkers’ between 2005 and 2015.

Despite over one in six homeworkers being men, due to a historic gender bias when it comes to entrepreneurship and the career seniority that often accompanies the right to work away from the office. However, an increasing proportion of women are now working from home and benefiting from a better work-life balance.

So what do you need to consider, as a female homeworker?

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB,) says the motivation to set up a home-based business has to come from within you, according to your individual circumstances, personality, self-discipline and way of working and you need to maintain this drive once you have established your business, if it is to be a success.

For many women, homeworking has an instant appeal, as they can fit work around their lifestyle and schedule, enjoying a career whilst also bringing up children and perhaps also caring for parents. An Opportunity Now, YouGov survey showed 33% of people think flexible working would increase their productivity, whilst 43% think it would help combat stress and 52% believe it would make them happier.

However, working alone, particularly for women who enjoy socialising and mixing with other people, can be lonely and you need to find ways to keep ‘in contact’ with the outside world, if you are to succeed in business, as demotivation and discontent can soon undermine even the most robust business plan.

FSB has some top tips for women considering making their home an office or studio, which will help you get the most out of being your own boss, help your business grow, and help you stay safe when working alone.

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be unique to Exertis.

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The Exertis icons have been Computing designed to Cloud Heati Channel Components Grow Cloud Gam Clearance FIND A MENTOR GET OUT Running your own business can involve big highs and lows that you would usually shake off in the workplace, by getting peer support from colleagues. Try and find someone who can be a mentor for you, or at least a sounding board with whom you can bounce around ideas.

Being cooped up at home can become tedious and you can quickly become introverted. Establish a routine of getting the day off to a good start with some phone calls and interaction. Get out of the house and work on your laptop in coffee shops, or meeting hubs, at least a couple of times a week. If you have a virtual office, it may provide a hot desk you can use and you may meet other businesses there. Make sure you engage in networking. FSB members regard the FSB’s regional networking events and roadshows as some of the biggest benefits of membership and relish the opportunity to meet like-minded professionals.

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Be careful about the information you give away in social media posts and profiles. Never tell anyone you work from home alone and don’t divulge small snippets of confidential information that could be pieced together by someone scouring your tweets over time. Turn off location services in social media and camera settings, particularly when out of the office on your own.

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Make sure your workspace is distraction-free, so you keep your mind on your business during working hours. You could invest in a garden office, or kit out a room just for work, accessing an upfront money service to do this, if you lack the budget. One option is FSB’s Cash Advance Service, where you repay money borrowed through future credit and debit card transactions or via fixed direct debit.

However, if you create a work-only area in your home, be aware of the tax implications. You may have to pay business rates and also be liable for Capital Gains Tax when selling your property. FSB members can check out their tax and legal position through the FSB Legal Protection Scheme.

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If you need to go out to appointments, research the location you are to visit. Where will you park? Will it be dark? Is it safe to walk around alone? Do you have sufficient petrol in the car, or money to pay for fuel? What would you do if you broke down? Dashing between meetings can make some of this difficult, but FSB members can apply for an FSB Fuel Card and emergency AA breakdown cover, to take some of these concerns away.

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Using your home address as the office address can make you seem a small player, particularly given Google street view technology. Look bigger by taking a ‘virtual office’, which will give you an address to use on your website and letterhead, and optional call and mail handling services, for relatively little outlay per month.

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STAY SAFE AT APPOINTMENTS

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Put personal safety first, whether meeting someone - male or female at their premises, at a ‘neutral’ location, or in your home. Set up a buddy system, logging in all details of your meeting and ensure someone will raise the alarm if you haven’t checked back in, after the time you expected your meeting to end. Various automated systems are available. You could also arrange for a friend to call you 15 minutes into your meeting, establishing a code word you can give, if worried. Carry a personal alarm, but above all, trust your gut instincts and do a doorstep U-turn if things feel wrong.

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When you have the right business organisation behind you, you have great HR, legal, tax, financial, networking and communications teams on tap. Visit www.fsb.org.uk to discover just how much support is available, whether you are a home-based or business premises-based SME.

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WORKSPACE SOLUTIONS CARRY, PROTECT AND CONNECT TECHNOLOGY

DISCOVER THE TOOLS TO MAKE ANY SPACE A WORKSPACE. USB-C Chargers and Adapters

Tablet Cases and Laptop Bags

TRANSFORM THE WAY YOU CONNECT-IN THE OFFICE, OR ON THE MOVE.

MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION, WITH THE DEVICE YOU PRESENT AND THE BAG YOU CARRY IT IN.

Universal Docking

Privacy Screens

PROVIDE CONNECTIVITY AND POWER TO ANY DEVICE.

BECAUSE OUR WORK AND BUSINESS INFORMATION GO WHERE WE DO.

www.exertis.co.uk/go/workspacesolutions

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HOT PICKS

TOP 5 MOBILITY PRODUCTS

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SWANN DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER A state of the art surveillance system with 720p HD resolution, and the capability to view live images directly on 3G/4Genabled smartphones and tablets; perfect for small homes and businesses.

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TOP 5 BEST-SELLING BUSINESS PRODUCTS 1 LENOVO IDEAPAD 100S Ultra-portable and very easy to use, the IdeaPad 100s provides responsive, cuttingedge processing and hi-res display and graphics, for premium performance so you can work longer and play harder.

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STORAGECRAFT® SHADOWPROTECT® SERVER Providing comprehensive backup, reliable recovery and system migration in a single, cross-platform solution that supports Windows and Linux systems on virtual and physical machines.

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GO FOR A CRM SYSTEM

Developing a customer relationship management adgets Components Computing Consumables mes (CRM) system is exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a record about your relationship with customers based on what your customers have told you about their business and your sales history or engagement with them.

Importantly, it’s not about what you think your customers are but who they actually are, which may be quite different.

The benefits of a CRM system can be completely undermined by one fundamental point: the cleanliness of the data you intend to input into the system. Unfortunately, it’s not a one-time activity either because it’s crucial to regularly clean your database. Whilst sales should expect marketing to have the tools to engage with their customers, marketing should rely on sales, in many instances, to maintain upto-date records, particularly contacts, on the database. If both are in harmony, it’s a win-win situation. Inaccurate data not only wastes your marketing budget, creating a low ROI, it can also adversely affect the relationship with your customer and the professional image of your company. A wrong address, a duplicate record, or a communication to someone no longer at the company are common errors that should be avoided at all times. Indeed, it’s a requirement under data protection legislation that personal information held on a database should be updated regularly, and in some instances, kept only as long as needed by the holder. Data tagging and the use of data capture tools can facilitate in keeping records up-to-date, and enabling your customer to update their own data can also be a cost-effective and efficient method, particularly if focused on their areas of interest.

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If your product or service is relevant and important to their needs, then opting out should not be a concern. The easiest way to compromise your customer data is to send irrelevant information to everyone.

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There are three main types of data you can collect. Demographic data can include e-mail, physical address, phone number, gender, and date of birth. Depending on your business, it could be extended to age, marital status, hobbies and more. Names and demographic information form the core of data used in marketing campaigns.

Interest data refers to customer preferences and this can be the most powerful data that you can collect. Insight into preferences enables businesses to create real relevance for existing customers. This data can be collected in a number of ways: by asking the customer, from customer updates on your system and by monitoring social media activities. Behavioural data can include website visits, page views, clicks, purchases, social comments and shares. Amazon is a great example of how customer behaviour can be monitored, stored and used for marketing purposes. In addition, the opportunity to encourage customer comment and reviews shouldn’t be missed.

For marketers, data is their most important asset. Manage it wisely, use it correctly, and you have the best opportunity to deepen your sales engagement with your customers.

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To find out more about CRM systems, you can speak to the Exertis Marketing team or CIM.

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FUTURE

GA B UM S I IN NE GS A SN D E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Allied Telesis Next-Generation Firewalls are the ideal integrated security platform for modern businesses.

Our products feature an integrated security platform to provide up-to-the-minute threat protection, and advanced networking capabilities, meeting the needs of Enterprise networks. Next generation firewall and threat protection is combined with routing and switching, to provide an innovative high performance solution.

Features include:  ‘Best of Breed’ Security  Deep Packet Inspection Firewall  Secure Remote Virtual Private Networks Running on our advanced AlliedWare Plus™ fully featured operating system, with an industry standard CLI, offering graphical configuration of security zones, networks and hosts, as well as firewall rules to control traffic, and management of advanced threat protection features, providing a consistent approach to policy management.

Full support for Allied Telesis Management Framework™ (AMF) allows Allied Telesis firewalls to integrate with Allied Telesis switching products to form a network able to be managed as a single virtual entity. A full suite of automated tools ensures that the firewall configuration is backed up, and able to be recovered with no user intervention, maximizing the availability of online services.

SMART TECHNOLOGY. SMARTER SOLUTIONS.

Contact us today: 01793 501408

alliedtelesis.com NETWORK SMARTER NETWORK SMARTER © 2016 Allied Telesis Inc. All rights reserved. EMEA5374

Altham 01282 776 776 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

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Research organisations and analysts forecast considerable growth in the WLAN and infrastructure markets over the next few years. In addition to providing a significant income stream for resellers, wireless can be the catalyst for a host of value-add solution sales and additional revenue.

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Drivers such as IoT and BYOD will fuel an explosion of internet enabled devices, whether in the home or the workplace, the numbers are staggering. Forecasts indicate the total annual shipments of non-cellular, wirelessly connected ICs will exceed 10bn by 2021, in terms of devices there will be more than 33bn connected endpoints come 2020, and 7bn new Wi-Fi specific devices connected by 2018.

Smartphones are still expected to be the lion’s share and IoT verticals will account for just under half of the market, with Wi-Fi being the key enabling technology. The drivers for growth will come from wearables, automotive, smart homes and phones. There is huge growth expected in wireless enabled sensors in the workplace, with the majority of connections here expected to be via WLAN.

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DEVICES NEED CONNECTIONS AudioBusiness Automation With the incessant demand for faster and greater capacity Wi-Fi, and more applications to support, the opportunity for infrastructure is the flipside to the explosive growth in devices. Whether in new installations or upgrade sales, there are a host of attach products, services and security opportunities that can add considerable value to the end customer and in many cases the consumer of wireless access and services.

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Devices demand quick, secure and reliable access and with the advance in new standards impacting speeds and capacity it is no surprise that the WLAN market is set to provide a considerable and growing revenue stream. Reports highlight 64% of all IoT access points will continue to be via wireless. 802.11ac will have replaced all previous standards by 2019 (with the market expected to be 50% larger than currently) and the WLAN equipment market is to grow at a CAGR of 18% and reach over $12bn by 2019. As well as upgrade and new installations in all commercial and public sectors, a major growth hotspot is the venue-based Wi-Fi segment.

Sporting, retail, hotel and hospitality, public space and transport venues are all forecast to become larger and smarter customers for Wi-Fi infrastructure, security and services, and it is services where the opportunity for value-add lies.

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ACCESS ADDED VALUE Office People Going beyond the provision of access is an area where resellers can add considerable value to their customers as enablers of greater customer engagement, insight and loyalty. Rob Leggett, Exertis’ director of wireless and mobility explains “it’s key to see WiFi as part of a solution rather than just a technology. Customers, whether large or small, centralised or distributed, commercial or public sector will experience a huge increase in demand for Wi-Fi over the next few years, understanding what it is to be used for, and what complementary products and services can add value and will deliver real benefits. For example, in a retail setting, a stadium or any large venue, the provision of secure Wi-Fi to customers, coupled with large AV displays and an Airangel deployment provide advanced customer connection, engagement and insight meaning the customer conversation can elevate to a real value-add, strategic business benefit level, rather than be just about access, security and installation.”

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Exertis is the UK’s foremost provider of wireless and mobility solutions. With WLAN infrastructure solutions from vendors such as Huawei, Samsung, and Fortinet; value add, next generation access solutions from Airangel; and all the peripheral and networking needed for installations that go from the network to the device and beyond, Exertis is uniquely placed to assist with adding value to all reseller wireless opportunities. For more information call the team on 01256 378 620.

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Sources: Fortinet, Gartner, Dell’Oro, ABI Research, SysCon and MarketsandMarkets.

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Introducing the Ricoh SP C340DN | SP C342DN next generation A4 colour for small offices and workgroups

Colour matters FAST | PRODUCTIVE | AFFORDABLE The Ricoh SP C340DN and SP C342DN A4 colour printers are smart, easy to use and exceptionally efficient, making them ideal for your small / medium sized office or business.

Usability is enhanced by the intuitive interface, choose either the four-line LCD panel on the SP C340DN or upgrade to the 4.3 inch touch panel via the SP C342DN. Jobs can be printed quickly, securely and simply from mobile phones, and work-flow is also accelerated by the high-speed Intel processor. Low operating costs, high quality business colour and shared network access further combine to offer fast, productive and affordable print output.

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Within the world of technology there are a few vestiges where once separate technologies that have converged, are still defined by an old dividing line.

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Perhaps none more so than in print, or copying, or is it both? Markets, analysts, channels, supply chains still carry the legacy of their evolution and whilst at either end of the print-copy spectrum this still applies, in the fiercely fought middle-ground the battle rages and lines of engagement are blurred.

The A2 / A3 network attached, departmental multifunction (MFP) printer/copier is a segment of the market that has shown remarkable resilience; having grown 30%+ in the last four years, and nearly £600m in the UK market. By 2019, this veteran hardware will account for around 80% of the total business printer market according to IDC.

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ACCESS SPECIALIST OA SUPPORT In recognition of this sustained and resilient market growth, the 13 strong specialist print team at Exertis now directly addresses the OA market. Offering resellers brands from vendors that are helping redefine the market boundaries; such as the Samsung MultiXpress range, Oki ES series, and Lexmark MX products; Exertis is able to provide complete solutions to all large departmental print (and copy!) requirements, products, accessories, supplies, complementary attach products, credit, and bespoke logistics and warehousing services for large and complex installations. Service and support is now provided by a dedicated OA team, installed in Ketteringham Hall in Norfolk and headed by Alistair Coyne, who has over 15 years experience in print and OA technologies.

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er PRINTERS FOR ALL REASONS With businesses demanding savings in space, more scalable, productive and connected print and document management solutions, and an ever more competitive cost-per-page, this sustained growth over the long-term is perhaps not surprising. Whilst the overall business print market outlook is not so rosy, with A4 devices embroiled in a battle of technologies and price being dispensed with, the picture, according to Jamie Brothwell, print general manager at Exertis, changes complexion if you see the market opportunity as one that includes the copier side. “What we have been seeing for a long while now is considerable growth in office automation (OA) A2/A3 print from two perspectives. One the encroachment of printer vendors, such as Samsung, Oki and Lexmark up into the mid-market, MFP departmental space which was once the sole domain of the large copier vendors such as Ricoh, Xerox, KonicaMinolta, and Sharp. Secondly, the adoption by the copier channel of these brands, not historically part of the direct supply model typical of the copier market. The attraction of the agility and additional benefits a distributor provides – credit, fast delivery, PDI, complementary products – all under one roof is considerable for those copier dealers that want options in the mid-market MFP device segment and a standard of service that direct supply can’t provide.”

Marketing Microsoft Mobile

Alistair notes that the OA market is set for another transformation and possible growth phase as “the printer has long gone from the desktop and is now a shared, departmental facility, where speed, reliability, flexibility and cost-per-page are key. Looking forward though, the next phase of growth for OA is at the heart of the smart and connected workplace, aiding the drive in business transformation, where document access, sharing, editing and printing over the cloud is enabled. Samsung’s MX7 range has stolen a march here and is equipped with an Android interface and is ready to help enable a smarter, more connected workplace.“

Microsoft Mobile

With the divide between the printer and the copier now eroded, the role of the departmental MFP device is set to change rapidly too. For more information on any of the exciting print opportunities mentioned above, please contact Exertis print and OA specialists via the dedicated email print@exertis.co.uk or call 01256 70 70 70.

TOP REASONS T0

MODERNISE YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE 6TH GENERATION INTEL® CORE® PRO™ PROCESSOR FAMILY V

MEET THE MOBILITY NEEDS OF YOUR USERS AND THE SECURITY REQUIREMENTS OF YOUR BUSINESS. The time to upgrade is now.

There’s never been a better time to modernise your organisation with the availability of 6th generation Intel® Core® vPro™ processors – the best Intel® platform for business.

You’ll enjoy significant advancements in security, form factor innovation, performance, productivity, and manageability. Experience up to 2.5x greater performance1, 3x longer battery life2, and 30x improved graphics performance3 compared to a 5-year-old PC. Get functionality in a flash with wake-up speeds as quick as 0.5 second.4 And best of all, you can get business-class performance and security when you combine the power of the 6th gen Intel Core® vPro™ processor with Windows* 10 Enterprise. It’s simply a better way to work.

No-compromise design delivers the right PC for every user.

Choose from more than 100 of the thinnest, lightest, space-saving designs ever. The 6th gen Intel™ Core® vPro™ processor powers a breadth of sleek new form factors, propelling business forward with the right device for every job. Choose from 2 in 1s, Ultrabooks™, razor-thin clamshells, All-in-One (AIO) PCs and mini PCs, all with high-performing, 14nm technology.

The 6th gen Intel™ Core® vPro™ processor features hardware-enhanced security, remote manageability, and wireless innovations to help transform the workplace. For example, the Ultrabook 2 in 1 with the latest Intel™ Core® vPro processor offers a full-performance laptop and a versatile tablet in a single device. With a flip of the screen, it converts to a tablet for presentations and switches back to a laptop when you need to write a report. Choose from innovative desktop designs that include the expandable tower and the stylish, clutter-free AIO, and the powerful mini PC which offers a compact design built for business.

Transform how work gets done.

Bring your modern workforce together with collaboration and wire-free solutions from Intel.

• Enable smarter conference rooms and meetings as Intel®Unite™ software powers modern, connected, secure spaces that transform collaboration by design.

• Make every conference room a cable-free zone with Intel® Pro Wireless Display.

• Be connected and ready the moment you reach your desk as Intel® Wireless Gigabit Docking delivers wire-like performance for peripherals, all with a no-compromise wireless docking experience.

ENABLE MORE SECURE BUSINESS GROWTH WITH MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION Today’s cybercriminals are a wily and determined breed. Their modes of attack are complex and their opportunities are increasing as the volume of data and number of devices accessing this data in a typical organisation grow.

Traditional software-only methods of protecting identities – such as username and password – are too easily overcome by these cybercriminals. IT teams are challenged to introduce additional layers of identity protection to a business user community that often sees security as a barrier to innovation and productivity.

Intel® Authenticate Technology provides enterprises with a convenient and efficient way to manage policy-driven, hardware-based multi-factor authentication (MFA) for identity and access management. It moves multi-factor authentication data into the hardware and so helps reduce software-only vulnerabilities. It is designed to help IT turn security into a business enabler while combating the risk posed by cybercrime.

MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION - BUSINESS AND IT VALUE The Intel® Authenticate Solution Architecture delivers: • • • • • •

Hardware- and firmware-based authentication methods that resolve vulnerabilities associated with current software-based approaches Flexible and more secure IT policy administration A hardened MFA decision point that ensures trusted authentication Embedded credentials that eliminate the need for external tokens to buy or lose, driving cost savings Security-enabled device pairing that creates a ‘ready when you are’ security model for employees An extensible architecture that allows smooth integration with existing tools and consoles

Get Meetings Off to a Fast Start

SMARTER CONFERENCE ROOMS. SMARTER MEETINGS. EVERY MINUTE COUNTS. TODAY'S BUSINESS WORLD NEEDS SMARTER MEETING SPACES. Conference rooms that ensure that meetings start on time and that connect workers from any location to improve productivity.

Intel® Unite™ software powers secure, connected meeting spaces; whether your workers are sitting around the table or halfway around the world, you can get started quickly. This easy-to-use solution improves collaboration for users while simplifying management for IT with powerful Intel technologies.

LOSE THE WIRES

COLLABORATE IN REAL TIME

What Is Intel® Unite™ Software?

Intel® Unite™ software powers secure, connected meeting spaces; whether your workers are sitting around the table or halfway around the world, you can get started quickly. This easy-to-use solution improves collaboration for users while simplifying management for IT with powerful Intel technologies.

•

Intel® Core™ vPro™ processor-based mini PC – The latest Intel® Core™ vPro™ processor delivers leading-edge security and performance together with innovative wireless capabilities. The foundation for Intel Unite is a conference room with select Intel® Core™ vPro™ processor-based mini PCs.

•

Intel® Unite™ software – With Intel® Unite™ software running on client devices, attendees can connect and interact with meeting content in real time, from any location.

SHARE SCREENS INSTANTLY Simplify IT Management With Intel® vPro™ technology, you can integrate the Intel® Unite™ software into your existing IT infrastructure and leverage the management tools, systems, and policies you already have in place.5 And by simplifying the infrastructure technologies needed in your conference rooms, you can help reduce costs and improve manageability.

256 BIT SSL

0 0 0-0 0 0

SAFER MEETINGS

Transform your workplace with cutting-edge security, amazing performance, and unwired productivity.

REMOTE MANAGEABILITY

. Measured by SYSmark* 2014, a benchmark from the BAPCo* consortium which measures the performance of commonly used productivity applications like Microsoft Excel and Adobe Acrobat. Find out more at www.bapco.com. . On HD video playback, compared to 5-year-old system. For more complete information about performance and benchmark results, visit www.intel.com/benchmarks. . Measured using 3DMark* Cloud Gate graphics test, a 3D graphics benchmark which measures DX-10 gaming performance. Find out more at www.futuremark.com.

4 . Faster Resume workload consists of time to resume from standby based on OEM implementation of Windows® 10 Modern Standby on a 6th Gen Intel® Core™ processors.

5 . Intel technologies may require enabled hardware, specific software, or services activation. Performance varies depending onsystem configuration. No computer system can be absolutely secure. Check with your system manufacturer or retailer or learn more at intel.com.

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PROTECTED DATA

Ready for your data protection profits to soar?

Achieve your revenue and profit goals with data protection solutions from Dell.

Secure revenue and profit streams by becoming a Dell partner and take advantage of the rapid marketshare growth Dell’s backup and deduplication appliances have seen in the past year alone. Between three core software products, two appliance families, and a suite offering flexible, capacity based licensing, you’ll be able to offer customers backup and disaster recovery solutions that are aligned to their unique needs, rather than being restricted by the constraints of any one product.

Think Dell when you need: Application backup and recovery Projects: • • • • • • • •

Database backup and recovery

SQL compression and recovery Virtual/physical backup and recovery VMware backup and recovery Cross-platform backup and recovery Deduplication and replication Simple disk backup Granular AD recovery Message-level recovery

Data protection appliances

Rapid Recovery

DL Appliances

ZeroIMPACT recovery — anything to anywhere

Rapid Recovery in an easy-to-use appliance.

• Recover entire systems, apps and data in <15 minutes — with zero impact on end users.

• Save admin time by eliminating multiple point solutions and interfaces.

• Protect systems, apps and data wherever they reside — physical, virtual and cloud.

NetVault Backup Efficient data protection for highly diverse IT environments • Protect growing and diverse IT environments and minimise complexity — NetVault Backup was built with efficiency and simplicity in mind.

• Interface with a broad spectrum of operating systems, applications and backup target support in the industry to support growing, diverse IT environments.

• Safeguard data wherever it resides, including in physical, virtual and cloud environments.

• Back up, restore, replicate, and recover systems, apps, and data with the highly-tuned Rapid Recovery software.

• Recover in less than 15 minutes, with or without agents.

• Save admin time and avoid frustration by eliminating multiple point solutions and interfaces — get all the proven and trusted features in one solution for no hassle, near-zero downtime.

DR Appliances Back up more. Store less. Perform better.

• Expand backup to additional servers using deduplication software which reduces backed up data by a 15:1 ratio.

• Extend backup and deduplication to remote/branch offices using existing hypervisor servers and the DR2000v virtual appliance.

• Integrate easily into existing data protection environments with support for 16 leading backup applications.

vRanger

Dell Backup & Disaster Recovery Suite

Powerful, affordable and trusted backups for VMware, Hyper-V and Windows server environments

Protection without compromise

• Save management time and ease configuration management of host systems with this agentless solution.

• Increase flexibility with direct-to-target architecture that utilises any disk target.

• Simplify recovery for files and folders with oneclick recovery.

Includes Dell Data Protection Software Portfolio: • Rapid Recovery: Back up in minutes and restore in seconds across physical, virtual and cloud environments.

• NetVault Backup: Deploy scalable backup and recovery for large amounts of data and business-critical applications such as DB2 and SAP. • vRanger: Experience fast, scalable backup, replication, and restore for VMware and Hyper-V virtual environments.

Contact your Account Manager today for more information

THE

To buy online: store.exertis.co.uk exertis.co.uk

FUTURE

TOOLS FOR THE TRADE IT’S THE ICE AGE In addition to an Exertis team of 25 highly trained sales staff specialising in server and storage solutions, resellers can take advantage of a number of free tools and services that raise business efficiency and make it easier to do business with us. For even more complex server solutions, our customers can always remain cool simply by using the Exertis Intelligent Configuration Engine (ICE) tool. Turning around a quote quickly and accurately can make the difference to securing a deal.

That’s why so many of our customers rely on ICE to accurately specify and price server, storage and workstation configurations from simple tower models for small business up to top-end rack and blade arrays for enterprise solutions.

Since its initial launch ICE has been upgraded with many additional features. The tool offers bespoke configuration of Dell, Fujitsu and Lenovo servers, storage and workstations. It has an intuitive and easy to use interface providing even complete novices with the ability to create error free server configurations. It also helps to alert users to complementary components that can be attached and notifies users of any promotions and discounts that might apply, while also correctly displaying up to the minute stock levels. Its reporting functions provide quote tracking, identifies sales patterns and trends and provides archiving functionality. Furthermore, ICE also acts as a marketing portal allowing our users to download datasheets, high resolution images, installation guides and user manuals to help support specific quotes.

For an ICE demo visit: http://bit.ly/29B39Q2 By ensuring ICE features the most popular lines, Exertis can guarantee that a server built from stock online, prior to 12.00pm, can be delivered to your site, or your customer’s business on the next business day. If ordered after 12.00pm, Exertis will guarantee delivery between 24 and 48 hours, making ICE the fastest way in the UK to get server and storage solutions delivered. If you don’t have an in-house installation team, or you need extra engineering resources, Exertis can provide a range of white label professional services which you can use as your own.

ICE CONFIGURATION TO ORDER SERVERS & STORAGE • • • • • • • •

Choose the ‘Base Model’ server from stock Add 2nd CPU, RAM, HDD and more Choose storage base model from stock Add controllers, HDD, HBA and more Built by our certified build facility Serial and work details fed back if required Order before 12.00pm for next day delivery After 12.00pm guaranteed 48 hours

Try ICE for yourself today http://bit.ly/2bg12Gq

ENTERPRISE DEMO ROOM You can now also take advantage of our newly enhanced enterprise demo suite at our Ashwood Basingstoke office. We have a range of solutions that you can bring your team down to be trained, or your customers in to view, to find out more on: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Dell PowerEdge VRTX Hyper Converged Solution Dell PowerEdge Hyper-converged solutions FX2 Dell EqualLogic PS6210 Flash Hybrid Storage Arrays Dell Compellent SC-series SAN’s FC and iSCSI Dell PowerEdge Server with NVidia Grid Cards (for VDI acceleration) Dell Precision Mobile & Tower Workstations Dell Networking X, N and S series StorMagic software-defined storage software DataCore Enterprise software Fujistu V-Shape Solutions Fujistu DX Storage Lenovo Flex Blade Chassis Lenovo X3650 Server High-end Dell Physical and Mobile Workstations - Precision M5510, Precision M7710, Precision T3420 and Precision T7910 Dell Wyse Samsung 65” Interactive whiteboard display Eaton UPS Microsoft Windows 2012 R2 Hyper-converged solutions A range of Dell monitors and ultra-wide solutions, projectors and displays…

For more information on booking a visit to our enterprise demo room, please ask your account manager for details.

TRAINING In addition to the above tools and services, you can take advantage of a number of free training courses to help increase your server and storage business. These include: • • • • • • •

Vendor Agnostic ‘Selling Server Basics’ Introduction to Storage (NAS, SAN, DAS) Introduction to Server Ranges Introduction to Storage ranges Vendor Specific Pre-Sales Storage Hands On with multiple brands Product Sales Workshops

Exertis can also provide an overview of vendor accreditation programmes and rebates, regular updates on programmes and achievement targets and information on exam preparation assistance.

For more information, please get in touch today.

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Windows 10 Pro means business.

ASUS recommends Windows 10 Pro.

ALL-NEW 3 YEAR ON-SITE WARRANTY

ASUS K31ADE Zenbook UX305CA ASUS Transformer 3 Pro T303 PB278Q

Proud to champion innovative and reliable technology design, ASUS are proud to now offer 3 year on-site warranty as standard across our Commercial ranges.

Windows 10 Pro devices provide you the powerful essentials you need for your business PCs - more security features, enhanced control, and robust and innovative devices - and to stretch your resources to get more done.

Contact your Exertis account manager today to find out more The 3 year next business day on-site warranty will see users benefit from troubleshooting and diagnostic support, with on-site device repair by an ASUS Authorised Representative.

These services are available Monday to Friday, excluding holidays; next business day service when call is received before 12 noon local time in most locations (depends on country limitations).

Terms and conditions apply. 3 year on-site provided on selected models only.

On-site service and response time may vary according to geographic location and parts availability. UK Mainland only.

The terms for this warranty offer are subject to change. For the latest Terms and Conditions, please see: http://www.asus.com/uk/event/3yearwarranty For a full list of eligible products, go to see: http://www.asus.com/uk/event/3yearwarranty

FUTURE

B2B MUST HAVE ACCESSORIES

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BELKIN TYPE-C USB CAR CHARGER WITH REMOVABLE USB-C™ CHARGE & SYNC CABLE

Specifically designed to support Android tablets, the Belkin dock ensures you never go without a fully charged mobile device.

The USB-C™ Cable and Car Charger makes it easy to charge your USB-C™ Smartphone or tablet in your car.

RRP: £29.99 Colour: Grey Part Codes: BELF8M769BT

RRP: £19.99 Colour: Black Part Codes: BELF7U002BT06-BLK

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TECH21 EVO MESH CASE

SAMSUNG S VIEW COVER

Samsung’s modern and eye-catching designed view cover accentuates the elegant feel of your Galaxy S6.

This ultra-thin and super lightweight case offers advanced impact protection.

RRP: £39.99 Colour: Black, Gold Part Codes: SAMEF-CG920PBEGWWBLK

RRP: £29.99 Colour: Smokey/Red & Clear/Grey Part Codes: T21-5298

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BELKIN ANDROID EXPRESS DOCK

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KENSINGTON WIRED VALUKEYBOARD

TARGUS CLASSIC CLAMSHELL NYLON

Functional and practical: The Kensington wired valukeyboard features a spill-proof sealed membrane design to resist coffee, water and other liquids

Designed with simplicity in mind, this is an ideal case to carry notebooks with screens up to 15.6”.

RRP: £9.99 Colour: Black Part Codes: 1500109

RRP: £16.99 Colour: Black Part Codes: TAR300

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TECH21 PATRIOT FOR IPAD AIR 2

Combining convenience and comfort with an attractive design, the Targus classic backpack offers efficient storage for professionals with an active lifestyle.

Tech 21 Patriot protective cases provide superior protection for the front, back and sides of your device.

RRP: £69.99 Colour: Black Part Codes: T21-5097

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RRP: £22.29 Colour: Black Part Codes: CN600

KENSINGTON USB-C™ UNIVERSAL DOCK WITH POWER

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Deliver power, video output and USB connectivity with one simple cable.

RRP: £229.99 Colour: Black Part Codes: K38231WW

TARGUS CLASSIC 15-16” BACKPACK

SAMSUNG WIRELESS CHARGING STAND

Take wireless charging to the next level, charging any Galaxy device up to 1.4x faster.

RRP: £44.99 Colour: Black, White Part Codes: SAMEP-NG930BBEGWWBLK

Altham 01282 776 776 | Basingstoke: 01256 707 070 | store.exertis.co.uk

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