Category: Tools & Tech

Unlike some other projects made by Google, the Buzz service received positive comments on its Twitter hashtag channel [#buzz] and who knows, maybe Google Buzz is something that will push the Google into right direction.

Data released from a leading broadband help and comparison website shows that 2009 was a strong year for O2 in online broadband sales, with BT, Virgin Media and PlusNet also making big impressions.

Following a huge change in outlook over the past 15 months half of UK SMEs are planning to move their computing into the cloud by 2011, but many are still failing to implement formal strategies to help safeguard their businesses, according to a report released this week.

Research by analysts at broadband.co.uk have shown that average broadband speeds grew by 22% during 2009.

Vodafone today announced that it will launch iPhone in the UK on January 14 and will be available for customers on a 24 month contract from as little as £30 a month.

With 65 percent of small businesses surveyed believe that Internet security is critical to their business, only 28 percent have formal Internet security policies. As organizations combat an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape and feel potential impacts to IT staffing reductions due to the economic environment, employees remain the strongest defense in protecting an organization’s information.

Mobile devices using the Android operating system remain a largely untapped resource for many businesses and yet have great potential to benefit and add real business value to the way staff work on the move. And with 3G networks offering high-performance internet connectivity, it makes sense for companies to consider using this technology and capitalise on the business-orientated tools, apps and resources it makes readily available.

BT has announced it is the first UK communications provider to offer unlimited fixed line calling packages for small businesses. The high value BT Business One Plan Inclusive packages offer unlimited calling minutes to UK landlines, UK mobiles, international destinations and 0845 and 0870 numbers for a fixed fee of £15 per month. This fee is further reduced to £12.50 per month if customers take the unlimited package on a VoIP line and on the face of it represents significant savings for small business.

A far off reality only a few years ago, today cloud computing really has become mainstream.
However, many small businesses are still unclear what cloud computing is and, more importantly, how it can benefit their business. Indeed, they are not alone, a recent survey of European IT Heads by Portio Research found that 56% were not familiar with cloud computing.

The online auction site eBay has settled a lawsuit with the founders of Skype, ending uncertainty over the future of the internet phone company.

Scott Hewitt, the entrepreneur behind Norfolk-based design and development firm Real Projects, has compiled a list of the top 40 tools and websites which businesses can use for free.

If Spring is the season of mellow fruitfulness then the Autumn is when the exhibitions start up in earnest.
A whole new raft of kit is required to make a company’s exhibition presence fly and locking everything down with security hardware from Kensington so it doesn’t go walkies. Here Guy Clapperton tells you what you’ll need something for a good display, equipment to help people interact with you in seminars and keep everything charged

As Small Business Week commences, there’s plenty of talk at the moment of the green shoots of economic recovery; and just as many people opposing this view, urging caution even as we head towards the end of 2009 and into a new decade. However, despite an outlook that remains uncertain, there are still plenty of ways for small businesses to remain nimble, competitive and to make smart decisions, which will enable them to ride out the storm and emerge healthier as the economy stabilises.

The battle of the smartphones has begun, and workers wanting to keep in touch with contacts, emails and applications will soon be spoiled for choice, with a range of excellent handsets to choose from. But which should you pick? Here, we look at the pros and cons of each.

Google email users have become the latest victims in an “industry-wide” phishing attack scheme, which has affected thousands of people and small businesses across several web based services.