Samsung Galaxy Book2 Series: Enhanced flexibility and versatility for today’s modern workplace

Samsung Galaxy Book2 Series: Enhanced flexibility and versatility for today’s modern workplace

During its unpacked event, Samsung Electronics announced the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 series, a range of brand-new notebooks that combines powerful performance with a portable design. The ideal companion in today’s modern workplace we thought when adding Samsung’s latest innovation to our hardware portfolio. Eager to discover how the latest Galaxy PCs offer a productive and agile experience? Read on to find out!

As the hybrid workplace becomes the norm, companies want to enable their employees to better adapt to this new way of working while better protecting themselves from the growing number of cyber threats.  To meet these expectations, Samsung launched the Galaxy Book2 Series, a gamma of five powerful laptops designed to boost security, productivity, flexibility, and connectivity. 

Samsung classifies its notebooks into two categories: Galaxy Book2 Pro and Galaxy Book2 Business. The latter targeting businesses by making use of Intel vPro chips and Windows Hello facial recognition for more multi-factor authentication options. 

Enterprise security meets mobile freedom

The shift to hybrid working has underlined significant cybersecurity threats for employers and employees alike. Employees working from home are more vulnerable to cyberattacks as they have limited access to security tools and the infrastructure at the office, an issue Samsung addresses by launching the first consumer PC lineup featuring secured designation elements.  

The Samsung Galaxy Book2 series delivers an enhanced level of protection on Windows 11 and features deeply integrated hardware, firmware, and software to boost protection against potential cyber-attacks. More specifically, the Galaxy Book2 series protects your hybrid work environment by making use of the Samsung defense-grade security technology, Intel Hardware Shield Technology, and an embedded processor to protect BIOS. On top, the devices are equipped with a Tamper Alert function that detects, tracks, and mitigates malicious attempts.

Ultimate productivity on the go 

With video calls being essential for the success of the hybrid workplace, the Galaxy Book2 series delivers optimal performance tailor-made to the needs of today’s modern workplace. When using video-conferencing apps such as Google Meet, Microsoft Teams or Zoom, auto-framing ensures that the camera stays focused on the faces on-screen while background effects minimize distractions and enable the employees to be the center of attention when making calls from a busy location. On top, the Galaxy Book2 filters static and background sounds, so voices come through clearly.

For flexible and connected work experiences

To enable your employees to work anywhere, anytime and on any location, the Galaxy Book 2 Series offers seamless connectivity with other Samsung Galaxy products. The Single Sign-On feature, for example, simplifies the authentication process by requiring credentials to only be entered once, giving the user immediate access to Galaxy device apps and content, including Samsung Gallery and Samsung Notes. Through Private Share employees can securely exchange confidential information between devices and colleagues. To ensure that confidential information stays classified, employees can authorize access and set expiration dates for every file they send. 

By combining the power of Samsung DeX and the Samsung Galaxy Book2 series, Samsung makes working across devices piece of cake. Not only can users send texts or take calls using your computer thanks to Link to Windows, they can also use their Galaxy Book2 series’ keyboard and trackpad while navigating on their Galaxy Tab S8 screen. This crossover continuity enables them to select recently used applications and open them on their notebook to pick up right where they left off. 

 

Ready to onboard the new Samsung notebooks? Get in touch today!

New iPhone SE, iPad Air and Mac: here’s what you need to know about the new Apple devices

New iPhone SE, iPad Air and Mac: here’s what you need to know about the new Apple devices

Yesterday was the day. Apple’s first event of the year was chackled full of new hardware releases. Faster iPads, an upgraded iPhone SE, and a new Mac, all setting the tone for expected phone and computer upgrades later this year. An overview.  

iPhone SE: Love the power, love the price

As the new iPhone SE, again the cheaper member of the iPhone family, also supports 5G all recent iPhones now take advantage of the latest generation of mobile internet. Read on to discover what else is new. 

Key features:

  • The third-generation iPhone SE succeeds the 2020 model as the new budget-friendly iPhone option. The first iPhone SE came out in 2016 and remained available for four years, meaning the SE line is set for a quicker change of pace. 
  • The new iPhone SE gets a faster processor, the A15 bionic – which is also present in the iPhone 13 devices and the iPad Mini. The A15 stores a 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, and 16-core neural engine. 
  • On the back, we find a 12 MP camera enabling computational photography and improves video conferencing. 
  • What does remain the same is the design. So, like the 2020 iPhone SE, the new model has a fingerprint scanner instead of facial recognition – which has been part of the more expensive iPhones for several years – and a 4.7-inch LCD display.
  • The iPhone SE is available in midnight, starlight, and product red and has ceramic shield at the front and back.   
  • The cheapest 5G iPhone starts at €437.19 (Excl. VAT) and is available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB variants. The devices can be ordered as of March 11 and will be delivered as of March 18.

iPad Air: Light, bright and full of might

ipad-air-2020-kleuren-opties-removebg-preview

Apple released new high-end iPads Pro last spring and updated the iPad Mini and regular iPad last fall, having left the iPad’s middle child, the iPad Air, as the model that was most eligible for an update. Releasing a new iPad Air during its Peek Performance event, Apple focuses on bringing the device in line with the sixth-generation iPad Mini. Read on to find out what’s new.

Key features: 

  • By introducing flat edges, thin bezels, Apple pencil support, USB-C and a new touch ID button, the iPad Air received an iPad Pro-style redesign in 2020. But as the still fresh design has become dated, it made sense for Apple to roll out an updated iPad Air. With the iPad Air 2022, Apple does put a performance on the par with its higher-end tablets by introducing the M1 chip – making the iPad Air M1 60 percent faster than its predecessor. 
  • There are no changes in the design department. The iPad Air 5 comes with the same display with squared-off edges and is equipped with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with 3.8 million pixels, 500 nits of brightness, a P3 wide colour gamut, True Tone, and an anti-reflective screen coating. A Touch ID-based fingerprint sensor is built-in into the power button for additional security. The device has support for eSIM, stereo speakers, and Wi-Fi 6.
  • In addition, the new iPad Air supports center stage, a feature where the camera continues to follow your face during video calls. The cameras themselves also improved. A 12 MP ultra-wide-angle camera was added on the front and back, making the iPad Air stand on the same height as the other iPad models. 
  • The newest iPad Air is compatible with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil 2, making it easier than ever to work from anywhere, at any time and any location. 
  • The iPad Air M1, available in Wi-Fi and cellular models, starts at €577.69 (Excl. VAT) and stores up to 256GB. The device will be sold in space grey, starlight, pink, purple and blue and can be pre-ordered as of the 11th of March. The new iPad Air will be officially released on the 18th of March.

M1 Ultra: Faster is phenomenal

Apple-M1-Ultra-introduced-Here-are-its-features-and-performance-980x400-removebg-preview

M1 has transformed Mac in the past years. Users no longer have to choose between great performance and better battery life. Now Apple is taking Mac even further with the latest chip in the M1 Silicon family: the M1 Ultra.

Key features:

  • The key to the M1 Ultra is Apple’s UltraFusion architecture — effectively, Apple is fusing together two separate M1 Max chips into a single, massive SoC, thanks to the 2.5TB/s inter-processor connection that the M1 Max offers. 
  • That design lets Apple double virtually all the specs from its M1 Max chip on the M1 Ultra: 20 CPU cores (16 performance and 4 efficiency), 64 GPU cores, a 32-core Neural Engine for AI processing, and up to 128GB of RAM. All told, Apple says that the M1 Ultra offers eight times the performance of the regular M1.
  • Now let’s have a look at what hardware you need to enjoy this new powerhouse.

Mac Studio: Empower station

mac-studio-2-removebg-preview

Break-through performance, connectivity, and modularity? Say hello to Mac Studio! 

Key features:

  • You can think of Mac Studio as a replacement for the high-end Mac Mini and a sort of cheaper alternative to the Mac Pro. The new device comes with either an M1 Max or M1 Ultra chip, making it up to 80 faster than the best Mac Pro. 
  • Mac Studio – a desktop computer to which you still need to connect a keyboard, mouse, and monitor – is about 3.7-inches high and has a width of 7.7-inches. The larger case is needed to cool down the powerful M1 Ultra chip. The M1 Ultra chip has 16 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores – basically double of the M1 Max which used to be the fastest Apple chip – and has insane graphic performance thanks to its 65 graphic cores. In addition, the new chip is available with up to 128GB of central memory.
  • At the front of the Mac Studio, there’s an SD card slot and two USB-C ports. On the back, you have the power supply, a 100GB ethernet port, four thunderbolt ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI output, and an audio jack. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 are built in as well. 
  • Multitasking becomes easier than ever with Mac Studio, allowing you to simultaneously connect up to four screens. For those who want even more, a fifth screen in the form of a television can be connected.  
  • The entry-level Mac Studio costs €1924.79 (Excl. VAT), but that only gets you the M1 Max chip.The prices for the ultra-fast M1 Ultra start at €3825.62 (Excl. VAT). 
  • Mac Studio can be ordered as of today with delivery starting March 18. 

Studio Display: A sight to be bold

studio-display-removebg-preview

Loaded with incredible features that no other desktop has to offer, Apple finds its way to the consumer-graded market with Studio display. An overview.

 Key features:

  • The previous years, Apple only sold the 32-inch Pro Display XDR, an insanely advanced mini-led display with a price tag of €5499, making Studio Display its smaller and cheaper brother. 
  • Studio Display is a 27-inch screen and comes in at 218 pixels per inch, making it a 5K retina display. 
  • With the introduction of a 12MP ultra-wide camera and center stage coming to the Mac for the first time, videoconferencing becomes piece of cake. To further elevate the video conferencing experience, Studio Display comes with a three-mic array and 6 speaker-sound system – the best combination of audio and video in a desktop yet! 
  • Powerful? You could say that! Studio Display is equipped with an A13 bionic chip and thunderbolt cable enabling you to transfer 96W of power. Quickly charging your MacBook Pro 14” before your next meeting? Check! 
  • At the back of the monitor, three other USB-C connectors can be found for optimal connectivity. 
  • Apple sells the monitor starting March 18 for a retail price of €1470.25 (Excl. VAT). A version with nano-textured glass costs €1676.86 (Excl. VAT). Apple includes a tilt stand or VESA adapter for an additional cost of €460. 

IOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4 and Mac OS Monterey 12.3

studio-display-removebg-preview

Apple has been beta testing iOS 15.4, iPad OS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3 since late January and now the updates are nearly ready to launch. Perfect timing as Apple’s Operating System works together perfectly with its new Hardware! Read on to find out what’s new:

  • iOS 15.4 is a huge update that brings support for using Face ID while wearing a mask if you have an iPhone 12 or newer, introduces new emoji characters, lays the groundwork for Tap to Pay, adds a new Siri voice and improves the anti-stalking functionality of AirTags. 
  • macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 add the long awaited Universal Control feature that is designed to allow multiple Macs and iPads to be controlled with a single mouse and keyboard.

Eager to discover what else is new? Download our Apple For Enterprise Whitepaper to find out!

Ready to onboard the new Apple devices in your business? Get in touch today!

Why your company should offer Mac as an option in your employee choice program

Why your company should offer Mac as an option in your employee choice program

When we talk about Mac in the workplace, many typecast the typical corporate user as someone working in marketing or creative departments. Yet, 83% of those working in IT and HR feel that using a Mac is critical to their job function. As employee choice continues to move up the agenda, the traditional Apple doesn’t play well with others, is becoming less relevant than ever before. Not convinced yet that Mac might be a good fit with your enterprise’ needs? Read on to discover why you should offer Mac as a choice!

1. A competitive edge for recruiting talent

78% of Millennials believe having access to the technology they like at work makes them more effective. If given a choice, no less than two third of them would choose an Apple device. We don’t have to remind you that Millennials are the largest incoming workforce, right?

2. Boost employee happiness and productivity

When you consider the cost of staff recruitment, you want to go an extra mile to retain workers rather than to replace them. Retention relies on a lot of things. A raise, opportunities for personal progression, and, of course, using great tools. As Apple products demonstrate remarkably higher user satisfaction levels, employees using the device tend to be happier, more productive, and innovative and are less likely to leave the company. That’s a lot of assurance, no? 

3. Choosing Apple saves you money

What if we told you that you can save up to €600 per device if your employees choose a Mac rather than a PC for work? Not only are employees using a Mac five times less likely to make support requests, choosing Apple also reduces hardware, software, and operational costs. 

4. Security is a priority

Mac offers best-in-class security thanks to the combination of its M1 chip and MacOS Monterey. A safer browsing experience, in mail privacy protection, two-factor authentication, just to name a few of the features that come with purchasing an Apple M1 device. To ensure your technology fleet remains safe, Apple regularly publishes software updates resolving security flaws. As these updates now take place in the background, the operating system remains secure and up to date at all times. Cause your security is Apple’s priority! 

5. Migrating was never easier

With the introduction of iCloud+ earlier this year, Apple has made it super-easy to migrate from one of its devices to another– a measurable cost benefit that’s been confirmed by IBM, stating that five times as many Windows users are experiencing issues when migrating to a new system. 

6. IT becomes a cost benefit

What happens when your IT team no longer needs to spend their time on upgrading computers or resolving issues? They get to do something else! As employees using Macs make five times less support requests than Windows users, your technology experts will have more time to focus on systems integrations, software enhancements, integrating new digital technologies and much more. Say hello to that competitive business advantage!  

7. Technology never dies

Four years after having implemented Apple devices in your IT infrastructure, your Apple equipment retains a relatively high resale value. A thousand-dollar PC may yield €200 four years later, a thousand-dollar Mac, may raise you up to €400. An added value that can be invested in boosting your employee satisfaction even more, no? 

8. Mobile <3 Mac

As enterprises across the globe are increasingly responding to the mobile world, Apple went an extra mile to enable its users to work across Apple devices. Starting to work on one device and switching to another to pick up where you left off? Copy pasting content across devices? Using iOS apps on your notebook? Check, check, double-check!   

Want to uncover if Mac fits your enterprise's needs? Request your free test device today!

Say hello to Hardware Comfort, the first fully integrated modern workplace management solution on the Belgian market


Say hello to Hardware Comfort, the first fully integrated modern workplace management solution on the Belgian market

Dilbeek, Evere, February 16 – Accelerated by the pandemic, the future of work is here. Employers that want to stay competitive will have to put an emphasis on offering an outstanding employee experience by providing flexibility and choice, a mission to which mobco and Orange Belgium hope to contribute by launching Hardware Comfort – the first fully integrated modern workplace management solution in Belgium putting employees in control of their workplace and telco assets. 

Remote working was not always a top priority for organizations, but the corona crisis was a catalyst for change. With the end of the pandemic in sight, companies are preparing for the grand reopening of their physical offices, but those who want to continue to attract and retain top talent will not be able to simply return to the pre-corona crisis reality. Employees want to retain the flexibility to which they have become accustomed. The era of employee choice has arrived.

To operate successfully in this brave new world of work, a proper balance must be struck between technology, people, and processes, which remains a difficult challenge to tackle for many companies around the globe. With the arrival of Hardware Comfort, mobco and Orange Belgium aim at helping organizations of all sizes and sectors boost the overall employee experience by enabling them to become a workplace of choice.

Employee experience, more than a luxury

Technology, people, processes. The three pillars of a sustainable hybrid workplace, all pointing at one key concept, employee experience. As employees increasingly demand a say in when, how and where they work, those wanting to offer an unmatched employee experience should start looking into offering choice. While this may seem like a daunting challenge, the perfect solution might be lurking around the corner.

Hardware Comfort – the first fully integrated modern workplace management solution in Belgium with – as of today direct telecom impact – aims at empowering employees with self-service actions in the life cycle of the modern workplace. Ordering devices and SIM cards over registering devices in a corporate infrastructure to changing mobile subscription options, Hardware Comfort enables it all. mobco vouches for the configuration, delivery, management, security, and repair of all chosen workplace assets. 

To provide maximum flexibility, the platform also offers the possibility of establishing a flex reward plan.Initiating such a plan is usually time-consuming and comes with a heavy administrative burden. With Hardware Comfort all administration is bundled in one tool and all workplace assets are being automated, making it easier than ever to offer the right benefits at the right time. 

In short, Hardware Comfort boosts the employee experience by ironing out and simplifying the process of offering choice in the workplace. “To my knowledge, Hardware Comfort is the first platform where we fully integrate and automate telecom and IT services. With mobco’s Workplace Self Service platform at its base, employees gain control over every aspect of the modern workplace. By providing choice in devices, delivery address, integration with flex income plans and telco subscriptions, we take the employee experience to the next level”, Ulrik Van Schepdael, CEO of mobco. 

And who better to assist mobco in fulfilling this mission than Orange Belgium. Together with Orange Belgium, mobco already supports companies such as Accenture, SBS SkillBuilders, Terumo and Atalian in becoming a workplace of choice. Now that Hardware Comfort enters the playing field, both partners are eager to support more organizations in enrolling a sustainable workplace of choice. “Orange Belgium has been a loyal partner and I’m excited to see the product on the market. It is the result of years of hard work”, Ulrik Van Schepdael concludes. 

Interested? Don't delay, get in touch today!

Everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S22 & Tab S8 series

Everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S22 & Tab S8 series

Yesterday evening, during its unpacked event, Samsung presented the new Samsung Galaxy S22 and Tab 8 series. Eager to discover what’s new? Let us get you up to speed!

Samsung Galaxy S22

The Galaxy S22 is one of three S22 models that Samsung will release in the first half of 2022. The device succeeds the Samsung Galaxy S21 and is a smaller and cheaper variant of the Galaxy S22 Plus and Galaxy S22 Ultra. Find out what’s new below.

Key features:

  • In terms of display size, the standard Galaxy S22 is smaller than the S21. The Samsung Galaxy S22 has a 6,1-inch screen, compared to the 6,2-inch display of the S21and features a LTPO display, meaning the device is able to scale the refresh rate on its display from 120Hz down to 1Hz. 
  • The Samsung Galaxy S22 inherits a lot of the design stylings of the S21. The same style of wraparound camera bump is found on the S22, with the same hole-punch display on the front.
  • The regular Galaxy S22 has a respectively smaller battery than its predecessor, 3.700 mAh. You can charge the S22 at 25 watts with a wire, 15 watts wirelessly.  
  • After having kept the camera options stagnant for the Galaxy S20 and S21, it seemed time for an upgrade. The Samsung Galaxy S22 features a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP wide-angle lens and a 10MP telephoto lens. The latter would be good for 3x optical zoom.
  • The Galaxy S22 and S22+ are Samsung’s first S phones with a more durable “Armor Aluminum” frame, and they’re the first anywhere to use Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ to reduce drop damage. The backing is still plastic, but 20 percent of the “component, key bracket” is made from recycled materials. 

The Samsung S22 comes with 5G connectivity and uses 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage. The devices are available in panthom blac, panthom white, pink gold and green. The price remains the same as the S21 series with a recommended retail price of €849 and can be ordered as of the 11th of March.  

Samsung Galaxy S22+

The Samsung Galaxy S22+ is the middel model of the Galaxy S22 series, bringing together the best of both worlds. Discover what’s new below. 

Key features: 

  • The Galaxy S22 Plus has a 6.6-inch screen, compared to 6.7-inches of the previous model, and features a LTPO screen and the same brighter display technology as the S22 Ultra. 
  • Just as the regular S22, the S22+ has a 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide and a 10 MP telephoto lens. 
  • The battery of the Samsung Galaxy S22+ is smaller than the one of its predecessors, 4,500mAh, but supports 45W wired charging. 
  • The device, coming with 5G connectivity and supporting Wi-Fi 6E, is the first S phone to be equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ and it’s back is made of recycled plastic, making the smartphone far more sustainable than its predecessor.  

The Samsung S22+ uses 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage and is available in panthom black, panthom white, pink gold, green. The device starts at €1.049 and is available as of the 11th of March. 

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is Samsung’s flagship smartphone. This smartphone got a completely new design with integrated S Pen, making it the replacement for both the Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Read on to discover what else is new. 

Key features:

  • As the successor to the Galaxy Note, the Samsung S22 Ultra has a wider display, squared off design and an integrated S Pen holder. 
  • The Samsung Galaxy S22 has the same screen diameter as its predecessor, 6,8-inch, and is equipped with a LTPO display, meaning it has refresh rate that can vary between 1 and 120 Hz. In the screen you’ll also find a fingerprint sensor. 
  • Next to its 108MP main camera and 10x optical zoom, the Samsung S22 Ultra has several new camera features including the ability for the camera to zoom in and out while recording video to ensure everyone is in the shot, making it the phone to watch when it comes to photography. 
  • All this is driven by the in-house Exynos 2200 processor, expected to increase the graphics power enormously. 
  • As for charging performance, the Galaxy S22 comes with 45-watt charging support or 15 watts if you prefer wireless charging. 
  • With the Gorilla Glass Victus Plus and Samsung’s Armor Aluminum frame, the Samsung S22 Ultra is one of the toughest flagship phones around. 
  • The device comes with 5G connectivity and supports Wi-Fi 6E. 

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is available in Burundy, Panthom Black, Panthom White and Green, and comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512 GB, paired with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM. As of the 25th of February, the device can be ordered through our online store for a starting price of €1.249.

 

Galaxy Tab S8 series

The new Galaxy Tab S8, S8+ and S8 Ultra, the most powerful 5G Samsung tablet ever for immersive gaming, entertainment and work. Read on and discover what Samsung’s new tablets have in store for you(r) (business):  

Key features:

  • Those who find the screen of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra not big enough, can pick one of Samsung’s new tablets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the largest of the trio with a screen as large as 14.6-inches. 
  • Again, you get 120 Hz of refresh rate, driven by a powerful processor, making the new Samsung tablets perfect for watching videos or making video calls. 
  • The tablets run on Android 12 and can be connected to a Samsung PC as a second screen, an attempt from Samsung to create a better multitasking experience. 
  • Each of the new Galaxy Tab S8 devices has the latest chips, optional 5G and the S Pen stylus included in the box.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8 and Tab S8+ are on sale from €749 and €940, the Tab S8 Ultra has a recommended retail price of €1.149. Both devices can be ordered as of the 25th of February through our online store. 

Interested in pre-ordering the new Samsung Galaxy Series? Don't delay, get in touch today!

How Technology Can Help You Become An Employer Of Choice

How Technology Can Help You Become An Employer Of Choice

Being recognized as an employer of choice puts you in the driver’s seat for recruiting, hiring, and retaining the best and the brightest. And when the job market is competitive, having potential employees seek you out is a very opportune position to be in. However, being an employer of choice isn’t a status that is easily attained and maintained. It requires a thoughtful and strategic approach that begins with providing right technology. Here’s a list of how technology can facilitate becoming a great place to work! 

1. Create a culture of choice

Today’s employees want the option to pick from several devices. Almost 90% of employees would take a pay cut to use the workplace tools that they prefer. Employers that allow workers to choose between brands of computers, mobile devices, and software that they are familiar and comfortable with, are letting employees shape their on-the-job experience. Not only will they feel valued and cared about, they will also be more productive, creative and efficient as they don’t have to bother learning how to work with new, unfamiliar workplace tools. Freeing up time for creative initiatives and discovering how to be more efficient on the job? Check! 

2. Iron out your internal processes

It’s not only about the tools that you give your employees so they enjoy their work, it is also important to identify where you can remove obstacles and frustrations. How many times have you found yourself cursing the hoops you have to jump through to sign off on the needed workplace tools. Not only is it a waste of time, it’s also an emotional drain. An entirely frictionless employee experience may seem like a dream, but by smoothing out some key processes with the regards of choosing and ordering workplace tools, you’ll definitely get a few steps closer. 

3. Focus on benefits that matter

Different employees, various needs. In today’s workplace, every employee has different expectations when it comes to rewards and recognition. A flexible reward plan, which gives employees the option to choose their own benefits, is the solution to the challenge. But before looking into which flex reward solution best suits your needs, you need to learn more about what your employees value and listen to their feedback. Enrolling a cafeteria plan meeting the needs and values of both the employees and the organization can be a challenging task, but it will be a pleasure to have involved and dedicated employees on board, believe us!

4. Access to information

Employers of choice share information with their employees that ranges from the company’s financial progress and results to the status of their workplace tools. When employees feel ‘in the know’, they understand they are part of something bigger than just their job description which is motivating, exciting and something they are actively looking for when applying for a position. Data is the new gold!  

5. Bring it all together

With our self-developed Workplace Self Service, we can help you empower your employees and become an employer of choice. Our responsibility begins with enabling your employees to request, order and manage the preferred flexible benefits and workplace tools by themselves and this through a simple and secure dashboard. All you have to do is choose a budget and construct a portfolio of available tools per position and function. Our mission continues with delivering the devices pre-configured for work at the location of choice. We also take care of the management, security, and repair. You can watch over as the portal provides a great real-time overview of all workplace assets, simplifying life and reducing the time to manage. 

Ready to uncover what employee choice can mean to your business? Get in touch today!

The Importance Of Choice In The Workplace

The Importance Of Choice In The Workplace

To choose or let them choose. That is the question to ask when looking into upgrading or replacing workplace devices. For a while, the answer was simple: give everyone the same tools. But, as the COVID-19 crisis has put the world of work upside down, organizations must increasingly start looking for new ways to retain and attract top talent. As technology plays a significant role in either improving or degrading the employee experience, an employee technology choice program might be the ultimate companion in tackling this challenge. Read on to discover why. 

The abrupt closure of many offices and workspaces due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis ushered in a new era of remote work for millions of employed Europeans. As home working is here to stay, many perks businesses typically offer to attract and retain top talent – such as free food, gyms, and a slick office – are unusable. Every organization striving to provide an unmatched employee experience should therefore start looking for new alternatives. While this may seem like a daunting challenge, the solution is quite simple. 

Let’s face it, nobody likes working with technology that feels old, unfamiliar, and substandard. The technology used in the workspace is thus key to improving or degrading the employee experience. Organizations that offer technology options in the form of a choice program do reap the benefits of it. Here are five reasons how giving employees choice in technology can benefit your business.

1. Get the most out of your employees

When enabling employee choice, you let your employees choose among brands of computers and mobile devices that they are familiar and comfortable with to do their jobs. 85% of employees that are given a choice in workplace technology, claim to feel more productive and creative. Arming employees with the tools they want to work with allows them to execute their responsibilities quickly as they don’t have to bother learning how to work with an unfamiliar device. More time and energy thus to put in creative initiatives and discovering how to be more efficient in doing their job. 

2. Boost retention & attract new talent

Although there are a variety of motivators for why an employee chooses one workplace over another, being able to work with their favorite workplace devices is moving up the list. Nearly 70% of workers would be more likely to choose or stay at an organization that offers choice. Giving employees the possibility of choosing their own workplace tools shows that you care about providing them with the opportunities to succeed, boosting retention.

3. Increase job satisfaction

Choice programs show employees that you care about their preferences and opinions. When given the resources they need to be successful, employees feel valued leading to higher job satisfaction and better business outcomes. When debating whether to implement employee choice programs the question should not be why, rather why not.

4. Secure & easy to manage

Many organizations around the globe are focusing on enrolling a future-proof workplace meeting the needs of both remote workers and the future hybrid workplace. Giving your employees the option of choosing their own device will not have the dire consequences many expect. Mobile device management and endpoint security solutions are the bridge to supporting various devices in ways organizations couldn’t in the past. What was once considered a hindrance or even a security threat may now be among the biggest selling points!

5. Profitable & Sustainable

When you decide to offer employee choice, we can help you do it in a profitable and sustainable way. With our self-developed Workplace Self Service portal, we support you through the entire workplace life cycle. Our responsibility begins with enabling your employees to – all by themselves – order and manage the corporate tools they want to work with and ends when the device has reached the end of its shelf time. All you have to do is make a choice in budget and available devices per position and function. We take care of the configuration, delivery, management, and repair. 

Ready to uncover what employee choice can mean to your business? Get in touch today!

3 tips to better protect your sensitive corporate data​

3 tips to better protect your sensitive
corporate data

The corona crisis has fundamentally changed every aspect of our business, going from how we interact with our colleagues to where we work. And these new ways of working are likely to be continued in the post-COVID-19 world. Designing an appropriate, sustainable, and most of all secure working model is crucial to the success of work. Yet successfully reimagining a digital workplace strategy can be challenging. Not anymore, with the following three tips of our CEO, Ulrik Van Schepdael.  

It only took the corona virus a couple of months to completely change the world of work as we knew it. The crisis, so to speak, forced companies to switch to a remote working model. Although this migration went reasonably well in a short period of time, their digital strategy has proven not to be suitable in the long term. To be successful, a structured and most of all secure approach is needed. 

Where companies used to manage everything centrally, they now must organize everything remotely. This requires in-depth security changes and structural adjustments, an accommodation that shouldn’t be taken lightly as cybercrime has increased during the pandemic. The use of personal devices, a lack of privacy and the use of new, unfamiliar technology all provide fertile ground for those looking to profit from cybercrime. In addition, the volume and sophistication of cyber threats, such as Phishing and Ransomware, continues to grow. 

In the face of these risks, organizations seem confident in their security posture. Yet the results of the European Mobile and Remote Working Survey 2021 show that this trust is misplaced. Much more needs to be done to protect sensitive data and to assist employees in preventing potential cyberattacks. Do not worry, with the following three tips from our CEO, Ulrik Van Schepdael, you’ll be on your way to a secure futureproof digital workplace strategy in no time!

1. Properly configure your devices

Did you know that you can avoid 80% of the cyber threats by making sure that corporate and private data are nicely separated? To reduce this risk even further, properly configuring your technology fleet using the latest management tools is the way to go. Secured web browsing, proper encryption, a secured copy paste mechanism are some of the latest examples of good configuration practices.

2. Secure all endpoints

When wanting to prevent cyber threats, it’s important to protect the device and the employee from sharing enterprise data with others. This can be easily done by using an integrated tool to secure all endpoints. A simple and cost-efficient security app will block all phishing attacks without impacting the employee privacy. Even better, it reinforces employee experience by protecting private apps and data.

3. Bring it all together in the Workplace Self Service portal

What if we told you that managing and configuring different devices using various UEM providers is possible via one platform and thus in a very secure way? Yes, you heard it right, one platform: the Workplace Self Service portal. The portal relies on role-based access, only enabling staff members to consult your data and automatically detects and remediates security threats before it gets worse. What more do you need?

Looking for some more tips & tricks on how to successfully shape your future workplace? Download our newest whitepaper, European Mobile & Remote Working Survey 2021, and discover how to unleash the full potential of the digital workplace!

Download our free whitepaper

10 easy ways to clean & speed up your computer!

10 easy ways to clean & speed up your computer

If your computer is more than a year or two, its basic functions might be slowing down. There are several reasons for this, but the good news is that some of these factors can be mitigated or even prevented. Let us walk you through some easy tips and tricks to make your computer faster! 

1. Organize Desktop Icons

By categorizing desktop icons into folders, you don’t only clean up your background, but also cut down on your device’s RAM usage as each time your computer turns on, it must load each individual icon. By organizing your desktop icons your computer only needs to load a few folders, significantly decreasing the RAM space used. 

2. Remove Unused Languages

A simple way to free up computer operating space is to remove unused languages. While it’s easy to do this manually, we recommend you install a program or application to do this for you when using a MacBook. MacFlyPro, for example, also detects and removes the localization files in your operating system and third-party apps. 

When using a Windows computer, the process can be completed manually. Open the Settings app > Time & Language > Language > Windows Display Language > Select the language of your choice and set it as the default language. To free up space on your device, you click on remove a language to delete the remaining languages. 

3. Move Old Pictures & Videos To The Cloud Or An External Drive

Keeping old pictures, videos or files in the cloud or on an external drive is a nice way to free up a lot of memory space and speed up your computer. But, admit it, you wouldn’t want to lose these precious memories for any money in the world. Imagine your computer crashing… Bye bye, old facility pictures… Well, not anymore! Two birds with one stone! 

4. Delete large/unnecessary files

Temporary files that were used in an installation process, caches and cookies from the internet can take up a lot of space on your hard disk. To free up some space, it might be wise to remove large, unnecessary files. On Mac, we recommend downloading CCleaner to find and delete all temporary files. When using a Windows computer click Start > All programs > Accessories > System tools > Disk clean up. 

5. Launch Software Updates When Available

Software updates will fix bugs and glitches that make your computer run slow. To check if your current software is up to date on Windows, click on the Start button > All programs > Windows update > Check for updates. On Mac, go to apps under the Apple icon menu and click on About this Mac. 

6. Prevent Programs From Automatically Running

While some programs, such as antivirus or firewall software, should be allowed to run automatically, other applications, such as Microsoft Office, can be closed until you actually need them. Unneeded applications that are automatically running in the background and are thereby using your computer’s memory is one of the main reasons for computers running slowly.  

7. Shut Down & Restart Regularly

A common mistake is leaving the computer on in hibernating mode when not using it instead of shutting it down completely. It may seem convenient as this way you don’t have to go through the entire startup process when opening your computer. However, shutting your computer down completely allows it to clear temporary files and start fresh. Something worth considering, right?

8. Change Your Power Plan

Usually, computers have different power plans to control how they use power. When your computer is running slow, it can often mean that the device is running on low performance or save battery mode. Changing your power plan to high performance will increase the speed and performance of your computer. 

To change the power plan on Mac, click on the Apple icon in the top left corner > System preferences > Energy saver > Check ‘restart automatically if the computer freezes’ and ‘put the hard disk to sleep when possible’. When using Windows, go to the Control panel > Power options > Select the needed power to optimize performance. High performance is recommended. 

9. Add More RAM If Needed

RAM is temporary storage memory used by your computer to run programs and take action. The more programs that are being used, the more RAM is required. When processing large files, performing multiple actions at once or working in different programs, your computer may slow down if there isn’t enough RAM. But how to check if your current RAM memory is meeting your needs?

On Mac, open the Activity monitor by selecting Library > Applications > Utilities > System memory. If the pie chart is mostly green and blue, there is no need to worry. If it’s mostly yellow and red, it might be a good idea to add some additional RAM.

On Windows, initialize the Windows task manager by pressing ctrl + alt + delete > Select the performance tab > Go to physical memory > If less than 25% of your total MB is available, you should consider adding RAM either by buying an extra memory stick or buying a completely new RAM.

10. Check Your Hard Disk Space

The rule of thumb? Keep 15% of your hard disk free otherwise your computer could slow down. When your hard disk is almost full, apply tips two and three to free up some space. If your computer is still running slowly afterwards, you might be experiencing issues with your operating system.   

Hopefully these strategies can collectively boost your PC’s performance and extend its lifespan by at least several months! However, if you’re still experiencing issues, it might be time to look into buying a new device and we can lend you a hand. Head over to our online store to discover our assortment of MacBooks and laptops!
Start shopping

The History Of The Apple Macintosh

Interested in buying a Mac?
Request your free test device today!