Partner event

SYNAXON UK’s Attack vs. Defence partner event which took place at the beginning of March
at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, was backed by leading suppliers, including headline sponsors Telev8 and Terra Computer.( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $advadsslider857728279 = jQuery( “.advads-slider-857728279” );$advadsslider857728279.on( “unslider.ready”, function() { jQuery( “div.custom-slider ul li” ).css( “display”, “block” ); });$advadsslider857728279.unslider({ delay:5000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$advadsslider857728279.on(“mouseover”, function() {$advadsslider857728279.unslider(“stop”);}).on(“mouseout”, function() {$advadsslider857728279.unslider(“start”);});});( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $advadsslider1455033241 = jQuery( “.advads-slider-1455033241” );$advadsslider1455033241.on( “unslider.ready”, function() { jQuery( “div.custom-slider ul li” ).css( “display”, “block” ); });$advadsslider1455033241.unslider({ delay:7900, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$advadsslider1455033241.on(“mouseover”, function() {$advadsslider1455033241.unslider(“stop”);}).on(“mouseout”, function() {$advadsslider1455033241.unslider(“start”);});});
Presenters included Ian Schofield, Regional Cyber Crime Protect Officer for the Regional Cyber Crime Unit (RCCU) West Midlands, who spoke about how the threat landscape has evolved over the years and what the future may hold. The event also included a fireside chat session on modern marketing with Ewan Baggott, football freestyler, presenter and social media influencer, and Tara-Jane Sloane, Managing Director of Telev8. A panel debate focusing on current cyber security challenges featured senior executives from ESET, Huntress, OpenText, Pax8, and Viper.

Mike Barron, Managing Director, SYNAXON UK, said: “Cyber security is a huge issue, but there have been more than enough events highlighting the scale of the opportunity and promoting solutions. We want to take a more practical approach.”( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $advadsslider2365186432 = jQuery( “.advads-slider-2365186432” );$advadsslider2365186432.on( “unslider.ready”, function() { jQuery( “div.custom-slider ul li” ).css( “display”, “block” ); });$advadsslider2365186432.unslider({ delay:7750, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$advadsslider2365186432.on(“mouseover”, function() {$advadsslider2365186432.unslider(“stop”);}).on(“mouseout”, function() {$advadsslider2365186432.unslider(“start”);});});
He added: “As a long suffering Wolves fan and junior football coach, I am used to seeing an attack versus defence scenario played out at Molineux, so I thought we might as well continue with that theme for this event.”

This is what we do

 

A new era

United Business Group and Paralogic have consolidated its different businesses into one larger technology services organisation called Futera – in order to bring customers more value, a wider scope of services and an even better customer experience. The company has also announced that it is now employee-owned.( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $advadsslider1060076763 = jQuery( “.advads-slider-1060076763” );$advadsslider1060076763.on( “unslider.ready”, function() { jQuery( “div.custom-slider ul li” ).css( “display”, “block” ); });$advadsslider1060076763.unslider({ delay:5000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$advadsslider1060076763.on(“mouseover”, function() {$advadsslider1060076763.unslider(“stop”);}).on(“mouseout”, function() {$advadsslider1060076763.unslider(“start”);});});( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $advadsslider3036729070 = jQuery( “.advads-slider-3036729070” );$advadsslider3036729070.on( “unslider.ready”, function() { jQuery( “div.custom-slider ul li” ).css( “display”, “block” ); });$advadsslider3036729070.unslider({ delay:7900, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$advadsslider3036729070.on(“mouseover”, function() {$advadsslider3036729070.unslider(“stop”);}).on(“mouseout”, function() {$advadsslider3036729070.unslider(“start”);});});
CEO, Lee Manning said: “We’ve re-structured our business to align with what a modern, technology focussed company wants from their managed services provider. We genuinely believe we offer the widest breadth of tech services in the country and it will form the basis of our growth for the next decade as we aim to become the UK’s first choice partner for technology services.”
www.futera.co.uk( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $advadsslider4238949748 = jQuery( “.advads-slider-4238949748” );$advadsslider4238949748.on( “unslider.ready”, function() { jQuery( “div.custom-slider ul li” ).css( “display”, “block” ); });$advadsslider4238949748.unslider({ delay:7750, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$advadsslider4238949748.on(“mouseover”, function() {$advadsslider4238949748.unslider(“stop”);}).on(“mouseout”, function() {$advadsslider4238949748.unslider(“start”);});});

 

Elite partner

Jordan Woods Group has partnered with Konica Minolta as an elite partner, giving it full access to the manufacturer’s sales, training and service support.
Incorporated in 2019, Jordan Woods Group is headquartered in the City of London and provides expert support to customers across the UK via a network of fully qualified service professionals across the country.

Harry Terrell, Director of Jordan Woods Group said: “Myself and the team have sold and supplied Konica Minolta devices for years and they have an excellent reputation for service and reliability which is essential for our customers. Being an elite partner ensures we have the full support of Konica Minolta and its team, which enables us to deliver the next level of support and full management of print services that our customers rely on.
“Despite being a relatively young business, we’ve seen significant growth. Over the past two years, we’ve completed four successful print business acquisitions, all funded by self-raised funds with no external investments, loans, or shareholders involved. While we’re approaching our six-year mark, our rapid expansion and acquisitions make it feel like we’re just getting started and we are very excited to be working in close partnership with Konica Minolta to continue this growth and pursue our ambitious targets.”
Cameron Mitchell, Business Leader for Indirect Channel at Konica Minolta added:
“The Jordan Woods Group team fully understands the changing needs of modern businesses and shares our ethos about delivering a customer experience that is second to none. We are delighted to be working together to deliver real customer value.”
www.jordanwoodsgroup.co.uk

 

Print Predictions “What 2025 will hold for the print and IT sectors” Part 3: Kerry Rush, Sharp UK

Here is the third and final part of our annual print predictions feature where more key industry players share their thoughts on what 2025 will hold for the print and IT sector

Kerry Rush, Product Marketing Manager, Sharp: Sustainability and security are two major considerations for organisations when it comes to a growing focus on due diligence across supply chains. In terms of technology, we’ll continue to see environmental enhancements, such as recycled content in machines, recycled packaging, and lower energy consumption.

At Sharp, we’re committed to reducing environmental impact and supporting our clients in this transition. We recycle and reuse parts consider waste and ensure safe, efficient, and secure disposal. This includes recycling consumables and using recyclable materials for product protection during transit. From a security standpoint, more organisations will look to suppliers for accreditations such as Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001 to validate and build trust, which is something we assist our clients in achieving.
While SMEs understand the value of strong network security in safeguarding their business or organisation, there is still some hesitancy about moving from an on-premise solution to an intangible cloud option. As technology evolves, cloud-based security, such as SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) will continue to be important in 2025 due to its scalability. Our devices offer multi-layered security both physically and, in the cloud, including two-factor authentication, secure cloud connectivity and Bitdefender Antivirus for print devices.
In 2025, it will continue to be key for providers to talk to and educate their clients on the need for a multi-layered security posture, covering firewall evolution and endpoint protection, including print devices.
The world of AI is exciting and there is no doubt that it will have real value in print, particularly for productivity, workflow and capture. It will also impact how machines are serviced, monitored and maintained by enabling proactive and remote device optimisation. We anticipate more AI-enabled functionalities in the print industry next year. While new technology can be daunting, we are committed to navigating the AI journey with our clients, supporting them in exploring new opportunities securely.
www.sharp.co.uk

 

 

Graham Orr appointed as Group Operations Director at Aurora Managed Services

Aurora Managed Services (‘Aurora’), today announced the appointment of Graham Orr as Group Operations Director. 
Orr has over 30 years senior-level experience leading nationwide customer service operations, having risen from the ranks of field service. Prior to joining Aurora, Graham has held Directorship roles at both independent and manufacturer organisations in the managed print services industry. In his spare time Graham is also an active Veteran Advocate, Trustee and Board Member. With first-hand experience having served in the Royal Navy he leads and volunteers with several welfare organisations to support former members of the armed services. 
Aurora CEO Martin Oxley said: “Graham is a fantastic addition to the Aurora Board and business. He has built and led industry-leading managed services operations throughout his impressive career, and his incredible experience and natural instinct in service delivery will inspire our service and operations teams and help drive further development of the customer service we deliver.” 
Orr commented “I’m very excited to be joining Aurora, they have a fantastic team of talented people who are really passionate about service delivery and customer care. That’s just the environment I identify with and I’m looking forward to being a catalyst to drive more enhancements in the services we can provide to our customers and the efficiency and responsiveness of our operations. I will of course continue to support fellow veterans in my 1-2 spare time in the various volunteer and trustee roles I hold as that is something I am equally passionate about.” 
About Aurora Managed Services Aurora is one of the UK’s leading independent providers of print, document, workflow and telecoms technology, delivered as a managed service. Aurora provides tailored systems which combine the best hardware and software technology from market leading manufacturers with Aurora’s pro-active managed service delivery. 
For more information please visit www.aurora.co.uk 

 

Print Predictions “What 2025 will hold for the print and IT sectors” Part 3: Martin Randall, Vision

Here is the third and final part of our annual print predictions feature where more key industry players share their thoughts on what 2025 will hold for the print and IT sector

Martin Randall, Sales & Marketing Director, Vision: It’s a tough one this year as technology has continued to evolve so rapidly. I get the sense that the trends we were predicting last year will really embed and gain wider adoption in 2025.
Generative AI was at the top of everyone’s list in 2024 and as it’s becoming more sophisticated and adding even more value to users, I think it’ll become a component of daily life in the workplace in 2025 with products such as Microsoft CoPilot, Chat GPT Enterprise and others becoming commonplace. I know we’re embracing this at Vision and it’s really helping us to be more productive as an organisation.
It’s been interesting to also see the wider integration of AI and machine learning amongst OEM devices. Clearly this is already adding value in many areas and it will be exciting to see how this further takes shape in 2025.
And as we are experiencing first-hand, sustainability will of course continue to gain relevance as we draw closer to government targets around net zero. I’m proud to say that Vision have really embraced our environmental responsibility in recent years, and we’re continuing to embed both processes and resource within the business to underpin these initiatives as we strive for continual improvement.
We’re seeing sustainability requirements becoming increasingly relevant in bids and tenders in both private and public sectors, and I think many businesses will struggle to keep up with this if they’re not seriously considering how they’ll transparently report on and reduce carbon footprints. We are at the point where sustainability is transitioning from being a value-add selling point, to being an essential component of the service offering.

www.visionplc.co.uk

 

 

Workflo Solutions announces acquisition of major competitor, Incovo, to strengthen position as one of Scotland’s leading MSPs

Mutual respect, synergy and alignment of values make for seamless takeover
Workflo Solutions, the multi-award winning managed service provider (MSP), has announced the successful acquisition of competitor, Incovo. The deal follows three months of strategic negotiations and sees Workflo Solutions fully integrating Incovo’s assets and operations into its expanding business.
Workflo Solutions and Incovo have operated within the same market since inception. When Incovo CEO, Chris Thomas, felt the time was right to follow a new path he reached out directly to Workflo Solutions Managing Director, Michael Field. The pair describe themselves as having long-held mutual respect and both businessmen recognised the synergy of their brands and mutual alignment of company values, and therefore entered an exclusivity arrangement before striking the deal.
As with any undertaking of this scale, due diligence was essential. However, the process proved smooth and stress-free. “Incovo was well managed, the systems were well kept, and the commercial activities were professionally undertaken, making for a short process,” commented Field.
This seamless acquisition has served to cement Workflo Solutions’ position as one of Scotland’s leading MSPs. In addition to the increased client count, they stand to benefit from partnerships with leading vendors in hardware, cloud and hosted communications. These partnerships will enable Workflo Solutions to bring new products, services and value to their 1,000+ strong client base to support their growth and success.
“The acquisition of Incovo is a significant step in strengthening Workflo Solutions’ ability to provide innovative and comprehensive services. This strategic move aligns with our vision for growth, allowing us to enhance our offerings and deliver even greater value to our clients. We’re excited about the opportunities this brings and the positive impact it will have on our customers” Field explained.
The Incovo deal is the latest milestone moment in the Workflo Solutions success story which has seen the completion of a series of high profile acquisitions in recent years, including the purchase of Pyramid IT, TRM, Redwax Ltd. and MacD IT. Starting out as a modest team of just three people in 2007 and growing to become to a multi-award winning MSP with a turnover approaching £5million is testament to the ambition and principled approach of Field, and Workflo Solutions’ upwards trajectory of success shows no signs of slowing.

Founded in 2007, Workflo Solutions is a multi-award winning managed service provider specialising in digital transformation, managed print, manged IT, and unified communications services. Headquartered in Livingston, West Lothian, the company has offices across the UK and provides services to a national customer base of more than 1,000 clients.

For more information, head to workflo-solutions.co.uk

 

Printing solutions for zero trust workplaces: ezeep Hub and Microsoft 365 Link

With Microsoft’s introduction of the Microsoft 365 Link, businesses gain a powerful device for leveraging Windows 365 cloud PCs. However, one critical feature is missing – printing. ThinPrint has addressed this gap with its ezeep Hub printing appliance. This plug-and-play device seamlessly integrates a secure, easy-to-manage printing feature into the Microsoft 365 Link, making the combination an ideal solution for zero trust workplaces.
The new Microsoft 365 Link offers businesses a secure, resource-efficient, and user-friendly solution for accessing cloud PCs. With features like support for dual 4K monitors and password-free login, the device is perfect for modern work environments. However, in industries where document-based workflows are still essential, printing continues to be indispensable.
The ezeep Hub fills this critical functionality gap by effortlessly integrating printers into the cloud environment. Users maintain access to familiar functions, while IT teams benefit from simplified management.
www.ezeep.com

 

Print Predictions “What 2025 will hold for the print and IT sectors” Part 3: Terry Caulfield, Brother UK

Here is the third and final part of our annual print predictions feature where more key industry players share their thoughts on what 2025 will hold for the print and IT sectors

Terry Caulfield, Chief Commercial Officer, Brother UK: Technology continues to evolve rapidly and the businesses that will be the winners in 2025 will be the ones moving quickest to embrace it.
The progress of AI in the past year has been remarkable and its use in MPS will expand significantly. That’s because it offers resellers the chance to get deeper insights into customer printing habits and changes in print behaviour to support dynamic fleet optimisation and preventative maintenance. We’ve long embraced innovation and we’re excited about the potential AI can offer our customers through intelligent print.
Demand for cloud print services will continue to rise, too. Businesses will need their reseller partners for guidance on improving workflow efficiencies and making cost and sustainability savings. MPS delivers all of these in one, so it’s no surprise that demand continues to surge.
Working with partners like Tungsten Automation, we’re helping customers transition to the cloud with our Brother cloud solutions portfolio. The tools provide secure, location-aware printing and document digitisation that helps transform print infrastructure while maintaining robust data protection and regulatory compliance.
These tech advances are crucial for businesses as they tinker with their hybrid working models. The upcoming Employment Rights Bill will bring about more changes and could force companies to re-think their remote working set-up again, offering an opportunity for resellers to help IT teams develop an agile, cloud-based print estate.
This is all underpinned by sustainability. We’re all striving to cut waste, boost efficiency and contribute to circular economies, and it’s our focus to equip resellers with the solutions that can make this a reality for customers. For example, we’ve just become the first vendor to remanufacture both ink and laser cartridges, marking a major milestone in the industry’s push to be more sustainable. The circular economy will be central to customers’ sustainability goals and resellers have an important role to play in making sure customers’ tech contributes to that.

www.brother.co.uk

 

Effective Consumable Solutions: Remanufacturing The future is here and now

In a world where sustainability is becoming increasingly crucial, the print industry is not an exception, in fact, sustainable practices should be at the forefront of all businesses goals within our industry. Businesses and consumers alike are seeking environmentally friendly printing solutions that not only reduce waste but also offer a more cost-effective solution. Remanufactured toner cartridges and parts have long been the answer to this demand, offering both eco-friendly advantages and high-quality performance, but even more so now.

At Effective Consumable Solutions, we believe that remanufactured toner cartridges and parts are the way forward, both for the present and future. Our commitment to sustainability is evident in the way we remanufacture our own cartridges in-house, right here in the UK. Unlike many distributors, who outsource production overseas and merely brand the cartridges as their own, we take pride in the transparency and authenticity of our remanufacturing process and therefore maintain control over levels of quality, performance, reliability and sustainability.
One question we encourage businesses to ask themselves before choosing a supplier, is ‘where do your recycled cartridges go to?’ Most businesses who claim to be a remanufacturer don’t have a sufficient UK recycling scheme in place in order to acquire the sheer number of cartridges required.
One of the key issues within the market at this moment in time is the compatibility of chips and firmware in alternative cartridges, recently highlighted by a number of Ricoh IMC range cartridges available on the marketplace becoming unusable due to a firmware update issued by Ricoh in January.
Many companies face challenges with chips not working due to firmware updates, leading to frustration for consumers, however, at Effective Consumable Solutions, we ensure that our remanufactured cartridges are designed to be firmware-friendly; our cartridges seamlessly integrate with the latest firmware updates, guaranteeing a hassle-free printing experience for our partners.

By remanufacturing cartridges in-house, we have direct control over the quality and performance of our products, which undergo rigorous testing and quality checks to ensure that they meet or exceed the standards of new, original cartridges. This level of attention to detail sets us apart from other remanufacturers and reaffirms our commitment to delivering top-notch products to our customers.
All of this is achieved by our incredible in-house research & development team, who have
over 150 years of combined experience in a number of different areas including technical mastery, quality assurance, engineering innovation, environmental sustainability and customer satisfaction.
As the printing industry continues to evolve, the shift towards sustainable printing solutions is inevitable. Remanufactured toner cartridges and parts offer a viable alternative that not only reduces environmental impact but also provides cost-effective options for businesses. Effective Consumable Solutions is proud to lead the way in this movement, advocating for a greener and more sustainable approach to printing technology.
The future of the printing industry lies in embracing remanufactured toner cartridges and parts. Effective Consumable Solutions is at the forefront of this revolution, offering innovative and environmentally friendly solutions to meet the needs of businesses and consumers alike. Join us in shaping a more sustainable future for the printing industry at ecs-uk-ltd.co.uk