People keep asking “what is cloud computing” and with all the FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) along with every marketing department having a field day converting their services to include some element of cloud, the resulting confusion is hardly surprising.

So what is it?

It is a metaphor for consuming IT services as a utility, similar to how you’d use electricity. Like in the early days of electricity where you would need to know the method that it was generated with and how it was transmitted, everyone had a different plug socket and to use it you would have to generate it, maintain it and expand it at your own cost. It changed through standardisation and consumerisation bringing electricity eventually to everyone. Read the rest of this entry »

Recently, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) issued a record breaking £375,000 fine for a data security breach by an NHS Trust. Panicked CEOs immediately issued instructions across the length and breadth of Britain to tighten up security – triggering an age-old battle between the need for simple, flexible data access, versus stringent data security.

With the prolific growth of mobile devices such as laptops, smart phones and tablets, not to mention the trend towards hot-desking and working from home or whilst travelling, many large organisations (not just NHS Trusts) are struggling to balance both requirements. The need to maximise web based opportunities whilst safeguard from Internet-based threats calls for an effective and flexible solution!

Waxtie is therefore delighted to announce the launch of its SAFE ZONE services, a suite of software and hardware options that directly address the subjects of Threat Management Gateways (TMG) and Unified Access Gateways (UAG) whilst working alongside standard Microsoft products. SAFE ZONE protects your organisation from Internet-based threats whilst providing simple data access by such methods as hot-pin technology on mobile devices. Some of the SAFE ZONE products also have the advantage of being straight out of the box options which can be plugged in and used immediately, providing instant peace of mind.

SAFE ZONE can also be deployed as part of Waxtie’s SAFE START programme – a consultative approach to new IT Projects that ensures all deployment of IT is ‘fit for purpose’ in terms of people and technology – and that time and money is not wasted on things that don’t work. Proposed options are tested and ratified by a ‘proof of concept’ procedure and for larger projects are included in a roadmap to final deployment.

To learn more about how SAFE ZONE and SAFE START, can help your organisation, call us on 0845 241 3211 or email info@waxtie.com. You can also post a message to us via the contacts page on our website at www.waxtie.com

Waxtie – so much more than IT

Managing Director Martin Sharp writes in the Ackrill Media Group Jan 2012 Business Monthly……

2011 has been a busy but challenging year which has seen Waxtie Ltd grow quite dramatically and I think our success has come from our ability to be able to adapt quickly to market changes.
A high proportion of Waxtie’s consultancy work is for trade partners and whilst that reduces potential profits, it has allowed us to maintain & increase the workforce and has guaranteed a steady and reliable cash flow. This has also given us the capability to address the needs of our direct clients from our wider skill base.
Investment in staff has always been core to our business with continuous training and personal development being of the utmost importance. We have made a commitment for 2012 to continue our recruitment drive and investment in training and have further increased our sales and marketing efforts.
Whilst many of our services are aimed at enterprise organisations, the recent promotion of our Windows 7 Migration and Safe Start (IT Business Strategy and Alignment consultancy service) has put us in a dialogue with a wider business sector.
Lots of businesses need to Upgrade to Windows 7 with the withdrawal of support for Windows XP and this upgrade needs more preparation than is immediately obvious. It will become a priority for most businesses in 2012 to ensure they do upgrade to Windows 7 .
A new service for 2012 which addresses the needs of businesses large and small is our Safe Start consultancy process. By looking at the whole IT and business picture, and creating a roadmap for future IT deployment, Waxtie ensures that a company’s IT strategy aligns to its business needs. Read the rest of this entry »

On 8th February, Waxtie will be exhibiting as part of the Innovation Showcase at Venturefest Yorkshire and showcasing our Strategy and Business Alignment service and SafeStart solution. 

Having reviewed the Innovation Showcase exhibitor list for Venturefest Yorkshire 2012, I feel proud to be a fellow exhibitor. There are 36 Exhibitors, all of which, no doubt, have a great story to tell about what they can offer to the delegates who attend.

What makes Venturefest, now in its 9th year, so special? It’s the entrepreneurial theme, attracting exhibitors to show their great solutions and delegates the chance to see the very latest ideas and innovations in action. OH ! and… don’t forget there are some really inspiring keynote speakers.

Waxtie now in its third year of business, has built a strong IT Strategy and Infrastructure Architecture consultancy. Predominantly supporting the more established big name consultancies, we are now looking to expand our direct client base in the North of England.

For those companies with 50 IT users or more, it is well worthwhile coming to see us in the Innovation Showcase zone and talking to us about how our Waxtie SafeStart consultancy process affords your organisation the opportunity to address its IT business strategy and create an agreed roadmap for your future IT deployment.

There are plenty of areas for discussion… Mobile device access, Data security, Hosting or on-Premise. The larger your organisation, the more important it is that you have a clear IT Road Map.

Call or email ahead and arrange a coffee table chat with one of our architects in the Venturefest café area.  Info@waxtie.com or 0845 241 3211

Richard Rymill, Consultant

Waxtie first ever exhibition stand

I was recently asked to deliver a talk on what it is like running your first exhibitor stand by the Venturefest Yorkshire team and why I chose to come back.

As a fairly young company and my background being more technical and operations focused I remember how daunting the sales and marketing elements of running a business for the first time can be.

Expectation

Make sure you have reasonable expectations. It is very easy to get carried away in the hype and excitement being generated by event organisers that you could find that business partner that will launch your business forward. While this could be true you are more likely to meet a number of very interesting people who you will start to build a relationship with.

Don’t forget that this is a perfect opportunity to hone your skills and the message you are conveying. Use this time as training as well as a better way of getting some direct market feedback on the impression of your sales and marketing. If you have not come form a sales or marketing back ground the chances are you probably have never arranged to exhibit or may not have experience manning a stand or conveying your company message.

You only have 9 hours and you won’t grab everyones attention, therefore set a realistic target of the number of people you would like to talk to and how many contact details you would like to gather so you can get in touch with out of the event. Remembering that even if no one wants your service/product today, they may do in the future or know someone who may do. As such you have now increased your brand awareness.

This is your time, you have paid for it and you want to get as much benefit from it so work out in advance what you want to achieve, then write it down!

For our first ever exhibition my aim was to have talked to 50 people, collected the contact details for 30, have the experience of preparing and managing a stand, and gain valuable feedback about our offerings. I achieved all of these.

Preparation

Being prepared for the event is paramount. Hopefully you have your brand and message ready so now it is a case of how to get it across to the audience.

Start by writing it down and make sure everyone who will be on your stand knows what it is they should say and how to deliver it. Pay attention to how everyone should look so you can be identifiable with your brand.

1-2 weeks for a print company to complete a banner is a good estimate of lead time, then you have the art work itself to prepare beforehand. This goes for other printed works such as posters, hand outs, business card.

If you are going to use a large display screen ensure you have run through your show reel.

Make a checklist of everything you need for the day, the run up and afterwards. Include everything from the physical items you need to take, to stationary, to signage or other branded material, to electronics, to forms or details for the event, personal items, snacks, drinks, activities to promote yourself beforehand and tasks to capitalise on it afterwards.

Grab a box early and start packing it with everything for the day. Power leads, inline breaker, promotional give aways, tape, bluetack, pens, markers, scissors, lead sheets, stapler, etc…

Go setup your stand the day before if possible just in case something is missing, wrong, broken, forgotten, etc at least you have a chance to rectify it as it is a lot more difficult (and stressful) on the day.

And no matter how nervous you feel get an early night before the event. No one want to talk to someone who is tired or looks hungover.

Innovation

Starting up you don’t have the largest marketing budget so be a little more creative. Can you use your home flat screen TV on a table or hire a stand to reduce the costs? Do you need that printed literature or can you provide a PDF on your web site? Do you have to use exhibition lights or will your up lighter work? Do you need to cover the back with a banner or something else, perhaps a wall of testimonials or a drape or 2 posters or roller banners?

Whatever the day brings try to relax, have a bit of run and enjoy it.

After attending the launch of the newly formed Connect Gazelles held at the LNT group head quarters in Garforth, Leeds, Waxtie have formally become members and looking forward to meeting new faces and hearing more inspiring stories.

The site “Leeds, Live it, Love it” provided a good article covering the main points of the evening, which can be read at this link,

What it does not say is the fantastic hospitality of the LNT group director and staff on the night. I can only say thank you and hope we meet in the future.

For more information about Connect Gazelles please visit the website.

Here at Waxtie, we are delighted to announce that we will be returning to exhibit at Venturefest Yorkshire on February 8th 2012 at York Racecourse – and will be introducing our Safe Start consultancy process. Safe Start affords businesses the opportunity to address their IT business strategy and create an agreed road map for future IT Deployment – without financial risk.

So come and talk to us about Safe Start. We look forward to meeting you.

Venturefest Yorkshire 2012

The Company

Nice Technology Limited create Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) with unparalleled realistic graphics and simulations using their in- house AliceServer Technology.

They have successfully developed their own game “Time of Defiance” as well as being commissioned to provide systems for military and security personnel training systems. More recently they have  been involved in developing “Tronji” in association with the BBC and Ragdoll. This            MMOG encourages children to participate and collaborate in an online world.

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The Organisation

Cloud2 is a dedicated healthcare solutions provider with a strong focus on providing Microsoft SharePoint solutions to the NHS and the broader health sector. They are Sharepoint consultants to the healthcare sector but they also provide the project management, the expertise, the design, the implementation, the management and the development of Sharepoint and other healthcare related services.

They have experience working with both private and public companies in this arena and are considered one of the leading authorities on implementing Microsoft SharePoint solutions for healthcare.

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The Company

Bliss-Systems are an award winning software development and web-technology consultancy many years experience in professional software development services. Their knowledge covers the entire software development lifecycle from inception and business analysis to deployment and maintenance.

They deliver quality online-solutions, web-applications, database-solutions, desktop applications and automation software. They typically work with clients from research companies, procurement companies, laser control systems and cam systems, including Transport for London.

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