Hamilton Systems

Are you considering the Cyber Essentials certification? Or are you looking to ensure your business can be considered secure? The government recognise CE and it can even help you get the right contracts. Call us to get started 01423 438953 https://bit.ly/3yG2VIq

Do you know the risk to businesses of any size is immense, Ransomware and other bad actors want access to your business. Do you know the impact of downtime for a few hours or days or weeks? Call us 01423 438953 or https://bit.ly/3Ywh9q5

Don’t support with outdated phone systems, update your phones with HTS, dedicated support and amazing phone systems, either physical handset, mobile app or Teams integration. Call us to book a demo 01423 438953 or https://bit.ly/46AxEn0

Do you have any IT issues your business hasn’t yet tackled? Lacking dedicated IT? We can come to your office and not only solve them but put a proactive system together to try prevent future issues. Talk to us 01423 438953 or https://bit.ly/3dDehSY

Do you feel safe on the internet? HTS have our cloud Firewall & VPN solution to keep you safe wherever you are. Call us on 01423 438953 or https://bit.ly/3dDehSY

Find out why you should have an EDR setup in your business. HTS sets our clients up with monitoring, proactive support and protection against outsider issues, call us on 01423 438953 or https://bit.ly/3XPaZ46

Do you know if your computers are secure? Do you have everything locked down? We lock down systems with our next-gen firewall and ensure you’re protected wherever you are. Call us for a demo on 01423 438953 or https://bit.ly/3ykgvRV

Outsourcing your IT can hugely benefit your business. Save money on hiring in-house and get dedicated experts to monitor and proactively protect your systems. Talk to us to book an appoint to review your systems 01423 438953 https://bit.ly/46Axgoq

Looking to move to Microsoft 365? Or having issues you’d like dealt with? Hamilton Systems is experts in M365, we can support your company and help you to stay efficient and in turn increase your profitability https://bit.ly/3HP0KUS

Are you still relying on an analogue phone system? Or even with a terrible interface or if you feel they are nickle and diming you for every penny? Let’s talk. Hamilton Systems is a Yorkshire based provider helping all https://bit.ly/46AxEn0

Backing up your data is a crucial need, it could actually save your business. Consider how much downtime could truly damage your business financially, talk to us today 01423 438953 https://bit.ly/3JJylz2

Are you currently happy with yout IT Support company? Is there anything they aren’t doing right? Do you have to wait ages for a ticket response? If so lets talk 01423 438953 https://htsmsp.com

Did you know that when you go to a place with public wifi it is highly possible you could get connected to fake wifi? It isn’t just reserved for the movies, it really happens. Get protected with HTS secure, our Firewall & VPN solution. Call 01423 438953 https://htsmsp.com

Is your current IT provider a bit slow to respond or resolve your issues? Too many times we visit new clients and hear this, we have a 10 minute response time for new issues. Talk to us about your IT 01423 438953 https://bit.ly/46Axgoq

Are you looking for a new IT Support company? Having problems with your existing support? Why not talk to us about your options https://htsmsp.com 01423 438953

Download our guide on backing up your data https://bit.ly/4cMEfwk

Learn To Talk Tech With Our IT Jargon Buster | MSP | Tech Learn to talk tech with our IT jargon buster

Remember Excel? It’s been our go-to tool for years, from school projects to business finances. Now, it’s getting an upgrade that can make your business even more productive. Cloud-based Excel and AI are changing the way we work.

With cloud-based Excel, you can access your spreadsheets from anywhere – the office, home, or even on the go. No more being stuck at one computer. This means you can work whenever and wherever you need to, making your business more flexible.

Next, collaboration just got a whole lot easier. Imagine your team working on the same spreadsheet at the same time, seeing updates instantly. No more back-and-forth emails or version confusion. Everyone is always on the same page, literally.

Security is another big win. Cloud-based Excel has strong security measures to keep your data safe from unauthorised access and threats. So, you can relax knowing your information is well-protected.

Ok, let’s talk about AI – it can become your new best friend in Excel. AI can handle those boring, repetitive tasks like data cleaning and calculations, freeing up your time for more important things. It can also analyse data and create charts and summaries in seconds, helping you spot trends and make better decisions faster.

AI in Excel allows you to ask questions in plain English and get instant answers. No more complex formulas. Woo hoo! This makes data analysis easy for everyone, even if you’re not a tech expert.

Another great feature is predictive analytics. AI can look at your past data to predict future trends, helping you plan better and stay ahead of the competition.

I believe cloud-based Excel and AI can make your business more efficient, collaborative, and smart. Have you made the switch yet? If not, my team can help - get in touch.

Excel's evolution: how cloud and AI are transforming the digital workplace AI-enhanced collaboration transforms business data analysis

If you're still on Windows 10, you might have noticed Microsoft's nag screens urging you to upgrade to Windows 11. While these pop-ups can be a bit annoying, they have a point – making the switch to Windows 11 is a smart move.

Windows 10 support ends in October 2025, and staying on an unsupported system isn't good for security or efficiency. Plus, Windows 11 comes packed with new tools and features designed to boost productivity and save you time.

Microsoft’s reminders might feel pushy, but consider the benefits:

- Enhanced security: Windows 11 offers improved security features to protect your business data.

- Productivity tools: New features like Snap Layouts and virtual desktops make multitasking easier.

- Future-proofing: Staying current with your OS ensures compatibility with the latest software and updates.

If your PC can handle Windows 11, you'll keep getting reminders until you upgrade. Even if your device isn’t eligible, you’ll be informed about the end of Windows 10 support.

Need help making the switch? Don’t worry, my team can help make the transition to Windows 11 smooth and hassle-free for your business. Get in touch.

Microsoft brings back nag screens again, urging users to switch to Windows 11 Microsoft wants you to upgrade to Windows 11, and to make users switch, it’s bringing back the nag screens again.

Have you heard about the latest breakthrough from Cambridge University? Scientists have demonstrated a robotic third thumb… yes really. It’s designed to let you do tasks with one hand that previously needed two.

In a recent demo, people showcased the versatility of this extra digit. From basic daily activities to advanced tasks like soldering, playing Jenga, or even strumming a guitar. It turns out that getting comfortable with the third thumb is “easier than you might think,” with most people becoming adept in no time.

The best part? The third thumb is designed to be inclusive for all body shapes and sizes. Researchers tested it with a diverse group of participants aged 3 to 96 years old, and an impressive 98% could use it effectively within just a minute. Whether you’re right-handed, left-handed, young, or old, the third thumb adapts beautifully.

No complex sensors or probes here – just simple controls using your toes. The left big toe controls up and down movement, while the right toe moves it across the palm. This intuitive design means almost anyone can master it quickly.

Would you like to see this kind of tech in your day-to-day life? I’d love to hear your best robo-assistant ideas.

Scientists demo robotic 'third thumb' — get a gaming advantage with an extra appendage Using a third thumb is ‘easier than you might think.’

This may be a little throwback to your childhood… on 11th June 1978, Texas Instruments Inc. introduced the Speak & Spell, a revolutionary talking educational toy. It was the first to electronically duplicate the human voice on a single chip of silicon, turning digital data into synthetic speech and storing more than 100 seconds of linguistic sounds. With five spelling games, it made learning fun for kids everywhere.

But the Speak & Spell wasn't just a toy; it was a pioneer in handheld electronics with a visual display and interchangeable game cartridges. It was launched at the summer Consumer Electronics Show, and marked a significant milestone in tech history. The device, developed by a small team led by engineer Paul Breedlove, had an initial budget of just $25,000 (around £19,500) and was based on Texas Instruments' Solid State Speech technology.

Fast forward to 2019, and Basic Fun brought back the classic Speak & Spell with minor updates, proving that great innovations stand the test of time. Maybe your own children (or grandchildren) have one today.

So, what’s the business takeaway? Innovation and adaptability. The Speak & Spell's success lies in its blend of cutting-edge technology and user-friendly design. It simplified complex tech to create an engaging, educational experience.

For your business, think about how you can innovate by making your products or services simpler and more engaging for your customers. Sometimes, the key to long-term success is to combine advanced technology with simplicity and practicality.

Speak & Spell - This Day in Tech History June 11, 1978 Texas Instruments Inc. introduces the Speak & Spell, a talking educational toy for children. The device features the first electronic duplication of the human voice on a single chip of silicon. It transformed digital information processed through a filter into synthetic speech and coul...

If you’re feeling a bit behind with AI tools like Copilot, don’t worry – you’re in good company. A new study by the Reuters Institute and Oxford University found that most people aren’t using AI tools regularly.

This survey, covering over 12,000 people across six countries, revealed that the AI hype hasn't quite reached everyday use. Even among those who have tried generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Microsoft Copilot, most have only used them 'once or twice'.

In the US, only 7% of people use ChatGPT daily, and it's just 2% in the UK. Surprisingly, many haven’t even heard of these tools – 47% in the US and 42% in the UK didn’t know about ChatGPT at all.

The tools people recognised the most, after ChatGPT, were Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Snapchat My AI. Fewer people knew about AI imagery tools like Midjourney or other chatbots like Claude and xAI's Grok.

So, why isn’t everyone using these tools? Well, for most, they haven’t proven to be reliable or easy enough to integrate into daily routines. The study showed that people are mostly experimenting with AI – using it for fun, writing emails, or making images. When it comes to getting information, users were cautious due to AI's tendency to make mistakes.

Interestingly, while many are still just dabbling, the majority believe AI will significantly impact our lives in the next five years. Younger people (60% of 18-24 year olds) are more optimistic about this than older adults (41% of those 55 and older).

Despite current reservations, tech giants are integrating AI into our daily tech tools, from Google Search’s AI summaries to Microsoft’s Copilot across its products. This means AI is becoming part of our tech lives, even if we're not fully embracing it yet.

What about you? Are you using AI tools daily, just experimenting, or avoiding them completely?

Hardly any of us are using AI tools like ChatGPT, study says – here’s why AI is still strictly for early adopters, it seems

If you use Windows 11, there's a new update with features to make your daily tasks smoother and more efficient.

One of the standouts is the return of drag-and-drop support in the File Explorer address bar. What does this mean? You can now drag a file directly to another folder using the address bar, making file management much easier. Lots of people missed this feature when it was removed in a previous update, so it's back by popular demand.

To get this update, head to Settings > Windows Update and click “Download and install.”

You can also find direct download links for the update on the Microsoft Update Catalogue if you prefer offline installation.

As well as improved file management, this update brings performance fixes (speeding up File Explorer when accessing pinned or network-shared folders). And other new features like a page for managing linked devices, and tweaks in the Start menu for Microsoft account ads.

Of course, if you’re not comfortable running this update for your business, my team and I are always happy to help - get in touch.

Windows 11 KB5037853 out with File Explorer features (direct download .msu) Windows 11 KB5037853 turns on drag and drop in File Explorer, lets you manage Linked devices, view Microsoft account settings.

I want to give you a heads-up about a recent security threat affecting WordPress websites. Cyber security researchers have discovered that a vulnerability in a lesser-known plugin, Dessky Snippets, is being exploited to steal customers' credit card details.

Here's what's happening: Attackers are targeting online stores running on WordPress, using the Dessky Snippets plugin to insert malicious code.

This code sneaks into the checkout process. It modifies the billing form at checkout, adding extra fields for names, addresses, credit card numbers, expiry dates, and CVV numbers. It even disables autocomplete to avoid raising red flags for customers.

Their payment data can be stolen, leading to serious financial and reputational damage.

WordPress is generally safe, but plugins and themes can be weak points if they’re not properly managed.

How can you protect your site?

- Only keep the plugins and themes you really need. Delete any you don't use.

- Make sure all your plugins and themes are up to date. Updates often include important security patches.

- Keep an eye out for unusual changes to your checkout process.

Being proactive about your website's security can save you from a lot of headaches down the line. This is something my team can help with. You want to talk it through? Get in touch.

WordPress Plugin Exploited to Steal Credit Card Data from E-commerce Sites Unknown threat actors target WordPress sites using lesser-known code snippet plugins

There are different types of IT Support, you can get support or fixes from a local computer shop, or you can phase out the traditional shop and seriously look at your business. Managed Services is where we come in. Call us for chat 01423 438953 https://htsmsp.com

CallSwitch is not like other phone systems, we don't charge for every little feature. How many systems have you used that is boring to use? Why not switch to a system that works for you. Call us to book your demo 01423 438953 https://htsmsp.com

Are you using Microsoft 365? If not, why not? Microsoft provides world-class desktop applications and professional e-mail and storage. If you are considering it and are still using a domain imap/pop or a free email host, call us 01423 438953 https://htsmsp.com

Does the Cyber Security in your business take centre stage in your thought processes? If you answered no, then it should. We are seeing much higher attack attempts compared to last year. If you're unsure if you are safe call us 01423 438953 https://htsmsp.com

Don't be tied down to a desk phone, you may be busy on the road or have staff working from home. A phone system shouldn't burden you. HTS can provide a portable system and local number options. Call for a chat or to arrange a demo 01423 438953 https://htsmsp.com

Check out 5 data security trends to prepare for in 2024 https://bit.ly/3yU0FgF

Here Are 5 Data Security Trends To Prepare For In 2024 | Hamilton Systems Here Are 5 Data Security Trends to Prepare for in 2024

Time to update your phone system? The BT Switch off has been delayed, but that doesn't mean you should delay switching over. Upgrade your system as we bring that works for you. Too many systems are terrible. Call today 01423 438953 https://htsmsp.com