Redtree IT

Business Productivity

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Start it on your phone… finish it on your PC?

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November 21st 2024 By Matthew Phillips​ Start it on your phone… finish it on your PC? Microsoft is once again finding ways to make life easier for your business with Windows 11. If you ever work on your phone as well as your PC, you’re going to love the new “Hand Off” feature that’s being tested right now. The idea is this: Let’s say you’re in a meeting or on the move. And you start working on something in Microsoft Word or another app on your phone. Once you get back to your PC, a notification will pop up asking if you want to keep working on the document – allowing you to switch between devices seamlessly. https://player.vimeo.com/video/1024046595? This feature is made possible through OneDrive’s syncing function. It’s already compatible with Android phones, and it’s likely to work for iPhones too, although that’s not yet been confirmed. Being able to jump between devices without losing track of work could be a great benefit, especially if your team works remotely. Although it hasn’t been rolled out just yet, “Hand Off” has clear potential to be a valuable tool for businesses. Ready to find out more ways Windows 11 could boost productivity in your business? We can help, get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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Unlock your potential with Copilot

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September 30th 2024 By Matthew Phillips Unlock your potential with Copilot Imagine having an assistant by your side that never gets tired, never misses a detail, and can help with everything from drafting emails to organising meetings. Sounds great, right? Well, that’s what Microsoft Copilot is. It’s a smart, AI-driven tool built into the Microsoft apps you already use, like Word, Excel, and Teams. It’s designed to handle time-consuming tasks that slow your team down. But how exactly does it work, and why should you care? In simple terms, Copilot is AI embedded into the Microsoft Office suite. It’s always there to assist you, whether you’re typing up a report, analysing data in Excel, or even planning your next big meeting. And the best part is, you don’t need to be tech-savvy to use it. If you can use Word, you can use Copilot. So, how can it make a difference in your business? First off, one of the most exciting things about Copilot is that it’s seamlessly integrated into the software you already know. There’s no need for complicated installations or training sessions. And because it’s built into Microsoft 365, your team can jump right in with minimal disruption. It works across devices too, so whether you’re in the office or travelling, Copilot is always there. https://player.vimeo.com/video/1010647017? One area where Copilot really shines is how it simplifies your daily grind. Think about how much time gets wasted on things like sorting through emails or organising meetings. We’ve all been there, spending way too long combing through endless email chains or trying to figure out who said what in a meeting. Copilot tackles this for you. It can summarise long email threads and even suggest responses, so you can get back to what really matters. It’s like having someone do all the heavy lifting while you focus on the more important tasks. Speaking of meetings, Copilot is a big help when it comes to collaboration. Let’s say you’re wrapping up a Teams call. Instead of manually taking notes or worrying about missing key action items, Copilot will summarise the entire meeting for you, highlighting decisions and tasks. It listens in, captures the key points, and even helps you plan the next steps. But Copilot isn’t just about cutting down on admin work, it’s also a creativity booster. You know that moment where you stare at a blank document, unsure how to start? Whether it’s drafting a client proposal or putting together a presentation, sometimes the hardest part is getting the ball rolling. That’s where Copilot comes in. Give it a few prompts, and it’ll generate a first draft or outline to get you started. You don’t have to be a creative genius to produce something great. Copilot takes care of that early-stage work, freeing you up to fine-tune and add your personal touch. All this leads to a more productive, efficient, and creative workplace. That’s what makes Microsoft Copilot such a powerful tool. It not only takes care of the little things but also helps you unlock your team’s full potential. Want to find out what Copilot could do for your business? We can help, get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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How to cheat (the Blue Screen of) Death

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September 16th 2024 By Matthew Phillips How to cheat (the Blue Screen of) Death If you’ve ever had the misfortune of seeing the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on your computer, you know just how frustrating it can be. It’s that moment when your screen turns an ominous shade of blue, and you’re left wondering what went wrong and how much work you’ve just lost. For businesses, these crashes are more than just annoying – they can be disruptive and cost money. Recent research highlights just how common BSODs have become, with one in 200 devices crashing under normal use. And it gets worse. During the recent CrowdStrike outage, that number shot up to one in ten devices. While the tech industry seems to be hit the hardest, with more than 15% of devices affected monthly, even sectors like healthcare and retail, which are less prone to these crashes, still get about 8-10% of devices displaying the dreaded blue screen. So, what’s causing all these crashes? And more importantly, how can you reduce the risk of them happening in your business? The good news is that about half of these incidents are avoidable. The bad news is that many businesses simply don’t have the tools or strategies in place to prevent them. https://player.vimeo.com/video/1007709461? One of the key takeaways from the study is that many BSODs are linked to a few common issues. Problematic hardware, poorly managed Windows updates, and misconfigured drivers for things like graphics cards, networks, and audio systems are among the top culprits. When these aren’t working properly, it can lead to system instability, which often manifests as a BSOD. For business owners, this means taking a proactive approach to IT management is crucial. Instead of waiting for something to go wrong and then scrambling to fix it, businesses should focus on identifying potential problem areas before they lead to a crash. By monitoring the health of your devices and making sure that updates and drivers are properly managed, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of BSODs disrupting your operations. The research suggests that with the right preventative measures, businesses could cut the number of BSOD incidents in half, reducing the occurrence to about one in 400 devices. This not only minimises downtime but also frees up your IT team to focus on more strategic tasks rather than constantly putting out fires. Unfortunately, many businesses lack the necessary tools to identify these risks early on. In fact, most companies don’t even know which of their devices are at risk right now, let alone which ones might crash in the future. To move from a reactive approach to a proactive one, invest in tools that can provide insights into your IT systems. These tools allow you to make data-driven decisions, which can reduce costs, relieve employee stress, and ultimately increase productivity. Better still, get experts to do it for you. Our approach is proactive IT management. This prevents problems before they can interrupt your work. Let us keep your business crash-free. Get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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Slow PCs? Manage which applications launch at startup

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August 5th 2024 By Matthew Phillips Slow PCs? Manage which applications launch at startup Staying on top of how your technology is set up is crucial for maintaining a reliable network. And one often-overlooked aspect is managing which applications start up when your business’s PCs start up. With lots of software wanting to auto-start, it can slow down your system and potentially introduce security risks. But did you know that Windows 11 offers a useful feature that alerts you whenever new apps are added to the startup list? Every time you hit the power button on your PC, it loads a set of apps automatically. While some of these are essential, others might not be, and can slow down your system’s performance. Over time, as you install more software, your startup list can grow, leading to longer startup times and a slow experience. Not only that but keeping an eye on startup apps is good security practice. Unwanted or unknown apps starting automatically can be a red flag for malicious software (malware) or other security threats. By receiving alerts about new startup apps, you can quickly identify and investigate any suspicious additions, making sure that your systems stay secure. How do you enable these alerts in Windows 11? It’s a simple process: Start by opening the Windows 11 system settings. You can do this by clicking the Start menu and selecting the gear icon or by pressing ‘Windows + I’ on your keyboard. In the settings window, click on ‘System’ in the left sidebar, then select ‘Notifications’ on the right. Scroll down to the bottom of the notifications page. Just above Additional settings, you’ll find ‘Startup App Notification’, which is switched off by default. Move the slider to ‘On’.   From then on, you’ll receive a notification whenever a new application is added to the startup process. You can even customise what this notification looks like by clicking on the arrow next to the slider button, allowing you to adjust its appearance and sound to suit your preferences. https://player.vimeo.com/video/991637861? Turning on these alerts brings several benefits to your business. First, it helps keep your PCs running efficiently. By staying informed about new startup apps, you can quickly disable any unnecessary software that might be slowing down your system. This means faster start times and better overall performance, allowing your team to get to work without delays. Secondly, it enhances security. Receiving alerts for new startup apps means you can immediately investigate any unknown or suspicious additions. This proactive approach helps prevent potential security threats from taking hold, safeguarding your business data and systems. Lastly, it’s a great way to keep track of what’s installed on your machines. With various team members possibly installing different software, these alerts give you a clear overview of what’s being added to the startup list, making sure that only approved applications are running. To further manage startup apps, you can use Task Manager. Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Esc’ to open Task Manager, then select the ‘Startup’ tab. Here, you’ll see a list of all the apps that start with Windows, along with their impact on boot time. You can enable or disable apps by selecting them and clicking the appropriate button at the top right. By regularly checking this list and using the new alert feature, you can keep your startup process streamlined and your system secure. A better answer is getting someone to set all of this up and manage it for you. We specialise in making technology easy for businesses. If we can help, get in touch.

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PING, WHOOSH, or BEEP? Now you can decide with Teams

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July 29th 2024 By Matthew Phillips PING, WHOOSH, or BEEP? Now you can decide with Teams If you’ve ever found yourself wincing at the sound of a Microsoft Teams notification breaking your concentration, you’re not alone. Here’s some news that might be music to your ears then: Microsoft has just rolled out an update that promises to make these interruptions much more manageable. With the latest update, you can customise your notification sounds on Teams. We believe that will make it easier to stay focused and prioritise your work. Instead of the generic “ping” that jolts you out of your workflow, you could opt for a more soothing chime or even a subtle whoosh. This might seem like a small change, but it can make a big impact on how you manage your day. Being able to differentiate between urgent alerts and less critical messages through sound can help you prioritise effectively and reduce unnecessary distractions. For business owners like you, this update is more than just a new feature – it’s a tool to enhance productivity and team efficiency. By allowing your team to customise their notification sounds, you make it easy for them to tailor their work environment to their personal needs. For instance, urgent messages from key contacts can be assigned a distinct sound that grabs attention immediately, while routine notifications can have a softer, less intrusive tone. This kind of prioritisation is essential in a busy work environment where managing time and focus is vital. It can help prevent important messages from getting lost in the noise of everyday communications and ensure that team members can respond promptly to those pressing issues without being constantly disrupted. The business benefits of this update are clear. First, it helps create a more focused and efficient work environment. When employees aren’t constantly interrupted by generic notification sounds, they can maintain their concentration for longer periods, leading to higher productivity levels. And by enabling the muting of notifications during meetings or focused work sessions, the update makes sure that important discussions and deep work sessions go uninterrupted. This feature is particularly handy in today’s hybrid work environment, where distractions can come from multiple channels. While the customisable notification sounds are a standout feature, Microsoft Teams offers a huge range of other benefits that make it an invaluable tool for business. It integrates smoothly with other 365 applications, providing a unified platform for all your business needs. https://player.vimeo.com/video/983180299? Whether it’s collaborating on documents, scheduling meetings, or managing projects, Teams brings everything together in one place. Teams has a robust set of tools that make teamwork easier and more efficient. If you’re not already using Teams, where have you been? Give it a try and see how it can help you streamline your workflows and communication. We can help you customise Microsoft Teams to be perfect for your business. Get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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Now Copilot’s going to make your team work better together

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June 17th 2024 By Matthew Phillips Now Copilot’s going to make your team work better together Have you heard about Team Copilot yet? It’s the latest addition to Microsoft’s suite of AI tools and should be available later this year. Think of Team Copilot as an advanced, AI-powered assistant designed to help your team work better together. While Microsoft’s 365 Copilot has been a personal assistant for individual tasks like drafting emails or recapping missed meetings, Team Copilot takes it to the next level by focusing on group activities. There are three main ways Team Copilot can help your team: Meeting facilitator During a Teams video call, Team Copilot can take notes that everyone in the meeting can see and edit. It can also create follow-up tasks, track time for each agenda item, and assist with in-person or hybrid meetings when used with Teams Rooms. Group text chat assistant In group text chats within Teams, Copilot can summarise lengthy conversations to highlight the most important information. It can also answer questions from the group, making it easier to stay on track and informed without wading through pages (and pages and pages) of chat history. Project manager Team Copilot can help manage projects by creating tasks and goals within Microsoft’s Planner app. It can assign these tasks to team members and even complete some tasks itself, like drafting a blog post. It will notify team members when their input is needed. You know that productivity isn’t just about individual work. It’s also about effective teamwork. So, by helping with group-orientated tasks, Team Copilot can make big improvements to your overall productivity. It’s important to note that while Team Copilot is incredibly helpful, it doesn’t replace the role of a human meeting facilitator. It won’t lead meetings or ensure inclusivity, but it will create agendas, track time, take notes, and share files. It’s more of a business insights assistant, helping with group interactions and meetings rather than censoring comments or keeping people in line. But hey, who knows what’s to come in future! https://player.vimeo.com/video/954284935 Team Copilot will be available in preview later this year for Microsoft 365 customers with a Copilot subscription. While it’s a work in progress, the potential it has to transform team productivity is huge. Keep an eye out for its release and think about how it could fit into your workflow to boost your team’s productivity. If you have any questions or need further assistance in understanding how Copilot can benefit your business, get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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The secrets to make your laptop battery live longer

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May 20th 2024 By Matthew Phillips The secrets to make your laptop battery live longer Could you imagine what it must have been like doing business 30 years ago, before you had a decent laptop? It’s a horrible thought. And one that you only need to consider now and then, when you have an hour’s worth of work to do… but only 30 mins left on your laptop battery. Nightmare. No one wants to be caught in the dreaded low battery limbo during a crucial meeting or presentation. But with a little know-how, you can extend your laptop battery’s lifespan and keep it running optimally for years to come. Understanding your battery is key. Most laptops today rely on lithium-ion batteries, which have a finite number of charge cycles. A charge cycle equals a full discharge from 0% to 100%, and each cycle diminishes the battery’s capacity. The golden rule? Avoid full discharges whenever possible… which means, don’t let the battery run out completely. https://player.vimeo.com/video/946525891 Let’s dive into your laptop’s power settings to customise your battery preferences. Hibernation mode is your friend – it kicks in before your battery hits rock bottom. And don’t forget to activate Battery Saver mode, a godsend for preserving power when your battery is running on fumes. Next, it’s time to declutter. Close background apps and say goodbye to unnecessary power drains. Toggle off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when they’re not in use and dim screen brightness to conserve energy. But what about charging etiquette? Contrary to popular belief, keeping your laptop plugged in won’t harm your battery – modern devices are smarter than you think. Just steer clear of extreme temperatures and never let your battery dip below 20% if you can help it. When it comes to storing your laptop for a little longer than usual, put it away with around 50% charge. And if you’re ever in doubt, some battery apps offer real-time insights into your battery’s health. Lastly, stay on top of software updates. New patches and upgrades can optimise performance and minimise energy consumption, giving your battery a new lease of life. We help businesses round here get the most from their devices for as long as possible. If we can do the same for you, get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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1 in 4 people struggle with password overload. Here’s the answer

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May 13th 2024 By Matthew Phillips 1 in 4 people struggle with password overload. Here’s the answer Are you tired of juggling a multitude of passwords like a circus act? You’re not alone. According to a recent report, around 1 in 4 of us feel the same. But it’s not just the sheer number of passwords that’s causing headaches – it’s the security risks they pose. Let’s face it, when it comes to setting passwords, most people aren’t cyber security experts. From weak and easily guessable passwords to the cardinal sin of reusing passwords across multiple accounts, human error is everywhere. Another study revealed that, on average, people use the same password for five different accounts. And don’t get us started on classics like ‘123456’… used on a mind-boggling 23 million breached accounts. But here’s the thing: Cyber criminals don’t need any extra help. They’re already pros at cracking passwords, and our lax habits are like an open invitation to wreak havoc. And let’s not forget the staggering stats – a projected $434 billion (£347 billion) loss to online payment fraud globally between 2024 and 2027, with 90% of data leaks attributed to stolen login details. So, what’s the solution? Password managers. These are essential software tools that take the hassle out of password management by generating and storing complex, unique passwords for each account. No more ‘123456’ disasters. Just robust security. https://player.vimeo.com/video/939600593 And the best part? Password managers not only beef up your security defences but they also streamline your digital life. With one-click logins and autofill features, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one. And with the right password manager, you can rest easy knowing your sensitive data is under lock and key. A password manager makes your life easier and business safer at the same time. Want to know which one we recommend? Get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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Copilot is bringing another productivity boost to Teams

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May 2nd 2024 By Matthew Phillips Copilot is bringing another productivity boost to Teams If you’re all about doing everything you can to help your team max their productivity (who wouldn’t want that, right?), then you’re going to love what Microsoft Teams has in store for us with its latest Copilot upgrades. Imagine, you’re mid-Teams meeting, brainstorming like there’s no tomorrow. Ideas are flying all over the place! Even the quickest note-taker among you isn’t going to remember it all. Never mind. Copilot’s got it. It can transcribe your conversation and understand your live chat, then summarise the most valuable insights. It doesn’t stop there. Ever wish you could hit “undo” on a chat message and reword your response? Copilot can help with that too. In fact, it can come up with a fresh message suggestion right there in the chat. That could save you lots of time – and brain power. https://player.vimeo.com/video/936636272 Copilot’s call recap tool can help with normal phone calls too. Teams Premium subscribers will benefit from handy recaps. It’s like having that personal assistant you always wished for (but you still have to make your own coffee). Microsoft’s also made IntelliFrame the default setting for video calls. What’s that, you ask? It uses AI to identify the individual video feeds of all participants so that everyone gets their moment in the spotlight during Teams Rooms calls. It also means no more awkwardly cropped faces or disappearing attendees. Smoother team collaboration, more insightful meetings, and video calls that look like they’re straight out of Hollywood… who doesn’t want that?! If you’re not already maxing Teams in your business, we can help. Get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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Be more productive with these Microsoft Edge features

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April 15th 2024 By Matthew Phillips Be more productive with these Microsoft Edge features Improving productivity is a never-ending mission for most business owners and managers. Whether it’s speeding up tasks or improving communication, every little helps. So it’s crucial to make the most of the tools you already have. And while you might think of your web browser as just a means to access the internet, it can be so much more than that. Especially if you use Microsoft Edge in Windows 11. It has loads of features that can help supercharge your productivity. https://player.vimeo.com/video/926233554? Here are five of our favourites. Split Screen for multitasking Multitasking is a skill every business owner needs, and Microsoft Edge’s split screen feature makes it easier than ever. Whether you’re comparing web pages, researching multiple topics, or simply keeping an eye on different sites simultaneously, split screen lets you view two pages side-by-side within the same tab. It’s like having two windows open at once, but without the clutter. Vertical Tabs for streamlined navigation Too many tabs? Yeah… we understand that. Microsoft Edge’s vertical tabs offer a fresh perspective on tab management. By stacking tabs vertically along the side of the browser window, you can easily navigate between open tabs and access essential controls like close and mute. Workspaces for seamless collaboration Collaboration is key in any business, and Microsoft Edge’s Workspaces feature makes it easier than ever to work well with colleagues or clients. Create a workspace with a collection of open tabs, then share it with others via a simple link. It means they can open multiple tabs with one click. It’s perfect for brainstorming sessions, project management, or team presentations. Collections for organised research Gathering information from the web is a common task. Microsoft Edge’s Collections feature makes this easier, allowing you to easily save and organise text, images, and videos from web pages into custom collections. Stay organised, focused, and productive.       5: Immersive Reader for distraction-free reading When you need to focus on reading an article or document online, distractions on the page can be a pain. Microsoft Edge’s Immersive Reader feature provides a clutter-free reading experience by removing ads, links, and other interruptions. Customise the text size, spacing, and colour scheme to suit your preferences, and even have the content read aloud for hands-free reading. If your business doesn’t already use Microsoft Edge on Windows 11, this could be the perfect time to switch. Can we help you move over? Get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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