IT firm, Innovate, to help schools turn to cloud computing

Sep 4, 2013

With IT one of the largest costs in a school budget, Poole-based IT firm Innovate is encouraging schools to consider implementing a cost-effective cloud computing solution as the new school term gets underway.

The role of technology as a teaching tool is increasingly important and head teachers are aware that delivering savings without damaging pupils’ education is imperative.  To help deliver these savings and to ensure technology continues to remain an essential teaching aid, Innovate is to introduce its own cloud computing solution, Cloud9, to the education sector.

Cloud9 offers schools major cost-saving benefits, eliminating the need to spend on IT equipment and support charges, the latest software and anti-virus and anti-spam annual renewals.  Costing from 36p per pupil per week, Cloud9 uses such clever technology that all classrooms will need for pupils are mice, keyboards and screens – all PC hardware and servers are removed and a schools entire IT will be host safely on the internet.

Cloud9 is delivered through an ‘i9unit’ which is the size of a DVD case and provides a complete cloud computing service.  Sitting beside each PC screen, the i9units are rented devices and replace all school servers and PC tower units to provide schools with another cost-saving solution to power usage costs.

Through each ‘i9unit’, schools have totally secure and direct access to all of their data, which is stored in one of two UK-based Cloud9 data centres, and be safe in the knowledge that significant backup is always in place. With UK-based Cloud9 data centres and support engineers, schools can be assured that all their data is protected by UK law.

By using cloud computing educators and staff will be able to access their information in the cloud virtually anytime and anywhere through Web browsers and from any Internet-connected PC or mobile phone.

David Pape, managing director at Innovate, says: “Staffing costs aside, IT can represent one of the largest elements of a school’s budget so it is no surprise that when savings need to be made spending on both IT equipment and software can come under scrutiny.  Eighteen months ago we invested in the future, that is cloud computing, and designed our own cloud computing package which would provide a complete IT solution to both businesses and schools for under half the cost of traditional IT.  With Cloud9, schools can now simply rent their IT, adding and removing capacity as and when required – extremely useful for schools that have their PC’s unused for approximately 20 weeks per year.”

To ensure the green credentials of Cloud9 are fully maximised, a partnership has been formed with Computer Aid International, a UK-registered ICT for development charity, which aims to reduce poverty through practical ICT solutions. Innovate will remove old IT equipment from schools following any implementation of Cloud9 and supply it to the charity which in turn will be distributed to hospitals, universities, schools and not-for-profit organisations in developing countries such as Liberia, Chile, Malawi and Nepal.

For further information, please telephone 0330 999 1000 or visit www.cloud9now.co.uk

IT firm warns Windows XP is putting businesses at risk

Aug 23, 2013

With only eight months before Microsoft withdraws support on its still widely used operating systems Windows XP and Office 2003, companies must have a plan to switch operating systems or face security issues warn Poole-based IT firm Innovate.

From 8 April 2014, Microsoft will stop providing security updates for the technology and those firms using Windows XP and Office 2003 beyond this date will be exposed to cyber attacks, security breaches and theft.  To ensure companies remain on supported versions of Windows and Office action needs to be taken now or else companies will not be fully protected. 

To help local companies to understand what this means to a company and what can be done in advance of 8 April, Innovate will be running a free workshop titled: ‘The death of XP and Office 2003 – what next for SMEs?’ from its office in Poole.

The session will take place on Friday September 13 from 9am to 11am and is designed to inform business owners, directors and senior managers about how to future proof IT.

The workshop will cover:

• Why XP and Office 2003 are finishing
• What this means to businesses
• What are the hardware and software choices
• How to mitigate the effects of the pull-out
• Where next for your IT
• How much it will cost to change
• How to future proof your IT

Delegates will also hear about examples of businesses that have recently moved away from XP.

David Pape, managing director at Innovate, says: “XP and 2003 users are likely to face very serious problems in the future.  Their whole business could be compromised and we are encouraging everyone who has not upgraded to make plans as soon as possible. There are many alternatives including Cloud but doing nothing is likely to be a dangerous stance. We are recommending that anyone who is unsure of their next steps to just pick up the phone and we would be very happy to give some free, impartial advice.”

The workshop takes place at Innovate, Acorn Business Park, Ling Road, Poole, BH12 4NZ.  Places are limited to 12 people. To book a place, please telephone Adrian Pitt on 0330 999 1000 or email apitt@innovate.uk.com.

Innovate appoints trainees

Aug 16, 2013

Innovate appoints trainees - Graham Smith, service desk engineer apprentice, and Charlotte Knight, sales and marketing assistant

Poole-based Innovate, a leading IT solutions provider, has expanded its team by appointing two trainees, Graham Smith and Charlotte Knight.

Graham Smith takes up a one year apprenticeship role within the IT service department and joins as service desk engineer apprentice.  Currently studying for a Level 2 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence at Bournemouth and Poole College, Graham will report directly to Sarah Milligan, service delivery manager at Innovate, and will be responsible for responding to client queries related to the IT services provided by the firm, running due diligence reports on servers to ensure client data is secure and becoming involved with Innovate’s own dedicated cloud computing package, Cloud9. Graham aims to gain technical skills and knowledge over the course of his apprenticeship with Innovate.

Charlotte Knight joins as an intern in the Innovate sales and marketing department.  Currently studying a four year marketing degree at Bournemouth University the third year of her course requires the completion of a 12 month internship.  As sales and marketing assistant, Charlotte will report to sales and marketing manager Adrian Pitt and her key responsibilities will include assisting in developing brand awareness of Cloud9, planning and creating new marketing strategies to boost sales and brand reputation and meeting and greeting clients.

At the end of the internship, Charlotte hopes to achieve an increase in confidence, an all-round knowledge of how business works as well as gain valuable client-facing experience.

David Pape, managing director at Innovate, says: “We’d like to welcome Graham and Charlotte to Innovate. We recognise that apprenticeships and training programmes provide people with an invaluable opportunity to develop their skills whilst benefiting from structured training and qualifications they can use for the rest of their careers. We look forward to working with Graham and Charlotte.”

IT firm, Innovate, to donate PCs to Computer Aid International

Jun 28, 2013

Poole-based Innovate, a leading IT solutions provider, is gearing up to donate used PCs and old computer hardware to charity for use in education and health projects in developing countries.

Following the recent launch of the company’s dedicated cloud computing package, Cloud9, Innovate has signed an agreement with Computer Aid International, UK registered charity that aims to reduce poverty through practical ICT solutions, to send all second-hand PCs and other IT equipment to the charity for them to distribute accordingly.

Cloud9 uses such smart technology that all an office needs is a mouse, keyboard and screen – all the PCs and servers are removed from the business.   As a result, and to guarantee the green credentials of Cloud9 are fully maximised, Innovate will remove old IT equipment following any implementation of Cloud9 and supply it to the charity which in turn will be distributed for re-use in education, health and agriculture in developing countries such as Liberia, Chile, Malawi and Nepal.

David Pape, managing director at Innovate, says: “As the use of cloud technology grows, we believe it is important to find options on how to recycle old hardware that is no longer required.  Donating equipment to Computer Aid is extremely worthwhile and we’re delighted to support the charity by supplying redundant computer equipment.”

Anja ffrench, director of communications at Computer Aid, adds: “At Computer Aid we’re noticing that more and more companies are gearing up for a technology refresh of their PC fleet, in light of the emergence of cloud computing technology. The importance of safely and securely disposing of old equipment is extremely important.  We are delighted that Innovate have chosen to donate its unwanted computers to us. Just one computer donated to Computer Aid has the potential to provide a further 6,000 hours of use, enough to train 60 children to a vocational level of IT literacy. This makes a huge difference to education and employment prospects in rural and poor communities, especially since many recipients of our computers would not otherwise have access to ICT.

For further information about Cloud9, please telephone 0330 999 1000 or visit www.cloud9now.co.uk.

To find out about donating IT equipment to Computer Aid International, contact the charity on 020 8361 5540, or visit: www.computeraid.org/donate