Tenants in the PRS are increasingly seeking high-spec apartments incorporating state-of-the-art technology: MDUs are becoming luxurious living spaces where lighting, heating, and access can be controlled easily and intuitively – with instant connectivity available for tenants on a growing number of devices.

(A recent tech survey showed residents of MDUs had an average of 17 devices with internet connection per apartment.)

Meeting high technological expectations

• Smart phones and smart TVs, WiFi-enabled lighting, heating and security will soon be jostling for bandwidth space with smart fridges, smart clothing and other wireless tech.
• The rise of voice-activated home hubs such as Amazon Echo and Google Home is driving opportunities for seamless shopping and marketing without a laptop or tablet in sight.

Around 21 billion devices will be connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) by 2020.    

The best in-house technology

• By deploying a building-wide WiFi platform a PRS developer can engage with residents on many different levels.
• Guest engagement through portal options ensures residents feel part of a modern, connected network, which benefits them in many different ways.
• Curve IT provide full reporting and analytics to the operator.
• Resident portals serve multiple functions: tenants can communicate with one another and alert building management teams about urgent matters. Residents can also use a portal to receive notifications or upgrade their accommodation or connectivity.
• Flexible business models can deliver a revenue stream to operators.
• A great product and service gives the operator a competitive advantage over other PRS operators.
• Internet access is included in the rent, and Curve IT can create an infrastructure where residents can easily upgrade for a managed monthly payment with the client.
• Carefully designed placement of WiFi access points means residents have superb access throughout the entire building, whilst minimising the number of points needed, so saving money for the build.
• The Curve IT Personal Area Network means that residents have access to their own network, wherever they are in the building, such as the gym or lobby, creating a seamless experience for the resident.
• We are approaching an age in which a wide range of consumer products will be routinely connected to internet-enabled interfaces.
• Curve IT can also provide ongoing 24/7 IT support if required, for both the operator and residents, including warranty management.

Contact the team at Curve IT to see how we can deliver your PRS IT services and solutions.

The post OPERATE: PRS IT Services and Solutions appeared first on Curve IT.

Watch this BBC News video for a simple explanation of the issue.

Since WPA2 is a protocol that secures all modern protected WiFi networks, laptops, desktops, phones, and other devices that support WiFi, are likely affected. Major developers, including Microsoft® and Google®, have stated they will be releasing patches soon.

Action for WiFi Security

The post WiFi Security Compromise appeared first on Curve IT.

We are delighted to have been appointed as IT Support provider to two travel companies based in Brighton; Travel Nation, who specialise in round-the-world adventures; and Rickshaw Travel, who specialise in authentic and immersive experiences. Both companies provide amazing and inspiring personalised holidays for their highly-complimentary clients.  We’re now aiming to provide their employees with a similar standard of customer service.

The two companies were previously supported by one shared in-house IT technician.  As both businesses flourish and grow, their IT strategy and infrastructure needs to adapt. They now require the broader skills and expertise of a managed IT service provider who can not only deliver their IT support but can also assist them with IT projects.

Our initial discussion with both companies involved understanding their business, their culture and their people, in addition to their IT infrastructure.  From this information-gathering exercise we can complete the on-boarding process and start to advise on their business and IT goals moving forward.

Curve IT Support Service

We follow a specified process when we welcome new clients which starts with an on-site audit of existing IT systems. Then follows the on-boarding stage, where we establish and execute a detailed plan of action to move the clients IT systems into our IT management service, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.  We conduct an analysis and follow-up meeting with the client soon after the transition has taken place to ensure that all systems are functioning in their optimal manner.

IT is critical to the operation of Travel Nation and Rickshaw Travel so we provide them with a Fully Managed IT Support service which includes:

• IT Support helpdesk (unlimited remote and on-site IT support)
• Monitoring and alerting systems
• Asset and license management
• Backup and anti-virus
• Any further service requests

Read more about our IT Services and IT Support.

Feedback

We’ve really enjoyed getting to know both the teams at Travel Nation and Rickshaw Travel, and the fact that we’re all neighbours in New England House, Brighton, means we can borrow the odd cup of sugar from each other too!

Here’s a couple of comments we’ve already received about our service:

“I feel that our IT needs are in very safe hands with Curve. They handled a complex but well-planned transition of all our IT needs when we came on board and made the process much more simple than we anticipated. They are a friendly team and highly professional, so we have a very happy team!” – Jonny Goodall, Commercial Director | Travel Nation

“I just made my first call to Curve IT as my PC kept saying it was out of disc space. They logged straight on and got me all fixed and sorted really quickly… very impressive” – Paula | Rickshaw Travel

Based in Brighton, Travel Nation creates trips of a lifetime. Their expertise in building complex multi-stop and round the world flight itineraries means they can create any itinerary imaginable, anywhere in the world. From simple adventures to fully tailor-made round the world holidays, every trip is designed to suit each traveller’s style and budget.

Travel Nation’s team of experienced and well-travelled round the world specialists put together every trip and can offer first-hand recommendations from their own travels. Working closely with each traveller, they offer a completely personalised service from initial planning, through to booking and travelling.

travelnation.co.uk

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Rickshaw Travel is an independent tour operator based in sunny Brighton. They’re all about offering enriching, immersive holidays that take travellers to the heart of a destination and its local communities; providing authentic experiences where everybody benefits.

‘Make it Meaningful’ is the core ethos behind the company; both in the office and across their 24 destinations. As well as looking after its travellers, Rickshaw puts people first in all aspects of the business: from guides and porters to partners, local projects and its Brighton team. They even won Employer of the Year and Overall Business of the Year at the 2016 Brighton and Hove Independent Business Awards.

rickshawtravel.co.uk

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The post New IT Support Clients appeared first on Curve IT.

Verify by Phone

We advise all our customers to NEVER send a significant amount of money anywhere based on an email alone. Always take the time to verify the payment by phone with the person concerned prior to performing a bank transfer.

Don’t Trust the Display Name

To check the legitimacy of an email on your Outlook on PC, hover over the sender’s email address, click the down arrow on the right hand side of the window and you should see something like the image to the right. Scammers try and clone themselves as internal staff members to try and convince users of their legitimacy. If staff members get their personal e-mail accounts hacked, then scammers may route through their e-mails to find contacts they can pry on. We would always suggest changing any passwords on a regular basis especially around any suspicious activity.

Don’t Click Links

Hover your mouse over any links in an email. If the link looks weird to you, don’t click it. If you’re a client of ours, forward the email to us and ask the team to double check it if you’re not sure – we’re always happy to help you avoid a hack attack!

 Check for Spelling Mistakes

Commas in the wrong place are a dead giveaway that an email can’t be trusted. If you see a few errors or the English reads strangely, please be extra vigilant. Report anything suspicious to your IT contact.

 Beware of Urgent Language in the Subject Line

Phishing attacks often try to get you to rush or feel scared as it prevents the unwary from properly considering whether an email is genuine.

Beware of Unexpected Invoices and Attachments

Viruses are most often spread via an innocent word document or image file; however, the attacker relies on you downloading then opening the attachment. If you see something unexpected written in bad English, please call the sender to confirm the legitimacy.

Most antivirus and antispam software will detect and remove infected e-mails but occasionally something slips through.

Further information about Curve IT’s support service and security recommendations.

The post How to Identify a Spoofing Attack or Phishing Email appeared first on Curve IT.