More Controversy for Vodafone

There continues to be a lot of concern surrounding network and smartphone security at the moment, and there is much we can do to protect you from such faceless crimes.  However, a break in at an exchange in Basingstoke has taken everyone by surprise. 

The facility was hit in the early hours of Monday morning and have affected several hundred thousand Vodafone customers who subsequently lost voice, text and internet access.

Stolen computer equipment and network hardware has resulted in prolonged outages and Vodafone customers have turned to social networking sites to voice their displeasure. 

In a statement, Vodafone said: "We are working quickly to restore these and will be back to normal as soon as we can."  They have also allayed security fears by stating that there has been no impact on the security of customers' private information.

However, they have refused to speculate on whether the break-in could be linked to several high-profile controversies involving the company.

Is your smartphone secure?

DID YOU KNOW

A mobile phone is stolen every 12 seconds in the UK?

Over 50,000 phones are left in the back of London taxis in an average year?

A smartphone can be infected by viruses in the same way as a PC?

Around 80% of European smartphone users have been hit by spam?

The majority of PC users have some form of virus or spam protection. Despite the growing threats of mobile viruses, spam and smartphone theft, around 86% of mobile phone users do not have any security software installed? The high susceptibility of smartphones, their advanced data connections and the fact that we are increasingly using these devices for storing personal and commercial data makes them attractive to criminals?

We can protect your smartphone, Pocket PCs and other mobile devices running Symbian, Android and Windows Mobile from threats to your phone such as viruses, spyware, trojans, malware, hackers and data theft.

Free trial request

• AntiTheft - Easy to use it delivers simple data protection solutions in the event of theft:
• Lock your mobile
• Provide the location of your phone if GPS enabled thus enabling recovery
• Wipe the data remotely via SMS
• Notify you when the SIM has been changed

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AntiVirus provides full protection against viruses, trojans, spyware or other malware. It provides continuous protection without interfering with the normal operation of your handset.

•                           Real time protection
•                           Easy to manually scan when you insert memory cards
•                           Instant detection of new threats
•                           Battery friendly

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AntiSpam gives you complete control over which messages you want to accept or deny by providing an easy to use application that will help minimise the spam you receive.

•                          Number blocking to avoid unwanted SMS or MMS
•                          Simple to use whitelist and blacklist application
•                          Contacts automatically added to whitelist
•                          Easy to use and configure

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Free trial request

Use our 30-day free trial now, you’ve nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Office relocation – your move

Did you know that failed office relocation projects have become one of the most common causes of disaster recovery events?

It is business critical that, on the first morning in your new office, all of your equipment, systems and phones are fully functional. For this to happen, you need to plan well in advance and seek specialist expertise and advice.

Getting the IT & Telecoms part of an office move right can be the most challenging part of any office relocation - which is why it merits special attention.

A move is likely to involve: -

·                     Carrying out a  full equipment audit prior to the office move

·                     Assessment of IT & Telecom needs in the new office

·                     Advising on a suitable infrastructure for your new office

·                     Advising on a new Business Phone System or relocating your old one

·                     Producing a reliable Business Continuity Plan 

·                     Relocating IT & Telecoms equipment safely and securely

·                     Setting up and testing of all equipment so it is ready to use 

·                     Providing a support service after the move

Adodo would also work closely with you on the following: - 

A Review of your current technology equipment

An office move is the ideal time to consider upgrading technology and can provide a trigger for renewing/switching supplier contracts.  Your current system might well be perfect for your existing office, but is it right for the new offices? Adodo will advise you on what technologies will help improve business efficiency and whether any cost cutting measures can be implemented. 

IT & Telecom requirements in your new office

We will advise you on a suitable network infrastructure that best meets your requirements in the new office, and ensure that all services (such as broadband speed, digital communications etc) are available in the new location. We will draw up a detailed configuration plan of the new office; this will determine the best location for workstations, as well as office equipment such as servers, computers, telephones, printers and photocopiers. 

Your Business Phone Systems

What would the impact be on your business if you had to change your telephone number? We can advise you on whether you are able to take your existing phone number with you when you move office - if not what your options would be. We will also assess your current and future communication needs and whether you need to upgrade your business phone system when you move office.

Removal and set-up of your IT & Telecoms equipment

Whether your office move requires moving desktop computers, printers, phones or even an entire server room, the logistical issues of an IT move can be complex and this process requires specialist IT removals who are experienced in handling this type of equipment.

Your server relocation

The server is at the heart of your network. Due to the complexities and high risk involved in server relocation, this task should only be carried out by professionals who can handle the technical, logistical and business considerations of server relocation. If your company has dedicated server(s), make sure you involve us to execute this part of the move on your behalf.

Your Business Continuity Planning

Failed office relocation projects have become one of the most common causes of disaster recovery events, and it is for this reason that we recommend using Adodo to create a detailed Business Continuity Plan in the event your relocation experiences delays or unforeseen problems occur. Over the past year we can recall many different scenarios that were unforeseen but contingency planning meant that normal business continued.

Why use Adodo

·                     We have specialist skills and technical expertise to handle all types of business-critical IT & Telecoms equipment

·                     Your business is more likely to be up and running far quicker in your new office with minimum downtime

·                     We have the experience on how best to configure your new office layout from a network cabling and IT & Telecoms perspective

·                     We can advise you on the most suitable technology and communications services for your new office which may reduce costs and increase business efficiency

Even if you have an in-house IT department, they may not have the skill set or time to manage the transition and migration of IT & Telecoms business services to the new office.

By employing Adodo to carry out your IT relocation, you will reduce risk, avoid delay and ensure that costly downtime is minimised.

Your business communications infrastructure (servers, computers, phones, faxes, printers etc.) are central to your company being able to operate. If you have no IT and/or Telecoms connectivity then your company isn't working - and, if your company isn't working - you're losing money. 

Call recording – Office phone and mobile

Most people will now be aware of the growth of organisations recording calls.  The potential of your call being recorded now has almost become the norm. At Adodo we have never heard of a company being thought badly of because they record calls - why should they, they are just showing that they want to be precise and accurate and to train their staff well? They also know that ‘things’ happen.

Providing fully integrated call recording should be a standard feature of any new phone system purchase. If you are not considering a new phone system and don’t have call recording then maybe you should consider bolting it on. What about calls made from your mobiles? Yes, the same reasons.

The most popular reasons for recording calls are;

• telesales / telemarketing training assessment and coaching
• note taking / dictation
• solving "who said what" disputes, or more formally..
• recording agreements
• recording meetings
• recording instructions for greater speed and accuracy and detail
• clarification of quantities and specifications
• protection of staff from abusive / difficult customers
• ideal for litigation purposes as recordings can be used in court (UK)
• monitoring nuisance callers
• monitoring customer service
• monitoring staff performance
• anti fraud - surveillance

The resulting benefits are;

• Resolving Disputes

the recording helps to diffuse the dispute, rather than to escalate it. The reason for this is that most disputes escalate because one party thinks that the other party is being difficult, lying, or is not fulfilling what they committed to. When listened to together more than 80% of disputes evaporate and are solved amicably. Quickly find calls and email an extract to your customer, how much time will you save?

• Demonstrating Compliance

For many organisations, such as Financial Institutions, it is necessary to show that

that Regulatory rules have been followed.

• Monitoring Quality

Provides you with the additional ability to ensure that all customers are being dealt with professionally at all times

• Improving Performance

Work with staff to develop their telephone and telesales techniques. It also means that all stakeholders within your system can work effectively when communicating by phone knowing that they are protected.

• Sharing

Share conference calls and online meetings with business colleagues.

Quote of the Week!

"Change is the essence of life.  Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become." 


Unknown

Intel striking a Thunderbolt

Intel, the Chip manufacturer has announced it is to roll out a new high-speed technology that may cut down on cabling for peripherals.

Thunderbolt, formerly known as Light Peak, promises transfer speeds twice as fast as USB 3.0.  Initially, it won't reach its theoretical maximum because Intel has opted to use copper wires rather than fibre optic cables, but they have suggested that they will move to the higher speeds over time.

At launch, the technology that allows dual bi-directional transfer over copper cable, will be limited to 10 Gigabits per second - twice as fast as USB 3.0, but still well below the theoretical maximum using optical cables.  They claim, that future versions will be able to reach 100 Gb/sec.

Apple will become the first manufacturer to use Thunderbolt, on its Macbook Pro computers.

Who-are-We’s Gift to London

Huawei, (pronounced who-are-we), is a Chinese Telecoms giant who has hit the headlines this week because they have offered to install a mobile phone network on the London Underground in time for the 2012 Olympics:  Free of charge.

The gesture is said to be a gift from one Olympic nation to another according to the Sunday Times and is said to be worth about £50 million.  The company has offered to install transmitters along the ceilings of the tunnels, and will earn any future income from the maintenance of the equipment.  It has been confirmed by Transport for London that work has begun on wiring up the Underground with mobile phone transmitters, but there has been no confirmation of Huawei’s involvement.  

Quote for the Week!

"Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever"  Keri Russell

The Real Cost of Cyber Crime

Baroness Neville-Jones has likened cyber crime to terrorism “the more you know the more frightening it looks” she said, as figures are released, that estimate the cost of cyber crime to the UK economy.   

The Government has said that cyber crime costs the UK economy £27bn a year, but has also stated that the figures published are a mid-range estimate and the real cost could be much higher.

Martin Sutherland, chief executive of Detica, the consultancy which compiled the report with the Cabinet Office, said the perpetrators of cyber crime ranged from "state-sponsored" criminals to organised crime gangs down to "spotty teenagers sitting in their bedrooms".

The report divides the costs as follows, £21bn of costs to businesses, £2.2bn to government and £3.1bn to citizens.  Together with the Prime Minister, David Cameron and the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, Baroness Neville-Jones met with the leaders of some of Britain’s biggest businesses this week, to encourage them to take the issue more seriously. 

Whatever the size of your organisation, however real you consider the threat, are you prepared for a cyber attack?

Related Articles:  Hackers Running Rampant and The Rising Threat of Telephone Fraud

Facebook in the Mobile Market? The Boss Speaks Up

In response to rumors regarding facebook’s future in the mobile market, Mark Zuckerberg said "Phones are inherently social devices and the industry is just beginning to discover what's possible".  However, he seems to have dismissed the introduction of a facebook branded phone.

The inference is that facebook are not joining forces with a major manufacturer at this point, as Google did with Nexus phones, but are concentrating on software integration instead.  This will probably prove a strong selling point for cheaper smartphones. 

Mr. Zuckerberg told delegates at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona to expect to see “dozens of phones with much deeper social integration than we have so far."  He was referring to the Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) provided by facebook that allow phone manufacturers to build social networking into their operating systems.

However you view at their approach, the unyielding force of facebook, plans to extend its presence within the mobile world and if the past is anything to go by, they will not let up.

Hackers Running Rampant

Security firm McAfee has compiled a report that reveals that hackers have been running rampant through the networks of at least five oil and gas firms since 2009.

The report details a combination of con tricks, computer vulnerabilities and weak security controls that enabled the unnamed multinational firms to succumb to sustained attacks.  In a long-running campaign, the hackers methodically worked to penetrate the computer networks of these firms and stole secrets relating to oil exploration and bidding contracts.  

Related article:  The Rising Threat of Telephone Fraud

Mobile World Congress Kicks Off

So it’s not everybody’s idea of fun, but there is great anticipation as the Mobile World Congress kicks off in Barcelona, and rightly so, as a host of firms will be launching new products.

Show stoppers include Sony Ericsson’s, Xperia Play, with its smartphone-cum-gaming device, Samsung’s new tablet, the Galaxy 10, which as the name suggests features a bigger 10.1 inch (26cm) screen.  Meanwhile LG has unveiled the first mobile phone with 3D capability.

Quote for the Week!

"If you don't create change, change will create you"  Unknown

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day from all at Adodo!!

A special offer for a special day

Call 0800 092 1471 to find out about our Phone System offers or our calls and lines offers!


Or email solutions@adodo.co.uk

Microsoft and Nokia Join Forces

Following earlier concerns this week that Nokia were in trouble following a leaked memo from Stephen Elop, Chief Executive of the mobile company, Nokia staff are now facing a new challenge.

Nokia has joined forces with Microsoft in an attempt to regain lost ground on market leaders iPhone and other Android-operated devices.  The deal means that Nokia’s existing operating systems will be replaced with the Windows Phone 7 operating system for its smartphones, the company has said.

Windows Phone 7, whilst receiving much critical acclaim, has remained quite a small market player to date.  It has been rumored that Mr. Elop opted to use Windows over the Google Android Operating System because he feels more comfortable with the company as that is where he worked before his move to Nokia. 

The move does mean that Nokia employees across the world will be facing inevitable job losses.  As with all coalitions, the future is unknown, but this collaboration has the potential to shape the future of the industry.  

Is Nokia in Crisis? According to the boss, they are.

Stephen Elop, CEO of Nokia, has sent a blunt but honest memo to his staff suggesting that the once mobile market leader is now in crisis.

In particular, he feels that the firm was caught off guard by the success of Google's Android operating system and Apple's iPhone.  Despite the first iPhone being shipped back in 2007, he states that Nokia “still don't have a product that is close to their [Apple’s] experience”.

As a result he describes the company as standing on a "burning platform" surrounded by innovative competitors who are grabbing its market share. Although Nokia leads the global smartphone market in terms of handset sales, its overall share has been gradually declining.  According to research firm IDC, Nokia’s shares fell 10% between 2009 and 2010.

Mr Elop's leaked memo also suggests that Nokia is also being squeezed at the lower, non-smartphone end of the market by Chinese manufacturers because they are produced quickly and cheaply.  

Quote for the Week!

“Change starts when someone sees the next step”

William Drayton

Discounts on your Mobile Thanks to Facebook

Businesses are now able to utilise the dedicated Facebook app, ‘places’ to provide a virtual coupon facility to customers.

Customers that use the application on their iPhone’s or handset’s that run the Google's Android system can update their whereabouts whenever they visit a variety of shops, restaurants and other venues.  The process is called a “check-in”.

Now users who visit participating shops can log in from their mobile phones to receive rewards from their favourite high street businesses such as Starbucks and Debenhams who are already onboard.

With deals, users will not just be able to tell other people their location, but can also take advantage of any special offers that the retailer has.  In addition, participating retailers will be able to use Facebook to offer "golden ticket" rewards or give bonuses to users who bring other friends along with them.

The service is intended to capitalise on Facebook's popularity, particularly on phones. The service is free to retailers and shoppers alike, and Facebook will not take a slice of any income generated by the deals.