Newtech Partners with Patchbox - A leading Cable Management Solution.
We are proud to announce a new partnership with the one of the world’s leading cable management solution, PATCHBOX à Simplify Cable Management.
PATCHBOX is the state-of-the-art cabling system for network and server racks that replaces conventional copper and fibre patch cords and cable management. Providing the exact length patch cord required, creating benefits by accelerating rack maintenance and building an efficient and sustainable working environment by preventing cable spaghetti. This solution will look to aid business’s in managing their network helping to become more organised and efficient. A simple but effective system for network & office administrators!
Newtech is proud to have been selected by Patchbox as their authorised distribution. This partnership adds to our extensive portfolio of solutions and providing more value to you, our esteemed clients!
WEBSITE – https://patchbox.com/patchbox
PATCHBOX – The award-winning network rack cable management solution – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV3KpIEFt0Y
PATCHBOX – Simplify Cable Management – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzTkBO7Xkxk
Any interest in the PATCHBOX Solution kindly get in touch via ntsales@newtech.mt to get hold of our NFR kits, price-lists and any marketing material.
Stay connected while you work from home with Linksys & Belkin.
For many people today, their office is now their home.
This now means that the numbers of connected devices at home has increased significantly, from phones to laptops, to TVs.
How can you maximise your home network with Linksys?
While many products seem similar on the surface, not all are the same. With so many to choose from, it can be confusing as to where to start. What factors play into getting the most out of your home network?
Test Your Wi-Fi Speed
Currently, there are single-band, dual-band, and tri-band WiFi routers on the market. Single band optimal speed is up to 750 Mbps, a dual band WiFi router clocks up to 1625 Mbps, and a tri-band router provides the fastest speeds with up to 2166 Mbps on each band.
It is important to test your WiFi speed to make sure the speed you are paying for and receiving is matching your needs.
Ditch Your Old ISP Router/Modem
Many people try to make do with the ISP router/modem that they most likely got from their Internet provider. These routers are adequate for basic Internet needs but that’s what these routers are: basic. If you’re dependent on reliable, fast and consistent WiFi throughout your home office and home, these ISP provided routers likely aren’t optimal.
Upgrade to Mesh WiFi
Mesh WiFi, or whole home WiFi, consists of a main router that connects directly to your modem and a series of nodes you place around your home. This provides full WiFi coverage throughout your house. Think of it like an old-school stereo, with a main receiver and various satellite speakers around the house to carry sound — but in this case, it’s a router, nodes, and WiFi.
With a Linksys Mesh WiFi router, such as the MR9000 or MR8300, you create a mesh WiFi that delivers superior speeds through your home. It’s easy to install and you can expand your coverage as your WiFi needs grow.
Add WiFi Range Extenders
Some Mesh WiFi systems require to you upgrade to an entire new WiFi system if you want to expand on it. Fortunately, Linksys offers ways you can extend the range of your WiFi with affordable products. That means you’ll be able to augment and expand upon your original investment.
Linksys Velop Mesh WiFi benefits include:
- Faster Internet speeds
- Expand your WiFi coverage
- Easy to install
- Customizable
- Automated software updates
Optimize Your Home WiFi to Maximize Productivity
Overall, optimizing your home WiFi is about staying connected and in control so you can be as productive as possible. Your family members who rely on WiFi will be happy, too.
Learn More About Mesh WiFi
Newtech are the official distribution partners of Linksys & Belkin in Malta.
This blog was taken from the following link – https://www.linksys.com/us/r/resource-center/how-to-optimize-wifi-working-from-home/
Covid 19 Impact in the technological sector.
Covid 19 Impact in the technological sector.
These are unprecedented times as various sectors adapt to a new way of life whilst Governments around the world are faced with a dilemma to mitigate the economic effects of the virus whilst abiding to the guidelines set out by the health authorities.
The IT sector has grown to represent 6.6% of the GVA generated by the Maltese economy in 2017, currently the industry is represented by more than 300 companies, employing over 7,300 persons. What is being observed in the market internationally that is having an effect on the market locally?
Below we wish to summarise the industries that Newtech are directly involved in.
I.T Hardware & Distribution
Shops all over the island have had to switch their business models, with a sole focus on e-commerce and deliveries, since physical stores have closed. The focus is on ensuing timely delivers to customers purchasing online. International distribution has also tightened due to the virus and products are generally taking longer to arrive, therefore purchasing managers are faced with key decisions on which items to keep in stock and at what risk. This may have a direct effect on the consumer who can purchase through international market places such as online vendors or similar, for items not available locally.
Internationally there are similar problems in the market, In the U.S According to CNBC 51.6 million PC units were shipped in the first three months of the year, down 12.3% from the previous year. It marks the biggest fall in shipments since 2013, and follows three consecutive quarters of growth for the market, showing that the downward trend is due to corona-virus market volatility. According to IDC, our partners Lenovo Group Ltd. 992, +2.68% shipments fell 4.3% year-over-year to 12.8 million units & Acer Group shipments fell 9.9% to 3.4 million units.
Software Licensing & Asset Management
When this crisis began, companies were faced with no option but to adjust to home circumstances. This new world means that companies are looking to increase their remote working capabilities, which has led to a number of changes in the market.
Microsoft reported in mid-March its Teams collaboration software had spiked to 44 million daily active users. That was up from 20 million in November, adding 12 million new users in the week prior to the announcement.
Microsoft Minutes Spent on teams per day, full report:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2020/04/09/remote-work-trend-report-meetings
Whilst Altassian stock and Slack Technologies both rose and stand-out as enterprise software companies who are outperforming despite corona virus driven market volatility. Throughout March, we witnessed a record high stock rise for conference calling applications such as Zoom, who have rose up by 117%, with schools, universities & businesses’ making use of the service to continue operation.
Software Licensing stocks seem to be performing well in the current climate as shares in cloud based solutions have also hit new records. As companies look to shift online we have seen an increase in licensing applications, however this can be seen as marginal as companies look to utilise the resources only available to them in order to save costs and not shift to new products or tools.
Cyber-Security
As companies shift online to cloud and remote working resources, the importance of cyber-security has increased. Cyber attacks are on the rise with a number of phishing attempts being disguised as COVID related news. Security analysts, are working around the clock to ensure the safety of companies’ data due to the prevalence of hackers during this period. Companies are starting to realize the importance of online security and are therefore more willing to look at high end solutions. Having said that, security budgets have been slashed in many cases due to operational costs, and even if companies wish to commit to long term solutions, they may no longer have the budget in place to do so.
Within the cyber-security realm a number of high values companies are privately listed, however publicly stocks have fallen as operational budgets are cut due to the current crisis. Within the local market, more awareness is still needed on the importance of Cyber-security and how it can safeguard business. However, companies are starting to realize the importance of having such tools in place.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the market has changed drastically and distribution is focused around the needs of business. As Hardware distribution declines, software licensing seems to have risen, and companies are starting to take note of the importance of investing into solutions that can improve productivity. Cyber-security is also important in order to safeguard the increasing number of data online. However one common issue remains, and that is revenue. As Business continues to loose revenue, investment into technology is set to damper.
Remote Working from Home & Virtual Client Computing - Parallels
Virtual client computing (VCC) includes software and systems designed to abstract applications and desktops away from the client device, allowing for additional layers of control and security. These systems may simply present another operating system on the device itself; draw on resources from a private cloud, a hosted environment, or the public cloud; or use a combination of these features along with the emerging concepts of edge computing and adaptive design to create complex digital work-spaces.
Consider Parallels RAS
- Enhanced Data Security – Protecting data is crucial to organizations – any loss can result in huge costs. Parallels RAS reinforces security by centralizing and managing data access.
- Flexible working – Allow employees to switch between devices and locations, increasing productivity and satisfaction. Parallel RAS provides seamless access to virtual apps and desktops anywhere, anytime.
- IT Agility – Increase the agility of your IT infrastructure to address business demands in real time. Parallels RAS provides central management for multi-cloud deployments, enabling scaling on demand.
Are you interested in improving your business remote working capabilities? Contact us on ntsales@newtech.mt or call on 25523000.
Due to concerns related to Covid-19 employers are faced with no option but to utilize remote working in many cases. However, for decades, the VCC market has revolved around a core set of compatibility, mobility, and security use cases and been tied to expensive/lengthy infrastructure purchase cycles. Digital workspaces are an emerging area in which the vendor expands the desktop workspace in a variety of ways, usually in conjunction with its existing virtualization technology. This expansion is generally around either task aggregation or work observation, with a focus on different approaches to enhancing individual awareness of and simplification of tasks to be completed. The workspace may also include edge computing, IoT devices, and artificial intelligence (AI) for aggregation, execution, or organization of information/tasks.
Parallels RAS
According to IDC analysis and buyer perception, Parallels RAS, acquired by Corel in December 2018, is positioned in the Major Players category in the 2019–2020 IDC MarketScape for worldwide virtual client computing.
How to Save Time with Delegated Session Management in Parallels RAS
Customer Profile
The work-space customer is faced with a work environment that has reached a level of complexity that can no longer be sustained. The work-space customer needs a solution that allows work to be organized and automated across multiple systems of action and record, without direct intervention from the end user either individually or as a team. This work-space needs to extend to and encompass any device (edge, mobile, traditional PC, tablet, etc.) the end users may interact with.
Parallels Remote Application Server end-to-end Demo
Source: IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Virtual Client Computing 2019-2020 Vendor Assessment Report.
Protect your home with APC. Power shortages? Invest in a UPS.
Protect your home with APC. Power shortages? Invest in a UPS.
Over the years, Schneider Electric has come out with durable, long lasting solutions, making them one of the most trusted companies worldwide in the realm of electronics. The German company owns APC, who specialize in products that power and safeguard the critical electronics at home that keep you and your family connected. The UPS allows you to protect your high speed internet connection with 24 /7 network access, ideal for storms and power outages. In case of a storm, APC filters electricity outputs in the event of an electric surge which could be caused by a lightening strike. This in turn prevents damage to all kind of devices from TV’s to consoles.
You are able to protect all of your data, including files stored on the cloud, streaming services and full access to send / receive emails during a power outage. APC solutions are proven to work harder, last longer and provide valuable protection to your home network. APC offer surge protectors, uninterruptible power supplies, that ensure you have optimal up time for your PC and home network. Whether it is for your home, home office and small business / server room and network closet / Data Centre and Facility. We are here to offer you solution.
As an official partner Newtech offer the full APC range, to select a UPS that is suited for your environment click here > https://www.apc.com/shop/mt/en/tools/ups_selector/
Once you select a model, please get in touch with our team of experts on ntsales@newtech.mt
Laptop & Desktop Market Continues to Show Growth in 2020.
Laptop & Desktop Market Continues to Show Growth in 2020.
- Laptop and Desktop computers are an essential part of life which continue to show market growth, year on year. According to statista.com, the PC market in Europe continues to perform well, the total computing market shows a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.6%, reaching 105.2 billion Dollars in 2020, whilst the laptop and tablet market is expected to do even better, at a CAGR of 0.9%. Despite overall growth for PC’s in general, laptops seem to be outperforming desktops, the European desktop segment presents a slower rate of growth overall. The number of laptops or notebooks sold in Germany and Italy suggests a higher interest among consumers for notebooks and other portable devices.
- According to our partners Lenovo, their latest 2019 annual report in the PC and Smart Device (PCSD) Business showed that the market share gains in high-growth and premium segments, were an important driver for revenue growth and better profitability. PCSD enjoyed double digit revenue and shipment growth across the workstation, thin and light, visual and Gaming PC segments.
- According to the International Data Corporation (DCI) in the last quarter of 2019 Nearly 1 of every 4 PCs shipped during the quarter were from Lenovo or one of its subsidiaries as the company once again managed to hold the top position in the market. The company’s strong push in EMEA and Japan, along with a notable commercial presence, helped cement it as the leader during the quarter.
- Acer Group rounded out the top 5. The shortage of Intel processors impacted the company although it still continues to be one of the stronger players in the gaming and Chromebook segments.
- According to a new forecast from the Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, overall PCD shipments reached 407.7 million by the end of 2019, up 0.5% from 2018.
- Slate tablets are set to continue their downward trajectory as their lifecycles extend as companies shift their product portfolio towards detachable tablets and laptops, which has shown great success for the likes of Lenovo and Acer.
The Gaming PC segment is definitely one to watch out for this decade, with companies shifting towards a growing industry and sport, in E sports.
At Newtech, we represent this growing segment for PCs with Lenovo, Acer and Razer, the leading gaming brand for peripherals. At Newtech we are also very pleased to announce a contract with MSI Gaming Laptops, the first in Malta and the company will also be offering their entire latest product portfolio, technologies and gaming laptops range throughout 2020 including the flagship models, with the stock set to arrive in January. For years, MSI has devoted countless resources in R&D to both product and production. The goal is to create new innovative features, push for extreme performance, and maintain stability.
Business laptops have also made the shift to become durable and flexible, that can convert into tablets and use state of the art touch screen technology, which is part of the fantastic success shared by Lenovo and Acer.
For more information about the latest products contact ntsales@newtech.mt
Sources taken from:
IDC (International Data Corporation) – https://www.idc.com/
Lenovo Interim Annual Report 19 /20 – https://investor.lenovo.com/en/publications/reports.php
Statista.com
Blood Drive
According the Red Cross 1 in 4 of us will need a blood transfusion in our lifetime. Yet rates of blood donation are low, with only 10% of those who can give blood donate.
As part of the Demajo Group, a blood donation event was organised by NewTech where employees from all over the group convened at NewTech in Marsa taking donors to and from Iċ-ċentru ta’ l-Għotja tad-demm, G’Mangia.
Refreshments were served throughout the entire event at NewTech HQ.
What is Haemoglobin?
Haemoglobin is a protein in your body that contains iron and gives blood its red color. Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to nourish all of the tissues in your body.
1 in 4 of us will need a blood transfusion
What is Iron?
Iron is a part of hemoglobin and an essential mineral found in foods we eat. Iron helps your body make new red blood cells, and can help to replace those lost through blood donations.
Is it possible to have normal haemoglobin but low iron?
Yes. This is because in early iron deficiency there is often enough iron circulating in your red cells to keep your Hb level normal.
How is Blood Used?
Red Cell Uses
In the body red blood cells are essential to carry oxygen to all cells in all your tissues and organs. Red cell depletion occurs for any of the following scenarios:
- Red cells are lost from bleeding after injury or during surgery.
- The body loses the capacity to make enough of its own red cells.
- A genetic condition prevents proper red cell formation by the body.
- The body loses the ability to produce enough of its own red blood cells when undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
Platelet Uses
As part of the blood transfusion process we separate out the platelets. These are very small cells that are essential for blood clotting. Platelets are used in the following scenarios:
- Patients who receive chemotherapy for cancer may need platelet transfusions to help their blood clot effectively.
- Heart surgery patients and victims of serious trauma can need platelet transfusions too.
Platelets have a short shelf life of five days. So keeping the supply going is a constant challenge.
Blood Plasma Uses
The third component of each blood donation is the plasma. This is the fluid in which the cells are suspended in the bloodstream. You have about three litres of it circulating through your blood vessels. It has proteins necessary for immunity and for blood clotting. Plasma can be stored frozen. Plasma is used in the following circumstances:
- Replace proteins where they are lost due to a large blood loss from trauma and during surgery.
- Plasma is used to make purified concentrates. For example patients often receive treatment with immunoglobulin concentrates or albumin made from plasma.
What are the effects of low iron levels?
The main adverse effect of blood donation is iron loss*, so blood donors can benefit from taking an iron supplement if they are unable to replenish their iron stores through diet alone. Donating blood removes iron from your body which is needed to help maintain strength and energy. The American Red Cross encourages all blood and platelet donors to learn how to maintain healthy iron levels and how blood donation impacts the level of iron in your body.