LAN Support Systems Ltd

Are you taking a well-deserved break this festive season? Great! But when it’s time to return to work, catching up on everything can feel overwhelming, right? Not for much longer. Microsoft are introducing a fantastic new feature called “Catch up with Copilot”, making it easier than ever to dive back in after time away. This clever tool will give you quick updates on any new files or folders in your OneDrive. It can summarise changes to documents you’ve worked on, highlight new files that have been shared with you, and even point out any “@mentions” that need your attention. It’s like having a personal assistant to sort through your digital workspace. You can relax during your time off, without worrying that you’ll miss something when you get back. The feature is due to roll out for OneDrive Web early next year and will initially work with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. You’ll need to have a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence to access it. Will you and your team be using this one? #Microsoft #OneDrive #ITSupport https://lnkd.in/ehGXB2zz

A very merry Christmas and happy new year to all!

What’s your favourite browser? If it’s not already Microsoft Edge, it might be soon. Why? Microsoft are making it even easier to find all the information you need, faster. And who doesn’t love a time-saver? They’ve introduced a new “Summarise” button in Edge, letting you grab quick highlights from the webpage you’re visiting. This could be a great tool for businesses. Researching a topic and scanning lots of articles? You'll save a ton of time by only reading the essentials, helping you decide whether the information is worth a deeper dive. The new “Summarise” button works in a similar way to the Copilot key, which can give you an in-depth summary of Edge pages. This is another example of how Microsoft are focusing on integrating AI tools into their apps, so you can get things done more efficiently. Next time you’re browsing with Edge, check out the Summarise button or Copilot tool. Let me know what you think. #Microsoft #Edge #Summarise #OTSupport https://lnkd.in/eEJNE9s7

If you and your team use Outlook for mobile, here’s some good news: Now you can attach emails to other emails straight from your phone. Anyone else thinking of the film Inception?! It’s a little mind-bending – but there’s a good reason for it. The new feature will make it easy to share important email threads, without having to waste time switching to your PC or using Outlook for web. Imagine you’re on the go, responding to a client or team member. You might need to reference an earlier email conversation, and this update will let you forward it directly from your iOS or Android device. It’s great for keeping email trails organised. No more forwarding long chains or having to copy and paste bits of text. Just tap, attach, and you’re all set! The feature should be available on Outlook for mobile right now. Have you tried it out yet? #Microsoft #Outlook #ITSupport https://lnkd.in/eBtece9s

If you use PCs in your business, I’ll take a guess and bet that you’ve heard of the Blue Screen of Death… It was first introduced to Windows in 1993, and now it’s become one of the most feared symbols of computer trouble. When you see the blue screen, you know something has gone seriously wrong. What causes the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)? Most of the time, it happens due to a driver error. This means there’s a problem with the software that should be helping your hardware communicate with Windows. Occasionally, though, the BSOD can be due to a hardware issue. Although pretty much everyone dreads the blue screen appearing, it’s actually a useful safety feature. The blue screen forces your computer to shut down, protecting your system from further damage. But for businesses, seeing the BSOD can be more than just frustrating. Repeated crashes interrupt productivity and can put your data at risk. It could even mean there are deeper issues in your IT setup, which need to be fixed. If your team often encounters the Blue Screen of Death, it might be time to update your software. It might be worth looking at upgrading your PCs, too. You should also get your setup reviewed to make sure everything’s working as it should be. Need help figuring out what’s behind the crashes? Get in touch, we can help. #BSOD #Microsoft #TechTrouble #ITSupport https://lnkd.in/eKtMZgca

Today marks the 44th anniversary of Apple’s historic Initial Public Offering (IPO), with the tech giant selling shares of its stock to the public for the first time. Apple sold 4.6 million shares at $22 (£17.60) each, and stock closed at $29 (£23.20). This resulted in Apple being valued at an impressive $1.778 billion (£1.42 billion), and it made millionaires out of more than 40 employees and investors. The Apple co-founders also saw their own stock values go up, with Steve Jobs's shares reaching $217 million (£173.8 million), and Steve Wozniak's shares hitting $116 million (£92.9 million). This was the largest IPO since Ford’s in 1956, and it highlighted the huge potential to create wealth and redefine markets through the tech industry. Apple’s IPO was only the beginning. It sparked a tech revolution that inspired innovation across businesses all over the globe. Today, it reminds us how investment in technology can change everything – not just in terms of value, but also in terms of impact. It’s a great lesson for businesses. Where do you think technology will take us next? #Apple #TechHistory #IPO #ITSupport https://lnkd.in/gFcPMhgJ

Do you know what your team thinks of your CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software? According to a recent survey, employees are feeling stuck with outdated CRM systems that are failing to get the job done. The report showed that more than half (62%) of employees want a new CRM system, but they’re also concerned about the cost, disruption, and complexity involved in upgrading. And while a CRM is an important tool for sales and marketing, only around 31% of leaders say they’re satisfied with their current platform. For businesses, these results are worth paying attention to. If your CRM system is clunky, it can be a drain on productivity and negatively impact your business. While switching CRMs might seem overwhelming, there are real benefits to upgrading. A high-quality CRM helps you achieve much better lead generation, as well as better management of your sales pipeline. Does your CRM feel outdated? If so, it might be time to explore new systems that are easy to use, cost-effective, and focused on strong customer support. If you’d like to explore your options, we can help. Get in touch. #CRM #Business #Productivity #ITSupport https://lnkd.in/gfXQ4tQV

Here’s an important warning about something that could affect your business: A security flaw has been found in Microsoft Bookings. The popular tool is used for scheduling appointments – but the flaw could allow scammers to create unauthorised accounts and get hold of false certificates. Why should you be worried? If scammers create fake accounts pretending to be senior people in your business, they could trick your employees into sharing sensitive information. This could give them access to your business systems and even let them reset passwords, locking you out of all your accounts. If your business uses Microsoft 365, it’s doubly important to be aware of this issue. The security flaw comes from a feature in Microsoft Bookings called "Shared Booking Pages”, which is usually turned on by default under the Microsoft 365 licence. When someone creates a shared booking page, it creates a new account without going through the usual security checks. This is how scammers can slip through the cracks. This security alert is a reminder of how important it is to keep an eye on the tools we use every day. Check if you’re using Microsoft Bookings in your business and consider disabling it if you don't need it. It’s also a good idea to keep your systems updated and have an IT expert (like us) review your security settings. It can go a long way towards protecting your business. If this sounds a bit overwhelming, don’t worry. My team can help, get in touch. #Microsoft #Bookings #CyberSecurity #ITSupport https://lnkd.in/epD5Tr-G

Here’s some good news for businesses: Microsoft have lifted two major upgrade blocks in Windows 11 24H2. This means that more PCs can now run the latest version of Windows. Previously, some people were unable to upgrade due to issues with the fingerprint sensors on their devices. These sensors stopped responding once the device was locked, causing issues logging in. The Voicemeeter audio mixer was another barrier. People were experiencing the dreaded “Blue Screen of Death” when using Voicemeeter after downloading the latest version of Windows 11. Both of these issues have now been fixed, allowing the 24H2 update to run smoothly. Upgrading brings lots of benefits to businesses. From new productivity features to improved security, making the switch will help to improve your daily workflow. Now’s a great time to check if your devices are compatible with the update. Can my team help you with this? Get in touch. #Windows11 #Upgrade #ITSupport https://lnkd.in/eUpZXhSq

What’s easy to overlook but could leave your business open to cyber attacks? Unused logins. Yep, something as simple as failing to delete an old account could have serious costs for your business… #TechUpdate #ITSupport #Cybersecurity