Xvand Technology

Downtime can disrupt your business.

When did you last give your IT setup a proper health check?

Learn about the dos and don'ts of a Bring Your Own Device policy.

Here’s a fascinating piece of tech news: Researchers have developed tiny 3D-printed bone bricks – about the size of a flea – that can heal broken bones. These little blocks work like Lego, interlocking to help bones regrow. It’s a brilliant example of how tech surprisingly solves real-world problems. So, what’s the business lesson here? Innovation often comes from rethinking what’s possible. The creators of these bone bricks didn’t just improve existing methods. They approached the problem with a fresh perspective. Think about your business. Are there areas where you’re sticking with the “tried and true” but missing opportunities to innovate? Maybe it’s your IT setup, your customer service, or how your team collaborates. Sometimes, a small shift, like embracing a new tool or system, can have a huge impact. Need help to spot growth opportunities? I’d love to help – get in touch.

Cyber threats are everywhere these days. From scammers to nosy service providers, your business data is at risk every time it’s shared or stored. That’s why end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is so important. It’s like having a bodyguard for your most sensitive information. ?? But what exactly is E2EE? Let’s say you’re sending a private message to an employee or client. With E2EE, the message gets “locked” (encrypted) on your device before it’s sent – and it only gets “unlocked” (decrypted) once it reaches the other person’s device. ???? Here’s what this means: ?? No third party (like cyber criminals, internet providers, or even the app itself) can see the message or interfere with it. ?? Only you and the person you’re messaging have the keys to unlock it. So, why does your business need E2EE? ?? It protects against data breaches. Even if someone manages to intercept your data, they can’t read it without the decryption key. It’s like a locked suitcase only you and the recipient can open. ???? ?? It keeps your conversations private: Whether it’s client details or internal strategy, E2EE makes sure nobody’s eavesdropping. ???? ?? It helps you stay compliant: Do you handle sensitive data, like personal details or financial records? E2EE helps make sure you tick those legal boxes. ? ?? It reduces risk during cyber attacks: Unlike relying on the security of a single server, E2EE spreads the protection across multiple devices, making it harder for attackers to access your data. ?????? OK, what’s the catch? E2EE isn’t a silver bullet. If your devices get compromised (think malware), your data could still be at risk. ????? Plus, metadata – showing things like who you’re talking to and when – can still be visible. That’s why it’s important to pair E2EE with solid security on your devices, as well as make sure your employees build smart security habits. With cyber-attacks making headlines every week, protecting your business isn’t optional. E2EE isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must for businesses that value security and customer trust. Is your business using end-to-end encryption yet? If not, what’s holding you back? If you need advice on using security tools like this in your business, my team can help. Get in touch. ??

If your business handles surveys, reviews, or other text-heavy information, I have great news: Microsoft has added some new text analysis features to Excel. Now you’ll be able to find patterns and insights without needing to manually wade through endless rows of data (I can practically hear you breathing a sigh of relief already). Here’s how the updates could help you streamline workflows and save time: *** Meet your new data assistant: Copilot *** Want to see a quick summary of customer reviews or survey responses? No problem, Copilot’s got your back. It can: ? Highlight key themes and trends in your data ? Perform sentiment analysis to tell you if feedback is positive, negative, or neutral ? Automatically add insights like common topics or customer opinions into a new column It works on datasets with up to 3,000 rows and even handles multiple languages without needing any translation. ?? Helpful, right? *** Want to take it to the next level? *** I’m going to get technical for a moment, but if you’re a die-hard Excel fan, I know you’ll keep up. Excel now supports Python for text analysis. ?? With access to libraries like NLTK, you can: ?? Create visualizations that make your text data pop ?? Dive into advanced analysis like sentiment scoring or keyword extraction ?? Use Copilot to help create Python code And if you want more, Excel has now added these handy extra features: ? REGEX functions for powerful pattern matching ? TRANSLATE functions to convert text into different languages right there in your spreadsheet Whether you’re digging into customer feedback, analyzing employee surveys, or exploring market research, these tools make it so much easier to turn raw text into insights you can use. ?? Microsoft is rolling out these updates now, so keep an eye out for them. How are you analyzing text data in your business? Think these new Excel tools could help you and your team? ??

Do you remember last year’s CrowdStrike outage? It wasn’t even a cyber-attack; just a faulty software update that caused a global IT meltdown. It affected millions of Windows devices around the world – and it’s estimated that Fortune 500 companies lost up to $5.4 billion because of it. ?? It’s a harsh reminder of how fragile our digital world can be. Glitches, cyber attacks, natural disasters… disruptions like these can bring businesses to a screeching halt. And here’s the kicker: 22% of businesses admit they’re not even backing up critical data. ?? As someone who often sees the consequences of not having a backup… that scares me. So, how do you make sure your business is prepared for the unexpected? It all starts with a solid disaster recovery (DR) plan. ?? *** The 3 keys to building a strong DR strategy: *** Continuity: Keep your business running ?? Review your IT setup to find the systems you can’t afford to lose and where the weak spots are. ?? Spread your data across multiple locations – if one fails, you’ve got backups ready. ??? Use smart tools like distributed computing so you can still access your data even if something goes down locally. Compliance: Stay on the right side of the rules ?? Your business is required to protect sensitive data, so stick to regulations (you don’t want a fine). ?? Regularly review your DR plan with legal and compliance experts to keep everything above board. Culture: It’s not just about the tech, it’s about your people ?? Make sure your team knows what to do when things go wrong. Regular training is key. ?? Bring different departments together to plan a smooth, seamless response to any crisis. Why investing in DR is worth it: ?? Better performance: Your applications keep running like a dream, even during disruptions. ?? Customer trust: Show your customers you’re ready for anything and they’ll feel more confident in you. ?? Cost savings: Scalable, distributed systems save you money on hardware and reduce downtime. The truth is unexpected disasters can hit any business at any time. Whether it’s ransomware, a software bug, or something totally out of left field, being prepared can turn a potential crisis into just a minor bump in the road. How confident are you in your business’s disaster recovery plan? If you’re not sure, get in touch – we’d be happy to help. ??

Excellent workers share your objectives. But even if they're putting effort into making your company successful, they can unintentionally be giving cybercriminals more access. Here's how to turn your team into the best defense for your company.

Clippy Is Back… In Song Form! ???? Remember Clippy, the ever-eager paperclip assistant from early Microsoft Office? Always ready with “helpful” advice—whether we wanted it or not. Microsoft retired Clippy in 2007, but now, he’s been immortalized in a song. A Finnish DJ, Windows95Man, has released a track called "Paperclip"—a nostalgic, ’90s rave-inspired tribute to Clippy’s legacy. The music video even features WordArt (because of course, it does). It’s quirky. It’s fun. And it’s a reminder of just how far Windows has come. Today, Windows powers millions of businesses, but let’s be honest—nobody loves it quite like Windows95Man. Curious? You can stream "Paperclip" on Spotify. Now, be honest—did Clippy make your life easier or drive you up the wall? Drop your thoughts below! ???? #TechNostalgia #Microsoft #Clippy #Throwback

On this day in 1998, Apple discontinued the Newton OS and its MessagePad series—one of the first handheld devices with note-taking and email capabilities. It was innovative, but ahead of its time and struggled to find its place in the business world. Rather than clinging to what wasn’t working, Apple boldly decided to focus on its core strength—the Macintosh. That move set the stage for future game-changers like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad—devices that have transformed how we work and connect. The lesson for businesses? Sometimes, success isn’t just about great ideas. It’s about timing, strategy, and knowing when to pivot. What bold decisions could help your business focus and thrive in the future? ???