Welcome to the weekly Futurescot Newsletter
Keeping you up-to-date with news and analysis across the public technology and innovation sector.
In the news this week, we bring you the story of the innovative adoption of Starlink on board ScotRail trains. The use of the satellite connectivity solution paves the way for better Wifi services for passengers.
Read that piece in full and the rest of our tech stories from the week. Don't forget to get in touch with your stories at [email protected] or send a tweet or DM to @futurescot_news, and please share with your colleagues.
CONNECTIVITY
Finally, Wifi on trains that works! ?Starlink's ScotRail 'gamechanger'
A Scottish telecommunications firm is bringing Starlink satellite connectivity to trains in a ‘first’ for onboard passenger Wifi and internet-enabled rail services.
Clarus Networks, which operates from its headquarters in Bathgate, is delivering high speed connectivity to ScotRail, after passing ‘stringent’ rail certification standards.MORE ?
4G closes 'total notspot' gap for islanders
Residents of the remote Isle of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides are getting mobile broadband coverage for the first time as 4G closes the gap on the digitally excluded.
Community members are benefiting from the first publicly funded Shared Rural Network connection to address a ‘total not spot’ – where there was no mobile coverage from any operator.?MORE ?
AI
Council automates network operations
The rapid advancement of technology is reshaping public sector organisations, and artificial intelligence (AI) is leading this transformation.
By using AI to automate network operations, Aberdeen City Council is leading a a digital learning revolution in schools. [Partner Content]. MORE ?
Leidos's innovation partnership with Edinburgh University?
Leidos has announced a partnership with the University of Edinburgh to drive AI and data science innovation. The US-headquartered science, engineering and technology company, will work with the university’s specialist Bayes Centre to address critical challenges in areas such as environmental, civil, healthcare, and national security.?MORE ?
Mastering dynamic information governance with AI
Information managers face the daunting challenge of managing an ever-growing volume of data scattered across silos, repositories, and business systems. The sheer number of internal inquiries, legal requests, and external demands from citizens compounds this complexity. [Partner Content].?MORE ?
ECONOMY
Funding accelerator to help startups
?A new ‘funding accelerator’ programme has been launched in Scotland to help startups secure early-stage investment. MORE ?
Featuring over 70 speakers and 1,200 delegates, Digital Scotland is the premier event for digital leaders and innovators dedicated to enhancing government services through technology.?Register today!
?SECURITY
LapSafe? leads with smart locker technology
In today’s world, driving sustainability through data is essential for organisations looking to reduce their environmental footprint while making impactful decisions. LapSafe?, the UK’s leading provider of intelligent storage and charging solutions, specialises in smart lockers that offer secure, efficient, and innovative ways to manage devices and assets. [Partner Content].?MORE ?
INNOVATION
18th century 'polymath' inspires new creative programme
Glasgow’s tech ecosystem has been boosted with the launch of a new creative studio programme for ‘makers’.
Wilson’s Foundry will be a design-led programme dedicated to supporting the city’s creative entrepreneurs and startups through a ‘unique, studio-based residency’. Named after Alexander Wilson FRSE, the 18th century polymath, inventor and creative collaborator, the scheme will take inspiration from his values.?MORE ?
CYBER
Cyber ‘MOT’ to help Scottish businesses boost resilience
A new cybersecurity ‘MOT’ is being offered to Scottish firms to boost their online resilience. Launched by the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland, the new tool will help budget-conscious businesses assess where the gaps in their online defences may lie. In the form of a 25-point questionnaire, the self-assessment tool aims to equip business leaders with advice and guidance as to where to put their focus.?MORE ?
GAMING
Schools take part in Esports 'development event' in the Scottish Borders
Secondary schools from across Scottish Borders took part in the first Esports development event to take place in the region this week. The event in collaboration with Borders College, Scottish Borders Council, DYW Borders and South of Scotland Enterprise took place on Wednesday 13 November and gave young people a platform to develop the entrepreneurial skills required to create, promote, and manage an Esports team.?MORE ?
CLOUD
Futurescot's drive for better outcomes: optimising Microsoft licensing together
A new Futurescot campaign, in partnership with Brightsolid, is set to bring to light the often-overlooked complexities of Microsoft licensing and the significant financial opportunities hidden within proper management and optimisation. This initiative seeks to raise awareness among public sector and corporate leaders in Scotland about the potential cost savings and operational benefits they can achieve by understanding and addressing their Microsoft licensing structures.
BRIEFINGS?
Major event showcases Ayrshire’s 5G vision
Businesses, politicians, academics and a host of industry experts met at an event this week to find out how becoming a 5G Innovation Region will transform Ayrshire. Last year, the region received ￡3.8million from the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) team to become one of ten 5G Innovation Regions across the UK.
MORE ?
Royal Bank of Scotland is opening the doors of its Accelerator Hub in Glasgow
Ahead of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Royal Bank of Scotland is running a series of events to help local entrepreneurs in Scotland to thrive. Designed to provide support to founders at all stages of their business journey, Royal Bank of Scotland is opening the doors of its Accelerator Hub in Glasgow.?MORE ??
Scottish Fire and Rescue enhances control room tech
Looking to no less than transform its emergency services operations, evolving its operational capabilities, improving country-wide collaboration and speeding emergency response times, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has signed a seven-year contract with Motorola Solutions to deploy a cloud-hosted Control Room Solution (CRS).?MORE ?
PUBLIC SECTOR IT CONTRACTS
NHS 24 awards ￡40 million contract for contact centre customer relationship management system
NHS 24 has awarded a ￡40 million contract to London-based Coforge UK Ltd for the provision of an integrated contact centre (CC) and customer relationship management (CRM) solution.?MORE ?
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Scottish Prison Service on hunt for cyber incident response service
Scottish Prison Service is looking for a cyber incident response service. The service must help with the recovery and review of cyber incidents including but not limited to phishing, brute force and denial of service attacks.?MORE ?
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