Haptic

Hi all We offer a full managed print solution, utilising all major manufacturers. Our offering can also utilise machines already in place or those owned by you. Papercut and other print management software is all included, contract options also flexible betwixt 3-5 year periods. Have PM'd. Joe

Thanks for the responses thus far, please keep them coming.

Hi all Hot on the heels of Google's vibrant stand at BETT this year and our recent award of 'Google For Education Partner' https://edudirectory.withgoogle.com/en/profile/b7e1ae3d0a2d9ce6576423d8620556cc We're hosting an event at one of the Google 'Lighthouses', namely Streetly Academy. We're really fortunate to have them host us, their journey with Google is exemplary and we're looking forward to finding out more about it. The details are below, we have a shortlist of people that we're inviting directly. We wanted to ask any 'geekers if they wanted to attend also. Sadly places are limited, we can't offer everyone a space - however anyone that responds (via PM please) we will contact when we put on further shows across the UK this/next year. The format will be small and interactive, approx 30 delegates with an approach that is akin to a 'chalk and talk' session. We will have speakers, mainly teaching and technical staff from within Education that use Google Apps - the whole objective is to help develop understanding of the benefits of the applications. The event is taking place Thursday 14th April 2016 - 4pm- 7pm at the Streetly Academy, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. Anyone interested in this (or future Google Events) please PM and we'll keep you in the loop! Ta Mark

A lot of you will have seen the below already, for those of you who haven't - "Smoothwall makes strategic decision to launch full channel business model - 14 December 2015 Following a string of successes with strategic partners, the decision to move to a fully channel model reflects a positive shift in the market, opening up more opportunity for smaller resellers whilst also strengthening existing partnerships. Smoothwall have enjoyed success over recent years through strategic Partners. Partner generated revenue contributed to 60% of Smoothwall’s turnover in 2015, up 35% on 2014, and the business believe a shift towards a fully channel-focussed model will only bolster this turnover further and aid in the development of IT resellers in the UK marketplace. Michael Miller, Head of Channel Sales, describes the justification behind the decision. “We’ve been developing our channel business over the last few years and are very happy with the performance we’ve seen from the relationships with our partners. We wanted to reward those partners, and believe it will offer great productivity benefits to our company, by shifting towards a fully channel model." The new model will be effective as of 1st January 2016" Haptic & Smoothwall As you will see from the link above, are a Smoothwall Premier Partner and we are here for any help and advice, as well as pricing for both new solutions and existing renewals for any Smoothwall products. Please contact your account manager directly or call Haptic Networks on 01536 316870.

This is a highly interesting thread, having solid relationships with both MS and Google it's interesting to see how this will develop. We'll be posting details of an event we're holding in conjunction with Google to showcase Apps for Education, more details to follow. (PM all ye impatient ones!) It would appear that it is now incredibly important to learn more about other available platforms and applications, even if MS stay committed to remaining strong in UK Edu. Joe

Massive Attack are a class act. I wasn't ever too taken with Tricky's solo ventures however. Blue lines still gets frequent airtime in my house. Joe

Hello to all, We will be at BETT Thursday and Friday. If any of you fancy a catch up and a brew of some sorts (something stronger depending on how the day is going!) please do let us know on here and we can arrange to meet. We already have a lot of you booked in already anyway. Hope to see you there............ Chris

What sort of schemes have you tried? I am interested - no sales pitch to follow just genuinely interested on what has worked for you, what hasn't and why they didn't suit you @mthomas08?

Currently yes but if you had just spent an absolute fortune on buying a company how would you promote it. Very clever - by changing the name of the switches they can promote Aruba and let's face it the 2920's were great switches. Not only that if they re-badged Aruba WiFi as HP no-one would buy it as HP's offering is pretty awful and always has been!

Thanks Iain, that's appreciated. We try our very best! Joe

No probs. It's always nice to help, we're good like that! We have some more assorted goodies lurking around so I'll be sure to let you know. Joe

Can I ask which devices are you trying to connect? Does it happen on other, different devices also? Chris

Afternoon All, we're pleased to announce to Edugeek about Ruckus Wireless latest acquisition- Cloudpath Networks. Cloudpath provides added functionality for client authentication & onboarding, particularly for BYOD devices & 1to1 schemes, areas which traditionally need a high level of IT involvement. The XpressConnect ES solution gives a secure, self authentication method for users, with the IT team retaining control through automated application of appropriate policies, based on user group. For further details, please visit our recent news article, If you would be interested in trialing the solution please dont hesitate to contact your account manager or drop us a PM. Thanks

We completely agree (and have voiced this to Google directly) we envisage a huge uptake of Google Apps, Chrome and Classroom within Education. If they are committed to seeing the same benefits/uptake from the commercial sector the Chrome Device Management cost should come down. £19 for edu and near £100 for business is a considerable hike! Joe

Gah - thanks, fixed now. As for Google being miles ahead of O365 we want to remain as impartial as possible, it certainly appears that Google are making some decent headway. That may well be the case for Edu in the states, however our guess is it's a pretty even run thing for commercial licensing

Shots fired! Google has fired off a direct challenge to Microsoft Office in an effort to halt some of the momentum around Office 365 and entice users over to Google Apps for Work. For Office customers with Microsoft Enterprise Agreements (EA) who switch to Google Apps for Work, Google is offering to pay the Microsoft fees for the remainder of the period and chip in up to $25 per user for migration and deployment fees, in return for a 12 month commitment once the EA has run out. It is a direct challenge to Office 365 which has been growing at an impressive rate and the launch of Office 2016 which is heavy on the collaboration features that have long been a strength of Google Apps, plus the increased availability of Office on mobile devices. It is also part of Google’s strategy to increase its enterprise footprint. full story here Although (sadly) it's an Enterprise/Work focused attack, it's indicative of Google's commitment to challenging Microsoft. We're hoping a similar version of the offer extends across 'the pond' at some point. Joe

Thanks @featured_spectre it's always good to hear feedback from satisfied customers. Ultimately @SJA we would recommend a solution only after knowing more about your site and the objectives you wish to achieve. Having spent 10 years deploying Wired/Wireless networks, it is certainly a forte’, the best projects are those driven not by hardware/vendor but by the aims of the customer. We’d be happy to assist, likewise we find putting you directly in touch with our existing customers is always helpful. We are also Top Tier Ruckus partners, HP and Fortinet partners alike thus the integration of your existing solutions wouldn’t be an issue. Feel free to PM us. Joe

Hi, It is a little bit hidden away this one but please see below: 1) Go to Device Management-> Chrome -> User settings, you will then see an option for "Apps and Extensions" "Pinned Apps and Extensions" here you can set which Apps are pinned to the Taskbar 2/3) Also under "Apps and Extensions" there a few methods of doing this, most straight forward approach would be to select (under "Allow or Block All Apps and Extensions") select "Block all apps and extensions except the ones I allow", then under "Allowed Apps and Extensions" select the Apps/ Extensions you would like to have available & visible. Regarding your aside, you are correct; User installed Apps follow the user rather than remain on device. One feature we've found quite useful is the "Force-Installed Apps and Extensions", coupled with the "recommended Apps and Extensions" this allows you to have a base set of Apps automatically installed for all users, with them allowed some flexibility & customisation through the recommended ones. If you'd like me to run through this in more detail then please don't hesitate to give us a call. Thanks, Mark

all sorted now, thanks @timbo343

Winner - glad they have found a good home!

Thanks for the interest, hopefully this kit will help some of you/your students Lot 1 - All In Ones - winner = timbo343 Lot 3 - MSI Boards - winner = newpersn Lot 4 Intel - winner = NB9457 Please PM your deets and we'll organise the carriage for you. Have a good weekend y'all Joe

If you need a 3rd I will throw my hat in the ring. If you do PM me your details? If not good luck in your endeavours. Chris

Hi All As it appears to be time for our annual clear out we have the following lots to offer absolutely FOC Lot 1 - Roughly 8x All in One hardglass barebones chassis, some are BNIB others used, all are boxed these were around £200 each at point of purchase. - see pic Lot 2 - 7 x PS2 Keyboards, various brands - need a bit of a clean but should all work fine Lot 3 - 5 x MSI motherboards, used, working (to the best of our knowledge) supplied with intel boxes. Lot 4 - 4 x Intel Motherboards, 3 are BNIB - 1 is opened, in original boxes. Here are the caveats. Everyone register below by way of response what lot they'd like, we'll pick who takes them at random on Friday at Midday. They are free to collect, if you require them delivering we will kindly do so FOC We will only offer 1 lot to each winning entrant, to make it as fair as possible to others. Sadly we cannot vouch for the equipment, it may make you smile with glee or curse with rage. I'm confident it's all useful kit, there may however be one or two pieces that are kaput! Good luck to whomever is interested. Joe

Hi Steve, somewhat pertinently timed post as we are pleased to announce that Ruckus have just announced a new 10 AP based offer for all clients looking to take advantage of industry leading 802.11ac Access Points. The AP's covered by this promotion are as follows: R710 Wave 2 802.ac R700 R600 R500 T300 T301 We are also currently running a Haptic exclusive upgrade for customers with ZD1000 and ZD1100 controllers, for full details and pricing please contact your Haptic Account Manager or PM us with your details. Thanks

I was going to resist using Europe for the purposes of this bump, but i can't resist a bit of classic hair rock- it's the final countdown on this promo!