With Valentine’s Day looming, cards & hearts appearing in all the shops and Lindor introducing their valentine’s chocolate box (yum!), we’re jumping on the band-waggon and turning our attention to helping you find the perfect <IT Support> Partner! Are you looking for a team with a GSOH? Or perhaps a Partner who is DTE (down…
Hoping the latest tech may be waiting under the tree for you this Christmas? When the time comes, be sure to recycle any unwanted IT equipment in line with data deletion guidelines & existing laws on disposal of electrical goods. According to Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Recycling of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)…
First established by Robert Creech on 1st December 1997, VCI is excited to be celebrating 25 years in business! We are even more delighted to still be supporting our very first customer – AEL Solutions – who have recently given us this lovely five-star review! Since 1997, our customer base has widened, our skill-set has…
With the recent changes in the financial climate and a realisation that remote working can often bring about huge cost savings, many organisations are now considering downsizing their office space. Over the years VCI has relocated twice but, during that time, I have helped with countless office moves for clients, ranging from moving up one…
How secure are your systems and data? Are your systems regularly monitored for cyber-attacks? Can you be sure any security breaches are stopped in their tracks immediately? Dealing with advanced threats is the most significant concern for cybersecurity professionals and organisations these days. With system downtime, disruption of business operations and reduced productivity costing businesses…
Let’s face it – it is a tough time for businesses of all shapes and sizes right now. But have you considered outsourcing your IT services in order to save you time, money and stress? Whether you’re a one-man band working from a single laptop and printer or you have a team of people needing…
Hopefully business is booming during the Summer months but we also know that some of you may be hit by the holiday exodus and find yourself with a little extra time. We would always advise you to switch off and enjoy these quieter periods but, if you are working and fancy making the most of…
How active are you at work? Are you often on your feet or do you tend to sit at a desk for long periods of time? If the latter applies to you, it is worth considering installing a standing desk to encourage healthier living. So many of us are now working from home and we…
The concept of the password has been around for centuries and one reason for the enduring popularity of passwords is that people know instinctively how they work. But there’s also a problem, as Phil Muncaster from our Security Partner, ESET, goes on to explain. Passwords are the Achilles’ heel of the digital lives of many…
Short on time? Always looking to work efficiently & most productively? Using keyboard shortcuts will help you get around much faster and can cut down the time needed to complete a task. Here we’ve put together a handy Infographic to show the key Keyboard Shortcuts – some you may recognise, others you can have fun…
Looking to 2022, for most people a New Year’s Resolution is all about self-improvement, trying to be that little bit better than last year. However, you don’t need a fad diet, a new exercise routine or time to contemplate and achieve peace of mind. If you want a better, stress-free day look no further than…
Are you currently looking to open a new office or relocate to new premises? The key to a smooth move is plenty of planning well in advance so there are no hidden surprises! We are delighted to have recently helped several clients open new premises and understand just how stressful it can be. At its…
Are you hoping to book a much-needed getaway for next year? Did you know your browsing habits could affect the price you pay? Find out how you can Clear Cookies and save money! Every time you visit a site Cookies are created to track and monitor your movement around the web. You are probably all…
We’re delighted to welcome Connor Chiles to the VCI Team! Connor joins us an IT Support Apprentice so will be on the phone helping to resolve any IT queries you may have, alongside studying at Reading College. His love of all things IT means Connor is already fitting in brilliantly & will be a great…
At first glance, this looks like just a bit of fun! A trip down memory lane, your place of birth, your month of birth, your first holiday abroad… But all is not as it seems – and just look at the number of comments attached to these posts, the number of people taken in by…
Your spam filter will hopefully pick up the majority of erroneous fake emails doing the rounds but, should one slip through the net, here are 5 key clues to look out for, based on the above message, to help ensure you click DELETE! 1. SENDING ‘FROM’ ADDRESS Firstly, check out the sending email address for…
So, how have your fitness levels survived Lockdown? Perhaps you’ve been self-motivated enough to tune into Joe Wicks daily, work up a sweat with his high intensity interval training workouts and now feel fitter than ever? Or, like us, have your motivation levels for exercise slipped somewhat over the lockdown months? As a team of…
unsplash-logoDaoudi Aissa We have helped hundreds of users prepare for remote and home working in the last couple of weeks. For some, remote working has been an existing option of convenience but, for others, it is one of the many new changes to daily life. We have the perfect storm scenario at the moment; school…
So, how have your weekends been recently? Are you missing your regular Saturday night out with friends or your Sunday roast with family? Or have you been getting creative and making the most of technology to bring you all together and still have fun? With so many new online apps & ideas out there, we…
In today’s society, we all seem so busy, juggling the many hats we wear, often over-committing and feeling under significant time pressure. Technology, specifically social media, can sometimes be the cause of this. Seeing the happy faces of friends and family enjoying festivities can lead to a feeling of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), whilst…
With less than a month to go now until Christmas Day and Black Friday on the horizon, here are a few things to consider when carrying out your Christmas shopping online! Compassionate Christmas Shopping Did you know that there are sites which give a percentage of your spend as a charitable donation every time you…
Well, we really hope you’re having a fabulously sunny Summer holiday! My husband and I have just got back from a weekend of camping with the kids, in Norfolk, in the rain! We went crabbing in Wells-next-the-Sea. We caught 37 crabs (one of which is featured above) – and 1 shrimp (as my son keeps…
Looking for new premises as your business is expanding? Or are you opening a second office? Exciting times but perhaps also a little stressful!
Here we talk you through the considerations to bear in mind from an IT perspective when moving to a new office space.
From new-fangled exercise equipment to the latest wearable technology, find out more about the many aids to help us trim down and tone up for Summer.
When was the last time you cleaned your PC? Did you know that dust bunnies can reduce its performance? We give you top tips on keeping your PC dust-free.
A quick look out through the window this morning confirmed the overnight arrival of the forecast snow. In previous years the first arrival of snow has brought with it a number of calls from users requiring remote access to the network, emails configured on external devices, telephone numbers redirected and voicemail greetings amended. For many…
Welcome to 2019 and with the start of a fresh year come the many promises of a “New Year, New Me”. Thanks to social media and its hashtags it is easy for everyone to find a bandwagon to jump on – For those looking to give their livers a break after an indulgent festive period…
It all started when we had a power cut…my alarm didn’t go off…and the next thing I knew it was 8am…! We were in a panic, we were in a rush, kids dressed, quick breakfast, no coffee, brush teeth, grab bags…and we’re out of the door…! I’m off to a meeting at an office I’ve…
With twinkly lights going up, shops stocking up on mince pies and the first of the mulled wine being sampled, it’s beginning to feel a little like Christmas..! And no doubt lots of you are much more organised than us and have even actually started Christmas shopping already! Well, for those of you turning your thoughts to…
We recently saw the retirement of opening batsman and former England Cricket Captain Alastair Cook who bowed out in the best possible way with a determined and pivotal personal contribution to the team’s success. In a fairy tale, victorious finish which included a century in his final innings, the last test match of the English summer…
With the start of school for the autumn term and my children now tackling the challenges of year 2 and foundation, I’m continuously learning how computers are changing the educational experience within the classroom. It was recently announced in the weekly electronic newsletter – incidentally delivered via the ParentMail app on our phones – that…
Having been lucky enough to enjoy a long weekend in Palma recently – a friend’s big birthday, incidentally, for which celebrations seem to be lasting the entire year! 😉 – I came to realise how much technology has eased the world of travel. Of course, booking flights online has always been fairly easy, with the…
We have recently talked about how technology can help improve your home-life or guide you to a sporting success. The entertainment industry is another area technology has touched, where clever uses for standard tech and cutting-edge advancements have created new, memorable, experiences for nights out you’ll never forget. The cinema. A classic night out for…
It’s finally here so, if nothing else, the volume of privacy policies arriving by email is hopefully about to drop off. Small business owners should take some comfort from the words of the UK’s information commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, who was interviewed on BBC Radio 4. “Today is not a deadline. What we’re looking for is…
Having only just managed to limp around the Reading half marathon last year, I have the greatest respect for all those training for the London marathon and wish them all the best of luck. I also have a newfound understanding and admiration for just how much technology can help support and motivate you during those tougher…
A white Christmas was definitely on the cards when snow arrived just in time for this year’s Virginia Water Santa Run in support of Sebastian’s Action Trust. Unfortunately it was deemed too dangerous for the runners and was cancelled at the last minute so no pictures of me dressed as Santa this year. Charlotte, however,…
It is just over a year since Amazon introduced Alexa to our lives. She wasn’t the first digital assistant to enter the home but thanks to Amazon’s heavy marketing and low prices she is arguably the most prolific. Homes up and down the country can be heard asking Alexa for jokes or simple reminders but…
Following on from my colleague’s article on the many benefits of Facebook for keeping in touch with friends and family, I thought I’d add a few cautionary notes to help keep you safe. This can also cut down the amount of clutter on our Facebook feeds so we all get to see more of the stuff…
Did you know it’s been 200 years since the first bike was invented? To celebrate this momentous occasion, Pete and I jumped on our bikes (no bone-shakers in sight, thankfully!) on 11th June to ride 30 miles in support of Tour de Purley and the local Purley Primary School. Take a look here at some of…
I recently got a notification from Facebook informing me I’ve been a member for 10 years. In typical Facebook fashion it was a cutesy video that played through some select highlights from the last decade. After watching it through and laughing at some forgotten photos it got me thinking just how big a part of…
As we close in on the end of 2016 we can once again look forward to the Christmas break, perhaps more time with family and friends and, to the best of our abilities, away from the routine of our working lives. We can also take the chance to count our blessings and consider the challenges…
…and happy new year. The festive period provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on the year gone by and the year ahead – perhaps to set ourselves new goals and challenges in our personal and working lives. It can also be a time to reflect upon the lives of those around us, colleagues, families,…
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