A BUSY FEW MONTHS

Why small businesses should outsource their IT

Whatever industry you operate in, IT problems can be a pain. They can cause disruption to services, reduce staff productivity and generally be bad for business.

As a small business owner, it can be tempting to try and fix IT issues yourself, however, this can actually cost you money and time in the long run.

Here are our top reasons why you should outsource your IT:

Time is money

Yes, hiring an IT firm can incur extra overheads. But, when you’re running a small business, your time spent growing the business is invaluable. Instead of trying to tackle that server issue or wifi outage, you should focus your time on what you do best, which will save you money in the long-term. After all, you’re pretty expensive yourself!  

You’re not an expert

Unless you run an IT company, there’s a good chance you’re not going to be at the forefront of the IT landscape. IT services are constantly evolving and becoming more complex. A specialist company can help you to determine the right solutions for your business and introduce you to the latest tech to streamline your operation.

Not all problems have obvious fixes

Sometimes, small IT problems can actually be symptoms of larger issues, that could potentially stop your business in its tracks if left un-diagnosed. Bringing in the experts helps to keep your business ticking over and prevent any major problems in the future.

You’re not alone

Sometimes it’s good to know you have the backing of someone who knows what they’re doing. Outsourcing your IT means you know it’s in safe hands, so you can focus on running your business.

Whatever your IT requirements, big or small, we can help. Get in touch today to find out how.

Come work with us

PDS is a service-based organisation and we firmly believe people buy from people, which is why we look to hire the best and the brightest individuals. In return we not only offer a competitive remuneration, but we also offer a fun work environment to work in.

Due to recent significant contract wins and growth within our Fire & Security projects we are currently looking to recruit the following roles:​

• Fire & Security Installation engineers expected to install, service & commission a wide range of Fire Detection & Alarm Systems, Fire Extinguishers, Intruder Alarms, CCTV & Access Control systems – Full Time permanent positions available

Please contact [email protected] should you require any further information about the roles on offer

Please forward your CV and covering letter in the first instance to [email protected]

PDS does not accept unsolicited email from agency resumes/CVs

Xmas Jumper Day!

It’s that time of year again.….we’ve all been and dug out our Christmas jumpers today to help raise money for homeless charity, Shelter! Here are some of the team looking rather festive! Instead of buying each other gifts, we’ve donated our present money to this very worthy cause and Iain doubled it raising over £100 in total.

Tips to make your office space more flexible

It’s the 21st century, and workplaces need to adopt a more flexible approach to working than the offices of yesteryear in order to flourish. With employees working from home or spending more time out of the office building client relationships, top technology is essential for keeping your staff communicating effectively and working efficiently.

Here are some top bits of tech to ensure your office is flexible:

Good WiFi

We know it sounds obvious, but in a world where so much of our work is conducted online, the first step to becoming a tech-savvy office is to invest in a good business WiFi system. You’ll need a fast, reliable connection to prevent frustrating delays and lag to emails, search engines and other online software.

Good WiFi also enables hot-desking; allowing staff to work in various spaces around the office depending on where is more beneficial to them at the time. For example, two members of staff may want to sit next to each other in order to collaborate more effectively on a joint project.

Video conferencing software

In an ideal world, we’d know exactly when meetings were going to happen and would have plenty of time to prepare for them. Sadly, that’s not always the way of the world, and businesses sometimes need to be able to hold spur-of-the-moment meetings at the drop of a hat. Any time, any place.

Video conferencing software allows you to do just that. Perhaps an urgent matter has come up, but you have a staff member working from home, or a less-than-local client? No problem. Fire up your video conferencing software and have a meeting as if you were all in the same room.

Online storage

Just because a staff member is working from home or is out of the office on business, it doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t need access to certain files or documents. Make sure your employees are always equipped for the job by taking advantage of secure online storage solutions.

Google Drive allows users to store and share files, and work collaboratively on documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, forms, and more, meaning your staff members will always be on the same page, no matter where they are. It also offers apps with offline capabilities if internet access just isn’t an option.

Mobile technology

As above, mobile technology enables staff based away from the office to stay connected with those in the office. Smartphones with internet capabilities facilitate email access and the use of project management sites allow staff to flawlessly communicate essential information such as where they’re up to with a task, and what’s still left to be completed.

Need some help? Ask an expert.

From small jobs to big installations, you’ll often find it’s more cost effective to bring in an expert and get the job done quickly and professionally. From suggesting the equipment you need through to installing it correctly, they will be able to help you at every stage.

We offer free consultations, so get in touch if you’d like some expert device on office technology and how to install it.

Schools give PDS top marks for service

Whilst we offer a wide range of services to all types of businesses and organisations, schools really are one of our specialist areas, due to our “one stop shop” business model.

We have vast experience in the education sector and have delivered projects for many of our local schools here in East Yorkshire. We’re able to install everything from data points and fibre cabling right through to specialist disability, CCTV and technology equipment, meaning our customers have just one point of contact for all of their tech needs.

Recently we’ve worked with several schools who are undergoing refurbishment as part of the Government’s Priority School Building Programme…

Hessle High School

The new Hessle High school buildings not only look extremely smart, their tech is too. Alongside our close partner, Rotary, we installed…

Cabinets and approximately 1,200 data points

Fibre cabling throughout the school

87 Samsung 65” screens

CCTV

Wold Academy

Wold Academy is currently in the process of building a brand new school with state of the art tech provision. We were delighted to work alongside Rotary to install:

Cabinets and 350 Cat6 data outlets

28 x AV harness kits

Ainthorpe Primary School

Students and teachers at Ainthorpe Primary School recently moved into their brand new, £4.1M school building, boasting the latest technology and equipment. Working with Rotary, we supplied and installed:

Cabinets and over 300 Data Outlets

27 x AV Harness Kits

Scott Moran of Rotary commented: “The refurbishment at Hessle High was a massive project, so it was great to be able to come to PDS for a number of different services. It really made the installation process a lot easier and we were extremely impressed with the quality of the workmanship from the PDS team.”

He continues: “Ainthorpe Primary School have seen their new school building take shape over the past year, and are so excited to now be in and using the facilities. The school has 12 new classrooms and a modern foundation stage area, along with a new hall and dining space.  

Technology was a real priority when drawing up plans for the new school facilities, so we feel the work PDS has done is essential in helping us enhance the learning environment for Wold Academy, Hessle High and Ainthorpe Primary. The team completed the work on time, in budget and to a very high quality – thank you PDS!”

Wolfreton School

Wolfreton School is in the final stages of a major BAM construction project, which will see its Lower, Upper and Sixth Form schools consolidated into one site in Willerby. The new 3 storey school block will be equipped with the latest technology to create a modern, user-friendly learning environment for students.

Working alongside our partner LX Engineering North Ltd, we supplied and installed:

9 Cabinets

Data cabling with over 1200 points

Fibre cabling                    

Hearing induction loops

TV distribution system

Kirk Hinchliffe of LX Engineering North Limited said  “We appointed PDS to undertake the project at Wolfreton School, as we knew we could rely on them to deliver a wide range of services. Having one project manager for a variety of jobs on-site makes the planning process much easier for us, and we were confident their team would complete the job on time, in budget and to the highest standard.”

PDS Managing Director, Iain Bland, comments: “The PDS team have worked tirelessly to complete these projects alongside Rotary. Education is very important to us at PDS and we’re very proud to be giving back and enhancing the working environment for local students and schools.”

PDS welcomes four new apprentices

The past few months have been busy for PDS, and as a result of several significant contract wins, we’ve embarked upon a recruitment drive to expand our team.

We’ve always had a strong commitment to helping young people in Hull take their first step on the career ladder, so felt it was the perfect time to bring a new group of apprentice technicians into the business.

Thomas Blackman-Price, Owen Howell, William Ripley and Michael Willis joined us at the start of the year and are completing their apprenticeship course in conjunction with Hull College.

Each new apprentice is working alongside an experienced member of the PDS team to further their knowledge and gain new skills whilst on-the-job. Upon completing their apprenticeship, they could be be given a full time position with PDS and the opportunity to train their own apprentice.

Iain Bland, Managing Director of PDS said:

“2016 has been a great year so far for PDS. We’ve worked on some really exciting projects and continued to expand our reach across the country. Our new apprentices will be given a real job from day one whilst learning valuable skills to enable them to pursue a career in this industry.”

William Ripley, one of PDS’ new apprentice technicians, said: “I’m really enjoying the apprenticeship so far, the team is really supportive and I have learnt so much in just a few months. I prefer to learn whilst doing and have been working on some really interesting projects since I started. I’m looking forward to completing my training with PDS and hope to gain a full time role here afterwards.”

One of PDS’ previous apprentices, Jordan Ayscough, has achieved notable success since joining the company in 2011. Jordan has been with PDS for four years and during this time he completed a Level 3 apprenticeship in Insulation and Commissioning of Electronic Systems. In 2014, Jordan won Apprentice of the Year at the Hull Tech Campus and also won Humberside Apprentice of the Year. Jordan was taken on full time after completing his apprenticeship and has spent the last year training his own apprentice, Connor Young.

Jordan said: “Working with PDS has been a great experience so far. I’m now running my own projects and helping to train Connor. I’ve learnt a lot since I joined PDS and their support throughout my apprenticeship was great.”

New Business Development Manager joins PDS

Paragon Data Services is continuing to expand with the addition of its latest member of staff, Rob Gutherless.

Rob has joined the Hull-based leading IT, AV, Fire & Security solutions company’s management team and brings with him much previous experience in this field to the role of Business Development Manager

Rob said: “I am thrilled to have joined Paragon Data Services at such a great time of growth, the future looks fantastic and I’m keen to play a key role. Each and every staff member here really does cares about their role and work well together to achieve excellent results and outcomes for all of our customers.”

Iain Bland, managing director at Paragon Data Services, said: “I am delighted to welcome Rob to the company and look forward to working with him. I genuinely believe he is a real asset to the business. Rob’s appointment is part of the company’s continuous expansion as a successful business with more appointments on the horizon.”

Q&A with Rachael Taylor, Projects Administrator

We asked our amazing Projects Administrator a few questions…….

How long have you worked at PDS?

Just over a year.

What does your job involve?

I help to prepare quotes and tenders, mark up drawings, create take-offs, put together spreadsheets and also written quotes.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

My favourite part of the job is that I’m always challenged and constantly learning.

Summarise yourself in 3 words

You only need one….FABULOUS!

If you could invite someone famous to dinner, who would it be?

Beyonce – she is one of my favourite artists, I’d love to know the secret to her success and how she remains so focused – I’m sure we’d also have a sing along at some point as well.

If you were stranded on a desert island, which item could you not live without?

Chocolate – it’s my favourite food and I could NOT survive without it.

Tell us something that no-one knows about you?

I once nearly drown – a girl I met on holiday tipped me off her lilo in the deep end when my dad was pushing us around. A man on a sunbed who was watching saw where I had gone under and pulled me out by my shoulders. (I obviously couldn’t breathe long enough because I’m not a mermaid) hahaha

Top Boardroom Tech

So, you’ve picked out the biggest table you can fit in your space and the plush, matching leather chairs. Your trophy cabinet is in pride of place and you’ve also thought of the quirky ways you can convey your business’ personality with the stylish decor.

Your sophisticated new boardroom is now ready to receive guests … almost.

Aside from the decoration, technology has to be one of the most important considerations when it comes to boardroom design nowadays. From AV systems through to video conferencing equipment, there’s a whole host of tech you can incorporate into your boardroom to make it into a flexible, functional workspace.

Here are the top bits of tech we think every boardroom should have …

Interactive whiteboard

Whether you’re brainstorming or presenting, an interactive whiteboard is an essential piece of office kit. They’re hooked up to computers so you can save notes and collaborate easily with members of your team, making presentations much more seamless.

Wireless internet

We’ve grown to expect access to wi-fi wherever we are, and your office guests are no exception. Make sure your boardroom has access to fast, wireless internet with the password available for guests to hook up laptops, ipads and any other devices.

High quality projector or HD screen

Your screen should be big enough so all guests can see it clearly when seated around the boardroom table, with text easily legible – preferably in HD. When choosing a projector or screen, we recommend your viewing distance is no more than 1.5 times the width of the screen.

You should ensure guests can hook up their presentation devices to AV systems quickly, with multiple, easily-accessible connections for laptops. Don’t forget tablets either. Invest in devices such as an Apple TV or Chromecast for seamless connectivity.

Videoconferencing

The beauty of technology is that it helps to connect you to people anywhere in the world, and offices doing business overseas can easily meet with each other at the touch of a button. Also, with remote working becoming more and more popular, video and teleconferencing provides an effective way to keep in touch with your team.

When installing a video or teleconferencing system, you should consider the size of your boardroom and ensure you have enough speakers and microphones to cater for everyone. They can easily be concealed to maintain a sleek look but it’s essential they’re placed correctly to ensure people can hear each other with complete clarity.

Other things to consider

Aesthetics

Whilst it’s important your boardroom has the right tech, you should also consider how this is going to look. It’s pointless spending time and money investing on smart equipment and the latest interior design if you have unsightly wires hanging around.

There are some clever ways to conceal wires and keep them neat and tidy, without creating holes in your walls or tables. They can be hidden behind woodwork, under carpets and even inside AV mounts. Your installer should be able to offer advice on the best solution for your room.

As well as hiding cables, did you know you can also conceal screens? There are some really hi-tech options out there, such as screens that rise from the floor or lower from the ceiling – worth investigating if you really want a seamless look!

Power points

If you have a large boardroom you should ensure every seat has access to a power point. It’s small touches like this that make you look professional and also make the boardroom a more functional space.

Cabling system

Whether you’re in the process of renovating your boardroom or building a new one, you should ensure your cabling system is up to scratch and future-proof to cope with any new equipment you install.

Ask an expert

From small jobs to big installations, you’ll often find it’s more cost effective to bring in an expert and get the job done quickly and professionally. From suggesting the equipment you need through to installing it correctly, they will be able to help you at every stage.

We offer free consultations, so get in touch if you’d like some expert device on boardroom tech and how to install it.