Category Archives: General IT

Google Assistant Commands

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Google’s voice-activated AI tool – AKA Google Assistant – is getting smarter and more useful with every new update. Been a while since you used it last? You might be surprised by the huge number of tasks it can now help with. Wondering what to say to your Google Assistant? Here’s a list of every command for your Google Nest speaker or display.

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/every-google-assistant-command-for-your-nest-speaker-or-display

What are the best Google Home commands?

It’s difficult to rank all the best Google Home commands because every homeowner’s needs, daily routines and ecosystem of connected devices are different. However, specific skills below are our favourites because we believe they are useful to a large number of Google Assistant or Google Home users. Especially right now, with the majority of people staying home.

One of the best Google Assistant commands at the moment is finding out what’s new on Netflix, or what the best Netflix shows are. It may sound simple, or something you can look up on your phone or TV. When you can’t figure out what your next binge should be, why not let Google Home make the decision for you. Its curation of weekly highlights eliminates the hours spent searching for what’s new on Netflix — you’ll be starting a new series in just minutes.

Google Assistant Commands

Stuck inside and need entertaining? Google Assistant can help with games, fitness routines and dinner ideas,

Now would be a great time to get acquainted with a new language, too. Google Translate’s powerhouse of tools integrate with some third-party educational language programs to get you speaking another one in no time. My Berlitz Coach puts you through real-life conversation scenarios. Using multiple choice quizzes to teach you whatever language you might want to learn.

As a smart home platform, many of the best Google Home commands apply to the best smart home devices. Use Google Home to turn on your lights, change the temperature of your thermostat and see who rang the doorbell.

Conclusion

Google Assistant is a powerful tool to set alarms, reminders, look up info and more. You can even use it to interpret other languages or make calls to friends and family. Plus, it’s great for entertainment at parties where you or guests want to show off your newest musical interests.

Please contact us if you would like to discuss your Google requirements or any other help with IT issues on 01245 323900 or email enquiries@lisltd.co.uk.

#GoogleAssistant #NestCommands #HeyGoogle

 

Smart Home Gadgets

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Have you heard of Mrs Hinch? She has a massive following online for cleaning tips. However, while she is motivating us to clean and organise every inch of our homes, we don’t actually have enough time in the day. So, say hello to these smart home gadgets that will make cleaning fun and almost effort-free.

There are times when it is easier to use the conventional methods. The time taken to connect the bedroom light to the smart system may be more than the time saved actually pressing a switch.

It’s satisfying to say, “Hey, Siri, it’s movie night”. Watch as the lights dim, the blinds slide closed and the TV switches on.

Make sure your home passes the white glove test

Satisfying pictures of organised cupboards with colour coordinated products all lined perfectly in a row have taken over our Instagram feeds with accounts like @thehomeedit boasting over a million followers.

Had a long day in the office or looking after the kids? Don’t have the time or the patience to complete the tiring chores? We may have found solutions to help you.

There has been impressive innovation in the cleaning product sphere where you no longer need to spend an entire weekend scrubbing, dusting and vacuuming every inch of your home thanks to gadgets designed to do the work for you – elbow grease not required. Forget clunky traditional vacuums and think robots. They navigate themselves around the floor picking up dirt and dust along the way.

 

Smart Home Gadgets

Smart home cleaning gadgets that will save you time

We have sourced clever gadgets that will leave your home looking spick and span.
www.thehandbook.com/london-guidebook/so-fresh-so-clean-12-home-gadgets-so-good-theyll-make-cleaning-fun

We spend money on the latest smart home gadgets to save us time. Why not make sure you have the same protection for your computer system? If you PC, laptop or network needs a spring clean then contact our sales team on 01245 323900 or email enquiries@lisltd.co.uk

#CleanHomeGadgets #MrsHinchTech #Anti-Virus #Anti-Spam

High Speed Internet

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Three in five UK small to medium sized businesses do not have high speed Internet. Do you? Is it something you should invest in? As a result of slow or unreliable access, only 20% are selling their products online. While just 4% plan to invest in a digital channel going forward.

Internet that grows with your business

To underpin your digital strategy, you will need a reliable, high-speed internet connection that will adapt with you. It can be hard to find the right solution, particularly if you do not have in-house IT experts. Work with LIS, we offer you a consultative approach rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

For example, most businesses are aware of the benefits of standard and fibre broadband. However, not always of what comes after that and if it is appropriate for their needs. Special offers, advertising and a high price plan can be off putting.

High Speed Internet

Broadband for SMEs: Make sure you stay connected!

What is the best option?

Did you know there are a range of broadband options that are a step up from fibre, which will cost you less than the price of your daily coffee?

Choose from standard broadband, fibre or one of the many ethernet solutions. It will depend on part on how you will need to serve your customers in the future. Once you have the right internet connection, you will not have to worry. Having the speed and reliability you need to meet your customers’ expectations.

Click the link below to explore the Internet issue businesses are suffering across the country.

https://businessnewswales.com/three-in-five-uk-smes-dont-have-high-speed-internet

We can help companies improve their Internet speed and managed IT services, network support and telecoms. LIS specialise in network support, IT management & all aspects of IT and telecoms services. Contact us for your FREE IT audit.

#HighSpeedInternet #PostLockdownPlan #UKBusiness #ItsSlowingYouDown

Preparing to return to your work

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No one really knows when the lockdown will end and when we can start preparing to return to your work. Why not try to start planning to get ready for when you are allowed back into your place of work.

Preparing to return to your work: Three things to consider

  1. Your employees. If it is a phased end to lockdown, you might have some people at work and some still working from home. It is good to form a plan now for every scenario as we might not return to the “old normal” for a long time yet.
  2. Look at your hardware and software. What’s been difficult during lockdown and caused frustration? What needs to be upgraded or changed? Identify what you need and plan for this to be implemented quickly. To help you stay efficient in case we have another lockdown.
  3. Finally, look at your data. Now is the time to check your data security has not been compromised in any way.

If you need help preparing to return to work for the “end of lockdown”, let us make it happen quickly and efficiently contact us.

The governments five key points

1. Work from home, if you can

Take reasonable steps to help people work from home. Are you unable to work from home or is work place open?  You should then go to work. Staff should speak to their employer about when you will be opening.

2. Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment, in consultation with workers or trade unions

This guidance operates within current health and safety employment and equalities legislation and employers will need to carry out COVID-19 risk assessments in consultation with their workers or trade unions, to establish what guidelines to put in place. If possible, employers should publish the results of their risk assessments on their website and we expect all businesses with over 50 employees to do so.

3. Maintain 2 metres social distancing, wherever possible

Employers should re-design workspaces to maintain 2 metre distances between people by staggering start times, creating one-way walk throughs, opening more entrances and exits, or changing seating layouts in break rooms.

4. Where people cannot be 2 metres apart, manage transmission risk

Employers should look into putting barriers in shared spaces, creating workplace shift patterns or fixed teams minimising the number of people in contact with one another, or ensuring colleagues are facing away from each other.

5. Reinforcing cleaning processes

Clean office more frequently, paying close attention to high-contact objects like door handles and keyboards. Employers should provide handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers at entry and exit points.

#returntowork

Preparing to return to your work

Help to control the virus. Staying alert. Follow the rules. We can continue to save lives and recover from coronavirus.

Preparing To Go Back To Your Workplace

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At some point, the quarantine will end and you will need to start preparing to go back to your workplace. However, it’s unlikely this return will be “business as usual,” but will instead have to factor in the new nuances COVID-19 has brought about. How we handle going back to work will have a big impact on whether we rid ourselves of COVID-19 for good or if we see the coronavirus come back for new mass infections, as the Spanish Flu did a century ago. So lockdown is still in force right now.

Have you started preparing to go back to your workplace?

Governments around the world have begun easing restrictions and businesses are preparing to open. This phase requires active management of employee expectations and providing clarity and direction when they return to work – addressing health & safety, organizational and emotional challenges during the process. The more you plan and act now, the easier it will be.

As employers, we have an enormous responsibility to get our team members back to work as safely as possible. Rushing head-on as if nothing has changed since before the virus reached our shores is a sure fire way to end up with another quarantine and many sick employees. So you have to plan TODAY for how you are going to reopen your business.

There are three areas to consider:

  1. Your people, especially if you end up with a mix of some at the workplace, and others still working from home
  2. The equipment they use. Laptops are still difficult to buy with limited supplies. But there are ways around this
  3. Your data. It’s a good time to check your data security has not been compromised by all the changes made over the last few weeks.

We are Lodge Information Services Limited and over 1,000 people in Essex trust us to keep them working properly every day (during lockdown and normal times). We do not know when the lockdown will end. It is time to start getting ready for the return to your workplace. We have written a guide on how you can prepare. The more you plan and act now, the easier it will be when it happens.

Click here to download our useful guide.

Preparing to go back to your workplace

When you start to put together a plan, look at how the lockdown has affected your business.

#EndOfLockdown #ReturnToWorkplace