Bowes IT Solutions

Once again, Microsoft Teams is getting even better. Now you can set your work hours and location directly in the app, so your people know when and where you’re available. It will also suggest changes to your work hours based on your activity. For example, if you're working outside your scheduled hours, Teams might recommend updating your working time to reflect your actual availability. It’s a smart way to make sure your profile stays accurate… and you can easily turn off these suggestions if they’re not for you. This update is rolling out on all platforms (Android, iOS, desktop, and Mac), and is part of Teams' ongoing promise to make work easier and more efficient for everyone. It’s all about keeping your business running smoothly. Are you looking forward to trying out this new feature in your business?

The Blue Screen of Death is so frustrating. But did you know it’s often avoidable? Here’s my advice on how to prevent unnecessary crashes in your business… #Microsoft #BlueScreenOfDeath #ComputerCrash #BowesIT #BowesITSolutions

On this day in 1958, something happened that would change the world of technology forever. Jack Kilby, working at Texas Instruments, successfully tested the very first integrated circuit (IC). What is that? You might know it as a chip. Think of it as the brain behind almost all modern electronics. It's a tiny piece of semiconductor material (like silicon) that holds all the essential components - like resistors and capacitors - needed to make electronic devices work. Kilby’s first IC was a simple sliver of germanium with just five components connected by wires, but it paved the way for the powerful technology we rely on today. For businesses, the development of the IC was a game-changer. It led to the creation of smaller, faster, and more efficient devices that have transformed everything. So, as we acknowledge this anniversary, let’s take a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come thanks to that first successful test. Nice work, Jack.

Cyber criminals are nothing if not creative. This time they’ve got a scam using Microsoft Sway - a cloud-based 365 tool most people have never heard of (it’s used for creating interactive presentations and reports). It’s a niche product. And unfortunately it’s now being exploited to host phishing pages. Recently, a 2,000-fold increase in attacks using Sway was seen. Cyber criminals are using it to create presentations that include QR codes, which then redirect victims to fake Microsoft 365 login pages. If someone falls for it, they unknowingly hand over their login credentials. What makes this scam difficult to spot is that QR codes, typically seen as harmless image files, can bypass antivirus tools and email protections. Plus, they’re often scanned on phones, which can have weaker security than computers. So, what can you do to protect your business? Stay vigilant! Always be skeptical of emails that seem urgent or out of the blue, especially if they ask you to scan a QR code or log in somewhere unexpected. Double-check the sender’s information and, when in doubt, contact the sender directly through a known and trusted method. If you’re worried, my team and I can help you stay secure. Get in touch.

Heads up: Microsoft Teams is getting a major security upgrade this October that will make your workspace safer. It’s introducing new rules. Admins must evaluate apps and extensions before they’re deployed. So, what does this mean for your business? Starting next month, your IT admins will have tools to check the safety of apps and Copilot extensions. This includes detailed security and certification information such as results from Microsoft 365 security tests, and proof provided by app creators. For apps that aren’t yet certified, admins will get info on how the app handles data and its overall security. This new feature is part of Microsoft’s ongoing effort to improve security across its platforms, especially Teams. Do you look at security info or, like many business owners and managers, just assume the platform is on top of it?

Tell me... do you use Microsoft Forms in your business? Then here’s some good news. Microsoft’s just announced a better syncing solution that makes it easier and more reliable to sync your Forms data with Excel. Up until now, syncing wasn’t perfect. It only worked with certain types of forms and could be unreliable. The older syncing method will be phased out by October 20. So it's important to upgrade your workbooks to keep everything running smoothly. If you don't upgrade, your existing data will still be there, but new responses won’t sync automatically. If you manage forms through OneDrive, SharePoint, or Teams, you’ll soon notice a prompt to upgrade your sync. For once it’s genuinely easy – just a click, and your data will be reliably synced. More good news: While syncing only works with Excel for the web, Microsoft is working on bringing this improved functionality to Excel for Windows and macOS. This will make life so much easier, right?

Microsoft's PowerToys is about to get even better with a new feature called Workspaces. If you’re not familiar, PowerToys is a collection of free utilities that helps you customize and optimize your Windows experience. It’s perfect for saving time and reducing those repetitive tasks that can slow you down. So, what’s new? The upcoming Workspaces feature will let you create custom groups of apps that you can launch with just one click. Imagine having all your essential tools, like your browser, email, and a project management app, open and arranged exactly how you like them, instantly. Whatever your plans for the day, you can set up your workspace in seconds. Here’s how it works: You arrange your apps on the screen, save the layout, and then create a shortcut. Next time, instead of opening each app individually, just click your shortcut, and everything will pop up in the right place. You can even include commands or run apps as an admin, making it super versatile. This new feature is expected in the next PowerToys update, version 0.84. It’s a handy tool that can boost your productivity and make your workday smoother. BIG warning from me though… if you don’t know what you’re doing with PowerToys, you can quickly start changing things that could break your PC. Play it safe and get my team to do this for you. #Microsoft #PowerToys #Productivity

Phishing scams are a big deal these days, and they’re getting trickier. But first, what is phishing? It’s when cyber criminals send you fake emails or messages that look legit to steal your passwords or financial info. If they succeed, it can lead to nasty consequences, like data breaches or losing money. But here’s the thing: Phishing isn’t just those obvious scam emails anymore. Nowadays, criminals are using AI to create super convincing emails or even fake video calls. It’s getting harder to tell what’s real and what’s not. So, how do you protect yourself and your business? First, ditch the old-school approach of just looking out for typos. Instead, think about using smart security tools that can catch these attacks before they reach you. AI-powered tools can spot weird behavior and flag it before it becomes a problem. And don’t forget about your team. Make sure everyone knows what phishing looks like and how to avoid it. Tailored training can help your staff recognize the latest scams so they don’t fall for them. You don’t need to do it all alone - my team can help with all of this. Let’s talk. Get in touch. #CyberSecurity #PhishingProtection #BusinessSafety

Tesla is on the hunt for adventurous people to help train its humanoid Optimus robot, and the job is anything but ordinary. As a 'Data Collection Operator,' you’ll get to wear a motion capture suit and mimic the actions Optimus will need to perform in the real world. It’s like being a living, breathing model for a robot apprentice. Interested? This unique gig pays up to $48 an hour, but it’s not for the faint of heart. You’ll need to walk over seven hours a day, carry up to 30 pounds, and wear a VR headset for extended periods. Oh, and if you’re between 5’7’’ and 5’11’’, you’re the perfect fit (literally) to match Optimus' height. Tesla has already hired more than 50 people for this role, showing just how serious they are about training Optimus to be 'genuinely useful' in the near future. But don’t expect these bots to hit the factory floor just yet. Experts say it could take millions of hours of training before Optimus is ready for action. Still, it’s an exciting step forward in the world of robotics, and who knows, maybe one day, you’ll be working alongside a robot trained by your own moves. Can you ever imagine using humanoid robots in your business? What would you get them to do? #Tesla #Optimus #Robotics

On this day in 1980, a piece of tech history quietly came to an end as the last IBM 7030 “Stretch” mainframe was shut down at Brigham Young University. This computer wasn’t just any machine; it was IBM’s first supercomputer to use transistors instead of vacuum tubes. It was also the first computer designed with the help of another computer, and it held the title of the world’s fastest computer in the 1960s. The Stretch played a crucial role in scientific research and set the stage for future innovations, despite falling short of its ambitious performance goals. It was even labeled one of IT’s biggest project management failures, but its design and technology paved the way for the highly successful IBM System/360, which revolutionized computing in the years that followed. The story teaches us a valuable business lesson: Even when a project doesn’t meet all expectations, the knowledge and advancements gained can lead to greater successes down the road. In business, not every venture will be a home run, but the experience and insights you gain can drive future innovation and growth. Do you have your own Stretch story in your business? #TechHistory #BusinessLessons #IBMStretch