Latest News at BSS

The showroom, which will display the newest range of Konica Minolta multi-function printing devices, was officially opened by the wing wizard following a major redevelopment at the company's premises on Garngoch Industrial Estate in Gorseinon.

The Document Management Company is the brainchild of parent IT company BSS, and will now complete the capabilities of the business to offer expert service on all aspects of IT from websites to networks and now printing devices.

As a premier Konica Minolta dealer for South Wales, The Document Management Company specialises in providing printing, scanning and data management devices and will be managed by BSS Director and former Konica Minolta head of regional sales in Wales, Bruce Roberts.

Speaking at the opening of the showroom, Mr Roberts said: "The launch of The Document Management Company and the completion of our product showroom marks a very exciting time for everyone involved.

"With the introduction of The Document Management Company we are tidying up the process of integrating new equipment into businesses while continuing to offer a knowledge of all IT systems and platforms that is second to none.

"This vast expanse of knowledge across our businesses will undoubtedly help businesses to remain trouble free and more efficient than ever before."

With more than 65% of households in the UK now connected to the internet it has never been easier for people to carry out their day to day activities online.

But as Safer Internet Day today highlights - as the number of people going online soars, so do the risks to your PC and your personal information.

According to the government and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) backed website, www.getsafeonline.org, 26% of the UK's internet users are now more afraid of being a victim of internet crime than they were 12 months ago.

Although it's estimated that 85% of internet users use some form of virus protection, the number of people who still remain at threat from internet scams and targeted fraud are on the rise - and as over one third of internet users have already found out, being a victim of a virus attack can have serious implications to your online safety and personal data.

With an estimated 1,000 new computer viruses emerging each month and the increased sophistication which internet fraudsters are employing to ‘hack in' to their victims, both domestic internet users and businesses need to be vigilant.

Regardless of the amount of time that you spend online, several simple steps should always be taken to ensure the internet security of users.

Managing Director Teifion Davies said: "More than 100,000 people are victims of identity theft in the UK every year and although systems such as anti-virus protection and firewalls fight to keep out unwanted visitors, it's also crucial that internet users are vigilant at all times and are always ready to question the validity of emails and attachments.

"Phishing scams that rely on users' trust have risen dramatically in the last year. These emails look like they are from reputable well-known businesses asking you to confirm the details that they have for you, but instead they will capture data on you and often your banking details too.

"The rise of Wi Fi has also raised the risks dramatically as many people overlook encrypting their devices so that only they can access them - and no-one else."

"The internet is an amazing facility that is changing the way that people interact and operate," added Mr Davies. "But users should continually monitor and run updates on their computer to keep it safe and free from intrusion."

Top tips to staying internet safe:

• Around two-thirds of all email received is spam which can threaten your security. Protect your computer from outside threats by ensuring that you have firewall and make sure that you keep it up to date. Even an hour without this kind of protection is likely to result in viruses and unwanted attention reaching your computer.
• If your children are using the internet make sure that the computer is always visible to you. Make up a family email address for your children to use if they need to, contact your service provider about the child protection measures that you can apply to your internet package and speak to your children about the sites that they visit and the people they chat to.
• Use a reputable web browser to search the internet and make use of the ability of your email accounts to block spam emails from unknown senders.
• Secure your Wi-Fi with a password only entry so that only you - and those that you want to be able to - can access the internet.
• Only open emails and attachments from people that you know well and trust. Downloading files from unknown sources is one of the quickest ways that a virus can reach your computer.
• Always think twice before transferring information from computers using a USB stick. You can easily pick up viruses from one and pass them on.
• Use different passwords for different websites. It may seem an obvious tip, but by choosing a password that includes your name or home town or by using the same password on numerous sites massively increases your chances of being a victim.
• Refrain from posting personal details about yourself on social networking sites - even a few pieces of information on your address, email, date of birth and your full name can make you an easy target for ID fraudsters.

Fnd out more at www.saferinternetday.org

A few years ago BSS decided to stop sending business Christmas cards and instead donate £250 to a charity of their choice. For Christmas 2008 we have chosen the Llys Nini Animal Centre in Penllegaer.

The Llys Nini Animal Centre, although affiliated with the RSPCA, does not recieve any funding and is completely sefl-financing. It needs to raise over £370,000 every year just to run the centre. For more information visit thier website at http://www.llysnini-rspca.org.uk/

The following video clip was provided by Vibe TV and can also be found on www.you-tube.com:

BSS would like to thank everyone who came along to celebrate its 25th Year in Business at our offices in Garngoch, where we also presented a cheque for £250 to the Llys Nini Animal Centre in Penllegaer.

Ty Davies (BSS) & Cathrine Harris (Effective Communication)

Martin Trainer (Llys Nini Animal Centre) & Zena Davies (BSS)

Martin Trainer, Zena Davies & Ty Davies

Dave Roberts (BSS) & John Hollis (Hollis Business Finance)

Mark Evans (BSS) & John Glen (John Glen Garage Doors)

Nigel T Packer (Business for Business), Geiff Ready (Rowland Jones) & Martin Trainer

Sue Powell-Reed & Gareth (Vibe TV)

Darren Loughlin, Steve Jones, Matthew Guy & David Johns (BSS)

Mark Weston (SET Office Supplies) & Peter Guy (The Jelf Group)

Our neighbours from SET Office Supplies

Bruce Roberts (BSS), Jo & Greg Pye (Transmedia Technologies)

Jackie Robbins & Steve (Phonelink), Rob Jones & Zena (BSS)

BSS, a full service IT provider based in Gorseinon, says local companies can not only survive but thrive in the new year if they look seriously at their IT infrastructure and support.

Figures released by the British Chamber of Commerce suggest that 60 per cent of all businesses that suffer a data loss will cease trading within six months.

With this in mind, the managing director and founder of the business, which is one of only a handful of companies in Wales to achieve Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status, Teifion Davies (right), says now is the perfect time to take a few simple steps to set about strengthening the IT systems that are the backbone of many businesses' efficiency and success.

"Today most companies use computers to handle their administration and communications, and many rely heavily on these to manage critical elements of their day-to-day business," said Mr Davies.

"Computers and software are now more powerful and easier to use than ever before - but a business must have the right equipment for its needs.

"Out of date, unreliable or inappropriate technology is often worse than none at all, so in the current climate it is essential that businesses become aware of the timesaving, maximum-efficiency systems that are on the market.

"This year in particular businesses can make a very good return on what can be a small IT investment by utilising new ways of doing things, which in turn will make their business all round more efficient and could help them not just survive but thrive during the next few years."

From Business in the Bay, January 2009