SCC calls for UK systems audit to harness power of consumerisation

Leading technology integrator SCC says that companies must fundamentally examine the issues raised by consumer technology's infiltration of business computing if they don't wish to miss out on potential improvements in productivity, cost benefits and morale. SCC warns that businesses should carry out a fundamental audit of their network activity to establish precisely how staff are now using personal devices such as iPads, Smart Phones and Netbooks within the office environment. The company believes that with such devices becoming increasingly common in today's offices, CIO's must firmly establish the extent and nature of the issue before they can plan an effective response to the phenomenon. "Despite the fact that the rapid consumerisation of workplace IT is already well underway, many companies are still struggling to come to terms with a process that has accelerated rapidly over the last 12 months. It has caught a lot of businesses by surprise, and the bald truth is that many organisations are not even sure what technologies are being used over their networks," said Rhys Sharp, CTO at SCC. "We are recommending that all clients undertake a comprehensive audit to establish the precise levels of activity on their systems and provide a solid strategic starting point from which to plan their response." While the use of personal devices brought into the workplace has awoken concerns over security in many IT departments, commentators throughout the industry have suggested that in the long term the practice may prove extremely beneficial. In addition to the potential cost benefits offered by the phenomenon, it has been widely suggested that when being allowed to use their technologies of choice, today's workforce sees improvements in both productivity and morale. "The consumerisation of IT may have taken many companies by surprise, but the reality is that the market has already developed a range of technologies such as VDI and Desktop as a Service (DaaS) that were built to cope with challenges like these. Companies need to start by auditing their systems to establish the extent of the issue, then start working on a response designed to minimise the risks while maximising the benefits," said Sharp.

Restaurant firm OTG adding 7,000 iPads at 3 international airports

Airport food and beverage operator OTG is hoping to attract extra customers to its restaurants with its plans to introduce 7,000 new iPads at three international airports in North America.

The roll-out, which will take place over the next 18 months, follows a test run of the service at LaGuardia airport where 300 iPads were made available for use by diners. Around 2,000 more of Apple’s popular device will be added to dining locations at LaGuardia as OTG expands its program. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport will also get 2,500 iPads, as will Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Using OTG’s custom browser, diners will be able to use the iPads to order meals through a visual menu, surf the web, check their Facebook and Twitter accounts, get up-to-date flight information and play games.

Security is assured by simply hitting the home button, at which moment any personal information and browsing history will be wiped from the tablet.

“We believe this to be the largest deployment of consumer-facing iPads in the world, and for us, it’s just the beginning,” OTG chief executive Rick Blatstein said. “We have plans to roll out thousands of additional iPads at other airports around the United States and the world. Technology is an important complement to the customer service experience.”