How is Computer Leasing Solving the Pressures on IT Departments Caused by the Covid-19 Coronavirus?

As Covid 19 spreads, businesses around the world are making decisions based on their staff and clients’ best health interests. One of the bigger changes sweeping across the business world is offices sending employees home to work remotely.

With workers everywhere heading home for the foreseeable future, that’s a large part of the workforce going offsite. It’s also a lot of computing power needed in the homes of people who’d otherwise be doing their computing at the office.

But what do you do with employees who don't have their own home computers? Or access to a Mac when they only have a PC? Companies everywhere are sourcing new computers for work-at-home employees. But there are only so many new computers you can buy.

Computer leasing, a corporate service that's been around for many years, is seeing new growth in the wake of Covid19. Join us, today, as we take a closer look.

The Advantages Of A Lease Machine

With the spread of the virus being most effective in large groups of people, many offices are opting just to send their employees home. Renting a computer is a cost-effective way of moving your office offsite and keeping your employees during the outbreak.

Firstly, there's the obvious benefit of having a fully-fledged office machine in your home. Where many employees will be familiar with their "work" computers, and the systems installed on them, many won't have access in their homes. The opportunity to send them home with a leased computer will save you potential downtime and them a salary. It's also a good way to safeguard your overall income from downed work.

Moreover, they may not have access to the specific IT equipment necessary for their departments. Trackpads for designers. Multiple screens for web developers. Even VR headsets have found their way into many departments, and those are still not a viable option for many of the public. With a leasing service, a business can send home their office workers with the exact setup they need to carry out their job.

And, with high-speed internet being what it is, download and upload speeds make offsite workers as good as onsite in many cases. Online platforms, timekeeping software, and screen tracking apps all help to recreate the workspace at home.

Computer Leasing and Covid 19

In late 2019 and early 2020, the world is dealing with a new strain of Coronavirus known as Covid 19. Symptoms range from mild coughs, runny noses, and sore throats, to severe fevers ánd headaches, and has sadly resulted in many deaths worldwide.

With such a transmittable virus and the giant numbers of people already infected, the best advice really is to distance people. For businesses, this means sending workers home. But that doesn't have to mean a drop in their ability to carry out work to their usual standard. Rental computers put your workers in touch with you and your clients as if they never left the office.

Looking for more information from one of the leading equipment leasing companies on the market today? Interested in computer leasing or PC financing during Covid 19? Get in touch on 020 7111 1643 to quickly scale your IT needs, Mac or PC, without the high prices of short term rental.

Why are companies moving to Device as a Service?

As cloud computing and automation is on the increase, many businesses and long-standing organisations will need to assess their operating models and look at making changes to stay ahead of the game. If not, they risk being overtaken by new start-ups who are embracing Device as a Service models and reaping the benefits.

Investing in managed services provides businesses with benefits including flexibility, accessibility and lower costs. If they choose to move to these smart solutions, it will help them reach their goals faster and maintain a competitive edge.

What is Device as a Service?

The term Device as a Service (DaaS) is quite literally devices made available as a service through cloud computing. For example, Device as a Service (DaaS) allows businesses to pay a single monthly subscription fee for multiple devices, rather than buying computers and devices outright. This allows businesses to renew devices when they need them and return old devices that are no longer in use.

Another example is Software as a Service (SaaS). This is a model that is centrally hosted and provides software licences to customers on a subscription basis. Before SaaS, businesses would have to buy the software they needed outright and make manual installations and updates.

What are the benefits of Device as a Service’?

Improved mobility

As our society becomes a cloud-focused and mobile centralised environment, it’s important for businesses to keep up. By storing on the cloud and embracing DaaS companies are able to keep things up-to-date 24/7. It also allows for remote work without losing quality.

Flexibility

In a world of technology and constant change, it’s crucial that businesses can adapt and provide the best service they can. DaaS models allow businesses to change as and when they need to, personalising their processes and scaling up, or down, to fit the needs of their business.

Always up-to-date

No one wants to fall behind or use old technology. With DaaS models, businesses can ensure they always have the best device, the best software and the best processes.

Improved cash flow

With DaaS subscription, businesses can avoid upfront costs and only pay for what they use. This means they can balance cash flow with predictable monthly costs.

Increased productivity

With the right devices, the right software and the right support, there will naturally be an increase in productivity and morale in the workplace.

Full support

With most DaaS models and subscriptions, businesses will receive full support with updates, maintenance and so on.

Devices for Teams from HardSoft

Here at HardSoft, we offer Devices for Teams to allow your business to always have the latest Apple and PC devices. Our unique and flexible DaaS subscription can be tailored to your needs in order to provide you with multiple devices for a single monthly fee.

Ideal for businesses with between 50 – 400 people and devices, our devices for Teams DaaS model allows for additions, renewals and device returns. By only paying for what you use, you can have the latest tech when you need it, helping your business to grow and maintain the highest levels of service for your staff, projects and customers.

We also offer a 360 support wrapper and a three year inclusive support package. Our support helpdesk is available to help with any IT issues you may have, and we provide a full imaging service, based on role types and IT requirements.

If you would like to find out more about our DaaS service and Devices for Teams, please contact Sophie Morgan on 020 7111 1643 or email sophie.m@hardsoft.co.uk.

The Importance of Effectively Managing the ‘Alternative Workforce’

Alternative workforces are fast becoming the norm, but how can you, as a business, maintain, manage, and satisfy the needs of your talent pool while you juggle the specific IT and infrastructure requirements that an alternative workforce demands?

With freelancer numbers doubling from 2000 and 2014, they are the fastest-growing group within the EU workforce. In fact, the growth of freelancing has been more rapid in the UK than overall employment growth and, for any organisation that wants to grow and attract critical skills, the management of alternative forms of employment is now a requirement rather than an option.

In a Worldwide survey of employers it was found that 45% admitted they are having problems filling their open positions, and among those with greater than 250 employees, the percentage of businesses who are experiencing difficulty securing qualified candidates rose to 67%.

For a long time, companies viewed freelance, contract, or ‘gig’ employees to be a way to get quick and easy access to skills as a way of supplementing full-time employees, but now this segment of the workforce has grown to mainstream status, and as such needs to be managed as efficiently and effectively as your fully employed workforce.

How Effectively are Businesses Utilising this Alternative Workforce?

An study conducted by Deloitte indicated that only 8% of businesses have established processes in place to manage and develop their alternative workforce, with a huge 54% admitting that their processes for managing alternative employees is inconsistent, or non-existent.

Most businesses will have, on occasion, been guilty of using the alternative workforce as a way to fill gaps in their companies, when in fact they ought to be developing an environment where adaptable working can be used strategically, to deploy skills where needed and enable the business to be dynamic and flexible in the long term. The statistics show that it won’t be long before this is the future of employment, so why not embrace it now?

Ensuring that you have the infrastructure in place to keep a mixed and fluid workforce equipped with the tools it needs to deliver tasks and projects is an important factor in the management of a modern office. Innovative solutions designed to manage IT equipment, time-keeping, administration, and other daily activities, are needed to make an alternative workforce fit into your business efficiently.

As businesses grow and scale-up, traditional purchase models are being re-assessed and this is, in part, an attempt to meet the needs of a dynamic workforce. We’re moving away from traditional ownership and employment models, with high up-front costs and depreciating equipment resulting in reduced productivity. Businesses have started to redesign their futures by adapting and meeting the challenges of an evolving workforce. Is your business ready for the future?

Devices for Teams by HardSoft is the perfect agile DaaS solution to help you future proof your business and accommodate the alternative workforce. Giving you access to multiple Apple and PC devices – the right devices, for the right project, at the right time. For more information, get in touch with our Team on 020 7111 1643 or email sophie.m@hardsoft.co.uk

Desktop as a Service Vs Device as a Service

Both appreciated to DaaS, it’s not surprising that Desktop as a Service and Device as a Service are sometimes mixed up, but they are very different models. Device as a Service covers actual devices, whilst Desktop as a Service covers the desktop software only.

We’re comparing both DaaS models and looking at the benefits each model offers businesses.

What is Desktop as a Service (DaaS)?

Desktop as a Service (DaaS) is a cloud computing solution which delivers virtual desktops to any device, from anywhere in the world. It provides secure cloud-hosted desktops for emails and applications without the need for maintaining software.

A DaaS supplier will manage the deployment of the virtual desktop, as well as maintenance, updates, security, data backup and storage. This type of DaaS model is ideal for businesses who don’t want to manage their own software on-premises and invest in a dedicated IT team, but rather pay a subscription fee for a third-party cloud provider.

What is Device as a Service (DaaS)?

Device as a Service (DaaS) is almost like leasing your IT equipment, but it also offers more benefits than just the financial kind. DaaS is all about convenience, flexibility and efficiency. It will deploy, manage, maintain and support your devices in a way that is suited to the needs of your business. It allows businesses to add or remove devices, upgrade technology and manage all devices from a convenient dashboard without having to worry if something goes wrong.

Desktop as a Service VS. Device as a Service

When deciding which DaaS model is best for your business, it will come down to whether you need actual devices or just the software. With Desktop as a Service, you will need to supply your own devices for the third-party provider to install the cloud-based software onto, whereas Device as a Service will provide you with up-to-date devices, managed services, security and support.

Benefits of Desktop as a Service

Accessibility

DaaS allows you to access your desktop anywhere at any time over the internet. Using a device of your choice, you will have the freedom to access your desktop from a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Improved security

Taking the security burden off a single device, DaaS is protected by an infrastructure with the highest levels of protection. Data is held and backed up in a secure environment rather than being vulnerable on a single device.

Lower operating costs

Removing the need for an in-house IT team, internal resources can be streamlined and operational costs can be lowered. There will also be a reduced need for space for power and cooling equipment.

Reliable and consistent

With full security, support and automatic updates, DaaS is a service that can be consistently relied on for access and performance.

Benefits of Device as a Service

Flexibility

DaaS provides the flexibility businesses need, allowing you to mix and match manufacturers and devices, add devices, take devices away and only pay for what your business really needs.

Efficiency

By streamlining hardware support, businesses can enhance IT efficiency with DaaS through one central point of contact. Plus, a DaaS provider will provide everything from deployment, optimisation, maintenance and disposal of devices.

Increase productivity

Productivity will be boosted in a workplace with devices that are always ready, consistently maintained and supported. DaaS will also proactively monitor performance, ensuring your devices are kept running smoothly at all times.

Predictable costs

By changing the way you finance IT equipment, you can increase cost efficiency and easily manage predictable costs.

Here at HardSoft, we offer Devices for Teams, to allow your business to always have the latest Apple and PC devices. Our unique and flexible DaaS (Device as a Service) subscription can be tailored to your needs in order to provide you with multiple devices for a single monthly fee.

Ideal for businesses with between 50 – 400 people and devices, our DaaS model allows for additions, renewals and device returns. By only paying for what you use, you can have the latest tech when you need it, helping your business to grow and maintain the highest levels of service for your staff, projects and customers.

We also offer a 360 support wrapper and a three year inclusive support package. Our support help desk is available to help with any IT issues you may have and we provide a full imaging service, based on role types and IT requirements.

If you would like to find out more about our DaaS service, Devices for Teams, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by email, or call 020 7111 1643.

How different will your IT situation look with DaaS?

Device as a Service (DaaS) models are becoming more and more popular. They offer a dynamic and effective way of sourcing the equipment needed for businesses, whilst also offering flexibility, easy upgrades and scalability.>

By shifting the IT of your business over to a DaaS model, you can better the day-to-day management of your devices, as well as improving user experience for staff and device refresh cycles. If businesses stick with traditional models, they can miss out on the advantages of DaaS and the way in which it allows staff and people to do what they do best without the need to deploy and manage IT systems.

What is DaaS?

Device as a Service (DaaS) is a model that allows businesses to pay a subscription fee for multiple devices. This takes away the need to buy devices outright to deploy and manage yourself, while also offering flexibility to expand, upgrade and return old devices simply and efficiently.

What are the benefits of DaaS?

DaaS is not just about the actual devices, but rather about the benefits it can deliver for your business. Your IT situation will change dramatically and create a knock-on effect to other areas of business, such as productivity, efficiency and event recruiting.

Flexibility

By adopting a DaaS model, you provide your business with the flexibility needed to keep up with crucial changes in the world of technology. It also enables your business to create bespoke processes and scale up and down as needed.

Upgrade devices

To ensure your business is running as smoothly as possible and staff are confident in the efficiency of their devices, you need to avoid falling behind or using old technology. With a DaaS model, you can always ensure your business has the best devices and software possible.

Increased productivity

With devices that work effectively, expert support and software that runs smoothly, there will naturally be an increase in productivity as staff feel comfortable and confident in their abilities.

Predictable costs

By choosing a DaaS subscription, you will have a regular payment in order to improve cash flow. It will also remove the need to pay outright with large sums of money for new devices and in the long-term can save money.

Impact recruitment

As talent pools become smaller and more competitive, businesses need to be enticing and desirable for the new generation of workers with higher expectations. By adopting a DaaS model, you will ensure your business is running the best technology, which can be an attractive attribute to potential employees.

Full support

The majority of DaaS subscriptions come with full support, so your business doesn’t need to maintain devices and so on. This will in turn enhance efficiency through one central point of contact. The DaaS provider will provide everything from deployment, optimisation, maintenance and disposal of devices.

As well as Device as a Service, DaaS can also stand for Desktop as a Service. Desktop as a Service is a cloud computing solution, designed to deliver a virtual desktop to any device, anywhere in the world. This is beneficial if your business needs software rather than actual devices, as a Desktop as a Service provider will provide maintenance, security, data backup and storage, not on-premise but in the cloud.

HardSoft has the DaaS Solution you’ve always dreamed of!

Here at Hardsoft, we offer Devices for Teams, to allow your business to always have the latest Apple and PC devices. Our unique and flexible DaaS (Device as a Service) subscription can be tailored to your needs in order to provide you with multiple devices for a single monthly fee.

We understand that teams can change fast, meaning your tech needs to too. Our DaaS model is ideal for businesses with 50 – 400 people and devices, which allows for you to scale up and down when needed, adding devices, renewing them and returning them.

By only paying for what you use, you can have the latest tech when you need it, helping your business to grow and maintain the highest levels of service for your staff, projects and customers.

We also offer a 360°-support wrapper and a three-year inclusive support package. Our support helpdesk is available to help with any IT issues you may have, and we provide a full imaging service, based on role types and IT requirements.

If you would like to find out more about our DaaS service and Devices for Teams, get in touch with our Devices for Teams experts on 020 7111 1643 or email sophie.m@hardsoft.co.uk.

Disaster Recovery: How does that work with Device as a Service?

When disaster strikes, it’s hugely important for businesses to get back up and running as quickly as possible. If employees can’t access the files that they need, conduct normal business or process sales, businesses can become vulnerable and, in some cases, not come out the other side.

Although the risk is there, few businesses have a formal plan in place to help them recover in case of a disaster. Whether yours is a small business or a large corporate organisation, a disaster recovery plan should be in place, and that’s not just for natural disasters. A disaster can also be caused by simple human error, a breach in security or a hardware/software crash.

What should be included in a disaster recovery plan?

There are certain things that are crucial for an effective disaster recovery plan, including:

Outline of Priorities

Businesses need to know which of the applications and data they use is the most important and must be accessible at all times. These parts of the business that are crucial need to be outlined as if a major disaster were to happen, it can sometimes take days to gain full access again.

Keep an Inventory

Every business should have a thorough inventory of all hardware and software applications it uses, as well as contact information for technical support for each item. You should also have protection in place for physical assets in case of damage, such as flooding.

Data Backup

It’s crucial for businesses to backup data to an off-site location or virtual cloud.

Role Responsibility

In the event of a disaster, every business should have a clear plan in place with role assignments, so everyone knows who is responsible for each aspect of the recovery.

Remote Working

Businesses need to consider a remote working strategy and how they are able to communicate with employees in the event of a disaster.

How does Disaster Recovery work with Device as a Service?

Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) is becoming increasingly popular, including data replication and hosting of physical or virtual servers by a third-party provider. This in turn frees up IT teams and allows businesses to focus more on their own projects, whilst knowing that their devices and data are protected. DRaaS can also provide cost-effective options, enabling businesses to pay less for a slower recovery of applications and data that is less critical.

Here at HardSoft, we offer Devices for Teams to allow your business to always have the latest Apple and PC devices. Our unique and flexible DaaS (Device as a Service) subscription can be tailored to your needs in order to provide you with multiple devices and full support for a single monthly fee.

Providing a 360 support wrapper as well as a three-year inclusive support package, our support helpdesk will be on hand to help with any IT issues you may have. We also offer a full imaging service, based on role types and IT requirements.

Ideal for businesses with between 50 – 400 people and devices, our DaaS model allows for additions, renewals and device returns. By only paying for what you use, you can have the latest tech when you need it, helping your business to grow and maintain the highest levels of service for your staff, projects and customers.

If you would like to find out more about our DaaS service and Devices for Teams, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Email sophie.m@hardsoft.co.uk, call 020 7111 1643 or use the webchat option on our website.

Devices for Teams won’t let your business settle for less

Subscribe to a New Way of Thinking about IT.

Devices for Teams is a subscription service developed for dynamic, agile, high growth businesses. Old fashioned purchase policy dictates your businesses cash-flow forcing you to purchase expensive hardware and software upfront.

Devices for Teams

3 Year ‘No Quibble’ Warranty

Full 360° Support Wrapper

Add or Return Devices

Liberate your Cashflow

Tax Benefits

The Latest Models via Next-Day delivery

Flex up and Flex Down

PC and Mac Trade-In

Peace of Mind

The Freedom to Create and Design an adaptable timeless solution. By you, for your business.

Buying Outright Your IT

1/2 Year Manufacturer Warranty

Support and Expertise not included

Old Devices Becoming Obsolete

High upfront costs

Sits on the Balance Sheet

Slowing, Older Machines

Limited Choice

Restricted Productivity

Demotivated Team

Inflexible, high-cost decision-making that inevitably leaves you with obsolete equipment.

With this new DaaS solution, you start with multiple devices for a single monthly subscription fee. With guaranteed on and off-site technical support, and Warranty in the form of our full 360° Support Wrapper included with every device.

The real benefit lies in the flexibility to match your business needs – whether, through varied project work, freelance staff, new starters, or geographic expansion. This is your subscription. Designed-by-you additions, continued renewals, and to return devices – and to only pay for what you use. Ideal for businesses looking after 20 to 400 people and devices. We empower the creative and tech industries, who need the latest tech at the right time, to keep growing and maintain the highest service levels from their staff, projects, and customers. This revolutionising subscription model has significant benefits vs purchasing.

Pay only for what you use, enjoy next day delivery and engage your business with 360° support. Contact Sophie Morgan on 020 7111 1643 or email sophie.m@hardsoft.co.uk and find out what Devices for Teams can do for your business!

DaaS – the Benefits Beyond Economics

Device as a Service (DaaS) can offer a whole range of benefits to businesses that go beyond economics, including scalability, hassle-free upgrades and improved performance from employees. By adopting a DaaS model, businesses also prevent being left behind and can offer a more dynamic way of sourcing hardware that will satisfy all areas of work.

As DaaS becomes more popular and one of the most effective ways to accumulate productivity hardware, it is no surprise that an increasing number of businesses are jumping onboard and many that haven’t yet, already have plans in place.

This shift in the way devices are sourced will improve security, user experience, maintenance, management and device cycles, meaning businesses can reach their full potential and better improve daily operations.

What is Device as a Service (DaaS)?

DaaS is a subscription model that provides businesses with multiple devices for a set fee. It allows businesses to add devices or remove them throughout the subscription to best fit their needs, providing flexibility that buying a device outright cannot offer.

It removes the need to buy devices, deploy and manage them and, rather than disposing of the device yourself at the end of its life, you can upgrade to ensure you’re always using the best tech.

DaaS benefits

By adopting a DaaS model into your business, you will have the benefit of predictable costs through a regular payment – improving cash flow. It also removes the need to spend large amounts of money outright to buy new devices, potentially saving money in the long term.

As well as the economic benefits, DaaS can have a positive effect on many other areas of business, such as day-to-day tasks, efficiency, recruitment and the productivity of your staff.

Here are six top benefits of a DaaS model:

Increased productivity

The better your devices work, the better your staff will. With effective technology, software that runs smoothly and support from an expert team, staff are able to focus on what they do best and not be frustrated with their tools.

Flexibility

By adopting a DaaS model, you will have the flexibility to make changes when you need to for your business, as well as keep up with the changes that are constantly occurring in the world of technology. It will also give you the ability to scale up and down when needed.

Upgrade devices

DaaS stops you from falling behind in the everchanging world of tech. As part of your subscription, you will get the chance to upgrade devices, ensuring you always have updated equipment that is right for the job.

Impact recruitment

A business that’s seen to be using the best technology and upgrading equipment when needed is attractive from a recruitment point of view. Talent pools are more competitive than ever before, and potential employees not only need to impress you, you need to also impress them.

Full support

DaaS subscriptions come with full support, so your business doesn’t need to maintain and manage equipment. This will in turn enhance efficiency and provide your business with a central point of contact to provide everything from deployment, optimisation, maintenance and disposal of devices.

DaaS can also stand for Desktop as a Service. However, this is a cloud computing solution, which can deliver a virtual desktop to any device, from anywhere in the world. This DaaS model won’t provide the devices itself, but rather the network the devices your business work on.

Here at HardSoft, we offer Devices for Teams, to allow your business to always have the latest Apple and PC devices, as well as other important equipment. By signing up to a regular payment, you can adopt our unique and flexible DaaS subscription that will be tailored to your needs to provide you with multiple devices.

We understand businesses can change over time, meaning your tech needs to too. Our DaaS model is ideal for businesses with between 50 – 400 people and devices, allowing for you to scale up and down when needed, adding devices, renewing them and returning them.

By only paying for what you use, you can have the latest tech when you need it, helping your business to grow and maintain the highest levels of service for your staff, projects and customers.

As well as this, we also offer a 360-support wrapper and a three-year inclusive support package. Our support helpdesk is available to help with any IT issues you may have and we provide a full imaging service, based on role types and IT requirements.

If you would like to find out more about our DaaS service and Devices for Teams, give our team a call on 020 7111 1643 or email sophie.m@hardsoft.co.uk.

Employee Satisfaction – IT that works!

Not so long ago, the best tech was reserved for executives and directors in many businesses, whether their job required the best of the best or not. However, technology is now more often valued for its ability to perform tasks and complete jobs to the highest of standards rather than simply used to show off or present status.

Device deployment is extremely important in business. You don’t want employees to come to work and feel frustrated that they don’t have the tools to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. You also don’t want employees to feel like the tech they own themselves is better for the job.

The workplace is changing and expectations from employees are high, with job satisfaction being something people look for in a role. Recruiting is no longer just about an applicant impressing a potential employer, but rather a two-way process that also requires the business to impress the employee. Millennials with top skills may have a number of job offers on the table, and they are most likely to go with the employer they feel has the best employee satisfaction and of course, the best tech.

How can Device as a Service (DaaS) improve employee satisfaction?

Businesses realise that to improve employee satisfaction and attract top talent, they need to be more strategic about device deployment, and find a way that improves productivity and reduces obstacles of management and maintenance. By opting for DaaS, businesses will not only cut costs, but will be able to offer their staff the best, most up-to-date technology there is. DaaS will also reduce the need for management of software and updates, as well as improving staff morale.

Here at HardSoft, we offer Devices for Teams to allow your business to always have the latest Apple and PC devices. Our unique and flexible DaaS subscription can be tailored to your needs in order to provide you with multiple devices for a single monthly fee.

Employee Satisfaction and Devices for Teams

Flexible

With our DaaS model, businesses can have true flexibility and deploy multiple devices from different manufacturers depending on their needs. This allows businesses to add or remove devices as they need, providing employees with the equipment they need, when they need it.

Increase productivity

It goes without saying that when you have the right equipment for the job, staff morale and productivity is increased. Our DaaS model can meet the needs of any business, the CFO, the CTO and employees. This will in turn empower new and existing employees and boost employee satisfaction.

Avoid obsolescence

With the ability to upgrade to a new device after 12 months, businesses can say goodbye to depreciating assets. If technology is working as it should be and performing its best, employees are then able to perform their best.

Full support

With full support from our Devices for Teams DaaS model, businesses can ensure that if there is an issue with any device, it will be addressed quickly and efficiently.

Ideal for businesses with between 50 – 400 people and devices, Devices for Teams allows for additions, renewals and device returns. By only paying for what you use, you can have the latest tech when you need it, helping your business to grow and maintain the highest levels of service for your staff, projects and customers.

We also offer a 360 support wrapper and a three year inclusive support package. Our support helpdesk is available to help with any IT issues you may have, and we provide a full imaging service, based on role types and IT requirements.

If you would like to find out more about how our DaaS service and Devices for Teams can improve employee satisfaction, please get in touch with our Devices for Teams specialists on 020 7111 1643 or email sophie.m@hardsoft.co.uk.

How Leasing IT Equipment on a Subscription Works

We’ve all been there – your business needs change. Your IT equipment is redundant or needs upgrading, or you need to invest in new products for specific tasks.

While it’s important for your business success that your team has access to the right technology at the right time, it simply isn’t practical for businesses to constantly invest in the latest technology. This is not only a significant capital investment; tech also depreciates in value relatively quickly.

Not to mention the fact that the majority of finance teams expect their employees to have each device for four to six years.

Leasing your IT equipment on a subscription could offer the perfect solution.

A DaaS (Device as a Service) subscription will ensure your team has the equipment it needs, when it needs it, without unnecessary costs – everyone’s happy!

Through HardSoft’s Devices for Teams solution, you can lease your IT equipment through a unique and flexible Device as a Service subscription, tailor-made to meet the needs of dynamic, high-growth businesses.

How the subscription works

Start your subscription

You’ll start your subscription by choosing your initial devices. Through our new Devices for Teams subscription, you’ll need to choose a minimum of 20 Apple devices for three years. This can include iMac, MacBook Pro, Air, iPad, iPhone and Mac Mini.

Pay a single, monthly subscription fee

Under the subscription scheme, you’ll pay a single, monthly subscription fee.

So, once your leasing subscription is in place, you’ll be able to keep on top of your business’s monthly expenditure far more easily, with a pre-determined amount being taken on a monthly basis and no nasty, unexpected costs when equipment breaks or your business needs change.

Adapt your subscription to meet your needs

Once you’ve started your subscription, you can add devices at any point. So, if you take on a new team member, for example, you’ll be able to ensure that they’ve got the equipment they need right from the start.

After just 12 months of your subscription, you’ll also be able to refresh or swap any devices, allowing you to keep up with the latest technological developments and ensure that your team is equipped to deliver optimum results.

This flexibility ensures you are always able to meet your business needs and accommodate varied project work, freelance staff, new starters and geographic expansion, without the hassle and expense of buying, selling and storing equipment.

During your subscription, you’ll be able to return any device, providing you keep a minimum of 50% of your initial subscription, and reduce your payments accordingly without any additional admin fees. So, no more out-dated IT equipment stuck in a cupboard or warehouse, depreciating in value while not being used.

Access care and support when you need it

When you buy your IT equipment, it’s your responsibility to keep everything maintained and in full working order. This can prove costly when repairs and replacements are needed. With a DaaS subscription, you don’t have to worry about that!

All products leased through our Devices for Teams scheme come complete with a 360° HardSoft Service wrapper as standard, including a three-year no-quibble guarantee, full service and support during business hours with Apple certified engineers, device configuration, and loan equipment delivered the next day if one of your devices needs a repair.

If you’d like to find out more about how leasing your IT equipment with a subscription solution works, or for further information about Devices for Teams, give us a call on 020 7111 1643 or email Sophie Morgan, on sophie.m@hardsoft.co.uk.

3 Ways Businesses can Reduce their Financial Losses on IT Equipment

If you’re an SME looking to reduce your financial losses on your IT equipment, Device as a Service (DaaS) provides an agile, flexible and impactful solution provides a whole host of benefits for businesses.

Device as a Service is a subscription solution that allows businesses to access the most up to date devices, with complete flexibility to adapt in line with their changing work requirements, business demands, and industry changes.

Devices for Teams by Hardsoft is a unique and flexible DaaS (Device as a Service) solution, tailored for dynamic, high-growth businesses. Eliminating traditional leasing restrictions, this solution allows for continued renewals, changes, additions and returns, empowering your workforce and meeting the changing demands of your growing business.

Here are three ways a DaaS solution, such as Devices for Teams, can help businesses reduce their financial losses on IT equipment:

Reduce Depreciating Assets

It’s important for the productivity and overall success of any business that their team is equipped with the right technology, at the right time. However, depreciating assets can be extremely frustrating for small businesses, particularly when it comes to often costly IT equipment.

A DaaS solution such as Devices for Teams allows businesses to avoid any depreciation of devices, while keeping their technology constantly up to date. After 12 months, devices can be updated or swapped, ensuring business are constantly equipped with the very latest technology, while significantly reducing their financial losses on IT equipment.

Tax Benefits

A Devices for Teams (DaaS) subscription is cost neutral to purchasing, providing tax and cash flow benefits as an OPEX spend.

Classed as an Operational Expenditure, or a business expense occurred in day-to-day business operations, the money paid for a DaaS subscription can be deducted when calculating tax. This reduces the net income and, as such, brings down the amount of income tax owed, thus helping to reduce any financial losses on IT equipment.

Swap after 12 months

Typically, a finance team will expect an employee to have their IT device for, on average, 4-6 years, often leaving teams with slow and ageing equipment.

Unlike buying equipment outright, DaaS offers the flexibility and freedom that businesses need to meet their changing needs. This means that, not only does equipment not decrease in value as it ages, but it also eliminates the repair and maintenance costs that come hand in hand with ageing equipment.

Providing an incredibly flexible solution, you can also return any device during your subscription and reduce your payments accordingly without any additional admin fee. And, with no lease involved, you won’t be tied in for a pre-determined timeframe or encounter any of the restrictions associated with traditional leasing – offering enhanced flexibility that is perfectly suited to SMEs.

With over 35 years of experience being accredited as brokers by the FCA and a fully authorised Apple reseller, here at Hardsoft, we bring together finance and technology to empower our customers and help them access the technology they need, when they need it. With over 5,000 customers and a strong network of partners, we can identify the future needs of businesses like yours, delivering the best solutions for the market.

To find out more about our unique DaaS option Devices for Teams and how it can help your business reduce its financial losses on IT equipment, take a look at our Devices for Teams website. You can also give our team a call on 020 7111 1643 or if you’d like to arrange a meeting, email Sophie Morgan at sophie.m@hardsoft.co.uk.

How an Apple Device Subscription Service will Solve your IT Problems

Buying Apple devices has traditionally been seen as the best way to secure the technology that your business needs, it’s now something of an out-dated model with high upfront costs, rapid technological development and depreciating value.

A subscription service, also known as a DaaS, allows you to subscribe to the products you need in a way that is flexible, affordable, and agile. An Apple DaaS, such as Hardsoft’s unique Devices for Teams solution, will help solve your IT problems.

What is DaaS?

DaaS is an agile and scalable solution for small and medium-sized businesses, looking for a flexible alternative to traditional leasing methods, allowing for continued renewals of Apple devices and enabling changes and additions to be made regularly.

DaaS is not a lease agreement, so you won’t be tied into a specific time frame or be subject to any specified commitment. At HardSoft, we offer a unique, flexible solution for Apple, known as Devices for Teams. Designed to meet the needs of dynamic, high-growth businesses.

How an Apple Device Subscription Works

An Apple device subscription service such as Devices for Teams is designed to be simple, flexible, and agile. Start your subscription with a minimum of 20 Apple devices, including iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad, iPhone, and Mac Mini.

Once you’ve started your subscription, you’ll then be able to add any Apple device throughout your subscription with no extra admin fee. You’ll also be able to refresh or swap any of your devices after just 12 months of your subscription. If your needs change, you’ll also be able to return any device during your subscription, providing you keep a minimum of 50% of your initial subscription, and reduce your payments accordingly, with no extra admin fees.

How an Apple Subscription Service will help Solve your IT Problems

The key IT problems faced by SMEs typically include:

How do you finance this efficiently?

Buying Macs in the high volumes needed by many businesses is a significant capital investment.

With no admin fees or penalties to add or remove devices, as well as the option to cancel with no fees, an Apple device subscription is a cost-effective solution that will help you save money on your company’s IT costs, while meeting business demand.

An Apple device subscription service such as Devices for Teams is also tax efficient, helping to reduce your income tax and boost your cash flow.

With over 35 years’ experience, we have great access to the UK finance markets, ensuring that you secure the very best deal. Simply agree on a pay monthly subscription for your Apple devices and order what you need. We approve 98% of applications within 24 hours.

How can I get the latest tech for different people in my team, at different times?

If you buy your Apple equipment outright, you will have to make a significant initial investment and will then either have to constantly upgrade your devices in order to stay up to date with the latest developments, which is far from cost effective, or your team will have to contend with ageing, out of date equipment that may not meet their changing needs.

With a DaaS solution, you’ll be able to add any Apple device throughout your subscription, with no extra fee, and refresh, swap, and return any devices after just 12 months of your subscription. This will allow you to meet the changing needs of your organisation while saving costs and ensuring your team has the right equipment, at the right time.

How can I reduce the number of depreciating assets we own?

As soon as you invest in an Apple device, it will naturally start to lose value as it ages. Depreciating assets can be extremely frustrating for small businesses, particularly when it comes to often costly IT equipment.

A DaaS solution allow businesses to avoid any depreciation of devices, while ensuring that they are able to keep their technology constantly up to date and in full working order.

A one-year warranty is not enough. What about suitable support advice?

We couldn’t agree more. That’s why all of our Apple device subscription services come complete with our 360 degree HardSoft Service Wrapper, including full support as standard, 3-year no-quibble warranties on all products, qualified tech and support teams on call during business hours, next-day Mac loan devices delivered next day when needed, and Certified Apple training.

So, whether you need advice on your plan specific information on certain devices or you’d like to explore the options available to you, you’ll be able to access all of the support you need.

To find out more about how an Apple subscription service can help solve your IT problems, or to discuss your specific requirements, please get in touch.

With 35 years of experience, being accredited as brokers by the FCA and an authorized Apple reseller – we unite the worlds of finance and technology to empower our customers. With over 5,000 customers and strong partnerships, we are able to develop solutions to meet the future needs of businesses like yours and stay ahead of the market.

If you’d like to find out more about our Devices for Teams solution, give our team a call on 020 7111 1643. Prefer a meeting? Then email Sophie Morgan on sophie@hardsoft.co.uk

Subscribe to a New Way of Thinking with Devices for Teams by HardSoft

Buying your computers is so old school – today’s smart creative businesses use fully-inclusive, agile subscriptions to ensure their business productivity doesn’t suffer and the needs of their finance and tech leaders are always met.

Is this your company?

A Growing Business

Use Apple iMacs, MacBook Pro, iPad, Mac Mini

Need 20+ new devices a year

Want warranties for more than a year

Have fully trained support included

Regularly use freelancers and project work

Need real flexibility as part of the deal

Don’t want to pay for what you don’t use

Want finance as part of OpEx not Capital Expenditure

Want to protect cashflow and get tax benefits

Want to get rid of a cupboard of obsolete computers

There’s only one subscription package to offer all these benefits to help businesses use and support multiple Apple devices in a fully inclusive deal.

Devices for Teams by HardSoft

The most influential of all UK computer leasing operations, HardSoft has developed this offer for the UK’s creative services industry and is fully approved by Apple.

At its heart lies real flexibility – the ability to both add and return devices during the subscription and only pay for what you use – but offers so much more on top.

For more information take a look at our dedicated Devices for Teams website, email Sophie Morgan on sophie.m@hardsoft.co.uk or call 020 3976 9689 to secure a free consultation at your office.

What is Device as a Service? We explain what it is and how it can benefit you.

Device as a Service (DaaS) is a subscription-based model offering PCs, Apple machines, tablets and mobile devices to businesses. DaaS helps companies avoid large capital expenditure on IT resources by outsourcing the management of the hardware and software to a third-party provider. Businesses can then scale their IT capability up or down as they require without additional capital expenditure.

Centred on flexibility, empowerment and scalability tailored for dynamic growing businesses, this agile approach boasts many benefits for employers and employees alike and is only set to evolve further as a growing trend.

If you’d like to discover more about DaaS and how it is causing a stir amongst businesses, we’ve compiled some need-to-knows.

What is Device as a Service (Daas)?

Device as a service (Daas) is both an agile and scalable solution for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It offers businesses a flexible alternative to traditional leasing methods, enabling continued renewals of Apple devices, as well as the option for changes and additions to be made regularly.

DaaS enables complete flexibility for employers and unlocks the potential for them to have the most up-to-date devices to complement their work requirements, business demands, and constant changes within their industry.

DaaS is an agile subscription solution that offers an alternative option to traditional leasing for businesses. This new approach assists businesses that are looking to consistently scale, regularly introduce new staff as well as new equipment for their workforce.

What are the Benefits of Device as a Service?

DaaS marks a noticeable shift in subscription models, boasts countless benefits for businesses, and offers a much-needed solution for SMEs. Among the many benefits of the DaaS offering are:

Devices for Teams – HardSoft’s DaaS Solution

Devices for Teams is our unique and flexible Apple DaaS (Device as a Service) subscription tailored for dynamic, high growth businesses. Discover the many benefits of Device as a service in comparison to leasing or purchasing here.

Get in Touch

If you would like to find out more about our DaaS solutions and how they can impact on your business, give our sales team a call on 020 7111 1643, email sales@hardsoft.co.uk, or use our live web chat to speak to one of the HardSoft team.

Have You Heard the Updates on the DaaS solution ‘Devices for Teams’?

Devices for Teams by HardSoft is a unique and flexible DaaS (Device as a Service) solution for Apple. An agile Apple subscription tailored for dynamic, high growth businesses. Pushing aside traditional ‘leasing’ restrictions, our solution allows for continued renewals, changes, additions, and returns, to empower your workforce and suit the needs of your changing landscape.

Why did we create Devices for Teams?

DaaS is a growing phenomenon, businesses rely on their teams to have the right technology at the right time. We recognised a quantitative need for adaptive flexibility that allows companies to secure a finance & support package that meets their unique needs. For a business needing between 50-300+ devices for their teams – whether desktop, laptop, tablet or server – you need to satisfy the needs of different stakeholders. But we aren’t just a DaaS solution; Devices for Teams is so much more. We now have a dedicated website for Devices for Teams where you can find out everything you need to know.

Create your own Apple Mac Solution

How do you finance this efficiently?

How can you get the latest tech for different people in your team at different times?

How can you reduce the number of depreciating assets you own?

A one-year warranty is not enough. What about suitable support advice?

These answers can often be at odds with each other and satisfying the CFO, CTO, and the needs of the workforce often feels impossible.

Purchasing Mac’s in high volumes is a massive Capital Expenditure decision but having 70 end-of-life devices frustrate your teams and then having them depreciating in a cupboard is a disaster.

Often, even trialling a few single leases on a couple of machines can feel too restrictive for scaling companies with a need to change their approach to financing their technology.

But now there’s a solution and here’s how it works…

Start off the subscription with a min. Apple devices be it iMac, MacBook Pro, Air, iPad, iPhone, Mac mini for three years.

Identify & deploy, with our help, your choice of available Mobile device management systems, IT asset management & MDM solutions to fit your business needs.

Add any Apple device throughout your subscription (with no extra fee!)

Refresh/Swap and Return any devices after just 12months of your subscription

Return any device during your subscription ( but keep minimum 50% of your initial subscription) and reduce your payments accordingly (without extra admin fees)

And throughout the whole subscription, you will receive our 360° HardSoft Service wrapper:

Our 3-year no quibble warranty

Full service and support during business hours (including Apple certified engineers)

Device configuration to your specification(s)

Loan Macs delivered next day should a device need repair

Certified Apple Training

How are we able to offer this disruptive new subscription offer?

With our 35 years of experience being accredited as brokers by the FCA and an authorized Apple reseller – we unite the worlds of finance and technology to empower our customers. With over 5000 customers and strong partnerships, we are able to see the future needs of businesses like yours, and create the best solution for the market.

If you’d like to find out more about our Devices for Teams solution, give our team a call on 020 7111 1643. If you’d prefer a meeting then email Sophie Morgan sophie@hardsoft.co.uk

The Top 7 Benefits of DaaS for Businesses

Device as a service (DaaS), an agile, flexible and impactful solution which is changing the landscape of how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operate. DaaS offers a fully tailored and flexible solution which is suitable for dynamic, growing SMEs and boasts countless benefits for businesses.

The benefits of this empowering and scalable solution are plentiful, and it is clear to see why DaaS is set for continual growth.

If you’re a business looking for a scalable and cost-effective solution for your growing business and you want your workforce to be equipped with the very best Apple devices, together with an all-round flexible approach, DaaS is the ideal solution.

We have pinpointed the top 7 benefits of DaaS for businesses and outlined key details about this attractive solution for businesses.

1. Flexibility

DaaS offers an agile and flexible alternative to traditional leasing methods for SMEs. The flexible nature of DaaS has countless benefits to both employer and staff.

DaaS offers businesses the choice to select a minimum of 20 Apple devices to start off their subscription. So, whichever specific device your workforce requires, a DaaS option will fulfil their requirements. From iMac to MacBook Pro, Air to iPhone, you can select whichever device is required for your team and best suited for your specific industry, adding a wide degree of flexibility.

Device as a service is also not a lease agreement and differs in comparison to traditional leasing, adding further flexibility. With no particular time frame that companies are tied into, DaaS offers no restrictions and refreshing flexibility which is appealing to SMEs.

2. Agility

DaaS is designed to meet the evolving needs of agile, scalable and constantly-evolving businesses. Its design fulfils the needs of businesses who regularly introduce new team members as well as new equipment.

If an industry-wide change is introduced which directly impacts upon your business operations and requires new devices to be introduced, DaaS can fulfil this need.

The agile approach to DaaS enables devices to be both added or removed depending on the needs of your business. This is possible without any penalties and adds to the agile approach of DaaS. After a short 12-month period, devices can be either refreshed or swapped, meaning your agile business remains agile and is never hindered by industry changes it cannot keep up with.

3. Cost-Effective

DaaS offers a fully cost-effective solution for business. Not only can IT buyers avoid unwanted admin fees, there are also no penalties to add or remove devices throughout the subscription. Should you choose to cancel your DaaS plan, there are no cancellation fees.

Not only will your team, and your wider business, reap all of the benefits of using the very latest devices, but you won’t have to spend money on unwanted fees and unnecessary bills.

The cost-effective nature of DaaS means business demands are met without a costly price tag.

4. Avoids Depreciation

A widely-felt frustration for SMEs is depreciation. Investing in assets which then devalue over time is both frustrating and an unwanted symptom of SME operations. A DaaS solution enables businesses to avoid any depreciation of devices and adapt and swap hardware to keep it consistently refreshed and updated.

A workforce equipped with the most up-to-date technology at the right time will be able to consistently deliver and serve the needs required within your industry. The nature of a DaaS means that unwanted stocks of depreciating hardware are not taking up space and wasting valuable funds. It also avoids the need for multiple lease agreements. This will not only please your team but will also satisfy key stakeholders that are valuable to your business operations.

5. Increased Productivity

As a business owner, you want to feel assured that your workforce is happy. This will not only assist with important factors such as staff retention, but also keep the standard of output where it needs to be. DaaS plays a pivotal role in staff productivity, which can also have a knock-on effect to other factors such as team morale and staff retention.

These critical factors for SMEs are facilitated by the flexible approach that DaaS delivers. A DaaS option unlocks the freedom for devices to be swapped or refreshed after a set time period. This ensures your team are using the right devices to meet the demands of their job and feel valued as their equipment is constantly being refreshed, which could lead to increased productivity.

Consistently using the most suitable devices will deliver better results, reduce any stress related to poor-performing technology, and will increase staff morale. Achieving a feel-good factor within an SME work environment is crucial and can be facilitated by a DaaS option.

6. Support

When any new way of working is implemented within a business or organisation, it is crucial to feel consistently supported. DaaS offers just that, inclusive, ongoing support throughout the entirety of your subscription to enable your business to get the absolute most of all DaaS has to offer.

Each device is:

Configured

Delivered

Supported

Maintained

This means you and your workforce don’t have to spend time on these factors and can focus on growing your team and enriching your business with the backing of ongoing support.

Whether you need help at the initial stage whilst the DaaS is being rolled-out, or have specific questions about a device, the support is there.

Ongoing support means you will be able to focus on reaping all of the benefits that a DaaS has to offer your business.

7. Empowerment

The very nature of a DaaS offers a much-needed solution with the needs of growing SMEs at the heart of its design.

Businesses have the capability to fully empower their teams by supplying them with the most cutting-edge technology from day one.

From up to date hardware, constant support, increased productivity and a flexible approach, your workforce will feel a sense of empowerment thanks to the many benefits of a DaaS.

Get in touch

If you would like to find out more about our DaaS option ‘Devices for Teams’ and the benefits this model can have on your business, give our sales team a call on 020 7111 1643, email sales@hardsoft.co.uk, or use our live webchat to speak to one of the HardSoft team.

Dates For Your Diary – Come along and meet HardSoft – and you might just learn something

We have three coming up in Feb and March. Here’s a snapshot of where you can come and meet us.

BVE 2019 – 26-28 February, Excel London

We’ll be exhibiting at the Broadcast Video Exhibition (BVE) for the 8th year this month. Many of our customers work within the broadcast film and TV industry, and this show is an ideal place to meet. The show is at Excel London and we will be there demonstrating how our flexible leases and solutions can benefit the broadcast business, so come and see us on stand L52. Plus, if you bring the voucher below we’ll give you a FREE travel mug, as well as a 5% show discount code!

Growing your Digital Agency – 13 March, Shoreditch

We sit in the centre of a wider creative ecosystem which is made up of many of our customers. We know that many of those customers would make perfect partners, and our experience of helping customers to build and grow their digital agencies through their technology means we can help nurture those partnerships. We thought the best way to do that was to gather them together with some great speakers at a meetup. Register here to come and meet us in Shoreditch on the 13th March.

Marketing Week Live – 6-7 March, Olympia London

Marketing Week Live is a first for us at HardSoft. We have lots of customers in marketing, from consultants to agencies, and, after speaking to a number of them, we felt that Marketing Week Live would be a great place to meet other marketing specialists who are looking for the best solutions to their technology and financing need.We’ll be on stand MD11 and you can come and talk to our team for expert advice and claim a 5% show discount.

If you’d like to know more about any of the events mentioned above or want to book a time slot to come and speak to us about your specific needs at BVE or Marketing Week Live, get in touch on 020 7111 1643 or email sales@hardsoft.co.uk.

We’re also sponsoring, and speaking at, the PushOn Manchester Summer Magento Meetup at WeWork Spinningfields on Wednesday 5th June. You can register your place here: https://www.meetup.com/Magento-Minds-of-Manchester/events/260111651/. Look forward to seeing you there!

Tough times demand a new way of thinking

We understand that life isn’t ‘normal’ right now. Your business is working from home, battling with decreased cash flow, slow computers, and bad backs!

COVID-19 has changed people’s lives and businesses, and there may be further long-term changes that need to be made. The realisation has now hit that this will shape the way we work for the foreseeable future – at least for the next 18 months!

Three immediate issues we’ve learned about our IT:

We didn’t have the flexibility to scale down the IT that we had spent cash on. Most companies buy their computers which gives zero flexibility.

We will need to move quickly to ‘Work From Home’ – cash is now tight, yet you need to have remote workers with a laptop and all the extras. Coronavirus has seismically shifted the ‘Work/Life’ balance and everyone has to ‘Be Safe’.

Cash is King – an old adage but now very true. Did you really need to spend all that money earlier this year on something that is now sitting in a cupboard?

Times of unexpected change and challenging situations proved to be a good time to truly evaluate areas of improvement and needed alterations. While we are outside of our comfort zones, it’s a great time to challenge our traditional way of thinking and ask ourselves how we will operate in the ‘New World’.

Have you previously bought your computers outright?

With the shift to ‘Work From Home’ do you now have a cupboard full of old or unused devices? HardSoft challenges the traditional purchase model of IT devices with it’s flexible DaaS (Device as a Service) solution – Devices for Teams.

Our Devices for Teams solution allows you to pay monthly for your devices without limitations – Apple, HP, Lenovo, Dell, Surface, Chrome, laptops, desktops, phones, tablets – you name it! Our solution will help you get new fast devices for your teams without a large cash outlay.

Devices for Teams also allows you to Add, Change and Return, both Windows and Apple devices, as your business needs and times demand. This Flexible DaaS solution has been created so you can flex up and down with no penalties or costs.

If you need to switch from desktop to laptop, add a few iPhones, send back a not-needed device, upgrade to the latest model – this is all included! We’ll even pre-configure all devices before they are shipped, and support you with warranty and tech support.

In our ‘New World’ we will strive to spend budgets wisely, keep our workforce mobile and productive, and ensure we help all our customers with their ever-changing environments.

What will your ‘New World’ look like? Will DaaS be a part of it? For more information about Devices for Teams from HardSoft, call our team on 020 7111 1643 or email sales@hardsoft.co.uk.