Flyford Connect

IT for Construction Companies: A Guide to Staying Connected, Secure and Efficient

michael — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:21:31 +0000

IT for Construction Companies: A Guide to Staying Connected, Secure and Efficient

Have you ever considered whether your construction company could operate more smoothly, more efficiently, or with less technological obstacles? From project management and cloud-based documentation to communication, accounting and site connectivity, the options out there to optimise your business feel endless, and it may be difficult to know where to begin.

And for many construction businesses, having access to reliable IT Support in Yorkshire can make a significant difference when tech headaches and inefficiencies start getting in the way; it can be hard to know where to begin when it comes to an overhaul of your technology, particularly when your business’ focus is on-site.

Whether you work with small-scale residential properties or large corporate projects, in this article, we’ll guide you through solutions to common technological problems that the construction industry faces, as well as some major opportunities that can modernise your business, saving you time and money.

Why IT Matters for Construction Companies

Essentially, whether you’re running on broken systems or passing up on opportunities to streamline your technologies, you could very well be leaving money on the table that should be in your pocket. It’s these fixes that can boost productivity, speed up decision making, and make the construction process more cost and time efficient.

Poor technological infrastructure for your construction business can lead to:

- Lost productivity
- Duplicated admin
- Delays accessing documentation
- Communication problems between site and office
- Security incidents
- Inaccurate records
- Unplanned equipment maintenance
- Unnecessary manual work

Some of the biggest IT problems in Construction and potential solutions:

Remote-site working and construction site connectivity

If you’ve ever tried accessing critical project files on a site that feels far from civilisation, you’ll understand the frustration, and financial cost of downtime, of unreliable internet connectivity. When you can’t access the systems and data when you need them, project deadlines, costs (labour, idling machinery, replanning), and your reputation can fall behind.

So, when it comes to internet for construction sites, what are your options (aside from hoping that a tether to your mobile phone can get you through the work day).

Of course, popular options such as 4G and 5G routers offer quick set up and portability, with multi-sim bonded routers for reliability – however, these options depend on suitable mobile network coverage at the site. And for more long-term construction sites, many construction businesses will opt for temporary fixed lines for consistent connectivity.

Many construction companies that we work with that previously relied on mobile data have mitigated this risk through the use of satellite internet services such as Starlink.

A low latency service designed to be available in bad weather, remote locations such as farms, rural and even mountains, Starlink utilises a network of low-orbit satellites to keep you connected where mobile data plans (or even fibre for established remote sites) won’t.

Cybersecurity and device management

If you’re a construction company that has grown from the ground up, you might still be operating on the assumption that antivirus software, trust in employees, and a little bit of common sense is still enough to navigate business operations that utilise technology and the internet. However, with advancements in technology and AI, cyberattacks are more sophisticated and more commonplace than ever – it’s crucial for businesses in the construction industry to have the appropriate cybersecurity business measures in place.

With that being said, a survey conducted by insurer Beazley found that construction and property firms said they felt the least prepared for the risks that cyberattacks pose from the nine industries that were consulted.

Cybercriminals have a plethora of options in their methods of attack, including phishing, compromised accounts, ransomware, and insecure personal devices - so what can be done to keep your construction business safe?

At its most basic, Flyford would recommend:

-          Managed devices for employees to ensure blocked sites, downloads, and apps are made unavailable
-          A good firewall to protect your business network
-          Staff training to keep your team vigilant
-          Endpoint protection to detect and block malware, suspicious activity and other threats
-          Backup and disaster recovery options in case of a breach
-          Multifactor authentication

If you’re looking for consultation on implementing these protections or are looking for a provider to manage all of this for you, get in touch for a no-obligation chat.

System Integrations

For growing businesses, the amount of software you rely on day-to-day can sneak up on you. What might have started with Microsoft 365, project management software, and an accounting tool quickly turns into a CRM, job management tools, documentation management, HR software – and the list goes on.

Of course, while it’s normal for a business to make the most of all the tools available to them, the problem lies with software systems that don’t connect with each other effectively. This can cost your business time and money when data is lost or not distributed properly, has to be duplicated, or updated manually.

What’s the solution? We'd recommend a full audit of your processes and workflows, potentially as part of a wider IT consultancy review. For example, a new project could automatically create the relevant records in your CRM, project management and document management systems, reducing the need for your team to enter the same information multiple times.It’s these small time-saving measures that compound throughout your business so that you can focus on the things that drive your business forward.

Some of the major opportunities for technology implementation within the construction industry

AI and Automation

AI has the potential to be one of the most revolutionary advancements in technology that we’ll ever see, and it’s more than just chatbots – it’s accessible to businesses of all sizes, and it can turbocharge your team into being more productive than ever.

AI can automate routine tasks; taking care of routine emails, creating reports, processing invoices, and updating documentation – when implemented correctly within your existing workflows, this could mean a form your project manager completes on site triggers an updated project record, an email back to the office, and store the relevant documentation on the cloud. The goal is not to overhaul your current systems or replace your people with technology but make both as efficient as they can be and all the while removing human error in repetitive tasks that are prone to mistakes.

If you’re looking to integrate AI and automation into your construction business, get in touch – Flyford can provide both consultation and implementation of AI solutions to make your business operate efficiently.

Digitalisation

One of the simpler opportunities for construction businesses, but one of the most effective.

If your business still relies on paper for:
- Site inspection forms
- RAMS documentation
- Timesheets
- Vehicle checks
- Equipment inspections
- Health and safety records
- Delivery records
- Snagging lists
- Incident reports

then making these digital is one of the first things you could be doing as a business to make your workflows more efficient.

Moving these processes into secure cloud-based systems can give your team access to the information they need from the office, home or construction site, while also making it easier to keep documents organised and up to date. It makes sharing instantaneous and improves collaboration between teams and subcontractors, as well as keeping records better organised and more easily accessible.

Asset and Fleet Management

Asset and fleet management is a vital part of ensuring that your construction business runs smoothly; you have to know that all your equipment is functional, compliant, and available to use at any given time.

With the likes of a centralised register, your business can implement an all-in-one management system, with automated maintenance reminders based on mileage, hours of use or scheduled service intervals, GPS tracking on vehicles, booking systems for equipment, fuel monitoring, compliance records and more. The overarching theme being that having all this information readily available to anyone that needs it, consistently updated, and automated so you know exactly what you need to do and when, makes for a far smoother operation of your construction business.

To conclude…

Ultimately, when it comes to IT support for construction companies, the biggest gains won't come from adopting the latest technology overnight. They’ll come from building strong digital foundations that are consistently configured across all elements of your business - reliable connectivity, secure systems, cloud collaboration and integrated workflows and more, building a culture of adopting efficiencies and optimisation.

If your business is looking to transform operations digitally, get in touch!

The post IT for Construction Companies: A Guide to Staying Connected, Secure and Efficient appeared first on Flyford Connect.

Why Local IT Support Matters for Your Yorkshire Business

michael — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:10:22 +0000

Why Local IT Support Matters for Your Yorkshire Business

Whether you're running a manufacturing business in Sheffield, a logistics company in Doncaster or a growing professional services firm in York, choosing the right IT support provider can have a significant impact on your business. While national providers often promise scale, many Yorkshire businesses find that local IT support offers faster response times, stronger relationships and a better understanding of how local businesses operate. With true partnerships, rapid response, and proactive support all some of the most valuable qualities for SMEs across Yorkshire, considering local IT support could be the way to go.

In this article, we’ll go through some of the primary benefits of partnering with local IT support over national providers to help you decide what’s right for you.

Lightning-fast response times for onsite support when you need it most

When you work with a good IT provider, they’ll support your business with proactive support; fixing, improving, and patching things before they fail, rather than after. With that being said however, the unexpected always seems to find a way to strike when you need it the least, and not for the better. Hardware failures, network disruptions and power outages can happen without warning. Sometimes, those issues simply require an engineer onsite.

Wit local IT partnerships, a technician can be on the road within minutes, arriving onsite not long after. With a larger, national IT company, your ticket might not have even been processed in that time, never mind the time taken for an engineer to be dispatched from somewhere in the country. It’s these critical moments that save your business from costly downtime, reputational damage, and missed opportunities.

Local IT understands the business landscape

Businesses across Yorkshire face different challenges to those operating elsewhere in the UK. From the logistics industry in Dinnington looking to improve their connectivity, to the manufacturing sector in Sheffield bolstering their automation solutions, to the small businesses of Doncaster leveraging technology to fuel growth, different areas up and down the country have their own approaches to technology, business culture, and growth.

With that, comes a need for an IT partner that understands what it’s like to operate within the local business community, so they can best help your business achieve your goals with solutions right for you. At Flyford, we’ve been helping businesses across Yorkshire since 2013, and in that time, we’ve seen local businesses adapt to new technologies, new challenges, and new economic landscapes. We’ve helped businesses grow, and we’ve helped businesses save money to get through tougher times. Working with national-level IT firms may give you national-level solutions – what’s right for a business in London might not be the way forward for a business in Rotherham.

Building long-term partnerships with local businesses

Sure – you could have an IT provider that fixes things after they break. You could have an IT provider that responds to tickets within a couple of days. You could even have an IT provider that does cybersecurity and your phone systems. But why settle for the minimum when you could work with an IT partner that works with you to develop your business, save you money, and work together through mutual growth.

When you partner with local, you’ll speak to familiar, friendly engineers that feel like colleagues (it’s not unheard of for the Flyford Team to be invited to our customers’ Christmas parties), who understand your business inside and out. A local partner treats you as just that – a partner – offering regular reviews, proactive advice and technological development, offering solutions that integrate seamlessly with how you already work. This level of service can only be offered by a people-first IT company where your problem isn’t just a number in a queue.

The best of both worlds with remote and onsite IT support

When you partner with a good local IT provider, you’ll reap the benefits of both rapid onsite and remote IT support.

Password resets, software issues, Microsoft 365 troubleshooting, emails, and more, all able to be solved remotely. And when you partner with Flyford and call for help, your call goes straight through to our friendly tech team who’ll aim to solve your problem there and then.

Server installations, PC deployments, office moves, and network upgrades are all carried out onsite and can be scheduled in as routine work, or dealt with on the same day depending on how critical the issue is to your operations. It’s details like this that all add up to a far more personalised and helpful service. IT support for you, exactly when you need it.

Hands-on support bolsters your cybersecurity

Your security isn’t just about digital firewalls and antivirus software – there’s a plethora of elements that go into keeping your business secure, and having local access to your IT provider can actually boost your cybersecurity posture.

Local partnership means more frequent onsite audits (at lower costs), rapid fixes for when physical protections, like firewalls, are faulty, in person staff training, endpoint security management – the list goes on. These frequent onsite touchpoints mean that your business is continuously protected; potential faults can be spotted and corrected proactively that would have otherwise been missed with remote-only national support. Take a look at our cybersecurity offerings here.

Supporting local means mutual growth and accountability

This one’s a double whammy. For local IT providers, reputation within the local business community is everything; they’ll typically go above and beyond for clients to ensure a high reputation within the business community.

As many SMEs know, a lot of business growth comes from referrals and word of mouth. When you partner with a local IT provider, you’re partnering with another local business, and can work together to share referrals, build your network and have a true relationship with your IT provider. Plus, who doesn’t want to support local and see their community flourish?

To conclude…

There are plenty of factors to consider when you’re deciding who you should partner with for your IT. Of course, literal proximity is one thing, but when we mean local, we mean companies like Flyford that can offer trusted relationships and understanding of your business, tailored solutions and proactive support through faster service and communication. Being local is about caring for local clients and the community, doing right by them, and treating customers as people. And that’s why we at Flyford believe in local IT support.

Some questions to ask yourself before choosing an IT support provider

• Do they offer onsite support?

• Are engineers local?

• What’s their response time?

• Do they offer strategic advice?

• Is support unlimited?

• Do they understand businesses like mine?

Made you’re decision or looking to find out more to help you decide? Book a call with our team and let’s see if Flyford is right for you.

The post Why Local IT Support Matters for Your Yorkshire Business appeared first on Flyford Connect.

Could Your Technology Be Limiting Your Business Potential? 5 Signs Your IT Is Slowing You Down

michael — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:46:43 +0000

Could Your Technology Be Limiting Your Business Potential? 5 Signs Your IT Is Slowing You Down

For many businesses in Yorkshire, technological teething problems and long-standing gripes are left to linger until they’re impossible to ignore. Slow business computers, printers that work 25% of the time, or poor Wi-Fi strength can be easily shrugged off at first, but over time, and combining more than one problem, these minor hinderances compound to become a major limiting factor in your business’s growth

If you recognise that feeling of putting off upgrading or improving your tech, then this article could be the eye-opener you need to help your business operate the best it can. In this article, we'll explore the five most common signs we see that a business's IT is holding it back, the impact outdated technology can have on growth and company culture, and how proactive managed IT support can help keep your business moving forward.

Why Outdated IT Can Be a Barrier to Growth

The bottom line is that if your business is relying on legacy systems, you’re almost definitely missing out on improvements to efficiency, productivity, customer service, staff satisfaction and profitability. Yes, it really is that important.

Here’s an example. Imagine your sales staff are still monitoring sales pipelines through spreadsheets. Information is all inputted manually. Follow up emails? Manual. Leads are ‘scored’ only from memory.

Staff become frustrated with this outdated way of working – they all have friends that work with CRMs to help organise their sales efforts. They tell them that their systems save them hours of labourious admin each week, while in your office, follow up emails are forgotten about, and a promising lead just went to your biggest competitors.

Again, this might sound hyperbolic, but technology in the modern workplace moves quickly, and you could be missing out on some major improvements to your operations that save time and money without even realising it.

It’s easy to take your finger off the pulse when it comes to keeping up with the latest tech trends, but when you work with an IT partner like Flyford, we ensure that your tech meets or exceeds your industry standards and make upgrading your tech stress-free every step of the way.

Here are 5 common signs that your IT could be holding your business back:

Sign 1: You Regularly Get Complaints from Your Teams

There’s no smoke without fire, after all. If your staff are frequently complaining that their PCs are taking too long to complete day-to-day tasks, your bespoke system constantly freezes, or your network takes forever to share files – it might be time to take a look at IT upgrades if you want to avoid lost productivity, employee frustration and reduced efficiency. After all, why wouldn’t you?

There’s plenty of examples of outdated technology that can cause frustrations and inefficiencies in your teams, including:

Aging hardware – as a good rule of thumb, we recommend a hardware audit every 4 years, which may mean replacing full systems or individual components of your staff’s machines. Without this, machines can be left behind and cause major efficiency and security issues.

Poor network performance – If your team has seen major growth in recent years but your connectivity setup has stayed the same, it might be worth a review on what’s working, and what’s not. If your servers aren’t equipped to deal with your staff, your cloud storage can’t handle your numerous files, or your bandwidth just isn’t cutting it, productivity will almost certainly drop.

Legacy software – Times change, things move on. So should your systems. If your business is running the same ecommerce tools from 2006 because ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, you should really listen to your teams’ requests for upgrades and bring your tech up to the current decade.

Sign 2: You're Constantly Dealing with IT Problems

One of the biggest red flags when it comes to your IT setup slowing down your business is that issues are consistently being fixed or patched. If you already partner with an IT provider, this might take the form of an increase in support requests, repeated ticket submissions, or an increased bill for ad-hoc fixes. In general, you might see more unplanned downtime and disruptions to day-to-day tasks.

At first, it’s frustrating, a minor inconvenience at most. But over time, the additional IT costs, the reduction in work output, and the lost revenue opportunities compound into one big old IT problem that needs a major overhaul. According to a study from the University of Copenhagen, on average, employees waste 11-20% (up to a full day of work per week) on fixable IT problems.

Instead, we recommend partnering with an IT provider, like Flyford, that focuses on proactive system management rather than reactive. This means regular audits, health checks and reviews of your infrastructure that give you insight into where you need fixes, where opportunities are for upgrades, and even where you could be saving money with more efficient processes and systems.

Sign 3: Connectivity Across Sites and Remote Workers is a Headache

A great way of putting the robustness of your network and setup to the test is in your ability to access systems and data from outside the office. Can you access all the files you need to via VPN? Is your device secure when away from the office? Can you still collaborate with colleagues as if they’re sat right next to you? If you answered ‘no’, ‘I’m not sure’, or ‘VP-what now?’ to any of the previous questions, it might be time for an infrastructure review.

Regardless of your remote working policies, evaluating whether or not your staff can access their files, software, and network also gives you insight into your security and your setup as a whole. Having this all aligned to industry standard allows workers to access what they need if they’re working on site, if the office isn’t available due to renovations, or simply as a benefit to boost recruitment prospects.

If your business is really looking to be brought into the modern era, take a look through our cloud services pages. When your business harnesses the power of the cloud, storing files, collaboration tools, and business systems on remote servers, your teams can collaborate efficiently remotely, across sites, and even across the globe.

Sign 4: You're Concerned About Cyber Security

With the rise in AI capabilities, cyberattacks on businesses of all sizes are more prevalent than ever. You might be hearing more and more about the risks of running your business unprotected, or without appropriate measures in place. While we’d love to tell you that businesses can still get by on a hope, a dream, and an out-of-the-box antivirus, unfortunately that’s simply not the case.

There are many components that go into an effective cybersecurity strategy – if you don’t know where to start, take a look at our blog post: The Top 10 Cybersecurity Mistakes we see Small Businesses Make as a Managed IT Provider here.

As a quick assessment, if your business has:
- Unsupported software
- Weak passwords
- Lack of MFA
- No regular backups

Then it’s vital to reassess your cyber security measures. Without proper protections in place, your business is exposed to risks of financial loss, reputational damage, and compliance concerns. We know getting things right is an additional cost in an already difficult climate, but without it, a successful cyberattack could be the thing that closes your doors for good. According to VikingCloud’s 2025 report, 1 in 5 SMEs will go out of business within 6 months of a successful cyberattack.

Whether you work with Flyford to manage your cybersecurity or you get things up to speed in-house, the important thing is making sure you’re protected. If you’d like a free cybersecurity audit on us, get in touch.

Sign 5: Your IT Isn't Scalable Enough for Growth

Most businesses aim to grow, but if your IT infrastructure isn't built to support that growth, it can quickly become a bottleneck. If your business IT isn’t primed for your growth, it could be a limiting factor in the feats you could be achieving.

If you’re finding:
- Adding new users is difficult
- Systems don't integrate
- Storage limitations
- Manual processes increasing

Then it might be time for a rethink in your IT operations strategy. Continuing with inefficient tech can cause growth bottlenecks, increased operational costs, and reduced agility. Just one solution to this problem is working with an external IT partner, like Flyford, that can review your current positioning, and plan and implement short- and long-term solutions to ensure that your business is optimised for growth. With proactive IT support and IT consultancy, custom workflow solutions, collaboration tools, and continuous system development can save your business money, while helping your teams work better, together.

Final Thoughts

Technology is now a crucial part of almost every modern business and, with the right partners and systems in place, can be a major enabler of growth, not a barrier to it. At times, it can seem like a major mountain to climb, to overhaul old systems and rethink how your business operates. But, with the right plans and priorities in place, your business can be working smarter and more efficiently in no time.

The challenge with outdated technology is that the impact is rarely immediate. Instead, inefficiencies, security risks and productivity issues build gradually over time until they begin affecting profitability and growth. By regularly reviewing your IT infrastructure and addressing problems proactively, you can ensure technology remains an asset rather than an obstacle.

If your business is experiencing any of these warning signs, addressing them now could improve productivity, strengthen security, and create a stronger foundation for future growth. And of course, if you need assistance in implementing solutions to these red flags, get in touch with one of our friendly and helpful team members at Flyford Connect.

The post Could Your Technology Be Limiting Your Business Potential? 5 Signs Your IT Is Slowing You Down appeared first on Flyford Connect.

Do Yorkshire Businesses Need Managed IT Support?

Filipe Velez — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:51:52 +0000

Do Yorkshire Businesses Need Managed IT Support (And What Do IT MSPs Do?)

For those of you who are a little skeptical about the necessity of MSPs, we get it. When times are hard and friends are few, businesses look to cut back on services and partnerships that are perceived as less critical than the rest. With prices rising on just about everything, small to medium sized businesses across Yorkshire who don’t have a managed IT provider may look to balance the books by avoiding tech support entirely.

And for those who do have a provider, it may seem a logical choice on paper (after all, your IT hasn’t failed you so far, right?) to give the IT guys the axe, doing so could do the opposite of what you intended, and actually cost your business money.

In this article we’ll explain exactly what a managed IT provider does, how they bring value to your business, and what businesses benefit most from partnering with an IT MSP.

Cybersecurity and protection

One of the core offerings of a managed IT provider is their cybersecurity and protection. Gone are the days that businesses could get by on a hope, a prayer, and an out-of-the-box antivirus software. Over the last two decades, cyber criminals have become increasingly sophisticated. Without proper monitoring and configuration, attackers can bypass firewalls, inbox filters, and other security measures to steal sensitive business data and funds.

If your business has never experienced a cyber-attack or data breach, you may be thinking it won’t happen to you, you’re too small to be targeted, or that your minimal security is enough. We’re absolutely not trying to scare you here – but it’s important to understand the impact of cybercrime – so here’s a few stats. Across the UK, cybercrime reports have risen by 37% from 2021 to 2025. And according to The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 43% of businesses and 30% of charities reported a cyberattack over a 12-month period between 2024 and 2025

This is where managed IT providers like Flyford come into play. We have a plethora of cybersecurity measures at our disposal; from 24/7 monitoring to ensure our team can act immediately when an attack attempt occurs, to endpoint security to ensure your team are protected from malware and malicious links, to physical and virtual firewalls to ensure your business network is secure. We even offer cybersecurity training to keep staff vigilant. Each individual element of a managed IT provider’s arsenal can be sourced yourself (though they are less effective individually), but it is the complete range of security measures that keeps your business safe, alongside a dedicated team monitoring and acting where needed. Think of it as the difference between installing a bolt lock on your door versus having onsite security guards, state of the art CCTV, laser alarms – the works.

Interested in cybersecurity solutions from Flyford? Click here to find out more about our cybersecurity services.

Tech support

In many modern workplaces across Yorkshire, technology has become more and more of a vital backbone for day-to-day operations. From software and device management, to onboarding and shared workspaces, the systems your SME has in place need consistent management, updates and upgrades, and on-hand IT support for when things don’t quite go to plan. When you work with an IT provider, all of this is taken care of or you to ensure smooth operations day to day and minimal costly downtime for when things go wrong.

Flyford’s people-first support model means you speak directly to experienced IT technicians without lengthy ticket queues or complicated triage processes. Our team can provide remote support quickly and arrange onsite IT support whenever needed. Working with an IT provider in this capacity can save your business money, working in place of your own in-house IT Team, or can collaborate with them to ensure all is handled smoothly and efficiently.

Take a look at our managed IT solutions here.

Strategy and Growth

These days, it seems like there’s a new advancement in technology every other week. If your business isn’t taking advantage of what’s out there, your competitors certainly will in order to gain the edge. IT MSPs can manage and deliver IT strategies to ensure that your technology is helping you grow, keeping you running as efficiently as possible, and saving you time and money when it comes to innovative ways of working. From cloud migrations and IT infrastructure upgrades to workflow automation and AI productivity tools, MSPs can help businesses use technology more strategically to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and support long-term growth.

Looking to improve your business technology, cybersecurity, and productivity?

Book a free IT audit with Flyford Connect to identify opportunities to strengthen your infrastructure, improve security, and reduce inefficiencies.

Summary – Benefits of partnering with a managed IT provider:

Proactive monitoring and maintenance to prevent issues before they cause downtime or productivity issues

Immediate responses to calls (when partnering with Flyford at least) from dedicated technical support

Comprehensive cybersecurity protection that’s monitored 24/7

Significantly reduced downtime and interruptions, with alternative equipment and solutions provided when necessary

Consistent IT costs avoiding emergency spend; cheaper than an in-house team.

Access to a wider range of IT expertise (including a Cyber Essentials Advisor at Flyford)

Support with Microsoft 365, cloud services, backups, and remote working

Scalable IT support that grows alongside your business

Regular software updates, patching, and system optimisation

Secure data backup and disaster recovery planning

Helpdesk support for technical issues and immediate assistance

Strategic IT planning to make your technology help you grow

Managed compliance and cyber security standards

Development and implementation of productivity systems

Centralised management of devices, users, and business infrastructure

Reduced pressure on internal teams and management

Access to enterprise-grade tools and cybersecurity solutions

Better network performance and system reliability

Regular cybersecurity training for staff, including simulated phishing training

A single point of contact for all IT-related issues and suppliers

Who needs managed IT support, anyway?

We hope we’ve made a strong case for the value of IT MSPs for organisations of all sizes throughout this blog. Managed IT support is particularly valuable for businesses that rely heavily on technology, customer data, cloud systems, or remote working. While almost every modern organisation can benefit from proactive IT management, we feel we should be a little more specific.

Managed services are especially useful for:

Businesses with remote workers

Companies handling customer data

Growing SMEs

Organisations without in-house IT

Businesses reliant on Microsoft 365/cloud systems

It’s easy to think that managed IT support is for large corporations, or a ‘nice to have’ for SMEs. Ultimately, however, MSPs help businesses operate more securely, efficiently, and productively, no matter their size, location, or industry.

From cybersecurity and technical support to cloud management and long-term IT strategy, your business could benefit from an IT provider for cost savings and growth.

For Yorkshire SMEs, partnering with a managed IT provider can reduce downtime, improve security, and provide access to expert support without the cost of maintaining a full in-house IT department.

If you’re looking to strengthen your business technology and future-proof your operations, Flyford Connect can help – get in touch with us below to find out how.

FAQ:

What is an MSP in IT?

Simply put, an IT MSP (Managed Service Provider) is a company that provides outsourced IT services. From cybersecurity, 24/7 monitoring and backup and disaster recovery to business strategy through technology and project management, IT MSPs can be a vital part of business operations for SMEs through to large enterprises.

For many Yorkshire SMEs, partnering with an MSP provides access to expert IT support without the cost of building a full in-house IT department.

How much does managed IT support cost in the UK?

This completely depends on business needs, services required, additional costs, and tier of package. Typically, an IT MSP will charge you per month based on number of users/devices and tiers of service.

Basic packages can include helpdesk support and monitoring, while more advanced packages including cybersecurity protection, Microsoft 365 management, backups, compliance support, and strategic IT planning.

It’s worth noting that while IT seems like a frustrating expense, with the right partner, managed IT can end up saving businesses money through boosted productivity, business growth, and efficiency boosting.

Is managed IT support worth it for small businesses?

Yes! We’ve noticed that small to medium-sized businesses are often the ones that benefit most from partnering with a managed IT provider. Small businesses are increasingly becoming a target for cybercriminals, who work on the assumption that they will have minimal cybersecurity measures in place.

Even on reduced service package based on a smaller budged, IT MSPs can help small businesses maintain secure, reliable, and efficient systems while giving employees access to professional technical support when issues arise.

Managed IT services can also improve productivity, reduce downtime, support remote working, and provide predictable monthly IT costs.

For many SMEs, outsourcing IT support is more cost-effective than hiring and maintaining a full in-house IT team.

What’s the difference between IT support and managed services?

Traditional IT support is often reactive; awaiting your call when something breaks, freezes, is compromised, or locked – minimal work is done behind the scenes, and the focus is on solutions only when they arise.

Managed IT services are proactive; with ongoing monitoring, maintenance, cybersecurity management, and support designed to prevent issues before they occur. This reduces the number of issues that occur overall, and when they do, the IT MSP is more prepared and equipped to handle the,

Managed service providers (MSPs) typically offer continuous support through fixed monthly agreements, helping businesses improve security, reduce downtime, and keep systems running efficiently.

In simple terms, traditional IT support fixes problems after they happen, while managed IT services focus on preventing problems in the first place.

Do I need IT support if I use cloud software?

Yes. While cloud software such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and cloud-based business applications reduce the need for on-site servers, businesses still require IT support and cybersecurity management.

Cloud services still need to be configured, secured, monitored, and maintained properly. Businesses using cloud software can still experience issues such as phishing attacks, account compromises, data loss, device problems, connectivity issues, and user errors.

A managed IT provider can help manage cloud platforms, secure user accounts, implement backups, support remote workers, and ensure your business gets the most value from its cloud technology.

The post Do Yorkshire Businesses Need Managed IT Support? appeared first on Flyford Connect.

The Top 10 Cybersecurity Mistakes Small Businesses Make

Filipe Velez — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:46:56 +0000

The Top 10 Cybersecurity Mistakes we see small Businesses Make as a Managed IT Provider

With all the day-to-day hustle and bustle that comes with running a small business (and if you do, we have a page dedicated to IT support for small businesses here), it can be easy to let good cybersecurity practices fall to the wayside. Afterall, who wants to spend an afternoon checking through user access controls when you could be securing a new client, developing a new brand strategy, or planning for expansion?

While cybersecurity might not seem like one of the most pressing things to get right on your to-do list, the truth is that it could be the difference between having a business or not. According to the VikingCloud 2025 SMB Threat Landscape Report, 1 in 5 SMEs will close their doors for good after a successful cyberattack. Even if you are one of the lucky ones to pull through – it could take months or even years to recover financially.

Now, we aren’t pulling out scary statistics like this to cause panic – we’d like to encourage businesses like yours to give their cybersecurity procedures they deserve. With a little implementation of good habits and culture-shifting to a shared responsibility, you can drastically improve your defenses against cybercriminals and bad actors.

In this article, we’ll go through the top 10 cybersecurity mistakes we see small businesses make as a Managed IT Provider, the solutions that keep you protected and the impact they have.

10. Weak or Reused Passwords

Starting out with one everyone should know by now: weak and reused passwords are a serious weak point in your cybersecurity posture. Easily guessed passwords aren’t typically manually guessed but cracked with ‘brute force attacks’ – using software to rapid-fire guesses at millions of attempts per second. Standard words, phrases and names can be cracked within seconds, whereas unique string of 10 (for example) numbers, upper- and lower-case letters, and symbols would take 1000 years, according to Hive Systems 2025 report.

Now for password reuse. If just one of your accounts is compromised, every other account using the same password could be at risk too. Bank details, sensitive business data, personal information and more can all be exposed from a single breach.

That’s why it’s so important to use a unique password for every account, ideally combining letters, numbers and symbols. At Flyford Connect, we deploy Keeper Password Manager for our clients – a secure password management platform that generates and stores strong, randomised passwords to help keep accounts protected.

At the very least, we recommend ensuring every account has a different password and avoiding storing them anywhere they could be easily accessed by others.

9. No Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Building on good password hygiene, another common mistake we see is businesses choosing not to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Often viewed as an unnecessary extra step, MFA actually provides one of the most effective layers of protection against unauthorised access.

By requiring a second form of verification – such as a code sent to a trusted device – MFA can prevent hackers from accessing accounts, even if a password has already been compromised. This added layer of security can give your business valuable time to lock down accounts, reset passwords and stop a breach from escalating.

Many modern platforms now make MFA mandatory for this very reason. At Flyford Connect, we implement Keeper as we mentioned. It includes built-in MFA functionality, helping users stay secure without adding unnecessary complexity to the login process.

8. Ignoring Software Updates

We know better than anyone: software updates can be a pain. Disruptive, time-consuming, and almost always at an inconvenient time… but crucial in keeping your business’ IT infrastructure secure. Many of these software updates include security patches; leaving them uninstalled allows hackers to exploit the vulnerabilities still left open. We recommend scheduling updates over lunch breaks or at the end of the workday as soon as they become available to avoid disruption.

7. Using Unsecured Personal Devices

When small businesses have staff that work from home, it seems like the logical and cost-effective thing to allow staff to use their own devices to log in to work systems to accommodate this. However, this exposes your network to cyber threats, with these personal devices lacking business grade security or monitoring tools.

If you provide your staff with laptops instead of desktops, this allows workers the freedom for remote options without the risk of exposing your network with personal devices. And with Flyford’s managed IT services, we can manage all work devices with centralised security and VPN management, meaning staff can work from anywhere, remote into your secure network, and be equally protected as they would be in the office.

6. Overly Broad User Access

Does your small business have user access controls in place? Many SMEs don’t – whether that’s because it seems like the best way to allow workers to get the information, they need to complete task, or if it’s simply an afterthought, it’s an easy one to miss. If an account with full access to all your sensitive information is compromised, the hacker will have the ability to run freely through your systems – and the more accounts that have full access to your systems, the higher the risk.

We recommend using conditional access and principle of least privilege policies – essentially giving each user only the minimum access rights they need to complete their tasks. Looking for an IT partner to manage this? We can establish and manage your users access to ensure that your teams are granted access to files and systems only when they need them. Get in touch with us to find out how we can help your business.

5. Lack of Cybersecurity Policies

Coming in at number 5 is a lack of cybersecurity policies. Many small businesses with IT support will have at least some of the cybersecurity measures in place that are featured in this article. However, without concrete policies and procedures that are enforced by team leaders (such as remote working guidelines, device usage, password rules etc.), individuals are left to their own judgment, leading to inconsistency and vulnerabilities even with some measures in place. We recommend working with an IT provider to ensure policies are up to best practice and enforced alongside your operations team.

4. No Incident Response Plan

It’s easy to think of cybersecurity in preventative terms – but what will your business do when something does go wrong? If your business is impacted by a breach, it’s critical that everyone involves knows who is responsible for reporting, resolving, who needs to be informed, and how to manage damage control. Without a plan in place, the situation can devolve into chaos, with more being lost than is needed.

3. No Reliable Data Backups

When ransomware attacks occur, your business will be locked out of your systems through encryption malware typically downloaded from a phishing attack. Cybercriminals will then demand money from your business in exchange for an encryption key (whether they give you the key after you’ve paid is up to chance). However, if you have secure, offsite backups in place, your systems can be resolved without negotiation with criminals or starting from scratch. Make sure your backups are tested and updated, with multiple versions stored to avoid malicious code.

2. Poor or No Staff Awareness Training

Most successful cyber-attacks begin with human error. 95% of them, to be exact (at least according to Info security Magazine). Your people are your first line of defence; and if they lower the proverbial drawbridge for attackers, no amount of cybersecurity measures will stop them. It’s vital that your people are well versed in how to spot phishing attempts and bad actors – which is why we offer interactive and regular phishing simulation training. For more info get in touch!

1. Assuming You’re Too Small to Be a Target

Many SMEs are led into a false sense of security that they won’t be subject to a cyber-attack because they aren’t a well-known corporation. In reality however, targets aren’t hand-picked, attacks are automated. Cybercriminals use the likes of AI, email lists, and programming to target thousands of businesses at once. According to Verizon’s 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report, 43% of all cyber breaches impacted SMEs.

So, what can you do to stay protected? Simply put, taking your cybersecurity posture seriously. Make the time take into account all the above tips we’ve listed in this article, whether you’re working with a managed IT provider like Flyford, running it yourself, or hiring an IT manager to implement these measures.

Don’t know where to begin? For a free audit and cyber-security strategy, get in touch with us today.

Most breaches don’t happen because of sophisticated hacking; they happen because of simple, preventable mistakes.

For small businesses, IT support is about getting the basics right: passwords, updates, backups, and awareness – things that can prevent the majority of attacks.

And if you’re looking for help with a long-term cybersecurity strategy that scales as you grow, completely managed by friendly experts, get in touch with Flyford Connect.

The post The Top 10 Cybersecurity Mistakes Small Businesses Make appeared first on Flyford Connect.

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves

Filipe Velez — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:42:14 +0000

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves: what’s new with Flyford

Over the last six months, you may have noticed a few changes at Flyford – the very site you’re reading this on being one of them.

As a growing managed IT support provider in Yorkshire, we’ve been busy investing in our brand, our workspace, and our services. From a new website and refreshed look to a new office and a newer van, we thought it was the perfect time to reintroduce ourselves and share what’s been happening behind the scenes…and what’s coming next.

New Office

Let’s start from the top. If you’ve been following us on socials (and if you haven’t – now would be a good time to start!) you may have been keeping up our office move and the refurbishment process. In March, we officially moved from our office in Harworth to a custom-designed space in Dinnington.

The renovation took months of hard work, late nights, and plenty of weekends, with Phil, along with family and friends, handling much of the work themselves. Now, we have a space that we’re proud of; an office that accurately reflects Flyford’s values, where we can collaborate, innovate, and partner closely with our customers and business community through in-person meetings and chats.

The office features plenty of height adjustable desks ready for team expansion, a state-of-the-art board room with tracking cameras for online meetings, a dedicated workshop with anti-static flooring… and a break-out room with a dartboard (as well as so much more).

We’re loving having visitors over – whether you’re a longstanding customer, one of our new neighbours, or a prospective client, don’t be a stranger! Drop us a message from our contact form and pop round for a cuppa!

New Website

As you can tell, we’ve given our site the sprucing up it deserves to coincide with our new physical space. Flyford’s objective is to make technology work for businesses across Yorkshire, and of course, we want our website to do the same. So, we’ve come up with a sleeker, more user-friendly design with updated information on the services we provide and who we provide them to. We’ll also be adding new content via this blog that will include tips and advice, news and tech updates, industry guides, Flyford news and more. They’ll also be plenty of content in the coming months across all our platforms, so make sure you stay tuned!

New Van

Flyford now has it’s very own Mystery Machine! While we won’t be unveiling ghouls and chasing down monsters, we will be able to deploy our team to your site more efficiently, with more equipment and more Technicians able to travel in a single trip. Better yet, in our efforts to become more environmentally friendly (alongside other electronics recycling schemes and energy conservation strategies), our new van is fully electric. If you see our team trekking across Yorkshire, be sure to say hello!

New Team Members

Since hiring our Marketing Manager Mike back in October (the author of this article, and fourth-wall-breaking-enthusiast), we’ve had our first hire! Meet Claire! They’re our newest admin assistant and they’re settling in just fine.

What’s next for Flyford?

As we hope you can tell, Flyford are serious about our growth and our capabilities to help businesses across Yorkshire utilize their technology to optimize processes and grow their businesses, all the while keeping their systems secure. We’re investing in our tools, our office, and our people to ensure that we can keep up-to-date with cutting edge technology and work with more businesses. Our goal, as it always has been since we were founded in 2013, is to become Yorkshire’s go-to managed IT provider. While other providers may have loftier ambitions across counties and countries, we’re a people-first organization working in aid of our local community.

We’ll continue to develop our own infrastructure so we can better help businesses like yours – and we’d love to have you along for the ride. You can sign up for our mailing list here to hear more about the work we’re doing.

And of course, If you’re looking for a reliable, people-first IT partner in Yorkshire, we’d love to talk. Whether you need support, advice, or a full IT overhaul, get in touch with our team today.

The post Allow us to reintroduce ourselves appeared first on Flyford Connect.

10 best gaming laptops 2015

Filipe Velez — Tue, 26 May 2026 15:08:48 +0000

Updated: With Skylake finally here, gaming hardware manufacturers have updated their laptops lineups, which include some models on this very list.

You don’t even need to tell us what happened when you told your friends that you want to buy a gaming laptop. Their inner elitist got the best of them, and bashed you for not just building an outright gaming desktop. But we get you. Building a gaming PC takes knowledge and dexterity that you just don’t have or care to develop.

That’s where the gaming laptop shines, as a fast lane to PC gaming. No need to build a case or even buy a monitor. Of course, that convenience usually comes with a hefty price tag. Most vendors start their asking prices at around $1,400 (about £901, AU$1,894) for 13 and 14-inch products, whereas the biggest and beefiest 17 and 18-inch models can skyrocket upwards of $3,000 (around £1,931, AU$4,059).

If you’re ready to accept that a gaming laptop will almost never be as affordable or offer the same level of performance as a comparably-priced gaming desktop, then your decision is already made. But again, the gaming notebook is a device of convenience and portability over raw power. Without further ado, here are our favorite gaming laptops that we’ve reviewed thus far.

1. Origin EON15-X

A desktop-grade CPU in an unbeatable gaming laptop

CPU: 4GHz Intel Core i7-4790K | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M (8GB GDDR5 RAM), Intel HD Graphics 4600 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 LED Backlit Matte Display | Storage: 240GB SSD; 1TB HDD (5,400 rpm) | Connectivity: Intel PRO Wireless AC 7265 + Bluetooth Wireless LAN Combo |Camera: 2MP Video Camera | Weight: 7.5 pounds | Dimensions: 15.2 x 10.31 x 1.40 inches (W x D x H)

Great value

Desktop-grade performance

Razor thin viewing angles

Origin EON15-X is a real head turner. It packs a desktop processor into a fairly compact 15.6-inch laptop that, while smaller, offers even more performance compared to other, bigger hardcore gaming rigs.

What’s more, this extra CPU power is clutch for users who need to edit video and other processor intensive tasks that a mobile chip can’t handle. The larger CPU might lend itself to more processor-intensive applications rather than games. However, the extra kick of performance will come in handy no matter what game you’re running.

Origin has packed a ton of power into a much smaller 15.6-inch package that’s great in almost every way. This machine is definitely worth consideration over all others and now that Origin has updated this monster with a Intel Skylake processor, you can bet you’ll get even more performance mileage.

2. Aorus X3 Plus v3

A slim and light gaming machine

Highly portable

Blazing performance

Trackpad is a weak link

4K screen makes text tricky to read

High-res gaming machines are a tough nut to crack whether you have a baller PC tower and even more so with portable laptops. So it comes as a pleasant surprise to see the Gigabyte build out the Aorus X3 Plus v3 as a machine that can fly even with a 4K screen in tow.

This 14-inch gaming laptop can pull off this feat largely thanks to its Nvidia GTX 970M graphics card packing 6GB of GDDR5 video RAM – whereas the the Razer Blade 2015 struggled to play anything at full resolution with only half the amount of memory for Ultra HD graphics. Thanks to RAID SSDs and the graphical power of the GeForce 970 GPU, the Aorus X3 handles the latest graphics-heavy games such as Elite Dangerous with ease at 60 fps even in the most frantic space combat.

3. MSI GT80 Titan

An outrageously sized and powerful gaming laptop

CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-4720HQ | Graphics: 2 x Nvidia GTX 980M SLI (16 GB GDDR5); Intel HD Graphics 4600 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 18.4-inch WLED FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare Display | Storage: 256GB SSD; 1TB HDD (7,200 RPM) | Optical drive Blu-Ray Burner | Connectivity: Killer DoubleShot Pro 11ac + Bluetooth 4.1 | Camera: Full HD type (30 fps, 1080p) | Weight: 9.9 pounds | Dimensions: 17.95 x 13.02 x 1.93 inches

Authentic mechanical keyboard

Easily upgraded

H-E-A-V-Y

Impossible to use on your lap

The MSI GT80 Titan goes above and beyond to give gamers a desktop experience in a notebook with a complement of high-performance parts to a built-in mechanical keyboard. However, weighing in at nearly 10 pounds and measuring roughly two-inches thick, this laptop is seriously pushing the limits of what you can call portable.

For all the strain it’ll put on your back and wallet, though, this 18.4-inch gaming laptop is a truly amazing piece of technology that can easily take on everything you throw at it. The Titan will absolutely plow through almost any graphically intense game you try to run. Hardcore gamers will also feel right at home with the mechanical keyboard then add in the the excellent screen, and this is a great setup PC gamers can feel comfortable using wherever they are.

4. Gigabyte P35K v3

An excellent gaming laptop for budget-conscious players

Gorgeous IPS display

Excellent simulated surround

Bland style

Thick screen bezels

The Gigabyte P35K v3 is a nearly perfect machine through and through. It’s amazingly thin for a 15.6-inch gaming laptop that offers great performance and decent battery life. Compared to competing models in this affordable space, Gigabyte easily outpaces the Asus ROG GL551 and Acer Aspire V15 Nitro.

For $1,499 (about £973, AU$1913), the Gigabyte P35K v3 offers plenty of performance. Thanks to Nvidia’s beefier, entry-level GTX 965M GPU, gamers can expect to play most games on medium to high settings at a playable 45-to-60 fps range. You’ll even be able to play Far Cry 4 on Ultra without having to worry about the game slowing to a frame-skipping crawl.

What’s more, the P35K v3 features a colorful In-Plane Switching (IPS) screen. It renders hues brightly and accurately, while offering up excellent viewing angles up to an extreme 170 degrees making the Gigabyte laptop an excellent media device to share with some couch mates. Add in the immersive Dolby Digital Plus home theater technology, and Gigabyte has put together one of the nicest self-contained gaming platforms we’ve ever reviewed.

5. Alienware 17 (2015)

The Alienware 17 is an impressive refinement for this series of gaming laptops

CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-4710HQ | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M (4GB GDDR5 RAM), Intel HD Graphics 4600 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 17.3 inch, 1,920 x 1,080 IPS anti-glare display | Storage: 256 GB M.2 SATA SSD + 1TB HDD (7,200 rpm) | Connectivity: Killer 1525 802.11ac 2×2 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.1 |Camera: 2MP Full HD webcam | Weight: 8.33 pounds (3.78 kg) | Dimensions: 16.93 x 11.49 x 1.35 inches (W x D x H

Flexible desktop mode

Excellent large screen

Still quite expensive

Slightly bottlenecked Amplifier performance

Although you’re looking at spending $3,049 (£2,581, AU$4,547) for the full experience, the Alienware 17 is one of those few outrageously priced gaming laptops that’s actually worth it. The notebook is a fully capable gaming machine and, with the added power of an Nvidia GTX 980 inside the Amplifier, you won’t run into a game you can’t play on Ultra settings for a long time. And when you do, you can easily swap out the desktop GPU for a newer model. Alienware even says they’re working on adding support for Nvidia’s latest monster card, the Titan X.

Alienware has done the gaming laptop-desktop hybrid right with an even leaner 17-inch monster and its accompanying Graphics Amplifier. The ability to use the screen, plus not needing to plug in a keyboard and mouse makes it a much more sensible solution than the MSI GS30 Shadow. And if you’re looking for something smaller, the Alienware 13 also works with the optional GPU box.

6. Aorus X5

A compact gaming laptop that has it all

Gorgeous screen

Tons of storage

Battery life

Fan noise

The Aorus X5 is one heck of a package packed into a compact 15-inch laptop. It comes rocking one of the industry’s fastest processors, dual graphics cards, all topped off with an enhanced 4K display that reduces flicker and smoothes out your frame rate. Everything looks and runs beautifully on the Aorus X5 from vividly rendered photos to fluidly running modern games. The Aorus X5 is a worthy gamer status symbol you’ll want to show off to every single one of your friends.

7. Origin EVO15-S

Peak performance from a super slim gaming laptop

CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-4710HQ | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M (6GB GDDR5 RAM), Intel HD Graphics 4600 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 eDP Wide View Angle Matte Display | Storage: Dual 128GB M.2 SATA SSD in RAID0 (256GB Total); 1TB HDD (7,200 rpm) | Connectivity: Intel PRO Wireless AC 7260 + BT Wireless LAN Combo | Camera: Built-in 720P Video Camera | Weight: 4.3 pounds | Dimensions: 15.35 x 10.47 x 0.78 inches (W x D x H)

Super thin chassis

Color rich, contrasty screen

Short battery life

Obnoxiously loud fans

There’s plenty to like about the EVO15-S, and while it comes at an expensive premium, it’s one of the few laptops that are well worth the expense. This Origin machine is one of the thinnest and lightest gaming laptops you possibly buy.

Meanwhile, it does not skimp at all with some of the latest cutting edge parts, an excellent 1080p panel for all types of media, three storage drives and 16GB of RAM. Plus there’s also the option to throw on a 4K screen for a marginally priced upgrade.

In time, more and more gaming PCs will be outfitted with Nvidia’s latest GPUs, but for now, the Origin EVO15-S is one of the best-performing gaming laptops for a reasonable price.

8. HP Omen

A most sophisticated and attractive gaming laptop

CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-4720HQ | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M (4GB GDDR5 RAM), Intel HD Graphics 4600 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 Full HD WLED-backlit IPS touchscreen | Storage: 512GB SSD | Connectivity: Intel 802.11ac WLAN and Bluetooth | Camera: HP TrueVision Full HD WVA Webcam with Dual Digital Microphone | Weight: 4.68 pounds | Dimensions: 15.07 x 9.67 x 0.78 inches

Bold, unique design

Sublime screen

Pricey compared to competition

Lacking screen brightness

If you want a machine that doesn’t follow the crowd with glowing alien heads and flaming decals, the HP Omen has a style unto its own. Steeply tapered edges give way to a plenty of lights and other little details to make this one of the industry’s most sophisticated and attractive gaming laptops.

Beyond the skin deep beauty, the HP Omen packs enough processing brains to handle anything from everyday task to hardcore PC gaming. As a mid-range system, it straddles the line of excellent power efficiency while still offering enough performance to handle the latest games.

9. Digital Storm Triton

A rare powerful and affordable gaming laptop

CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-4710HQ | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970M (3GB GDDR5 RAM), Intel HD Graphics 4600 | RAM: 8GB DDR3L (1600MHz)| Screen:15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 (Anti-Glare) LED-backlit Matte Display | Storage: 120GB SSD; 750GB HDD (7,200rpm) | Connectivity: Intel Wireless-AC 7265 + Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 2MP 720p webcam | Weight: 5.5 pounds | Dimensions: 15.16 x 10.67 x 0.98 inches (W x D x H)

Excellent performance

Thin, attractive design

Bland screen

Heat ventilation problems

The Digital Storm Triton is an attractive, powerful and, most importantly, affordable gaming laptop. These are three qualities you don’t often hear in the same sentence, making this machine special for pulling together such a rare combination.

Though it has a lackluster screen and trouble keeping cool, this Digital Storm laptop is still an incredible deal. It has enough computing power to play most modern games at 60 fps with just a few tweak in your graphics settings. What’s more, the Triton has enough power to rival some of the biggest and baddest gaming machines we’ve reviewed.

For $1,620 (about £1,063, AU$1,974), the Digital Storm Triton is a powerful little machine that’s definitely worth a look despite all its flaws.

10. Asus ROG G751JY

The G751 combines top-end components with a great design

Good performance

Great overall design

Rather hefty

Expensive

The Asus ROG G751 is a gaming tank in every sense. At 17 inches and 4.8kg, it’s bigger and heavier than some other gaming laptops but sports a premium feel, great design and houses powerful components that justify the chunk.

Inside is a GeForce GTX 980M GPU, 32GB of main memory, a Core i7-4860HQ quad-core chip clocked at 3.6GHz in Turbo mode and tons of storage. The graphics card’s 4GB of memory is a decent amount for playing games at high detail settings, which is helped by Asus’s sensible decision to give the G751 a 1080p display.

For all of its horsepower, the G751 runs quietly with a gentle hum, which isn’t something you always get with high-end gaming laptops. It’s big, bold, perhaps even beautiful — and definitely a beast. What’s more, Asus has a new ROG G752 waiting in the wings with an new sleeker design plus Skylake processors.

Need help with your business IT?

Choosing the right hardware is only one part of keeping your business running smoothly. Flyford Connect provides IT support for businesses across Yorkshire, from day-to-day technical support and device setup to cybersecurity, cloud services and ongoing IT management.

Whether you’re a growing company without an internal IT team or simply need some extra support, find out more about our Small Business IT Support or explore our IT Support Yorkshire services.

The post 10 best gaming laptops 2015 appeared first on Flyford Connect.

Flyford Connect

IT for Construction Companies: A Guide to Staying Connected, Secure and Efficient

IT for Construction Companies: A Guide to Staying Connected, Secure and Efficient

Why IT Matters for Construction Companies

Some of the biggest IT problems in Construction and potential solutions:

Remote-site working and construction site connectivity

Cybersecurity and device management

System Integrations

Some of the major opportunities for technology implementation within the construction industry

AI and Automation

Digitalisation

Asset and Fleet Management

To conclude…

Why Local IT Support Matters for Your Yorkshire Business

Why Local IT Support Matters for Your Yorkshire Business

Lightning-fast response times for onsite support when you need it most

Local IT understands the business landscape

Building long-term partnerships with local businesses

The best of both worlds with remote and onsite IT support

Hands-on support bolsters your cybersecurity

Supporting local means mutual growth and accountability

To conclude…

Some questions to ask yourself before choosing an IT support provider

Could Your Technology Be Limiting Your Business Potential? 5 Signs Your IT Is Slowing You Down

Could Your Technology Be Limiting Your Business Potential? 5 Signs Your IT Is Slowing You Down

Why Outdated IT Can Be a Barrier to Growth

Sign 1: You Regularly Get Complaints from Your Teams

Sign 2: You're Constantly Dealing with IT Problems

Sign 3: Connectivity Across Sites and Remote Workers is a Headache

Sign 4: You're Concerned About Cyber Security

Sign 5: Your IT Isn't Scalable Enough for Growth

Final Thoughts

Do Yorkshire Businesses Need Managed IT Support?

Do Yorkshire Businesses Need Managed IT Support (And What Do IT MSPs Do?)

Cybersecurity and protection

Tech support

Strategy and Growth

FAQ:

What is an MSP in IT?

How much does managed IT support cost in the UK?

Is managed IT support worth it for small businesses?

What’s the difference between IT support and managed services?

Do I need IT support if I use cloud software?

The Top 10 Cybersecurity Mistakes Small Businesses Make

The Top 10 Cybersecurity Mistakes we see small Businesses Make as a Managed IT Provider

10. Weak or Reused Passwords

9. No Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

8. Ignoring Software Updates

7. Using Unsecured Personal Devices

6. Overly Broad User Access

5. Lack of Cybersecurity Policies

4. No Incident Response Plan

3. No Reliable Data Backups

2. Poor or No Staff Awareness Training

1. Assuming You’re Too Small to Be a Target

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves: what’s new with Flyford

New Office

New Website

New Van

New Team Members

What’s next for Flyford?

10 best gaming laptops 2015

Gaming laptops we recommend

1. Origin EON15-X

2. Aorus X3 Plus v3

3. MSI GT80 Titan

4. Gigabyte P35K v3

5. Alienware 17 (2015)

6. Aorus X5

7. Origin EVO15-S

8. HP Omen

9. Digital Storm Triton

10. Asus ROG G751JY