18th Dec 2015 | Consultancy
Here at Cloud Genius we are proud to be able to announce that the energy that powers our work is now renewable!
As of today, we have solar panels that, even in Wales, will more than cover our energy use. Indeed we will even be exporting to the grid. Wales is a net producer of energy, so it may even get exported to England! (One of the interesting factoids from the installation is that our part of Wales is classed as ‘sunnier’ than London.)
Green energy is now powering our work. We might not save the planet, but with our array of cloud services we might well help your business!
27th Oct 2015 | Accounting, Consultancy, Finance, Salesforce
Salesforce has finally revealed its Lightning interface to the general population.
This is a massive upgrade to its usability. All the items that you need are on screen at the same time. It is a bit like moving from a complicated-looking remote control to a simpler-looking, but far more powerful smart phone.
The new interface still has a lot of limitations, in that it cannot deal with Custom Objects, but that is very close on the Salesforce road map. The Lightning interface presents a lot of information, very simply so that you can see the details of, for example, an opportunity and have a little road map to the right showing how it has progressed. Well done, Salesforce! (For those who like their change ‘gradual’, you can switch between the old and new interfaces and there are no plans to turn off the old interface.)
Salesforce is well-known for sticking to what it does well. Although it deals with Opportunities and Quotes and Products and Price books, it has not strayed into the accounting sector. It leaves that for experts like Xero and Quicken, so it is often frustrating not to have details to hand within Salesforce… Well, last year we let you know about Breadwinner’s amazing 2-way sync between Xero and Salesforce. Now we can let you know that they have performed the same magic for Salesforce and Quick Books Online. Look out for Quick Books Salesforce integration.
Whereas other products get your information from Salesforce into Xero, this flows against the tide and gets it from Xero to Salesforce. Awesome! And they also integrate QuickBooks Online with Salesforce too.
You heard it here first, or even if you didn’t, it is still worth checking out!
10th Oct 2015 | Uncategorized
At Cloud Genius we try to do things right. We want to pass that way of doing things on. Now, thanks to the support of the Welsh Government, we can!
We have been approved as an employer/trainer as part of the Jobs Growth Wales scheme. This offers a job/training to people living in Wales who are unemployed and aged 16 to 24.
The work offer is to learn about our way of building websites – everything from the initial specification through building and sign-off to support and long-term relationship with our clients. It starts as a six month post and has the potential to build to a career.
I am excited as I see a huge potential for cloud-based technologies in Wales, particularly with the roll-out of super-fast broadband. This is a step along the way to realising this dream.
If you are (or know a person who is) interested, here is the link to the post… hurry it closes in just a few days.
https://ams.careerswales.com/Public/Vacancies/View.aspx?vid=30982
All applications MUST be made through this link.
Good luck!
John
21st Sep 2015 | Uncategorized
Many people have received calls, supposedly from Microsoft about problems with their computer. Do not fall for it. Unless you have explicitly called Microsoft about a problem, they will not be calling you!
This is a scam AND A CRIME.
If you follow through they will show you ‘problems’, that are just your error logs – they should look like that. (Lots of scary lines of red text.)
They will then install lots of nasty software and have permanent control of your computer (until it is completely wiped and everything re-installed).
They will then extort money from you. They might take £25 initially, but they then have your credit card details. They will not stop at £25.
I have recently spoken with our local Police Commissioner (Mr Salmon) – he is clear on what you should do from an evidence point of view. I have added my IT tips:
Note:
Whether you fall victime to this crime or not, note the phone number that called (if possible), or if it was ex-directory. (Obviously you can only do this with caller display.)
Note the time of day.
Was the caller a man or a woman? Did they have a particular accent? What did they ask you to do? How did they introduce themselves? Note any other details. This can all help catch the criminals.
Under NO circumstances:
Give them access to your computer
Give them your credit/debit card details, PayPal
Install any software they ask you to.
After the call:
Ring 101 – give the Police officer the details of the crime. Yes, a crime has been committed.
This will help the police force to piece together aspects of the crime. I know people this has cost hundreds of pounds. I am sure that you do, too. Let’s help stop it.
If you did fall for it, do this:
Often people feel sheepish after being caught out. Don’t! Just report the crime and help to put a stop to it.
If you have given your payment details, immediately get on to your credit/debit card company. You have been defrauded. Even if they say, ‘but you gave them the details willingly’, you gave it as a victim of crime, so you should get your money back. (I am not a solicitor, but I have heard cases of this on the radio.)
If you did install/download any software or files, disconnect your computer from the internet and take it to an IT professional. (Unless the Police want to look at it as evidence!)
Assume that any private data on your computer (usernames, passwords, financial details, etc.) has been compromised. Change any passwords, get new credit/debit card numbers. Keep an eye on your statements for odd payments.
Together, we can stop this.
17th Aug 2015 | Domains, Web Hosting, Websites, WordPress
Imagine the scene, our hero is being held over a fire, having weights attached to his arms and legs to pull him apart, being pierced by torturous spears. Surely he risks certain death!
Fortunately the star of our next video is not Harrison Ford but is a teddy bear.
Which would you rather do?
a) Read articles about testing toys to comply with European rules on safety, or
b) Watch a video of a teddy in a variety of dangerous situations?
Then think, which is more likely to be shared on Facebook and Twitter… perhaps even going viral?
Unless you are one of my former bosses, you are likely to be saying, ‘show us the video’!
In response to the cries of, “you can’t do that to a TEDDY”, you can respond that you are obliged to, by law. That it is for the safety of children who will enjoy the teddy.
See what has happened, you have gone viral, you are engaging with potential customers and you are not only telling people how you test, but showing them.
Put the video onto Google and you will even help your website’s ranking… Soon you will be able to see the exploits of Harrison Bear – it is still in production (i.e. not available yet), but will be on https://henbethau.co.uk In the meantime, you can see the amazing bears (and other creatures) made from recycled Welsh blankets.
