UC Advanced - issue #12

Issue #12

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News, analysis, insights and more

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COMMENT COMMENT

Forewarned is Forearmed

sector to consider the actions that are relevant to premises in scope. UC Advanced lays out some of the UCC devices that distributors and resellers could be offering, because whether the bill is passed, or any derivative of it in the future, the desire for retail and hospitality venues to keep their visitors safe should be ongoing and integrated into their business ecosystems. Ram Ramanathan from Ribbon Communications gives some sage advice on TDoS (Telephony Denial of Service). TDoS attacks can tie up communication applications like interactive voice response systems and incoming and outgoing trunks. Well worth a read if you have or manage contact centres. When we are talking miliary-style preparations, then look no further than military-grade devices. Often called “robust” or “rugged” phones, Sonny Sahota from New Way International gives resellers some tips for gaining sales, including matching the customer needs with the device. The New Way International interview on page 14 also showcases how forward-thinking they are with their rebranding and refreshing of the customer offerings – we wish Nigel, Sonny and the entire team a further 25 years.

That’s praemonitus praemunitus to all you Latin fans out there. And the motto of the US Security Agency. In common terms it means knowing something in advance enables you to be prepared. And do we have a bumper edition of organisations, devices and insights showcasing just this in UC Advanced this month. We caught up with Ophir Penso at monday. com’s annual Elevate conference for an interview on page 23. Forward-thinking monday.com have already integrated AI across their product suite with monday AI to stay ahead of technological trends and enhance efficiency in modern business tools, demonstrating a proactive mindset towards future developments in work management. It is visionary planning that led to monday.com’s open ecosystem approach that emphasises integration with other platforms like Jira and NetSuite. Owl Labs 8th State of Hybrid Work report is out, and Owl Labs CEO Frank Weishaupt was on hand to give us some further insights and answer our questions. Owl Labs gives access to the full report for free, and it would be wise to understand the issues hybrid workers and their management teams are facing, and plan accordingly. Employees wages and costs account for a large portion of most company’s budgets, so getting hybrid teams working effectively and productively should be the aim, as well as keeping them happy and retained. Another article on the forewarning theme this month is Martyn’s Law. This parliamentary bill is in proposal phase, and may not get the green light in its current form, but the will and desire is there, ensuring all retail and hospitality venues with a maximum capacity of over 200 occupants are able to take actions to keep the public safe, or safe from further harm, in the event of a terrorist attack. Even if the bill is passed, time will be given for the

Trish Stevens Guest Editor

CALLING ALL BRANDS

Support your Channel Distributors and Resellers by using the new FREE Stock in the Channel functionality: “Authorised Distributors”. Click here to learn more

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CONTENTS

UCC News You should know p6 NWI A rebrand and getting the message out p14 Stockies Don’t forget to vote! p17 Retail and Hospitality Martyn’s Law p18 Work Management monday.com’s Elevate Conference p23 Audio Eyes and Ears p27 Connectivity Unbreakable connectivity p32 Eagle Eye – BI Premium Mice p34 Communication Tools TDoS Attacks p36

NWI has recently completed a rebrand to reflect how the 25-year-old business has evolved the services it provides recently...

Martyn’s Law is a proposed UK bill that requires certain public places to take steps to protect the public from terrorist attacks.

p14

p18

Seen At... Northamber Tech Orbit p38

Collaboration Owl Labs State of Hybrid Work p40 Workspace Mitigating Noise p46 Sustainability Green-Leaning Devices p48 People p50 Stockies p52

p32

p36

In today’s fast-paced business environment,

Telephony Denial of Service (TDoS) attacks take many shapes, but all end up with the same result...

effective communication between fieldworkers and their counterparts is critical.

The Elevate Conference is one of monday.com’s flagship annual events, aimed at showcasing the evolution of the company and its vision for the future ...

Editorial Guest Editor Trish Stevens Dan Parton 07941 979 845 dan@ucadvanced.com Head of Sales Martin Jenner-Hall 07824 552 116 martin@ucadvanced.com Publishing Director Justin Penn 07816 573 186 justin@ucadvanced.com

p23

p40

Recently the team at Owl Labs commissioned their 8th annual State of Hybrid Work report, shining a light on some work trends we suspected and some we knew nothing about..

The 2024 SHORTLISTS... This year the Stockies are bigger than ever, with an entire week dedicated to celebrating the successes of the IT channel.

p52

Stockies AWARDS

2024 25-28 November

p48

Published by: In the Channel Media Ltd Company registration number: 14363401 Registered office address 14-18 Heddon Street,

Millennials (ages 28 to 43) and their younger counterparts, Gen Z, place more emphasis on factors such as quality and sustainability in their purchasing decisions.

Mayfair, London, United Kingdom, W1B 4DA In conjunction with:

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UCC NEWS

Nimans offers ITS Connectivity Solutions

Recently Nimans announced a strategic agreement with B2B full fibre provider ITS to boost Nimans Connect’s connectivity offering. The agreement will provide Nimans Connect’s MSP’s and resellers with access to a diverse choice of connectivity options through ITS’s suite of business-grade full fibre solutions, such as Internet Access with 3 plans – FibreBright, FibreLight and FibreOne, Wholesale Ethernet for Layer 2 partners and Value-Added services such as 4G backup, VoIP solutions, Broadband backup and fixed IPv4 addresses for customers running more than one internet facing service. These services will complement the delivery of Nimans’s audio-visual, unified communications and security solutions Andrew Cooper, Head of Nimans Connect division at Nimans said: “The partnership with ITS aligns with our mission to provide our resellers with access to best-in-class connectivity solutions which underpin the individual technology requirements of their end-customers. ITS’s portfolio addresses the differing demands on connectivity for businesses of all shapes and sizes; from the

provision of leased line services, to business broadband. This agreement will also help support organisations under increasing pressure to embrace future-proof fibre as legacy copper-based infrastructure is phased out.” Dave Ferry, Head of Partner Markets at ITS said: “We are delighted to announce our strategic partnership with Nimans. As our dedicated B2B full fibre network – which now reaches over 25% of all UK commercial premises – continues to expand, this agreement will drive further adoption of high-speed, reliable connectivity. This is crucial for driving business growth and advancing the UK’s digital transformation. Through this partnership, we are well-positioned to deliver the future-proof connectivity that businesses need to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.” This agreement comes hot on the heels of an earlier long-term agreement Sky Business signed with ITS this month to deliver robust, high capacity ethernet connectivity to businesses and other organisations across the UK, utilising ITS’s fibre and Sky Business’s core network to deliver high quality, ultrafast business-grade services.

Andrew Cooper Head of Nimans Connect

nimans.net

NETGEAR AV and Crestron

NETGEAR’s AV-focused division, NETGEAR AV, has been recently launched to concentrate on the needs of both the commercial and residential custom integration AV markets. This includes products that are only available in the AV distribution channel, design teams for Pro AV and Pro WiFi installations, and software to help configure and manage wired and wireless networks. NETGEAR®, Inc. and Crestron Electronics, Inc recently announced that 4 models of the M4250 AV Line Series switches are now available directly through Crestron. Crestron will resell select NETGEAR AV switches as a part of the Crestron DM NAX™ Audio- over-IP and DM NVX® AV-over-IP solutions. NETGEAR AV’s M4250 line of switches are designed to work out of the box for most AV-over-IP installations – and this is the case for Crestron DM NAX and DM NVX endpoints as well. Most other network switches require

complex and time-consuming configurations to function properly. M4250 switches provide an incredibly simple configuration for AV- over-IP deployments, enabling streamlined integration with Crestron DM NAX and DM NVX solutions. The result is less time spent configuring the switch and more time to focus on the other parts of the installation. With both desktop and rackmount models, the M4250 switches offer multiple mounting options depending on the installation. All Crestron M4250 models provide Power over Ethernet (PoE) for single cable power and data delivery.

netgear.com

“As leaders in our respective spaces, NETGEAR and Crestron share a similar

vision for flawless AV-over-IP deployments,” said Laurent Masia, Director of Product Line Management, Managed Switches at NETGEAR. “We’re pleased to enhance our partnership ensuring our customers are able to bring their projects to life as seamlessly as possible.”

crestron.com

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UCC NEWS

5G Lab opened by Chris Bryant MP Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Culture,

to transform road and rail travel. Vodafone UK and Three UK promises, as part of their proposed merger, to deliver a self-funded £11bn investment to roll-out 5G SA to 95% of the population by 2030 and 99% by 2034. Commenting on the visit, Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “This government is on a mission to generate sustained economic growth in every corner of the UK, and the Digital Catapult innovators I have met are helping us do so by leveraging regional talent to boost growth in the North East and beyond.” Jessica Driscoll, Director of Immersive Technology at Digital Catapult, said: “Immersive technology is reshaping industries across the UK with tools and processes that come from the creative industries being used in more industrial use cases, driving innovation and unlocking new economic opportunities. The 5G Immersive Lab will be a hub that will give businesses hands-on opportunities to experiment, collaborate, and accelerate the practical adoption of technologies to drive growth.”

Media and Sport, visited the new Digital Catapult 5G Immersive Lab in Newcastle, exploring the facility that will enable companies in the North East to scale faster. The state-of-the-art innovation lab, based in Newcastle’s Eldon Square, will help SMEs to de-risk the adoption of 5G and immersive technologies, accelerating the practical application of deep tech across key industries. The facility will encourage SMEs to work alongside large businesses, developing proofs of concept that can solve complex business challenges. Digital Catapult is encouraging businesses in the North East from traditional industries including retail, agriculture and manufacturing, to engage with the lab, providing them with pioneering new technologies, enhanced 5G capabilities from Vodafone 5GSA, and access to expertise from Digital Catapult’s team. Vodafone 5GSA is Vodafone’s 5G Standalone programme, aiming

Sir Chris Bryant MP. (right)

Snom M56 DECT end device

Snom has launched the new M56 mobile phone to complete its M5xx product series. With its compact and robust design as well as IP67 certification, the M56 is the ideal companion for demanding work environments. The robust, dust- and waterproof casing provides reliable protection, while the rubberised, antibacterial surface ensures a safe and secure grip. The generous 2.4-inch colour display offers clear visuals, and a large keypad makes the device easy to use – even when wearing work gloves. Verified by its IP67 certification, the M56 is splash-proof, resistant to brief drops into water, dust or mud – which means the device is ideal for use in workshops, construction sites, or outside areas. Another highlight of the M56 is its seamless integration into the Snom M500 eco-system. Settings can be easily managed via an M500 base station using zero-touch provisioning. Software updates are made wirelessly, so that the device is always up to date. The M56 supports the best safety practices

in the workplace thanks to its advanced protective features. An integrated alarm button, ‘man down’ function, and built-in torch offer additional protection and make the device particularly suited to lone workers. With an impressive call time of 12 hours in HD audio quality and support for Bluetooth headphones, the M56 is the perfect addition to the M500 series. The handheld device also has “Shared Call Emulation” (SCE) and six functional keys, which can be programmed as needed. Oliver Wittig, Senior Application Manager at Snom, said: “With the M56 we’re offering a powerful and robust mobile phone that meets the requirements of demanding work environments and, at the same time, the highest level of user- friendliness. Like our other products in the M5xx series, the new M56 can be used flexibly and in particular enables operators of medium-sized warehouses, shops, and restaurants to benefit from cutting-edge telecommunications platforms and create a safe but flexible work environment.”

Oliver Wittig Senior Application Manager

snom.com

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ucadvanced.com

UCC NEWS

Motorola’s Business Phones

Motorola has announced the expansion of the moto business edition portfolio, with the unveiling of the ThinkPhone25 and the moto g75 5G business edition. The new business edition package includes one year of Moto Device Manager, which enables remote device management, including Zero Touch Management, allowing users to deploy any number of devices at once for fast and easy onboarding. The bundle includes one year of Moto Safe, which gives IT administrators the ability to lock or disable devices that have been lost or stolen at the firmware level, and one year of Moto Software Control with warranties lasting 3 years. The ThinkPhone25 is a stunning business phone that combines Lenovo’s expertise in enterprise devices with Motorola’s mobile prowess. ThinkPhone25 guarantees five Android® OS upgrades and Security Maintenance Releases into 2029, so businesses will have access to the latest capabilities from Android and future AI

innovations from Motorola. Built with extra tough Gorilla® Glass 7i and Aramid fiber that’s stronger than steel (proven under lab test conditions), this device meets military standards for durability and is MIL STD 810H certified, which is the U.S. Department of Defence’s standard. With a powerful battery that lasts for up to 34 hours on a single charge, this device is built to last, inside and out. It’s not indestructible, but is indeed one of the most robust business phone models out there. The moto g75 5G business edition comes with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 and MIL STD 810H certification. The Snapdragon® 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform puts speed and performance at the forefront with a high-resolution camera system featuring the Sony - LYTIA™ 600 camera and Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS). With 5 years of Android OS upgrades and security software updates for 6-years through to September 2030, Motorola has business covered in the long run. Each device comes equipped with forward-thinking, AI-based security features. Moto Secure, powered by moto ai, works in the background to protect privacy. Malware Detection and Phishing Detection automatically identify detected threats and warn users about suspicious websites, to help protect their sensitive data. ThinkShield is built in so that business data is protected from malware, phishing and cybersecurity threats.

ThinkPhone25

motorola.co.uk

TCC 2 seen at UCX

Sennheiser’s TeamConnect Ceiling 2 Black was seen at UCX London in October. Providing a solution for larger meeting rooms and lecture or collaboration spaces the TCC 2 ceiling microphone is designed in a functional square form to integrate into the design of modern meeting rooms – simply by replacing a ceiling tile. This in turn allows for cable free tables and flexible furniture arrangements, whilst offering all the benefits like Sennheiser Audio Quality, efficient setup, brand agnostic integration, simple management and control.

sennheiser.com

UCC NEWS

Evolve IP Jabra Partnership

Evolve IP has announced that Jabra has become its preferred hardware partner. “In today’s UC-driven world it’s easy to overlook the final part of the communication chain, the hardware end point,” says Evolve IP UK solutions director, Scott Rixon. “In many ways, the ‘final few yards’ needs the same parity of importance as any sophisticated cloud solution. A poor end point can undermine the whole user experience and jeopardise thousands of pounds of investment. We’ve developed a more strategic relationship with Jabra - who have become our preferred hardware partner. We can share their knowledge and expertise and offer our customers tailor-

made solutions fit for purpose, which stand the test of time.” Rixon says Jabra shares many synergies with Evolve IP which makes their partnership a natural fit across EMEA. “There are many alternatives out there and the choice is good, however, what attracted Evolve IP (EMEA) is how their full product offering spans solutions for home workers, hybrid workers as well as call/contact centre workers. Jabra has an exceptional sustainability story that we would like to follow - from their renewable material choices, reduced packaging options, and the ability to replace parts and more. Jabra also has a second life for many of their products, which allows for a wider market to benefit from their technology.”

Scott Rixon UK Solutions Director

evolveip.net

Barco at UPC against Yealink

Barco has asked the European Unified Patent Court (UPC) to prohibit Yealink to further make, sell and distribute its wireless conferencing solutions. The UPC is a new specialist court before which a unitary patent can be enforced in all its contracting member states. In June 2024, the Barco ClickShare IP portfolio reached an important milestone with the addition of the first unitary patent immediately enforceable in 17 EU member states. ClickShare’s innovation in wireless presentation and conferencing is now protected by more than 110 patents in major jurisdictions. Barco believes that Yealink infringes some of ClickShare Conference’s patented

functionalities, that enable users to host video calls from their own laptop with their preferred video conferencing platforms, while using the audio and video equipment of the meeting room for a premium wireless Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) experience. “Since its establishment 90 years ago, Barco has constantly innovated to create a better, smarter and healthier world,” said Kurt Verheggen, General Counsel at Barco. “Over the years, we’ve built a solid reputation of vigorously defending our IP against companies copying our break-through technologies. With the creation of the UPC in 2023, we can now enforce a patent in its contracting member states and deter copy- cats with an effective legal remedy, just like in the US.” “Barco has always adhered to its core values of delivering easy-to-use and secure meeting room solutions,” said Jan van Houtte, EVP Meeting Experience at Barco. “Since its launch in 2012, ClickShare has continuously invested in innovation and support for its global customer base. With a solid local pre- and post-sales service, we operate closely to the customers, identify their needs and requirements, leading to a steady flow of new innovative concepts and ideas that we carefully protect.” UC Advanced notes that the UK is not a member of the UPC, and the Republic of Ireland is classified as a UPCA signatory state.

Jan van Houtte EVP Meeting Experience

barco.com

ucadvanced.com

Shure Cloud

Unleash the Power of Cloud-Based Control and IoT Device Data

ShureCloud Paves the Way for Future Innovations, Enhancing Efficiency and ROI Across Shure Audio Solutions.

In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, IT professionals are the unsung heroes who ensure streamlined, uninterrupted communication across organizations. Your relentless pursuit of unmatched service standards, seamless AV integration and technology optimization keeps businesses ticking. Where agility and responsiveness are paramount, Shure now offers a game- changing solution – a free, centralized, cloud-enabled management platform that revolutionizes how IT and facilities managers oversee AV infrastructure. At its core, ShureCloud simplifies and streamlines the control of Shure networked audio solutions. It enables you to remotely manage, monitor, update, and control Shure hardware devices and software licenses to optimize system performance. Initially supporting the Microflex Ecosystem of networked wired and wireless microphones, loudspeakers, digital signal processors and network interfaces, as well as IntelliMix Room DSP software, ShureCloud will expand for broader device compatibility in future updates. Whether you’re supporting a few devices for a small business, or handling large-scale deployments of AV conferencing systems for global enterprises, government facilities, or higher education, the unified management platform scales to meet your needs. Remote access capabilities also make the platform ideally suited to the operational demands of AV/IT integrators and managed service providers who seek to provide exceptional service levels and guarantee that Shure AV infrastructure performs to the high standards that clients expect.

ShureCloud employs familiar IT workflows, standards and processes, making the user experience similar to how you manage other enterprise devices. Users also benefit from instant alerts about potential issues, ensuring quick resolutions and minimizing downtime. ShureCloud also provides a robust suite of security features using accepted standards such as GDPR, TLS 1.2 MQTT, and HTTPS, ensuring the highest levels of data protection and operational reliability. Encryption ensures secure communication between Shure devices, with regular updates that keep the platform current and your data protected. ShureCloud also represents a leap forward in data-based decision making by offering actionable insights through customizable dashboards and API integrations. Designed for both desktop and mobile, it provides a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate overview of all connected devices, with quick access to detailed information and analytics. Future updates will allow users to access historical data, identifying patterns and areas for broader operational improvements and investment decisions. Integrating ShureCloud into existing IT management systems provides a holistic view of key data and metrics. For example, the platform’s device analytics can be used to monitor meeting room usage and occupancy. Paired with an analysis of booking patterns, this allows to uncover peak time, improve resource allocation aligned with actual demand, and maximize ROI through reduced real estate costs and minimized AV technology expenditures. Facilities managers can make informed decisions on equipment upgrades or expansions, ultimately boosting productivity and reducing costs. Ready to revolutionize your AV management capabilities? Go to www.shure.com/shurecloud to register for ShureCloud today.

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CONTINUED

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NWI

A new way NWI has recently completed a rebrand to reflect how the 25-year-old business has evolved the services it provides recently – and now the team is on a mission to get the message out to customers about its new value-added proposition.

Business never stays still, and for a successful business to remain so it must continually evolve, especially when it is in the technology sector. New Way International has successfully done this for 25 years and now, to reflect how it has evolved and is now differentiating itself from the competition in the mobile phone space, it has just rebranded to NWI. “There are a lot of mobile phone suppliers out there and a lot of distributors too,” says Sonny Sahota, head of sales at NWI. “To differentiate ourselves from the rest of the market, we have decided now to add more value in our proposition, i.e., when we’re selling a device, we offer the customer services such as bundling in accessories like a case and screen protector, asset tagging, through to relying onto MDM enrollment as well as other options such as extended warranties, insurance and financing.” Taking away the pain points The aim of NWI’s value-added proposition is to take away potential pain points for customers. For instance, NWI doesn’t just bundle an accessory like a screen protector in with a phone. “We will offer to apply the screen protector as well,” says Sonny. “It can be quite time consuming for the end user too.

terms of time. We take a lot of the headache away from them, whether it is adding accessories, or things like SIM pairing, which NWI can do. “We can also take care of asset tagging too, which is when you label a mobile phone. A lot of companies now when they’re sending out phones to their employees, they number them, so that if it falls into the hands of someone else, they’re able to track it and monitor the whereabouts of it.” MDM Sonny adds that NWI can also take care of enrolling a phone onto a manufacturer’s MDM platform or portal and/or configure it in a way the customer requires. “This means that when the customer switches on their device, it’s preloaded with company logos or it’s locked down with the security necessary, so users can only access certain websites, for instance,” he explains. Extended warranty NWI also offers extended warranties to customers, which is something that increasing numbers are seeking, according to Sonny. “We can offer up to five years warranties, whereas most mobile and tablet devices come with only a two-year warranty,” he says. “We can offer a three-, four- or five-year managed service warranty, which takes the burden off the customer having to send it back to any repair centre as we will collect and return the unit for them. It gives them peace of mind for that extended time.” NWI also offers a bill and hold service, Sonny adds. “For example, if there’s 500 units in an order, the customer might not want all 500 sitting at their office at once,” he says. “We can stagger the delivery of the devices and send out, for example, 50 units at a time over a period of several weeks to make things more manageable for the end user.

To differentiate ourselves from the rest of the market, we have decided now to add more value in our proposition...

Imagine sending out 500 mobile phones to an end user, then the burden is left on the IT personnel to apply the screen protectors, and that could be quite painful in

41640

Sales incentives NWI has also put together sales incentives, such as an Amazon voucher promotion. “For every device a customer sells, they get Amazon vouchers to the value of the order,” says Sonny. “That incentivises and rewards our loyal customers to purchase through us and at the same time still get a channel leading price. “The account managers are rewarded for their loyalty through this incentive. Also, for directors and owners, we’re putting together a rebate scheme, which is something that a lot of our larger customers are requesting. We are making these offers to reward our most loyal customers.” Finance options NWI also offers finance options to customers. “We have partnered with a leading finance company to offer our customers suitable finance options to meet their needs. “This includes credit accounts for up to 30 days supported by our credit Insurer Atradius. “Also American Express offers card purchases and credit limits with up to 56 days terms. “There is also MonduSell – Klarna for business with loans and credit terms stretching from three to 12 months. “We also have Worldpay for instant credit card payments.” Constant evolution With NWI celebrating its 25th anniversary in business this year – a not insignificant milestone for a technology-based company –

the timing of the rebrand is apposite. As the business has evolved significantly since the last days of the 20th century, it seemed right to bring a new look to it now, as it looks forward. “NWI has been around for a long time and we have evolved over the years, and this now time to re-brand and update the website to invoice the latest AI technology to keep up with the latest requirements of customers,” says Nigel Prince, managing director of NWI. “We appreciate our customers’ needs and requirements are changing so we adapt to that and help cater for that clientele base.” With that philosophy, NWI can look forward to another 25 successful years in business.

We appreciate our customers’ needs and requirements are changing so we adapt to that and help cater for that clientele base.

newwayinternational. co.uk

wu cwawd v. naenwc es idn.tchoemc h a n n e l .c o. u k

168

THE STOCKIES 2024

The SHORTLIST

PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Voting is Open!

Stockies AWARDS

Below are the nominees for Personality of the Year Award. Go to stockies.co.uk to cast your vote.

Stockies AWARDS

Jamie Brothwell commercial o cer

SPECIALITY 2024

PRESENTED LIVE 28 NOVEMBER

stockies.co.uk You can vote for as many Awards as you wish, but you may only vote once for each award, and only once within each category, including Personality of the Year. Voting closes midnight on 1 November 2024.

2024

Total distribution™

Louise Honeywill vendor business manager – peripherals

Emma Filmer business development manager

Andy Kelly - managing director

Louella Fernandes – CEO

Dan Clarke – AV sales professional

Neil MacDonald senior channel director UK & Ireland

Jamie Mitchell business development manager

Peter Cowan – group COO

Morshed Miah – sales specialist

Steve McIntyre – marketing director

Sanjib Sahoo executive vice president & chief digital o cer

Steve Pearce group head of marketing

Mark Sanderson head of strategic marketing

Gary Organ head of DT (o ce), UK & Ireland

Andrew Cowling channel marketing manager

Total distribution™

Richard Wells head of market development home & o ce division, Epson Europe

Eleanor Young channel marketing manager

Robyn Dow specialist marketing lead

Sebastian Turner – sales specialist

Alex Tatham - executive director

ucadvanced.com

RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY

Martyn’s Law Martyn’s Law is a proposed UK bill that requires certain public places to take steps to protect the public from terrorist attacks. The proposed law will apply to a range of locations within Retail and Hospitality, is currently in consultation phase and those concerned will be given an extended period of time to implement the changes if passed.

Martyn’s Law, also known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, is proposed UK legislation that requires public venues to consider and prepare for terrorist attacks. The law is named after Martyn Hett, who was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena terrorist attack. The law’s objectives are to: l Ensure that public venues are better prepared for terrorist attacks l Reduce the risk of public harm from terrorist attacks l Ensure that security preparedness is consistent across the UK The law will apply to a range of locations, including entertainment and leisure venues, retail venues, food and drink venues, museums and galleries, sports grounds, public areas of government buildings, visitor attractions, temporary events, places of worship and health venues. The aim of the Martyn’s Law Bill is intended to ensure public premises and events are better prepared for terrorist attacks and ready to respond. It will require them to take reasonably practicable actions, which

vary accordingly, to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and reduce physical harm. The Bill was introduced to Parliament on 12 September 2024 and is currently undergoing Parliamentary scrutiny. Martyn’s Law has been designed to make compliance simple. The law will use a tiered model, with different requirements depending on the size of the venue and the activity taking place. For example, locations with a maximum capacity of over 200 will be required to have basic security measures, staff awareness training and emergency response plans. Forewarned is Forearmed It’s a tough subject to write about: terrorism. So let’s disseminate what’s at hand, and what might be coming down the line. The aim of the law is to keep the public safe, and that should be in the rule book of any respectable establishment in retail and hospitality. The Bill, which is a moving feast, so continue to check the UK government website for updates, is also seeking to delineate between concentrated areas of the public, by putting classification terms to venues, premises and

The aim of the Martyn’s Law Bill is intended to ensure public premises and events are better prepared

for terrorist attacks and

ready to respond.

l Communication – how to alert staff and customers and move people away from danger. Communication is Key: UC&C Devices When communicating during an emergency, it is important to consider the 3 C’s – confirmation, clarity and control. Staff of retail and hospitality premises should be enabled to communicate suspicious packages, clear immediate areas and move people into safe directions, control the situation and their surroundings, call for help and keep witnesses who may be able to help emergency services. If that is not enough to contend with, consider how vital communication systems are for medical emergencies – being able to clearly contact ambulance services may mean that lives could be saved, or casualties could be less severe. Whether your customers are in the standard or enhanced classification, and whether the Bill is passed or not, resellers should consider recommending devices that enhance communication between staff and customers. UC Advanced have rounded up a few categories of devices that will enable communication between staff and customers, whether they are in a crisis situation or not. The Bill, if passed, does not have the intention of placing undue burdens on small businesses, but rather requiring those responsible for premises to fulfil necessary but proportionate steps, according to their capacity, to help keep the public safe. For example, a small venue that has limited funds and is not in scope might not have the budget for high spec tech equipment, but would be able to raise the funds for a loudhailer. Counter to that, an extremely large venue that relies heavily on electricity to generate their communications systems such as audio visual equipment and inbuilt sound systems should be investing in a back-up power unit. We set out some communication systems suggestions, for premises’ owners classified as standard tier or enhanced tier.

buildings based on capacity sizes: l Capacity of 199 or less: largely

inapplicable, but public safety should be upheld l Capacity of 200 to 799 individuals: Standard Duty classification

l Capacity of 800+ individuals: Enhanced Duty classification

Regardless of the premises size, some of the measures suggested in the Bill should be considered and implemented by any organisations or person who has an interest in keeping their visitors and customers safe. One last important fact to mention before we get into the details of some of the categories and recommendations is to say that if and when Martyn’s Law is passed, all premises owners will be given a period of time to implement the recommendations, as the draft puts it, “We expect this period to be at least 24 months to allow for the set-up of the regulator and to ensure sufficient time for those responsible for premises and events in scope to understand their new obligations, and to plan and prepare.” The draft Bill gives no details on who, how and when inspections of those premises included in scope will be vetted, but one can assume that insurance companies will have a tick box on their annual renewal forms regarding compliance. For a thorough read on the results and feedback on the standard tier consultation, you can get this on the gov.uk website. Whilst only 1,981 full responses to the consultation paper were received, it gives a good idea of the appetite for the Bill. Standard or Enhanced: Procedures Apply Whether the premises are classified as ‘standard’ or ‘enhanced’, the Bill will look to those venues to have procedures that may be expected, so far as reasonably practicable, for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. Put simply, l Evacuation – how to get people out of the building l Invacuation – how to bring people into the premises to keep them safe, or move them to safe parts of the building, l Lockdown – how to secure the premises against threats, e.g. locking doors, closing shutters and using barriers to prevent access, and taking shelter in a secure location, such as a cupboard or meeting room, until the all-clear signal is given.

Whether your customers are in the standard or enhanced classification, and whether the Bill is passed or not, resellers should consider recommending devices that enhance communication between staff and customers.

Staff Headsets, Earpieces and Walkie Talkies

Often manufactured to be discreet, these devices are popular with bouncers, security staff and event managers. It is essential that staff at different positions in the venue can communicate with each other, often over loud music and the rabble of partygoers in difficult

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situations. Additionally, these essential and trained staff need to be able to be heard by other staff members, and not necessarily shouting into mouthpieces and causing widespread panic. Walkie Talkies are superb for areas with no or limited mobile coverage, especially inside venues that have a large amount of infrastructure – just think of your local superstore and how often you drop the phone signal – that’s because all that refrigeration, stock and shelving, steel and concrete structure is hindering the phone signal, and the same principle would apply to a nightclub below ground level. Talking headsets Favoured by call centre agents, gamers and football coaches, talking headsets enables the user to communicate hands-free whilst wearing a headset with a built-in microphone and speaker – some can be worn around the neck, whilst others are best suited to be worn on the head. If your customer is serious about a good communication device, then offer headsets with additional features such as wireless connectivity, noise cancellation and duplex, so that information can be communicated both ways simultaneously without interference. Depending on budget, and just how serious the client really is, conversations could also include two-way radio headsets, these are designed to give clear communication in seriously challenging situations – favoured by constructions workers who have to communicate above the noise of drilling and hammering all day long. Two-way radio headsets are often paired with a radio, which the user, with instructions, can usually pair themselves, but not all two-way radio headsets are compatible with two-way

radios, and some radio frequencies require a licence, so something worth noting if your customers are considering this option. Dedicated Premises Mobile Phones Consider suggesting to your customer to have a dedicated on-premises mobile phone, that is fully charged, to be used in emergency situations. It is not a good idea to rely on retail and hospitality staff to use their own personal devices, which may be held securely in a locker, or if they do have them to hand the device may have a low battery or minimal data. Emergency calls are usually available without having to unlock the handset on iPhones, and simple signage should accompany the dedicated premises mobile phone – such as what to do if the phone signal is unavailable, for example turn the phone off and on again, text 999 with brief information, and so on. Speaker Systems (fixed or portable) Powered loudspeakers include built-in amps, so all you have to do is connect it to your sound source, whereas passive loudspeakers require an additional connection to add that power separately. Speakers can be portable or fixed, and UCC advances have enabled them to be mounted to walls and ceilings very easily and discreetly. Back-up Power An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system is a device that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source or mains power fails. Phases of a UPS, such as a single-phase UPS or a three-

If your customer is serious about a good communication device, then offer headsets with additional features such as wireless connectivity, noise

cancellation and duplex...

phase UPS, describe the number of electrical phases that a UPS receives and transmits. Electrical

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utilities generate three-phase power because that is the most efficient way to transport electricity over long distances. For smaller power consumers, including residential or office buildings and most schools, the power is converted to single-phase power. What size UPS does your customer need? It will depend on the size of the premises and its purpose – be sure to direct your customer to some great tools that help determine what is needed, such as Eaton’s handy guide: Eaton UPS Selector tool. Instant messaging on Screens Digital Signage is essentially software that can be deployed via the cloud or an on-premises system. The software will reside on a Digital Signage Media player or a system on chip integrated into a display screen. Content is uploaded via the digital signage user interface and through the management software it can be deployed to one or many screens instantly. Whilst content can be shared instantaneously, it can be changed within a matter of seconds too, and discharged to multiple locations within a building or to several sites on the premises. Content can be in the form of text or video or image.

choices that a customer may be considering between IP security cameras, dome cameras, lipstick cameras and warning light cameras. Whatever option be it wired, wireless or wire-free cameras resellers should offer cameras with remote viewing so customers can check in on their business from anywhere. IP security cameras are great for where budgets are tight and customers should consider cameras with built-in sensor lights, colour night vision and audio with a wide-angle field of view. Best Security Cameras for Businesses: Wire-free, wireless cameras, and Wi-Fi camera systems. Benefits: Lower price point, simple setup, hub free, perfect for smaller businesses. Best Security Cameras for Parking Lots, Dark or Hidden areas: Invest in cameras with added extras to control lights and siren from your phone, colour night vision and smart search. Best Security Cameras for Offices, Warehouses or Small Hotels: Install a reliable system with numerous, high-definition security cameras, such as the Swann 4K NVR, 16 cameras with options like sensor warning lights, siren, audio and work with a network video recorder (NVR), which offers the benefit of hard-drive storage. Best Security Cameras for Building Sites or Visitor Attractions: Install a robust business security system that has multiple cameras to set up and forget, where you can use Smart Search to look for movement within recordings. Videoconferencing Applications Video conferencing can help connect people in real time to share information and updates, and collaborate on solutions. It enables outside help to “see in”, without being there – multiple call takers can use real-time photos and videos to get a more complete picture of an incident and determine the best response.

Whatever option be it wired, wireless or wire-free cameras resellers should offer cameras with remote

viewing so customers

can check in on their business from anywhere.

CCTV Systems Resellers have a wide range of options for CCTV for customers: a complete security business system can be set up in minutes, but that depends on what is being suggested. Swann gives some good advice on the

Tips for Distributors and Resellers l Keep abreast of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill being passed through Parliament and consider the ranges and offerings you have for customers l Be knowledgeable, and educate staff, on what UC&C devices that could be offered if the Bill is passed, and keep customers informed of the timeframes l Consider equipment packages and bundle deals for customers l Do not use scaremongering selling tactics, but rather encourage customers to make a commitment to have a minimum standard of care for public safety l Use distributors who offer good customer service and offer training or installation programmes. l Remember to offer batteries or back-up batteries

WORK MANAGEMENT

The Week starts with monday

The Elevate Conference is one of monday.com’s flagship annual events, aimed at showcasing the evolution of the company and its vision for the future of work management. Recently held in key cities such as London, New York, and Sydney, the conference gathers professionals from various industries to discuss the rapidly changing landscape of collaborative technology.

monday.com’s Journey and Growth Since its founding, monday.com has established itself as a leader in the work management sector. While the company began primarily as a product-led growth organisation, focusing on direct sales through its website, it soon realised the potential of an indirect sales approach as well. This strategy allowed monday.com to expand more quickly and enter diverse markets. Ophir Penso, VP of Partnerships, explained, “About five years ago, we decided to develop both direct and indirect sales in parallel, a move that allowed us to scale faster than our competitors. While many tech companies start with direct sales and later build their channel strategy, we pursued both paths at the same time. This gave us a significant advantage.” Today, monday.com is one of the dominant players in the work management space. Penso notes that the sector has rapidly matured in the past few years, “If you look back five years ago, you wouldn’t have seen Gartner Magic Quadrant or Forrester reports focused on work management. Now, it’s a fully recognised market, and monday.com is at the forefront of that evolution.”

Ophir Penso VP of Partnerships

The London leg of this year’s Elevate Conference, held in September, featured notable keynote speeches from Eran Zinman, Co-CEO of monday.com, who reflected on the journey of monday.com, and Daniel Lereya, Chief Product and Technology Officer, who shared updates to the company’s product suite along with real- world success stories from companies like Experian, Eight Wealth, and Oatly. With an emphasis on the growing role of work management solutions, attendees were provided with insights into how these tools are transforming businesses globally, streamlining workflows, and improving team collaboration. As monday.com continues to grow in prominence, one of the central themes of the conference was its approach to working with partners, the company’s integration capabilities, and the future of the platform, and with 94% of attendees gaining new skills and 92% recommending the event, it’s clear that Elevate is a go-to event for professionals focused on improving team performance.

monday.com

Today, monday.com is one of the dominant players in the work management space.

Integration and Expanding Product Suite

One of monday.com’s key strengths is its ability to integrate with third-party platforms. Although monday.com offers an expanding suite of its own products, such as monday CRM, monday Dev, and the upcoming monday Service, it has embraced an open ecosystem approach, ensuring seamless integration with other industry-standard tools like Jira and NetSuite. “monday should be the core of the work,

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