With remote working fast becoming a necessary practice for the foreseeable future, we’d like to share our knowledge of the FREE IT solutions available, which will help you work productively away from the office.
1. 8×8 Meetings (Video conferencing)
8×8 has always been Bristol IT’s supplier of choice for Hosted Voice solutions thanks to their feature-rich packages, excellent call quality (guaranteed with an SLA) and competitive pricing. So if you’re working remotely and still want to carry on your customer meetings / interviews / staff reviews as normal then you can do so for free with 8×8: https://8×8.vc/
2. Sophos Home Commercial (Antivirus)
Being a B2B IT solutions provider we wouldn’t usually recommend Sophos Home solutions as they are not suitable for businesses. However, many people who are now working from home may be doing so from a personal laptop. Suitable for PC and Mac, protect your temporary work computer for FREE with Sophos Home Commercial: https://home.sophos.com/en-us/download-antivirus-pc.aspx
3. Microsoft Teams (Communication & collaboration)
If you need an all encompassing solution for instant messaging, video conferencing, file storage and collaboration then Microsoft Teams has it all. We recommend (Microsoft) Office 365 to all of our clients which includes Teams but you can sign up for just Teams for free here: https://products.office.com/en-gb/microsoft-teams/free
4. Microsoft RDP (Remote desktop)
Working from home can feel unproductive, especially if you’re unable to access documents or applications saved locally on your machine in the office. Microsoft RDP is a Remote Desktop tool allowing you access (and work from) your work computer via your home computer. Microsoft RDP is free to use, providing your firewall is configured to support VPN (something Bristol IT may be able to do for you) and you can download it here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/p/microsoft-remote-desktop/9wzdncrfj3ps?activetab=pivot:overviewtab
5. Free publicity!
Ok so not an IT solution to help with remote working BUT we’d like to help support the independent hospitality businesses in Bristol in these difficult times. In response to the Coronavirus pandemic restaurants and bars (as well as many other establishments) have been forced to close. However, this hasn’t stopped the tenacious business owners of Bristol in soldiering on and many are now offering takeaway and/or delivery services. We’ve compiled a list of them* below – please support them when they can, while you still can.
- The Cauldron – St Werburgh’s
- Kondi Brasserie – Henleaze
- Bravas – Clifton
- Bird in Hand – Long Ashton
- Tobacco Factory – Bedminster
- Gopal’s Curry Shack – Wapping Wharf
- Chris & Jo’s Kitchen – St Michael’s hill
- Hen & Chicken – Bedminster
- Tapestry Brewing – St Paul’s
We know there’ll be many more businesses offering delivery/takeout services, if you’re one of them or know one we’ve not listed please tweet us @supportbristol and we’ll give you a shout out. Also check out: https://supportbristolfood.co.uk/ for a listing of independent producers, suppliers, restaurants and retailers in Bristol with information about what is available to buy and how you can buy it from them.
*correct at time of writing
