1 Title Standfirst THE TECHNOLOGY & WORKPLACE MAGAZINE FOR SMES & PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANISATIONS WWW.BUSINESSINFOMAG.UK ISSUE 162 AI Lessons from the AI frontline PAGE 24 DIGITALSIGNAGE PPDS upgrades digital signage offering PAGE 10 NETWORKS New platform gives customers in regulated industries more choice and control PAGE 20 University of St Andrews and Agilico partner to accelerate sustainability goals
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01732 759725 magazine 04 Bulletin One in three UK employees feels uninspired at work 08 What’s New A selection of the latest and greatest solutions for the modern workplace 10 Digital Signage PPDS upgrades its digital signage offering with integrated neural processing unit for AI applications 12 Offices Mark Dixon picks 10 trends set to shape the world of work in 2026 14 Workplace Logitech research highlights the high cost of everyday office distractions 16 Printers New MFPs and printers for the digital office 20 Networks Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise’s Gerry O’Hanlon makes the case for onpremises network management 22 Meetings Boom Collaboration support offering strengthened through partnership with Solvertec 23 Cover Story University of St Andrews and Agilico partner to accelerate sustainability goals 24 AI How can SMEs get maximum value from AI? Craig Taylor, CTO of Phoenix Software, shares what he’s learnt in the last two and a half years 28 AI Predictions How might AI develop in the next 12 months and what are the implications for business? We ask the experts 33 Software How monday.com is using AI to take software democratisation to the next level 34 Reviews Jeff Root reviews the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3302fdw and the HP Omnibook X 14 Flip 03 IN THIS ISSUE: 162 – Q1 Editor: James Goulding 0780 308 7228 · [email protected] Publishing Director, Social Media & Web Editor: Neil Trim 01732 759725 · [email protected] Advertising Director: Ethan White 01732 759725 · [email protected] Advertising Executive: James Trim 01732 759725 · [email protected] Designer: Brian Cloke 07484 288189 · [email protected] Business Info is a controlled circulation magazine. Applications for free copies will be considered upon receipt of a completed and signed reader info card or online form. Business Info is available on subscription @ £40 p.a. to UK companies or residents and @ £75 p.a. for non-UK subscribers. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers who cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. No part of Business Info magazine can be reproduced without the prior permission of the publisher. © Copyright 2026 Kingswood Media Ltd. ISSN 1464-8814 FOR THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS VISIT: WWW.BUSINESSINFOMAG.UK Kingswood Media Ltd., 7 Amherst House, 22 London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 2BT · Tel: 01732 759725 • Email: [email protected] BUSINESS INFO GET YOUR FREE COPY To make sure you get every issue FREE, as soon as it is published, just visit www.businessinfomag.uk, click the ‘FREE Registration’ button and add your details to our mailing list. @BinfoMag facebook.com/ BinfoMag If you no longer wish to receive Business Info magazine please email your details to [email protected]
businessinfomag.uk magazine 04 BULLETIN either not encouraging the use of health and wellbeing support at all, or who are relying on employees making the effort themselves to investigate the support offered, are missing out hugely. Health and wellbeing support is of course put in place to ensure that employees are healthy and happy, but this is not entirely altruistic. There are advantages for the business too, including increased loyalty, less absenteeism, greater productivity – but only if employees engage with the support and use it. Otherwise, employers may well be wasting their money.” The most popular methods currently used to promote health and wellbeing support are: • Digital platforms (cited by 34%), which have the added benefit of giving HR and benefits professionals one place to access key information; • Company intranets (26%), although Everywhen points out that this does rely on employees actively searching for information, so needs to be backed up by promotions to encourage engagement; • Wellbeing champions (24%); • Written communications e.g. email (22%); • A calendar of wellbeing events and awareness days (22%); • In-person events with a company’s own health and wellbeing specialists in attendance (21%); • In-person events run by external advisers and/or the providers of the health and wellbeing support on offer (18%); and • Regular promotions and webinars run by employers (18% and 16% respectively). www.everywhen.co.uk … One third of SMEs stuck in broadband slow lane Business broadband expert Uswitch warns that one in three UK SMEs still don’t have access to full-fibre broadband and are having to rely on slower or less reliable connections. According to its analysis of broadband coverage data, an estimated 2.16 million of the UK’s 3.17 million SMEs now have access to full-fibre broadband, smartphones, mobile phones and aircraft phones to allow seamless communication between colleagues; connect iPads that pilots and crew use to access flight information and real-time training on the go; and deliver smart messaging to keep customers updated. www.bt.com/about … Promotion key to mutually beneficial take-up of health and wellbeing support Everywhen, the new name for Towergate Employment Benefits, is encouraging employers to be more proactive in promoting the health and wellbeing support they offer staff or risk wasting money spent on such initiatives. Its warning follows an Opinium survey of 500 HR decision-makers which found that almost half of employers in the UK either never actively encourage staff to use the support on offer (13%) or only direct employees to it when requested to do so (33%). Debra Clark, Head of Wellbeing at Everywhen, points out that health and wellbeing support is a good way to boost the loyalty and productivity of employees at a time when 37% of organisations are finding it harder to engage with staff – but only if companies promote its benefits. She said: “Employers who are BT simplifies mobile connectivity for easyJet easyJet is aiming to provide its pilots, cabin crew and aircraft in more than 150 airports and 35 countries with smart, seamless mobile connectivity through a new partnership with BT Business. The partnership will see BT equip 23,000 mobile devices with EE eSIMs offering remote setup, reduced costs, easier logistics and a better user experience. Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer at BT Business, said: “By equipping thousands of devices with eSIMs on EE’s award-winning network, we’re enabling easyJet to manage connections remotely, switch networks across borders and reduce the complexity of traditional SIMs. It’s a future-ready solution that enhances security, boosts efficiency and keeps teams connected when they need it most.” In addition to the provision of EE eSIMs for mobile devices, BT will supply laptops and other hardware to easyJet staff; connect One third of UK employees feel uninspired at work Fewer than one in five UK employees (19%) are ‘thriving’ in their role, compared to one third who feel uninspired and disengaged, according to O.C. Tanner’s Global Culture Report 2026, based on insights from more than 38,000 employees in 24 countries, including 1,668 in the UK. With 77% of UK employees wanting their experience at work to be inspiring, the employee recognition specialist says businesses should nurture inspiration by giving employees regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and share ideas at conferences, events and training courses. It also recommends regular in-house one-to-ones, team gatherings and company events on the basis that 68% of employees say they have at least one coworker who inspires them in their work and 64% say they often come up with new ideas during conversations with colleagues. Robert Ordever, European MD of O.C. Tanner, adds that it is important to foster a culture where employees feel safe and empowered to put ideas into action, and are recognised and appreciated when they do. He said: “Innovation can’t thrive in a culture of fear or blame. To spark new thinking, employees need to feel safe to experiment and recognised when they do. By acknowledging and calling out inventive ideas and celebrating effort as much as outcomes, organisations encourage people to repeat those behaviours and inspire others to follow.” www.octanner.com
01732 759725 magazine 05 BULLETIN attack surface, in many cases without realising it.” He added: “It is not a question of whether there is shadow AI usage within an enterprise, but whether you have the ability to detect it, govern it and secure it before an issue arises. Our research shows that most enterprises need to take rapid action to gain visibility and control of their AI usage.” www.catonetworks.com … Number of cyber security jobs triples in five years Over the last five years, cyber security has been the fifth fastest-growing profession in the UK, with the number of people employed in the sector tripling from 28,500 in 2021 to 83,700 in 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Population Survey. Cyber security company Socura points out that in the UK cyber security professionals now outnumber bricklayers, architects, vets, farm workers and army officers. One thing that hasn’t changed since 2021 is the lack of gender diversity in the sector. Currently just one in five cyber security professionals is female and over the last five years the number of female cyber security professionals has grown at a slower rate than the overall number (163% vs. 194%). Dr Clare Johnson, Founder of In Cato Networks’ survey of more than 600 IT leaders in North America, EMEA and APJ, 61% of respondents said they have found unauthorised AI tools in their environment and more than half (53%) said they are highly or extremely concerned about AI security risks. Yet only 26% have solutions in place to monitor AI adoption and usage, meaning that most enterprises remain oblivious to the AI tools employees are using, the data they are sharing and what compliance risks may be emerging. Almost half of respondents (49%) either don’t track AI usage or only address it on a reactive basis. This governance gap extends beyond oversight and monitoring. Only 13% of respondents consider their organisation’s management of shadow AI risks to be ‘highly effective’ and just 9% think their organisation has a ‘highly effective’ defence against AI-generated cyber threats such as deepfakes, hallucinations and prompt injection attacks. Commenting on the findings, Etay Maor, Chief Security Strategist at Cato Networks, said: “In many enterprises, AI adoption is happening from the bottom up. Employees are always going to gravitate towards using the AI tools they feel comfortable with. However, without proper visibility and governance, enterprises are expanding their leaving 1.01 million at a significant disadvantage. The five local authorities with the largest number of SMEs that don’t have full-fibre access are Buckinghamshire (16,972), Cornwall (15,453), North Yorkshire (14,941), Wiltshire (12,554) and Somerset (12,187). https://www.uswitch.com/ broadband/business-broadband/ … AI creating ‘two-speed’ angel investor market SyndicateRoom, a UK-based investment platform specialising in venture capital, warns that AI is creating a ‘two-speed’ angel investor market in the UK, characterised by a high-octane race for AI infrastructure on one side and a calculated, value-driven approach to the broader ecosystem on the other. In its analysis of market trends, it quotes an unnamed ‘super-angel’ who said: “There is a polarisation between highly competitive and often over-priced rounds for AI infra on the one hand and market reluctance to fund A and B rounds for promising non-AI businesses.” SyndicateRoom says two notable consequences of this trend are high barriers for non-AI companies looking to raise funds and increased difficulty for angels wanting to access the AI space as Tier 1 VCs are entering the seed stage earlier and earlier. The three sectors it expects to see the largest increases in investment this year are deep tech, agentic AI and climate tech, which it says has moved from a ‘niche’ interest to a ‘core pillar of the sophisticated portfolio’. … Better visibility and control needed to counter Shadow AI risk Most organisations lack monitoring capabilities and governance policies needed to mitigate risks posed by shadow AI, warns SASE leader Cato Networks. Shadow AI operates much like shadow IT, with unauthorised technology being adopted to solve an immediate problem. However, the risks tied to data processing, model training and the lack of clear AI decision-making present major security concerns. continued... Power of audio EPOS, now part of ACCO Brands, is encouraging businesses to invest in headsets/headphones to minimise the downsides of working in a busy, noisy open plan environment. In a recent online survey, 34% of EPOS customers cited the ability to minimise distractions as the number one benefit of headsets, ahead of greater call clarity due to the quality/performance of microphones (31%) and enhanced focus from Active Noise Cancellation technology’s ability to manage noise levels (21%). Steven Schmidt, VP of Global Commercial Innovation & Marketing at EPOS, said: “In open offices, focus is fragile and being heard matters more than ever. Companies need to prioritise a great audio experience to make workers more productive and engaged…Like many EPOS headsets, our latest model, the IMPACT 500, is specifically designed to protect against listening fatigue. Most people in open office spaces experience noise that can break concentration, meaning that workers use additional brain power to stay tuned in. EPOS BrainAdapt technology is proven to help protect from listening fatigue. It’s part of our ‘Power of Audio’ ethos.” www.eposaudio.com
businessinfomag.uk magazine 06 missed – a problem compounded by a lack of clear ownership in incident response. More than one third (36%) of respondents say they rarely isolate incidents to a specific team, compared to just 21% who say they do so regularly. Petra Jenner, SVP & General Manager EMEA at Splunk, says this ambiguity increases the risk that important security alerts are left unaddressed, leaving organisations more vulnerable to attacks and exposing them to avoidable breaches and downtime. “IT teams are drowning in noise. Every day they’re hit with alerts, but without the right context or ownership it’s almost impossible to know which ones really matter. This lack of clarity puts a lot of pressure on teams and slows response times. When critical alerts get lost in that noise, organisations risk downtime and customer disruption, which can quickly translate into revenue loss and lasting reputational damage,” she said. “To build resilience and combat alert fatigue, organisations need to consider the psychological wellbeing of their IT staff and ensure the tools they use genuinely support them. This means observability tools that accurately triage alerts, understand context, suggest clear remediation paths and reduce the number of interfaces already-stressed teams are required to work with. With the right systems in place, alongside better cross-departmental coordination, teams can act quickly, with confidence and avoid the pitfalls of alert fatigue.” Two thirds (66%) of global respondents report that better collaboration between the observability and security teams reduces customer-impacting incidents. … First for phishing Microsoft continues to be much the most impersonated brand in phishing attacks, according to the Check Point Research (CPR) Brand Phishing Ranking for Q4 2025. Its analysis shows that Microsoft appeared in 22% of all phishing attempts in the quarter, followed by Google (13%), Amazon (9%), Apple (8%) and Facebook/Meta (3%). term, it is expected to create new specialisms and drive continuous learning, reinforcing the sector’s growth. By embracing crosssector collaboration, international cooperation and globally shared skills and knowledge frameworks and standards, we can build a workforce that is not only skilled but resilient, adaptable and prepared for the evolving threat landscape.” https://socura.co.uk/ … Alert fatigue takes its toll Last year, 75% of UK IT teams experienced outages due to missed, ignored or suppressed alerts, according to Splunk’s State of Observability 2025 report, based on a survey of 1,855 ITOps and engineering professionals, including 300 from the UK. The report highlights several challenges faced by UK IT teams, including tool sprawl (61%), false alerts (54%) and the overall volume of alerts (34%), which respondents say are harming morale and causing team members to deliberately ignore or suppress alerts (cited by 15%). The report states that even when alerts are not deliberately ignored, constant interruptions create an environment in which they can be Women in Cyber Unlimited, said: “It is disappointing that gender diversity in the sector remains fairly static, with women making up just over 20% of the cyber security workforce. Initiatives such as the CyberFirst Girls competition and the increasing number of Women in Cyber networks are important in addressing this imbalance. Providing a platform for women to showcase their skills and meet other women, alongside being visible role models, all help to raise awareness of the importance of diversity. The more brilliant minds we have working on cyber security challenges, the more resilient we will all be.” Another challenge identified in the Socura report, A Wave in Cyber, is Artificial Intelligence. Even though AI increasingly performs tasks previously allocated to entrylevel cybersecurity jobs, Dr Yulia Cherdantseva, Director of the Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education at Cardiff University, expects it to have a positive impact overall. She said: “Artificial Intelligence is transforming the profession, yet the outlook for the cyber security workforce remains positive. Practitioners increasingly view AI as a way to augment rather than replace human expertise. Longer BULLETIN …continued How to use AI responsibly The University of Edinburgh has launched a new online course to teach SME leaders the importance of designing and using AI responsibly. Part of the UK Research and Innovationfunded BRAID (Bridging Responsible AI Divides) research programme, Responsible AI for SMEs consists of five self-paced modules designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools and insight they need to assess whether, how and when to engage with AI. Subjects covered include the principles and best practice of Responsible AI innovation; understanding AI risks and opportunities; responsible AI and regulatory readiness; and the practical elements of a Responsible AI by design approach. BRAID Co-Director Professor Shannon Vallor, who designed the course with Professor Ewa Luger, Co‑Director of BRAID and Chair of Human-Data Interaction at the University of Edinburgh, said: “This course is designed to help SMEs filter through the noise around AI, offering grounded, practical guidance that helps them make good decisions, including the decision not to adopt AI at all. Our goal is to help businesses move forward with confidence, not just because they feel they should adopt AI, but because they understand it well enough to make the right call for their business and their customers.” The course will be freely available via the edX platform and is also accessible through Coursera. www.ed.ac.uk/onlinelearning/register-yourinterest-responsible-ai- for-smes-short-course BRAID Co-Director Professor Shannon Vallor
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businessinfomag.uk magazine 08 Fake or misfortune? FARx, a provider of biometrics software that fuses speaker, speech and face recognition, is countering the rise of AI-powered voice fraud with new detection capabilities for cloned voice and synthetic identities. Trained on 55,000 synthetic voices, FARx 2.0 reliably distinguishes between real and AI-generated voices that legacy voice biometrics are unable to tell apart. Unlike traditional voice authentication solutions, FARx 2.0 identifies not just what is being said but who is speaking, enabling it to detect and block attempts to spoof someone’s identity with synthetic voices, deepfakes or cloned audio and video. The software can be integrated into browsers, apps and existing communications systems (including IVR and video systems) to deliver continuous, frictionless multi-factor authentication. Operating in the background, it can also continuously verify identity without disrupting the user experience and capture biometric data from suspected fraudsters. www.farx.co.uk All in one place Gamma Communications is giving IT teams the ability to unify and manage communications across Microsoft Teams, Webex, contact centre platforms and existing PBXs with the launch of GammaUCX. This service, with managed service wrap, enables real time number management, fast switching between services, instant redirection during outages or staff absence and consistent number presentation across platforms, giving IT teams the ability to move numbers, redirect calls and manage their entire estate in real time through one place. The service currently supports two-way calling in more than 20 countries and integrates with major cloud communication platforms, allowing businesses to keep using the solutions they rely on today and consolidate and/or introduce new services as their needs evolve. gammagroup.co INNOVATION Waste not, want not With IT budgets under pressure and sustainability goals rising to the top of corporate agendas, Lenovo has added Lenovo Certified Refurbishment Services to its EMEA portfolio of IT sustainability and lifecycle solutions. The services enable organisations to refurbish, upgrade and redeploy Lenovo devices internally to save money, maximise their IT budgets and reduce e-waste. The services are offered in a choice of three options: light refresh, replacement of minor parts and full refurbishment. www.lenovo.com Pick up and drop off Thinventory, a provider of business-to-engineer field inventory networks, has launched a pick-up and drop-off service to complement its existing smart box network. PUDO+ adds manned handover points to the company’s network of 1,500+ locker locations, giving customers the option to blend collection points according to stock type (e.g. oversized parts that may not fit in standard lockers), engineer requirements or project needs. PUDO+ is available with the full suite of Thinventory services, including parts tracking and the Thinventory Mobile app. https://thinventory.com Cross-over appeal Jabra is building on the success of its Evolve and Evolve2 headsets with the launch of the Evolve3 series. Designed as a cross-over headset for professional and personal use, Evolve3 marries enterprisegrade audio, Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, a modern boomless mic design and a choice of wearing styles – overthe-ear with the Evolve3 85 and on-the-ear with the Evolve3 75. Through a combination of multimic algorithms and deep neural network (DNN) technology, which isolates speech from background noise, Jabra ClearVoice delivers professional-grade voice clarity for calls, dictation and AI prompts/ commands. The headsets are certified for major UC platforms and come with a prepaired Bluetooth adapter for instant, secure connectivity, as well as supporting Bluetooth Native for connecting directly to devices. Jabra Plus Management software enables IT teams to manage devices remotely through a central dashboard. A Jabra Plus mobile app gives end users equaliser controls, wind noise reduction and quick firmware updates from a smartphone. A desktop version of the Jabra Plus app will be available later this year. www.jabra.com/evolve3 Glasses-free 3D Sony Professional Displays and Solutions has been collaborating with Ameria on the development of a glassesfree, gesture-controlled 3D immersive display solution for retail, corporate and education customers. The unified package brings together Sony’s glassesfree 3D Spatial Reality Display (SRD) and Ameria’s latency-free gesture control and content management solution StarKit, which enables users to upload, organise and present existing 3D assets in minutes. Two Intel RealSense sensors integrated into a purpose-built mount track hand movement in real time and allow users to interact with 3D content without touching the screen. www.sony.net
01732 759725 magazine 09 Quantum in the cloud OVHcloud is taking its next step in the creation of a European quantum ecosystem with the launch of the first European QaaS (Quantum-as-a-Service) solution for on-demand access to real quantum computers in the cloud. OVHcloud laid the groundwork for its QaaS solution in 2022 when it launched its first quantum emulator, now one of nine running on infrastructure that nearly 1,000 users have used to try out different quantum computing models. Its new Quantum Platform will give customers access to real quantum computers, starting with the Pasqal Orion Beta QPU, with a further eight QPUs, including seven from European suppliers, due to be integrated by the end of 2027. INNOVATION Record demand Fujifilm is addressing the growing need for reliable data protection by increasing the capacity of its LTO magnetic tape storage by one third. With 30% longer tape, thanks to the use of thinner tape, the Fujifilm LTO Ultrium 10 (40TB) Data Cartridge has a maximum recording capacity of 40 TB per cartridge (100 TB compressed), 33% more than the FUJIFILM LTO Ultrium 10 (30TB) Data Cartridge launched in June 2025. Fujifilm says data centres and major IT companies still trust magnetic tape for the secure and cost-effective storage of large amounts of data due to its stable read/write performance and ability to be physically isolated from networks. In 2024 LTO tape shipments grew by 15% to a record 176.5 exabytes. www.fujifilm.com On the street O2 customers can look forward to faster, more reliable mobile connectivity in Guildford following the deployment of 4G/5G outdoor small cells in the city as part of the mobile network operator’s £700 million Mobile Transformation Plan. Under an open access agreement with Surrey County Council, Freshwave is installing 13 shoebox-sized small cells on lamp posts and other pieces of street furniture in Guildford high street, around the castle and by the station. Using small cells to process mobile traffic at street level helps reduce pressure on the wider network and allows more people to call, text and access data simultaneously. www.freshwavegroup A3 refresh Brother has updated its A3 printer range with the launch of the J6000 series. The MFC-J6760DW and MFC-J6960DW are designed for small businesses/teams of up to five users that frequently need to print in A3. Both models have a faster print speed (31ipm) and larger memory (512 Mb) than previous models, come with 700 pages of black ink and 450 pages of colour ink in-box, and also offer scan, copy and fax functionality. Dual-band wireless (5GHz) and USB connectivity make setup and sharing simple, while the 50-page automatic document feeder and 100-sheet A4 and 50-sheet A3 output trays help teams handle multi-page jobs without disruption. Optional high-yield cartridges offer up to 6,000 pages in black and 5,000 in colour. The MFC-J6960DW has a larger 8.8cm touchscreen, dual 250-sheet paper trays to handle higher volumes or multiple paper sizes, and a 100-sheet multi-purpose tray and doublesided scanning. www.brother.co.uk Display revamp Sony Europe has launched 16 completely redesigned 4K BRAVIA Professional Displays for customers in the corporate, higher education, retail and transportation sectors. Ranging in size from 43 to 85 inches, the BZ-P Series includes six core models (BZ30P), six enhanced models (BZ35P) and four flagship models (BZ40P). All feature Sony’s Deep Black Non-Glare technology which, combined with a wide viewing angle, mitigates glare and reflection and provides high contrast, true-to-life images even in bright, light-filled spaces. The thin, lightweight displays also offer up to 31% lower power consumption than the BZ-L series. Rik Willemse, Head of Professional Displays & Solutions at Sony Europe, said: “We’re proud to provide the pro A/V industry with a choice between 16 revamped displays that strengthen our overall portfolio and combine the most valuable traits inherent to Sony integrated display technology, including pristine image quality, strong visibility, robust integration abilities and longevity, with an added focus on incorporating the benefits of both hardware and software.” www.pro.sony/ISE Riello upgrade Riello UPS is replacing its Sentinel Pro (SEP) and Sentinel Dual Low Power (SDH) single-phase power protection solutions introduced 15 years ago with the Sentinel Pro2 (SP2) and Sentinel Dual2 (SD2) ranges. The enhanced products deliver unity output power factor (pf1), resulting in higher operating efficiency of up to 93.7%. Designed for protecting IT systems, networks, medical equipment and sensitive industrial applications, the freestanding SP2 range comes with power ratings of 700, 1000, 1500, 2200 and 3000 VA, with the option of extended runtime (ER) versions for applications that need several hours’ battery autonomy. The SD2 range, available in freestanding tower and 2U rack-mounted versions, is suitable for small data centres, IT networks, electro-medical equipment, VoIP telephone systems and emergency lighting. It comes with power ratings of 1000, 1500, 2200 and 3000 VA and delivers online UPS efficiency of up to 93.7%, cutting users’ energy costs and emissions. www.riello-ups.co.uk
businessinfomag.uk magazine 10 DIGITAL SIGNAGE 400 nits of brightness, a stylish bezel design and the benefits of an Android 14 SoC and PPDS’s broader ecosystem (see below). Commenting on the value of these ‘standard’ displays, Barbuti said: “The Philips Signage 2000 Series is a great opportunity for businesses, whether upgrading older displays or dipping their toes into the technology for the first time, to reap the benefits and rewards available through digital signage, from a trusted global provider, at a budget that suits. At ISE 2026, we have redefined the perception of basic digital signage displays.” Future-proof design Both new ranges benefit from an Android 14 SoC, giving them trusted connectivity, built-in security and the ability to install web apps and software directly onto the display, eliminating the need for an external media player. Other benefits include remote monitoring and management (and content management) via the newly upgraded Philips Wave cloud platform; FailOver technology which, in the event of a media player failure, will automatically display back-up content on-screen; and a modular, future-proof design that enables customers to add WiFi and Bluetooth, with the optional CRD22 module, and all-in-one wireless content sharing with Philips ScreenShare. www.ppds.com Management Lead EMEA at PPDS, said: “We have to be ready to match the current and future needs of our partners and customers. With the Philips Signage 5000 Series we are doing exactly that, with the speed and responsiveness of AI applications of today and tomorrow being seamless for the user.” In addition to its AI capabilities, the Philips Signage 5000 Series includes breakthroughs in advanced UHD visual technology, giving a brightness of 600 nits; enhanced processing power; reduced power consumption; and a modular design that makes it easy to replace components to extend a display’s lifecycle. The Philips Signage 5000 Series is available in screen sizes of 32, 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 86 and 98 inches. Philips Signage 2000 Series At the other end of its offering, PPDS is raising the bar for budgetconscious customers by bringing together some of the company’s most sought-after features and capabilities in models designed for dawn to dusk (16/7) applications in corporate offices, retail stores, hotel lobbies, school corridors, museum displays, cafes, bars and restaurants that might not need the bells and whistles found on premium offerings. Available in a range of screen sizes (43, 50, 55 and 65in), the Philips Signage 2000 Series combines 4K UHD resolution, PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, has strengthened its digital signage portfolio with new options at both ends of the spectrum. For users with sophisticated requirements, it is launching its most powerful and intelligent digital signage display to date, the AI-enabled Philips Signage 5000 Series (D-Line), while for those who prioritise affordability, it is introducing the Philips Signage 2000 Series. Philips Signage 5000 Series An evolution of the Philips Signage 4650 Series (D-Line), widely used in 24/7 corporate, retail, transportation and education environments, the Philips Signage 5000 Series (D-Line) moves beyond the boundaries of traditional signage to help businesses seize the opportunities presented by AI. The integration of a 6 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second or Trillion Operations Per Second) neural processing unit, in addition to the series’ octa core processor, allows AI applications and tasks to run faster and more smoothly without impacting other processors and operations, such as the Central Processing Unit and Graphics Processing Unit. Andrea Barbuti, Global Product PPDS upgrades digital signage offering with integrated neural processing unit for AI applications and enhanced functionality for budget-conscious customers Extended appeal Stretching out A third notable addition to the PPDS Android SoC family, also unveiled at ISE 2026, is the Philips Stretch 3150 Series. With its ultra-wide 32:9 format and 700 cd/m2 brightness, the 37in, 1920 x 540 resolution display is an attractive option where space is limited but there is a need for good visibility, 24/7 reliability and the security, connectivity and management features provided by the Android 13 System on Chip and Philips Wave platform. Weighing 7.6kg and featuring ultra-narrow bezels, the Philips Stretch 3150 fits into spaces unsuitable for normal digital signage displays, e.g. above in-store shelving, on columns and in temporary kiosks and pop-ups. The displays can be installed singly or daisy-chained together. Top applications include branding, marketing, live timetables, wayfinding and menu boards.
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businessinfomag.uk magazine 12 turning to fractional executives and opting for part-time or contractbased C-suite talent as a way of accessing laser-focused expertise without the cost of full-time appointments. With 87% of CEOs and CFOs concerned about the impact of ongoing macroeconomic instability and two thirds (67%) already reducing operating costs, businesses are looking for smarter leadership models.2 This flexibility allows companies to secure world-class strategic insight when needed, while enabling experienced professionals to work across multiple organisations. 6. Building 15-minute cities from the ground up The 15-minute city concept, where everything from work to leisure is within a short walk or cycle ride, is entering a new phase in 2026. Until recently, this has mainly been a story of adaptation: retrofitting existing neighbourhoods to bring work, living and recreation closer together. In the year ahead, 15-minute cities will be built from the ground up to encourage connectivity, sustainability and community. One standout example is The Ellinikon in Athens, one of Europe’s largest urban regeneration projects, built on the site of the former airport with over $8 billion in funding. Meanwhile, in the US, The Point in Utah is transforming the site of the former state prison into a model community designed around 15-minute city principles. Hybrid work is making these urban ecosystems viable, as professionals choose to live and work locally while businesses decentralise their footprints to be closer to where people actually from more convenient places closer to home. Not so much a Return to the Office as a Return to Several Offices. 3. Micro-certifications as currency Hybrid workers will increasingly stack ‘micro-certifications’ (bitesized, skills-focused credentials) instead of relying on traditional degrees or annual performance reviews. Employers will support this by funding on-demand learning platforms, creating more agile talent pools. This trend will advance internal mobility, with skills becoming more portable and accessible. 4. Reversing the ‘quiet crack’ Unlike ‘quiet quitting’, where employees deliberately do the bare minimum of work, ‘quiet cracking’ describes employees who are still performing, but feel mentally and emotionally checked out, resulting in burnout, stalled progression and a lack of purpose. With 57% of workers saying they’re more likely to disengage when they feel undervalued or micromanaged, companies will put more emphasis on employee wellbeing and flexible work options to remain competitive and keep people engaged.1 As wellbeing becomes a bigger focus, companies are expected to move beyond traditional perks and start using ‘well-tech’ tools like stress-tracking wearables, AI mental health reminders and wellness challenges that gamify healthy habits to make them more engaging. 5. Fractional C-suite and executive talent As they navigate economic uncertainty, more companies are 1. The rise of AI: your work co-pilot In 2026, hybrid teams will more regularly integrate AI copilots into their daily operations. These systems will significantly reduce the need for simple tasks such as admin, knowledge retrieval and scheduling. Employees will find themselves with more time to do creative work, tackle complex problem-solving tasks, develop meaningful relationships and even manage their work-life balance, ultimately leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. This shift is being accelerated by a new wave of inter-generational collaboration. Research from IWG reveals that 62% of Gen Z employees are already coaching older colleagues on how to use AI to boost productivity and efficiency. Capitalising on this trend, employers will use AI and workplace analytics to create ‘personalised hybrid plans’ for each employee, including optimised schedules, ideal collaboration days and preferred office or coworking locations. 2. Return-to-Several-Offices Companies of all sizes are moving away from loosely defined hybrid policies to more structured, multi-location models, with teams increasingly empowered to work Last year, flexible workspace pioneer International Workplace Group (IWG), the power behind brands such as Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, generated record revenues and added 1,000 new workspaces, increasing its network to 5,000 locations. Here, IWG Founder and CEO Mark Dixon highlights 10 key trends set to shape the world of work in 2026 How technology, talent and trust are reshaping the workplace OFFICES Mark Dixon
01732 759725 magazine 13 10. The new workforce demographic: why business leaders need to know what Gen Z wants at work Gen Z is entering the workforce with clear expectations that go beyond pay, prioritising wellness, mental health, flexible hours and meaningful work that aligns with their core values. With an ageing global population, rising retirement levels and widening talent gaps, it is critical that business leaders understand and react to these changing priorities. Companies that embrace flexibility, autonomy and meaningful work will attract and retain the next generation of leaders. Those that don’t risk falling behind. www.iwgplc.com blending design-led hospitality expertise with IWG’s flexible workspace network, these spaces will fuse together work, socialising and wellbeing, transforming the office into a lifestyle experience. 9. Day offices on the rise Day offices are set to become a key part of the workplace landscape, providing a professional and productive office space whenever and wherever it is needed. Whether employees are seeking quiet focus rooms or collaboration spaces for ad hoc team days, these ‘on-demand’ options eliminate the need for long-term commitments while offering all the amenities of a traditional office. Features such as natural light and on-site wellness amenities will differentiate day offices, helping employees work efficiently, flexibly and with purpose. are, saving up to $30,332 a year thanks to the reduced need for lengthy commutes.3 7. The local loyalty effect Hybrid work will foster a renewed connection to local communities. Companies may encourage employees to integrate volunteerism, local partnerships or skill-sharing into their working week, strengthening employer brands while supporting civic engagement in the communities where employees live and work. 8. The hospitality-infused office Workplaces will increasingly look and feel like boutique hotels. In 2026, expect concierge-style services, curated food and beverage options and sensory design that mirrors boutique hotels. Take IWG’s latest partnership with YOO: OFFICES References: 1. Research by IWG in collaboration with Censuswide, sampling 1,005 Office full time/ hybrid workers in June 2024 2. Research by IWG in collaboration with Censuswide, sampling CEOs and CFOs (50/50 split) working at companies that operate a flexible working model in the USA and UK in May 2025. 3. IWG Hybrid Working Report in collaboration with Arup, June 2025 AI and hybrid working propel cost-cutting agenda UK CEOs are embracing AI, talent upskilling and more flexible ways of working to fuel growth while also cutting costs In IWG’s latest annual CEO Index, based on insights from more than 1,000 UK business leaders, 99% of CEOs cited cost-cutting as critical to business success as confidence in the economy declines. Just over half (54%) of CEOs described the economic outlook for 2026 as strong, compared to 70% in last year’s survey. Separate research shows that CFOs are trimming budgets by an average of 10%. Three in ten CEOs (29%) said they are adopting flexible workspaces as a way of saving money. According to a recent report by IWG and Arup, companies that implement a hybrid working model and adopt flex space can cut real estate costs by up to 55%. Investment in AI to drive efficiencies Almost three quarters (73%) say investing in digital and AI skills across their entire workforce will be integral to business success this year. Nearly half (46%) have included use of AI and digital tools to automate routine or manual tasks as part of their cost-cutting plans. Eight in 10 say the combination of hybrid working and AI is already boosting their business’s productivity. Focus on upskilling employees and hiring early-career Gen Z talent Upskilling the existing workforce, rather than hiring specialist talent, is seen as a good way to save costs by 77% of those questioned. In addition, 66% of UK CEOs say hiring younger talent has helped them navigate economic pressures, with 63% reporting direct cost savings as a result. Flexibility will remain key in the race for top talent Flexibility has emerged as a critical tool for maintaining employee satisfaction and this year 33% of CEOs plan to expand hybrid, remote or flexible working models both to reduce costs and to keep staff happy. Hybrid working remains one of the most in-demand employee benefits when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. More than twothirds (68%) of business leaders say it broadens access to younger and more diverse talent pools; the same proportion says it has helped them attract and retain the best young talent. Alongside these recruitment benefits, 88% of business leaders report greater employee happiness and wellbeing since adopting hybrid working. www.iwgplc.com “We will continue to see a fundamental shift in the geography of work with the centre of gravity moving towards local communities. The remarkable advances in cloud technology and video conferencing software – both vital to enabling effective hybrid working – mean workers no longer need to travel long distances on a daily basis. The rising demand for more localised working has led us to open the majority of our new IWG centres in the heart of local communities, suburbs and rural areas, enabling many people around the world to say farewell to long daily commutes.” Mark Dixon, Founder and CEO of IWG
businessinfomag.uk 14 magazine WORKPLACE Solving the problem To help resolve these challenges, 78% of those surveyed have brought personal items from home to create a more harmonious working environment, including their own personal earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones (cited by 31%) and their own room spray (25%). Areas respondents would like employers to invest in include ventilation devices that pump fresh air into the office (32%), more natural light (32%) and soundproof booths (31%). Why the office environment matters Creating the optimum working environment is not just a productivity issue, it also has implications for recruitment and retention. A significant minority of the hybrid and office workers surveyed by Logitech said they would decline a job offer or leave their current role because of poor air quality (26%), unsatisfactory office temperature (20%) or inadequate office lighting (18%). www.logitech.com climate and engagement and collaboration,” he said. Noisy neighbours Noisy working environments are an enduring problem with 85% of workers claiming that a loud office impacts their stress levels. Loud talking, cited by 43%, and loud typing (21%) are particular bugbears. Over two thirds (69%) of workers admit to having had a disagreement with a loud colleague and 51% have been forced to move seats or go home due to office chatter. Is it stuffy in here? Air quality, unpleasant odours and the contentious issue of air temperature can also hamper productivity and office harmony, with 65% of employees saying conflicts of opinion have led to clashes with co-workers. These issues are particularly acute in meeting rooms. Over three quarters (79%) of workers cite stuffy, unventilated meeting rooms as a productivity drain, to the extent that 10% have fallen asleep in a meeting and 61% have come close to doing so. UK office workers are losing up to 330 million hours of productive time every year due to unnecessary distractions in their working environment, claims Logitech, a manufacturer of workspace accessories and collaboration hardware. In a survey of 2,000 UK hybrid and full-time office workers carried out by Vitreous World in conjunction with Logitech and workplace solutions integrator Insight, 71% of workers said they were losing time to a ‘poor productivity climate’, with 25% losing as much as one hour a week. Common complaints include a noisy working environment, poor air quality, bad lighting and outdated tech – problems that David Houseman, Head of Workplace Experience at Logitech, says can be alleviated by investment in the right tools. “The modern office must reflect the evolving needs of the people it hosts and the work that goes on inside it. Only then will businesses reap the benefits. Strategic thought and investment in the right tools, layout, furnishings and amenities is vital to boosting the ideal productivity Logitech research highlights the high cost of everyday office distractions Quiet please! Look and learn Despite the obvious benefits of providing employees with a comfortable working environment (see main story), Logitech’s research shows that 27% of UK businesses have still not introduced data-driven methods of optimising air quality, noise levels, lighting and other aspects of the physical workspace. In other words, they are not making use of modern devices’ ability to monitor and measure what is going on around them. In the case of Logitech’s new Rally AI Camera and Rally AI Camera Pro – the company’s most intelligent conference cameras to date – this includes the ability to detect when, how many and how often people use rooms. Feeding this data into Logitech Sync gives workplace managers the ‘bird’s eye view’ they need to plan spaces better and cures room scheduling headaches by automatically booking and releasing rooms based on people detection, eliminating the problem of ghost meetings and wasted space. This is just one example of how the cameras’ built-in intelligence and automation features make life simpler for IT managers and facilities teams while improving the user experience. Others include intelligent focusing and framing, so that the cameras can automatically and in real time adjust to frame groups, individuals and speakers, and the ability to work in tandem with multiple cameras to capture every perspective in boardrooms, classrooms and town hall spaces available with Zoom Intelligent Director and Microsoft Teams Multiple Camera View. www.logitech.com/business
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