6 Jan 2019 | Computer Repair, Company News, Managed Services
We've made some changes to the branding of our cloud backup application.
This service has been provided through a partnership with LiveDrive for several years, and we had paid for custom branding.
To avoid needing to increase the price, this service is no longer branded as “Save Store Share” and you will be prompted to update the app in the next few days, and see it simply as “LiveDrive“. It's exactly the same service, with the same security and peace of mind, but you will also now receive an updated app to manage the service, with a fresher interface (this was not rolled out to custom branded accounts).
The first screen you will see when opening the app is the “Control Centre” which will look similar to this:
From here you can change your backup settings, restore deleted files (previously required an additional app) and view files on the web. Your existing settings should transfer across though, so no action is needed.
If you are prompted to update/replace the app, go ahead – it's safe to do so.
Once that's done you can leave it to do its own thing and not think about it again!
Of course, if you're confused or concerned, or want us to run the update and check the settings for you, just let me know.
Steve Westrop | Director, S6 Connect
IT/Biz Consultant, Disabled Dad, Voice of Reason, Champion of Change,...
Steve has a professional background in Education and Charity Management, having worked with numerous local and national businesses and non-profits, and a micro-multinational, in roles through to Operations Director.
Founding S6 Connect as a Company limited by guarantee in 2010 after parenthood and disability changed life significantly, Steve is passionate about helping people, businesses and communities to get the most from technology, saving them time & money (or gold).
24 Jul 2018 | Computer Repair, Company News, Managed Services
We're making some changes to the provision of remote support and remote device management, and currently trialling a new application and platform for this.
We currently use a number of different apps to provide remote support (accessing your computer to resolve an issue, or sharing our screen with you to demonstrate how to do something) depending on needs and availability.
Zoom is usually used for all scheduled meetings, since this provides the ability to talk via the application as well as viewing or sharing screens or webcams during the meeting. It's easy to use and most customers have been able to access it without any problem. It doesn't provide any form of ‘unattended access', and is intended mainly as a way of holding an online meeting and sharing content, though does have the option for us to request to control your mouse and keyboard. We will continue to use Zoom for most of our Consulting Calls.
Our managed Internet security and anti-virus service, provided by Avast (previously AVG), includes the option for us to connect remotely to any computer that we manage, but this connection can generally only be made from our offices, and is not suitable for ad-hoc remote support. We've rarely used it, but will continue to include this option in Avast CloudCare deployments.
Our managedSupport application includes an option to request remote support on-demand, and this is the application that will be changing. Branded as ‘LiveWire screenshare' this service gave several options and was often used for quick remote support sessions where we needed to troubleshoot an issue on a computer, or when Zoom could not be used for some reason. It also gave us the option of ‘broadcasting' our screen via a webpage for training purposes. However, this application has provided unreliable lately and for this reason we are replacing it.
This will mean pushing out an update in the settings of our managedSupport application, so that the new app loads on-demand instead. It also provides the option of installing an application to run in the background, enabling us to request access at any time as needed, rather than first having to guide customers through loading the remote support application. Security is always important to us though, so this option is exactly that – an option – and customers would be prompted to allow or reject the access request. We are able to access from any of our devices, including mobile access, and will also be able to provide support for some mobile devices using this application in future.
We'll be using both the LiveWire and SOS Connect applications through August, and intend to have the migration completed the first week of September.
If you have any questions about this, or want to see a demonstration of how these tools are used to help provide ongoing support, please let us know.
7 Jun 2017 | Telecoms, Company News
S6 Connect has been trialling a new SMS text messaging platform (also known as bulk SMS service) over the last few weeks, and we're now preparing to roll the service out to customers across the UK.
With all the advances in technology and an ever-increasing array of messaging apps and options out there, it may seem strange to be reverting to SMS, but the big advantage is that everyone has it. We're not doubting that Twitter, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, and other platforms have their uses – we use several still ourselves – but trying to determine who uses what can be a headache in itself. Email has it's place too of course but – let's be honest – how many of the emails you receive do you actually read?
We've used a number of SMS platforms over the years and found each to have its pros and cons of course. Building on that experience – good and bad – brings us to where we are today, and the launch of our own SMS text messaging platform.
As you can see from the screenshot, despite being a very powerful system with several options available, the interface remains clean and simple. Type in the message, select or enter the recipients, and press send. You can schedule it for later, add some merge fields into the message (the customer's name is always good!) and choose what should be shown as the “Sender”. This could be a phone number or the business or brand name.
Two-way Communication
It's not just about sending messages out though. All accounts have access to the “Simple Reply Service” which allows your contacts to reply to one of the (shared) numbers available on the system, but you can also purchase your own ‘virtual' number. In both cases you can be notified of any replies in a number of ways.
SMS short codes and keywords are also available. You'll no doubt have seen or heard adverts where you can text a message to a 5-digit number, often starting the message with a particular word. We do that too! For example, text CONNECT and a short message to 60777 and we can get back to you with more information about the new SMS platform or any of our other services.
Successful Trial Campaigns with Equal People & 4N
Equal People Performing Arts, a charity in South Essex that we do a lot of work with, recently held their annual ball and an SMS campaign was used to remind guests that there would be a raffle and photographer available on the night… so they should bring cash for this! A follow-up message was sent a few days after the event with a brief feedback survey to help with planning for next year. 80% of the recipients responded.
4Networking (4N) – “the UK's only joined up business network” – has over 250 meetings each fortnight up and down the country. A personalised text message was sent out to members and visitors that had been to the Lakeside Lunch meeting when it launched, but that had not been seen more recently. Within five minutes of that message going out, some of the recipients booked into the next meeting. Coincidentally, we announced the new SMS platform at that meeting and are already working with fellow business owners there to help them further improve their customer relationships via SMS.
Do you use SMS?
We'd love to hear success stories from other business and organisations that have used SMS Text Messaging – whether using our platform or another!
19 Jul 2014 | Company News, Web Hosting
Since changing our name we've been working hard to get our website and applications updated to reflect this, but our priority has remained on YOU, not on how we look.
This website is a copy of the existing PuzzledWorld site, and there will still be several references to PuzzledWorld throughout. We'll be updating each page and ensuing the latest information is shown, but everything on the site is currently correct.
If you experience any problems please don't hesitate to let us know.
Our email addresses will also be updating, but you can continue to use the old ones for some time yet. If your Domain Name is registered with another provider, you can update your Nameservers to ns1.s6uk.net and ns2.s6uk.net, but the puzzledworld.net nameservers are still active.
Our .uk domain IPSTAG is unchanged: EXTEND.
All domain enquiries should be sent to domains@s6uk.net, and this is the primary address used on all Domain registry records for ourselves and our clients. This address may also be used on domain registry records if you wish us to handle all domain-related issues on your behalf.
19 Jul 2014 | Company News
As some customers will already have started to see, PuzzledWorld Consultancy Services recently changed it’s legal name to S6 Connect Ltd.
Most services remain unaffected by this change, but a gradual rebranding between July and September will see the new brand name and identity roll out to all services. The fact that you're viewing information on the s6connect.com website suggests you already know this of course!
So, what does it mean for existing clients?
- Users of our SaveStoreShare service, previously PCSLiveDrive, should already have been prompted to download an updated application.
- An update is also rolling out to our managedSupport Application (part of the PCSLiveHelptools).
- Webhosting services on the eXtend platform will see the new brand name in the Control Panel, and may optionally update their Domain Name to point to our new nameservers: ns1.s6uk.net and ns2.s6uk.net
- JigsawDial Telecom services are unaffected, as are Conference Call facilities.
- AVG Cloud Care and Google Apps managed services will also see no changes in service.
The current websites remain active and accessible, as do all existing email addresses.
We will be launching new websites in due course, with updated information.
![New Artwork and Advert]()
18 Jan 2014 | Company News
You may notice some new artwork adorning the front page of the website, highlighting some of what we can offer to individuals, businesses, charities and community groups. Most of this was designed in-house, but we cheated on the “word cloud” using the excellent service at tagxedo.com to convert a page of the site into a rather attractive jumble of words:
Local residents and businesses will also start to see a new advert appearing locally over the next few weeks. We spend very little on advertising, for the simple reason that we don't think our customers' money should be used that way. This advertising banner will be used in a couple of innovative partnerships with local community-orientated projects, with money going directly to helping others in return for running the ad. You'll notice too that the emphasis of the ad is on saving money, rather than selling services. It's all part of what makes us different.
Let us know if (and where) you see the banner ad, and also feel free to contact us if you'd like to run a similar campaign to support your own community or organisation. It's how we roll.
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