Category: Vox 4 Thought

Third-party backup, a Microsoft 365 essential

Posted on by Barry Kemp

By Barry Kemp Head: Nymbis Cloud Solutions

 Microsoft Office 365 users might not be aware but their data, be it deleted documents, emails, chat history and other aspects of the suite or even users, remains accessible for a period of 30 days only on the MS platform. Microsoft’s primary objective is to keep its infrastructure and platform up and running smoothly so that users have continued use, but no real long-term backup is provided as part of the licence.

The full MS 365 stack in use by most users includes Email, SharePoint, OneDrive and MS Teams which has Chat and File Folders within and it is imperative that all of this is backed up to ensure recovery of data, whether accidentally or maliciously deleted, is possible when required. The responsibility of managing and protecting the business’s data does not fall within the scope of the Software as a Service (SaaS) provider, in this case, Microsoft 365, but rather in the domain of the IT lead or department in your organisation.

In the event that an email, for example, needs to be recovered several months later or a user has been deleted and access is again required after a few months, this will not be possible – at least not with any intervention from Microsoft. In these scenarios, which are common to most businesses, a robust third-party backup solution is necessary to facilitate the retrieval of data.

There are several reasons why organisations that use a cloud-based solution especially,  need a third-party solution for backup. Amongst them are the following:

  • Accidental deletion: A common occurrence, whether on purpose or not. A backup could restore your user to on-premises Exchange or Microsoft 365.
  • Retention policy: If your business needs to comply with certain regulations, laws and internal policies that stipulate retention or deletion of information, a reliance on the Retention policies in Microsoft 365 offers limited protection only as they are not proper backups. What you need is a backup that can store your data for longer periods in a secure location for easy access and recovery when required.
  • Internal security threats: Threats from the inside of businesses are more widespread than we may imagine. Malicious behaviour by exiting employees for example can cause the loss of critical data through intentional deletion. A sound recovery solution that can retrieve from a backup can safeguard you from permanent loss of data.
  • External security threats: A backup can easily restore data to an instance before the attack thereby safeguarding your organisation from Ransomware and other external threats posed by cybercriminals.
  • Legal and compliance requirements: A third-party backup solution is purpose-built to easily search within a backup and quickly bring back data to meet any of your regulatory compliance needs.
  • Managing hybrid email deployments and migrations to Microsoft 365: Whether you are migrating to Microsoft 365 or have a blend of on-premises Exchange and Microsoft 365 users, the exchange data should be managed and protected the same way, which makes the source location irrelevant.
  • Teams’ data structure: Microsoft Teams is not an application that stands alone. The data generated in Teams resides in other applications like Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and OneDrive. This adds a layer of complexity and, as such, it is crucial to protect this data.

One of the biggest benefits of using a third-party supplier for your MS 365 backup is that it gives your organisation a level of redundancy – allowing you to access your data even in the unlikely event of Microsoft going down completely. This view is supported, in a sense, by Microsoft itself given that responsibility for customers’ data features prominently – at the forefront – of Microsoft’s Shared Responsibility Model. Microsoft is adamant that safeguarding your data is primarily your responsibility.

Budget-conscious SMEs and other businesses that find themselves without an adequate in-house IT capability could consider Cloud backup solutions. They don’t require you to own hardware because they store your data in their own or partner data centres. All the infrastructure and data are on the Internet, encrypted, and accessible to you on demand.

Although a third-party cloud backup vendor will deploy the same physical tools that your business will have to acquire for an on-premises setup – maintenance, upgrades and replacement hardware and software will be for their account and the advantages to your organisation, should you choose the cloud route  are as follows:

  • No setup and maintenance are required. All infrastructure is already installed and configured for you.
  • High scalability. Cloud backup services can scale up and down on your request. It’s simply a matter of adding or removing licences as required.
  • No overheads are required. Price points are set up front and will include everything required to start backing up immediately.
  • Compliance confidence. The cloud offers all the security and certifications required to meet the unique needs of your organisation.

If Microsoft 365 is the cloud-based choice for your business for easy teamwork and collaboration, adding a cloud-based backup solution can bolster your environment by securing and protecting your business information and activities on the platform.

It’s the Year of Laptop Rentals

Posted on by Kalli Govender

Rent Laptops Here

They’re compact, powerful and they allow us to work from almost anywhere. In this new hybrid work era, it pays to embrace Laptop Rentals.

It’s weird to imagine a time before the laptop. Officially, the tech has been around for more than 30 years, but they’ve really come into their own in the last 10. Obviously, the last two- and a-bit years of various lockdown restrictions have not only emphasised the necessity of portable computing but opened the door to the beauty of the hybrid work model. Allowing most employees to work in the environments that suit them best. Whether that’s in an office, at home, on the road or all three.

The Dawn of Devices as a Service

The benefits of hybrid work are immense, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t include a few challenges. Yes, they’re portable, but laptops can also be expensive to purchase outright, not to mention maintain and upgrade. Yet, when you need everyone to stay connected and productive in a hybrid work environment, laptops really are the perfect device for bridging the gap between flexibility and professionalism.

More than just your average rental agreement, DaaS (Devices as a Service) or, as we call it, Laptop Rentals, is as much about equipping employees with the latest tech as ensuring everyone has access to the resources needed to stay productive. This includes everything from having IT experts on hand troubleshooting software issues, to installing the necessary cybersecurity protocols and even replacing faulty devices outright, if needed.

Here, it’s critical to have the right hardware, software and connectivity in place to properly assess any problems that may arise.

Laptop Rentals offers companies access to the latest must-have tech without the worry of also having to fork out huge capital expenditure on depreciating assets. At Qwerti, we also offer the ability to scale up or down as needed with a choice of flexible contract options. Allowing you to upgrade with ease when the time comes for that inevitable tech re-fresh.

Where Laptops are Going Next

That’s right – laptops are only getting better.

Already worlds away from its predecessors, the laptops of 2022 and beyond are thinner, faster and mega-efficient. With Microsoft planning on discontinuing all support and upgrades for Windows 10 by 2025, there’s already a push to embrace the newly released Windows 11 operating system. But here’s the catch, it won’t run on laptops Generation 7 or below.

Not only will Qwerti Laptop Rentals save you from having to supply new hardware at huge cost, the question of how to dispose of all of that obsolete tech is taken care of too as we’ll retrieve and repurpose those devices.

Laptops are only going to become more specialised and built to meet the needs of various industries like video editing, gaming and even AI (Artificial Intelligence). This, combined with innovations in cloud computing and desktop virtualisation, means that the future of laptops as a go-to business machine remains assured.

The possibilities are endless – and that’s why we’d like to help you take the guesswork out of having to plan your future IT hardware and tech support needs by supplying you with the laptops you need, when you need them.

Vox, with Minim, brings home best-of-breed WiFi management

Posted on by Craig Blignaut

The usefulness of Wi-Fi at home is continually on the increase, beyond just the necessity of connectivity for remote work and schooling, internet browsing, content streaming, music downloads and online gaming. The speed, reliability and downward tendency in bandwidth costs, of fibre-based connectivity especially, are contributing to home users embracing the Internet of Things (IoT) and the growth of smart home adoption is driving major industry trends.

Craig Blignaut, Product Manager at Vox says: “This growing pervasiveness of connectivity amongst the multiple users and things in a home does have a downside too. The more connections you have to your home Wi-Fi, the more vulnerable you become to the ever-present cyber criminals on the World Wide Web.”

“Not every homeowner has the technical skills, understanding and know-how to easily create a connected home environment with protection that will safeguard their families from the dangers of cybercrime and, as such, we have collaborated with Minim to create Vox Wi-Fi Home Manager,” says Blignaut.

With an average of 10 devices per home and increased wireless streaming, a concept that Blignaut refers to as Digital parenting, is fast becoming essential. That, coupled with an exploding security concern and an increase in IoT hacking – where intruders enter your home network through IP cameras and the like –according to Blignaut, means that there is no better time to acquire the smart protection that your family and Smart Home needs.

Vox Wi-Fi Home Manager is powered by Minim software, an AI-driven Wi-Fi management and security platform, that comprises an easy-to-use mobile app that, when paired to software installed on your router, gives you full Wi-Fi network management, and network threat detection and device management. It is designed to equip users with self-care access for optimising and personalising their home internet experience with parental controls, privacy settings, ad blocking, security alerts, speed tests, and more.

“We chose Minim as the best-of-breed foundation for our solution,” says Blignaut, “as they are a creator of innovative internet access products that dependably connect people to the information they need and the people they love.”

Minim offers apps with usable security for consumers and their care providers to protect connected devices and optimise Wi-Fi performance, leading to higher customer satisfaction. Minim partners with ISPs like Vox who want to help make home connectivity as safe as drinking water.

With the sheer size of the internet and the amount of information and content it provides, it is impossible to manage and police children’s online activities.  Reliable software and AI will go far beyond controlling screen time and indicating what a child has accessed on the internet. It will monitor, detect and prevent access to malware and virus attacks in the background, it can enable enhanced control to pre-determine the online activity of children.

It also facilitates better control and visibility of a home’s Wi-Fi and connected network.  When a new device joins the network, the administrator/homeowner will have the ability to select or create a profile for that user and then link all of that user’s devices to his or her profile.  An age-appropriate maturity and security setting applicable for that user can then be selected, all from the App.

“You and your family now have the peace of mind to enjoy a connected, digital, online life that’s safe and free from intrusions on your home network, while we, your ISP, takes care of continuous monitoring, detection and mitigation of the ever-increasing online threats, ” says Blignaut.

Vox Wi-Fi Home Manager is available to all Voxs’ FTTH customers, irrespective of which Fibre Network Operator (FNO) is the provider of the physical fibre line.

AI empowers parents to manage, secure and control Wi-Fi access and content

Posted on by Craig Blignaut

By Craig Blignaut, Wi-Fi Product Manager, Vox

Anybody born after the mid-1990s might find it hard to fathom, but mobile devices were never as omnipresent as they are today and there was a time when they were not even considered a threat in businesses and in our homes. Prior to the explosive entry of broadband and wireless technology into our offices and homes, stand-alone desktop computers were limited to Ethernet cables as their primary gateway access to either LAN or WAN for businesses and perhaps dial-up modems for home use – making them simpler to control in terms of protection against cyber threats.

Fast forward to today and consumer devices, be it Android, IOS or other has rapidly and radically changed this determination. In this age, we find ourselves enveloped by mobile technology, and by extension, working, schooling, entertainment and content consumption have all literally come home. Our very lives perhaps once quantified only in terms of physical and spiritual, now have a third element added…it’s the DIGITAL. And it is an aspect of our lives that has become somewhat governed by access to broadband connectivity, Wi-Fi and data availability…especially true for the young and the young at heart.

For work or play, we now perform more and more daily actions from our homes on our smartphones, laptops, smart televisions, gaming consoles and other connected appliances. This has meant that we’re constantly increasing the number of devices connected to our home broadband connections, and Wi-Fi throughout the house has made this a breeze. With an increased mobile device capability though, comes an increased vulnerability.

Another triggering component is the transforming networking environment that has increasingly picked up pace, especially over the past few years – home networks have become a part of organisations’ networks, and vice versa – aiding in the creation of new threats of malware and computer viruses.

With this trend, IT departments in organisations are obligated to upscale efforts to deal with threats that impact mobile devices that connect to their corporate network. There’s an old saying that goes, “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, ” which lends itself well to the necessity that network security and protection be considered from the perspective of your home Wi-Fi network. This brings into question what households are doing to add a layer of protection.

Parents, or those that have little children and teens that are granted access to Wi-Fi in the home, need to be particularly concerned about Wi-Fi management, network security and parental control. Children, in most families, can tend to be unobservant and negligent in terms of their online activity while, at the same time, being deliberately discreet and guarded when online access and behaviour are interrogated. Children, in this connected age, are also quite computer literate.  Chances are high that your children use different browsers and websites than you and their chat programs are often linked to gaming sites.  This makes it difficult for you to monitor and develop an awareness of their online activity.

Having a plan when it comes to Wi-Fi management in your home is, therefore, an imperative that will help you control data spend and protect vulnerable entry into your home network.

What’s widely available currently, for harnessing some control in your home network, is time-based scheduling options – available to parents through Apps. These may be specific to operating systems or through complicated router configuration settings.  Some of these solutions only inform parents of websites that have been visited…after the fact. This historical view is limited to allowing you the opportunity to block specific websites for specific devices in the future but will do little to prevent any harm that has been done in the first place.

The internet is vast, connecting millions and billions of people and devices. At some point, it became impossible for us humans to manage and police our children’s online activities.  This is where reliable software and AI can play a role. Going far beyond simply managing screen time and displaying where your child has been on the World Wide Web, similar to Internet Security and antivirus software which monitors, detects and prevents access to malware and virus attacks in the background, it can enable enhanced control at your fingertips to pre-determine your child’s online activity.

An AI-led solution will allow you to have more control and visibility of your home Wi-Fi and connected network.  As a device joins your network, you have the ability to select or create a profile for that user and then link all of that user’s devices to his or her profile.  You may then select age-appropriate maturity and security settings applicable for that user, all from the comfort of an App on your smartphone. For enhanced screen time control, parents or admin users can easily create multiple schedules for profiles and devices and have the ability to manually pause internet access and restart it effortlessly from the App too.

The other consideration for a modern, AI-led, single-App-based, all-in-one Wi-Fi Management, network security and parental control system is that it must be easy for you to use. Also, rather than at the edge (on the relevant devices) the engine that drives the solution is ideally situated at the gateway (your primary internet router), allowing you and your family to enjoy a connected, digital, online life that’s safe and free from the dangers that lurk on the internet, while the AI takes care of continuous monitoring, detection and mitigation of the ever-increasing online threats.

Parents concerned about their children’s online activities and want an effective method of control should reach out to their Internet Service Provider to access what’s on offer since merely changing the “admin” password on your Wi-Fi router will no longer afford you the protection your family needs.

Have YOU Heard of the HYPA R19 Promo?

Posted on by Suhail Dinat

You know the saying – Wi-Fi makes the world go round.

Studies show that globally, there are more than 15 billion Wi-Fi connected products today (for context: South Africa has about 61.53 million people in total here. Think of the biggest crowd you can. Multiply that to include the whole of South Africa – then double it – that’s how many Wi-Fi users exist at any given time). Stable Internet Connectivity is the driving force behind  society today – from education to entertainment (we refuse to say “edutainment”), mobile devices, gaming, work, banking, online business and just being a regularly functioning human in 2022 – the average consumer spends more than 8 hours online per day.

Remember when they used to limit our TV time as kids to 1 hour a day? Yeah, those days are gone – sometimes adulthood does have some perks. For many homes, Mobile Data (on cellphones, dongles and LTE packages)  is used as the primary form of internet connectivity.  What consumers aren’t aware of is the limitations of mobile data as it offers unstable internet connectivity and not to mention expensive data prices. , However with enhancements of internet technology in South Africa, uncapped Wi-Fi using Fibre has become the  preferred, cost-effective, and tech-savvy solution of choice for homes and businesses.

Between speed, accessibility, security, and simplified execution, uncapped Wi-Fi has become an essential technological tool as integral to our lives as eating, sleeping, and breathing

We joke, but Wi-Fi and easily accessible Internet has improved our lives in numerous ways. Imagine a world (or a lockdown) without being able to WhatsApp call your family, social media (yes no Facebook or Twitter), Mr Delivery or Uber, online schooling during covid, online shopping, Netflix, emails, working from home or where we still needed Mxit to communicate with our crush (yes, we’re THAT old). Technology, especially access to the internet has served to empower, educate, and enable millions across South Africa. Just look at the workplace of the present – which is a far cry from the offices of yesteryear. Any business that has office space offers their employees a high-speed informational and interactive experience. With access to the internet knowledge is at our fingertips, communication has never been simpler, and whilst in any other era, a hard lockdown would have meant the end of the economy as we know it, our ability to adapt to new means of operating is in large part due to the wonders of connectivity.

In the workspace, there are a many benefits of having high speed internet, including:

  • The ability to share files, communicate with colleagues and clients alike, access information both in-person or remotely and facilitate the completion of numerous office-related tasks.
  • Increased productivity and better efficiency due to speed and ease-of-access. Add Cloud-based tools to the mix, and you have entire servers being shared – allowing for previously unfathomable levels of collaboration.
  • Better customer satisfaction and public relations.
  • Ultimately, a boost in profits (because you know that’s what counts), with a proven Return on Investments.

Not enough? Let’s jump to the home, and where Wi-Fi comes in..

  • Late hours in the campus library or the long commute to and from school can be tiring and dangerous. Having Wi-Fi at home allows for forms of E-learning and studying in the comfort of your home. Whether work, campus or school assignments or research projects, prepping for your year end exams or just studying hard, you can do so in a safe, controlled space rather than stressing about finding working internet or running out of Data.
  • With unlimited internet connectivity, you have the ability to start and run your own business from home
  • Unlimited access to social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
  • Access to Voice over Internet services using Zoom, Skype and WhatsApp video calls
  • Better Gaming, browsing, entertainment and leisure time – as well as offering features such as parental control, communication, collaboration suites (think Microsoft 365) and the like.
  • Added comfort, safety, and convenience – which is always a plus.

You can look at social media, which, through Wi-Fi connectivity, has revolutionised the way we interact and ushered in the first era of a global village in human history – in doing so allowing us to communicate with anyone, anywhere in seconds. E-commerce has redefined shopping experiences, be it ordering takeout or getting your weekly groceries and beyond. Education has seen a similar redefinition, allowing the conventional classroom to become an easily accessible, interactive, and open learning environment. Then there’s online banking and payment, access to information or content on-demand, the transformation of health platforms and gaming becoming a regular part of dinnertime conversation.

The key link in all of this? Wi-Fi – which we can safely say, all things considered, has allowed for the successful transition to the new today.

Sadly, and unfortunately, we live in a country where Wi-Fi and affordable stable internet connectivity is not always easily accessible and available to everyone. Or isn’t it? HYPA Fibre aims to rectify this by offering unlimited, fast, and reliable home Wi-Fi at affordable monthly prices – which has just become even more affordable (if you can believe that one). Yup, we’re currently running a promotion wherein your first month of affordable Fibre cost’s just R19.00 (also known as less than a liter of Coke). Simply sign-up, get connected and get browsing for R19 for your first month. After that? We revert to normal billing, but it’s still on a pre-paid basis, meaning you decide when you need it and when you can afford to pay for it.

Insert Mic Drop.

 

What’s the Deal with Azure Cost Management?

Posted on by Suhail Dinat

It’s been a tough few years for business owners worldwide. In fact, successfully navigating the economic and financial challenges of a post Covid-19 landscape has been a difficult, seemingly insurmountable task for brands across the board. Not only have individuals, households and business owners alike felt the pinch induced by reduced trade and a greatly impacted economic landscape, but maintaining (and working within) a budget has proven incredibly challenging when said budgets are significantly compromised.

Setting aside the global pandemic, South African businesses have been dealt even further harsh blows as a result of a volatile, unpredictable and damaging MACRO landscape. From KZN riots to flooding, rolling blackouts and an increasingly fluctuating transition between office-based and hybrid work (together with the transition this entails), organisations have found themselves in a Catch 22 situation. On one hand, recent events have served only to further emphasise and motivate for the need to transition to a flexible, Cloud-based remote environment. On the other, the cost implications of said endeavour can negatively impact many a brands decision to do so.

The numbers don’t lie, as studies indicate that on average, at least 30% of companies migrating to a Cloud-based environment are faced with moderate to severe cost overruns. The unfortunate, harsh, and damning reality is that if not managed effectively, business costs can rapidly spiral out of control – which in turn can result in businesses either failing to maximise their Cloud potential or abandoning the process entirely.

With this in mind, Cloud Cost-Management has become a fundamental driver behind organisational decisions to successfully complete a Cloud transition. In light of this, a company with an eye on its budget would do well to ensure that the vendor consulting on or handling their move to Azure is not also left in charge of the Cloud Cost Control portion of the migration project. The reasoning behind this is simple: these costs can become substantial if left unmitigated, and a vendor focused purely on facilitating the transition is likely to forsake expenditure implications in favour of a wholly successful migration. Add to this the financial benefits to be gained from utilisation of the platform, and it’s difficult to motivate for complete neutrality on behalf of the vendor.

As such, an independent partner for Cost Management should, in theory, be completely void of income generation from Azure, whilst not being beholden to the revenue of any particular Azure supplier. This partner should in fact be a completely neutral entity within the marketplace – at least as far as Azure is concerned.

Enter Managed Services at Vox, which has emphatically limited their involvement within Azure migration processes, to instead focus exclusively on the cost-containment methodology. Our Managed Services division provides resources aimed at setting up triggers around organisational budgets, which in turn alert a help desk in the event of any unexpected or unwanted budget variance.

We  deploy a team specifically designated to reduce costs wherever possible.

This may involve (amongst other things) a wide array of interrogations and activities aimed at right-sizing environments whilst eliminating unnecessary billed features. In doing so, we eradicate the need for unwanted expenditure, ensuring the integrity of your business security fabric remains wholly intact.

Further benefits to our Cost Management Platform include:

  • Identifying of actions that will cause budget overrun
  • Continuous cost optimisation by rightsizing
  • Implementation of excellence areas, namely Visibility, Cost Governance and Optimisation
  • The elimination of Bill Shock

To ensure that your Cost Management investment is maximised, we begin each engagement with a full assessment in order to benchmark potential savings before giving the go-ahead. Only then is the actual exercise conducted, whilst full focus is directed towards ensuring that your actual project is not jeopardised by overspending. By operating on a fixed-cost basis, and not transactional finance models, Vox as your Cloud Cost Control Partner can ensure Cloud budgets are maintained.

It’s safe to say that an unregulated budget is as dangerous to your company’s future as any of the external business challenges we face today. Azure Cost Management allows for painless, seamless, and minimally expensive transition to the Cloud – and one which your brand should be wary to do without.

How to be a Great Vox Ambassador

Posted on by Suhail Dinat

… so, you’ve decided to embrace the side hustle and give being a Vox Ambassador a go. The stage is set, you’re ready to make those sales, everything is good and suddenly – radio silence. Your audience is as passionate as the crowd at a Camilla Cabello concert, you’re not tracking any conversions, and either nobody is buying what you’re promoting, or something is going horribly wrong.

We hope (we truly do) that you never find yourself in this position – but without the correct training and guidelines, it is a possibility (and one we’d prefer to avoid). Make no mistake, being a Vox Ambassador creates unlimited potential for limitless earnings, but you need to know what you’re doing in order to make it happen.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at our top tips for owning the title of Vox Ambassador (while bringing home some serious paper).

  1. Get Posting

As an Ambassador, you’ll be provided with various marketing collateral designed to get the attention of your audience and help you promote. These will include artwork, promotions, and social media posts, which you can share as you see fit. In your journey to be successful, social media is your best friend – and we don’t just mean fifty consecutive WhatsApp statuses. Get posting across multiple platforms to maximise your reach and ensure that even people who don’t have your number can see what you’re promoting. Make sure to be smart about it too – by sharing at the right times with the right audiences, you’re more likely to make a sale than doing it at random – so do some research and get sharing.

  1. Listen to the People

Social Media has ensured that your audience has a voice – you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t listen to it. We recommend being on the lookout for people, both online and in person, who talk about Fibre, LTE, or any other product you know you’re selling. From asking about which provider is best on Facebook to just saying in conversation that they need to take out a contract, you can find golden opportunities to share your URL just by paying attention.

  1. Stay on the Ball

We know, your first experience as an Ambassador can be daunting – it’s a lot of new content, and a bit of an information overload. But remember, all the resources, newsletters and info provided are purely to make your life a bit easier. By making sure that you’re always up to date with the information you’re provided with, you can share our specials and promotions as they come in – which might be just what your audience is looking for at that moment in time. So, take the time to go through the resources provided and thank us later.

  1. Don’t overdo it

Ever seen those Tupperware salespeople who just spam their statuses? People normally tune out after the first one or two images. We suggest spacing out your posts rather than running them all at once. The more content people see and the more its repeated, the less likely they are to pay attention when you give them something new. A good way to start is by letting people know that you are an Ambassador and to contact you for any Vox products (just as a heads up), before releasing your collateral systematically and methodically. This way, your posts have more impact, and people are more likely to pay attention.

  1. Explain how it works.

When you successfully convert a sale, you should expect the customer to contact you whenever an issue with their product arises. For your own peace of mind and to better assist them with their issue, make sure to explain from the start that you’re simply an Ambassador – and to contact the relevant person directly should they require technical, maintenance or otherwise important assistance. (FYI: The relevant person in this case would be the Vox Contact Center, which they can contact on 087 805 0530 for any queries or complaints – it’s open 24/7, so there’s always assistance on standby).

  1. Don’t give up:

Chances are that money and sales won’t roll in from day one – but don’t get despondent. Once you build up your network and people understand that you’re the person to contact for their new sign-up needs, you’ll find your journey a lot more fruitful. Keep persisting even when things get tough – there will be times where sales are low, and other times when things are better. Ride it out and never give up – we have faith in you as our Ambassador, so a little belief goes a long, long way!

 

 

Why be a Vox Ambassador?

Posted on by Suhail Dinat

Ask any hustler, any entrepreneur, any businessman or any successful tycoon the secret to financial success, and they’ll tell you – you can’t rely on a single revenue stream.

We know, we know – the daily grind of an 8 – 5 (although it’s usually a 6 – 6 when you factor in overtime, travel time and lunch breaks spent at your desk) can leave us feeling drained, exhausted, and thoroughly unenthusiastic about the idea of taking on even more work. After all, if you have a stable job and salary at the end of the month and it’s working for you, why intentionally sign up for more things to do, more responsibility and, at the end of the day, significantly more effort? True, we all dream of a life like Jeff Bezos and secretly wish we’d either hit the lotto or accidentally create the next Facebook, but many of us are put off the idea of a side hustle before we even begin.

The biggest reason behind this, ironically, is also the biggest misconception – which is the idea that passive income = more hard work.

We’d all like a little less work with a lot more pay. We’d like to be able to buy nice things, afford holidays, send our kids to the best of schools, and drive the best cars (without having a panic attack every time your starter motor acts up). Sadly, the reality is that between bills, expenses, and monthly debits (as well as the petrol price deciding nope, we want in on that salary too), it’s hard enough to save money, let alone spend it casually. Yes, that monthly paycheck is reassuring, and nothing beats the feeling of payday (or the crash once the number starts getting lower), but if you find yourself in a constant cycle of working, earning, paying, and hardly enjoying, you may be interested to learn more about passive income.

Let’s start: what is it and why do I need it?

Passive income does not refer to getting a raise or finding a higher-paying job. Instead, it’s a means of taking control of your finances (and ultimately your life), by finding non-permanent ways to bring in additional supplementary income. Any money you make from an investment, property or business which increases your bank balance without taking too much effort essentially constitutes what we’re talking about.

It’s what happens when you make your money work for you – and not the other way around (this is what we mean when we say work smarter, not harder).

In today’s day-and-age, where expenses are at an all-time high but excess cash at an all-time low, your side-hustle is effectively your gateway to building wealth, ensuring financial security and, mostly, sleeping that much easier at night. The unfortunate reality is that life is full of unforeseen challenges and circumstances – which usually bring a set of expenses with it. Forget, for a second, fancy holidays and Gucci handbags – ask yourself if an unwanted medical bill or out-the-blue vehicle issue is financially feasible for you, or would it set you back a good few years? COVID-19 has changed the world, and introduced a myriad of expensive, often unconquerable problems facing the modern employee – failing to plan and take steps to ensure you have something for a rainy day is the definition of short-termism – and a surefire way to end up in debt or in major trouble.

On the flip side, 2022 is nothing if not the age of the hustler, and everyone from teenage kids to multi-millionaires have successfully experimented with the idea of multiple revenue streams and the adoption of passive income sources.

Still not sold? Here are some ways you can benefit from extra paper…

  1. More money = more time = more freedom:

Go to any resort in the middle of a week, and chances are you’ll see rich, semi-retired, middle-aged people lounging about. There’s a reason behind this. While us working class folk are applying for leave and planning our holidays around the Easter Weekend, people who have been smart with money are afforded the luxury of being able to enjoy their time. And if they’re smiling while sipping cocktails, there’s a reason for that too…

  1. Less stress and better sleep:

The fact is that money is a major, major source of stress for many individuals today. Be it debt, upcoming expenses or simply putting food on the table, individuals burdened with financial issues can end up with major depression, suicidal and experience major personal trauma. Generating enough income to live comfortably while still saving can revolutionise your life and happiness – which is, again, where passive income falls into place.

  1. Enjoy life, grow and stabilise:

Ever feel like you’re trapped on a hamster wheel of salary, expenses and budgets? Opening new channels of revenue can break the cycle – in doing so creating a whirlwind of possibilities to grow and maximise your life. Having the bonus of additional money coming in regularly allows you to make time for what matters and be less reliant on what’s inside your own head. Life is short – and breaking free of negative financial self-belief systems is one step closer to making it sweet.

Okay, we’re with you – now how do I make it happen?

You can do anything, really, from selling sneakers online to promotions on weekends – which still sound a bit labour intensive to us, if we’re being honest. What we’d suggest is taking a look at our Vox Ambassador Programme, which allows you to promote and sell a wealth of Vox Products on our behalf whilst bringing in a commission.

You don’t have to do much other than participate, share what we provide you with, market and rake in those sales. The more you sell, the more you make – but you’re under no obligation to do any extensive manual labour or reach certain deadlines. It’s exactly what a side-hustle should be: a quick, painless, and easy way to bring in a little extra cash at the end of the month.

Now, we’re not saying that becoming an Ambassador will make you the next Warren Buffet, but it’s one of many possibilities you can check out to ease your financial strain and (hopefully) make you life a bit freer.

Let’s talk Vox Weather…

Posted on by Suhail Dinat

Let’s talk about the weather…

Doesn’t sound inspiring, but we promise it’s a lot more interesting than you think. We know, we know, the thought of the weatherman elicits feelings of Evan Almighty, or a throwback to the SABC theme music while Simon with the glasses lets you know about rainfall. True, it may be a throwback to a bygone era, but for many, the novelty is soon replaced by the quicker, more accessible app on your phone available at the click of the button. The thought of listening to a human being speak about things to come is probably as enticing as another ‘family meeting’ reminding us to mask up and get our vaccine (as if we haven’t already heard it 1000 times), while wishing the presenter had a 2x speed option.

But what if it didn’t need to be?

There were probably many who, upon hearing about the Vox Weather channel launch, thought this wasn’t the greatest idea. 50 000 followers in six months later, and we ourselves are surprised at the speed, popularity and growth of our channel – and it warms our heart (pun intended) to know that we’re not the only ones who miss the good ol’ days.

It doesn’t hurt that our key presenter (and face of Vox Weather) is no old bag of wind (again, pun intended) either, but rather the charismatic, bubbly, and lively qualified meteorologist Annette Botha. A woman who embodies the term passion, Annette combines her in-depth knowledge of the elements with experience, exuberance, and an infectious desire to make people smile, instantly captivating her audience and allowing them to immerse themselves in a truly educational experience. A brief chat with Annette is all it takes to help us understand that, in fact, there’s far more to the weather than how hot or cold it’s going to be tomorrow. Instead, there’s literal science behind the theory, which guides informed decisions capable of informing, educating, and preparing an entire nation – and this, we think, is worth the price of admission alone.

Rather than get caught up in the boring stuff, Vox Weather takes the unique approach of focusing on the human first, and the content second.

By adding a real-life, real-world presenter who, in her own words, understands her ability to spread happiness and joy across the country, we’re able to break through an automated, digitised world to give people the connection they require (after all, who does connectivity better than Vox?).

We’ve said out with the new, and in with the old-school, presenting our information in bite-sized, easy to digest daily installments; providing shareable, watchable, and presentable content to our ever-expanding audience of loyal fans. There is a twist, however. Whilst for many, watching the weather is (or used to be) a quick in-and-out, 10 minutes then done experience, we’ve managed to successfully turn it into must-watch programming. It wasn’t easy, but through a combination of consistency, delivery, accessibility, and quality, we’ve managed to hone our craft and create a series of humble, positive, and engaging content.

So, what’s on the horizon?

Well, Annette herself would probably know better than us, but our key focus at Vox Weather is diversity and expanding our reach to make the weather accessible to a wider audience. We aim to incorporate team members with fresh ideas, a different perspective and an equally infectious energy, so as to make what we do even more popular than it already is. We realise that South Africa is the only country in the world to boast 11 official languages, so our aim is to inch towards speaking to our people in a way that resonates with them. Also, if Annette gets her way, we’ll be flying into the eye of a hurricane – but hopefully one quite far away from South Africa.

Truth be told, it’s been an eventful journey full of milestones, growth and fulfilled potential – but we’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Much like the weather, one can never be too sure what the future holds, but we’re committed to expanding, engaging and doing our part to bring edutainment to everyone.

 

What’s the Deal with Qwerti?

Posted on by Suhail Dinat

Did you know that 90% of tech problems can be solved by turning your problem device off and on again? Yup, we’ve seen TV’s, PC’s, Routers (and even cars!) fixed purely by restarting, letting it cool down, or a combination of both. Unless, of course, there’s a deadline to meet or important Email to send, in which case not even the ghost of PC’s past can resurrect your obstinate machine.

Stubborn as a donkey? Please. The 2022 version should be “stubborn as a Windows Update that just won’t finish”.

Truth be told, a competent IT Support Team can handle most minor to medium PC issues (although every company insists that their IT Department can’t distinguish a mouse from a modem). However, with Hybrid and Home workspaces, most people don’t exactly have support staff playing COD in the next room waiting to save the day. Sure, you can bring your machine to work, but this involves time, admin, headaches, and hours lost – not to mention a fair bit of banging your head against a wall.

But what is it about PC’s that make them so frustrating? Firstly, let’s look at all the struggles anyone with a computer has faced at some point:

  1. Your PC doesn’t want to Bamba.

You know the drill. All is well the night before; you oversleep by a few minutes, and you’re frantically trying to slip into your morning meeting before your boss notices. Low and behold – the PC doesn’t start. Like an unwanted guest or a Jehovah’s witness with a point to prove, it strikes when you don’t expect it and doesn’t leave without a fight.

Plug in the charger. Unplug the charger. Close the screen. Hold down the power button. Take out the battery. Smash it against a wall – nothing works until much, much later, after several hours of panic and a very loud scream which sent your cat running in the opposite direction.

  1. The screen is blacker than Sauron’s soul.

You can hear the buzzing and see the red power button yet, like a living monument to Eskom, there’s no life in sight. Try as you might, the screen won’t co-operate. You beg, you plead, you pray to the ancestors and throw last night’s chicken bones – but this is a battle you don’t look like winning any time soon.

  1. Your PC sings the song of its people.

As we type this, our personal laptop is emitting a sound somewhere between the frequency of a plane taking off and Susan Boyle stepping on a Lego. We don’t know the cause, the source or the eventual outcome, but every morning we’re serenaded by what we can only imagine is the traditional mating cry of the Lenovo Y570. It’s loud, it’s frustrating, and we’re pretty sure it’s something expensive – but many people don’t know where to even start once their PC begins singing.

  1. It’s slower than Cyril getting to the point

You click a button, then click again – nothing happens. Soon, your fingers sound like they’re speaking Xhosa, as in your desperation you pound every key, letter and number on your keyboard just waiting for a response. Then, when all hope is lost, everything works at once faster than a speeding bullet. Victory? Not quite. By the time you click back, the moment is lost, and you’re back in the endless loop that is an unresponsive PC.

  1. Blue screen of death.

Lastly, we bring to you the nightmare before the Google search – the Blue Screen of Death. Chances are you’ve seen it, you’ve heard of it or you’ve felt it’s warm embrace – this machine-ending destroyer is the closest thing to Slenderman we can think of. Most PC’s flirt with it a few times in their lifetimes but, when it comes, it comes – and from that point on, you can count your machine amongst the lost souls of our time.

As you can see, owning a PC isn’t without its share of challenges. Growing up, we wondered why our primary and high school IT classes always had a side room full of old monitors. Today? We fully understand the pain. But what does this have to do with Vox, Qwerti or Home IT Support in general?

Well…

It’s well documented (particularly by us) that maintaining your machine (and sanity) is no mean feat. We’ve all felt the struggles, and a quick Google search yields more results for PC resolution questions than Pamela Anderson in her heyday. Like we mentioned above, today’s workforce is more flexible and less reliant on conventional office spaces which, while amazing for those of us who like working in our tighty whiteys, becomes a problem when your PC acts up.

Enter Home IT Support, which brings skilled technicians to you at the click of a button. PC Humming? Dial it in. Windows keeps crashing? Let our experts take a look. We can offer a wide range of solutions to both common and uncommon problems between 7am and 9pm during workdays. You don’t even need to pay for hours you don’t use – just the time spent with technicians. Our decades of experience and technical know-how have enabled us to create this value-added service. All you need do is install a simple desktop icon and treat it like a Bat Signal.

The best part? At only R29 a month, you can enjoy access to our technicians and know that help is only one button (and half a freak out) away.

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