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As laptops continue to get smaller and more portable, they are losing connectivity. While we certainly see the benefits of more portable devices, especially as more businesses embrace hybrid working, connectivity really matters. Users need to plug in monitors, wireless mice, wireless keyboards, USB phone chargers, and more. Docking stations are an essential device that enables users to get the most out of their laptops without compromising size and portability.

Turn one port into multiple ports

Laptop manufacturers are increasingly moving away from all ports except the USB-C port. We don’t blame them because USB-C ports support reverse insertion and transfer data at a higher rate than standard USB.

Convenience is key

Hybrid working is here to stay. Many employees will now require powerful devices that they can take home with them regularly. Docking stations allow hybrid workers to connect the devices they keep at home (monitors, a keyboard and mouse, external hard drive, etc.) straight into their laptop when they arrive home. Easy!

Origin Storage docking stations
Image credit: KitGuru

More screen space

A docking station is worth purchasing if you use two or more monitors. While laptop screens are usually high-quality, they are also rather small. Adding an external monitor could do wonders for your productivity and allow you to view multiple tabs simultaneously. Many of us at Origin Storage use dual monitors at home and in the office, and now we’d struggle without them!

I’m convinced, but which docking station should I choose?

Origin Storage offers several high-powered docking stations to suit a range of lifestyles. Whether you’re working from home, from the office, or a hybrid of the two, we’ve got a dock that suits your needs. 

Compatibility

If you’re looking for compatibility, the OSDOCK-USB3 is the best choice. It offers great compatibility and power for functional connectivity. If you’re looking for a good value docking station that offers excellent functionality, we recommend this device.

Desktop functionality

If you require a docking station to enhance your workstation and make your laptop feel like a desktop setup, the OSDOCK-USBC is ideal. The device uses a USB-C port and supports high-quality video resolution through DisplayPort and HDMI ports. This device differs from the OSDOCK-USB3 dock by having a Power Delivery, enabling a range of devices to charge quickly over a USB connection. 

4K Display

If your desk setup involves several 4K monitors, the OSDOCK-T4K15 will enable you to enhance connectivity without sacrificing display quality. If you require extremely high resolution at all times, this dock is capable of powering up to three displays in 4K simultaneously. Similarly, if you require extremely high resolution on one screen, the dock supports 5K resolution on a single screen.

On-the-move connectivity

Many of us are now embracing hybrid working. With this hybrid working approach comes operational issues; employees need to move devices from one location to another without sacrificing connectivity. The OSDOCK-4KTDC docking station contains USB-C ports and supports 4096×2160 HDMI video resolution with a fast ethernet connection and Power Delivery.

Multi-mount for clutter-free working 

The Universal USB-C Multi-Mount Dock enables you to have the ultimate clutter-free work environment with its flexible mounting design. Even better, the device can be mounted to the back of a VESA mount display or desk, giving you a clearer space to work. Improve your productivity via three USB 3.1 ports with dual display capabilities at 1080p with smart power management.

If you’re not sure which dock best suits your needs, please speak to a member of our knowledgeable team, who will be happy to help you.

Origin Storage

Pre-pandemic, a record number of businesses were choosing to work remotely or at least offer flexible working to their employees. As of October 2020, 24% of those employed in the UK were working remotely, mainly due to the coronavirus pandemic. When an employee starts working from home, the employer should provide them with a device that will allow them to do their job adequately. However, the task of equipping remote employees with suitable devices was a challenge for employers up and down the country.

Remote working brings new challenges

An issue that arose in March, when millions of people began working from home almost immediately, was that many did not have access to a suitable device for the work they were doing. Employers did not have sufficient time to weigh up the best options regarding devices. Many employers will have purchased affordable laptops and desktops that may not have the correct requirements for the work their employees are doing. The situation was intensified further by a temporary shortage of devices due to a sudden surge in demand and supply chain disruptions in China.

Thankfully, the supply chain problems were soon fixed and demand began to slow down. However, many employers will now be looking to replace the devices that their employees are currently using. In many cases, replacing devices completely is unnecessary. Unfortunately, approximately 49,000,000 tons of electric waste has been thrown out in 2020. That is like throwing away 800 laptops every second! Why throw away devices that are slightly damaged when they could be repaired and made more powerful by our expert team for an affordable price?

The Origin Storage Configuration Service

Our custom Configuration Services give resellers, and by extension employers, the ability to save money by having devices upgraded quickly and affordably. Our Configuration Services allow resellers to offer their customers updates to systems and/or custom repairs, which ensures that customers are getting a service that is both personalised and excellent value. The good news just keeps on coming, as our configuration activities do not affect OEM warranty. If a device is found to be faulty due to the manufacturing process, the warranty will not be voided if you have used our Configuration Services in the past.

Upgrades and repairs

We all know that older devices can run into a range of issues such as insufficient memory, damaged keyboards, cracked screens and more; the list goes on. We offer a range of upgrade and repair services such as memory, HDD and SSD upgrades, keyboard, laptop screen replacements and more. We have a purpose-built upgrade facility where our technicians work with your system using compatible products to bring it back to its former glory. If you would like to utilise our Configuration Services, contact us today and a member of our team will be on hand to help you.

Explore our varied product range

For over a decade, Origin Storage has been an established provider to many of the IT industry’s leading resellers. At the heart of our success lies a dedicated team of trusted advisers with a wealth of knowledge in storage, memory, security, and suitable accessories for a wide range of devices. Our strong business relationships allow us to continually expand and seek fresh, innovative new products to add to the market place. So if you’re looking for high-quality, compatible IT solutions that don’t break the bank, you’re in the right place. You can browse our range of products here.

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it. The working world has seen a mass migration to remote working in an attempt to reduce the rate of virus transmission. In mid-June of 2020, 38% of people in the UK were working from home exclusively. As you can expect, this has had a significant impact on IT providers. They are under pressure to ensure that all employees can work from home efficiently, with the right equipment and security measures. Not only this, but their budgets are also likely to shrink significantly next year due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.

Demanding customers

IT providers will also experience more demanding customers in 2021, according to Forrester Vice President Thomas Husson. He recently explained that “companies will have to do more with less meaning they will have to make some cuts and reprioritise some of their investments. And clearly, we see what is happening is that they are more demanding than ever”. This does not bode well, especially because the financial impact of Covid-19 on IT budgets has been severe. When asked ‘how has Covid-19 affected your fiscal 2021 budget planning?’, 62% responded that they are tightening IT budgets.

IT

Catch-22

The catch-22 of the pandemic is that most industries have taken a financial hit, meaning they have less budget to spend to improve their IT systems for employees. However, with the remote working migration comes a need for better IT infrastructure that many companies will not have had before the pandemic began earlier in 2020. Naturally, companies will want to improve their technological infrastructure to serve their customers better while employees are working at home.

Remote working

The situation is difficult for companies who are relying on their IT departments more than ever. As you might expect, security remains a top priority in IT budgets as more stringent cybersecurity is required. However, remote technology is following close behind as many companies embrace remote working. In fact, 26% of respondents to a TechRepublic Premium survey reported that they would spend more on remote technologies that enable employees to work from home. While this is a positive development, Gartner predicts that global IT spending will decline by 8% by the end of 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19.

remote working

Digital transformation

Although the situation is difficult at present, the pandemic has increased the importance of digital transformation for businesses. A survey by McKinsey has found that companies have sped up the adoption of digital technologies by three to four years. The financial impact of the pandemic has caused problems for IT departments, which have been forced to implement large scale change at short notice. The changes will cause significant financial and operational strain in the short term. However, in the long term, businesses will be better equipped for future developments because of digital transformation. If companies can survive through the pandemic and the economic aftershock, their digital transformation efforts will pay off. 

Here at Origin Storage, we have the products that can help you implement your digital transformation strategy. We can supply you with high-quality and reliable storage, security, memory solutions, as well as accessories including battery adapters, privacy screens and travel docks. Contact a member of the Origin Storage team today to find out more about our products.

In March, the coronavirus lockdown threw businesses into disarray. Millions of people began working from home if they could, and businesses had to scramble to find suitable devices for them to be able to work from home. The issue with sudden change is that there is not sufficient time to weigh up the best options regarding devices. Many employers will have purchased affordable laptops and desktops that may not have the correct requirements for the work their employees are doing. 

One study conducted one month into the UK lockdown found that almost a fifth of workers said the quality of the laptop, desktop or tablet they were using for work was negatively affecting their productivity. The last thing that companies need during a global pandemic, which has led to a deep recession, is a dramatic drop in productivity. Businesses must provide their employees with devices that enable them to complete their work to a high standard and do not negatively impact their productivity. The problem is that new devices are expensive and delivery times can be long,  especially when demand is high. 

The solution is simple: don’t buy new devices, upgrade them! 

You might be thinking ‘how can I upgrade devices affordably?’ Here’s how… 

SSDs 

An SSD is the best upgrade you can give a device, and prices have reduced significantly over the years. In 2012, for example, SSD prices halved in less than a year. The primary benefit of SSDs over  HDDs is their speed. This means that devices with SSD’s boot faster, have quicker file transfer speeds. In March, when the lockdown began, the chances are that many employers bought portable devices, but may not contain the best SSD for the work employees are undertaking. Here at Origin Storage, we offer affordable SSD’s that are 100% compatible with devices that do not invalidate OEM warranties. By updating devices with new, more powerful SSD’s, employers can save hundreds of pounds without compromising on computing power.

Memory 

As we discussed in a previous article, memory upgrades are essential if a system has been routinely upgraded over time. As operating systems progress, they need more memory to run efficiently. By upgrading a device’s memory, rather than buying a whole new system, employers can improve the user experience for their employees, which leads to increased productivity. Origin Storage offers a wide range of memory which, like our SSD’s, is 100% compatible and does not invalidate OEM  warranty. 

Travel docks 

Many people prefer laptops over desktops due to their portability; however, some laptops may have limited USB ports, meaning other devices cannot be attached seamlessly. Origin Storage offers a  wide range of docking station solutions, and our portfolio is still growing in order to continue to provide a solution for every situation. An increasing number of people now work from home or anywhere with internet connectivity. As a result, it is more important than ever that they use devices that work seamlessly. With Origin Storage’s range of docking solutions, users can plug in numerous devices at a time through HDMI, ethernet, and USB-C ports. This means that individuals can connect their laptop to a monitor, have a stable internet connection and use other USB enabled devices all at the same time.

Image credit: KitGuru 

There are numerous benefits to upgrading devices rather than buying new ones: saving money,  improve device power and efficiency, and save parts from being thrown away needlessly. 

Our custom upgrade services give resellers the power they need to compete on a larger scale, and their customers and end-users go on to enjoy the benefits of our expertise. Get in touch with us today to discuss your upgrade requirements in more detail.