Information & Resources on Kixo IT Support

Cyber Essentials Certification Guide

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Cyber Essentials is a UK government backed certification scheme that helps businesses protect themselves against common cyber threats. Kixo is Cyber Essentials certified ourselves, and we help other businesses achieve certification too.

What is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a simple, effective framework covering five key technical controls that protect against the vast majority of common cyber attacks. It’s increasingly required by clients, insurers and public sector contracts as proof that a business takes cyber security seriously.

Disaster Recovery and Backup

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Every business relies on data, and losing it, whether through hardware failure, ransomware, human error or a physical disaster, can be catastrophic. Kixo provides backup and disaster recovery services designed to make sure your business can recover quickly, whatever happens.

Why backups alone aren’t enough

Having a backup is only useful if it actually works when you need it. Many businesses discover too late that their backups were incomplete, corrupted, or hadn’t run in months. A proper disaster recovery plan goes beyond simply taking backups.

Free Penetration Test: What to Expect

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Understanding where your business is actually vulnerable is the first step towards proper cyber security. Kixo offers a free pentest, or penetration test, as part of our cyber security consultation, giving you a clear picture of your current risk.

What is a penetration test?

A penetration test, often shortened to pentest, involves simulating a real cyber attack against your systems to identify weaknesses before a genuine attacker does. Unlike an automated vulnerability scan, a pentest actively attempts to exploit weaknesses, giving a more realistic picture of your actual risk.

FTTP vs FTTC vs Leased Line: What's the Difference?

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Business broadband comes in several different forms, and the terminology can be confusing. Here’s a plain English explanation of the main options we supply, and how to choose the right one for your business.

FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet)

FTTC brings fibre optic cable to your local street cabinet, then uses the existing copper phone line to connect to your building. It’s widely available and more affordable than full fibre, but speeds can be inconsistent, particularly if you’re a long distance from the cabinet, and it’s a shared connection with other local users at peak times.

GDPR and Data Protection Compliance

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Handling personal data responsibly isn’t just good practice, it’s a legal requirement under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act. Kixo helps businesses put the right technical measures in place to support their data protection compliance.

GDPR compliance involves policies, processes and legal obligations that go beyond IT alone, but strong technical security is a core requirement. We focus on the practical, technical side of compliance, helping ensure personal data is stored, accessed and protected appropriately.

Hardware Refresh Cycle Guide

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Deciding when to replace business laptops, desktops and other hardware is a balance between cost, performance and reliability. Replace too often and you’re spending unnecessarily. Wait too long and you risk slower productivity, more support issues and eventual failures. Here’s how to think about it.

Typical refresh cycles

Laptops and desktops - most businesses replace every 3 to 5 years, depending on usage and performance requirements
Servers - typically replaced or upgraded every 5 to 7 years, though this varies with workload
Networking equipment - routers, switches and access points often last 5 years or more, but may need earlier upgrades as bandwidth needs increase
Mobile devices and phones - often on a 2 to 3 year cycle, particularly where mobile working is heavy

Signs it’s time to replace

Devices regularly running slowly, even for basic tasks
Increasing frequency of hardware faults or support tickets
Software or security updates no longer supported on older devices
Warranty coverage has expired, increasing the cost and risk of repairs
Staff productivity visibly affected by outdated equipment

Why planning ahead matters

Replacing hardware reactively, only once it fails, often means unplanned costs and disruption at inconvenient times. A planned refresh cycle spreads costs more predictably and avoids the risk of critical equipment failing without a replacement ready.

How Much Does IT Support Cost in the UK?

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

If you’re researching IT support for your business, cost is usually one of the first questions. Here’s a straightforward answer, without the sales pitch.

Typical pricing models

Most UK IT support providers use one of two pricing models:

Pay as you go (break-fix) - you’re charged for each individual call out or repair, with no ongoing monthly commitment (Kixo do not offer this model)
Managed IT support - a fixed monthly fee, usually charged per user or per device, covering ongoing support and proactive management

Rough cost ranges

For managed IT support, businesses in the UK typically pay somewhere around £50 per user per month, depending on the level of cover and complexity of their systems. Larger businesses or those with more complex requirements.

In-House IT vs Outsourced IT: Which Is Right for Your Business?

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

As businesses grow, one of the recurring questions is whether to build an internal IT team or outsource to a managed IT support provider. There’s no universally right answer, but here’s how the two compare.

In-house IT

Advantages

Staff are dedicated entirely to your business and understand it deeply
Immediate physical presence for on-site issues
Direct control over priorities and ways of working

Disadvantages

Cost of salaries, benefits and training, often for more than one person to provide adequate cover
Limited to the knowledge and experience of the individuals hired
Smaller Team - Holiday, sickness and staff turnover can leave gaps in cover
Harder to access specialist expertise across every area, from cyber security to networking

Outsourced IT support

Advantages

IT Helpdesk Pricing: What Should You Expect to Pay?

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

One of the most common questions we get asked is how much IT support actually costs. The honest answer is that it depends on a few factors, but this guide should give you a realistic idea of what to expect.

How IT support is usually priced

Most managed IT support providers, including Kixo, charge a flat monthly fee based on the number of users or devices being supported. This is different from the older “pay as you go” model, where you’re billed by the hour whenever something goes wrong.

Laptop and Desktop Procurement for Business

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Buying business hardware isn’t just about picking whatever’s cheapest online. The right equipment, sourced properly, saves time, reduces support issues and keeps your team productive. Kixo provides procurement and supply of laptops, desktops and other business hardware.

Why procurement matters

Business hardware needs to balance performance, reliability and cost, while fitting properly into your existing IT setup. Buying the wrong specification, or hardware that isn’t properly configured for business use, often leads to more support issues down the line.

Managed IT Support for Accountants

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Accounting and bookkeeping practices run on tight deadlines, especially around tax season and year-end reporting. Software downtime or a lost file at the wrong moment can cause real problems for both your firm and your clients. Kixo provides managed IT support designed around the pressures accountants face.

Why accountants need specialist IT support

Accounting practices handle sensitive financial data and rely heavily on specific software platforms, cloud accounting tools and secure client portals. Support needs to understand these systems, not just general office IT.

Managed IT Support for Care Homes

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Care homes rely on their systems to keep resident records accurate, staff rotas running and families informed, all while meeting strict data protection and regulatory requirements. Kixo provides managed IT support built around the needs of care providers.

Why care homes need specialist IT support

Care settings hold highly sensitive personal and medical data, and are subject to specific regulatory scrutiny around data protection and system security. IT support needs to understand these obligations, not just general office requirements.

Managed IT Support for Legal Firms

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Law firms depend on their systems more than most. Case management software, secure document storage and email need to be available without interruption, and any downtime can mean missed deadlines or compromised client confidentiality. Kixo provides managed IT support built around the way legal practices actually work.

Why legal firms need specialist IT support

Legal work involves handling sensitive client information under strict confidentiality obligations, often alongside regulatory requirements from the SRA or similar bodies. Generic IT support doesn’t always understand these pressures. We do.

Managed IT Support for Manufacturing Businesses

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Manufacturing businesses depend on a mix of office systems and factory floor technology, from MRP, ERP and stock control software to networked machinery and warehouse connectivity. Kixo provides managed IT support that covers both sides of your operation.

Why manufacturers need specialist IT support

Downtime on a manufacturing floor isn’t just inconvenient, it can halt production entirely. IT support for manufacturers needs to understand the difference between an office network issue and a production line problem, and respond accordingly.

Microsoft 365 Support and Migration

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Microsoft 365 is the backbone of email, file storage and collaboration for most businesses today, but getting the most from it takes proper setup and ongoing support. Kixo provides Microsoft 365 support and migration services for businesses across the Midlands.

Microsoft 365 migration

Moving from an older on-premise email server, a different email provider, or an outdated Office setup to Microsoft 365 can feel daunting, but done properly it shouldn’t disrupt your business. Our migrations are planned to minimise downtime and keep your email, files and calendars intact throughout the process.

Phishing and Staff Security Training

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Technical security measures can only go so far. Most successful cyber attacks start with a person, not a system, clicking a malicious link, opening an infected attachment, or being tricked into transferring money. Staff training is one of the most effective and affordable ways to protect your business.

Why staff training matters

Firewalls and antivirus software can’t stop an employee from being convincingly deceived by a well crafted phishing email. Regular training helps your team recognise the warning signs and know what to do when something looks suspicious.

Ransomware Protection for Small and Medium Businesses

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ransomware remains one of the most damaging cyber threats facing UK businesses, with attackers encrypting critical data and demanding payment for its release. Smaller businesses are increasingly targeted, often because attackers assume their defences are weaker. Kixo helps businesses put practical protection in place.

How ransomware attacks typically happen

Most ransomware attacks start with a phishing email, a compromised remote access point, or exploiting outdated, unpatched software. Once inside a network, attackers can spread quickly, encrypting files and systems before demanding payment for their release.

Signs It's Time to Switch IT Provider

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Sticking with an underperforming IT provider out of inertia is more common than you’d think. If any of the following sound familiar, it might be time to consider a change.

You’re constantly chasing them

If getting a response to a support ticket takes hours or days, or you find yourself chasing the same issue repeatedly, your provider isn’t giving you the level of service your business needs.

You only hear from them when something breaks

Good IT support should be proactive, catching problems before they affect your business. If your provider only appears after something has already gone wrong, they’re not managing your systems properly.

SIP Trunks Explained

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

If your business has an existing on-premise phone system and isn’t ready to move fully to cloud VoIP, SIP trunks are often the best way to modernise. Here’s what they are and how they work.

What is a SIP trunk?

A SIP trunk is a virtual phone line that connects your existing on-premise phone system to the internet, replacing traditional analogue or ISDN phone lines. It uses the same underlying technology as VoIP, but works alongside your current hardware rather than replacing it entirely.

VoIP Phone Systems for Business

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Traditional phone lines are being phased out across the UK, and most businesses are moving to VoIP, or Voice over IP, phone systems instead. Kixo supplies and supports cloud hosted VoIP phone systems for businesses across the UK.

What is VoIP?

VoIP allows phone calls to be made over your internet connection rather than a traditional phone line. This means calls can be made from desk phones, mobile apps or computers, and your phone system can move with you if you change offices.

What if your server or network went down?

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Your servers and network are the backbone of your business, quietly running email, file storage, applications and connectivity for your whole team. When they’re managed well, you barely notice them. When they’re not, everything grinds to a halt. Kixo provides proactive server and network management for businesses across the Midlands.

What server and network management includes

Ongoing monitoring of server health, storage capacity and performance
Regular software updates and security patching
Backup management and testing, so you know your data can actually be restored
Network monitoring, including routers, switches and Wi-Fi coverage
Capacity planning, so your systems keep pace as your business grows
Rapid response and troubleshooting when issues do arise

Proactive, not reactive

Many businesses only think about their servers and network when something breaks. Our approach is proactive: we monitor systems continuously, catching warning signs like failing hardware, low storage or unusual network activity before they cause an outage.

What Is Managed IT Support?

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Managed IT support is a way of outsourcing the day to day management of your business technology to a specialist provider, usually for a fixed monthly fee, rather than paying for IT help only when something breaks.

How it differs from traditional IT support

Traditional, or “break-fix”, IT support involves calling someone out when a problem occurs and paying for that individual visit or repair. Managed IT support instead takes ongoing responsibility for keeping your systems running well, proactively monitoring and maintaining them to prevent problems before they happen.

Information & Resources on Kixo IT Support

Cyber Essentials Certification Guide

What is Cyber Essentials?

Disaster Recovery and Backup

Why backups alone aren’t enough

Free Penetration Test: What to Expect

What is a penetration test?

FTTP vs FTTC vs Leased Line: What's the Difference?

FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet)

GDPR and Data Protection Compliance

Where IT support fits into GDPR compliance

Hardware Refresh Cycle Guide

Typical refresh cycles

Signs it’s time to replace

Why planning ahead matters

How Much Does IT Support Cost in the UK?

Typical pricing models

Rough cost ranges

In-House IT vs Outsourced IT: Which Is Right for Your Business?

In-house IT

Outsourced IT support

IT Helpdesk Pricing: What Should You Expect to Pay?

How IT support is usually priced

Laptop and Desktop Procurement for Business

Why procurement matters

Managed IT Support for Accountants

Why accountants need specialist IT support

Managed IT Support for Care Homes

Why care homes need specialist IT support

Managed IT Support for Legal Firms

Why legal firms need specialist IT support

Managed IT Support for Manufacturing Businesses

Why manufacturers need specialist IT support

Microsoft 365 Support and Migration

Microsoft 365 migration

Phishing and Staff Security Training

Why staff training matters

Ransomware Protection for Small and Medium Businesses

How ransomware attacks typically happen

Signs It's Time to Switch IT Provider

You’re constantly chasing them

You only hear from them when something breaks

SIP Trunks Explained

What is a SIP trunk?

VoIP Phone Systems for Business

What is VoIP?

What if your server or network went down?

What server and network management includes

Proactive, not reactive

What Is Managed IT Support?

How it differs from traditional IT support