Your Daily Klyk

Company Phones vs BYOD: The Real Trade-offs

Company phones, BYOD, or a business eSIM on a personal device? The pros and cons of each — to help you make the right call for your business and your team.

10 Things to Check Before You Sign a Business Mobile Contract

Signing takes five minutes. Escaping a bad deal can take two years and cost thousands. Here are the ten checks that protect your business — starting with the one almost everyone skips

How to Choose the Best Mobile Network for Your Business in 2026

A practical guide to coverage, roaming, and cost — so you can make the best mobile contract decision for your business.  

Why Refurbished Laptops are a Smart Choice for Modern Businesses

The world is facing the threat of an e-waste tsunami. With 54 million tonnes of e-waste generated annually, much of it from the business world, we can only ignore this problem for so long. However, a growing generation of businesses and business leaders know they have to do better with sustainability and technology... but don't know where to start. Most people are guilty of wanting the newest, shiniest object for their work and personal lives. However, there are a myriad of benefits for businesses to look towards sustainable technology and adopt work equipment such as refurbished laptops. 5 key reasons for your business to purchase refurbished laptops. 1. Easy & Cost-Effective Solution Adopting sustainable practices in your operations and product is usually complex and costly. Purchasing sustainable tech is different. For small and growing businesses, budget constraints are a regular concern. By choosing refurbished laptops, companies can save up to 60% on hardware costs compared to purchasing a new laptop. It's a smart way to obtain high-quality hardware without burning a hole in the budget. Growing businesses need to spend money on many areas of their operations, tech is an excellent opportunity to save money, and with the right partner, it's easy to implement. 2. Environmentally Conscious Choice Out of the 54 million tonnes of e-waste generated annually, only 17% is properly recycled. There is no quick fix to this problem other than for everyone to make conscious & responsible decisions.  As e-waste is non-biodegradable, it accumulates in the environment and causes a variety of issues: Toxic materials: Computers can contain harmful substances like lead or nickel, which, if not disposed of properly, can affect human health. Water pollution: Poisonous substances from e-waste can seep into groundwater, impacting people, especially in developing nations, and a broad spectrum of wildlife. Soil contamination: Improper disposal can lead to hazardous substances tainting the soil. E-waste processing site with sorted electronic and metal waste materials. There's also the conservation of resources and the impact that has on climate change. New computers have a large carbon footprint, whereas refurbished computers have an exponentially reduced impact. The manufacture of a brand new computer also uses significant quantities of water, minerals, and energy. By choosing refurbished, companies indirectly conserve these precious resources. 3. The Performance & Flexibility of Refurbished Laptops As Good as New: A common misconception is that refurbished laptops are inferior to new ones. However, most refurbished devices undergo rigorous testing and quality checks. You can see the diligence of some of the Klyk engineers in the video below. The expertise is only matched by the love and care as they repair these used laptops. There are also other options aside from refurbished computers that businesses can purchase. Sustainable hardware also includes excess stock and certified pre-owned: Excess Stock: Excess stock is brand new equipment of previous year's models. They've never been used before and still come with increased savings and a reduced carbon footprint. Certified Pre-Owned: Certified pre-owned stock means the manufacturer has refurbished the devices, and they come with the guarantees and original box experience of a brand-new laptop. Purchasing through a B2B provider like Klyk also means you have further guarantees that the technology has met our quality standards, and we're available for support following the purchase. Refurbished vs New Devices   Refurbished New Lower cost with comparable performance Supports sustainability goals Customisable to business needs Reliable after quality checks Brand-new condition Latest hardware by default Higher cost Greater environmental impact 4. Up-to-date with Current Technology Software Updates: Contrary to the belief that older devices lag, refurbished laptops, especially those only a few years old, can support the latest software and operating system. They can be updated regularly, ensuring the device remains secure and compatible with newer applications. Customisation: Some refurbished laptop providers, like Klyk, offer the ability to customise specifications based on the needs of the business, including RAM upgrades or SSD replacements. This means companies can tailor their technology to fit specific operational needs without the price tag of bespoke new devices. [accordions] 5. Supports a Circular Economy Promoting Sustainable Business Practices: Businesses using refurbished laptops are leading by example in a world becoming more conscious of its consumption patterns. They're saving costs and showcasing a commitment to responsible and sustainable consumption.This commitment to sustainability is something that both your customers and employees are placing increasing importance on. Fuelling Green Innovation: As the demand for refurbished laptops increases, it encourages companies to invest in better refurbishment techniques, furthering the growth of a green-tech industry. This not only preserves the environment but also leads to job creation in sustainability. Resisting Throwaway Culture: By opting for refurbished laptops, businesses challenge the prevailing throwaway culture, advocating for a world where products are reused and repurposed rather than discarded. When adopted at a corporate level, this mindset can lead to more sustainable business practices in other areas, from office supplies to company vehicles. Environmental Impact and Responsibility Refurbished laptops play a significant role in reducing electronic waste and lowering the environmental footprint of businesses. By extending the lifecycle of devices, companies can minimize the demand for new manufacturing, which is often resource-intensive and energy-consuming.Choosing refurbished technology is not only a cost-effective decision but also a conscious step toward sustainability. It allows businesses to align their operations with environmental goals while maintaining high performance standards. Scalability for Growing Teams As businesses grow, their IT needs evolve rapidly. Refurbished laptops provide a flexible and scalable solution that allows companies to equip teams quickly without significant upfront investment.Instead of delaying hiring or onboarding due to budget constraints, organizations can easily expand their hardware fleet with reliable refurbished devices, ensuring productivity is never compromised. Quality Assurance and Reliability Modern refurbishment processes include rigorous testing, certification, and quality control to ensure devices meet high performance standards. Many refurbished laptops undergo detailed inspections and component replacements, making them comparable to new devices in terms of reliability.With proper sourcing from trusted providers, businesses can confidently adopt refurbished technology without concerns about performance or longevity. Why Refurbished Tech Is the Future of Business IT Adopting refurbished laptops is more than a passing trend – it's a necessary shift towards sustainable and responsible business practices. While the immediate allure lies in cost savings, the long-term benefits, from environmental conservation to supporting a circular economy and customer perception, make it a decision worth considering.If you're looking for a partner to help you navigate the sustainable world, book a meeting with one of the Klyk sustainable tech experts through the link. They'll walk you through the prices, options and impact. From Mac to Windows, we'll find the best sustainable laptop for your team.

Klyk Impact report 2023-24

From day one, making a difference has been at the heart of what we do. We started Klyk with the purpose to make sustainable tech an easy choice for businesses and to tackle the electronic waste crisis, head-on. This report is our way of sharing our journey toward a better future - one where tech doesn’t cost the Earth. Download the report here

Apple's iPhone 15: Navigating the USB-C Transition

Apple's latest release, the iPhone 15 has updated its charging port to a USB-C. Learn what this means for Apple lovers.

Why Refurbished Laptops are a Smart Choice for Modern Businesses

Refurbished laptops are a cost-effective, sustainable option for your business to embrace circular principles.[accordions] Text

E-Waste Solutions for Businesses: An Essential Guide

Learn about the damage e-waste causes and what e-waste solutions, like IT asset recycling, your business can implement to combat it.

The Divide In Digital World

The transition from a realm of physical documents, phone books, and post notes to a digital era is near complete. This has resulted in a digital divide, access to emerging tools for self-improvement are no longer easily accessible, and access to technology is no longer a luxury but a necessity. At Klyk, we are committed to transforming how businesses procure their technology, embracing a more circular approach, helping reduce e-waste & creating a greener future.  Our partnership with Community TechAid Promoting a circular approach to technology enhances accessibility for all, with a wider range of options available. We are delighted to partner with Community TechAid, a remarkable charity dedicated to advancing efforts in bridging the digital divide. We are working with them to make significant strides in reducing this gap and ensuring equal technology access for all. We are beyond excited to join forces with them and contribute to their mission. Our collaboration focuses on sourcing and donating pre-loved devices, ensuring they find a new home with those who need them most. We firmly believe that by repurposing technology, we can extend its life cycle, reduce electronic waste, and most importantly, promote digital inclusion. What is the digital divide? The digital divide refers to the unequal access to technology, encompassing smartphones, tablets, laptops, and internet connectivity. As the world has evolved to be more online, many people find themselves left out of the digital age, without the opportunities that can only be accessed through this technology. Who Benefits Community TechAid works with a wide range of institutions around south London. Overall a total of 350 partners, spanning a diverse range. These include educational institutions, refugee groups, food banks, shelters, mental health support services, and organisations devoted to assisting older adults, individuals with disabilities, and young carers. Stephanie Charbine - Partnerships & Engagement Manager   ‘Community TechAid exists to end digital poverty by providing sustainable access to the technology, skills and opportunities to get online. We are an award winning charity who work with people experiencing digital exclusion in our local Lambeth and Southwark community. We work with people who are often already marginalised, facing barriers to housing, healthcare, and other vital services, and who are cut off from local connections because of digital poverty. To date we have supported over 2400 individuals with technology and skills and diverted over 8 tonnes of e-waste from landfill.  The cost of living crisis continues to escalate, meaning that many of our beneficiaries are struggling to make ends meet and are often turning to multiple sources of support, including food banks, mental health and financial services. Much like Klyk, we believe in the circular economy: repairing and refurbishing unwanted technology, returning it to use. With the help of partners like Klyk, we are able to continue the work that we do and help change the attitudes of businesses and consumers about what happens to their tech. What might be redundant tech to you, can be transformed into a lifeline for someone else. ‘. What’s next? At Klyk, we're committed to making a difference, one device at a time. And with Community TechAid, we can make significant strides in bridging the digital divide. In the coming months, we'll work with Community TechAid, building our relationship and contacting our community to get involved. Through this partnership, we aim to forge opportunities for a brighter future, extending the digital realm to those currently excluded. By embracing a circular future and bridging the digital divide, we aspire to empower individuals, allowing them to participate fully in the ever-evolving digital world in which we reside. If you would like to get involved, donate or learn more about our partnership with Community TechAid, please don't hesitate to get in touch.   Email: Hello@helloklyk.com

Certified Pre-Owned - The cost-effective way to get a sustainable 'like new' tech experience

Technology is evolving at an alarming rate, making it impossible for businesses to keep up with the latest product releases without breaking their budgets or sacrificing performance for specific tasks that may require more powerful devices. This is where Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) products come in. This blog explains how CPO is your ticket to quality tech, complete with a warranty at a discounted price. What defines CPO CPO products refer to hardware previously owned but have been checked, refurbished, and certified by the original manufacturer to be in excellent condition. This certification means that the product meets the manufacturer's original specifications. This process guarantees that the product is like 'New' and offers customers the same experience as if they purchased it from a store. The difference between types of refurbished products Used devices are sold by a private seller, either in-person or online. They typically offer the most substantial discounts but pose greater risks. Buyers must rely on an individual's claims and generally have little to no recourse for broken promises. Refurbished devices are devices that have been previously used before being recycled back to the vendor or manufacturer. The company typically performs diagnostic testing, makes repairs, cleans the hardware and repackages it for sale at a discount. Certified Pre-Owned devices offer the highest degree of reassurance. These devices are refurbished as described above and are judged by the seller's technicians to be in factory-quality condition. As such, the company is willing to stand by the product, as seen with the offer of a warranty. Benefits to CPO In addition to that 'new' experience, the product comes with a one-year manufacturer's warranty, assuring buyers of quality. In the case of Apple Products, you can also redeem AppleCare, which extends the warranty and reduces the cost of manufacturing repairs and replacements. CPO products are virtually indiscernible from new. Everything that comes in the box is included, without exception. CPO also allows customers to purchase hardware at reduced prices, making them more accessible for those looking at cost alone. For example, with a MacBook Pro 14" with M1 Max - You can save up to 50% and still have a device as fast as Apple's latest M2 & M2 Pro chips. CPO & The circular economy Moreover, selecting CPO products is a great way to participate in the circular economy. Buying pre-owned products ensures that e-waste & C02 emissions are reduced. Every time you contribute to the circular economy, you help combat the growing issue of e-waste. By purchasing CPO technology, you are helping the environment and, at the same time, promoting sustainable practices within your business. The circular economy not only has environmental benefits by reducing resource consumption and waste generation but also offers economic opportunities. It can drive innovation, create new jobs, and foster resilience by diversifying supply chains and reducing dependence on scarce resources, aiming for long-term prosperity while minimising environmental harm. Understanding the market At Klyk, we work to understand our customers' needs, delivering an experience tailored to them. Not every business is going to be looking for the top-specked device. That's why we offer a wide range of devices alongside CPO. We recently introduced our excess stock range, which provides similar benefits to CPO, which you can learn more about here.  For our devices that have come from a third-party supplier or been recycled, we put them through our 50-step refurbishment process, and all devices undergo secure wiping using Blancco. We prioritise the privacy of our customers by securely erasing their previous data. If you want to recycle or acquire hardware, feel free to reach out and learn more about our refurbishment process.

The Hidden Dangers of Data Neglect: Safeguarding Your Business and Reputation

Understanding Data Erasure, Risks, and the Importance of Secure Data Handling It's become normal to have access to all of your business's data in the palm of your hand. We no longer worry about managing paperwork and securing folders crammed full of sensitive information. For businesses, most records have been moved to cloud-based services, reducing the worry of data loss if a device has issues. But, having all your data stored within devices brings its own risks, such as security breaches. Today we'll outline one of the more overlooked risks, data erasure, showcasing the risks, consequences and path to ensuring you're properly secured. What risks come from data erasure neglect? Recycling devices must follow proper data erasure processes to avoid catastrophic repercussions. Without taking suitable measures, bad actors can still recover data from a device you might have thought was completely wiped. Data erasure is especially important when recycling devices, as these assets get a second life with a new user. Not only could a stranger get your personal details, but they could get access to sensitive information about your business and customers. Confidential data must be correctly wiped clean with business laptops (and other devices) before they can be resold or transferred to another user. It's also crucial for compliance issues; if a company fails to wipe a device properly, it could be subject to hefty fines and other penalties. Cutting corners can lead to reputational damage & harsh fines Morgan Stanley, a Global leader in financial services, learned this the hard way. Over several years they discarded 1000's of hard drives with customer & company data still present and unencrypted. Scarily, this huge oversight was only brought to their attention when they received an email from someone who purchased one of the hard drives and realised they could still access the highly sensitive data within. How did this come about? They hadn't followed the correct processes for data erasure, and critically, hadn't properly vetted the IT disposal company they tasked with the job. The consequences were severe. In 2022 Morgan Stanley was fined $35 million USD for violating the Safeguards and Disposal rules under Regulation S-P. While Morgan Stanley has paid this fine, there could be potentially 1000's of records of customer and business data that could surface in the future due to the importance of data erasure being overlooked! Tesla's neglect also cost them Elon Musk's electric car giant Tesla also grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons - a hardware recycling mishap that put its customer data at risk. In the incident, a white hat hacker procured computer units sold on eBay that contained confidential data on Tesla's previous customers. Shockingly, the hacker uncovered sensitive details like call lists, Wi-Fi passwords, and Netflix session cookies, thereby enabling unauthorised access to and manipulation of customer data. How does data erasure work? Data erasure implementation is critical to any firm's wider cybersecurity strategy, and choosing an approved tool can offer your business the protection it requires. It's vital to understand how Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) and Solid State Drives (SSDs) operate and to appreciate the importance of using the correct tools to remove your data. Both kinds of drives offer different levels of protection: while an SSD would need a fair amount of expertise to be cracked and the data recovered, HDDs, by contrast, are far more susceptible. Unlike SSDs, which delete data irretrievably when you press delete, files on an HDD are merely hidden until that space is needed and then overwritten. SSDs are generally more secure, thanks to the different software that manages the data. While harder to recover, it is still possible to get recently deleted data on them. How do I know the data is actually gone? Erasure tools like Blancco, help make the process of data removal easy. In simple terms, a data tool will overwrite both SSD and HDD multiple times, securely erasing all data on hard drives and solid state drives by using random data overwrite passes across the total logical capacity of the drive (and not just compressing the data). This leaves the drive in perfectly usable condition and allows you to recycle or reuse the asset without worrying about a possible data breach. Treating every piece of hardware as a valuable asset is paramount. By taking precautions across your business, you can mitigate data breaches, establish customer trust, and ensure secure data handling. Not only does this reduce the risk of costly fines and litigation, but it also helps protect your reputation. Klyk's take Klyk understands that protecting your business is no small feat - but we're here to help. We have in-house specialists in data security and expertise in the latest technologies, providing end-to-end solutions that bring your business into compliance with industry standards. Our technical experts will work with you to ensure maximum protection. As part of Klyk's 50-step refurbishment process, all devices undergo secure wiping using Blancco. We prioritise the privacy of our customers by securely erasing their previous data. If you want to recycle or acquire hardware, feel free to reach out and learn more about our refurbishment process. Understanding how tech operates and implementing optimal measures to ensure your security and safeguard your data can prove crucial in driving business growth safely.

Password Managers: A Game-Changer for Businesses in the Digital Age

In today's fast-paced digital world, businesses must manage countless tools and services that hold sensitive data, requiring unique and secure passwords. With the ever-present threat of cyberattacks, keeping sensitive information and data secure is more critical than ever. That's where password managers come into play.  In this blog post, we'll walk you through how easy it is for businesses to incorporate a password manager and how it can significantly improve security and efficiency.   The Importance of using a password manager Before diving into the benefits of using a password manager, let's first discuss why strong passwords are crucial. Hackers can easily crack a weak password, leaving your business vulnerable to data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage.  Harnessing the power of a password manager is an essential step in maintaining robust online security. By producing unique, complex passwords, a password generator safeguards your data from cyber threats, reducing the likelihood of damaging breaches. This, in turn, promotes digital sustainability by minimising the need for resource-intensive recovery processes after a security breach. Opting for a password generator not only bolsters your online security but also contributes to a sustainable and secure digital future. This makes the password generator an invaluable tool in our increasingly digital world.   A comprehensive password manager solution   Password managers like Keeper Security offer various features tailored to your team's needs. Qualities that a good password manager will provide include: Password generator: Built-in password generator creates high-strength, random passwords that are virtually uncrackable. Secure storage: Your passwords are stored in an encrypted digital vault, ensuring only authorised users can access them. Easy sharing: You can securely share passwords with team members, making collaboration seamless and efficient. Access control: Set permissions for individual users, ensuring they have access only to the tools and services they need. Two-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of identification before granting access. Audit and reporting: Monitor password usage and identify potential security risks through detailed reports. Integrating a password manager into your business practices is crucial for maintaining basic cyber hygiene. Make it mandatory for employees to utilise these tools, not only to establish strong passwords but also to manage them effectively. By incorporating password manager usage into your IT policy, you emphasise each employee's critical role in safeguarding sensitive data and information. Regularly update your access control policies to stay in stride with emerging threats and technological innovations. Prioritising this strategy ensures seamless and efficient collaboration without compromising the security of your data.   Don't let your mother's maiden name be the best defence against cyber-attacks!  In the dynamic landscape of the digital age, a secure password management system isn't just an option, it's a necessity. Its powerful features fortify your defence against cyberattacks and promote efficient password management across your team. This integration boosts productivity, unifies your team around cyber security best practices, and ultimately safeguards your business's valuable data. As you navigate the complexities of online security, remember that the strength of your passwords is the first line of defence. Equip your business with the tools it needs to thrive in the digital world – make a password manager an integral part of your cyber hygiene strategy. That's where Klyk can come into play. With us, bolstering your cybersecurity and business efficiency is no longer a complex task. Make the wise choice—contact the Klyk team today. Let's strengthen your cyber defences and help your business focus on other matters.