Voice technology is everywhere! Pretty soon it will be an unavoidable phenomenon, not just an app you never use.

Voice technology is continuing to change the way we communicate in all aspects of our everyday lives.

And, in recent years, an increasing number of high profile brands, including Microsoft and Apple, have recognised the many benefits that come hand in hand with voice technology. In fact, more people than ever before are embracing voice assistant devices at home and at work, increasing the worldwide demand for technology that can recognise human speech.

Firstly, what is voice technology?

From the Apple HomePod and Google Home through to the Amazon Echo, brands have been quick to respond to consumer demand for voice assistants, which have been designed to integrate seamlessly into our everyday lives, ultimately changing consumer behaviour. read more

Here to Save the Day

Our technical support team are like Marvel’s Avengers. They’re a super-skilled, highly trained, slightly geeky and dysfunctional group of tech superheroes, who we call on whenever our customers are in trouble and need a helping hand. But don’t worry, they all wear their pants on the inside!

When you lease your Mac or PC from HardSoft with a HardSoft Flexi-Lease, you also get the benefit of three years warranty and support from our technical support team. The tech team are available for visits to help you with installation, training and support whenever you need help. We pride ourselves on our technical team’s knowledge and ability to fight most challenges like a superhero. They are able to do this because we make sure that they have the latest, and most up to date, training. This helps them to overcome the issues that they encounter quickly and effectively for our customers. read more

As Easy as Change, Continue, or Cancel.

We’re often asked about the flexibility of leasing in Ireland, and potential customers are often under the impression that leasing is inflexible and they will be tied into long contracts whilst their equipment becomes obsolete and old. We always tell them that leasing IT equipment is as simple as getting your mobile phone contract, they work in just the same way.

Here at HardSoft, we are the pioneers of the ‘Flexi-Lease’, so the clue is in the name. This scheme for businesses is simple and incredibly flexible, we call it Change, Continue, Cancel. All of our customers are offered guaranteed ownership of their equipment at the end of their lease term for just €1, but they can also choose to continue with a new lease once they reach the halfway point of their lease, upgrading their equipment at the same time, allowing them to have the latest and most up to date kit. read more

As Easy as Change, Continue, or Cancel.

We’re often asked about the flexibility of leasing, and potential customers are often under the impression that leasing is inflexible and they will be tied into long contracts whilst their equipment becomes obsolete and old. We always tell them that leasing IT equipment is as simple as getting your mobile phone contract, they work in just the same way.

Here at HardSoft, we are the pioneers of the ‘Flexi-Lease’, so the clue is in the name. This scheme for businesses is simple and incredibly flexible, we call it Change, Continue, Cancel. All of our customers are offered guaranteed ownership of their equipment at the end of their lease term for just £1, but they can also choose to continue with a new lease once they reach the halfway point of their lease, upgrading their equipment at the same time, allowing them to have the latest and most up to date kit. read more

What is Factoring?

Have you ever been thrilled to land a contract or project with a really big household name company, only to panic when you find out their payment terms are usually 90 days? So, you do the work for them, send in your invoice and then have to wait… and wait… and wait… to be paid. All whilst you’re still having to pay your bills and mortgage, and put food on the table! Well, that’s where invoice factoring comes in. You sell on your invoice to another company, who then pay you – depending on their terms – and wait for the client to pay them, meaning your precious cash flow is intact and you can continue working without gaining any grey hairs from the stress of waiting. Sound good? Well, we can now help you with this. read more

Frequently Asked Questions about Schoolwork

New Schoolwork App makes everything easier; Announcements, Handouts, Work plans…

Schoolwork is an iPad app built to help teachers unlock their student’s potential. Teachers can share class materials, assign activities within apps and view student progress in real time. Schoolwork allows the user to tailor instructions based on ‘individual needs’. Students have one place to see assignments, submit work, and view their own progress.

Q.Who can use Schoolwork?
A. Available to any education institution enrolled in Apple School Manager and uses Managed Apple IDs. School Manager is supported in 34 countries. read more

With iPhones, iPads, and Apple’s iMac amongst the most must-have products on the market today, it’s perhaps not surprising that they are the world’s most valuable publicly traded company.

From Humble Beginnings…

Of course, it hasn’t always been that way. Cast your mind back just 20 years to the glorious 90s and whilst N-sync were busy providing a catapult for Justin Timberlake’s solo career Apple was struggling to keep up with its competitors and gather any real traction in the home computer market. But on the 6^th of May 1998, having recently returned to the company as CEO, Steve Jobs unveiled Apple’s latest product – the iMac. read more

Today we are comparing two laptops with a ‘convertible’ or  ‘transformative’ function against one another. Microsoft’s beautifully designed Surface Book 2 versus the brilliant Dell XPS 9575, let’s look at the numbers:

Find out why the Dell XPS 9570 i9 is the best office laptop to lease in 2018!

The first entry in the HardSoft Versus series where we pitch similarly priced and similarly marketed products against one another in a never-ending battle of specification tables so that you can make an informed decision about what you and your business are spending your money on. read more

The classroom is changing. Apple has made clear that they plan to work hand in hand with schools and Educators worldwide following the re-release and rebrand of their flagship iPad making it

Classroom gives teachers more control than ever before

more: user-friendly, accessible and by developing both hardware and software that make them more easily applicable and relevant for teachers and students.

This blog highlights and explores some commonly asked questions about 2 of Apple’s new Apps, planned for release later this year along with their new classroom friendly iPad. read more

Need a new laptop? You might be weighing up the differences between buying and leasing and wondering what’s best for you.

Leasing is a great way to get the kit you need now and spread the cost out over a period of time. It can be ideal for businesses and their cash flow as less money is initially laid out for equipment. Businesses need to ensure they’re getting the most affordable price for thir kit, so how much does it cost to lease a laptop and what are the benefits?

We have looked at some of the most popular laptops, as priced in April 2018. All of our costs exclude VAT and based on a lease over a three-year period. There are other leasing options available such as Hardsoft Flexi-Lease, which enables you to renew your kit after two years. read more