Microsoft and North Wales IT firm unite to host free virtual Coronavirus support week

THE digital transformation of business and industry in Wales during the Coronavirus pandemic will be marked with a series of virtual events supported by a global tech giant.

Following the initial national lockdown in March, Llandudno-based Risc IT Solutions – a Microsoft Gold partner – began hosting free webinars offering guidance and advice to employers forced to transition staff from the office to their homes.

Over the past six months the award-winning firm has held 38 events and trained up to 1500 people across 640 companies nationwide on themes centred around remote working and platforms including video conferencing.

As social distancing and self-isolating restrictions continue into the Winter months, Risc IT Solutions is preparing to launch the first Microsoft Week: Wales, a three-day programme beginning on Tuesday November 17.

There will be six free sessions on topics such as Microsoft Teams, Business Security and Unified Communications.

Business Development Director Mark Lawton said they want to “give back” to their loyal client base and companies getting to grips with the technological advances which have taken place throughout the year.

“At the start of the first lockdown in March we took some time to reflect on Risc IT Solutions and how we wanted to approach what was a challenging time for all sectors,” said Mark.

“The health and wellbeing of our staff and maintaining our customer base were top priorities, but we also wanted to do something for the many businesses that had to quickly adapt to new ways of working and a completely different culture.

“By holding free webinars and Q&A sessions we were able to support them in those critical first few weeks and during the summer, and the response we received was incredible – there was so much positive feedback.”

Managing Director Jeremy Keane revealed 2020 has been unlike anything he and the team have experienced in the two decades since the firm was founded by Paul Roberts.

Plans for a new Cardiff office are on hold for now, but the long-term vision is further expansion having retained all their 20-strong team, despite the pressures of past months.

“The way industries in Wales have stepped up to embrace advances in technology has been amazing considering we were all in completely unchartered territory when the pandemic took hold in the UK,” said Jeremy.

“Microsoft Week: Wales is an opportunity to celebrate that resilience but also to encapsulate all of the advice and support we have shared in our webinars with a wider audience.

“As well as our own staff the sessions will be led by industry experts – including a representative from Microsoft – so I would urge people to sign up and capitalise on the guidance and resources available to them.

He added: “We are a Welsh business and want to give something back; we want to help shape the road ahead after what has been an unprecedented time.

“Risc IT Solutions is working with lots of companies that have transformed and implemented and embraced home working technology, and this is an opportunity to come together and share best practice, reinvigorate business models and discover more about the tools and platforms that are out there.”

As well as the private sector, Risc IT Solutions has been supporting charity partners during the Covid-19 outbreak, including Hafal, CAIS and Alzheimer’s Research UK.