Andre Schindler, GM EMEA and SVP Global Sales at NinjaOne  

Universities were hit hard by the pandemic, with educational leaders all over the UK suddenly required to rethink models for learning. Traditionally heavily reliant on in-person attendance, the closure of lecture halls and seminar rooms caused undeniable disruption for students. 

Years later, many educational institutions have reshaped their frameworks for learning. Positively, the introduction of the ‘hybrid classroom’ (or lecture hall) has made it easier and more accessible than ever before for students to learn anytime, anywhere. The University of Birmingham is just one major university in the UK that has already set out plans to implement a smart, connected campus. Whilst these technological advancements are creating more personalised and accessible learning experiences for students, they also present a host of new challenges for IT teams.  

IT teams at universities, many of whom already operate under tight budgets, are now faced with monitoring and securing more devices (or endpoints) than ever before. Ensuring networks remain secure in the face of increased complexity is no mean feat – especially as many universities scale back their staff amidst ongoing economic turbulence. 

Fortunately, technologies like automated endpoint management are making it easier than ever before for IT leaders to effectively manage devices across campuses at scale. These tools are not only contributing to more seamless learning experiences for students, but they are also playing a fundamental role in enhancing the digital security of educational institutions. 

‘Bring Your Own Device’ culture and campus security  

In recent years, the number of endpoints in higher education has soared, fuelled by the rise of remote learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, and widespread cloud adoption. IT ecosystems are expanding rapidly, and these technologies are now viewed by both students and faculty as essential in creating more interactive and flexible learning environments.  

This boom in digital technology holds the key to campus-wide innovation. Universities are incorporating more IoT devices and automation into their IT infrastructure and building management, optimising energy use, enhancing efficiency, and reducing costs. Remote learning and flexible working options broaden opportunities, allowing universities to attract students from further locations and enabling staff to have more flexible work arrangements. 

Moreover, the move to hybrid and multi-cloud environments offers IT teams a secure and cost-effective way to store student data, documents, and recorded lectures while scaling to meet fluctuating demands for network access and IT services. 

With all these advancements, IT leaders are tasked with managing and securing this increasingly complex landscape, ensuring that higher education’s tech-driven future continues to thrive. 

IT teams: spinning more plates than ever before 

IT teams at universities already face heavy burdens, with one technician often solely responsible for thousands of endpoints. Even seasoned IT professionals feel overburdened by such a task and lack the time and resources needed to effectively secure and monitor a complex and sprawling range of devices. The implementation of Software-as-a-Service applications, and hybrid or multi-cloud environments, further complicate this picture. It’s clear that today’s campuses have gone far beyond manual IT management and monitoring, and technicians need to consider new approaches if they are to get a handle on new levels of complexity and scale. IT admins themselves can’t see everything, everywhere, all at once, so they need extra support to monitor across multiple campuses, cities, and in some cases, even countries. 

The diversity of server and networking devices – each with different operating systems, hardware, and software – further complicates endpoint management. Thankfully, automated endpoint management is a cost-effective way to simplify this challenge. IT teams can utilise an automated endpoint management tool like a ‘sidekick’, automating time-consuming tasks such as patching and backups. IT teams no longer need to burn the midnight oil and spend late nights in the office to manually deploy system updates. Now, critical updates can be deployed and managed automatically across every device in a single pane of glass.  

Increasing visibility and security across every device, everywhere  

We’ve seen how automated endpoint management can augment tedious manual tasks, such as system updates and patching. Another key benefit of automated endpoint management is that it provides IT teams with a much more holistic overview of their devices. This means IT teams can monitor and control every endpoint in every location in real-time. This is a game-changer for technicians, who no longer need to be stationed on every campus or move between buildings to support faculty and students.  

Going one step further, automated endpoint management also bolsters security practices – a crucial component for universities given that 97% of higher education institutions identified a breach or attack in the past year, and with research also showing that more than three-quarters (77%) of organisation have experienced a cyberattack that started via exploit of an unknown, unmanaged, or poorly managed endpoint.¹  

By automating and optimising endpoint management, IT teams can rest easy knowing they have backups safeguarding an educational institution’s precious data. Backup protection safeguards critical student data from accidental loss and cyber threats, so learning can resume as quickly as possible should a breach occur. Meanwhile, automated patch management ensures up-to-date systems and minimises known vulnerabilities, resulting in continued functionality, productivity, and security.  

These additional layers of protection are essential as educational institutions are often prime targets for attack, considering the volume of valuable personal and financial data they hold, not to mention their cutting-edge research and IP. 

Seamless integration 

Understandably, cost is also a key concern for educational institutions. A recent report from the Office for Students (OfS) revealed that more than a third of universities are likely to encounter financial hardship in 2025, despite increased tuition fees. It’s therefore important to choose an endpoint management solution that can integrate with existing third-party applications, avoiding a whole-system overhaul.  

Universities will undoubtedly continue to offer more innovative, engaging and creative learning experiences in years to come. With this, endpoints will continue to expand exponentially, in their number and complexity. It’s a daunting challenge for IT teams, but by leveraging automated endpoint management, IT teams can focus on what matters the most: improving educational activities and technology integration across campus. Automated endpoint management will be key to support the ‘digital lecture hall’ now and into the future, ensuring secure and user-friendly experiences for teachers and students alike. 

by Nada Ali Redha, Founder of PLIM Finance

In recent years, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platforms have skyrocketed in popularity, offering consumers an appealing alternative to traditional credit options. As these services become a significant part of the consumer finance landscape, it is crucial that BNPL providers not only offer flexible payment solutions but also play an active role in enhancing financial literacy.

At PLIM Finance, we believe that empowering consumers with financial education is as important as providing them with flexible payment options. The long-term success of the BNPL industry depends on responsible usage, transparency, and ensuring consumers fully understand how these services impact their financial lives. In this article, I want to explore why financial education should be at the heart of the BNPL sector, and how PLIM Finance is leading by example in this regard.

BNPL platforms allow consumers to break down purchases into smaller, more manageable instalments, offering a new level of financial flexibility. However, with great flexibility comes responsibility. A concern that has surfaced with the rapid growth of BNPL services is the potential for consumers to overextend themselves without fully understanding the implications of delayed payments.

This is where financial education becomes crucial. BNPL providers have a responsibility to ensure that users are not only aware of how these platforms work but are also making informed decisions about their personal finances. By prioritising education, BNPL companies can build consumer trust and help prevent the financial pitfalls that can arise from misuse.

Financial education plays an essential role in equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to manage their finances responsibly. Without a solid understanding of the impact that BNPL services can have on one’s cash flow and debt, consumers may unintentionally make choices that hurt their financial well-being.

As BNPL platforms continue to evolve and gain widespread interest, we must be proactive in educating our users about responsible borrowing, budgeting, and financial planning. These services are not just about convenience; they are about enabling consumers to make better financial decisions.

At PLIM Finance, we view financial education as a fundamental part of our service offering. It’s not enough to simply provide the option to spread payments over time. We have to make sure our customers understand the broader context of their financial decisions, ensuring they have access to tools and resources that promote financial literacy.

BNPL providers are uniquely positioned to enhance financial education on a broad scale. With millions of users across various demographics, we have the potential to influence and guide consumers toward more responsible financial behaviour. Here are three critical ways in which BNPL providers can make a meaningful impact:

1. Providing Clear Information:

Transparency is key. Consumers need to know exactly what they are signing up for when using a BNPL service. This means offering clear, accessible information about the terms, fees, and consequences of using the service. At PLIM Finance, we ensure that all our users have a full understanding of their payment obligations before they commit to any treatment. This builds trust and helps consumers avoid unwanted surprises.

2. Promoting Responsible Usage:

It is essential for BNPL providers to encourage users to assess their financial situation before making a purchase. We must discourage over-borrowing by promoting responsible spending habits and ensuring consumers are aware of the risks of taking on too much debt. PLIM Finance does this by consistently reminding our customers of their financial obligations through a user-friendly dashboard that keeps them informed about upcoming payments and outstanding balances.

3. Creating Educational Content:  

BNPL platforms should be proactive in creating educational resources such as workshops, webinars, and guides on budgeting, credit management, and debt awareness. These resources help users make more informed financial decisions. At PLIM Finance, we have developed a resource centre that provides our users with valuable insights into how our platform works, how it affects their expenses, and how they can better manage their finances overall.

At PLIM Finance, we are committed to not only offering a seamless BNPL experience but also ensuring that our customers have the knowledge and resources to use our platform responsibly. This commitment to financial education is evident in several initiatives that we have implemented to guide our users toward better financial management:

• Comprehensive Resource Centre

Our online resource centre is designed to provide users with all the information they need to understand how PLIM Finance works and how it can impact their overall financial situation. We explain the terms of our service, how payments are structured, and what happens if a payment is missed. This allows customers to make informed choices before committing to any treatments or services.

• Real-Time Notifications and Updates: 

One of the most effective ways to ensure financial responsibility is by keeping customers informed about their financial obligations. Our platform’s dashboard is designed to provide real-time updates, reminding users of upcoming payments and balances. This proactive communication helps users stay on top of their finances and avoid unnecessary late fees or penalties.

• Payment Calculator: 

Our payment calculator allows users to see a detailed breakdown of their instalment plans, including exact amounts and payment dates. This tool is essential for helping customers budget effectively and integrate their payments into their broader financial plan.

As BNPL continues to reshape the financial services landscape, the need for robust financial education will only grow. BNPL providers have a duty to prioritise transparency, responsibility, and education in their business models to ensure that consumers can make informed, sustainable financial decisions. At PLIM Finance, we believe that the future of BNPL lies in building trust with our customers, and that starts with education.

Financial literacy is not just a bonus- it is a necessity. By integrating educational resources, real-time tools, and transparent communication into our platform, we are ensuring that our customers are equipped to use our services responsibly and to their benefit. We should be reminded of the importance of making thoughtful, informed financial decisions, and BNPL providers like PLIM Finance are committed to leading the way in promoting financial education. The intersection of BNPL and financial literacy is where innovation and responsibility meet, and at PLIM Finance, we are proud to be at the forefront of this movement.

By Gregor Hofer, CEO and Co-founder at Rapport

What separates good doctors from excellent doctors, the type that might get five-star reviews if, like an Uber driver, their services were supported by a smartphone app?

Medical knowledge, expertise, and better outcomes are, of course, the most important factors. But – particularly when dealing with patients’ relatives, discussing risk assessment and imparting bad news – we shouldn’t underestimate the importance of bedside manner.

This might come naturally to some doctors but there are none for whom training isn’t useful, whether at medical school or on the job.

There will always be a place for real human interaction in this training, the type that involves role-play, with actors or colleagues playing out different scenarios that explore the most effective ways to handle difficult situations.

But what if this could be supplemented by more readily available and less resource-intensive experiences that simulate these training environments? And what if it could be applied across numerous sectors, industries and professions, of which there are a great many that could benefit from such an opportunity?

What might that mean for those instigating tricky conversations and, perhaps more importantly, those at the receiving end of them?

Advances in generative artificial intelligence – or GenAI – mean that these are no longer hypothetical questions.

There’s no limit to the type of person this technology could help, but we’ll review three – doctors, those working in corporate HR, and online students – to give a flavour of the benefits it brings.

Before we do, a quick word on how such applications work.

An overview of the technology

It all starts with data. With access to enough content, the type that you store and curate on your internal systems, large language models (LLMs) can be trained to find the most appropriate response to whatever user input they’re exposed to, whether in writing or spoken, and then you as a user can respond to that response, and so the cycle continues.

You’ll have experienced something similar using the likes of CharGPT, but because this is based on your own content, you’re more in control. (For simpler and more prescriptive scenarios, though, I’d add that with the best solutions, you can alternatively import predefined branching dialogue to keep your conversations on track.)

It doesn’t stop there, though; by tapping into a solution that’s supported by experts in linguistics and computer-aided animation, your colleagues can interact in real-time with avatars equipped with believable facial expressions, accurate lip-synching capabilities, natural gestures and the ability to detect emotions.

All of this adds to the user’s willing suspension of disbelief that they’re interacting with a real person, or AI avatar, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of their learning.

These innovations are reshaping how we approach learning and skill development in so many critical fields. We said we’d look at three. We’ll start by returning to medicine.

Medical training

AI assistants can supplement the way doctors are taught to break bad news to patients, one of the hardest things they’ll face in practice and, given its subjectivity, something that can’t easily be looked up in a textbook on anatomy or physiology.

As we said from the outset, this is easier for some doctors than others, but given the literal life-and-death nature of such conversations and the shattering impact that the death of a loved one can have on a relative, there’s always room to improve medics’ empathy and communication skills – which is exactly what this technology delivers.

By utilizing experiential AI tools, clinicians can better use their time, alleviate pressure, fatigue and burnout symptoms, and ultimately allow them to better serve their patients.

Corporate HR

In corporate HR, virtual assistants can significantly streamline and enhance the hiring and firing process, as well as any difficult conversation; whether it’s a tough review, a disciplinary hearing, letting down an employee about a promotion they’d applied for or any other scenario that might bring a bead of sweat to your forehead, it’s all about providing safe and cost-effective practice before doing it for real.

Tech research consulting firm Gartner recently found that more than three-quarters (76%) of HR leaders believe that if their organisation doesn’t adopt and implement AI solutions, such as generative AI, in the next 12 to 24 months, they’ll lag in organizational success compared to those that do, while 34% of HR leaders participating in their January benchmarking session said they were exploring potential use cases and opportunities when it came to generative AI.

If they do manage to adopt the right technology, the impact will be massive among those who deploy it wisely. After all, which company wouldn’t want to upskill its HR professionals in tangible soft skills such as empathy, communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution in a controlled setting?

Online education

AI-powered tools can hugely boost student engagement in remote learning environments, and the research suggests that it comes close to rivalling in-person experiences. When you consider the staff-to-student ratios common in most educational settings, this should be no surprise – think how many students can fit into a lecture hall (even if they don’t always turn up!).

But we’re not necessarily talking about formal education; this applies equally to any informal setting in which someone needs to improve their education in some way.

With this technology, you can invent new ways to educate your students – or staff – by transforming lessons into experiences, using interactive characters reflective of the subject. This means you can increase user satisfaction and performance without compromising on content.

Whatever the scenario and whatever the use case, the chances are that if you have the right content in sufficient quantities, you can tap it for interactions that would otherwise be lacking in uniqueness or prohibitively expensive.

With AI virtual assistants, everyone’s a winner.