< Previous10 Business Link www.blmforum.net LCS IT SOLUTIONS Q&A How has IT changed over the last 21 years? Over the past 21 years IT has undergone transformative changes. Internet connectivity has vastly improved, shifting from dial-up to high-speed broadband and fibre-optic networks. Mobile technology has revolutionized how we interact with devices and the internet, while cloud computing has become pervasive, offering scalable services over the web. The rise of big data and analytics has enabled data-driven decision- making. The Internet of Things (IoT) has connected everyday objects to the internet, AI and machine learning have advanced significantly, and cybersecurity has become a critical concern. Social media and e-commerce have boomed, and VR and AR technologies have found applications in various sectors. Agile development and DevOps have accelerated software delivery. 5G technology has started rolling out, promising faster wireless communication, and sustainability practices, including green IT, have gained prominence. The COVID-19 pandemic propelled remote work adoption, transforming how businesses operate. What are the 3 big IT challenges businesses should be considering? The three biggest IT challenges businesses should consider are cybersecurity threats, data privacy & compliance, and digital transformation & innovation. Cybersecurity remains a major concern due to the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. Businesses must implement robust security measures and educate employees to protect against data breaches, ransomware, and other threats. Ensuring data privacy and compliance with regulations is vital, as data becomes a valuable asset and customers demand greater protection of their personal information. Adapting to digital transformation and fostering innovation is essential for staying competitive. Embracing new technologies, integrating digital solutions into existing processes, and promoting a culture of innovation will enable businesses to meet changing market demands and maintain a competitive edge in the dynamic IT landscape. What’s the biggest misconception about working with an IT company? One of the most significant misconceptions about IT is that it revolves solely around fixing computers and dealing with technical issues. While technical support is a part of IT, the field is much broader and more diverse. IT encompasses various aspects, including software development, network administration, data management, cybersecurity, cloud computing, business analysis, project management, AI and machine learning, IoT, and digital transformation. IT professionals play a crucial role in driving innovation and supporting the strategic growth of businesses and industries. The misconception arises because people tend to associate IT with visible and immediate tasks, but in reality, it involves a wide range of activities that shape the digital landscape and impact almost every aspect of modern life and business operations. Understanding the breadth and depth of IT’s scope is essential for appreciating its significance in today’s technology-driven world. What should all companies have in place to protect themselves from hacking? To protect themselves from hacking and cybersecurity threats, companies should implement several essential measures. These include deploying firewalls and intrusion detection systems to prevent unauthorized access and detect suspicious activities. Strong authentication and access controls, along with regular software updates and patch management, help limit access to Q&A LCS IT Solutions reach 21st milestone We speak with LCS IT Solutions, who have worked in one of the fastest changing industries for 21 years now, to find out what challenges the IT industry faces and how the threats toward businesses have been adapting. www.blmforum.net Business Link 11 LCS IT SOLUTIONS Q&A sensitive data and address known vulnerabilities. Data encryption ensures the protection of sensitive information both in transit and at rest. Regular employee training on cybersecurity awareness reduces the risk of falling victim to phishing and social engineering attacks. Additionally, companies should have a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery plan to restore systems in case of a breach, and they should segment their network to control access to specific resources. Security monitoring tools help detect unusual activities, while an incident response plan ensures swift and effective handling of security breaches. Companies should also assess the security practices of third-party vendors and consider cyber insurance coverage for financial protection. Staying compliant with data protection regulations and industry-specific security standards is vital to ensure a robust cybersecurity posture. What sets LCS apart from other IT companies? Since LCS’ inception in 2002, its focus has always been on quality and customer satisfaction. It has never wanted to be the biggest IT company, but it has always wanted to be the best. This is probably why the company has such amazing, long-term relationships with its clients and why they repeatedly recommend LCS to their business contacts. LCS’ ethos is to “do the right thing” for its clients, even if this makes the job more complex and time-consuming. It doesn’t cut corners to give its staff an easy life and doesn’t deliver a one-size-fits-all solution. The company provides services that are tailor-made and strives to do things properly to ensure that their clients get the best possible experience. This, together with LCS’ focus on honesty, trust, security and reliability, means that it has a close relationship with its clients, which enables it to understand their businesses, identify ways in which IT can help them to achieve more and lets them focus on what they do best, without having to spend time worrying about IT matters. 12 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY The past month has seen some major milestones hit in the Yorkshire property sector, drawing a spotlight onto the region. Firstly, construction work has started on York Minster’s new Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management. The first-of-its-kind project will see the creation of a world- class campus facility for research, education and training in the traditional craft skills required to preserve and maintain the Minster for future generations. It will also establish the Minster as an international example of best practice in managing complex heritage estates. The Centre of Excellence involves the development of two sites, The Heritage Quad and The Works and Technology Hub. They will provide new facilities for craftspeople, including York Minster’s stonemasons, and house and deliver training in modern techniques and processes to apprentices and students from across the world, working with cutting edge digital technology. Existing buildings within the Precinct will also be sustainably reordered, repurposed, and renewed to provide new workspace and associated facilities, enable greater engagement and interaction with the public around crafts and trades, and allow improved links with education. The Centre of Excellence is expected to be completed in summer 2024 and is a key component of the York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Plan which sets out a policy-led approach to creating a sustainable future for the Minster and its seven hectare estate. Remaining in York, York Racecourse has submitted a planning application to transform the area of the racecourse which lies to the south of the Knavesmire Stand. The £5m investment will see improvements in facilities for racing fans with additional lawns, seating, catering outlets, toilets, bars, betting facilities and big screens, all landscaped to reflect the summer nature of the venue. The vision is to create racegoer lawns beneath a high- level canopy, while back of house facilities for the raceday team, which can be up to 1,500 strong, are additionally being transformed. Highlights of the scheme, developed by Yorkshire firm Dawson Williamson Architects, include refurbishing and better presenting the 1913 Bustardthorpe Stand, replacing the existing 1950’s single-storey extension to the rear of the Bustardthorpe Stand, a better arrival experience, including refurbished entrance with feature gateway and enhanced accessibility, and environmental and sustainability features designed throughout, such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, green living roof and infrastructure to support the racecourse’s recycling initiatives. Subject to planning approval, it is intended that the new Southern End Development would be open for the busy days in the 2024 season. Down in Sheffield, sustainable Significant milestones Business Link highlights some of the biggest Yorkshire property stories from the last month. Significant milestoneswww.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY developer Citu has submitted plans for the first phase of the landmark Attercliffe Waterside scheme. The 23-acre urban regeneration scheme, transforming brownfield land either side of the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, will be one of the largest zero carbon communities in the UK, featuring more than 1,000 homes alongside climate conscious creative workspaces, an arts venue and retail opportunities. The first phase, located on the north side of the Sheffield and Tinsley canal, will develop the heart of the district, transforming six existing buildings into the new neighbourhood’s cultural centre with bars, an independent bakery, music venue and art studios. A public and commercial square will be created, alongside a series of walkable, south facing courtyard areas and routes to the canal. A new pedestrian and cycling footbridge will connect phase one to the south side of the river. Phase one also includes 447 homes involving a mix of apartments and houses. The houses will be constructed on a podium which sits above an under-croft carpark and there are proposals to remove cars from the particular stretch of Effingham Road, to replace with pedestrianisation, public realm and incorporation of a cycle lane, as part of the developer’s ambition for a car-free landscape. If planning is 14 Á Image courtesy of York Racecourse14 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY approved, work is to begin on the leisure and commercial elements of the scheme in the autumn and due to complete in 2024, ahead of construction starting on the homes in 2025. Meanwhile, a new plan for The Seam digital campus is being drawn up to better suit funding available and meet the changing needs of town centres. Initial proposals presented to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council’s cabinet in 2022 for the digital campus were for an urban village with a multistorey carpark and a major residential development in the town centre. This new neighbourhood for the town centre would bring forward space for digital, tech and creative industries businesses. However due to growing costs, in part driven by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, cabinet have approved a new approach. This will remove plans for the multistorey carpark and the residential development. Instead, the lower Seam carpark will be extensively refurbished to establish a more welcoming space for visitors, commuters, and businesses. Plans include public realm improvements to the high-quality standard seen at the nearby Glass Works, with enhanced lighting, CCTV, street furniture, and significant capacity for electric vehicle charging supported by solar power. The council also plan to create a new urban green space which will further bolster the welcome the town centre provides to workers, families and other visitors and will be looking to improve cycle storage facilities to encourage more people to use active travel routes to and from the town centre. The council will carry out further Attercliffe Waterside CGIwww.blmforum.net Business Link 15 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY consultation with residents and businesses as they progress these plans for this first phase of development work, focusing on the Lower Seam site, and in the meantime continue to seek funding opportunities for a second phase to enhance the Upper Seam site as a destination for digital businesses. Cllr Robert Frost, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “We see The Seam as the heart of Barnsley’s future economy. All economic growth will be powered by the use of digital and new technologies. This will help place Barnsley at the forefront of the digital productivity revolution and create opportunities for our residents to learn new essential digital skills for life and for work. These updated proposals will allow us to get moving on improvements we want to see as soon as possible. If we stand still, the borough’s economy will stand still. That’s why we’ve revisited our plans for the Seam and moving ahead with this first phase, while we continue to look at funding opportunities and partnerships for a second phase. Our digital campus in the town centre is a key part of our recently announced South Yorkshire Investment Zone. This will bolster the already attractive offer for innovative businesses looking to invest in Barnsley alongside our existing digital and tech companies and strengthen the growing reputation for Barnsley as a destination for digital businesses.” These developments represent just a handful of significant schemes making strides forwards across Yorkshire, with many more transformative projects also continuing to progress. © stock.adobe.com/A. Frank/peopleimages.com16 Business Link www.blmforum.net FOOD AND DRINK INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT © stock.adobe.com/zlikovec Automation driving adaption As the food industry strives to keep pace with evolving consumer demands and sustainability goals, innovations in production technology have become a driving force for change.www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 FOOD AND DRINK INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT Automation, which has already made significant headway in many sectors, continues to revolutionise the way food is manufactured and processed. This trend goes beyond traditional forms of automation, diving into the realm of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to redefine production processes. The University of Lincoln’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing introduced a groundbreaking solution back in 2016 – the Automated Processing Robotic Ingredient Loading system (APRIL). Developed in collaboration with OAL, APRIL’s capabilities extend beyond mere automation, resembling the precision and creativity of professional chefs, albeit on an industrial scale. By seamlessly mixing, loading and cooking ingredients, APRIL showed a paradigm shift in production efficiency and food quality. But as development research and advancements continue, this system is further helping to define the future of food manufacturing. In 2021, OAL presented Robotic Weighing systems using APRIL technology, and since then have gone on to prove how the accuracy and efficiency of all ingredients weighing can be improved upon by combining robotics with advanced automation. Robotic weighing systems designed to provide precise measurements consistently eliminate human errors that can occur during manual weighing, ensuring that each product or ingredient is weighed accurately according to predetermined specifications. This accuracy is crucial for maintaining quality control and adhering to regulatory standards, especially when equipped with advanced programming and sensors that allow them to adapt to various product sizes, shapes and weights. This flexibility is beneficial for accommodating diverse product lines without extensive reprogramming. Robots can also perform precise weighing tasks at a much faster rate than manual labour. Speed is particularly valuable in the fast-paced food and drink industry, and robotics make lighter work of high production volumes, thereby contributing to higher production output and reduced cycle times. While the initial investment in robotic weighing systems might be significant, the long-term cost savings make them well worth the investment. Robots can work around the clock without the need for breaks or overtime pay, resulting in reduced labour costs. Additionally, their efficiency minimises material wastage due to inaccuracies in weighing, not to mention the boost to safety. Certain food products can be hazardous to handle, including raw meat, poultry and seafood. For any ingredients requiring protective gear or posing © stock.adobe.com/xiaoliangge 18 Á18 Business Link www.blmforum.net FOOD AND DRINK INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT contamination risks, robotic weighing systems reduce the need for human involvement in these potentially dangerous tasks, thus enhancing worker welfare. These advancements aren’t confined to the manufacturing floor alone. Packaging, an integral part of the food industry, is experiencing a transformation of its own. In response to consumer demands for healthier, more convenient options, packaging is adapting to accommodate these changing preferences. Sustainable packaging options like flexible pouches are gaining prominence due to their ease of storage, transport and recyclability. These materials also align with the millennial trend of food sharing and portion control, offering a blend of convenience and conscientiousness. Packaging is serving an ever more multifaceted purpose that goes far beyond simple containment. The rise of food fraud has prompted the integration of cutting- edge technologies into packaging design. Smart label technology is emerging as a tool to combat counterfeit products, protecting consumers from exposure to harmful additives and pathogens. Smart packaging integrates technology such as sensors and RFID tags to provide real-time information about the product’s condition, such as temperature, freshness, and authenticity. By detecting spoilage and contamination, and proving the validity of products, these labels offer a new layer of transparency and security, reaffirming the industry’s commitment to consumer safety. Machine intelligence also provides assurance that labels and product information are applied accurately and consistently, as is fundamental to traceability. Data analytics gathered from traceable elements such as QR codes can then be analysed by AI to provide valuable insights into consumer engagement, preferences and behaviours. These processes and their data have the power to optimise supply chain processes and improve the overall consumer experience. AI-powered image recognition can help identify counterfeit items or inspect finished products for defects, guaranteeing the quality of outgoing goods. Meanwhile, robotics can apply packaging features that are difficult to replicate, adding an extra layer to authentication and letting consumers know the products and brands they can trust. Algorithms which actively study and return knowledge on consumer preferences can only help businesses grow their brands to suggest optimal packaging designs that appeal to the target market. Knowing how and when people engage with products, and which choices lead to a purchase, continues to teach AI to predict trends and preferences more accurately. This can include a vast array of elements from colours, fonts and visual elements to materials, evolving packaging design and messaging to resonate with the most specific target audiences. The combination of AI and robotics holds the potential to improve efficiency, reduce waste, enhance consumer experiences, and contribute to sustainable practices within the food industry. This significance not only extends into the future of factories, but all the way back to the roots of farmed produce. Terrafarmer, a new venture co-led by Lincolnshire businesswoman Gemma Clarke, strives to benefit farmers by providing deep analysis in a range of areas of crop health and growth. Bringing together the expertise of specialist consultants in soil health, biologicals, and regenerative farming practices, farmers can take away valuable and fruitful advice on how to practice forward-thinking agrobusiness. A full service that begins with in-depth soil analysis develops a Farm Plan with regular support provided by a dedicated consultant. These visits offer insight into managing rotations, livestock, tillage, seeds, nutrition and soil in a profitable and sustainable manner, helping our farms continue to thrive. The momentum doesn’t stop there. The food industry is experiencing a landscape of acquisitions, mergers and geographical shifts, indicating a dynamic environment shaped by global trade deals and regional developments. As businesses embrace automation and adapt to evolving consumer preferences, the future of the food industry is poised for a remarkable transformation, promising greater ease of sustainable production and consumer satisfaction for years to come. www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 FOOD AND DRINK INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT © stock.adobe.com/doidam10Next >