TALKING

Prioritise security

Findings from Dell ’ s Innovation Catalyst Study reveal that 81 % of South African organisations , global : 83 % have been impacted by security attacks in the past 12 months , mainly from malware , phishing and data breaches . Built-in PC security can derisk organisations , yet just 4 in 10 organisations surveyed strongly agree that they emphasise buying technologies or applications with security built into them . Therein lies a major opportunity .

The security features in Windows 11 are best utilised on newer hardware . With Dell commercial devices , your workloads and data are protected wherever your employees work . Secure design principles and robust supply chain controls mitigate the risk of product vulnerabilities and tampering .

Unique built-in defences activate Zero Trust principles , protecting the device while in use , making them the world ’ s most secure commercial PCs – an ideal partner to the most secure Windows system ever . As devicebased attacks grow in our hybrid world , foundational PC security features like Dell-unique BIOS verification , Secure Boot , TPM 2.0 , and virtualisation-based security , VBS become more critical than ever .

New workforce productivity

Relying on legacy systems can frustrate teams , reduce engagement and harm retention efforts in today ’ s hyper-competitive job market . In South Africa , companies are increasingly adopting AI technologies to improve efficiency , reduce costs and enhance customer experience .

This trend is expected to continue in the coming years , with the government also investing in initiatives to develop the country ’ s AI capabilities . Statista predicts that South African users of AI tools will increase from 2.5 million in 2025 to 5.24 million in 2030 .

Dell ’ s AI PCs with Windows 11 Pro come equipped with advanced hardware supporting machine learning processes and intelligent task execution , allowing employees to manage workloads effortlessly .

Whether it is automating repetitive tasks or maximising computational power for data analytics , Dell and Microsoft are enabling a new era of work , one that promises improved experiences for employees while driving measurable business outcomes .

Better TCO and sustainability

While there is an upfront investment in upgrading , businesses quickly recoup their costs with reduced IT maintenance , lower error rates and improved resource utilisation . With a modern OS and hardware ecosystem , companies spend less time troubleshooting tech issues and more time driving their core businesses .

In addition , flexible payment and financing solutions present a flexible monthly subscription-based model that eliminates the need for significant initial investments , providing the flexibility to scale PC infrastructure up or down as needed . This approach allows organisations to overcome financial barriers and access state-of-the-art technology .

A PC refresh tied to a Windows 11 upgrade also offers

a chance to adopt more energy-efficient devices that not only save costs in the long term but also align with sustainability goals . This means that customers can rest assured knowing the devices they purchase are being produced in ways that help reduce e-waste , increase recycling and are energy-efficient , both in production and in use . This not only reduces power costs but also improves corporate social responsibility metrics .

Adopting Windows 11 is more than an IT upgrade ; it is a growth-centred decision that will benefit businesses for years to come . The advantages span across multiple dimensions of operation , employee satisfaction and organisational resilience . And upgrading to Windows 11 is not just about software – it is an opportunity to reconsider the entire PC fleet .

Modern PCs , equipped with the latest processors and AI capabilities , can significantly amplify the benefits of Windows 11 . The right approach to refreshing PCs across the organisation will ensure businesses not only migrate smoothly but also position themselves to leverage the full potential of the AI era . p

32 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com