Graffen Business Systems

02/24/2026

What is impossible travel?

It’s a security alert triggered when login activity doesn’t match real-world travel patterns, which can point to compromised credentials or risky behavior.

This brief video walks through what impossible travel is and how it fits into a broader cybersecurity picture.

www.graffen.com

01/28/2026

11/25/2024

Great news if you use Microsoft Teams: A new translation feature is on the way, making it easier to have meetings in multiple languages.

While Teams already offers live language interpretation with professional interpreters, they’re testing a new “bidirectional support� feature that allows interpreters to switch between languages in just one click.

This means you’ll be able to talk to your team and clients in multiple languages, without needing lots of interpreters or devices.

Another interesting fact? It’s all done without AI. Yes, it uses real human translators to give you accurate translations of different languages in real time.

The feature will be available on both Windows and macOS once it launches. Is this something you’re looking forward to using in your business?
https://tinyurl.com/ysts7nc4.

Interpreters will be able to switch the direction of the languages they're translating between with the push of a button.

11/22/2024

On this day in 1997, just two weeks after Steve Jobs became interim CEO, Apple launched its famous 'Think Different' campaign.

This was a huge turning point for Apple. The “Think Different� campaign celebrated the rule breakers who dared to take a different path – and it helped Apple (which had been heading towards failure) become the giant it is today.

For business owners, it’s a reminder of the power of creative thinking. If you want to create real growth, you might have to be willing to go against the grain.

Take a moment to reflect on your business. How can you think outside the box? What bold moves can you make to push your business forward?
https://tinyurl.com/5cya3ncp.

September 28, 1997 Just a little over two weeks after naming Steve Jobs interim CEO, Apple launches their “Think Different” ad campaign. Designed to reintroduce the Apple brand, the campaign was nearly universally praised by the press, general public, and advertising industry, winning several aw...

11/21/2024

The International Space Station has just made history by 3D printing metal parts in space for the very first time.

Imagine an astronaut needing a new part on a mission to the moon and being able to print it right there mid-flight. This could be a total game changer for long space missions.

The European Space Agency (ESA) ran into quite a few challenges when trying to make this possible. Yet they managed to pull it off, thanks to their specially designed Metal 3D Printer, which melts stainless steel at 2,192°F and builds each part one layer at a time.

The very first metal part was successfully printed in August, and now the parts will go through quality testing back here on Earth.

This achievement really highlights how fast 3D printing technology is developing. What was once a futuristic concept is now being used in reality by scientists in space.

It could mean big things for businesses and change the manufacturing industry forever. If custom parts can be printed on demand, there could be less need to hold onto lots of stock. And without bulk buying, shipping costs could drop too.

Can you think of some innovative tech that could help your business?
https://tinyurl.com/2pcaekzh.

ESA Metal 3D Printer was launched to the ISS at the start of the year.

11/20/2024

Do you find the settings menu in Microsoft Edge overwhelming compared to Google Chrome? Here’s some good news: An update is about to fix that.

As a business owner, you know time is money. So, the less time wasted rooting around settings, the better, right?

The changes will start rolling out in October, and it looks like it will be worth the wait. One of the benefits of the Edge browser is customization options, and this update will make it easier.

For a start, settings will be grouped into smaller sections. There’ll also be a quick access feature, so you can go straight to your most-used settings in just one click.

If you’re still using Chrome, it’s worth keeping an eye on Edge as these improvements roll out.

Will this update make you want to switch up your browser?
https://tinyurl.com/nxyjaaa8.

Microsoft plans to improve Settings navigation in Edge by adding quick setting suggestions and collapsible sections.

11/19/2024

If the idea of more ads has been putting you off upgrading to Windows 11, here’s something to be aware of: Microsoft seems to be testing ads in the Windows 10 Start menu too.

Right now, they’re testing a Microsoft “account manager� feature that you can access from the Start button. Although this could be a helpful feature, it looks like it could also be used to push Microsoft’s products and services, such as 365.

While it’s true that ads might be frustrating for some, it’s worth the compromise if you want better performance, security features, and functionality.

And since ads are looking likely to become part of the experience even if you stay on Windows 10, it's a good time to consider upgrading.

Have you been holding off upgrading your business due to ads in Windows 11?
https://tinyurl.com/49pm5yx4.

Windows 10's new feature feels like more Microsoft 365 ads

11/18/2024

Microsoft is rolling out a new way to update Windows 11 with something called “checkpoint cumulative updates�.

These updates should be smaller and faster than whole system updates, as they only update the parts of your system that need updating.

Sounds great, right?

Well, some people are already reporting issues with the latest update, particularly those using PCs with certain Intel or AMD chips.

As of right now, checkpoint cumulative updates are only available on Microsoft’s new Copilot+ PCs. But people are having issues with the installation causing stalling or “operation not supported� error messages.

While Microsoft hasn’t officially acknowledged the problem yet, they’ve released a support document with the September update that hints at potential issues.

If you’ve had problems with updates from Microsoft, you might need to manually download and reinstall the update. There are step-by-step guides available to help you, or my team can give you a hand.

Hopefully Microsoft will have brought out an automatic fix by the time the update reaches everyone. Something to keep an eye out for.

Have you had any problems installing updates?
https://tinyurl.com/296dvtc3.

Windows 11 24H2 introduces "Checkpoint Cumulative Updates", but KB5043080 could cause issues with Windows Update on Intel and AMD PCs.

11/15/2024

Name something that’s important for your business yet so easy to forget?

Windows licenses. You know that thing you skip through when setting up a new computer? It’s not just another box to check. It gives you the right to use Windows on all your team’s devices.

Problem is, it can be hard to know if you have a Windows license. The license isn’t the product key, the activation message, or that little sticker on your computer (although these can be signs that you might have a valid license). The actual license is an agreement between you and Microsoft – and unless you keep receipts, it’s not that easy to know if you have it.

If your business has a lot of computers, it’s doubly important to make sure everything’s legit, since messing up the licensing could get expensive. Plus, having a valid license to use Windows on all your devices protects you if you ever get audited or need support from Microsoft.

Not sure if you have a Windows license? My team can help to check your systems are above board. And if they’re not, we can help you sort it. We’ll handle all the technical stuff too, so you don’t have to worry about the fine print. Get in touch.
https://tinyurl.com/y7dye2xx.

Microsoft has made Windows licensing and activation ridiculously complex. Here's what you need to know.

11/14/2024

Did you know that it’s coming up to 40 years since computer code could be copyrighted?

The decision was made on September 22, 1986, as a result of conflict between Intel and NEC Corp, with both companies wanting the right to build x86 processors. This was a groundbreaking moment in the tech world that still impacts how it looks today.

Since then, companies like Intel have been able to use copyright law to protect their code and legally own the software they create. On the flipside, it has also allowed companies to use existing code to create their own product, which has created competition.

The decision made back in 1986 paved the way for today’s tech companies, protecting developers’ hard work while still encouraging software companies to keep creating new products.

So, next time you’re thinking about code or software? Remember this moment in history and how it helped to shape technology as we know it.
https://tinyurl.com/mr2wn7x6.

September 22, 1986 The US District Court for the Northern District of California rules that computer code is protected under copyright law. The ruling stems from the case NEC Corp. v. Intel Corp, which was basically a battle over who had the right to produce x86 processors. The ruling, while finding...

11/13/2024

Microsoft has just made it easier to share files between your Android device and Windows PC. Finally, they’ve released something similar to Apple’s AirDrop!

With the latest Windows 11 update, you can now quickly send files back and forth using the Windows Share feature. No more relying on third-party apps or clunky workarounds.

All you need to do is set up two apps: Phone Link on your PC and Link to Windows on your Android phone. Simple!

Once you’re connected, you can share files directly through the Windows Share menu, making it much faster and easier to move documents or photos between your devices.

Whether you’re working on the go or need to share a file quickly, this feature is so useful for business owners who need a simple and reliable way to get things done.

The best part? The connection works both ways.

If you haven’t grabbed the update yet, you can get it now. Is this an update you’ve been looking forward to?
https://tinyurl.com/2s4kua9y.

Sharing files from your Windows PC to your Android device is about to get a lot easier.