Businesses across the UK are being warned about the increasing risks associated with disconnected communication systems, as new insight highlights how fragmented messaging channels may lead to operational inefficiencies, compliance gaps and poor customer engagement.

Communication specialists at Micom Technologies have warned that many organisations are now relying on multiple disconnected providers to manage customer interactions across email, SMS, print, portals, messaging apps, and contact centre platforms, often without a unified delivery or reporting structure in place.

In many organisations, customer communications are spread across multiple platforms, suppliers and channels, making governance, reporting and customer experience increasingly difficult to manage at scale.

Micom says the risk is increasing as customer journeys become more complex and expectations around responsiveness continue to rise. Research indicates that B2B buyers now interact with an average of 10 touchpoints before making a purchasing decision, placing greater pressure on businesses to maintain consistent communication across channels.

According to the company, fragmented systems can create situations in which messages appear to have been processed internally but are never successfully delivered to the customer due to failed validation, disconnected workflows, or the absence of fallback delivery routes.

The issue is particularly significant for regulated industries where delivery assurance and auditability are critical, including financial services, healthcare, utilities, and public sector organisations.

Andy Barber, CEO of Micom Technologies, said: “Most businesses didn’t intentionally build fragmented communication environments. These systems evolved over time as teams adopted different tools to solve different problems.

“The challenge now is that customers expect communication to feel seamless, while internally many organisations are managing disconnected platforms that don’t always share data, reporting, or delivery logic effectively.

“In regulated sectors especially, businesses cannot afford gaps between systems where a communication may be triggered but not successfully delivered or evidenced.”

Micom is advising organisations to reassess how communication workflows operate across channels and ensure critical customer messaging can dynamically route between digital and physical delivery methods where required.

The company says businesses should focus on unified reporting and audit trails, connected workflows across communication channels, delivery validation and fallback logic, centralised customer communication management, and reducing unnecessary platform duplication.

The warning follows growing market demand for consolidated communication environments that combine digital messaging, print, workflow automation, and reporting within a more connected infrastructure.

Micom points to measurable improvements where communication systems have been coordinated more effectively. In one financial services deployment, introducing digital-first delivery with structured fallback workflows improved payment cycles by 45% while reducing mailing costs by 65% .

Andy Barber added: “Multi-channel communication is no longer the challenge. Most organisations already have multiple ways to reach customers.

“The real challenge is ensuring those channels operate together reliably, particularly when customer experience, compliance, and operational performance all depend on successful delivery.”

For more information about Micom Technologies, visit www.micom.com.

A new campaign from eXroid is encouraging people to incorporate more walking into their daily routines, raising awareness of how regular physical activity may support bowel health, improve mental wellbeing and help individuals take a more proactive approach to their health.

Launched to coincide with National Walking Month and Mental Health Awareness Week, the campaign aims to encourage more open conversations around haemorrhoids, a condition that can affect both physical comfort and emotional health. 

Walking is one of the simplest and most accessible forms of movement, but it can also play an important role in supporting healthy bowel function. Regular movement may help reduce constipation, while spending less time sitting can also help reduce rectal pressure, both of which are commonly linked to haemorrhoid symptoms.

The campaign also highlights the emotional impact haemorrhoids can have on sufferers. According to eXroid, 26% of sufferers say piles have a big impact on their emotional wellbeing, while 30% say the condition has a big impact on their day-to-day life.

Embarrassment remains a significant barrier for many people seeking help. Figures shared by eXroid show that 48% of women and 16% of men feel embarrassed or ashamed about having haemorrhoids, while 17% of sufferers have never told anyone about their symptoms. 

Dr Mark Hudson-Peacock, Medical Director at eXroid, said: “Walking is a simple, accessible way to support physical wellbeing, but it can also help people feel more in control of their health. Haemorrhoids can affect confidence and emotional wellbeing, but no one should feel embarrassed to seek help. Speaking about symptoms early can reduce stress and help people access the right support.” 

eXroid provides a non-surgical treatment for internal haemorrhoids, offering an alternative to hospital surgery without admission, significant post-operative pain or prolonged recovery. The procedure is designed to offer a discreet treatment option for patients before symptoms worsen. 

Many people delay treatment because they believe surgery is their only option. eXroid aims to change that by offering a non-invasive electrotherapy procedure suitable for all four grades of internal haemorrhoids. 

The company is supported by published clinical evidence and recognised by NICE under IPG525. eXroid Technology Ltd is also EU MDR certified, its UK clinical service is rated Outstanding by the CQC, and the company is a recipient of The King’s Award for Innovation. 

With more than 5 million people in the UK estimated to suffer from haemorrhoids each year, eXroid is encouraging people to prioritise both their physical and emotional wellbeing, highlighting how simple lifestyle habits such as regular walking can play a positive role in supporting both. 

Reacton Fire Suppression Ltd has been honoured with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category—one of just 52 organisations nationally to receive this recognition in 2026.

As part of the award, CEO Sam Malins will meet His Majesty King Charles III at a grand ceremony at St James Palace. The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the world and 2026 marks 60 years of celebrating outstanding UK business excellence.

The award recognises Reacton’s ground breaking and British-made fire suppression systems, which today protect billions of pounds worth of assets. Combining advanced detection and suppression technologies, they automatically extinguish fires at their source. At the heart of the innovation is a proprietary pneumatic detection tube filled with nitrogen. When exposed to heat or flame, the tube ruptures, instantly triggering the release of an extinguishing agent—without the need for external power.

This power-independent capability is a major advancement in fire safety, particularly in high-risk environments where electrical systems may fail. Reacton systems can also incorporate electronic linear detection as an alternative, offering flexibility across a wide range of applications—from heavy plant machinery and bus engines to electrical control panels and CNC equipment.

The King’s Awards commended Reacton’s dual-agent suppression technology. This combines dry powder for rapid flame knockdown with wet chemical to cool surfaces and prevent re-ignition. The result is faster, more effective fire suppression compared to traditional single-agent systems. For sensitive environments, clean agent options—fluorinated ketones discharged as gas—extinguish fires without leaving residue, making them safe for occupied or equipment-heavy spaces.

Further innovation lies in the system’s simplicity and scalability. Reacton uses a “one valve fits all” approach, meaning the same core valve technology can protect anything from a small electrical cabinet to a 400-tonne mining machine. Only the cylinder size and agent volume vary, reducing complexity and installation time while improving reliability.

Reacton’s journey began in 2010 when Sam Malins acquired a small start-up with the aim of solving a critical gap in fire protection for high-value mobile equipment. Following the 2016 acquisition of Reacton Fire Suppression Ltd, the business became an Essex-based hub for manufacturing, research and development as well as international sales.

Today, Reacton protects billions of pounds’ worth of assets across sectors including public transport, mining, IT infrastructure, manufacturing and defence, with key markets in the USA, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Africa and Central Asia. Clients include JCB and DP World. Crucially by protecting equipment, the systems also help safeguard lives across the world.

Commenting on the award, Sam Malins said: “This recognition reflects the dedication and expertise of our entire team. We’ve always believed that even in the face of challenges, there is a solution—you just have to go and find it. This award is proof of that mindset in action.”

Sam Malins is a driven and resilient entrepreneur, Essex born and bred, he was inspired from a young age by business thinking and books such as Good to Great by Jim Collins and Brad Sugars’ Action Coaching methodology. Citing Richard Branson as inspiration, Sam is guided by his belief that “there is always a yes out there.” He leads his team with focus, determination and quiet confidence.

The King’s Award celebrates not only British-made innovation but also the vision, resilience and leadership driving it forward—qualities that continue to define Reacton’s success.  

The Airdri Group has been recognised with a King’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation. Only 185 businesses across the UK achieved a King’s Award – one of the highest honours a UK business can achieve – this year. 

Announced on Wednesday, the Award recognises the Airdri Group for outstanding success in Innovation. The Airdri Group family of businesses includes Airdri hand dryers, Formula Systems elevator safety technologies and Aervi™ air and surface decontamination systems. 

The Airdri Group, founded in 1974 by engineer and entrepreneur Peter Philipps, is headquartered in Oxford, UK. It is an international group centred on engineering excellence. 

Bruce Philipps, president and CEO, the Airdri Group said: “We are honoured to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation. 

“Our engineering heritage spans over 50 years and throughout that time we have been innovating in engineering. We are experts in all our business areas, and it is wonderful to receive this recognition specifically for Vision Plus from Formula Systems. Vision Plus is a sector-leading innovation in elevator safety technologies; a 3D curtain of light which most importantly helps keep people safe – and is straightforward to install making it the perfect smart choice for elevator manufacturers. 

“The King’s Award presents us with a wonderful opportunity to highlight UK engineering excellence. We are committed to UK research and development, supporting the engineering sector, and to continuing to create innovative products which enhance lives, and save businesses time and money.”

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious business awards. Winners are allowed to display the King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years — a globally recognised mark of excellence.

New survey data from Country Cottages Online, based on responses from more than 140 UK travellers aged 45 to 60, reveals that sleep and peace and quiet are now among the top wellbeing priorities when planning a cottage break.

More than two thirds of respondents said wellbeing will play a greater role in future booking decisions. A significant proportion also said life stage changes have directly influenced how they now travel.

For many in midlife, those life stage pressures include caring for ageing parents, supporting older children, managing senior career roles and navigating health changes such as menopause. Many describe themselves as part of the sandwich generation, balancing responsibility at both ends of the family.

Peace and quiet ranked alongside sleep as a top priority, while access to nature was rated as important by the vast majority of participants. Simple restorative activities such as walking and reading ranked higher for wellbeing than premium wellness experiences including hot tubs, saunas and plunge pools.

Among the 140+ travellers surveyed, simple restorative activities significantly outperformed luxury wellness features, with 84% choosing walking and 53% choosing reading or creative hobbies, compared with just 30% selecting hot tubs and only 5% selecting outdoor saunas.

Yvonne Dean, from Country Cottages Online said: “Gen X are redefining what a successful holiday looks like. It is no longer about packed itineraries. It is about proper rest. Sleep, calm and time outdoors are becoming non negotiable for midlife travellers.”

Sleep tourism gained global attention last year, with hotels promoting sleep programmes and recovery retreats. However, this data suggests the trend is being embedded by mainstream midlife travellers who are using travel as a tool to protect long term health.

As conversations around burnout and midlife wellbeing become more mainstream, the findings indicate that sleep is emerging as the ultimate luxury for this generation.

With UV exposure intensifying across Houston, Beaumont, and the wider Southeast Texas region, a leading dermatologist is calling on residents to protect their skin and schedule regular checks as part of Skin Cancer Awareness Month. 

The warning has been issued by Dr. Andrew Quinn, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Quinn Dermatology as May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

According to national weather data, UV index levels in Houston can reach 8 to 10 or higher during late spring and summer, placing individuals at increased risk for skin damage in as little as 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure.

“In Texas, we see some of the highest and most consistent UV exposure levels in the country,” said Dr. Quinn. “Many patients don’t realize how quickly sun damage can occur, especially during everyday activities like driving, walking, or exercising outdoors.”

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than 5 million cases diagnosed each year. Experts estimate that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, making prevention and early detection critical.

“Skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early, but many people delay getting their skin checked,” Dr. Quinn said. “Skin Cancer Awareness Month is an important reminder that even small changes in your skin should never be ignored.”

Residents in Houston and Beaumont face elevated risk due to prolonged sun exposure, high humidity that encourages more time outdoors and being exposed to year-round UV radiation, even on cloudy days, according to Dr. Quinn.

“You don’t have to be at the beach to experience sun damage,” Dr. Quinn explained. “In Texas, consistent exposure adds up quickly over time.”

As Skin Cancer Awareness Month is now underway, Dr. Quinn is encouraging individuals to monitor their skin using the ABCDE rule:

A – Asymmetry 

B – Border irregularity 

C – Color variation 

D – Diameter larger than a pencil eraser 

E – Evolving or changing lesions 

Other symptoms to look out for include spots that itch, bleed, or don’t heal, new or unusual growths and persistent redness or irritation.

In order to prevent the development of skin cancer, Dr. Quinn suggests that making small changes to daily habits can help. 

Wearing broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily, reapplying every two hours outdoors. wearing protective clothing and hats, seeking shade during peak sun hours and avoiding tanning beds can all help to prevent the condition.

He added: “Prevention doesn’t have to be complicated, consistency is what protects your skin long-term.”

While self-monitoring is important, dermatologist-performed skin exams play a critical role in early detection.

“We’re trained to recognize subtle warning signs patients may miss,” said Dr. Quinn. 

“Routine skin checks can detect issues early, often before they become serious.”

In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Quinn Dermatology encourages patients in Houston and Beaumont to schedule a professional skin evaluation.