Don't forget to order 2017 diaries

2017 diaries and calendars are on sale and moving fast!  If there's something specific you want, we recommend you get your order in as soon as possible.  Some lines have already sold out in certain colours.

Have a look on our website to be able to filter down to the exact desk diary, pocket diary, year planner or calendar you need or give us a ring on 01924 233 770 for advice.  You can place your order online, by phone or by emailing your account manager.

Proud to be from Yorkshire

Scorpio Computer Supplies is founded and thoroughly rooted in Yorkshire. Based in Birstall near Leeds we have (of course) always been proud of our Yorkshire heritage.

So what is it about Yorkshire that is so attractive to business? We have illustrious universities, a vibrant cultural industry, advanced, forward looking manufacturing, a large financial services presence and many tourism amenities. It’s easy to see why we bring in top talent for the quality of life if nothing else.

Pride comes as hardwired in our regional identity. We take pride in our work and pride in our products. This is surely a factor in how sticking ‘made in Yorkshire’ on a product can improve sales.

There’s a firm unwritten rule in Yorkshire that things need to be ‘done right’. This is one of the things we like about dealing with Yorkshire firms. You’re unlikely to be promised anything that can’t be delivered. Fairness and honesty are highly valued and applied to all aspects of life and work.

And of course, there’s no dodging the issue. Yorkshire folk are notorious for being tight with their money! We drive a hard bargain with our suppliers and are always checking that we are getting the best prices. We won’t be spending millions on marketing gimmicks or corporate perks. You can trust us to keep our prices low. After all, if we didn’t, our local customers would soon go elsewhere!

Visit our website: www.scorpio-uk.com

3D printed food comes to the UK

The world's first 3D printed restaurant is opening a pop-up dining experience in London. Antony Dobrzensky and Marcio Barradas' concept restaurant, Food Ink offers a nine course menu where every dish is 3D printed. 

To add to the experience, the tables, chairs, cutlery and decorations are also 3D printed.

So how does it work? The concept of 3D printing is pretty much the same as using a 2D inkjet printer. The 'ink' is squirted out of a nozzle onto a flat surface. The difference with 3D ink is that it is thicker and raised up off the surface. Then you can add another layer on top of it to built it up higher. These techniques have actually been used in food production for a long time. Think about how a cupcake has icing piped on to the top of it, spiralling around and building up to create a 3D shape.

This process can be recreated with plenty of foods other than cupcake frosting but be able to print with food, it needs to be in a paste form, so most food needs to be pureed, made into a mouse or batter before being ‘printed’. Because of the accuracy and smoothness you can get with a machine, you can create highly complex shapes that come out the same every time.

The 9-course dining experience at Food Ink’s pop-up restaurant in Shoreditch would set you back £250 a head and has already completely sold out. Quite a price tag for reconstituted food paste squeezed out of a nozzle by a robot! Is this the future of fine dining? Um, we’ll see. It’s a pretty cool gimmick though!

If you're interested in 3D printing, have a look at our range of 3D printers and accessories available to buy at www.scorpio-uk.com

How your business could benefit from our referral scheme

If you are happy with the service you get from Scorpio it makes sense to share this with your business contacts. If it benefits them, it will benefit you. To show our appreciation for business you send our way, we will send you a free printer cartridge.

Keep sending us referrals and you could keep printing for free indefinitely!

There are no limits on the number of free cartridges you can claim. For every lead you provide that generates £150 or more of business for us, we will send you another free cartridge. Continue to work with us in this way and you need never pay for a cartridge again!

How to claim

If you would like to claim your free cartridge, just contact our sales team with the details of a contact that you think would benefit from our service. We will follow up the lead and provided it generates a reasonable level of business for us we will put a free cartridge in your next order.

 Click here for more details 

Colour in your office

The colours we have surrounding us have a surprisingly strong influence on our mood, behaviour and productivity at work. And yet the majority of us work in very neutral coloured offices with magnolia walls, white ceilings, grey furniture and beige window blinds. Adding colour to a bland office is an easy and cost effective way to improve staff morale, creativity and efficiency.

The key is to introduce small bursts of colour into the office through furniture and accessories. Here's a guide to the best colours to choose to bring specific qualities to the fore for your business.

Green

Green is a low wave length colour which can improve efficiency and focus. It is a colour reflected most often in nature and can evoke ideas of new life and positivity but balanced by calmness and efficiency. It is a reassuring colour which is often used in areas where money is changing hands.

Blue

This is the colour of clear thoughts, efficiency and focus. Being surrounded by blue stimulates natural tranquillisers in the brain and makes us calmer. It is a colour of stability, trust and lack of emotion so it works well in detail orientated professions such as accountancy or legal firms.

Purple

Purple is unusual, individual, creative and innovative. It is also associated with the intuitive side of our personalities. Use this colour in your work place to stimulate imagination and generosity.

Red

This colour has the most dramatic effect on us physically. It has been shown to raise heart rate, stimulate blood flow and increase appetite. It is an attention grabbing colour of emotion and passion so its great for things you want people's interest to be drawn towards. Its also a useful colour to have in workspaces where physical jobs are being carried out to improve drive and effort levels.

Orange

This is a warm, sociable, and vibrant colour. It is associated with adventurousness, losing inhibitions and risk taking. Flamboyant and cheerful, it is a great colour to create an informal, cheerful work place where people are encouraged to be more independent and extrovert. 

Yellow

Optimistic, energetic and fresh. This is the colour of fun and happiness. It is a inspires confidence and creativity in the work place. Having yellow in your surroundings can raise the spirits and the ego. One note of caution though; don't overdo it! Being surrounded by too much yellow for long periods of time can cause eye fatigue and raise anxiety levels. It works really well in small doses.

International paper prices continue to rise

Paper prices are set to rise across the industry due to a higher demand for wood based products. The price increase can be attributed to growth in global development and construction. Construction requires large amounts of timber, which continues to push the price of wood based products up.

As wood pulp is the predominant component in paper, we are seeing a marked rise in the cost of paper. Industry experts warn that this is set to continue as there are no signs of global development slowing down.

For more information on the paper price rises and advice on how to combat them, see our website: www.scorpio-uk.com

MP Rejects Parliamentary Supplier to Make Huge Savings

Luke Hall MP found the official House of Commons printer cartridge supplier was so expensive that he was forced to look elsewhere. The Bristol Post ran the story this week.

Always test the market

The majority of people who work for a government organisation assume that the price they being charged for office supplies and print consumables will be unbeatable given the scale of the supply chain. In fact, Scorpio's team beat the prices of established suppliers every day.

This story has come as a timely reminder that we all need to test the market on a regular basis to make sure we are getting the best prices. A phone call of a few minutes to 01924 233 770 could free up a substantial chunk of your budget.

Burst the Balloon

Are print managed services really all they’re made out to be? They were touted as the future of office printing but we've recently seen a number of private and public sector organisations finding that they are not making the savings they were promised.

  

Some reports showed that they were billed for colour copies when they had only printed black and white. Investigation showed that the machine had been set up to default to print using the colour cartridges so they were using (and being charged for) the more expensive option.

There are also clauses in the small print about the permitted page coverage (usually 5%). Users who print documents with a higher page coverage were finding that there were surcharges on the extra ink/toner being used. In one case a school with a contract for 5p per colour copy found that they were actually being billed 15.5p per copy*.

So you thought you would make savings but in reality you’re spending more, not less. As soon as you realise this isn't working as planned, the sensible thing to do is to scrap the initiative. Unfortunately it isn't so simple. 

Print managed systems tie you into a contract of three, four and sometimes even five years. Because they lease the printers to you, there are eye watering balloon payments to be made if you end the contract.

Scorpio Computer Supplies have been in the printer and consumables industry for over 25 years. We have followed the cost per copy movement with interest. There are certainly efficiency benefits to this service but at present, the way organisations are being tied into unfair contracts demonstrates that the industry is dominated by opportunist companies trying to maximise profits at the expense of the customer.

We have decided its time to burst the balloon. After extensive investigation we have concluded that the print managed system does allow us to make considerable savings for our customers while still accounting for all operating costs in a straight forward cost per copy price. No hidden extras. In 2016 we will be launching a transparent Scorpio print management service with contracts starting from as little as three months with no balloon payment at the end. 

We are convinced that the service we have developed will deliver substantial efficiencies to our customers. We are prepared to put in the time and work before we begin the contract to make sure that the package we offer is tailored to be 100% suitable for that particular customer and if they find that it isn't for them, they can leave. No ties.

2016 will see a transformation in the way companies operate and Scorpio Computer Supplies will be at the forefront of this development. If you think this model might be suitable for your organisation, there is further information on the Scorpio website. Click Here.

*The Daily Mirror 14 May 2014 – Schools Stunned by ‘hidden’ copy costs which deprive children of books – Andrew Penman.

Christmas Shopping at an office supplies store – it can be done!

Here’s a cheeky solution to get your last bits of Christmas shopping done if you work in an office. Do your shopping on an Office Supplies website! It’s about the only retail site you can access at work without it being blocked by IT and it’s surprising how many items you can get from your stationery catalogue that make great Christmas gifts.

We’ve picked out a few ideas to get your Christmas shopping done pain free, from the office!

1. Posh pen

We’re stating the obvious here but one thing you shouldn't struggle to get on an office supplies website is a decent pen. A stylish, well made fountain pen is an elegant and timeless gift, suitable for - well pretty much anyone who can write!

2. Framed photographs

A really thoughtful gift, bespoke to any of your friends or family is a treasured photo in a frame. All you need is to purchase some photo paper and a certificate frame, then print out your favourite photo to put in it and you've got a beautiful keepsake to give to a loved one. Easy!

3. Diary

A smart case bound diary makes a classic Christmas present. There are plenty of different sizes and colours to suit a diverse range of personalities. This limited edition red Collins foil and bind embossed desk diary also includes a charity donation to The British Heart Foundation, adding an extra bit of goodwill and generosity to the festive period.

4. Coffee Maker

Its surprising the number of kitchen electrical goods you can buy from an office supplies website. From toasters to mini fridges, there is something for everyone. We particularly like this Morphy Richards filter coffee maker. If you want something to go with it, add a pack of Taylors of Harrogate coffee.

5. Chocolates & boxes of biscuits

Sweet treats are always a winner at Christmas but you can avoid having to slog it out in the shops to get hold of your box of Quality Street. Boxes of chocolates and biscuits can all come under office supplies.

6. Tablet and phone accessories

Almost everyone has a tablet and a smart phone now. Accessories for them are a really useful and worthwhile gift. Docking stations, portable speakers and phone and tablet covers are all available under the ‘mobile office’ category.

7. DIY tools

 

The ‘Mailroom and Warehouse’ section of our website might not be the most obvious starting point for Christmas gifts, but under the DIY tools you can find boxed sets of everything from chisels to screwdrivers, plus a number of different power tools for the DIY enthusiast in your life.

            

8. Winter car care kit

Staying on the useful presents theme, this is one for the car enthusiast in your life! 

Office supplies catalogues usually have quite a range of driving accessories, including the classic winter car care kit.

9. Kids stationeryMake sure children are going back to school in the new year with the latest stationary. On the Scorpio Computer Supplies website you will find matching sets of pencil cases and school stationery in a selection of funky colour schemes and character ranges. To keep them occupied to the end of the holidays, treat them to a beautiful boxed set of colouring pens, crayons or paints.

10. Wrapping materials

Once you've got all your gifts assembled you just need to wrap them.  Dodge the Santa motiffed wrapping paper this year and instead opt for classic brown paper or coloured tissue paper. It’ll look chic and designer and you won’t have to go near a shop to get hold of it. And of course, on thing you won't have any trouble finding on an office supplies catalogue is sticky tape!

All of the above items are available from Scorpio Computer Supplies Ltd and will generally be delivered within two working days of ordering, leaving you plenty of time to wrap your gifts before the big day.

Snow forecast

The winter weather is on its way!  Temperatures are forecast to drop across the UK.

Scorpio Computer Supplies are based in Yorkshire and we saw our first snow of the season last weekend.  Get ready for plenty more snow and ice in the next few months!

Bad weather is a major cause of disruption to businesses in the UK.  Research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) found that when temperatures fall by just one degree Celsius below average, it costs the UK economy £2.5 billion.

As a major distribution company to many of our essential services such as schools, doctor’s surgeries and hospitals, our customers rely on us to get their supplies to them regardless of the weather.  Our main distribution hub is located at a major motorway junction but we still have to ensure that our premises are kept gritted and our drivers are suitably equipped to negotiate the winter weather.

A few basic purchases such as a winter driving kit and gritting equipment could save your business thousands of pounds if it ensures your staff can get to work and delivery drivers can reach you.

We also supply a number of winter essentials to ensure that your office environment remains safe and your workforce is productive as the temperatures plummet.  Have a look on our website and make sure you’re prepared for the winter weather.

What does a laser printer drum do?!

When the printer tells us to change the drum, we do it but have you ever wondered what a drum actually is and what it does??

Well here’s your answer...

Win gig tickets!

Every time you place an order between now and 2nd November 2015 you will be entered into a prize draw to win gig tickets.

We have a total of 24 pairs of tickets to give away to one of the following concerts:

Imagine Dragons: 10/11/15 - Leeds Arena	Duran Duran: 28/11/15 - Leeds Arena
Simple Minds/The Stranglers: 27/11/15 - Leeds Arena	Stereophonics: 11/12/15 - NEC Birmingham
FOALS: 16/02/16 - Wembley Arena	For your chance to win tickets, just place your order on the website or over the phone on 01924 233777. Good luck!!

         

         

         

         

         

         

Free Sweets!

Back by popular demand - we have stacks of bags of Haribo sweets ready and waiting in our warehouse to go out to customers this week.

Make sure you quote HARIBO10 when you place your order (applies to orders over £30) and we'll send a pack of Haribos with your order.

The order can be made up of any of the items available on our website, from printer toners to office furniture, stationery to office technology.

This offer expires on the 16th October so place your order today!

www.scorpio-uk.com

Spotlight on security

Office security is one of those subjects that are generally not given sufficient consideration until it’s too late.  Your office equipment, staff and data are all vulnerable in various ways but there are plenty of simple measures you can take to prevent the worst happening.

Loss of equipment through theft, flood or fire is something we’d rather not contemplate.  The cost and disruption can be devastating.  Employ the following procedures to keep your valuables safe.

R      Ensure your fire prevention measures and safety procedures are up to date.

R      Install CCTV

R      Use equipment locks to secure computers and machines.

R      Don’t leave keys lying around.  Lock them securely away in a key cabinet.

R      Use fireproof and waterproof containers and safes for your most valuable items.

For most offices, data theft can be far more damaging than equipment theft.  

R      Shred documents containing valuable data before disposing of them.

R      Prevent access from unauthorised personnel with door access control locks.

R      Use secure envelopes if sending valuable data through the post or courier.

R      If you take data out of the office on a USB stick, make sure it’s encrypted.

R      Use tamper proof labels to seal PCs, doors, switches, and CD cases.

We have security products for all budgets and requirements on the Scorpio Computer Supplies Ltdwebsite.

Time to order 2016 diaries

2016 diaries and calendars are on sale and moving fast!  If there's something specific you want, we recommend you get your order in as soon as possible.  Some lines have already sold out in certain colours.

To help you out, there's an order form on our website for all our most popular basic diaries and planners.

Have a look on our website to be able to filter down to the exact desk diary, pocket diary, year planner or calendar you need or give us a ring on 01924 233 770 for advice.  You can place your order online, by phone or by emailing your account manager.

Introducing Hytec™ Eco

We are proud to showcase the new Hytec™ Eco range of environmentally friendly toner cartridges.  This range will run along side our exceptional quality Hytec™ products and offer an eco-friendly alternative, perfect for those looking to make cost savings.

It has been estimated by scientists that a toner cartridge will take up to 250 years to decompose. Every time you use a Hytec™ Eco toner you are reducing the number of used toners going to landfill, improving the state of our planet for generations to come.

Responsible recycling carried out by Hytec™ Eco prevents dangerous toxins being absorbed into water courses and ultimately our food sources.

Besides reducing the burden on landfill, Hytec™ Eco cartridges reduce the CO2 emissions created during the manufacturing process by up to 60%*.

Common sense dictates that we can not continue to burden our planet in this way but the economic argument is no less compelling.  Hytec™ Eco offers the best value for money yet, with savings of up to 60% on the price of OEM toners.

If you are interested in making cost savings and reducing your organisation's impact on the environment, the Hytec™ Eco range is the obvious choice.

*Source - Carbon Footprints and Ecodesign of Toner and Printer Cartridges, Dr M Gell, commissioned for UKCRA by Xanfeon Environmental and Energy Services, The Recycler Magazine December 2008.

Back to school

 To take advantage of our educational resources offers, click here

 

Academic staff and pupils alike will be overjoyed to note that the new school year is now upon us!

At this time of year we find that educational establishments are going through ink and toners more rapidly than any other so we would advise making sure you have sufficient in stock to prevent you running out.

We supply a broad range of educational supplies from whiteboards to rewards stickers, handwriting books, to calculators.  If you are ordering on behalf of a school, college or university, you are entitled to a 15% discount of your order.  Apply here to receive your promotional code.

Samsung supplier for over quarter of a century

In an industry of constant change, Scorpio Computer Supplies is proud to announce that we have been a Samsung consumables supplier for over 25 years.

As one of the UK's leading suppliers of Samsung inks, toners, drums and peripherals, we have built up a reputation with our customers for outstanding customer service, exceptional quality and competitive pricing.

Why not try us for yourself?  Give our sales team a call on 01924 233 770 and we guarantee to beat your current supplier's prices.

Click here for more information.

Brother printer users - this is for you!

Click to view offers

Is there a Brother printer in your office? If so, you've made a great choice of machine. Now make sure you're making the right decision when it comes to your consumables supplier.

Scorpio Computer Supplies is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of Brother printer consumables. We supply all Brother printer consumables quickly, efficiently and at market beating prices.

Why not put us to the test? Call our sales team on 01924 233 770 and we will guarantee to beat your current supplier's prices.

We have an additional one time discount if you apply for an account with us today. Receive 10% off a Brother drum when you buy the corresponding toner. Click here to get started.

15% off your first order

If you've never ordered from Scorpio before, now is the time! Act quickly to receive a 15% discount on all items you order.  Just enter the promotional code JULY15 when you check out on the website or if you prefer to order by phone, give our sales team a call on 01924 233770 and quote the same code.

Click for more details or to place your order

Offer ends 31/07/15. Applies to first time customers only.