Articles by Barclay Ballard

Barclay has been writing about technology for a decade, starting out as a freelancer with ITProPortal covering everything from London’s start-up scene to comparisons of the best cloud storage services. After that, he spent some time as the managing editor of an online outlet focusing on cloud computing, furthering his interest in virtualization, Big Data, and the Internet of Things.

The role also allowed him to gain knowledge of SEO and social media hashtags, as well as take part in a press trip or two. A visit to Prague for the Huawei Cloud Congress Europe 2016 was a particular highlight. He eventually returned to freelancing, writing news and feature pieces for TechRadar Pro. Cloud remains a primary interest but he’s also happy covering the hardware and software that powers productivity in workplaces around the world as they attempt to manage the transition to hybrid working.

Articles by: Barclay Ballard

I tested Social Intents - read what I found with this impressive help desk solution

By Barclay Ballard last updated 14 May 25

Missing a few advanced features, Social Intents is a decent help desk solution - especially for Slack or Teams users.

female graphic designer pointing with finger on laptop computer during collaboration with male colleague on common project in coffee shop

How to choose a competitor tracking tool

By Barclay Ballard published 2 April 25

Competitor tracking tool is a key part of market intelligence. Do you know what your rivals are really up to?

With an AI android by her side, a young woman studies on a couch in her modern home, highlighting the benefits of artificial intelligence.

5 essential features your next competitive intelligence tool should have

By Barclay Ballard published 2 April 25

A look at the most important features included within competitive intelligence tools.

Microsoft Teams vs Slack: Which video collaboration service is best?

By Barclay Ballard last updated 17 February 25

Microsoft Teams or Slack? We put two of the collaboration services head-to-head.

A padlock image floating over a smartphone.

Best secure smartphones of 2026

By Steve Clark last updated 21 January 25

We compare the best secure smartphones for increasing security and privacy and protecting against cyber threats

Nextiva VoIP phone, one the best VoIP phones for small business

Best VoIP phone of 2024

By Barclay Ballard last updated 18 December 24

Updated We list the best VoIP phones, to make it simple and easy to set up phone handsets to work with your software-based phone system.

Virtual assistant and CRM software automation technology. Customer using online service with chat bot to get support.

Best customer database software of 2026

By Barclay Ballard published 14 November 24

We list the best customer database software, to make it simple and easy for you to better manage your customer details.

Best driver updater of 2026

By Mark Pickavance last updated 1 October 24

We list the best driver updaters, to make it simple and easy to keep your computer drivers up to date using software apps and tools.

WinZip Driver Updater review

By Stefan Ionescu last updated 25 September 24

WinZip’s Driver Updater is a utility software for finding outdated drivers on your PC and automatically updates them.

Fortect Driver Updater review

By Barclay Ballard published 25 September 24

Fortect Driver Updater is part of a suite if tools, including privacy, security, and optimization solutions.

Systweak Advanced Driver Updater review

By Stefan Ionescu last updated 24 September 24

Systweak Advanced Driver Updater finds outdated PC drivers and updates them to their latest versions.

A person making a sales call in an office.

Best sales management software of 2024

By Barclay Ballard last updated 24 September 24

We list the best sales management software, to make it simple and easy to better manage your sales from a single software platform.

IObit Driver Booster 12 review

By Stefan Ionescu last updated 24 September 24

IObit Driver Booster 12 is a useful piece of software that keeps track of your computer's drivers and ensures you update them.

DriverFinder review

By Richard Sutherland last updated 19 September 24

Our DriverFinder review will help you decide whether its large driver database and fast speeds are worth the price.

Driver Reviver review

By Richard Sutherland, Stefan Ionescu last updated 19 September 24

Updated Driver Reviver identifies and updates outdated drivers to restore peak performance to your PC.

A person holding a credit card while typing on a computer

Best sales pipeline software of 2026

By Barclay Ballard last updated 19 September 24

We list the best sales pipeline software, to make it simple and easy to set up a streamlined and efficient sales management process.

Driver Genius 22 Platinum review

By Stefan Ionescu last updated 18 September 24

Avanquest's Driver Genius 22 Platinum is a software tool that lets you manage and update your PC drivers at all times.

AVG Driver Updater review

By Tom Johnson, Richard Sutherland, Stefan Ionescu last updated 17 September 24

Updated AVG Driver Updater is a software tool to scan your device drivers and ensure they are updated to the latest version at all times.

Auslogics Driver Updater review

By Stefan Ionescu last updated 17 September 24

Auslogics Driver Updater is an advanced tool that automates the task of getting your device and hardware drivers updated.

Ashampoo Driver Updater review

By Stefan Ionescu last updated 16 September 24

Ashampoo Driver Updater is a software tool that constantly keeps your Windows drivers up to date.

ScalaHosting email review

By Barclay Ballard published 30 July 24

ScalaHosting is a great email hosting provider - especially if businesses have their sights set on further growth.

A2 Hosting email review

By Barclay Ballard published 30 July 24

This A2 Hosting email hosting review outlines why this is proving such a popular choice for businesses.

IONOS email review

By Barclay Ballard published 30 July 24

IONOS email hosting is a great option for businesses, standing out for support and customization, in particular.

Bluehost email review

By Barclay Ballard published 29 July 24

Bluehost offers some decent functionality and support across its email hosting plans - if the price works for you.

Fastmail review

By Barclay Ballard published 29 July 24

Fastmail is an okay business email hosting provider - that comes with a sizable price tag.

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