Keytools would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

We will be closed from 1pm on Christmas Eve and back in the office

on 5th January.

We look forward to blogging you in 2009!

Apparently a strange incident happened yesterday, as witnessed by Andy, our hot shot hack. He reports:

A daring heist was stopped in its tracks earlier by the quick thinking of an employee and a wireless Evoluent Ergonomic Mouse. According to bystanders, the mouse was thrown across the room, resulting in a knockout blow to the back of the head.

Police responded to the silent alarm to find an unconscious burglar draped across the counter with relieved customers and employees surrounding him.

The Evoluent Mouse has been heralded as a local hero in the aftermath of the shocking turn of events and has even been recommended for a medal of bravery.

Keytools, in fitting fashion, has decided to discount the wireless version of the popular mouse in reaction to the events which means that now everyone can have the anti-thievery device in their office for 20% off.

The bank manager stated "If we knew the wireless mouse could be such a life saver, we would have got one for everyone in the bank," continuing "Had it been the wired version I fear this siege would have ended quite differently!"

Now this may all sound a bit far fetched, but it's true ... the Evoluent Mouse really has been reduced by 20%!

Would you like to gain a better understanding of the many ergonomic and assistive technology available?

We've responded to feedback from our customers who have requested the opportunity to get hands-on experience and expert advice on the expanding range of products now available.

Dates:

28th January
25th February
18th March

The Keytools Workshop is based at our training Centre in Southampton. Places cost £40 per person and a light lunch is provided. Book onto an Assistive Technology workshop online or call us on 023 8029 4500 for more information.

An office worker from Portsmouth has been awarded compensation for a repetitive strain injury caused by typing letters to customers.

The insurance advisor who worked for Bennetts UK, was only awarded three thousand pounds for damages. The lawyers bill however came to a massive one hundred and twenty thousand pounds.

Repetitive strain injury is on the increase. Discover how RSIGuard can protect you and your workforce.

We were delighted to show our support and sponsor Computacenter, on their charity walk of the Great Wall of China. They've managed to raise thousands of pounds for children's charity NSPCC (full amount to be announced soon).

Sales Manager at Keytools, Phil Guest, said: "We were thrilled to sponsor the team on their charity trip. We've been supplying Computacenter with specialist IT equipment for 7 years and we have built a great relationship with them."

Well done everyone!

Today the humble computer mouse celebrates its 40th birthday. The first mouse was launched back in 1968, with Dr Engelbart's wooden block with wheels and a chord. The working term "mouse" was never bettered, and now 40 years on these 'mice' have swamped the planet - with Logitech recently announcing the production of their one billionth mouse.

Although no one is arguing that the mouse has been used with great effect, it could be questioned whether it will be around for the next 40 years.

Computer operating systems are strongly oriented to mouse interaction. However, using a mouse places a lot of strain on your hand and arm and increases the risk of RSI.

An ordinary mouse forces your arm to twist, moving it from its natural position. The Evoluent mouse is ergonomically designed to keep your hand in a comfortable and healthy position - just like a handshake!

And with forecasts of the next generation of computers being controlled by touch screens (like the iPod) and gesture control (such as Wii), the mouse might just take an early retirement.

But until then, Happy Birthday mouse!

To ensure you get the best results from your computer, Keytools can offer an extensive range of products specifically designed to help computer users with low vision.

There is a range of screen and keyboard solutions available to assist with a wide range of conditions.

Software, such as Dolphin, can provide you with effective magnification and speech feedback. For effective reading of printed material Keytools is also able to supply a range of digital and video magnifiers.

For easier typing, large print and large format keyboards are available in a variety of high visibility colours.

Software solutions allow visually impaired users to enjoy the same level of independence as their peers when using computers.

A new report from the CBI (Confederation of Business Industry) this week has revealed that sickness absence cost the UK £13.2 billion last year.

The latest CBI / AXA Absence Survey also revealed that average absence levels in public sector was nine days. This is a shocking 55% higher than the 5.8 day average in private sector, which improved its absence levels over 2007.

A staggering £1.4bn of taxpayers’ money would be saved if public sector matched the private sector average.

Susan Anderson, CBI Director of HR Policy, said: "Long-term absence - such as stress, back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders - is still a big problem, accounting for forty per cent of lost working time."

The NHS, which continues to struggle to deal with people suffering from these conditions, is partly to blame, but arguably the bigger culprit is ineffectual management that lets people drift rather than helping them to get better.

"It’s ludicrous to pay people not to work when the tools to deal effectively with these debilitating conditions, through early intervention and treatment, are so well established and readily to hand, it’s no accident that employers who provide access to this have lower absence rates than those who don’t."

Many of our best-selling items have been reduced in price for the Christmas season.

Evoluent Ergonomic Mouse - now only £50

Goldtouch Adjustable Keyboard - reduced to £109

Emporia Life Mobile Phone - down to only £50

Save money on many more of our assistive and ergonomic items by following this link.

Hurry! Offer only available until 19th December or while stock lasts.