Kategorie: ‘Topic’
Subscription Management – Renew, Pause, or Cancel
Source: Own Illustration
Subscription based services are one of the fastest growing business innovations of the last decade. Gone are the days where subscriptions were reserved for newspapers and magazines. Most likely you have come across subscription services in your day-to-day life. Saas (software as a service) is the most common service model for office and work software. Additionally, subscriptions are already the norm for all consumable content we engage with in our private lives, including music and streaming services. In this article we will explore some tips to help you manage subscriptions at home and in your workplace.
What Are Subscriptions Good For?
Subscriptions, or subs for short, are practical contractual agreements that give you regular and often discounted access to products and services such as magazines, streaming services, or theater tickets. They provide planning security for providers and give you, the customer, continuous access to your favorite content. There are several reasons you might decide to use a subscription service. Subscriptions eliminate the need for a large one-time payment. Consequently, making software more accessible to consumers. Although the subscription only provides access for a limited time, it in turn provides flexibility and the chance to test other options.
Why Manage Subscriptions?
As the subscription economy grows, so do the costs. The subscriptions can add up, so you should be tracking what you pay. A small price bump can also easily be missed if one doesn’t have an overview. Fortunately, there are some applications and tools to help you stay on top of things. These tools can notify you when a service increases the prices, help you cancel service you no longer use and maybe help you save some money.
How Can You Manage Your Subscriptions?
If you access a subscription through an online store, you can typically manage the subscription on site. Information about your payments and subscriptions is usually available in the account settings. This is where you can cancel subscriptions you don’t use, with some stores giving you the option to put them on hold. For example, iPhone and android phone users can manage their subscriptions in the respective device settings.
You can also make it easier to maintain an overview by using the same payment options for all your subscriptions. Most payment service providers will monitor your recurring payments. This is the best way to keep an eye on the total costs and any changes in prices.
There are some third-party applications and platforms that can help with subscription management. However, they often have added costs.
The subscription economy will continue to grow and will probably soon include even more services and products that we use. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on them to make sure you are making the most of them and getting your money’s worth.
Responsible for the content of this article is Masimba Koschke.
The following sources served as the basis for this article:
- [1] Juniper Research
Carnival 2026 at the IT Center
Source: Own Illustration
The IT Center is not just a place of work, it’s also a place to celebrate and with all the pomp and circumstance of Carnival! Once again this year, employees didn’t miss the opportunity to celebrate the fifth season together.
Admin meeting on February 4, 2026
Source: Own illustration
The first admin meeting of the year took place on February 4, 2026. This article explains why the admin meeting is an important platform for exchange and which topics were presented, discussed, and debated in particular detail.
This time, the agenda included news about the state-wide backup system “Datensicherung.nrw,” the AI chatbot “Ritchy” as digital support in IT support, and the Webex Hybrid Calendar Connector for improved appointment and meeting integration.
Spam or Phishing? How to Spot the Difference
Source: Own illustration
In keeping with today’s Safer Internet Day on February 10, 2026, this article is all about digital security. Spam and phishing emails show how important it is to remain vigilant in everyday life and to critically question suspicious emails. With a little caution and the right knowledge, you can better protect yourself — and the IT infrastructure of RWTH Aachen University.
Every day, we receive emails that are not always legitimate or welcome. Two types of unwanted communication are particularly common: spam and phishing. Both can be annoying, but phishing in poses a serious threat to your data.
In this article, you will learn how spam and phishing differ and how you can reliably identify suspicious emails.
Artificial Intelligence Meets Virtual Reality
Source: Kühlem et al., 2025
Whether in digital learning spaces or virtual museum tours, virtual reality (VR) makes an important contribution to immersive learning. In this context, users can interact with virtual teachers. At RWTH Aachen University, research is being conducted into how these conversations can be made as realistic and natural as possible.
Vintage Tech: When Old Technologies Become Cult Objects
Source: Own Illustration
“Vintage tech” refers to devices and technologies that were once commonplace but have since been replaced by modern developments. It’s not just about “old technology” in the narrower sense, but also about the attitude to life associated with these devices. Many of us remember the click of a typewriter, the whirring of a video recorder or the crackling of a record. Such experiences are more than nostalgia; they mark the technological development of entire generations.
DataStorage.nrw: Migration complete!
Source: Own illustration
The wait is finally over: the migration of research data to the new DataStorage.nrw storage system is complete. A total of approximately 2.7 PB of research data was migrated between July 2025 and January 2026.
In this blog post, we give you an overview of the migration process and the benefits it brings to researchers throughout North Rhine-Westphalia.
git.nrw: Milestones and Future Prospects
Source: git.nrw
January is almost over, the new year is picking up speed – let’s take a look back with you!
The git.nrw project reached decisive milestones in 2025 and laid the foundation for professional expansion in the coming years. We are delighted to review these milestones with you – so buckle up and let’s go!
European Data Protection Day 2026
Source: own illustration
In today’s digital age, data protection is more important than ever. That’s why every year on January 28, we celebrate European Data Protection Day – a date that reminds us of the importance of protecting our personal data and privacy in the digital world. At IT Center, we use this day as an opportunity to draw attention to key aspects of data protection.
Always up to Date: The sciebo Blog
Source: sciebo
Anyone who uses sciebo or is interested in secure cloud storage solutions in the university environment should regularly check out the sciebo blog. There, users will find bundled information, news, and helpful background articles about the cloud service.
In addition, the new documentation page offers clear instructions on the functions of sciebo.
