Is your current phone system coming to the end of its life? Does it provide you with the functionality you need currently?

An IP phone system offers the opportunity to improve your office communication and can also reduce your costs. Faster business broadband and improved VoIP products mean that your new system will be reliable and, in most cases, offer better quality calls and phone system features.

A VoIP phone system does not have to involve installation of hardware at your premises, it can be hosted in the cloud. This means that it can straddle offices, counties, and even countries. Calls between sites can be transferred as if they were in the same office and charged accordingly.

This makes a VoIP phone system ideal for flexible working and also to assist in keeping the business running when disaster strikes.

Business VoIP solutions

VoIP is used commonly amongst consumers and businesses are now catching up, realising the benefits that can be obtained, and understanding that reliability has been improved.

There are an increasing number of VoIP products available in the marketplace meaning that the right solution for your business can often be arranged "off the peg". However, because VoIP solutions are so flexible, if you need something outside of the norm it can be accomodated.

Because we are independent, not tied to one supplier, we can offer a comparison between different VoIP products. We can show you the features offered by different systems and the pricing for your particular requirements.

With increased competition has come a reduction in prices. This makes VoIP ideal for single users, new businesses and small offices, with the flexibility to cope with expansion as a business grows.

For a free quotation, review or help and advice get in touch with us.

Posted in: Broadband , Business Landlines , Business Phones , Business Telecoms , Data Solutions , FTTC , Office Phones , Phone Systems , Solutions , Technology , Telecoms , VoIP

We cater for all types and size of business, from a single mobile to a complete telecommunications solution for corporate users. The larger the company the more value we can bring in terms of cost reductions and productivity improvements.

Our main strengths are our independence and our ability to provide a complete range of telecoms solutions, not just mobile or fixed line phones. This is particularly important with corporate users as integration between products and devices is critical to enable more flexible working practices.

Data is also a critical area for corporates and we have a range of products which can work together to provide an end-to-end solution which includes:

• ADSL Broadband
• FTTC - Fibre to the cabinet
• EFM - Ethernet First Mile
• Leased Lines

Corporate phone review

With larger businesses we like to sit down and discuss their business and understand how it works. We look at their current telecoms infrastructure to see how suitable this is for their current needs and moving forward into the future. From this we can make suggestions as to improvements, particularly via the use of new technology.

Telecoms can be a complex area for corporates, often with multiple sites spread across the country, and there will usually be a number of different options with regards to connectivity and pricing. We can put forward more than one solution that will enable you to compare the best one for your business requirements.

Implementing the new telecoms solution is the next step and maintaining connectivity throughout any transfer process is the aim. Following on from this, maintenance of connectivity across the whole estate is a priority and we are experienced in providing failover and backup solutions to keep you working in all eventualities.

Delivering maximum value

Larger businesses can get the best value for their services. A business with 10 or more mobiles, or 10 or more fixed lines are likely to benefit from better tariffs than smaller companies.

By utilising our expertise in the latest telecoms technology, allied to the lowest available tariffs, maximum value can be achieved.

The first step to achieving savings and improvements is to call us on 01332 418 689 for an informal chat.

Posted in: Business Landlines , Business Mobiles , Corporate Deals , Corporate Phones , Data Solutions , Mobile Phones , Office Phones , Solutions , Technology , Telecoms , Unified Communications

Is your business stuck in the slow lane?

With a greater reliance on data, email and the internet, businesses are becoming more aware of the damage that a slow or unreliable broadband connection can cause. Every online task takes longer and this costs your business in wasted time.

If you multiply even a few minutes wasted every day by the total number of employees and take this across a whole year the case for faster broadband is made! Far from costing you more each month it is actually saving you money when wastage is factored in.

Could FTTC improve your broadband speed?

There are several options when looking for faster broadband for your business. One of the latest ones is called FTTC - fibre to the cabinet. You will probably already know this product as BT Infinity with its much advertised TV commercials aimed at consumers.

This product is based on BTs rollout of fibre optic cabling which allows greater amounts of data to go further than traditional copper lines. The fibre takes the data from the exchange to your local "cabinet" and then it travels the short distance to your premises over copper lines. More fibre and less copper means increased speeds - up to 40mb download and 10mb upload.

Where your business is based determines whether you can access this product and what speeds you are likely to receive. However BT are working hard to bring this new fibre network nationwide so if it's not available to you now it could be in the very near future.

For the latest availability and pricing on FTTC please contact us.

Even faster business broadband!

Businesses looking for faster speeds or guaranteed services will be more interested in EFM (Ethernet First Mile) and leased lines. These services provide private lines (ie. not shared with other customers) and download and upload speeds are agreed in advance.

Obviously these Ethernet services are more expensive, and they also require advanced installation, whereas FTTC can be implemented quickly as it uses your current copper lines for the last hop.

For a full assessment of the services available to your business together with their associated costs please contact us.

Posted in: Broadband , Data Solutions , EFM - Ethernet First Mile , Ethernet , FTTC , Solutions , Technology

At Best Business Phone Deals we are not tied to one provider or one solution. We offer a full range of products and services across all of your telecoms which means we can provide you with multiple options when we undertake a free review. This enables you to compare the best deals on the market.

As an example, imagine you needed a new phone system. Based on the number of users you have we could provide quotations for a standard phone system at your premises, a physical VoIP phone system or a hosted solution. Within each of these categories we would find you the most suitable product for your usage and the most cost effective.

We then provide you with a report detailing the different options, their strengths and weaknesses, and make recommendations where appropriate. The final decision is yours.

Click here for a free business phone review.

Independent telecoms specialists

Our aim is to provide you with the latest technology which will enhance your business communications whilst also saving you money.

For mobile phones this could involve upgrading to SmartPhones and utilising new mobile devices such as tablets (iPad, Playbook etc.). For fixed line services this could be moving to a VoIP or hosted solution. We can also advise about combining your mobile and fixed telephony together in a unified communications solution.

One area where more and more businesses are finding value is in better data connections. Whilst traditional ADSL broadband is suitable for home use and very small offices, once you have a few users a better connection is usually required.

Data is the lifeblood of many businesses these days and a slow or unreliable connection can stop a business in its tracks. In these circumstances a dedicated leased line or EFM (Ethernet First Mile) line can be the answer. Giving you a guaranteed upload and download speed of your choice, depending upon your requirements, and much better reliability.

We can compare the different data options as part of your package and you may be surprised at how affordable a dedicated line is for your business. Prices are falling due to competition and increased network supply so you could gain a huge data speed boost without having to break the bank.

Once you have our report you can compare our products with those you have already to see the savings you could make, as well as comparing how new technology could improve the way you work and thus drive productivity.

Reviews are available throughout the UK to companies large and small offering a straightforward business phone comparison service.

Posted in: Best Deals , Business Landlines , Business Mobiles , Business Phones , Business Telecoms , Package , Phone Lines , Phone Systems , Solutions , Telecoms

Telecoms technology is advancing all of the time and the ways in which communications can be improved for your business are many. Finding the best solution can be complex and involves an in-depth knowledge of the latest products and services.

Our aim is to guide you through the process, looking at your current needs and how these will change in the near future, suggesting ways in which you could improve productivity and flexibility and comparing the latest products to get you the best tariffs that fulfill all of your requirements.

Click here for a free telecoms review.

Advances in telecoms technology

Mobile technology is moving towards everyone having a SmartPhone and maybe a tablet too! More devices are coming out that bridge the gap between the two. Advances are being made in the programs and apps that you can use on your mobile device meaning that you can do more and more work when out of the office.

Integrating your mobile and fixed line solutions is also a trend. This enables you to answer more calls as a business and to have the right person answering each call, increasing your productivity and also customer satisfaction.

Fixed line solutions now involve VoIP more often than not and also hosted services are becoming a common theme. Each of these could involve a level of data connectivity over and above a standard broadband connection. EFM (Ethernet First Mile) and leased lines are becoming more common even among small and medium sized businesses as prices fall.

Our service to your business

Bringing together mobile, fixed line and data connectivity is where we come in. Ensuring that each of the recommended products work together and provide your business with an improved communications package.

It doesn't have to break the bank either. Increased competition within the telecoms marketplace mean that prices are falling. Hosted solutions generally do not require any initial costs for hardware or ongoing maintenance, making them ideal for new small businesses.

Whatever your size of business and whichever sector you operate in we would like to look at your current telecoms set up and improve it. In the process if we can also reduce your costs this would be an added bonus!

The benefits of increased productivity, more flexible working practices, increased customer satisfaction and retention should not be underestimated. Utilising the latest telecoms technology could put you a step ahead of your competitors and enable you to outpace them and overtake them.

Take advantage of our 16 years experience within the telecoms sector and work with us to enhance your communications and drive your business forward.

Posted in: Business Landlines , Business Mobiles , Business Phones , Business Telecoms , Hosted Solutions , SmartPhones , Solutions , Technology , Telecoms , Unified Communications , VoIP

A landline number makes it easier and cheaper for your customers to contact you. It adds credibility to your business. However, with a traditional fixed landline there needs to be someone to answer it and this ties up resources.

For small businesses in particular it is not cost effective to have a fixed landline when everyone is out and about working. Whilst you could set up an answerphone this is not offering much of a service to your customers and could mean you missing important time-sensitive business calls.

A mobile landline gives you a virtual landline phone number that rings on your mobile phone wherever you are. There are a number of different products that provide a similar end result but work in different ways and offer different pricing structures.

Some are network specific, such as Vodafone One Net Express, whilst others can work with any of the mobile networks. The main difference between charging is whether calls are diverted from the landline number to your mobile free of charge within your package or whether you pay for the call diversion.

For users with a small amount of incoming calls paying for each diverted call usually works out cheaper. For larger users buying a package often works out to be more cost effective.

Compare mobile landline solutions

Because we offer a number of different mobile landline products we can provide you with comparisons between the different options both in terms of price and functionality. Some of the products include extra features such as music on hold, automated switchboards and hunt groups.

A mobile landline will make your business more flexible and products cater for businesses from 1 user to 20 plus. Basic rental prices start from £9.95 per number and there is no limit on the amount of numbers you can have. For instance you can have a different number for each of your departments or different geographical numbers for local areas around your business.

Call routing and call management features are available on most of the products and there are even advanced features such as call recording which can be added to your package.

Larger users with 10 or more staff may wish to consider a fully integrated unified communications solution. Combining your mobiles, landlines and data so that they work together seamlessly will improve the way you work, driving your productivity forward.

Whatever your telecom requirements please get in touch for a free review. As converged telecoms specialists we offer an extensive package of products which provide an end result tailored to your business needs. These are bespoke solutions aimed at reducing your costs and improving your communication channels.

Posted in: Business Landlines , Business Mobiles , Business Telecoms , Flexible Working , Mobile Landline , One Net Express , Package , Phone Lines , Phone Systems , Solutions , Telecoms , Unified Communications , Virtual Phone Numbers

As 2011 comes to a close many people will be thinking about the new year and making resolutions for 2012. What are your business resolutions? Your goals and ambitions for 2012?

One area where we can help you is in cost reductions for telecoms products and services. Many businesses continue to pay too much for their mobile and landline contracts and have multiple suppliers to deal with, making it difficult when problems occur, not to mention an administrative mess.

A single supplier solution with a package that encompasses a range of services will help reduce the amount you pay and has other benefits too:

• One point of contact
• One easy-to-understand bill
• Guaranteed interaction between products

How to reduce your costs

Take a look at all of your 2011 bills and order them according to when the contracts expire. Diary each of them for two months before expiry - this length of time is needed to obtain alternative quotations AND give 30 days notice (the usual notice period although some may be longer - double check your contract and adjust the timescales accordingly).

When you reach your first diary entry contact us for a free no obligation quotation. We will look at the product or service which is due initially but we can also undertake a full review of all of your services with a view to buying out your other contracts if this makes sound commercial sense for both parties.

If a buy-out is not appropriate we can then look at your other services nearer their contract end date.

The benefit of a full review, as opposed to looking at a single product, is that unified solutions can be identified which will improve your communications. This can help your business perform more efficiently, thus improving productivity.

A review can look at any or all of the following products:

• Mobile phones
• Landline phones
• Phone systems
• Broadband
• VoIP
• Vehicle tracking
• Device tracking
• IT support
• Website hosting

If you are happy with our figures we make it easy to transfer your services with the minimum of disruption.

Posted in: Best Deals , Business Phones , Business Telecoms , Package , Solutions , Telecoms

Ask yourself these questions:

• Has your business reviewed its telecoms recently?

• Are they working together optimally to enable your employees to work productively wherever they are?

• Is there a coherent strategy in place?
  
  
• Do you buy on price alone?

Many businesses focus solely on price and renew the individual parts of their telecoms infrastructure with different suppliers based on cost alone. This approach could lead to you having inferior equipment and not making the most of the latest telecoms technology.

The benefits of a single supplier solution

There are many reasons to consider a single supplier solution:

• Overall cost savings
  
  
• Optimum integration between devices and systems
  
  
• Simplification of administration
  
  
• Better fault resolution

A single supplier may not be the best price option for every one of your individual products but they should be able to show you an overall saving across a range of multiple services. Utilising one company for all of your business telecoms gives you a single point of contact, ideal when you have a fault such as a loss of data connection which could be a problem with your lines, broadband, router or IT. One call to your dedicated account manager (not a call centre) gets it sorted.

A review of your telecoms will look at how you currently use your services and make suggestions as to ways in which new technology may be able to improve productivity. Your current usage will also be analysed to ensure that the optimum tariffs are chosen.

The review should not take up too much of your time and at the end of it you will receive a cost/benefit analysis showing you the different options available. It will be fully costed and easy to understand.

Areas a business telecom review covers

• Mobile Phones and Devices (laptops, netbooks, tablets, mobile broadband)
  
  
• Landline phones (systems, lines, call charges)
  
  
• Unified Communication Solutions
  
• Broadband and data connectivity
  
  
• VoIP and hosted solutions
  
  
• Employee management and vehicle tracking

Many small and medium sized businesses in certain sectors may not have a need for a full review encompassing all of the above, but should still consider getting a quotation for the services they do have which may show up alternative ways of utilising telecoms technology to benefit their productivity.

Posted in: Best Deals , Business Landlines , Business Mobiles , Business Phones , Business Telecoms , Solutions , Telecoms , Unified Communications

The best phone system for your business depends upon a number of criteria:

• Number of current users
• Single office or connecting multiple sites
• Whether your data connectivity is suitable for VoIP
• Call management features required
• Likely future expansion

You need to carefully consider how you are going to use the system, which features are essential and which are not required. From this you can narrow down the choice of systems which offer what you need.

Physical PBX or hosted VoIP?

The first major choice is whether to have a physical system in your premises or a hosted system. A physical PBX is the hardware that powers your system, the brains of the unit. There is a cost involved in purchase and you will need to maintain it. As with all hardware it can go wrong and this will result in downtime until it is repaired/replaced.

With a hosted PBX the brains of your system are hosted remotely "in the cloud". This means that there is no maintenance for you to do and no up-front costs as this type of system is usually charged on a monthly fee per user model. All you have in your office are suitable handsets which are connected to the internet.

An ideal use for a hosted system is to connect multiple offices. Each user is connected to a single virtual system meaning that transferring calls between offices is as simple as between users. This bridges geographic boundaries across cities, counties and even countries. It makes flexible working easier with the ability to connect to the phone system from your home or anywhere with an internet connection.

The flexibility of a hosted system is achieved because of its connectivity via the internet. This is also its achilles heel in some respects. You do need a decent connection to run voice and data services simultaneously and, as we all know, broadband is not 100% reliable, nor is it available at sufficient speeds in many rural areas.

There are options for dedicated internet lines which offer guaranteed service for both upload and download, ideal for VoIP. Whilst these are more expensive than standard ADSL broadband the cost is coming down to be within reach of many small and medium sized businesses.

Once you have decided whether to choose a physical or hosted phone system you can now narrow down which available systems will suit you.

You need to cater for current users and for likely expansion across the lifetime of the unit with a physical system. A hosted system is usually charged per user and will expand exponentially so you don't have to worry about adding users in the future.

The system you choose needs to be capable of performing the tasks you need. This might be an auto attendant (press 1 for x, 2 for y etc.), call recording or a number of other call handling and management features. A hosted system will have all of these and you choose which ones you need and pay accordingly.

Whilst a hosted VoIP phone system will generally be more flexible and feature packed than a physical system it is not always more cost effective, depending upon the number of users and features required. Choosing a supplier, such as ourselves, who offer both types of system and can provide a direct comparison tailored to your business needs will pay dividends.

Posted in: Business Phones , Business Telecoms , Phone Lines , Phone Systems , Solutions , Telecoms

We are increasingly being asked about supplying virtual phone numbers to businesses and the options that are available. There are a number of different solutions, two of which we detail below.

A virtual landline number saves you having to install and maintain a physical line. The number is fully portable so no matter where you move to you can keep your number. Depending upon the solution you choose you can point the virtual number to a mobile or landline of your choosing.

"My Inbound" call management

This service gives you a landline number of your choosing for which you pay £9.95 per month. There are a selection of geographic and non-geographic numbers available for you to choose from free of charge or you could consider a "gold" number which is more memorable and will involve a cost for purchase.

You have access to an online control panel which not only provides you with options for your diversion, but also provides a whole host of call management features. For instance, your virtual number can be diverted to a group of numbers, each of which rings simultaneously.

You do have to pay for the call diversion. Current costs are 1.25ppm for diverting to a landline or 9.95ppm for diverting to a mobile.

We have on online pdf brochure for this product for you to read: Inbound Call Management brochure.

Vodafone One Net Express

One Net Express works in a different way, but the end result is broadly similar. It provides you with a virtual landline phone number (or numbers - you can currently get 5 free of charge on selected packages) which rings on your mobile.

It differs from the Inbound Call Management in two ways. Firstly there are no call diversion charges. The virtual number is held within the Vodafone architecture and rings on your mobile automatically.

Secondly there is the charging model. The most popular option is a flat rate of £55 which includes all of your landline and mobile calls, as well as unlimited texts and 500MB of data.

It also provides many different options for configuration and a host of phone system features accessible directly from your mobile handset.

We have on online pdf brochure for this product for you to read: Vodafone One Net Express brochure.

Choosing your virtual phone number solution

Which of these two options suits your business best will depend upon your usage and number of users. Contact us for a tailored quotation and a direct comparison between the two options.

Posted in: Business Landlines , Business Phone Numbers , Business Phones , Business Telecoms , One Net Express , Solutions , Virtual Phone Numbers

For businesses that rely upon data, a strong internet connection is a must. This should be reliable, and fast enough to serve all of their users with spare capacity for busy times.

Standard ADSL business broadband can offer this for some customers, but for others it is not up to the job. The next step up in connectivity is EFM - Ethernet First Mile.

This is a dedicated internet connection, meaning that no-one else is sharing the bandwidth. The speed you get is guaranteed and is symmetrical - meaning you can upload as fast as download. This makes it ideal for VoIP telephony and video, for instance.

We offer EFM with speeds ranging from 1MBps through to 20MBps. The speed you can actually receive is determined by the distance from your local exchange. Contact us for an accurate assessment.

Data is carried by multiple copper pairs from the exchange into your premises. If one of the copper lines fails temporarily the others share the load to keep you connected.

We can also provide fibre leased lines with faster speeds, although these are more expensive and there is a longer installation time. EFM can typically be up and running within 30 days.

EFM is more reliable than standard broadband and our service is actively managed. This means that we provide a pre-configured EFM router to you and are notified of any issues with your line immediately. The SLAs on EFM lines are much quicker than for standard broadband so any downtime will be minimal (we can also provide failover options to eliminate downtime if required).

EFM can be included as part of a total data solution for larger businesses, connecting multiple sites. We can tailor a package for you that meets your requirements and budget.

So if your current broadband is too slow or unreliable you should consider EFM - the cost is coming down and is now within the reach of many small and medium sized businesses. Contact us for a free review of you data connectivity and a cost/benefit analysis.

Articles about EFM:

What is EFM?

Posted in: Broadband , Data Solutions , EFM - Ethernet First Mile , Ethernet , Hosted Solutions , Solutions

Is your business based in Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire? Are you using a local company to look after your telecoms?

Based on the Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire border we are ideally placed to install and maintain telecoms equipment for your company, particularly phone systems. From a traditional PBX through to a state-of-the-art VoIP phone system.

Being local we can get to you quickly and cheaply meaning that the cost of installation is reduced and ongoing maintenance is affordable.

We have our own telephone engineers in-house who will be responsible for installation and then would maintain the system. You get to see the same person working on your system from day 1 and throughout your contract.

Reducing the cost of your business phones

We have good relationships with a number of suppliers enabling us to find the right system for your requirements at the right price. From a small 3-user system through to a VoIP solution covering multiple offices.

In addition we can supply you with lines and calls at greatly reduced rates over many national suppliers. We have our own bespoke billing engine allowing us to tailor packages to your usage.

As well as offering physical phone systems installed in your premises we also have new hosted VoIP solutions which give you corporate phone system features without any up front PBX costs - you only pay for what you need.

Which phone system is going to be ideal varies from business to business dependent upon a number of factors. We can undertake a free review for your business to show you not only which one works out best but also to compare the various different options and features which are available.

It may be that extra features such as call management and call routing could drive your productivity upwards and these can be factored into any solution. For more information contact us.

More information

The benefits of a local Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire phone company are further extolled in our pages:

• Nottinghamshire Phone systems
• Derbyshire Phone Systems

Posted in: Business Landlines , Business Phones , Business Telecoms , Derby , Derbyshire , Nottinghamshire , Phone Systems , SMEs , Solutions , Telecoms , VoIP

Does your business currently have a phone system? Is it approaching the end of its life or are you outgrowing the features it offers? Have you considered a hosted solution when the time comes to replace it?

A hosted phone system has a number of advantages over the traditional PBX:

• No need to buy a costly phone system
• No ongoing maintenance
• Always up-to-date with the latest technology
• Pay for the features you use
• Flexible and scalable
• Enables flexible working
• Ideal for multi-site operations

It does rely upon a decent broadband connection but most businesses now understand how important data is to their organisation and many are upgrading their connectivity accordingly. The cost of dedicated connections is also falling making it affordable for small to medium sized businesses.

The cost of a hosted phone system

Hosted phone systems are generally charged per user. This usually yields considerable savings over standard set ups. There are scenarios where this pricing can work out more expensive than traditional telephony, particularly in large organisations, and in these instances it is possible to find pricing models that are similar to traditional telephony, offering a price per channel instead.

If you don't have a phone system currently or have an analogue system you will usually have to purchase dedicated handsets for each user. These do not have to be expensive and offer better features than a traditional handset. For instance, you can take them home and plug them into your router there and use them as if you were in the office.

Hosted phone systems are particularly cost effective in multi-site operations. Instead of purchasing a phone system for each site you have a single hosted account meaning that your "system" is effectively spread across all offices allowing transfer of calls between sites and free calls between all users.

The extra features you will get from a hosted system, such as call management and call routing, will also lead to improved productivity which saves you even more money over time.

Compare traditional and hosted phone systems

At Best Business Phone Deals we offer both traditional phone systems and hosted solutions. This means that we can produce a report for your business which shows you how much you would pay for each and allows you to compare them both for pricing and features.

You see which is most cost effective for your business and make your choice accordingly.

Posted in: Broadband , Business Landlines , Business Phones , Business Telecoms , Cloud Computing , Data Solutions , Hosted Solutions , Phone Systems , Solutions , Telecoms , VoIP

We offer a number of corporate telecom solutions which can be implemented on a standalone or package basis. Some of the products on offer include:

Corporate Data Solutions - Utilising a mixture of technologies to deliver resilient data solutions to corporate multi-site operations. Enable faster communication between office staff, remote staff and multiple sites.

Unified Communications - Integrating your voice and data, combining your mobiles and landlines, will improve efficiency and yield savings in the long term.

Telecom Consultancy Services - With 15 years experience in the telecoms sector we are able to guide you through the myriad of options available which could significantly improve your communications both internally and with customers.

Corporate Mobile Phones - Benefit from cost reductions AND improve your communications simultaneously via the use of new mobile technology. Bespoke corporate mobile tariffs that properly reflect your usage both in the UK and overseas.

Corporate telecom review

We can analyse your current telecoms infrastructure; where it is working well and where it is failing. A review focuses on two main areas:

1. Cost reductions
2. Improved communications

A successful corporate telecom review will deliver on both fronts, maximising cost reductions as well as improving the way your company communicates to increase productivity and improve the ROI of your overall telecoms spend.

Investing in new technology now could see your business becoming leaner and more competitive and prove a real boost to your bottom-line in the long term. Let us show you how the very latest technological advancements in the telecoms sector will allow you to work smarter and gain a competitive edge for your business.

Posted in: Business Mobiles , Business Phones , Business Telecoms , Corporate Deals , Data Solutions , Ethernet , Solutions , Telecoms , Unified Communications

Broadband - it's an essential service for many businesses these days but you only realise just how important when you have a problem. It's at this stage that you wish you had put more thought into a failover solution or purchased a complete package from a single supplier.

Too many businesses don't put a lot of thought into what they will do if and when something goes wrong. Whilst broadband is much more reliable than it used to be, particularly if you have a business-grade product, there are always going to be problems sometimes.

For many businesses they have a broadband supplied by company A, running over phone lines supplied by company B, running into an IT network supported by company C. So when you lose your internet connection whose fault is it and who are you going to call first?

What you may find, and we have seen this often, is all three comapnies involved denying that their part of supplying your connectivity is to blame - so then what do you do?

A business broadband package is the answer

Taking out all of the individual broadband components with a single supplier is the answer. At the same time also take out a back-up connection or solution that will see you continue to work even in the event of a complete failure of your main broadband.

With the best will in the world faults cannot always be rectified quickly so having a backup plan is a must.

There is little downside to packaging your business broadband and IT together. This should allow maximum discounts to be given, and gives you a single bill with a single point of contact. Making your administration much easier all round.

Good, fast business-grade broadband products need not cost the earth and are available to small and medium sized businesses. For larger companies we also offer complete data solutions incorporating multi-site networks and all of the connectivity required.

Think about how many devices in your office now rely upon your broadband connection. As more and more companies use VoIP and hosted telecom solutions the importance of decent broadband increases. Don't get left in the slow lane, take advantage of the latest technology to give your business the competitive edge.

We offer all businesses a free connectivity review. See what speeds your business COULD achieve and how this would increase your productivity throughout your organisation.

Posted in: Broadband , Data Solutions , IT , Package , Phone Lines , Solutions , Telecoms

We have a dedicated website services team offering hosting, web design, and SEO. These services can be provided on their own or as part of a package. More businesses are now understanding that SEO, optimising your website to be higher in the listings within search engines, can deliver real benefits in terms of new visitors, leads, enquiries and sales.

When looking for SEO you may find that there are companies advertising fixed price "one size fits all" packages. We don't operate like this as there are too many variables involved. For instance the code behind your current website, the competitiveness of your sector, the keywords and keyphrases you would like to appear higher for. All of these determine how much work and time will be needed in order to achieve results.

You may also find companies offering "guaranteed" placements and results. This might be achieved via a pay-per-click campaign, such as Google Adwords, or by choosing keyphrases which are uncompetitive, thus driving little or no meaningful traffic to your site.

We always concentrate on real results. Your SEO campaign should drive enough traffic to your site to achieve your goals, whether that be more enquiries to follow up or more online sales.

Tailored SEO Solutions

The first step in tailoring a solution for your business is to look at what you hope to achieve. Are you looking for local people to find your website (if your service is only available within a certain area) or do you aim to increase national sales? Where do you figure within your sector already and how competitive is the area in which you trade?

You will need to think about keywords and phrases which people will be typing in to the search engines in order to find you. We will also make suggestions based upon keyword research and traffic figures.

We will look at your current website and whether there are any obvious things it is doing wrong. Many web designers have little or no knowledge of SEO and we often see websites which have been built with no regard to it. We can quickly put this right and get your website working for you.

Once we have completed our initial review we can put together a costed plan for you to consider. Organic SEO can take a little time, so if instant results are needed we can offer a managed Google Adwords campaign to get you started.

New business website packages

If your business does not yet have a website we can put together a package which includes all of the elements you will need including some basic SEO. It doesn't have to be expensive, a basic 1-3 page website starts from £49.95 with monthly hosting at £9.95.

Contact us for more information and pricing.

Posted in: SEO , Solutions , Website

Let us prepare you a package of mobile and landline services which saves you money and gives you better control of your expenditure each month. We offer a tailored service which will mean your business paying less every month for its telecoms.

In addition to low per minute rates we also keep our charging clear and easy to understand. We don't charge high minimum call charges which really bump your bill up. We can include as many inclusive minutes to landlines and mobiles as you need and discount for volume.

If you find your business is using more minutes over time, for instance because of expansion, you can increase the inclusive minutes at any time. We can also include calls to 08 numbers.

Our 15 years experience within the business mobile phone sector means that we can find you the right tariff which will cover your usage but not leave you paying for too many unused minutes.

We can work from your existing bills to compare directly with your current supplier/network so you see the real savings you can make, not an estimate. Contact us for a free quotation.

Combining landline and mobile phones

For a truly combined landline and mobile package we have a number of options for unified communications where your landlines ring on your mobiles too ensuring you don't miss a business call.

From a single user to multiple offices nationally we can supply a solution which integrates landlines and mobiles as one, meaning that your team can keep in touch better both internally and with customers.

We can offer the Vodafone One Net suite of solutions or comparable hosted products. With us you can easily compare the different options for features and price and make a decision based upon accurate usage and cost figures.

Your package can also include other products and services. These include broadband and data solutions, website services, employee management, call management and recording - we can take care of all of your business phone needs.

One quick call to 0115 944 8977 will get the ball rolling. You might be surprised at how much you could save.

Posted in: Business Landlines , Business Mobiles , Business Phones , Business Telecoms , Call Charges , Package , Solutions , Telecoms

Getting the best deal for your business mobiles is no longer just about phones. There are a range of mobile devices which can be included within your new contract, such as tablets (think iPad, Samsung Galaxy etc) and netbooks.

Achieving balance and integration between devices and platforms requires knowledge of all of the different devices, operating systems and how they all work together to achieve your business goals.

Mobile data is becoming the most important aspect of a business mobile review for many companies and we have expertise in this area gained from our 15 years in the mobile industry.

From BlackBerry BIS/BES/BES Express setup and installation through to data roaming and tethering we can advise you on the best way to set up your contract to get the data you need without breaking the bank.

How to get the best business mobile deal

If you already have a business mobile contract you will have your monthly bills which indicate your usage. You can email, fax or send them to us for a full analysis.

By analysing these we can match a tariff that provides you with the right balance of minutes, texts and data to keep your bills down. We also look at overseas usage, which is becoming increasingly important for many businesses, and ensure the tariff will be flexible enough to fulfil your requirements.

We can then provide new handsets for you which do the job you need them to. You may have specific requirements, such as an operating system to integrate with your current infrastructure, or be flexible in your choice. We can advise regarding the features of the latest SmartPhones which could enable you to increase productivity.

When undertaking a business mobile review we look at reducing your costs AND improving the devices you have.

All quotes and reviews are free and without obligation. They are offered to all types and size of business from single handset users through to corporate enterprises. We can also incorporate other products and services into our review to further save you money.

Solving your business mobile problems

You may be looking for a review because your contract is due for renewal and you wish to reduce costs, but you should also contact us if you are having problems with your mobiles wherever you are in terms of contract. Your current mobile dealer might be failing to respond to you and giving you poor service or you might be finding your current network coverage and service to be unsatisfactory.

We can look at transferring your contract to another network and buying out your existing contract. In this way you can reduce your monthly expenditure and improve service without having to pay any upfront costs.

All enquiries are welcome and treated in confidence. For a no obligation dicussion please call us on 0115 944 8977.

Posted in: Best Deals , Business Mobiles , Business Phones , Mobile Data , SmartPhones , Solutions , Telecoms

We have added a new page to the website for Virtual Landline Numbers. This is due to demand from our customers looking to ensure they don't miss any business calls.

For small businesses there are often not enough staff to answer the landline calls. During busy times people are out and about and attending to other duties. With a combined landline and mobile solution calls can reach you wherever you are.

A landline number, particularly a local one, gives your business credibility. You can take out several local numbers to cover a larger geographic area. Each of these numbers has full call management so that you can see at a glance where your calls are coming from and how you are performing in each area.

As well as standard virtual landlines we also offer unified communication solutions such as Vodafone One Net. This works in a different way but achieves a similar end result. It offers a different pricing model too which suits some businesses looking for an unvarying monthly payment.

Which solution suits your business best will depend on a number of factors, such as number of users. We can price each different option for you based upon your requirements and prepare a report showing you likely costs.

Whilst a landline/mobile solution may involve some extra costs per month, you could be missing a lot of extra business and opportunities without it. It's a worthwhile investment to ensure you don't miss business calls and provide a better service to both new and existing customers.

Posted in: Business Landlines , Business Mobiles , Business Phone Numbers , Business Phones , Business Telecoms , One Net Express , Solutions , Telecoms , Unified Communications

Wednesday 8th June 2011 is IPv6 day. But what is it and could it affect your business?

An IP address is a set of numbers that uniquely identifies any device which connects to the internet. Currently the system of numbering is IPv4, but the numbers allocated under this system are running out fast, and will probably be exhausted by August.

IPv6 is its replacement, a 64-bit numbering system, and will provide a huge boost in available numbers. IPv6 provides enough addresses (340 trillion) to allow the internet to continue to expand.

However, because IPv6 is different to IPv4 there is a chance of some connectivity being lost in the changeover. IPv4 and IPv6 devices cannot communicate directly. That is why on Wednesday some of the big players in the internet industry, such as Google and Facebook, are making their sites available under the new protocol. If you can connect to them on Wednesday it is likely that your current set up supports IPv6.

Most internet users will not notice any difference, however Google anticipates up to 1% of failed connection attempts on the day, mainly due to misconfigured devices.

Business networks may not fare so well though. Recent research suggests that very few businesses are completely ready for the change to IPv6. Only 12% of network professionals thought that their networks were 80-100% ready for the change.

As well as internet/broadband issues other devices such as those used in IP telephony will also need to be migrated to IPv6 at some point in the future.

Posted in: Broadband , Data Solutions , Mobile Data , Solutions