Don't Give Remote Working a Pass.

In May 2015 it was announced that the ISDN networks would be switched off over the course of a 10 year plan and as of this year businesses will no longer be able to buy or upgrade to a system that utilises the ISDN networks. At the end of 2016 I wrote an article about ISDN dying and now more than ever it appears to be a time to make the switch over to VoIP.

Almost 5 years to the day I joined a company that vastly opened my eyes to new ways of working. It was one of the strangest but most profound experiences of my professional life. To explain; the majority of people know Niagara Falls right, but most would admit that you have to be up close and in person to really appreciate the wonder that it is. I am blessed to have seen Niagara Falls on a family holiday many years ago and that feeling is the same when I started my new job. I always knew of remote working but the true benefit and in a particular way the simplicity of it didn't really hit me until I was physically doing it myself.

The company I am referring to is Wardman UK where I believe for the 2.5 years that I worked there that I probably gained experience akin to 3 times that. For over a decade they have maintained a belief that while comfortable offices with positive working environments are great, and they are. But, utilising cloud based systems and products are a business asset that should not be ignored.

If you allow me the chance to be candid; fact is that 10 years ago using a VoIP phone system with in-cloud productivity tools wrapped up in solid infrastructure and double sealed with security and disaster recovery plans was probably not high on the agenda of many SME's. People wanted something tangible, a disk to put into a PC or Laptop and instal software, people wanted ISDN phone systems built on existing physical networks, they wanted something for the money they are spending.

After a sharp learning curve, my opinion is that Wardman UK were ahead of their time. They saw the potential in all the tools that companies across the UK are now throwing themselves at now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As technology progressed Wardman UK just got better and better at what they always believed is best for business.

What do you need? If you don't already have one, it's time to switch over to a VoIP phone system. VoIP uses the internet to route calls rather than a physical telephony circuit like ISDN was based on. VoIP ultimately eliminates much of the heavy costs associated with lines, equipment and call costs. It's scalable and even sole traders should consider it for the professional standard that it brings to the business. Next up is some physical equipment. Don't panic, you might already have supported kit. If you have a smartphone you could be up and running in days. Want the latest smart device and or a supported VoIP desk phones to be your end point, the Wardman UK team will take care of you.

They are also a Microsoft Partner, so you are positioned well to be lead into the adoption of Office 365. I suggest an Office 365 Business Premium subscription. Wardman UK can help you pull all of your data and emails together and offer training on how to fully utilise the array of apps within the packages. Everything from Word to Outlook to Teams. Before you ask, yes if you are going to move into the modern era of remote working with interconnected environments you need to be using Teams. If your kids primary school is now using Teams to help with school work, collaboration and enabling safe and secure socialising, then yeah your company needs to start using it too.

I could go on and on about what how fantastic the Wardman UK team are and how their expertise could boldly take you where your business has never been before but I'll finish with this. Since 2009, Wardman UK have been taking the belief that remote working through inter-connectivity across a company's workforce, its assets and infrastructure is a vivid possibility and this pandemic proves this. Today they continue to help their clients to maintain productivity and communication through cloud-based solutions.

The Wardman UK team are here to help your business through any eventuality. If you are already a client and need help, drop them a line here - [email protected]

If currently you are not a client, drop Mark an email here - [email protected]