Clive Quantrill, BT’s enterprise migrations director, offers insight into the next generation of communication and collaboration solutions – and how you can make your business future ready.
Technology is changing the way we work and collaborate. And at such a rapid speed, these changes can be rather intimidating. But they don’t have to be.
IP solutions provide the next generation network: phone, conferencing and collaboration services that run over the internet or private networks, rather than old phone lines. So, with a transition to the cloud, productivity reigns for you and your team – wherever and whenever they choose to work.
Making the move to the cloud ahead of the switchover in 2025 means your organisation can be ready for whatever the future brings, with the right tools to manage your infrastructure. No one likes getting left behind, so if you can stay ahead of the switchover, it’ll be your business that leads the charge towards a digital future.
Get ahead with the cloud
The coronavirus pandemic has laid bare the need for flexibility and agility in the workplace. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 30% of adults in the UK were exclusively working from home at the start of July 2020. With the perpetual reshaping of our working landscape, there will be high stock placed upon cloud-based collaboration going forward – particularly in a world that is now ‘always on’.
By 2025, all communications in the UK will take place on a future-proof, digital network. Arming yourself with the latest generation of digital communication tools means you can compete in this digital world; making and taking calls on any device, wherever you are, and running your business how you want, when you want. A luxury today, but a necessity tomorrow.
The benefits of switching over are vast, too. As well as simplified communication systems, and all-encompassing accessibility for your workers, your calls and collaboration taking place within the cloud means there’s no need to pay for clunky hardware, line rentals or hefty upfront fees. Plus, call costs are in bundles, so prices will be easier to manage and predict.
Does size matter?
Whatever the shape and size of your business, it’s important to remember that cloud comms can work for you. You may argue that your current system works just fine, or perhaps you’ve already invested in a different, costly solution. But have you looked at the bigger picture? Cloud solutions will unlock new opportunities for your business, and future-proof your services.
And if you think your business doesn’t ‘fit’ with cloud solutions, you can think again. Cloud communications are already used by businesses big and small, so they can be more efficient and productive. In fact, last year’s ‘The Future in 2020’ report revealed that 38% of small, 47% of medium and 44% of large organisations are using VoIP to improve their services. Across the board, businesses are benefitting. And so can you.
Seize the moment
At the moment, landline calls in the UK still use the analogue network, or PSTN service, provided by Openreach. Believe it or not, the technology used to power PSTN hasn’t really changed since the first public automatic telephone exchange opened in 1912! So, naturally it can’t keep up with today’s ever-increasing demands.
The impending switchover to the cloud means businesses need to begin the transition to new systems that run on the modern All-IP network, 4G wireless networks, or a combination of both. It sounds like an inconvenience, but really, it’s a huge opportunity to move on to better, more reliable, feature-rich services.
At such a crunch moment, taking the step towards cloud migration will be key to unlocking the digital potential of your business, and adapting to the new remote-first world. The future is arriving – make sure you’re there when it happens.
Register now for our free virtual event on 24 March for more information on how your organisation can take your comms to the cloud.
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