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4 Ways Cloud Computing Improves Your Business Productivity & Efficiency

Are you still storing your data in physical servers located within your office building? Perhaps due to internal factors, many businesses try to put off cloud migration for as long as possible. However not only is cloud computing becoming the new normal, it also offers a number of advantages for your business. So if you’re still relying on physical data storage, you may be missing out on some great business opportunities. 

Check out these cloud computing advantages.

1. Cloud Computing Takes the Stress out of IT Management

When you leverage cloud computing for your business’s needs, you’ll find that it makes many of your daily IT processes easier. Consider:

New software and applications. Thanks to cloud computing, you no longer need to wait for your IT team to install or update new software and applications. All the apps you need can be easily accessed from the cloud via desktops, laptops and mobile phones. With your apps stored in the cloud, worrying about system overload from new installs and updates will be a thing of the past – your cloud storage and functionality can easily scale to meet your needs. And partnering with a cloud solutions provider means your installs and upgrades will be taken care of – helping your IT team alleviate the responsibility to focus on more high-value tasks.

Updates. Thanks to the power of the cloud, you can take care of updates quickly and efficiently, with less downtime. You can also set up updates so that they occur automatically, which means that you won’t have to worry about missed updates that could cause problems with your daily operation  or leave holes in your security. 

Security. Security is becoming more important to your business than ever. These days, 58% of cyber attacks are levied against small businesses. Keeping your business secure–not just compliant, but as secure as possible against cyber threats – requires a great deal of specialisation and attention. Particularly for small businesses where IT support and resources are limited, the inability to prepare, detect or respond to cyber attacks would be detrimental financially and reputationally. The cloud provider you partner with is equipped to put in place security designed to protect and prevent unauthorised breaches.

Get access to our free eBook on Cloud Computing

2. Cloud Computing Enables Your Staff

When you opt for cloud computing services, your staff can access all of their apps and data from anywhere. They aren’t restricted to a physical location or a single device. This makes it easier for your staff to work remotely, whether they need the option to work from home as part of their regular schedule or they’re out on the road. The ability to work from any device and from anywhere means team members can also collaborate regardless of their physical locations – the perfect solution for businesses spread over wide geographic areas or with team members on the go. 

3. Eliminate the Loss of Valuable Data

Rather than relying on local drives, a centralised cloud storage reduces the risk of data loss. Storing information in the cloud protects valuable data from theft and aged hardware that breaks down. Rather than relying on local drives, a centralised cloud storage reduces the risk of data loss. Storing information in the cloud protects valuable data from theft and aged hardware that breaks down. Does your business have a business continuity plan in place in the event of natural disasters? Even with data backed-up, your business would experience downtime, which means your daily operations would be affected.  

When you store your information in the cloud, you can also control data visibility, offering specific permissions to individual users – so you don’t have to worry about employees accessing information they shouldn’t.

4. Increased Uptime

When you leverage cloud computing, your vital files and apps are always available. With 99.9% uptime, including no loss of access, your staff will benefit from easy accessibility to the data they need, when they need it. This provides a greater level of staff flexibility, allowing your team to choose the way they work while still meeting business needs.

Are you interested in learning more about cloud computing and how it can transform your business? Let’s talk.

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EOFY: 7 Ways to Maximise your Business Hardware & Software Tax Deductions

End of Financial Year (EOFY) provides you an excellent opportunity to review your finances in detail and implement smart financial practices. Take time to assess your business’ financial position so you can plan smarter for the coming financial year. 

While at it, be sure to investigate what deductions you may be able to claim to lower your tax liability. Areas worth looking at for possible tax deductions include:

Diesel fuel expenses

Travel expenses

Running your business from home

Use of office equipment

Software tax deduction

Hardware tax deductions

Business websites

Car expenses

Here are 7 strategies to maximise your small business tax deductions:

1.Seek Capital Gain Concessions (CGT)

While selling a small business asset, such as shares, exposes you to capital gains tax (CGT),you may also be eligible for CGT concessions if you meet certain criteria.. For example, you may defer CGT on an asset for a year by not including the gain in your revenue unless circumstances change, causing a CGT event to take place. Disposing of assets may also result in capital losses, which may be big enough to offset capital gains registered.

2. Claim Tax Deductions for Your Home Office

Are you a 24/7 home-based enterprise, or do you sometimes operate your business from home? The expenses you incur in such enterprise operations may qualify for tax deductions. These include:

Heating, cooling, and lighting

Cleaning expenses

Capital costs for buying home office equipment (such as computers), furniture, and fittings

Operating expenses, such as buying computer or printer consumables and home business phone and internet costs 

Any home-based small business equipment with a capital cost of $300 or less qualifies for an immediate tax deduction. For item costs more than $300, you may claim a deduction for its gradual drop in value.

3. Speed Up your Tax Deductions for Prepaid Expenses

You can reduce your tax liabilities in this financial year by accelerating deductions for prepaid expenses you’ll incur the following year. It’s a rewarding tax planning strategy for a small business with some cash to spare.

4. Donate to a Charity

Give your tax refund a boost when you make a charitable donation worth more than $2. For a donation to be tax-deductible, the beneficiary must be an organisation recognised as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).

You can check whether your charity of choice is a DGR organisation by searching the Australian Business Register.

5. Buy a Depreciating Asset to Qualify for the $20,000 Instant Tax Write Off

If your business has a turnover of $10 million or less, you may qualify for instant tax deduction from asset purchases below $20,000. 

This includes office furniture, company vehicles, and IT hardware. The government will write off the entire depreciated cost immediately, rather than gradually over several years.

6. Claim Sole Trader Tax Write-Offs

If you’re a sole proprietorship, you may qualify for tax deductions specific to your business structure and industry. You can claim these write-offs in your personal tax returns for the past 12 months. Note that you must base such claims on expenses directly related to your business operations.

Sole traders’ operating costs that may qualify for tax deduction include:

Marketing and advertising

Bad debts

Vehicle expenses

Business travel insurance

Business communication costs (telephone, internet, etc.)

You may go to ATO’s myDeductions app to work out your sole trader deductions for the current financial year. Record your business revenue and expenses for the tax year in the application.

7. Document Business Expenditure to Maximise Your Tax Deductions

The ATO will require evidence of business expenditure before it can approve your tax deduction claims. So, be sure to document all relevant outlays. Have your receipts (including for that work briefcase you bought), utility bills, bank/credit card statements, and other written evidence ready to back your claims.

It’s equally important that you reach out to a tax adviser. Speaking to a qualified financial expert can help you be smart in preparation for the upcoming tax season. With professional assistance, you can quickly identify tax planning opportunities and maximise your business hardware or software tax deductions.

Free Guide: 10 Steps to go paperless

Getting your current EOFY obligations right is essential to transitioning into the coming year on the right footing. It helps to secure your business’ financial position as you strategise to get the most out of your deductible tax expenses.

Want to learn more about how we can help grow your business? Let’s Talk.

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7 Benefits of Engaging Forum – an Australian-based Business with Local Support Centres

In today’s global economy, customers value businesses with reliable customer support. You need to engage with one that can meet and even exceed your expectations.

For many, customer support centres are synonymous with a bad rep for unhelpful, faceless agents from halfway across the world. And when there is an urgent technical issue that’s hindering you from office productivity, you wouldn’t want to wait in a long phone queue.

At Forum Group we value and understand the importance of building relationships with our customers. From tailoring solutions for your business to resolving technical issues, we will support and guide you every step of the way. And with our support centres located in major cities across Australia, our experts are equipped to escalate and resolve any issues quickly.   

Read on to find out how you can benefit by choosing Forum Group.

1. Service You Can Rely On

When you partner with Forum Group, you get access to our highly experienced service staff trained by our manufacturers to the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) standard. This means you can focus on the important things and we’ll take care of your hardware and software issues – stress-free. 

From time to time, your hardware parts and consumables may need replacing – we’ll supply you with genuine replacements approved and warranted by the original manufacturer.  

2. We’re Constantly Evolving

We value your feedback. Not only do our service staff and support agents direct your feedback to our customer experience, you’ll also have the option to participate in our Feedback Family Program – Let’s Talk. Our surveys are attributable, meaning your CRMs are personally accountable for improving your experience with us.

On top of this, we deep dive into the survey results and address areas that need improvements. Based on the last few surveys, our initiatives have made a positive impact on our service – processes have become more efficient resulting in quicker response time, escalation and issue resolution. 

3. Our Extended Network Across Australia

We’re proud of the network we’ve established with our vendor, manufacturers and specialist partners. This means that when our in-house support agents or field technicians are unable to fully resolve your issues or fulfil the job, our partners will help escalate to ensure downtime is kept to a minimum. 

Working in a remote office with limited access to our support network? We have an extended dealer network across Australia, ensuring you receive the same level of support system no matter where you are. 

4. Guaranteed Service & Support

Your partnership with Forum Group includes a Service Level Agreement (SLA) establishing your expectations to the service and support our team will provide. Depending on the level of impact on your business operations, any issues raised will be attended to within an estimated response time.

Get access to our free eBook on Cloud Computing

5. Things Only an Aussie Could Know

Research shows that nine out of ten Australians prefer local call centres. With customer service centres in Australia, you’ll be dealing with a provider that has the knowledge of what businesses in Australia need.

At Forum Group, we recognise the importance of delivering a seamless experience to customers. And unlike providers that partner with offshore call centres, our local support agents understand the political and economic challenges faced by Australian companies. Our agents are experts in the industry equipped with knowledge of the business landscape and how we should provide support to ensure our customers succeed. 

6. Help Support the Australian Economy

When you engage an Australian customer support centre, you are also supporting the local economy. Helping other local businesses will not only keep jobs within Australian shores but also create new employment opportunities. 

7. All Bundled in One Contract

We are a managed-services company offering a range of innovative solutions to enable business growth. For a monthly fee, your fully managed agreement gives you access to service from our dedicated support team, so you can focus on the important things and we’ll ensure the tools you need for your business operations run smoothly.

Forum Group is the Way to Go

If you’d like to learn more about us and the solutions we offer, simply fill in the form below and let’s talk.

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Top 10 Critical Security Considerations When Starting Cloud Computing

Efficient, scalable, and affordable, cloud computing still stands out as the best solution for businesses in every sector. More and more entrepreneurs are moving to cloud computing to increase flexibility, productivity, and profitability. According to IBM, 51 % of IT executives have deployed a hybrid cloud strategy and 69 percent of businesses are already migrating their data to cloud-based storage. 

Many companies, however, may be quickly jumping onto the bandwagon without fully understanding common cloud security concerns. And most importantly, how to best implement a cloud strategy that’s tailored to specific business requirements. Without formal protocols and procedures in place, this could have devastating impacts on your operations and bottom line.

So what are the key considerations to look out for? This short-read has all you need to know about the data security challenges of cloud computing.

Major Security Considerations for Cloud Computing

Although the adoption of cloud computing is on the rise, the security of sensitive business data remains a growing concern for many organisations. How then do businesses take advantage of cloud technology and ensure their sensitive data is safeguarded? 

Below are the potentials Cloud Security risks: 

1. Data breaches – These are all too common in the modern world where hacking techniques have become more sophisticated. Compromised data can attract huge financial loss to a business as well as brand reputation that may be impossible to recover. Since most of the cloud computing services are offered by vendors, there is a need for an organisation to review the security measures put in place by service providers. This is to guarantee data security from any eventuality of unauthorised access.

Get access to our free eBook on Cloud Computing

2. Data loss – Loss of info can result from malicious attacks, deletion, or an unprecedented natural calamity wreaking havoc on servers run by the cloud service provider. A worst-case scenario is where there are no measures deployed to recover the lost information. To curtail such an eventuality, a sturdy network layer with proactive recovery systems should be implemented to recover lost data and protect it from intrusion.

3. Insecure access points – For multiple devices to access data from any location, they must interact with certain interfaces like API. Hackers can exploit existing loopholes and exploit them. Such vulnerabilities should be identified, and patches developed to seal the loopholes in the system. Also, a rugged firewall with an integrated encryption capability can help to protect systems against malicious attacks and suspicious traffic. 

4. Notifications and alerts – Rather than reacting to a security breach in a cloud network, prompt network security should provide warning beforehand of any identified threat. On-time updates offer a chance to mitigate the threat before it is too late.

5. DDoS attacks – Similar to most web developers, cloud service providers can also be victims of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks that restrict access to cloud servers. Depending on the costs and time necessary to get the network back to operation, a business can incur heavy losses. So your provider should have advanced security protocols in place. This is an effective way of hindering potential DDoS attacks.

6. Regulatory compliance – As cloud computing becomes widely recognised and a frontier in business operation, governments and authorities have established specific regulations to govern its operations. Laws have been enacted to create a regulatory framework that guarantees data protection and adherence to privacy policies. Your chosen service providers should comply with the set regulations to ensure streamlined operations.

7. Increasing productivity – One of the main benefits of moving to the cloud is enabling your staff to work anywhere at anytime. With instant access to files and applications for staff on the road or working remotely, productivity and retention will be positively impacted. Prior to your migration however, proper security strategies should be integrated into the design framework. This way, any problems associated with an ever-growing database can be mitigated.

8. Employees – Staff members could also be a crucial factor to consider before adopting cloud computing. Some of the risks include insider threats and the improper management of systems, thus leading to security threats. To prevent these scenarios from crippling your entire system, you should consider having restricted access and user permissions in place. By adding an extra layer of security from the inside, you’re proactively ensuring that your business is not left in a vulnerable position.

9. Attacks – Malicious attacks on a cloud server or network can be in many forms. From malware, DDos, spyware, phishing attack, and ransomware, there is so much to consider before migrating to the cloud. Malicious programs can be injected into a cloud-based network to extract or damage sensitive information. Also, malware can be deployed to take control of data and servers, rendering them inaccessible.

10. Insecure Application Programming Interfaces (API’s) – API’s form an integral component that facilitates access to data, so they are a crucial consideration when shifting to a cloud network. When insecure, they may fail to authenticate the users of the cloud service effectively. An API may be prone to external intrusion, and unintended parties can access databases, customer information and application logs. Your preferred system should protect you from this, and all the other risks.

Stay ahead of the game with Forum Group

Cloud computing is a crucial factor that would impact your competitiveness and business success in Australia’s current digital revolution. Whether yours is an established entity or just starting up, you can benefit from the new infrastructure by working with Forum Group. 

Forum provides the basic foundations of a working cloud computing system – efficiency, productivity, ensuring you are set for success. We can also help you focus on IT as your core business strategy, ensuring IT is scalable and contemporary.

By hosting your data on a private cloud, we can provide an effective and secure cloud solution that matches your business needs – you will have uninterrupted access to your data resources. This could eliminate the problems of onsite servers, cut unnecessary IT costs and improving workplace operations. 

You do not need to invest in costly on-site data systems that require extra staff to manage. We can provide a cloud infrastructure tailored to fit your business needs while you concentrate on things that matter most – your business. With advanced backup systems and state-of-the-art technology incorporated in our cloud infrastructure, your data is highly secured from cyber-attacks and can be restored in the nick of time in case of disruptions. These represent just a section of the many reasons to partner with Forum.

Want to learn more about how Forum can ensure you are set for future tech changes? Let’s talk.

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How Technology Will Shape the Future of Work

It is a fact that innovation and new technology are fundamentally changing the way we live and do business. According to tech experts, these will continue to rock the modern workspace in the next decade – workstations will be unrecognisable to how they are set up today. Not to mention, workforce dynamics and the nature of work will change drastically in tandem with new technology. 

To maintain relevance and earn a competitive edge, you need to know how emerging technologies will change the business environment. You should also think about how your business can leverage  innovations to strategically attract top talent, boost efficiency, and improve your bottom line.

We have done the hard yards to have a look into the expected trends and how tech will affect your business in the future.

Technological Trends in Business & The Future of Work

These emerging technologies for business will play a key role in transforming your operations:

Internet of Things (IoT)

We live in a digital age where almost everything is connected. From smart devices like sensors and appliances, the IoT is essentially a complex network of interconnected ‘things’. This giant web of interconnectivity has changed the way we interact with our surroundings as well as how businesses build relationships with customers. From a business perspective, you shouldn’t simply be ‘jumping on the bandwagon’ because all your competitors are using it – leveraging this source of technology should begin with a goal in mind, not the tech itself. What does your business want to achieve and how will this affect current operations? Importantly, how will you enhance system integration, data storage and security?

Free Guide: 10 Steps to go paperless

Blockchain

The adoption of this trend has the potential to boost data protection and cybersecurity. The digitally encrypted ledger groups data publicly in ‘blocks.’ It has a decentralised database that only allows ‘chain’ members to view or verify the info. This gets rid of go-betweens or the need to seek third-party validation. As a result, it will lead to more efficient financial transactions across borders and aid proper talent acquisition and management.

Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Automation and AI are fundamentally reshaping organisations and contributing to growth while enhancing productivity. Not only are these technologies transforming the workplace itself but also the nature of work. Repetitive tasks will be handled by machines and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) designed to perform with greater efficiency and accuracy . When tools like RPA are combined with document capture and management tools, huge gains in efficiency through automation are created This will create more opportunities for entrepreneurs, society, and the economy. While this may be a cause for concern regarding job redundancy, it actually means workers can focus on more meaningful tasks that grow revenue and deliver better customer experiences.

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

More than just technologies designed for gaming and the entertainment industry, we expect to see businesses increasingly adopt VR and AR as tools for workplace training, presenting, prototyping and designing. From the creation of 3D models to digitising the workplace, this innovation continues to unlock an extraordinary precedent and indefinite scaling potential. The virtual reality and augmented reality market is projected to grow to more than $120 billion by 2022, at a 75 percent compound average growth rate.

Cloud Technology Adoption

The rapid transformations in the digital world has led many businesses to venture into the cloud. In fact, your company may already be using some type of cloud service for relatively simple tasks like sharing and storing files or for analysing huge chunks of data. This innovation offers location and device independence, allows for offline accessibility of information, as well as scalability. To pursue a competitive advantage, your future employees must have the right skills to leverage this opportunity for maximum benefit to the business.

Software as a Service (SaaS), Desktop as a Service (DaaS) and Outsourced IT

With Cloud technology revenues predicted to grow past $278 Billion by 2021, Software as a Service (SaaS), Desktop as a Service (DaaS) and other cloud based IT outsourcing models are changing the scope of work that companies manage internally. Leveraging the scalability and power of the cloud is delivering cost savings and efficiency gains to those willing to move to the cloud.

How these technology innovations will affect businesses and the future of work

 Emerging technologies and innovations will not only boost efficiency across your organisation but will have even more long-term positive impacts. For instance, AI-enabled innovations designed to  handle repetitive tasks, such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA), would open up new job opportunities and enable workers to focus on more meaningful work. Cloud computing, on the other hand, will lead to improved data management and security, while enhancing communications and access to information.

Highly efficient machines with AI integration could increase productivity while maintaining a manageable team of employees with optimal output. 

Having grown up with the tech evolution, millennials and Gen Z job seekers are digital natives. They expect to work with companies with the latest and greatest tech advancements that enable a flexible and collaborative working atmosphere.  Companies should stay ahead of the curve by staying up to date with the technological changes if you want to attract and retain the best talent.

Stay ahead of the game with Forum Group

With the changes in tech, you need to direct your focus on transforming your IT for you to stay ahead of time. Some crucial steps to take include moving to the cloud and adopting automation for most processes within the business.

With Forum Group, we can set you up for the transformation, earning you a competitive edge. We will help you succeed  by focusing on improving your IT as a business strategy. Not only will you improve your efficiency, but you also stand to increase productivity while enjoying the benefits of a scalable and contemporary IT system.

To learn more about how we can prepare you for future changes in tech, let’s talk.

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Top 12 Reasons for Hosting on the Cloud over On-Premises

As the modern workspace continues to evolve rapidly, business owners have to figure out how best they can stay relevant by applying technology to the way they work. Traditionally, businesses would run programs or applications from a physical server or computer within their buildings. But thanks to cloud computing, you can access the same applications over the internet from anywhere, at anytime.

Typical of any hosting platform, the cloud also has its inherent attributes, advantages, and setbacks. Before making the crucial decision on whether to change from the traditional hosting within the premise, you must understand all the benefits and drawbacks in equal measure.

This quick read should help you make an informed choice regarding the hosting for your company website.

Difference between on-premise vs cloud hosting

It is no surprise that cloud hosting is now more popular than ever, and its promise and allure offer newfound flexibility for companies. From cutting down on the burden of maintenance for your IT team to improving scalability and agility, there is no limit to the benefits it offers.

On-premise hosting, on the other hand, has for long served as the only available offering, and it can adequately address all the needs of your business. Moreover, such applications are secure, reliable, and allow you to maintain a high degree of control which the cloud cannot offer.

Regardless, IT decision-makers should look to leverage the cloud to achieve the organisation’s goals.

Get access to our free eBook on Cloud Computing

How you will benefit from cloud hosting

Here is why you should opt for cloud hosting Australia:

Enabling your staff – with the cloud, your staff can access applications and data from anywhere, at anytime. Whether you have staff working on the road or just want to provide your employees the options to work out of the office every now and then, more flexibility is one of the most sought after benefits for your employees. 

Future proof – Most businesses still rely on old systems that cannot stand the test of time. However, cloud data is stored in secure servers that are updated regularly to ensure that crucial business data is safely kept for as long as you or your company require it. 

Predictable costs – Cloud hosting is offered in the form of subscriptions that are paid monthly or annually. Also, Cloud hosting has a flexible billing process where you can adjust your subscriptions to match your company’s needs. This predictability makes it much friendlier to your cash flow. 

Minimal setup costs – Hefty setup costs are a struggle for anyone running a business. With cloud hosting, however, you are not required to purchase or install servers or hardware. You will only pay for the monthly or annual subscriptions.

Highly scalable – Cloud hosting is flexible and can be effective even with fluctuating staff  employee numbers. Your tailored cloud solution is able to support your business by growing as your business grows. 

Saves on time – Time is a luxury that very few people have, but cloud hosting offers your staff more time to ensure increased productivity. Your IT team no longer need to worry about maintaining and replacing internally managed servers and technology, freeing up their time for high-value activities.

Data security – In terms of data safety, cloud hosting is generally superior since it has in-built security compliance. However, it is crucial that you perform your due diligence and choose a reputable provider to help find the appropriate solution for your business. 

Greater uptime guarantees – Cloud hosting providers provide a  minimum uptime guarantee as well as redundancy in place to mitigate the impacts of downtime, so you can be sure that your system will remain available and active around the clock, every day of the year.

Greater support levels – You do not have to rely on your IT manager alone for assistance. Instead, your provider will offer local support around the clock. 

Continuous updates – The beauty of cloud hosting is that your supplier ensures all programs and apps are up to date, and you are always working with the best possible system suited to your business needs. 

Fast and smooth rollout – Cloud computing ensures faster deployment and seamless integration without changing your current IT system architecture.

The provider handles the installation of new features – Who has time to focus on continuous improvement when there’s a business to run? Your supplier will take care of your servers while rolling out regular new features like security updates.

Cloud hosting – All your data is on the cloud, so you can access it even when outside the premises. This increases productivity while better enables your staff.

The pros & cons of on-premise hosting

Still, there are several reasons why small to medium businesses may choose an on-premise system. First, you enjoy more control of your site and tasks roles such as security and updates remains an internal responsibility. Since you have physical control, you have the power to customise your system, choose your upgrades and set your own timelines. You may also incur lower long-term costs, and this could help raise your bottom line. 

The disadvantages of on premise hosting make it a less than ideal option. For instance, you require significant upfront investment on computers and servers. Also, you rely on your internal IT team for the management and maintenance of the system and for system upgrades. Therefore, lacking a dedicated, skilled, and experienced team could potentially lead to security breaches, data loss, or downtime.

With data inside the premises, it becomes susceptible to theft and natural disasters. The system also lacks the scalability and agility of the cloud, and cannot be scaled up or down to meet high demand periods or adjusting to accommodate influxes of new staff and an increasing employment.

Reliable solution to the risks of cloud hosting

Similar to on premise, cloud hosting can also be disadvantageous if you partner with the wrong service provider. Your systems could be more easily targeted by hackers and your business data could be accessed by third parties. The associated costs can also escalate if not well managed.

Forum Group is the ideal provider for cloud hosting in Australia, and we have mitigated the risks in many ways. Our private cloud solution uses a secure firewall that also has the best-practice security procedures and policies. This way, we minimise attack surfaces and ensure a secure and fully patched infrastructure. To add to this, you can also access your information and apps over secure and private internet service.

Forum Group can help determine the best hosting solution for your business. For more information, let’s talk.

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Is your IT Manager Really Qualified to keep your Data Secure?

Your IT manager has a big role to fulfil within your company. Not only is this individual tasked with keeping your phone and internet systems running smoothly, they are often responsible for keeping your organisation’s data secure. The importance of data security in many businesses has increased substantially over the past several years and keeping your data secure has become a critical part of customer service, compliance, and even business continuity. Should it be your IT manager’s responsibility?

The Standard Requirements for IT Managers

Technology plays an incredibly important role in your business–and your IT team has to be up to the task. Hiring an IT manager means looking for an exceptional individual who has a range of important skills and capabilities, from crisis management skills to the tech skills necessary to handle the day-to-day functionality of your business. The IT manager often takes on a number of important tasks:

Developing and maintaining technology processes throughout your business

Maintaining and updating software

Maintaining and updating hardware as needed

Running regular checks on network security

Maintaining basic data security standards

Overseeing system updates

Dealing with migrations

Handling outages and bringing your system back online as soon as possible

Determining timelines and handling major projects, including upgrades

Managing other employees within the IT department

Helping employees troubleshoot their IT issues 

With such a wide range of skills required, it’s often critical to look for an IT manager with several years of industry experience. You will often find, however, that IT managers come to the table with degrees in Computer Science or Information Technology, not degrees and certifications in cyber security. This may mean that your IT manager has little more than a passing knowledge of data security or how to keep your organisation’s valuable information secure.

Free Guide: 10 Steps to go paperless

Does your IT manager really have time to manage your cybersecurity?

Your IT manager often has a wide range of tasks on their plate–often including upgrades, tech support for various individuals throughout the building, and dealing with crises. As a result, security management may take a back seat or, in a worst-case scenario, fall through the cracks entirely. Is it really important? Consider the cost of data that isn’t properly secured.

Client acquisition goes down with poor security. New clients want to know that their data is secure and protected in your systems. Failure to provide that security, on the other hand, can cause potential new clients to shy away from your business. 

Client retention decreases. 70% of customers say that they would stop doing business with a company after a data breach. This holds particularly true for businesses that don’t take what customers consider appropriate measures to protect private data or to ensure continued customer security–and it can be devastating to your business reputation and revenue. 

Legal issues arise. If you are not meeting compliance with Australian and even international standards, depending on your customers, you  may face legal costs associated with your data breach. The average cost of a data breach stands at over $7 million and legal fees add significantly to those costs. 

Trust in your brand plummets. After a major data breach, especially one that becomes the subject of public discussion, you may struggle to maintain your reputation. Building a trustworthy and reputable brand is an expensive and difficult exercise, and trying to regain trust after a breach is a challenge that your business may never recover from.    

A single data breach can cost your company millions of dollars. Unfortunately, many Australian businesses are struggling to identify, isolate, and stop data breaches, which means you can continue to lose money throughout the process.

The cybersecurity skills shortage

Throughout Australia, cyber security faces a significant skills shortage. This skills shortage has already cost more than $400 million dollars and it’s set to cost even more in the coming years. Cyber security is a constantly growing field that has substantial implications for every business across Australia. While most cyber security professionals themselves are highly trained and have skills that cover a wide range of arenas. As technology improves, cyber security professionals are finding their skills increasingly in demand–and many of them are seeing a substantial increase in their daily workloads. For businesses, the high demand for cyber security professional means you have to fork out top dollar to have an in-house expert. 

Chances are, your IT manager already has to keep up with information from a wide range of other fields. Unfortunately, with the skills gap widening, the chances increase significantly that your IT manager does not have the specialised skills necessary to keep your business’s data as secure as possible.  Ultimately, this can result in a loss of revenue, legal implications and much worse.

Building a Solution

With the skills shortage in cyber security Australia, you may find that it’s more difficult than ever to find an effective solution to the problem. A cyber security specialist working in-house has the potential to offer your business the security it so desperately needs. The average IT manager, on the other hand, probably won’t be able to.

That’s where Forum Group comes in.

We understand the importance of cyber security in business. Furthermore, working with Forum Group is far cheaper than hiring a cyber security specialist to work directly with your business–not to mention the fact that, given the current shortage of cyber security specialists in Australia, finding a specialist to work for your business could be incredibly difficult. Not only that, you won’t have to worry about training or onboarding staff, nor will you have to suffer downtime between employees if your specialist moves on. Forum Group has the solution to ensure that your data is secure. Consider our skills:

Remote accessibility

Enhanced flexibility in the workplace

Private cloud access

A dedicated Australian support team

Government-grade security

Leveraging the power of our private cloud solution makes it easy to scale your business and offers a higher level of security than many other solutions, which allows you to keep your data safer and protect both your clients and your private data. 

Moving to a private cloud solution not only takes away the burden of cybersecurity from your internal IT manager, but also gives back this key employee critical time to focus on other high value activities, like implementing improvements to your suite of technology and enabling your staff. Let’s talk.

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What phone system is right for your business?

Choosing the most suitable phone system for your business can be a challenge. Whether you’re setting up a brand new office or you’re switching to a new provider, there are a few factors to consider:

Which phone provider to go with?

What technology do you need?

Where will you host your phone system?

Choosing the right system is a critical component of your sales and marketing cycle. With the right solution to match your business needs, you can unify workers, invoke collaboration, and have access to the tools you need to communicate actively with customers and leads.

IP Desk Phone

Desk phones are your traditional corded phone set up thats sits on each desk scenario. Due to the advancements in technology and greater availability of the internet, traditional landline phone services are being phased out and replaced with IP telephones also known as VoIP  (Voice Over Internet Protocol). Unlike landline services, IP telephone systems run over the same internet as the company uses, making it a significantly cheaper and simpler solution.

IP DESK PHONE SYSTEMS: THE BENEFITS AND POSSIBLE DOWNSIDES

Benefits

Cost-effective

Reliable

Customisable

Advanced features for productivity

Great audio connections

Easy-to-install

Can be integrated into CRM

Potential Downsides

Can only be used from your desk

Dependant on internet connection

No Instant Messaging (IM) capabilities

Phone reporting can be inaccurate as staff may decide to utilise mobile, app, or other software calling options because of a lack of flexibility

Slower to scale than software-based phones

Free Guide: Everything about NBN & 5G

Softphones: A Software-based phone alternative

While IP Desk Phones have usability, function, and a hint of nostalgia attached to them, modern softphone software can perform a similar job without the curly cords and bulky handsets. Software-based phones or “softphones” are applications that mimic traditional handsets, usually installed on mobile devices, tablets, or even desktop computers.

These software-based phones let you host video/conference calls, take your work on the go, and reduce office clutter by eliminating an additional component (i.e., the hardware-based phone). Softphones also offer another layer of benefits via reporting –  you can leverage metrics and get hyper-analytical on your phone systems, potentially improving your sales cycle, reducing pipeline issues, and creating new opportunities for reps.

SOFTPHONES: BENEFITS AND POSSIBLE DOWNSIDES

Benefits

More cost-effective than Unified Communication systems

Can work from anywhere

Allows remote workers to instantly access business systems

Instant Messaging

Instant collaboration through video and conference calls

You don’t have to provide a mobile phone number to customers as your landline number is anywhere you are

You can leverage reporting and metrics

Can be integrated with your CRM

Doesn’t require physical equipment to set up

Potential Downsides

Reliant on internet connectivity

Potential reliance on mobile phone batteries

Phone reporting can be skewed if staff opt to use their regular mobile phone calling app rather than softphone app

May require the provision of mobile phones to staff

What is Unified Communications?

Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) is the best of both worlds, your hardware and software working together to provide an all-encompassing communications solutions. UCaaS has all of the benefits of desk phone and softphone systems, plus many more. Since you can leverage IP desk phone systems with an ethernet cable, softphones, IM apps, etc. as part of your package, you can custom-build your ideal phone system for your business.

Why are IM and video calling important? Beyond the on-the-job collaboration benefits, the ways that customers are communicating is changing. Over 70% of all smartphone owners in the United States use Facebook Messenger and other IM solutions to communicate. Combine that will shrinking SMS utilisation numbers, its becoming clear that customers love modern communication methods.

UCaaS gives you the ability to untether your workers from their desks and provide a reliable service for your remote workers. Although UCaaS is the most expensive of the three solutions, there are packaged options that are more cost-friendly. UCaaS has reported growth figures of over 20% since 2015 for a reason; it’s the best of both worlds.

UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS: BENEFITS AND POSSIBLE DOWNSIDES

Benefits

The best features of hardware-based phone systems and software-based systems – together at last

Flexibility and unparalleled collaboration

Enables remote and office based employees

Flexible and scalable

Instant messaging and video conferencing for instant collaboration

Clear reporting

Potential Downsides

Costs can be higher than traditional systems. But, low upfront costs and easy monthly payments give you higher scale and easier cash flow tracking.

Which phone system should you choose?

Depending on your business needs, one of these compatible solutions could enable your staff and office productivity while increasing customer satisfaction.

Desk phone setups require physical hardware (i.e., the phones themselves) These offer a reliable and cost-effective phone system to workplaces that don’t have the need to provide on-the-go communications to remotely based staff.

Softphone system setups rely on desktop apps to give your workers some of the same functionality as traditional phones without the need for additional hardware. Since it’s a digital solution, you can integrate these with your CRM, make video calls, and use Instant Messaging (IMs). However, you’re relying on mobile connectivity, battery life and might have to fork out to provide the mobile handsets  

Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) integrate hardware and software phone systems with the added benefit of instant messaging, video conferencing and more. While you have the benefits provided by both IP desk phones and softphone systems, having the complete unified communications solution will also cost you more than either solution on their own.

Setting Up Your Phone Service: Moving to the Cloud 

While most phone systems of the past were housed within onsite server rooms in the office, more and more businesses are moving to the cloud to take advantage of the advancements in technology.

While on-premise phone systems require internal IT proficiency to manage the system, as well as heavy investment in the hardware required to power the system, a cloud-based phone system offers a cost-effective and scalable solution that future-proofs your business.

Benefits of moving your phone system to the cloud

Automated updates

As-a-service offers predictable pricing

Little to no initial setup cost

Saves IT time and reduces the need for additional staff to maintain servers

 Highly scalable (i.e., you can upgrade your services instantly without purchasing new equipment)

Better data security

Uptime guarantees

Layers of support (e.g., phone tech support, chat, email, etc.)

Don’t Be Overwhelmed

Choosing the right phone system is all about what works best for your business. For some businesses, a simple IP desk phone setup is the perfect solution, offering a reliable and budget-friendly communications solution. For those with more complex needs, UCaaS is the way forward. It’s fast, secure, reliable, and has all of the features your business  needs to communicate and engage with today’s customers.

Is your business ready to scale to cloud-based phone solution? Let’s talk.

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The Cost of Switching to the NBN: How Business Downtime Can Add Up Fast

With its rollout well past the halfway point, your business has most likely heard of the NBN. This government-driven Internet project will redefine Internet service in Australia and provide critical infrastructure to companies across the country. 

Like any network changeovers, there will undoubtedly be some adjustment periods and downtime. Not only can Internet downtime cause tremendous pressure on business continuity, it will also jeopardise your brand reputation. 

So how do you prepare for the switch to the NBN, and what will it cost your business?

Free Guide: Everything about NBN & 5G

What Is the NBN?

The Australian National Broadband Network (NBN) is a nationwide high-speed broadband network that’s being developed and built by the government-owned corporation NBN Co. to deliver Internet to all homes, offices, and government facilities in Australia. Originally started in April 2009, NBN is expected to complete rollout by 2020.

The switch to NBN is not an automatic process once service becomes available in your area. In fact, many businesses and consumers are being caught out by important considerations including which providers to go with, the type of infrastructure and an NBN plan suitable for your business.

Once NBN rollout is established in your area, all of the following will cease to work:

Landline phone services that use Telstra (or any company using Telstra’s lines)

ALL ADSL, ADSL2, and ADSL2+ Internet service from every provider

BigPond Internet services

Optus Internet and phone services

It can take up to a month before you’re connected to NBN, which is not an ideal position for any business to be stuck in.

The Real Business Costs of the NBN Switch

According to Gartner, the average cost of IT downtime is $5,600 per minute. Large organisations admit that every hour of downtime costs them over $100,000. For smaller Australian businesses (those with less than 200 employees), downtime costs an average of $2,000 per hour. For most businesses that rely on the Internet, a total Internet blackout would disrupt every aspect of your business. Sales teams would have no one to contact, SaaS contracts would waste away, marketers won’t be able to access marketing and CRM platforms to drive profits, and no communication with your customers and vendors.

The maximum amount of time your Internet could be down during the switch to NBN is 8 weeks – that’s over 80,000 minutes! Let’s look at some of the ways that loss of internet access can have a detrimental effect on your brand.

No customer support: Being disconnected from the phone or Internet virtually eliminates communication to your customers. This means an inability to answer customer questions, address customer issues, or deal with negative feedback. In other words, it’s a PR nightmare. 68% of customers will never return to a business after a single bad experience. Think about how many negative experiences will happen without the Internet or phone for a month.

No more leads: No Internet or phone means no sales. Whether you’re chasing that new client, trying to convert that valuable lead, or simply trying to generate more leads with outbound strategies, you may be left in the dark for a few weeks during the switch. That’s a ton of lost potential revenue.

Goodbye marketing: Not only do you lose access to all of those rich leads, but you also lose your ability to generate additional leads. Without the Internet, you won’t have access to the marketing stack, which means no digital ad campaigns will be live.

Wasted SaaS: If you purchase licenses for SaaS, IT equipment or subscription-based applications, you’ll be losing money the entire time your Internet is down.

Data integrity: Losing access to the Internet renders your data vulnerable to threat actors. Your digital safety solutions won’t be online — leaving your entire data network unprotected. Plus, your data may be a victim to loss, deletion, corruption, as well as become outdated during your downtime.

Legal implications: Many businesses have Service Level Agreements (SLA) with other companies, or they may have partnerships that require a constant flow of data. During an outage, you may not be able to deliver on those promises. This can end with you in court battling a case.

Reputation damage: Finally, the single most valuable component of your business could be jeopardised – your reputation. Walker predicts that branding will overtake both price and product as the key determiner for businesses by next year. Brand damage is by far the most expensive type of loss. Being unable to connect with, sell to, or enable customers during your outage will damage your brand, losiing customer trust and ultimately, their loyalty. 

NBN outages are more common than you think. According to The NBN Consumer Experience: Residential Research Snapshot, over 40% of SMEs experienced an outage during their switch to the NBN. And, over 15% of them experience no Internet for a month during the transition!

How Forum Can Help

Are you looking for help switching over to NBN? At Forum, we can help you establish the right framework for NBN migration and get you NBN-ready. There are plenty of reasons to contact Forum Group for help. Here are some:

Remote Accessibility

Flexibility in the Workplace through Cloud Services

IT Systems Hosted on a Private Cloud

Technical Support 24/7

Pay for Only What You Need

A Holistic Cloud Solution 

Easily Scale Up Cloud-Based Resources in Tandem With Growth

Swift and Efficient Set-up to Get You Started on the Cloud Right Away

Low-Cost Hardware Solution

Superior Data Security that eliminates downtime 

Flexibility of Choice 

Ongoing Support from our dedicated Account Managers

If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your business be NBN ready, let’s talk.

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Is 5G Safe?

Already live in a handful of areas across Australia, 5G is the next generation of high-speed mobile data. Optus and Telstra have already switched on 5G in some areas, and are currently on an expansion program to cover the whole country. It’s expected that Vodafone’s 5G network will go live in 2020.

The 5G network harnesses a new technology known as the millimeter wave (mmWave) for super-fast data speeds. Despite the benefits and convenience this technology promises (for both businesses and consumers), many are still sceptical of the health risks it may cause.  

Is 5G safe? This is a question that lingers in the minds of many, particularly those that spend a lot of time online via the wireless network. A big health concern people have is whether the network’s radio frequency (RF) radiation will cause the growth of cancerous tumours.

4G Vs 5G

5G is the new network technology that follows the 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution).  While 4G LTE operates up to 6GHz, 5G is capable of handling anywhere between 30GHz and 300GHz – essentially, a leap in speed and making data transfer comparatively faster. 

Similar to the 4G network you might be connected to right now, concerns like the equipment you are using to connect, network congestion, and strength of the signal will also affect the 5G network.

You’ll definitely want to upgrade when you hear this: according to Optus, its 5G home wireless service has achieved an average download speed of 100Mbps and peak download speeds of 295Mbps.

Meanwhile, Telstra has achieved speeds of 1,200Mbps (1.2Gbps) at its offices in the city on a Galaxy 510 5G. However, this was the only device connected to the network at testing time. Meaning that when network congestion occurs during high demand period, the speed can be slightly lower.

Compared to 4G, these speeds are still relatively higher. In real-world, 4G attains download speed of between 20Mbps and 50Mbps. Currently, the NBN can only achieve a maximum download speed of 100Mbps.

Free Guide: Everything about NBN & 5G

What 5G Dangers Is The Internet Claiming?

Many Australians are currently worried about the 5G network’s ‘cost’ on public health, but is there really cause for concern? 

The fear for 5G followed a Change.org petition that called for the postponement of the 5G network rollout. It called on the Senate to launch an inquiry to review the safety of 5G frequency in phones.

5G network relies on RF to transmit and receive data. RF radiation is a form of electromagnetic energy consisting of waves of both magnetic and electrical energy moving through space.

Mobile phone radiation is at the lowest end of the electromagnetic spectrum, meaning they are safer than high-energy radiations such as gamma rays and X-rays.

RF radiation has lower energy. The energy it has is only enough to vibrate or move atoms in a molecule, but cannot ionise it. But really, what does that actually mean?

RF radiation cannot damage DNA and hence it cannot cause cancer.

Sounds encouraging.

With So Much Flying Around In The Air, What About Other Wireless Networks?

In a study conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), lab rats were exposed to high 2G RF radiation and 3G RF radiation, and was later found to have developed cancerous tumours. Although the results are alarming, the level of radiation during the study was much higher than the normal exposure level during phone usage.

In the last two decades, scientists have conducted a large number of studies to establish whether there’s any health risk associated with mobile phone use. Many of these studies have tried to find a link between mobile phone use and the cancers of the brain and head including acoustic neuroma, glioma, and meningioma.

All the studies we’ve found so far have not shown any clear evidence of a relationship between cancer and mobile phone use. That’s a relief, right?

To put your worries completely to rest, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noted that the current RF radiations from mobile phones are within acceptable safety limits. The NTP and the ARPANSA have also not classified RF radiation as carcinogenic.

All this means is there’s nothing to suggest 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G RF radiations are a significant health risk. Phones are safe to use and you should be thinking of switching to 5G soon!

Forum Will Help You Switch

Running your business seamlessly relies heavily on ensuring your communications tools and connectivity are quick and reliable. If you’d like to know more about getting your staff connected and working like a fully implemented 5G network – let’s connect!

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The Latest 5G Compatible Phones for Australian Users

The next generation of connectivity via mobile data has already begun spreading across Australia. While 5G is not currently available in all areas of the country, those looking to upgrade their phone can future-proof themselves by opting for a 5G compatible device.Well, 5G connectivity is no longer the new thing currently, but most parts of the country still have not been graced by the presence. This exhaustive piece offers all you need to know about the available compatible phones, those to be availed soon, and the state of 5G coverage in the country.

Latest 5G Phones Available in Australia

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

It was the first 5G-enabled device to be launched in Australia. The device is not just among the latest 5G mobile has to offer, but is also one of the most reliable phones in general. It is ideal for an early adopter who does not mind parting with their dollars for the privilege.

The certified 6.7 inches Infinity-O display is great for gaming and videos, and the on-screen ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is equally effective.  The phone comes in different futuristic colours, and the front and back sides are made of highly polished and durable Gorilla Glass 6. With a range of connectivity options, Face Unlock feature, 256GB storage, and other attractive features, this is one of the Android 9 devices that you should go for.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 5G

Samsung has followed up its Galaxy S10 5G with a second 5G compatible device, the Galaxy Note 10+ 5G. If you thought the S10+ was a little rich for your taste, the Note 10+ takes it to another level.

Samsung’s newest phablet (phone / tablet hybrid) is a powerhouse of a phone. With all the features of the Galaxy S10, plus a bigger screen at 6.8 inch display, and a much-needed stylus to make the best use of the extra screen real estate. The Galaxy Note 10+ is Samsung’s biggest and most powerful phone to date, packing an octa-core processor, 12GB of RAM and a 4,300mAh battery into a phone that is only 7.9mm thick.

For those looking for a 5G phone with a tonne of power, this is definitely one to grab.

OPPO Reno 5G

Looking at this device, the first thing that would click in your mind would not be the 5G connectivity, 10x zoom, or the pop-up camera; but how heavy the phone feels. This is not about the heftiness of the OLED display of 6.6-inches or its 215g weight, but just how the latest instalments match the manufacturers’ transformation from being a value-driven upstart to a key player in the Australian market.

The device is groundbreaking compared to many of its flagship competitors. It is relatively costly but a worthy investment considering its features. The phone also has concealed fingerprint unlock with a lightning speed increased by 28.5 percent. Furthermore, it has amazing battery life and flexible cameras.

LG V50 ThinQ

Also among the first 5G mobile devices in Australia, this device can be purchased exclusively via Telstra at $1728. If you find one screen to be limiting, how about two of them?

What sets the smartphone apart is its Dual Screen accessory that adds another 6.4-inch screen for multitasking.

The device also comes with a 6.4-inch OLED display, 4000mAh battery, internal storage of 128GB, and 6GB of RAM.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G

Similar to most phones in this list, the new release shares incredible similarities with its already-released counterpart Mi Mix 3. Particularly, both of them share a similar slider design. However, the 5G enabled variety uses a different modem and processor. It also preferred due to its larger battery capacity, which is a plus! What gives the device an edge is the fact that it is the country’s cheapest 5G smartphone going for $1,399.

Among prominent features of this device include the magnetic slider and a 3800mAh battery. It has two front cameras of 2MP and 24 MP respectively, as well as pair of 12MP rear cameras. If interested in this incredible product from the Chinese smartphone manufacturer, then you will have to grab a Telstra SIM-only plan.

Free Guide: Everything about NBN & 5G

Other 5G Phones to Hit the Market Soon

All the devices listed above are currently available for purchase in Australia. But besides them, here are more smartphones with a 5G potential scheduled to be availed in stores between 2019 and 2020:

Moto Z3

Alcatel 5G smartphones

Samsung Galaxy Fold

OnePlus 7 Pro 5G

Huawei Mate 20 X 5G

Any Plans for a 5G iPhone?

Apple has not announced any plans for launching a 5G enabled iPhone yet. However, there is absolutely no doubt the manufacturer will upgrade to the next-gen connectivity eventually. At the moment, industry insiders speculate that 2020 is the year-most probably during the year’s second half since the manufacturer is accustomed to releasing new brands every September.

According to analyst Kuo, the phone will come in two models: 5.4-inch and 6.7-inch varieties. Both will have 5G, but they will also offer a cheaper 6.1-inch model will use LTE. 

Know Whether Your Phone is 5G Compatible

Unless your phone is included on the list above, the phone you own at the moment is not compatible with the 5G phone network. With 5G compatibility only just beginning to be included in smartphones, manufacturers are certainly charging for the privilege. As the technology becomes more widespread, we should see competition in the market and efficiencies in production lower the cost of 5G compatible phones.

State of 5G Coverage in Australia

Currently, Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone have begun work on their Australian 5G networks.

Telstra and Optus have the upper hand when it comes to 5G plans. Both companies have already begun offering the fast connectivity. Right now, in fact, you cannot sign up for a new plan without enjoying some form of this next-gen internet connectivity.

Both Telstra and Optus are currently offering a range of plans from as little as 4GB of data to 200GB of data. Both providers are still building their 5G infrastructure and as of now, coverage is very limited. Since it is in the trial period, Telstra’s 5G coverage continues to grow. At the moment, only ten regions and cities have this future-ready network coverage in place. This includes:

Perth

Launceston

Hobart

Toowoomba

Gold Coast

Sydney

Melbourne

Brisbane

Canberra

Adelaide

Notably, the cities have some degree of coverage, but this does not account for the whole region. Telstra’s dedicated page offers an updated map of the areas with 5G coverage.

Optus is rollout of its 5G network is available in more cities than Telstra, but more sparsely available in those locations. This should increase quickly, as Optus aim to have 1,00 5G sites ready by March 2020. Current availability includes:

Canberra

Brisbane

Adelaide

Perth

Fremantle

Sydney

Newcastle and the Central Coast

Hawkesbury River

Melbourne

Geelong

Mornington Peninsula

And more

In addition to Optus’ 5G mobile network, Optus has also begun rolling out a 5G home broadband network, with an unlimited data plan on a 50Mbps connection available in limited areas. You can check if you’re located in the right location here.

As for Vodafone, they’ve been a little more hush hush when it comes to their 5G rollout, with an expected availability in 2020. We’re sure to hear more from Vodafone as they play catch-up with Telstra and Optus in the coming months.

It sounds crazy that for less than 30 years, we have evolved from the humble SMSs to streaming anything you would like to watch. With mobile data speed kicking up a notch with Telstra’s and Optus’ 5G networks, more 5G-capable devices will continue to enter the Australian market.

Still, if you intend to acquire any of these revolutionary devices specifically for the fast speeds, you must ascertain whether your current location has 5G connectivity. But it might still be the best move to wait for this network to be made available broadly.

So unless you require a new device right away, you are better off waiting for some time – at least until the network becomes more widely adopted and the devices fall in price. At the moment, you can do as many things with your 4G device as those of the latest connectivity, and save some money on the new device.

Running your business seamlessly relies heavily on ensuring your communication tools and connectivity are quick and reliable. If you’d like to know more about getting your staff connected and working like a fully implemented 5G network – let’s connect!

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Don’t Risk Disconnection – Move to NBN Now!

With the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in Australia, your existing phone system may no longer be compatible with the Internet infrastructure.

Once your area is ready for the service, you will only have up to 18 months to switch to an NBN compatible phone system. So it’s imperative to switch well before the cut off date, or you’ll risk being disconnected.

Read on to find out more about the NBN network and what you need to do to stay connected.

Are Your Devices Compatible with the NBN?

NBN involves the use of new technologies. This means the phone services you use now may be incompatible with the new infrastructure. In that case, the transition will affect your business if you don’t migrate to NBN.

Unfortunately, connecting to the NBN is not automatic, so it is up to you to find out whether your device is NBN compatible.

This is where Forum Group can help. We will check all your devices for compatibility and help you migrate to the NBN service network. We will also advise you on the most suitable solution ideal for your business needs.

Free Guide: Everything about NBN & 5G

Check if your special equipment is compatible to the NBN

While migrating common devices such as phones, laptops and computers is straight-foward, if you have special equipment that operates on a landline phone connection, you will need to check with both your service and device providers whether they will still be compatible with the NBN network. Contact your device providers to check if you need upgrading. 

At Forum Group, we will help guide you through this checklist to prepare you for the NBN connection. Once you have signed up to a plan that suits your business needs, we will work with NBN Co to arrange a technician to install your new service.

The devices you need to check:

EFTPOS or health claim terminals

Existing landline phone services

Fax and teletypewriter devices

Auto-dealers, medical alarms, or emergency call buttons

Lift emergency phones

Monitored fire alarms

Business security monitoring systems

Reach out to the service provider of any special equipment to find out if your devices are compatible with the NBN. Following this, you will work with your service provider to migrate to the NBN. 

If you are not the owner of the premises where you do business, you can inform the landlord that the building needs registration. And if you are leasing a business premise, you need to seek your landlord’s permission before installing the NBN equipment.

What Disconnection Would Mean to your Business

Many Internet and landline services offered via cable or Telstra’s copper broadband networks will stop working. However, the NBN rollout will not affect the services provided over the satellite, wireless, mobile, or fixed-line networks.

An unplanned disconnection may have serious ramifications for your business including:

Lost revenue

Loss of service to your customers

Damaged business reputation

Lost employee efficiency

Note that the moment your area is ready for service, NBN will give you only 18 months to move to their network.

Once you place your order, your existing services will still be available for up to 6 months as you wait for the NBN service.

Why Choose Forum Group?

At Forum Group, we offer a wide range of IT solutions, and we will help you migrate from your current system to the NBN system without a hitch.

With our secure private cloud solutions, we will ensure your data is secure by storing it in Government graded (Tier 3) data centres based in Australia and with back-ups in place.

All our hosting and support are in Australia. When the system is down, we will be able to pinpoint where the problem is and act fast.

 Other benefits you will enjoy from Forum include:

Cost savings: With a traditional phone service, you often pay for local, long-distance and international calls. With SIP, the new communications technology compatible with NBN, pricing is cheaper and costs can be anticipated more accurately.

Immediate ROI: SIP technology requires minimal upfront capital investment.

Network consolidation: SIP lets you combine your voice and data into a single network, saving costs.

No expensive hardware or infrastructure: Traditional phone services may need new phone lines, mobile devices for remote employees and other telecommunications’ equipment.

Mobility: With SIP, you can use a proxy (localised) phone number. Our phone system solution offers flexibility, giving you the option to transfer your existing phone numbers should you move office. Not only does this save time and cost, our solution can consolidate your business locations and remote workers into a single network.

Unified communications: SIP acts as a gateway for IP-based communications (data sent over the Internet). Benefits include collaboration apps, instant messaging, mobility, and other versatile, cloud-based applications for business productivity.

Reliability: As there is no physical infrastructure, SIP isn’t vulnerable to outages.

Easy management: SIP, with VoIP phones (digitally enabled telephone lines), let you manage your own network, including call routing, changing extensions or adding phone lines.

Advanced features: These include easy setup of call unattended, integration with your CRM, and voicemail to email.

Top technology: Forum Group uses Mitel or Yealink – both excellent brands. These come in the Express, Executive and Enterprise ranges designed to suit the size of your business.

An unplanned disconnection due to the NBN will cost your business, so we strongly recommend you to get a head start on migrating your phone system. We make the switch easy, and your transition will be smooth and seamless. If you’d like to learn more about how Forum can help your business be NBN ready, let’s talk.

[forumgroup]

Technology Marches On: Make Sure Your PBX Follows

Everyday, technology advances. Unfortunately, not everything marches with it. More and more businesses are still stuck on outdated PBX, or Private Branch Exchange, phone systems. But searching for the right phone system to support your growing business needs can be challenging.

Like any other technology, phone systems are constantly being improved and becoming smarter. With so many new features, it’s difficult to keep up to date on what’s available and how to make use of them. We’ve put together a guide with the latest features your business needs to boost office productivity while standing apart from your competition.

Looking Out for Features: Basics to Keep in Mind

Regardless of the size of your business, ensure your search for a PBX has these basic features available:

Automated Attendant: Don’t miss out on business with a cheerful voice to greet your customers and alert them that you’ll be with them shortly.

Voicemail To Email: Never wait to check your voicemail in the office again, when you can just receive them as e-mails in file friendly audio format (WAV).

Mobile Twinning and Hot Desking: Link your office phone to a cell phone and receive calls anywhere without being tethered to your desk. Gain the freedom to move about as you please, without risking missing a call.

Call Parking and Holding: Have calls held on one phone and received on another. Never again have to worry about receiving a call at an inconvenient location and getting stuck there for the duration.

When choosing the features you need for your phone system, you should also consider hosted PBX or cloud PBX. While both solutions operate off-premise and connect through the Internet, hosted PBX is pay per seat – easy to scale up or down according to your business requirements.

Get access to our free eBook on Cloud Computing

Forum Group’s LivePBX: The Advanced Solution

Introducing Forum Group’s LivePBX, a hosted phone solution that delivers on all of the basic features plus a dozen of the latest, technologically-inclined capabilities. 

Imagine, for a moment, that you’re out of the office for the day and you’ve just missed a very important call on your desk phone. If you don’t have a way to follow up immediately, then you’re almost guaranteed to lose that lead and any business that it might have brought with it.

But with the LivePBX system, received voicemails can be automatically sent to your email or phone. You can even set your call to simultaneously ring on your desk and mobile, or set an auto-forwarding rule to patch the call straight through to your mobile, no matter where you are.

Below, you’ll find just some of the features that makes LivePBX stand out from any other system.

Call Centre Platform: For those clients that need a more powerful tool for advanced real time requirements in managing their call handling platforms. This service includes display boards and monitoring campaigns, and is better suited for clients requiring real time analysis and monitoring, along with reporting and management.

Service Level Agreements: The LivePBX – Base Platform – Express (2 Core/4GB RAM/50GB HDD) is hosted in our secure government-based tier 3 Data Centre, continually monitored within our advanced LiveOffice environment. Our onshore support team is available to assist with issues between 7AM and 7PM on weekdays. Alternatively, any issues encountered outside of these hours can be logged 24/7.

Call Reporting: A simple but powerful tool for business owners struggling with call handling. A Graphic User Interface is used to show missed or abandoned calls, and call handling times for office/app using staff.

Hosted or Cloud Unified Communications: eliminates disjointed, multi-vendor communications. Have all of your communications integrated into a single platform. 

CRM Integration: deliver a personalised customer experience by having customer information at your fingertips. Streamline call logging and reduce time spent on manual data entry.

Locally Hosted: With everything hosted and supported locally within Australia, help will be there when you need it. We have a 24/7 support line open for any problems that require immediate solutions.

Tailored Solutions: Any sort of problem or issue can be tackled by one of Forum’s solutions experts. If it’s not covered here, we can tailor a solution specifically for  your business.

Scalability: Whether it’s adding multiple sites to your Hosted platform, adding handsets for a home office, soft phones for your field staff, or scaling from 2 users to 1,000 and beyond, you won’t find anything lacking in our scaling capabilities.

Versatility: Our solutions integrate seamlessly with a wide range of soft phones, fixed IP phones, and even wireless devices such as Wi-Fi or DECT (cordless handsets).

Convenience: Moving your office to a new location can often be an inconvenient and costly exercise, especially if you want to retain your phone numbers. Forum offers the flexibility of retaining your existing business number for far less than our competitors: only $10, with no overcharging.

LivePBX SoftPhone: Softphones (software that allows you to use your smartphone, tablet, or computer as a phone to place, receive, and transfer calls over the internet) offer unprecedented amounts of flexibility and mobility to your sales and staff. It’s a highly sought after feature for any company that involves large amounts of external staff, while still allowing you to present an advertised singular office number.

If you’d like to learn more about our phone solutions, simply fill in our contact form and one of our experts will get in contact with you.

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12 Reasons to Partner with Forum

The NBN and the cloud are two critical factors impacting business success and competitiveness in the ongoing digital revolution in Australia. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from the new infrastructure by embracing NBN-compatible phone systems as well as deploying their enterprise applications in the cloud.

As a cloud solutions company, we offer a range of business Internet options including the NBN, as well as PBX phone systems and data integration services. So, you can count on our holistic package for a seamless transition to the cloud and the NBN, whether you need VoIP, cloud computing, data, or a phone line installation.

We offer you a private cloud to host your VoIP communication systems (voice, data or video sent over the Internet), applications and data, and phone lines here in Australia. Plus, a dedicated account manager will stay in touch to review your account regularly and address your growing business requirements.

Do you need a new phone line connection or system compatible with the NBN? Are you looking to move your core business applications, such as printing and payment processing, to the cloud?

Here’s how we can help transform your business:

1. We Offer Remote Accessibility

We can migrate your business applications to our private cloud servers, giving your staff remote access to enterprise software and data, 24/7. Your employees can work from home, the office, their local coffee shop or even while travelling – a great way to enhance productivity.

2. Our Cloud Service Enhances Flexibility in the Workplace

Our NBN-compatible cloud service delivers workplace flexibility. Depending on your data security policies, your staff may access company systems and data via desktop computers as well as personal devices, such as smartphones – allowing your staff to work on any device at any time.

3. We Host Your IT Systems on a Private Cloud

We provide cloud infrastructure dedicated to only your organisation. With a private platform, we can cost-effectively customise features based on your technical and business requirements.

This gives us the flexibility to address your data privacy, security, and compliance needs in which its public cloud counterparts cannot guarantee.

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4. Access to Technical Support 24/7

Our call centres are located in Australia, which means you get access to unlimited support from local experts, 24/7. No more waiting on hold for unhelpful overseas call centre support. 

5. You Pay for Only What You Need

With the flexibility to deploy your business apps on a made-to-order cloud infrastructure, you pay for only what you need. This means you won’t bear the cost of cloud-based IT resources you don’t intend to use. Forum’s cloud offering is billed on a per-seat subscription, eliminating the need for upfront costs and allowing your business to scale effectively.

6. We Offer a Holistic Cloud Solution

We deliver a holistic cloud service so you can access all your computing resources “under one roof.” We bring everything together, from printing functions, VoIP communication, and data entry to reporting, invoicing, payment processing, and order delivery. By integrating all these different systems, we help to enhance workplace collaborations.

7. Easily Scale Up Cloud-Based Resources in Tandem with Growth

Our cloud service is scalable to meet your changing business requirements – you pay for the latest technology for a monthly per user fee. When you need to add users, we’ll scale the IT and business communication resources available to you accordingly.

8. We’ll Get You Started on the Cloud Right Away

The Australian government is more than halfway through the NBN rollout. We’re here to help if you wish to act swiftly and get an NBN-compatible phone line installation. If you need to move your apps and data to the cloud right away, we’ll make it happen super fast too.

9. We Offer a Low-Cost Hardware Solution

With the power of our cloud solution, you don’t need top of the line desktop computers and laptops. Instead, you can invest in more budget friendly hardware while relying on the cloud’s processing power to do the heavy lifting. 

In addition to our cloud solutions, Forum also offers IT hardware procurement and Desktop as a Service (DaaS). We can tailor our cloud solution so that all of your devices talk to each other.

10. We Address Cloud Data Security and Eliminate Downtime

We use government-grade security to protect your apps and data in the cloud. The entire cloud infrastructure meets Australian compliance and server security laws.

We also provide redundancies for our Australia-based data centres and servers to keep your business data and software accessible 24/7. Our data recovery provisions, fail-safe measures, and backups prevent the permanent loss of your customer/enterprise data.

11. Flexibility of Choice

Our cloud solutions are available in a number of tiers/options, allowing you to choose a solution that’s right for your business and in line with your budget.

12. Ongoing Support

A dedicated account manager will continue to work with you closely. We’ll regularly review our service to you against your changing business requirements. Forum also runs a biannual customer feedback program designed to gather meaningful insights from our customers and make our service to you the best it can be. We want to ensure that everything works out for you over the long term.

The objective of the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout is to transform Australia’s business phone and internet communication systems. As such, Forum Group can help with a seamless transition to the NBN.  Whether you need a PBX phone line installation or cloud services integration, we’re an expert you can trust.

If you’d like to learn more about how the Forum Group can help your business, simply fill in our contact form and our team will be in touch with you!

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NBN Rollout Map: 9 Ways to Prepare for the Move

The National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout is well underway, connecting more than 40,000 premises across Australia every week  to a faster and more reliable internet network.  If your business or office communication systems are landline-based, you will have no other choice but to migrate to the new network within 18 months after it has reached your location. Otherwise, your premises may be cut off from the telecommunications network.

But what does it mean to be prepared for the NBN rollout? Here are 9 vital things to know:

1. The NBN Co Might Pull the Plug on the Existing Network in Your Area Soon

NBN Co intends to connect 11.7 million premises by 2020. So, most likely, the organisation will switch off the existing network in your business location soon.

Free Guide: Everything about NBN & 5G

2. Don’t be Caught Off Guard: Know Your Disconnection Date

Keep your switch-off date in mind when preparing your NBN migration timetable. Once the NBN reaches your area, you may have up to 18 months to upgrade and migrate. When the “migration window” expires, you’ll be disconnected from your old internet and phone service. Don’t put your business at risk and wait until the very last month to migrate as the date of installation can take longer than expected, depending on NBN Co’s schedule. To avoid downtime and revenue loss, be sure to plan well ahead for a smooth transition.

3. How to Check Service Availability in Your Business Location

Visit the NBN rollout map and type your address in the provided search box to find out if the new broadband infrastructure is available in your area, as well as the type of NBN connection you will have. If your location is highlighted in purple or designated as “service available,” you can connect to the NBN. For areas where the build has commenced, the map will be highlighted brown with an approximate date of completion. If your area is showing as “not currently available” you may need to ask NBN Co about its rollout timetable for your location.

4. NBN Migration is not Automatic: Engage a Service Provider

Once the NBN access network is available in your area, you will need to engage with a service provider to make the switch. Remember, the migration will not happen automatically, so contact your preferred company or engage with a new provider for assistance when you’re ready to switch to the new network.

5. Your NBN Migration Window Could be Smaller than 18 Months

You may have fewer than 18 months to move to the NBN depending on when you discovered that the service is available in your area. Also, some NBN network providers have shorter transitional periods. To avoid falling behind on the necessary telephone and cabling preparations, contact your preferred telecommunications company and confirm the timing for your NBN migration.

6. Choose an NBN Package Based on Budget and Network Speed Requirements

The maximum internet speed you can get from a broadband connection depends on your specific NBN business plan. So, choose a package that delivers your preferred data download/upload rates. Usually, gigabytes per second (GB/s) indicates the speed of a broadband network.

Likewise, consider the monthly data allowance required when selecting your NBN service. The specification limits the maximum amount of data you may transfer, download, or upload via the new network within a specified subscription period. Keep in mind that your broadband speed and data bundle requirements dictate the price of your NBN business package.

7. Read the Fine Print: Determine What You’re Getting (and Paying For)

The NBN service contract you sign should include requirement specifications or details such as:

Your connection speed: Data transfer, download, and upload rates impact the effectiveness of your internet-powered business/office communication systems.

Power outages: Most NBN service components like landline telephones or security alarms may cease to operate after a power outage. Does your NBN plan include ways to minimise or avoid downtime during a blackout? Your provider should clarify that beforehand.

Network outage: What information or assistance will be available to you in the event of a broadband connection failure?

Consult for a Smooth Transition to the NBN

Are you ready for the inevitable NBN migration? At Forum Group, we can answer all relating questions after a comprehensive assessment of your existing business phone systems and data cabling. We’ll then advise you on any equipment, cabling upgrades or replacements required in your premises to flawlessly integrate with your preferred NBN service.

Would you like to learn more about the NBN rollout and how Forum Group can get your phone systems ready?

Let’s talk now!

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5 Productivity Hacks for Sales Reps on the Road

Are your sales reps out on the road every day, interacting with customers and the unique challenges presented by travel? If so, they likely face a number of concerns foreign to staff who sit in an office every day.

When your sales team is on the road, they need all the access and support they can get from the office: the right apps, processes, and solutions to help them be successful. Without that access and support, your sales team may not be able to effectively connect with clients, provide them with the information they need to make decisions, or close sales.

Are you offering the right equipment and support for the members of your sales team on the road? Check out these time hacks that can help them accomplish their goals more effectively.

1. Have a Single, Cloud-Based Data Storage System

When your sales team looks for information, do they know where to turn to and is it easily accessible? Client-facing workers need to be perceived as knowledgeable, which means having access to the right tools to quickly and effectively pick up information to answer important customer questions. You don’t want your sales team having to call someone at the office every time a customer has a tricky question or request for information.

With cloud-based data storage, all of your information is in one place. Anyone with access to a specific client’s information can easily pull up the answers to their questions no matter where they are, which helps streamline the sales process and make it easier for them to deliver a great customer experience.

Get access to our free eBook on Cloud Computing

2. Offer Access Through All Devices

Can your sales team access the information they need from every device they have on hand? Often, they may choose to use their personal devices, including smart phones and tablets, rather than hauling out a bulky laptop every time they have a conversation with a customer. If your office has a bring-your-own device policy, ensure your sales team can easily access the cloud through whatever device they choose to use.

Take the time to carefully consider both your storage options and your security. Streamline your process so that your sales team can easily access the cloud, while eliminating excess steps and poor visibility on certain devices. Does it run just as well on older platforms as it does on a newer device? When you choose a streamlined platform that works smoothly and effectively, productivity will increase while enabling your sales team to complete their jobs.

3. Use the Right Time-Saving Tools

You may be unaware of the challenges your sales team face every day. Take the time to consider what apps could save time for your sales team: apps that, for example, allow customers to complete forms online, or that track delivery options? What apps do they currently use, and which ones can you offer them to help streamline their efforts? Make sure to consider how they connect and interact with the apps used in your office to create a single, seamless experience for your customers.

4. Automate Processes

Do you have an automated CRM that helps your sales team connect with important connections? When you have a growing list of clients, your sales team may not have the time to deal with tasks that simply need a personal touch. They are out of the office on a regular basis, which means they may lack the necessary touch points to connect more effectively with potential clients. In some cases, they may struggle to keep up with those important connections.

When you automate processes for your sales team, you don’t just free up their time. You also increase customer satisfaction. Ideally, you want your customers to feel as though they’re receiving as many personal touches as possible without placing additional burden on your sales team- and automation can help make that possible.

5. Make Invoicing & Payments as Seamless as Possible

If your sales team members on the road are responsible for handling invoicing and processing payments, your process should be as simple as possible? Use a streamlined invoicing and payment system that will make it easy for your sales team to process payments and handle any important transaction details.

Do they need to send out an invoice? To ensure your clients are happy, make your invoicing system streamlined and easy to use. Your clients should be able to take care of those payments without constantly calling up your billing team.

At Forum Group, we offer many of the tools and solutions that make it easy for your sales team to handle those important daily tasks, whether they’re in the office or out on the road.

If you’re ready to make it easier for your sales team to handle all the details, let’s talk.

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How Office Phone Systems are Evolving

The office phone is the axis of almost any business. Employees use it to communicate with each other, with customers, vendors and suppliers. From switchboards and landlines to cell towers and cell phones, electronic communication has forced the office phone to evolve. Today, unified solutions are bringing the office phone and mobile phone closer together.

History of the Office Phone System

The telegraph was the first instant messenger. We may hardly consider a telegraph as cutting edge, but its invention had allowed people to communicate across distance that didn’t take a long time.

The telegraph led to the telephone, which eventually led to the emergence of unified messaging. It may be surprising to learn that as far back as 1985, people were using unified communication solutions.

Voice mail and interactive voice response systems came on to the scene in the 1980s, which revolutionised office phone systems. There were even services that read emails, so email and voicemail could be listened to all at the same time.

Current State

In the modern office, almost every meeting invitation comes with a web conference link attached. Workers can choose how they view these remote meetings. While some prefer to log on to web applications and call in via their office phone, others rely on their computer for both audio and visual content. Still, others prefer to do everything over mobile. The more unified communications are, the more options employees have for where and how to work, as well as what devices to use.

Future of the Office Phone

We’ll likely see the office phone merge more and more with mobile devices and with computers. As technology advances, it moves toward more integrated devices. The new smart home devices that are so popular today are a great example of the integration consumers want from their technology. People don’t want a lot of devices that do a lot of things. They want one or two devices that do everything.

Smart lights, smart doors, and even smart toilets communicate with a central device, the cell phone. Office technology is headed in the same direction. Workers will want to access as many of their applications as possible from one central device. And it’s likely that the mobile phone will take on this role. The key is to let workers have the freedom to choose. Everyone is different, and allowing choice in what devices they can use may mean boosting productivity. With unified solutions, this is all possible.

Free Guide: Everything about NBN & 5G

Benefits of Unified Communications

The nature of work is changing. Modern workers, especially millennials, expect to be able to work from anywhere. Technology has made it possible to connect in new ways, from almost anywhere with a WiFi connection. Calls from office phones can be forwarded to mobile devices, conferences and meetings can all be done online, through video chats and online meeting rooms. Everything that was previously only accessible in an office is now optimised for mobile use. Everything you need is now simply a tap away.

Unified communication benefits your staff and ultimately, your business. Your staff are happier, more productive and stay in their positions longer when they have more freedom. Businesses that don’t keep up with this trend may be left with a limited talent pool to draw from.

How to Unify Communications

To unify communications in your office, consider the following:

Desktop and mobile should be interchangeable. Use applications that allow your staff to forward their calls from an office phone to a cell phone.

Web meeting spaces should be mobile friendly. The call and meeting content should be accessible on mobile devices.

Adopt a videoconferencing platform – one that your staff can use easily and as often as they want. Don’t waste valuable time and resource on something that’s too limiting or fails to meet your staff needs.

Considering all the communication options there are in today’s world, unifying them is no easy feat. It takes a lot of technical skill and up to date industry knowledge. These probably aren’t skills your current employees have. To get expert help, contact us!