Jola Cloud Solutions' Blog

Are your customers ready for the cloud?

According to the Cloud Industry Forum (CIF) 86 percent of UK-based organisations may now be using two or more cloud services for accountancy, customer relationship management or document management and storage. 50 percent of organisations questioned are expected to move to cloud applications in the next few years.

A reliable internet connection is essential for businesses wanting to access cloud applications. With so many internet connectivity products and suppliers in the market, SMEs and their suppliers are finding it difficult and confusing. This is why some business IT and Telecoms providers are partnering with companies like Jola. 

 

How are cloud services changing the business landscape?

Some say that cloud services are levelling the playing field for small businesses and start-ups who can now access sophisticated applications that can be integrated without heavy investment and ongoing maintenance and support. Cloud adoption in the UK has risen by 75% since 2010.

How has cloud migration made such a big difference?

Start-ups and SMEs have traditionally been held back by two factors; cash and capability. Small firms not only used to have to purchase a lot of hardware and software to get started, but also the necessary security and maintenance and even the space within which to house it all.

The business cloud makes all of this redundant and just about everything an enterprise or organisation needs to run its business can be rented from the cloud. Companies starting up these days often own no infrastructure at all.

Accounts packages, marketing, billing, CRM, desktop, email and telephone systems are all owned and operated securely by third parties and rented by the seat, often by the month.

BT plans to roll out 1Gbps broadband by 2020

BT has announced that it intends to invest £6 billion in Fibre To The Premises (FTTP) over the next few years to further push superfast broadband coverage across the UK. The company wants to reach 95% coverage of the country in terms of superfast fixed broadband by 2020.

The announcement follows a report by Ofcom suggesting that BT should be compelled to give access to its network infrastructure to rivals so that they can install their own fibre alongside Openreach's cables. 

When looking for the right internet connection for your customers, there are a few things to consider.

What internet connectivity is available in the location?

Typing a postcode into a proprietary broadband checker will tell you what products and speeds are available but usually only from a single supplier. Look for multi-carrier business broadband and Ethernet checkers if you want to see all the available products in one place. The best ones also have integrated quoting and ordering systems and those for dealers allow you to add your own branding, see your margin share and add links for customers to order online.

How do IT and Telecoms companies choose their suppliers?

In the many years I have worked in the IT industry I have been supplier, reseller and end customer. 

Big Telcos

As a decision maker in both a small and medium sized business I wanted a local supplier that I knew and trusted that could offer a range of options with good support. Obviously I wanted a good deal but I know from experience that the best deal is rarely the cheapest. I tended to avoid the big telcos even though I knew they were probably supplying my local reseller. Companies like BT, TalkTalk and Virgin are not geared up to deal with SMEs. Their overheads limit the time they can spend selling and supporting their products and once you get underneath their headline prices they often come out the most expensive.

Looking for a good VoIP headset? 

If you have a VoIP phone and are looking for a headset you may be thinking about whether you want corded, wireless or Bluetooth, one that goes over your head or over your ears and where you should position the microphone.

Corded and wireless headsets

Corded headsets connect via a lead directly into your phone. This is ideal if you do not need to be able to move more than a few meters away from your desk whilst on the phone. If you do require movement, you may need to consider a wireless headset as an alternative.

 

Recent research from the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) looked at technologies employed in sectors across the U.S. economy and found a large and growing gap between sectors and between companies within those sectors. Those using the latest technologies saw the highest growth in productivity and profit margins.

I am not a lawyer and anything I write on business contracts cannot be relied upon legally, however I have been reading, drafting and negotiating telecommunications agreements since 1986. Of course every agreement is different but over the years I have noticed three contractual areas that come up regularly.

Initial period extensions

This is a very common trick and one you and your customers definitely need to look out for as often it is buried in the small print. Customer A signs a 36 month contract and a day after the 36 month period expires tries to cancel the service.

Best mobile SIM-only deals for business

Coming out of contract?

If you have come out of your current mobile contract, you may want to consider sticking with your existing handsets and choosing a SIM-only deal. 

Going SIM-only you are not tied into a contract and can upgrade, add or cancel employee contracts on a monthly basis. Your existing provider may be pushing you to sign another lengthy contract and entice you with the latest smart phones but do you really need them for all your employees?

Lead Generation

One of the things I love most about marketing is lead generation. The work that goes into identifying someone who may benefit from partnering with us and figuring out the best approach, key messages and creating that first touch. I enjoy watching the lead develop into a fruitful relationship. It’s lovely when you eventually meet these people at an event and hear about the projects you have worked on together.

Marketing on a Budget

The biggest challenge is operating on a budget. When you work for big companies you are often blessed with big budgets so you can sponsor events, be at all the functions and buy the best data and software available, to help you manage your campaigns. You have the luxury of hiring marketing and sales teams and even graphic and web designers to help you manage your daily activity. On a budget this is a different ball game and the challenge faced by start-ups and SMEs.

How do you generate leads on a budget?

I have found that it is possible with a bit of time, a dedicated, integrated strategy and a good reporting mechanism.