Month: March 2021

Conference call benefits using VoIP

Posted on by Tobias Gillott

VoIP for Business has become a known service in the marketplace. Most businesses these days use it and appreciat the many benefits it can bring them. The benefits associated with VoIP for Business have been highlighted by the increases in working from home and remote working following the pandemic stay at home rules. That has resulted in a risen need for video conferencing as a must for all businesses, large and small.

Not so long ago, if an employee wasn’t at the office they were uncontactable. This meant communications between a working team and clients difficult in terms of their communication, often resulting in frustration and less productivity.

Since then though, in came the world of Business VoIP and simply put, changed the world of business communications with it’s modern features such as video-conferencing capability, HD voice calls, call recording and much more. Whether you are inside or outside the office, communication is possible wherever you are.

Benefits include:

Cost:

Using VoIP telephone systems are charged per license and can come with unlimited minutes for a low monthly cost. Because the calls are routed over the Internet, rather than the PSTN, phone charges can be avoided in most cases. This is particularly beneficial in conferences involving long-distance and international connections.

Mobility

The ability of smart devices like tablets and smartphones to support video calling over WiFi or your phone network (3G/4G) brings great benefits in accessibility and mobility. A member of the team can make and receive voice and video calls and participate in group and individual video-conferences on their smart device exactly as if they were sitting at their desk, from wherever they are in the world.

Depending on the capabilities of the smart device, this can include other VoIP features such as call forwarding and pick-up, voicemail placing and retrieval. For remote workers, what is different today is the growing availability of WiFi, both at clients premises and in public spaces such as coffee shops and hotels. This gives greater ability to allow for better communication.

Most businesses have WiFi, and public spaces, such as shopping centres now provide free WiFi. Using public WiFi means that remote and mobile workers can now connect to the business network from anywhere there is WiFi or a strong phone connection. Fully integrating remote and mobile workers into the work place is now a reality.

Improved Teamwork

In this modern work businesses make voice, video and conference calls using smart devices and a WiFi connection to the corporate network rather than by mobile phone or PSTN. Being able to interact visually with another staff member brings great teamwork and communication benefits.

That allows remote and mobile workers to participate fully in teamwork and teamwork events, exactly as if they are onsite in the company of the rest of the team allowing for more flexible working.

As a result of better communication, response times and the quality of responses are improved. Being able to be contacted at any time by colleagues and customers means staff members can respond more quickly. Being able to take immediate actions and be more visible to staff and customers means they can be more effective without the worry of being out of touch with other team members.

Improved Efficiency

As an example of administration improvements, staff no longer need to organise meeting locations. Video conferencing means that all participants can participate from where they are just as if they were in the room.

Having staff available to customers at all times, wherever they are and at any time, brings significant improvements to workplace efficiency and effectiveness, and for external viewers, to the company’s business profile looks much better.

Overall, Business VoIP brings significant benefits to a business by reducing communications costs and keeping staff contactable. The intangible benefits of improved communications leading to improvements in teamwork and staff morale are not so easily measured but are undoubtedly there.

If you are wanting to know more about the benefits of VoIP for business then get in touch with us on 01903 357002

How to test broadband speed

Posted on by Matt Jones

We live in a world which near enough everything uses some form of internet signal. Confirming that out internet signal is one of the most impotent aspects when it comes to your business and how it functions. So the question is, how do you test your internet speed?

To test your broadband speed you can use our broadband speed check tool to get a snapshot of your current download and upload speed. There’s no charge, so do as many tests as you like. We encourage you to do as many as you can (and at different times/days) to build a more accurate overall picture of the speeds you are getting and gives your provider and insight as to what is happening.

One thing to keep in mind is speed tests are not definitive nor do they show you what speeds you should be getting. Multiple variables can come into play that effect your broadband speed.

This test is designed for broadband connections of all types, including mobile broadband and smartphones, and is compatible with all major web browsers on desktop, mobile, and gaming platforms.Ready to buy a new broadband package? Enter a postcode to see the best deals in your area.

How does the broadband speed test work? 

Our broadband speed test measures is performed by measuring the time it takes for the server to reply to a request from the user’s client. The client sends a message to the server, upon receiving that message, the server sends a reply back. The round-trip time is measured is measured in ms (milliseconds). This test is repeated multiple times with the lowest value determining the final result. This provides a simple, clear, real-world measurement of broadband speed. 

The test provides accurate measurements of download and upload speeds for any type of broadband connection by dynamically assessing the speed and automatically adjusting in order to achieve the maximum throughput of the line. Data transferred during the test is not saved to your computer.

Is the broadband speed checker free?

ATS Connection’s internet speed test is completely free and always will be. We feel it’s important for all internet users to be able to get a quick internet speed result so they can see what speeds they are receiving. Not sure what speed you should be receiving? Call us on 01903 357002 to find out.

What is the best way to test internet speed? 

Before using the broadband speed check you should close all other programs and disconnect or switch off any other devices in your household. When possible, connect to the broadband router with a network (ethernet) cable. If using Wi-Fi you should stand next to the router and not use any signal boosters. Speeds can vary during the day, so test at different times to get a more accurate picture of your broadband speed. Remember to take a note of both download and upload speeds.

Why is the speed I get different from the speed advertised?

Get told one thing from your broadband provider and getting something different on there speed results? There are a number of reasons why the speed test may report a different figure to the speed advertised when you signed up for the broadband.

Home broadband is advertised with an “average” download speed which is achieved by 50% of customers, but of course, your connection could be slower (or faster) than average depending on various variables in the environment. 

But there are other reasons why the connection might be slower than expected. Software running on your device and other users sharing the connection will all impact the test. Wi-Fi can be slower than a cabled connection, while old house wiring can affect home broadband speeds (try to be sure your router is plugged into your main BT master socket). Your supplier may also prioritise different types of broadband traffic. And mobile internet is heavily dependant on having a strong signal and can be noticeably slower in busy areas. The router your broadband provider has supplied you could also be an older version or even a cheap underperforming router.

What now?

So you have ran the speed test multiple times but are still finding your speeds are less than what you were told by your broadband provider? While there are multiple variables that can come into play, you are entitled to your minimum download speed (more information here) offered by your provider. In fact, you can now easily get out of your contract if it is proven that you are not receiving the speeds mentioned to you when signing up.

Broadband can be a problem for many households, especially rural. But ATS Connection offer lighting fast speeds at a cost effective price, while offering local support for the times you need us. Check out our broadband information page here.

Is VoIP a viable alternative to your business telephone system?

Posted on by Jake Boase

VoIP phones use voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology to deliver an internet based telephone service.

Calls are delivered over the internet rather than the traditional legacy technology of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). Both the PSTN and ISDN networks are set to be decommissioned shortly.

Due to the reduced infrastructure needed to deliver phone calls on VoIP technology, voice calls can be provided at a very low cost.

VoIP services also use the internet to deliver phone system functionality to the end user. Many new features and useful services are available to small/medium businesses that were previously unaffordable to SME budgets. These include voicemail-to-email, call recording, instant messages, international calling, music-on-hold and call diverts.

While VoIP is not a new technology, it has fast become the standard for business telephony and communication, fast outpacing the growth of ISDN and ‘traditional’ PBXs and on-the-wall telephone systems.

What is VOIP?

A great place to start is to look at VoIP itself, and how it can replace your phone system. VoIP stands for Voice Over IP. VoIP is a method of communication that uses data packets and your broadband connection; as opposed to an analogue line or ISDN circuit. 

Hosted VoIP phone systems can dramatically reduce your costs by removing or reducing things like:

  • Telephone system maintenance
  • Call charges
  • Multiple telephone lines
  • Cost of spares and repairs
  • System installation costs
  • System upgrades

There are many reasons to upgrade to VoIP. Perhaps the main reason would be the cost savings it can result in for all businesses. VoIP can massively reduce a businesses running cost by removing maintenance, installation and costly equipment.

Another reason why many businesses choose to upgrade is the better call quality. Because it uses packet data rather than analogue lines, VoIP is often much higher quality when compared to traditional ISDN and telephone systems.

The third main reason is the flexibility of VoIP. Traditionally, if you wanted to add another phone to your telephone system, then you would need to potentially upgrade your entire system and get in a new line from BT which comes at a high cost. However, VOIP allows you to just add another licence – and therefore a handset. You can even use a mobile app for further flexibility and mobility.

Do I need a VoIP phone?

Openreach is intending to stop providing PSTN and ISDN phone lines completely in the UK by 2025.

This is because the existing telephone service infrastructure is dated and expensive to maintain. As a result, making the switch a VoIP phone system and internet telephony should be a priority for every business regardless of size or what the business does.

VoIP is a method of communication taking the market by storm.

To find out more on VoIP then give our specialist VoIP team a call on 01903 357002 or visit our VoIP page for more information on prices.

5 Things that a small business should know about WiFi

Posted on by Jake Boase

Buying a WiFi solution from your business can be complicated, but here’s 5 things that you should know to help you make the right decision for your business in terms of the most practical broadband solution.

1. Number of users

You should consider how many users are going to be on your WiFi network before anything else. Whether it’s just staff or staff and customers, your WiFi should be able to uphold their requirements and stay reliable, even with everyone connected. A slow internet connection can result in slower speeds, leading to less productivity.

2. Number of routers

Routers, also known as access points (APs), are an important factor in any business WiFi solution. Having the right number of APs is important because it will ensure that you have good, reliable coverage across your premises. If you have a large building or hotel, the chances are you are going to need multiple AP’s around the building to ensure a good coverage around the building with no drop out points.

3. Coverage 

Coverage is another important factor when considering a new WiFi solution. Ask yourself how much of your premises you need covered? Is there an outside area? Do you have outbuildings or larger offices that may require multiple APs? Knowing this will help your broadband provider set up the best broadband system for you, covering all areas you need internet signal.

4. Guest network

Some businesses may require a guest network, alongside their staff network. If this is the case, you may need more broadband lines, or even a leased line, to keep up with the high demand of guest network. A guest network allows you to separate the private network to run on its own channel, meaning a more secure line. You can also then prioritise the bandwidth accordingly ensuring the private wifi has most of the power.

5. Login pages

A common use of WiFi is to gather email addresses for marketing purposes. This can be done using a bespoke guest WiFi solution from ATS Connection. It enables you to provide a login page for guests to help you gather data for marketing.

Knowing the answer to these 5 points will allow you to receive the most productive fibre broadband solution for your business. The team here at ATS Connection will help you answer these questions to allow us to supply you with the most cost-effective way of generating the best results. Call our broadband team now on 01903 357002 or visit our fibre broadband packages.

What is a Leased Line?

Posted on by Matt Jones

A leased line is a dedicated, fixed-bandwidth, symmetric data connection. We will move onto what that means in a moment. A leased line is used to link two locations together from point A to point B. The first location is typically an office. The second location is typically another office, a data centre that’s connected to the Internet or a data centre that’s connected to the company’s existing Wide Area Network.

What is a Leased Line Used For?

Businesses use leased lines for multiple reasons. These reasons include:

  • A strong connection to the internet
  • To link PCs and servers in different offices (locations)
  • Perform phone calls which do not get disturbed
  • Enable a strong VPN connection for those working away from the office.

Leased Lines are Dedicated

Leased lines are ‘dedicated‘ lines. This means that along the route of your leased line, the bandwidth you need has been reserved solely for your use. So no matter how busy your broadband was or how many calls you were receiving, your internet would easily be able to handle the demand.

We all know what it is like being a home user and the internet slowing down at peak times. But unlike consumer Internet connections, the bandwidth available does not fall at peak times, when other customers of the same ISP try to use their connections at the same time as you. To put it simply, a leased line can handle heavy demand.

Leased Lines are Symmetric

This means users of a leased line can upload data at the same fast speed at which they can can download data. This can be useful if staff need to do any of the following:

  • Be able to access their work desktops from home
  • The ability to send large files
  • Backup data using online services
  • Host softwares on a serve in an office
  • Maximise VOIP telephone services

Not just an Internet Connection (unless you want it to)

It’s common for companies to buy Internet access at the same time they buy a leased line. However a leased line is not the same thing as an Internet connection.

As an example, a pipe can be used to carry a number of different things (e.g.water, gas, sewage), so in the same instance a leased line can be used to carry a number of different types of data traffic (Internet traffic, phone calls, VPN traffic). There’s no requirement to buy Internet access on a leased line, it can cope with all forms of internet and phone calls.

If you end up getting Internet access along with a leased line, there’s no requirement that you get enough to fill the leased line. For example, you might choose to get 15Mbit/s of Internet access on a 20Mbit/s leased line, which in turn could be provisioned over a 100Mbit/s circuit.  You could use 5Mbit/s for WAN traffic and VoIP calls, and there would be 80Mbit/s spare for future usage.

What is a Leased Line Likely to Deliver, Speed-wise?

the most popular connection speeds are 2Mbps, 10Mbps and 100Mbps, even though connections of 10,000 Mbit/s (10 Gigabits per second) are possible if money is no object.

What is a leased line likely to cost you? As a rough rule of thumb, 10Mbps connections cost twice as much as 2Mbps connections. And 100Mbps connections cost twice as much as 10Mbps connections.

Advantages of a Dedicated Connection (compared to ADSL)

  • Faster download speeds
  • Faster upload speeds
  • Internet connections that don’t slow down at peak times
  • Heavily improved reliability
  • Better support

Disadvantages of a Dedicated Connection (compared to ADSL)

  • Cost – Leased line costs have fallen, but leased lines are still much more expensive than ADSL connections.
  • Longer Wait – Leased lines may take about three months to install rather than two weeks as standard on ADSL.
  • Physical Installation – Installing leased lines is also more complex than installing ADSL, as ADSL can be provided over a pre-existing circuit (your phone line). A leased line will require a new circuit, and is likely to require some construction work to connect your building to the leased line provider’s network.

What Is A Leased Line Likely To Cost Me?

This depends on to main reasons

  • The speed of connection you want
  • Your location and
  • The length of the contract you’re willing to sign. Because of this it often takes leased line providers days to provide you with a quote.

To know more on the leased lines we supply here at ATS Connection contact us now

After Brexit: EU mobile Roaming

Posted on by Jake Boase

The UK’s Brexit deal with the EU does not rule out the re-introduction of roaming charges for using your mobile phone in the EU. Although the UK’s mobile operators have indicated that they will not reintroduce charges, we recommend that you keep up-to-date with the latest roaming charges and advise your colleagues to check before they travel.

Can I use my mobile in the EU?

Since 2017, UK consumers have, within reason, been able to use their inclusive minutes, texts and data when travelling in the EU without incurring additional charges. The same is true for people from EU countries visiting the UK. Before the roaming rules changed, using a mobile phone in Europe could have been costly, with cases of people returning from trips to find bills for hundreds or even thousands of pounds waiting for them.

Will roaming charges return?

The UK’s trade deal with the EU, which has now come into force, does not prevent the re-introduction of additional roaming charges in Europe. It says that both sides will encourage operators to have “transparent and reasonable rates” for roaming. That means that mobile operators will be able to implement roaming charges if they want to. The government’s guidance says: “Check with your phone operator to find out about any roaming charges you might get from 1 January 2021.”

What are mobile companies planning?

Now that we have left the EU, the charges now depend on agreements between UK operators and their counterparts in EU countries. While they may have such deals in place to prevent charges increasing straight away at the start of 2021, there is no guarantee that they will be able to maintain them indefinitely. The four main operators in the UK declined to comment on the specifics of the commercial deals they have done with other operators, but said they did not plan to reintroduce roaming charges.

O2 said: “We’re committed to providing our customers with great connectivity and value when they travel outside the UK. We currently have no plans to change our roamingservices across Europe.”

Vodafone said it had no plans to reintroduce roaming charges.

EE said: “Our customers enjoy inclusive roaming in Europe and beyond, and we don’t have any plans to change this based on the Brexit outcome. So our customers going on holiday and travelling in the EU will continue to enjoy inclusive roaming.”

Three said it “already offers roaming at no extra cost for its customers in over 70 destinations including the US, Australia and New Zealand. We will retain this great customer benefit regardless of Brexit negotiations.”

Check out our business mobile data plans here

Making your video conference as productive as possible

Posted on by Jake Boase

Working remotely has been the norm for a lot of people for almost a year now, since the pandemic hit. Working from anywhere apart from the office was always seen as a perk and a trendy new incentive, but one year on video call fatigue is hitting and lots of people are losing the drive that was once thriving. 

So how can you help boost your video calls to make them as useful as possible?

We’ve pulled together some tips and guidance to running a really successful video conference. Following these helpful tips will hopefully ensure your meeting runs smoothly – although we can’t guarantee that the doorbell won’t ring, or that your child won’t come asking for a snack!

Choose the best software for your business

There are so many different applications available when it comes to video conferencing, but how do you choose which is right for your business? Look at the packages on offer and all of the amazing features that come along with it.

Easy to join

Having multiple device choices available from your software allows it to become more accessible to anyone. Whether you’re joining from your computer at your desk, or mobile on a walk, you want to be reachable from everywhere. Clear and simple joining instructions are key in starting your meeting off in the right tone.

Good connection

It seems obvious, but so important! There is nothing more disruptive than a bad connection – glitches, lags and alien like voices. Ensure your team have the best connection possible to eliminate all avoidable distractions.

Strong agenda

When sending over your meeting invitation, set out a clear agenda so everyone can be prepped and ready. Follow up with meeting notes, like you would in the office to make sure you’ve achieved everything you wanted.

Encourage participation

Using an application which allows interactive tasks can help make your session become a little different and much more engaging. Encourage everyone to take part and turn their cameras on, but still be mindful that this isn’t normal for some and this can still be uncomfortable.

Time conscious

Keep it as short as possible – but not so short that it could have been an email.  It’s much easier for our attention spans to become shorter when on a video call than a real-life meeting, so by keeping an eye on the time you’ll be able to capture your audience for the key parts.

Record for reference

Choose software which allows your session to be recorded, so that you and others can refer back to check notes and actions. This can also be really helpful to share if someone was unable to join at the time.

Work from home – work from anywhere

Posted on by Jake Boase

Your average office life, 9-5 structure has been shaken over the last few years with millennials and Gen Z demanding more flexibility and a better work life balance. The pandemic has certainly added to this shake up, since we’ve been forced to adapt, with evidence showing that a flexible work approach is achievable.

But where do we go from here?

We now know that the technology and ability to work from home is extremely realistic in certain roles, can we push this to a ‘work from anywhere’ approach? Why limit this to just home when you can work on the go, in a coffee shop, or whilst out and about?

Introducing a hybrid flexible working approach gives your employees the best of all worlds, all whilst being as productive as possible. With the latest technology offering high quality video calling, content sharing, collaborative whiteboard sessions, chats and so much more, colleagues can stay connected, regardless of their device or location.

New talent will want a workplace that offers such flexibility, so don’t be caught behind with stagnant technology. Introduce a fresh innovative phone system, like eve, so your staff can be exceptional everywhere.

Staying safe while working from home

Posted on by Jake Boase

Security at work has always been essential in every business, especially when it comes to staying safe online, but how does that work now that many of us are working remotely?

Unfortunately, the freedom of working from home, or anywhere outside of the office, does increase the need to be vigilant around cyber security. This doesn’t mean that you can’t work as safely as when you were in the office – you just need the right solutions in place.

A modern hosted phone system, like eve, can offer enhanced security and peace of mind, by protecting users from fraudulent activity. Exceptional Call Protection is a key feature of eve, which monitors your call patterns and volumes to scan for any particular high-risk categories, such as premium rate calls. It is even possible for eve to block any outbound calls, if suspicious activity is detected.

Using a solution like eve will provide the reassurance you need to relax, safe in the knowledge that your business is protected, no matter where your staff are located.

Take a look at this feature in more detail, here.

Dealing with an influx of calls

Posted on by Jake Boase

COVID-19 restrictions have resulted in many businesses experiencing an influx of inbound calls. Whether it’s rearranging bookings, making appointments, or general customer support requests, keeping your customers happy is essential. 

Call Queue

My call queuing feature means callers can be placed in a queue in the event that all of your team are busy. You can enable comfort messaging, music, or even allow them to automatically request a call back.

Automatic Call Distribution

Evenly distribute calls to queues, bespoke recordings or specific team members. Directing calls to the right person means that the customer experience is as smooth as possible and that queries are dealt with in the most efficient manner. 

Music/Marketing-on-Hold

Use the time while your customers wait to tell them about your new products or services, invite them to events or even just reassure them that their call will be answered soon. You can also have a message to announce what place the caller is in the queue and the average wait time for their call to be answered.

Voicemail

It is always hoped that all calls can be answered, but in the instance where it’s not possible, a voicemail should be used to maintain professionalism. 

Call Recording

It’s important that you keep a record of calls. These can be used for enhancing customer service and for training purposes, as well as to refer back to, if a dispute were ever to happen.

Ensuring that you maintain exceptional customer service during these times is crucial. If you’d like to find out more about setting up your phone system for the best service, email us info@atsconnection.co.uk