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Streamlining your business communications in 2023

by with No Comment AnnouncementsIndustry NewsProducts & Services

Less is often more, but in this case we do have to put into words the importance of the information below, so have a read and let us have your questions.

Choosing the right tools and technology to boost productivity, achieve employee satisfaction, and improve customer experience is essential in today’s world where communications and collaboration are key components of business success (primarily due to the growing reliance on remote and hybrid working practices).

Communications technology has grown and improved rapidly, going from a nice-to-have to a must-have in order to continue operations (highlighted more during the pandemic).

As we continue to adapt to this new reality, it may be time to consider if your communication solutions are suited to the demands of your business and the hybrid working era.

Bringing everything under one roof

We have all been there, our telephones with Bloggs, while our broadband connection is with Smith and all IT is run by Jones. All devices and services need each other to work but which one do you contact when one goes wrong?? You can feel caught up in a game of cat and mouse, as Jones blames Smith, Smith says it must be Bloggs and Bloggs insists it has to be Smith, etc!

You may have heard the phrase, Integrated voice solutions? Put simply, these are a type of communication solution that allows companies to manage all of their communications in one place – heaven right!

From VoIP calls, messages, broadband, mobiles, cabling and more, these unified solutions fully integrate all communications into one platform, while cloud telephony focuses on the voice aspects, and delivers telephone calls and other communication services over the Internet instead of through traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) technologies.

With the switch off looming, you should be already thinking about reassessing your telephone supply, and potentially making the move (read more about this here).

If the above has made streamlining your business your number one New Year’s resolution, changing providers is easier than you think….

Why work with us?

The fact is that having the ability to make and receive calls, access data and business documents, and get online is crucial for every business. In a world where broadband is increasingly seen as a commodity, it can be difficult to understand what makes one provider different from any other.

Making changes when you have an established business is always difficult, this is especially true when it comes to something as critical as your telecoms.

That’s why here at Deep Blue we look after the complicated side of your communications, from the initial installation to ongoing support.

Our services are built bespoke to you and designed to make your business communications easier to manage, administrate and cost. What’s more, we only offer services that you need right now, with the functionality to grow as your business does, so you stay in complete control.

With Deep Blue, you’ll also have access to a range of other products and services. Like VoIP, Business Mobile, Hosted Voice, Structured Cabling, Ethernet leased lines and more (read more about working with Deep Blue here).

If you’re looking for a great networking and connectivity provider (and streamlining your business in 2023), call our team for a no obligation quote today 0333 240 9100 or visit www.deepbluetelecom.co.uk for more information.

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Four reasons why your business needs full fibre

by with No Comment LocalNewsProducts & Services

For most businesses, an internet connection is an absolute must. From communicating with customers to staying in touch with colleagues or accessing files and applications in the cloud, being online is more important than ever.

But if you’re currently using an old-fashioned copper connection or fibre to the cabinet (FTTC), you might be wondering what all the fuss around full fibre is about and whether you need to bother upgrading.

Here are four good reasons why your business might need full fibre.

1. Reliability

Full fibre connections are generally much more reliable than those that depend on the old copper telephone network. With fibre optic cable running all the way from the exchange to your home or office, you won’t suffer from the same signal loss that blights copper and you should expect your service to work flawlessly for the vast majority of the time.

When being connected is vital – and it usually is – you need a connection you can rely on.

2. Better bandwidth

The world has moved on. That connection that gave your business everything it needed ten years ago is probably no longer up to the task.

As businesses, we’re uploading and downloading more data than ever, our people need a fast, reliable connection, we’re video calling throughout the working day and we need access to our cloud-based office applications.

For a single user, an FTTC connection might suffice, but for busy or growing offices – or those that need the best speed available – full fibre presents a more compelling choice.

3. Communications

If you’re not sure why a full fibre connection is so important for voice communications, we’ve covered that in more detail here.

As the Great British Switch Off takes effect, businesses will need to replace traditional PSTN and ISDN connections. Thankfully, full fibre will provide better quality and a host of additional features to take business communications to another level.

4. Future proof

As the UK relentlessly marches toward full fibre connectivity, simultaneously switching off copper connections, a full fibre connection is a great investment for the future.

It’s coming to us all at some point but getting on board now can make the transition over the next couple of years (as traditional connections are withdrawn) much easier.

Are you ready to make the leap to full fibre? Call 0333 240 9100 or email theteam@deepbluetelecom.co.uk and request more information.

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HELPFUL GUIDE: Upgrade to the new Collaborate App

by with No Comment Products & ServicesTips

Support for the old version will cease on 31st July 2022. Please ensure you have upgraded before this date.

Be aware that interoperability between the old and new clients is poor, so once you are happy with your new client, please remember to remove the old version of Horizon Softphone and Collaborate from your device(s).

Please choose your required format.

iOS

This client is for Softphone and Collaborate users using an Apple mobile phone or tablet device running iOS. The download link will take you to the app listing in the Apple App Store.

iOS Download

Android

This client is for Softphone and Collaborate users with a mobile device running Android. The download link will take you to the app listing in the Google Play Store.

Android Download

PC

This is the desktop client for Softphone and Collaborate suitable for users on a laptop or PC running Windows.

PC Download

Mac

This is the desktop client for Softphone and Collaborate suitable for users with Apple Mac’s running OSX.

Mac Download
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How the right telecoms can make a big difference to a small business

by with No Comment NewsProducts & Services

It’s no secret that a company’s infrastructure is key to its success. There are many factors that go into this and choosing the right telecoms service is one of them. But what exactly do we mean by “telecoms”? This article will explain what telecoms can do for your business, and how to find the right package for you.

The right communication tools are essential to a successful business.

Communication tools can help you grow your business, attract new customers, retain existing ones and save money. Whether you’re starting out or have been in business for years, it’s important to get the right one.

Your telecoms can help you reduce costs and increase convenience.

Your telecoms can help you reduce costs and increase convenience. If your business uses multiple providers for different services, it’ll be more expensive than if you use one provider to cover all of your requirements. You might think that having multiple contracts with different companies is a good idea because it gives you choice when each contract expires, but this is actually an inefficient use of resources.

By choosing one company to supply all of your telecoms needs, like Deep Blue, and then using the same company for all future contracts, including mobile phones and broadband internet access (as well as any other services that may be offered by that provider), you’ll find yourself saving money in the long run. The advantages are clear: fewer bills to pay and fewer service charges from different providers means greater financial stability for your business.

Did you know that at Deep Blue we look after all your telecom needs at the office and at home? Take a look at our services here

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to telecoms.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to telecoms. The best way to find the right solution for your business is to talk to your provider about your specific needs and see what they recommend. They will be able to tell you which services are suitable for you, and help you understand how much each service will cost.

Telecoms are about more than just phone calls.

Telecoms are about more than just phone calls, about more than just internet. They’re about more than business, personal, or mobile. Telecoms are a key component in the success of any business—but what does that mean?

Well, it means that there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to telecoms for your small business. There are dozens of different types of telecommunications providers out there that offer different features and services based on your needs and budget! And each company has their own way of doing things which can make comparing prices tricky if you don’t know where to start looking…

The idea that telecoms are prohibitively expensive for small businesses is not true.

There are many different options available to you as a small business owner and you can find a package that works for your needs and budget. If your faster internet connection helps you to cover more work or send important files at the touch of a button, then you will not only retain more customers but will gain a reputation for a business that delivers.

We hope this article has helped you to see that choosing the right telecoms for your business is important.

Whether or not your business needs a cloud phone system, it’s important that you understand how each of these systems work and what they can offer in terms of savings and convenience. Once you know what each provider has on offer then it’ll be easier to make a decision which one works best for you.

There are many other factors that should be considered when selecting your telecoms provider – but if this article hasn’t given enough information then please feel free to contact our friendly team by phone 0333 240 9100 or email theteam@deepbluetelecom.co.uk so we can answer any questions you might have.

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5 factors to consider when choosing a business phone system

by with 2 Comments Products & ServicesUncategorized

Your phone system can make or break your business.

With all the options out there, how do you know which type of phone system is right for your business? We have highlighted our top 5 factors to consider when choosing a business phone system.

1. The type of phone system

Before choosing a business phone system, it’s important to understand the different phone system types. You also need a clear idea of what features you can’t live without, and which ones might be less important.

Traditional phone systems

A Private Branch Exchange (PBX) phone system is a private network that uses a server maintained in your office. With this type of system, you can communicate internally within the company and with the outside world.

The downside? This system doesn’t offer as much flexibility as your other options and with the pstn switch off looming (which will affect everyone) now is a good time to consider switching to VOiP.

Read our article here >> Goodbye old telephone network, hello new opportunities

Virtual phone systems

Virtual phone systems are a great option for remote businesses without a physical location.

This type of system works by purchasing a virtual phone service from Deep Blue Telecom. The system is similar to a hosted web site service.

We will provide you with a local phone number or a toll-free number. These virtual phone numbers are yours to use in advertising campaigns, on your website, and on your business cards.

Virtual phone systems are the most scalable option because your costs will depend on your usage. You can customise your plan to the number of extensions you want and how many minutes you need.

Virtual phone systems also offer a variety of features. These include:

  • Options for multiple extensions
  • Voicemail
  • Automatic call distribution
  • Call forwarding
  • Call planning
  • And lots more

VoIP phone systems

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems work by converting audio signals into digital signals. Phone conversations are transformed into digital signals that travel by fibre optic cables over broadband internet.

This type of phone system is often the most cost-efficient option. You’ll also get all of the features offered by a traditional phone system and more.

VoIP systems offer a number of advanced features. These include the ability to make and receive calls as well as listen to your voicemail from your mobile devices like laptops, computers, and tablets.

2. Cost

When choosing a business phone system, you need to have an idea of what you want to spend. Developing a communication system for your business is a major investment. Making the wrong choice can cost you a significant chunk of time and money.

The amount of money you are willing to invest in a business phone system will help you determine which option is right for you. Costs related factors to take into consideration include:

  • The initial set up cost
  • Hardware costs
  • Licensing costs
  • Installation costs
  • Internet bandwidth costs and connection charges
  • Subscription fees

This is why we take our time to understand your business from the outset so you get exactly what your business needs right now with the chance to grow as your business does.

3. The reliability of your internet

If you’re leaning towards an internet-based phone system, you need to evaluate the reliability of your office’s internet connection.

Fortunately, most businesses have access to a reliable internet connection. This is important for the function of an internet-based phone system. Your internet connection should have a good upload and download speed.

We have touched on the weak digital infrastructure that’s damaging business growth in our blog here – although it’s not all doom and gloom!

Not only do we partner with a range of fibre providers to ensure that we can offer maximum coverage but these end-to-end fibre solutions future proof your connectivity… we also have full-fibre at our fingertips!

Did you know you can get FREE phones with our Deep Blue Broadband? Find out more here

4. Compatibility

Another factor to consider when choosing a phone system is how compatible it is with your other business tools.

You’ll want to choose a phone system that can easily be integrated with your other tools such as call scripts, CRM software, live chat, ticket management software, and email.

Take into consideration the work your employees do and how they accomplish their goals. Your phone system should help them meet business needs.

5. Scalability

As we mentioned before, getting a new business phone system can be a huge investment. You must take into account your future business goals.

The size and spread of your business can determine which type of phone system is your best option. For example, if you plan on growing your business in the near future, you need a phone system that offers scalability.

If your business is large or plans to grow, you may need more lines. Planning ahead can save you money in the long run by helping you choose the best type of phone system for your business plan.

Do you need a new business phone system?

A business phone system can improve employee productivity and customer satisfaction. The hardest part is choosing the right type and the right provider.

Whether you are starting a business for the first time or are part of a multi-site Plc, Deep Blue can provide a comprehensive range of products and services to fulfil the most demanding needs both today and in the future.

Click here to contact us today and learn more about how our products and services can help support your business.

Take advantage of our fantastic offer

Don’t miss our Fantastic Offer for Yorkshire based businesses – you can find out more here

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Full-Fibre is here, but what does it mean for you in 2022?

by with No Comment NewsProducts & Services

2022 is going to be an exciting year for Yorkshire!

Many of you will have seen an abundance of Openreach vans and closed roads throughout the area recently, as the FTTP rollout builds momentum. The great news is, that means more and more of us will have access to faster, more reliable connections than ever before!

Why is it different to the fibre we already have?

All fibre is not created equal!

With ‘fibre’, you may be surprised to learn that fibre cables are only used for part of the journey, to carry data to your local cabinet. Old fashioned copper wire – which is notoriously slow and unreliable – then takes it to and from your premises.

‘Full-fibre’ is completely different – it uses a fibre connection the entire length of the journey. With no copper to slow data down, these full-fibre networks can easily run at Gigabit speeds of up to 1000mbps, so whatever you need your connection for, with ultrafast FTTP you’ll do it faster, smoother, more reliably.

Productivity

Full-fibre not only gives you speeds a lot faster, it will also have an immediate impact on your productivity – helping unlock new, powerful opportunities.

The rise of cloud services is changing the way we work forever, improving efficiency and sparking innovation. With bandwidth no longer a barrier, your business is primed to take full advantage of its shift to the cloud.

Resilient, reliable, responsive

Full fibre infrastructure is the best possible platform for the delivery of business-critical services. Fully diverse and completely independent from incumbent infrastructure.

Here at Deep Blue, we build services bespoke to your needs that are designed to make your business communications easier to manage and cost-effective.

We partner with a range of fibre providers to maximise our coverage and these end to end fibre solutions not only allow us to get the best prices for you but we help you future proof your connectivity beyond the PSTN switch off (learn more about the switch off here)

Our team will ensure that you get exactly what you need right now. We look after the complicated side of things, so you don’t have to.

Take a look at our services here

Call our team to discuss your requirements 0333 240 9100.

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Could your Zoom do with some Va Va Voom?

by with No Comment Products & ServicesTips

FTTP has arrived!

Get ready for our fastest, most reliable connection ever. Say goodbye to buffering, bottlenecks and boredom. Say hello to breakneck speed, and enough bandwidth to keep the whole office happy. This is fibre at the speed of light.

Introducing FTTP (Fibre to the Premise)

Whatever you need your connection for, with ultrafast FTTP you’ll do it faster, smoother, more reliably.

From video calls to collaborating with clients, file sharing to cloud computing, this is connectivity built for the future, today.

And when a leased line connection is just out of reach, ultrafast FTTP gives you the high bandwidth, high performance connectivity you need at a fraction of the cost.

Your business benefits

With up to gigabit speeds available – that’s 1000Mbps – you’ll be connected faster than ever. Crystal clear video calls keep you better connected, however far apart you are, file sharing is a cinch and buffering is a distant, long-gone memory.

Call our team today and see how your business can take off.

0333 240 9100

Businessman use the phone in the office, keyboard, mouse, mobile, and monitor detail in the background

Goodbye old telephone network, hello new opportunities

by with One Comment Products & ServicesTips

The switch off is coming when the traditional analogue phone network (the Public Switched Telephone Network or PSTN) will reach the end of its life and newer digital technologies will take its place.

When you consider that 16 million lines and channels will need to be migrated to alternative products it’s worth starting to look at other options sooner rather than later. 

Beat the rush!

We’ve detailed below some key facts on the switch off but let’s start with the positives and all the benefits you could enjoy by switching now – in fact we are confident that you will love the functionality of VoIP so much, that you will wonder why you haven’t switched before now!

  • Use your existing numbers
  • Access from any device of your choice
  • Use your existing telephones (unless it is time for an upgrade)
  • Add or remove new numbers and manage other users
  • Voicemail to email notifications so you never miss a call
  • Saves you time/money

If all of this has got you thinking maybe your business is ready to take the next step then speak to Deep Blue. We’ll go over all the details with you, arrange a site survey if needed and give you all the information you need to make the decision.

Call 0333 240 9100 or email theteam@deepbluetelecom.co.uk

Key facts from Openreach

Why is the PSTN being withdrawn?

According to Openreach:

‘the equipment which runs the PSTN is ageing and reaching its end of life.  This means the analogue telephone voice services that are reliant on this network will no longer be available……. Spare parts are becoming out of manufacture and, additionally, many of the people who designed, built and operated the system are retired or close to retirement so skills are increasingly scarce.’ The current PSTN network will be replaced with a fibre and VoIP network.

What products will be affected?

The PSTN Analogue Lines network currently supports a number of products which, when it is withdrawn, will no longer be available. The key one which will affect business customers is the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). Many companies have telephony systems which use either ISDN2 or ISDN30 channels to make and receive calls. Over 16 million lines and channels are affected by the switch off and will need migrating prior to 2025.

When are the services being withdrawn?

Openreach plans to stop allowing the connection of new PSTN services, like ISDN, from September 2023 however in some areas this stop sell has already been rolled out.

Bank Holiday Call Plan – InBound

by with No Comment Products & ServicesTips

Create a Bank Holiday call plan using the date and time control nodes to send calls where you need them, when you need them. Add in a Divert node to build additional destination numbers if your main destination is busy or unavailable. Use the ‘Schedule Activate Option’ so you can build you Call Plan in advanced, knowing it will activate when you need it to.

InBound Date and Time Control Nodes

These nodes allow you to set different termination points on different days and at different times (e.g. one for Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and one for evenings and weekends).When you add these nodes into a call plan two boxes appear, one called control and one called default. Click on the control box to specify certain days and times and then drag a destination node onto the box to specify your termination number. Drag a destination node onto the control box and any days/times not listed on the control box will follow this routing.

InBound Divert Node

This allows you to set alternative destinations if a destination number is busy, not answered or suffering from a network error. Simply drag a divert node onto a destination node and then add destinations for each of the three options.

InBound Schedule Activate

Once you have built your call plan, instead of clicking Activate, click Schedule Activate. In the window that appears specify the start date and time for this call plan then click Done. Your call plan will appear as if it is already active but if you go back to the call plan list it will show your call plan with the date and time it is due to activate next to it.

Not sure

Just email details of the dates, times and forward number to theteam@deepbluetelecom.co.uk with the subject Bank Holiday Call Plan and we will set it up for you.