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The Importance of Disaster Recovery: Safeguarding Business Continuity with Deep Blue

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In the unpredictable landscape of business, one thing is certain: disasters can and do happen. Whether it’s a natural calamity, a technological failure, or unforeseen circumstances disrupting operations, the aftermath can be devastating.

According to staggering statistics, approximately 80% of businesses affected by disasters either fail to recover or close within 18 months of reopening. Furthermore, the average downtime for a business to resume operations after a disaster is 9.4 days. These figures serve as a stark reminder of the critical importance of disaster recovery planning for all businesses.

At Deep Blue, we understand the paramount significance of preparing for the unexpected. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of products and services designed to facilitate swift and effective disaster recovery measures. Our solutions are crafted to be implemented quickly and seamlessly, ensuring minimal disruption to your business operations.

One of the key features of our disaster recovery arsenal is the ability to set up automatic failover mechanisms through the Horizon and InBound platforms. In the event of a disruption to your normal communication channels, our systems can seamlessly divert to predefined failover options, such as a mobile or alternative number. This ensures continuity of communication even in the face of adversity.

Moreover, our invoked plans empower businesses to proactively manage crises by enabling rapid response strategies. For instance, if your office becomes inaccessible due to factors like severe weather conditions, roadworks, or strike action, you can effortlessly reroute calls to alternative sites or numbers with a few simple clicks. This level of agility can be instrumental in mitigating the impact of disruptions on your business operations.

For customers utilising our Horizon or InBound-Contact Pro services, we offer the added benefit of setting up staff or service user emergency numbers. This invaluable tool allows you to disseminate critical information to your workforce or customers during emergencies, such as flooding or heavy snow. By recording pertinent messages on the emergency line, employees can ascertain the operational status of your site before attempting to commute, thereby ensuring their safety and well-being. This is a great option for schools or fitness studios to inform parents or clients if they are open.

Disaster recovery measures are not merely about mitigating risks; they are about safeguarding the continuity and resilience of your business. In today’s environment, where unforeseen challenges abound, being prepared is non-negotiable. Floods, snowstorms, roadworks, and other disruptions pose significant threats to business continuity and profitability. However, with our feature-rich hosted telephony solutions, you can rest assured knowing that your business is equipped to navigate through adversity.

Don’t wait until disaster strikes to take action. Contact Deep Blue today at 0333 240 9100 for a comprehensive review of your company’s disaster readiness. Let us help you fortify your business against the unknown and ensure that you emerge stronger and more resilient in the face of adversity. Remember, when it comes to disaster recovery, preparedness is the ultimate key to survival.

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Switching to VoIP: Benefits and Challenges of the PSTN Switch Off

by with No Comment GeneralIndustry NewsProducts & Services

The UK is currently in the process of phasing out the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which is a network of interconnected telephone lines and switches that has been in use for over a century. The PSTN switch off is part of the wider transition to digital communication technologies, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

The switch off of the PSTN is being driven by several factors, including the high cost of maintaining the ageing infrastructure, the growing popularity of mobile and internet-based communication, and the need for more efficient and cost-effective telecommunications systems.

Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has set a deadline of 2025 for the complete switch off of the PSTN network. This means that traditional phone lines that rely on copper wires and fixed-line telephony will eventually be replaced by internet-based alternatives.

The switch off of the PSTN networks is expected to bring a number of benefits, including improved call quality, faster data transmission speeds, and a more reliable and efficient telecommunications system. However, it may also create challenges for some users who rely on traditional phone lines, particularly in rural and remote areas where internet connectivity may not be readily available.

To address these challenges, the UK government is working to improve the country’s digital infrastructure and ensure that all areas have access to reliable and high-speed internet connectivity. This includes initiatives such as the Universal Service Obligation (USO), which aims to provide every household in the UK with a minimum broadband speed of 10Mbps.

Overall, the switch off of PSTN in the UK represents a significant shift towards more modern and efficient communication technologies, but it also highlights the need for continued investment in digital infrastructure to ensure that everyone can benefit from these advances.

If you would like help with the Big Switch off and moving to VoIP, contact us on 0333 240 9100 or at theteam@deepbluetelecom.co.uk for assistance. We can provide you with the expertise and resources you need to make the transition to VoIP, ensuring that you can continue to make and receive high-quality phone calls. With our help, you can take advantage of the benefits of VoIP while avoiding the potential challenges and complexities of making the switch on your own.

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Improving your connectivity in 2023

by with No Comment LocalProducts & Services

If it’s time to upgrade your connectivity services, it’s easy to be put off by thoughts of complicated processes and inconvenient losses of connection during installation – lead times are often much shorter than expected, and we can usually do most of the work for you.

To help you decide on the best digital services for you, here at Deep Blue we only offer services that are needed now, with the option to grow as your business does.

You will have seen lots of news about the upcoming switch-off of the traditional telephone line, and this will see us all migrating to faster connections in the near future to enable us to switch our telephone connections to digital. The stop-sell has already started for this in some areas, so it’s worth bringing the change to the top of your ‘to-do’ list!

Whether you’re upgrading or looking for a new supplier for your broadband connection, the process is easier than you think (see our blog on switching to Deep Blue here).

Upgrading to FTTP

FTTP offers a full fibre optic connection from telephone exchange right to your premises. Offering ultrafast speeds and a reliable connection, FTTP is popular with both businesses and domestic users alike.

Why upgrade?

FTTP, or fibre to the premises, delivers even faster speeds than FTTC. FTTP {link} is a full-fibre connection, replacing all the copper wiring that links your premises to the main telephone exchange. Usually favoured by small and medium businesses, FTTP provides an ultrafast, reliable broadband connection.

Upgrading to FTTC

Usually, an attractive option to smaller businesses. FTTC offers superfast connection speeds, available to both commercial and domestic premises.

Why upgrade?

Fibre to the cabinet broadband, also known as FTTC, can provide faster speeds than ADSL, making it a great choice for small businesses, especially if FTTP isn’t yet available in your area. It uses a combination of traditional copper phone lines and fibre cable to deliver a strong, stable connection. FTTC is now available to the majority of premises in the UK.

Upgrading to digital telephony before the switch-off

Switching from a traditional phone line to a digital voice instantly improves the connectivity and communication capabilities within your business.

Why upgrade?

Upgrading to digital voice services from traditional copper telephone lines opens up a world of useful new features. With digital voice, your broadband and telephone connections become integrated, allowing you to access your phone lines via the internet, from anywhere in the world.

With the switch-off looming this will soon become a necessity.

Did you know, when you take a 3-year internet package from us at Deep Blue, we can supply your new VoIP telephony equipment at a hugely discounted price?

If the above has got you thinking about your connectivity, why not give our office a call on 0333 240 9100 and explore your options? You may even save money too!

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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.

Is it time to put your system out to pasture?

There’s never been a better time to switch to VoIP

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At Deep Blue we currently have funding to offset the cost of new Horizon hardware. Couple this with the Connectivity+ Voucher scheme and there has never been a better time to switch to VoIP.

Funding is available for both existing and new Deep Blue customers, whether you are currently on VoIP or not.

Making any type of change to your business can be a daunting prospect, especially in the current climate. This is why we have put together the following guide on the key points to consider and debunked some of the common myths around SIP.

Is it time to put your system out to pasture?
Is it time to put your system out to pasture?

What to consider

Company Structure

What is your company’s structure? Are you all based in one location? Or do you have multiple sites or homeworkers? How do these sites need to be managed?

With Horizon you can choose how you manage calls at different sites and adapt and change them whenever you need to.

Department Needs

How do each of your company’s departments operate? Are they desk based, out in the field or a bit of both?

Do you have a receptionist or gatekeeper?

Do some staff deal with calls from multiple departments or numbers? Do they need to be able to move in and out of these hunt groups?

With Horizon you can mix and match hardware and apps to give each staff member exactly the setup they need. A handset with side car for reception, laptops with video calling for training, seamless integration of desk phone and mobile app for sales.

The easy to use Horizon online portal allows you to manage your hunt groups at the click of a button. You can move staff in and out of Hunt Groups, re-route calls, add voicemail without the need for an engineer appointment.

The Weaknesses of your current setup

What does your current setup do well and where does it fall short? What are the issues that cause your colleagues problems? Are you missing functions you really need? Are you paying for extras that you never use?

Once you have identified what your main issues are, your Horizon system can be tailored to truly meet your company’s needs.

Cost

They say time is money and in business this is particularly true. Not only are VoIP systems like Horizon cost effective, they can also be setup quickly.

Our fastest turn around was for a company who found out their sales team needed to be able to record calls for compliance. They contacted us at 10am and by 2pm they had three sales staff making and taking fully compliant calls on Horizon.

Adaptability

What changes will you need to make over the coming months? Is your business impacted by seasonal peaks in call volume? Will you need to support staff in working from home as well as the office? Are you potentially going to need to move site due to changes in needs or the end of a lease?

We understand not everyone wants to get into making changes to their phone setup, which is why our support team is on hand to assist you in any tweaks you may need doing.

But for those companies where adaptability is key, Deep Blue provide full training on your Horizon portal so that you are fully in control of your calls.

Present different numbers for different departments. Move staff in and out of hunt groups in response to demand, for example if you are taking more calls due to a promotion. Schedule your calls to route differently at the busiest parts of the day. Feel fully in control with full call stats and analytics.

Still not sure if you want to change?

Deep Blue has secured funding for both new and existing customers to help offset the cost of your new Horizon system. For many businesses, this will make your new handsets completely free of charge.

The Connectivity+ Voucher scheme can also help if you need to upgrade your broadband connection to make full use of VoIP. Our post on the Connectivity+ Voucher scheme has more details.

Service Quality

If you have never used VoIP before you may have reservations about the service quality. Here are some of the key myths debunked.

The call quality is lower than that of fixed line

For many of us, our first experience of VoIP will have not been a good one. Tinny, distorted sound; delays, packet loss and that was if the call got through in the first place!

Early VoIP was subject to many limitations. The broadband connection it ran over, the hardware it used (often built in speakers and microphone on a PC or laptop), the software powering it.

But things have come a long way and modern SIP call quality is more than comparable to ISDN.

It will be expensive

Often the latest tech comes at a price, usually a high one. But SIP is a very cost effective solution. Unlike ISDN, you are not subject to the same engineer costs should you need to expand your system or make changes.

We offer Horizon bundles with inclusive minutes so that you can know what your bill will be each month.

Add in the lower upfront cost of SIP vs ISDN and the savings soon add up.

It is an unproven technology

SIP technology is trusted by thousands of companies, big and small, across the UK. Deep Blue have been running our offices off SIP for more than 10 years.

With the approaching end of life for ISDN, more and more companies are making the switch every day.

The Horizon development team are always working to expand and further develop the service. Taking on feedback from users to constantly improve the platform and it’s functions.

It will be too much hassle to change

Changing phone systems used to be a resource intensive process, often resulting in disruption and extended downtime. The migration to SIP is surprisingly easy and quick.

You can even run Horizon alongside your current system to keep downtime to a minimum.

At Deep Blue we manage the migration process for you, taking the hassle out of the switch to SIP.

What next?

Ready to make the change? Whether you are already on SIP and are looking to improve your system or are looking to jump from traditional telephony, our friendly team is on hand to help you get started.

Still not sure? Our knowledgeable team can answer any questions you may still have. We can also provide demos of Horizon so you can see what the service is like before making any decisions.

Contact us today on 0333 240 9100 or theteam@deepbluetelecom.co.uk

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VoIP – 9 reasons to make the change now

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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. Ifyou’re not sure whether you are ready to take the plunge with VoIP, here are 9 reasons that might persuade you that now is the time to make the change:

Flexibility

Freedom from fixed lines!

freedom, work anywhere, VoIP

Freedom from fixed lines

Take your numbers with you if you move site with no delays: simply uplift your equipment from one location and connect it in another. Choose your number; select the area code you want to use, set up blocks of numbers, add additional numbers whenever you need them.

Manage more than one business? Control all your calls from one place. Set up numbers and call plans for targeted campaigns and special promotions to track call volumes. Manage calls for your London sales office, your Leeds tech team and your Manchester warehouse all from one online portal.

Managed Transfer

With full training included as part of your setup, Deep Blue make sure that you hit the ground running when you switch to a VoIP system.

Pre-build and test set ups allow you to get your call plans in place before your numbers move. With options to have your telephone numbers migrated at fixed time slots or even out of hours, impact to your business is minimised.

Growth

Fully scalable solutions.

Systems that are designed to grow with your business. Get new staff set up quickly and easily. Adapt your call routing to suit your needs. Move users in and out of hunt groups with a few clicks to manage busy periods and promotions.

Security

Happy creative team making high five in office.Business,people and teamwork concept.

Concentrate on growing your business with the peace of mind that comes from a secure, feature rich VoIP solution.

Built in peace of mind.

Built in fraud protection monitors your call volumes 24 hours a day to keep you safe from potential fraud. Sending out alerts and even automatically applying call barring, it limits your exposure should the worst happen. Multi-layer security protocols and compulsory passcodes close off the hackers most common routes of access.

Features

With a range of features available, even on entry level setups, VoIP solutions from Deep Blue offer so much more. You can build call plans, create Hunt Groups, even create your own auto attendant. As your business grows, so too can your telephony. Call queue features and wall board integration make building your own call centre a breeze.

Need to be MiFID II compliant? No problem! Feature rich call recording keeps your customers and business safe.

By taking advantage of the option to self-manage you can control all your telephony functions in house. No more waiting around for engineers and call out charges.

Continuity

Get disaster recovery that kicks in automatically, rerouting your calls to keep you up and running. No need to rely on the local exchange or your onsite system to divert your calls.

Send calls to mobiles or alternative phone numbers. Change your voicemail message from your mobile or home phone to keep customers informed. Get new equipment delivered the next working day*.

Mobility

work from home, VoIP

Work from home

Free yourself from the desk.

Set up home workers with their own handsets so they can work as if they were in the office. Use desktop soft clients and mobile apps to make and receive calls wherever you are. Ma

nage your DDi with just a few clicks.

Your workplace is wherever you want it to be.

Cost

If your business grows faster than you expect and you need to increase your call capacity, traditional setups like ISDN can throw up all kinds of unexpected costs. Relying on Openreach to install, there are both activation and engineering charges which can quickly mount up. And that’s before you even get into the time costs.

With VoIP solutions from Deep Blue there are no activation fees for new SIP trunks and if you have a compatible set up, they can be up and running in a matter of minutes.

Withdrawal of the PSTN

Things are changing.

VoIP handset

Things are changing!

From 2023, Openreach will stop selling ISDN lines and from December 2025 it is their intention to fully withdraw the PSTN network: ISDN included.

While that gives businesses plenty of time to make the change, when you consider that 16 million lines and channels will need to be migrated to alternative products it’s worth start

ing to look at other options sooner rather than later. That being said, there is no need to panic or rush to make the change (as some providers would have you believe!).

Our article ISDN withdrawal – the key questions answered has more information about the withdrawal and it’s potential impact.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*When ordered before 2pm, subject to conditions.