How can the telecoms industry help businesses stay adaptable to the future of office working?

It’s been over a year since much of the world made the abrupt shift to working from home. With hopes of lockdown restrictions lifting over the coming months, businesses are beginning to think about what the future means for their work environment. How can you ensure that your business continues to be adaptable regardless of what the future of work looks like?

From financial services to law firms, working from home has been embraced across a variety of industries. Despite numerous challenges from slow internet speeds to Zoom call disruptions, organisations are beginning to see the benefits of remote working and it’s looking like it’s here to stay.

At the heart of a thriving business is having the correct tools to ensure that the business runs smoothly. Even though working from home has only gained prominence over the last year, its practice was already embraced in the telecoms industry. For example, Vodafone has had a step ahead on this work practice for years, acting as the perfect example of an organisation who has trailblazed the way for flexible working by providing their employees with the resources to do so.

A key example is the trusty office telephone and its role in ensuring that customers, staff, business partners and more stay connected. But with the office currently closed in favour of the kitchen table desk, it’s important that its role in ensuring smooth communication for businesses remains, both internally and externally.

Making the switch to cloud-based phone service VoIP (Voice over IP) offers a seamless way to ensure that no important call goes unanswered. As a cloud-based service, geographical numbers are no longer restricted to specific cities, meaning that regardless of staff location, all numbers are routed to a user in one city. Whether your business is based in Cardiff but have multiple branches across the country, all numbers are routed to one central location for a cohesive company network.

Through VoIP, calls can be answered anywhere. No longer routed over traditional copper, a landline number can be answered from anywhere in the world providing they have a broadband connection.

Users are also not limited to working in one environment - this system allows for out of office functionality through the use of an app that can be accessed by your team regardless of their device and location. This is perfect for a hybrid work model where you can have a desk phone in the office, an app on your mobile when out and about, as well as software on your PC to answer calls. All can ring at the same time meaning that you can answer on the device that suits whatever working environment you’re in for the day.

With the shut off date of the circuit-switched telephone network system ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network) in 2025 looming closer and closer, VoIP and its benefits are being embraced by businesses across the country and your company can too.

Whether your business is leaning towards a ‘hybrid’ working model that allows both at home and office working, strictly remote, or strictly in the office, there are measures you can take to ensure that your business stays adaptable and efficient. Now is the time to revaluate your working model and take on new ways your business can stay on top of post-Covid changes.

Blend’s expert team can provide you with helpful advice suited for your company’s needs, whether you’re making the switch to VoIP or needing some guidance on how to ensure that your company is able to adapt to whatever the future of work looks like for you and your business.

For more information on how you could upgrade your business phone system to the cloud and embrace working from anywhere, and at the best price ring 02920 456 789.

Post by Jay Birch – Blend telecom’s MD