Reasons for using Superfast Broadband in Business

2. What benefits might I expect?

• Profit margins: Reduced outgoings, improved communication speed and greater customer engagement can lead to increased profit margins.

• Staff productivity: Cloud-based applications allow off-site staff to update information in real time rather than having to come back into the office.

• Cost savings: Reduce capital costs by using cloud computing services; replace servers with cloud-based storage and scale up and down as required.

• Efficiency: Faster broadband provides a more reliable and stable platform so multiple users can share the same service connection without slowing down.

• Customer loyalty: Increase customer retention using cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and social media platforms to build relationships. 

• Customer service: You can also use CRM reports and analysis to plan marketing campaigns and deliver enhanced customer support and services.

• Protect assets: Pick cloud-based packages that automatically fix software bugs to reduce security issues and limit downtime from mandatory upgrades.

• Data back-up: Reduce the risk of losing your customer, product and commercial data with cloud-based automated data back-ups.

• Environmental responsibility: Swap face to face with virtual meetings to reduce fuel consumption and win back unproductive travel time.

• Energy costs: Exchanging virtual servers and cloud computing services means less need for energy-hungry servers at every office.

3. Real life example

A Newtown-based civil engineering, construction and groundworks firm has set itself on a path to growth by making a significant investment in new digital IT systems and infrastructure. The implementation of new technology has enabled EvaBuild to forecast 20% year-on-year growth for the next 3 years.

“Since the IT roll-out we have increased overall productivity by 50% and completely eradicated the delays that used to occur while our teams waited for information gained from site visits, surveys and audits carried out across the UK,” says project manager Rhys Jeremiah.

• The business uses Building Information Modelling (BIM) software with intelligent 3D modelling to work collaboratively with building designers and other contractors on complex projects.

• It introduced Office 365 software across the business so staff have remote access and document-sharing capabilities when they were working away from the office.

• Its own Network-Attached Storage (NAS) facility has created additional capacity for data storage in the cloud.This allows key personnel to access business-critical software, wherever they are in the country.

4. Where and when can I get superfast broadband?

Superfast Cymru is presently working hard to ensure that everyone gets as fast a speed as possible given their geographical location.

You can find out if you can get Superfast Broadband or when it will be available in your area by visiting:

www.superfast-cymru.com/where-and-when

Also, if you want to check what you have already, you can test your broadband speed using the following online tool at no cost:

http://www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk/

5. How should I select my Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Your ISP is the company providing the link that connects you to the internet. Whilst they essentially provide the same basic service, providers can be significantly different in terms of their speed, reliability, website hosting and quality of their customer service support.  

Exactly what you require of the ISP depends on how your business plans to use the internet. Compare prices, service level agreements, and coverage. And then evaluate what your business needs are now and in the future. If they are going to significantly differ, remember to check the contract lock-in. We recommend you do your research, both online and by reading customer reviews. Best of all, ask other businesses you know and trust for their experiences with their ISP.

6. Why is bandwidth important?

Bandwidth refers to the amount of information that a connection to the internet can handle in a given time, and the higher it is the faster files are sent and received and the quicker web pages load. It is measured in megabits per second and is often abbreviated to Mbps.

How important bandwidth is to you depends on how you plan to use the internet. If you are mostly just sending emails and reading web pages, any ISP will provide sufficient bandwidth for those activities.  However, if you are using online video a lot or sending and receiving large files, it can become a significant issue.

More and more business activities are moving to multimedia online environments; a simple example is that web-based video conferences are replacing physical meetings.  It is worth noting that nearly every business is generating more digital data every year. These factors mean that your bandwidth requirements will almost inevitably increase.

7. What should I be considering?

• Remember that over time your business internet use and bandwidth requirements will probably increase. Ensure that any agreement you set up with an ISP can meet your business needs now AND in the future.

• Take performance figures with a pinch of salt. Recognise that the figures quoted by an ISP are usually best-case scenarios, so don’t be afraid to ask what bandwidth customers really get on average.

• Don’t select an ISP on price alone. Consider what your business could lose if a cheap, but low-quality, ISP left you without an internet connection for 24 hours.

• Watch out for usage limits. Some ISPs may impose limits on the amount of data you can upload or download in a given time period, so ensure that these are significantly higher than your expected usage levels if you plan to go with such an ISP.

• Don’t get dazzled by uptime numbers. 99% uptime may sound great but this equates to more than 3 days’ downtime in a year.

• Focus on your current and anticipated needs. Don’t get distracted by irrelevant features.

8. What are the quick wins with superfast broadband?

Running your business

These days there is no longer the need to purchase and install memory eating software onto office PCs. Most suppliers offer cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions that allow companies to pay-as-you-go so you can reduce the high costs of running a business. You can also increase or decrease the number of licenses you require so pick and choose functionality to suit your needs and price point. As these packages are cloud-based, pre-selected employees can access them from anywhere, which means off site staff can complete the paper work, for a sale, for example whilst the deal is hot.

Communication costs

A reliable internet connection gives businesses the option of making low cost phone calls as well as to set up and attend video conferences. Voice over IP (VoIP) offers huge savings to annual phone bills, cuts down on travel and accommodation costs, and minimises unproductive travel time. As long as you have access to a device with a robust internet connection you can access VoIP. Some businesses set up VoIP on their desk phones, desk top, laptop and mobiles to reduce their call out costs.

Secure data storage

With superfast broadband you have reliable access to cloud storage solutions that reduce the need for buying and maintaining expensive servers and building in redundancy and security options. Because of the new GDPR rules, you will need to ask your ISP where they store ‘personally identifiable data’, including their back up, and a safe option is to choose one that stores data within the EU. Many companies choose a cloud or hybrid solution because you only purchase the storage space you need and capacity can be increased easily and quickly. 

Security back-up

It is always worth bearing in mind that the more we rely on digital communication, the more we are at risk from cyber-attack. Preventative actions not only lowers the risk of data and financial loss, it protects your customers and defends your reputation. There are many low cost automated data back-up solutions which can give you the peace of mind that, in the event of a cyber-attack or systems failure, your essential business data is secure and easily recoverable. 

9. Recommended action points and tips

Be prepared: it’s not only about the technology.

The real difference is how technology can improve the way you do business. Even before installing Superfast Broadband, you should be planning how to make the most of it. To understand how to make the most of Superfast Broadband and cloud technologies for your business, visit our website:

 www.business.wales.gov.uk/superfastbusinesswales

• Research the cloud: Discover and compare services that can upgrade your capability or save you money across your new, reliable connection.

• Act now to enable Superfast Broadband: Your existing broadband service will remain in place unless you upgrade to a Superfast Broadband package.

• Check out your existing computer installation: Whilst your computer equipment may connect to Superfast Broadband, it could need upgrading to make best use of the additional data flow.

• Consider moving telephones on to VoIP: Evaluate the costs of your communication and the savings you might make.

• Have a flexible working policy: Flexible working can improve productivity in some business types, as well as increasing your potential for diversity and making more space in your offices for expansion.

• Monitor benefits: Measure your productivity before installation to ensure that you can measure and understand the effects of the new connectivity.

• Continue to monitor the market and your business: As your needs change and the technology continues to improve, ensure you know whether you will benefit from changes in suppliers or technology.

10. Additional information

Use the Superfast Business Wales software directory to explore the software that could help you run your business.

Register to attend a fully-funded Superfast Business Wales workshop.

At the workshop, make an appointment to see a Business Adviser who will help you create a digital action plan to grow your business.