Boxx Communications Ltd

Simplifying telecommunications for businesses large and small!

Cloud & IT

Why you should consider using Teams as a phone system

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Efficiency, productivity, collaboration. Three golden words at the heart of every business. The ISDN and PSDN switch-off is looming, and by 2025, businesses across the UK will need to have migrated to a cloud-based phone system. 

That’s where Teams comes in. Businesses are now able to harness the reliability of Microsoft 365, whilst upgrading their phone system to the cloud. How? With a Teams phone system licence.  

We’re going to talk you through how it works, why you should consider it, and the benefits it can bring to your business.  

Teams as a phone system

Imagine all your communication tools being managed on one screen and being able to access your phone system from anywhere on any device. Well, that’s what you get when you use Microsoft Teams as a phone system. 

As a cloud-based business phone system it offers convenience and timesaving all rolled into one, easy package. By combining all the features of your Teams subscription with the features of a traditional landline, users can make, receive, and transfer calls effortlessly.

We have another blog that talks about the key features of using Teams as a phone service here. Now let’s dive in to see how Teams excels as an alternative to a traditional on-premise phone system. 

6 reasons to use Teams as a phone system

Many businesses are using Teams as a phone system and there’s plenty of reasons why. Not only does it match the features of your traditional phone system, but it offers additional upgrades and advantages. We’ve put together the top 6 reasons why you should consider making Teams your VoIP solution.

1.     Quick to rollout 

90% of businesses in the UK are already using Microsoft Teams. If your workforce is already familiar with the Teams software, you’ll save valuable company time on training.

2.     Great user experience 

Teams keeps your files at your fingertips, allowing you to access all your data and collaboration tools on any device. By using Microsoft Teams as a phone system, communication processes, such as scheduling & meeting tools, and call handling features, become fuss-free and seamless.

3.     Work from anywhere

As long as there’s an internet connection, you’re ready to go. Remote and hybrid working models have become increasingly popular across UK businesses, and they’re not going anywhere. Businesses are evolving, and moving to a cloud phone system that works for your business needs, in tandem with the needs of your team is essential.

4.     Future-proof

By 2025, traditional phonelines will be obsolete with all businesses depending on a cloud-based system. Teams is the ideal choice when moving away from a traditional service. As a future-proof, scalable phone solution, Teams will grow with your business and weather the impact of the switch-off.

5.     No need for additional hardware, or software

A VoIP phone system, such as Teams, eliminates the need for all the hardware that comes with an analogue phone system. 

6.     Productivity and efficiency 

One screen, one application. There’s no need for a second app, simply use Teams to handle all your internal and external communications, no matter where you’re working from. This efficiency, combined with better voice call quality, provides the perfect environment to increase the productivity levels of your team.

Do you need a phone licence for Teams?

Let’s get to the nitty gritty: setting up a Teams phone system. It’s as easy as adding on a licence to your existing Teams subscription. With different licences to choose from, the setup is flexible. Depending on the Microsoft 365 licence you have, you can pick and choose which employees get which capabilities, depending on the needs of their role. 

Once setup, users can get a Microsoft Teams download for mobile, computer, or any internet-capable device.It really is flexible across the board. Speak to one of our specialists to discuss licencing.  

Additional benefits of Teams

Microsoft 365 continuously offers simple, creative ways for businesses to collaborate and communicate. With the Office suite, desktop applications, software features, and automatic updates, you can rely on Teams to evolve with you. Pair all this with a Teams phone system that integrates perfectly into your IT, and doing business gets that bit easier.  

A cloud phone solution will fall under the management of your IT provider, so you don’t need to lift a finger. Any queries or issues can be handled remotely, and quickly.

Let’s not forget about reliability. Cloud phone systems require internet connectivity, in contrast to the slow, patchy copper wire connection of a traditional phone line. What does this mean? Well, better call quality, and increased productivity. 

And the icing on the cake – data is safely handled via reliable, off-site servers.

Final thoughts

Having all your business communication in one place, accessible remotely, without hardware, all whilst being able to use Teams collaboration tools sounds like the ultimate phone system package. And it is. 

Merging your Teams subscription with an easy to configure, future-proof VoIP solution is a logical step. Microsoft Teams as a phone system is a customisable upgrade that brings your business into the new era of communications. 

Time is ticking to make the switch; you can trust Teams to take you seamlessly into the future of cloud communication technology. Find out more here.

How we’re providing FTTP to Milton Keynes

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You’re in the middle of a business video call when suddenly – your internet drops. Does this sound familiar? Without realising it, we’ve been conditioned to expect inconsistent connectivity. It’s out of your control, but begrudgingly accepted. 

The working landscape has evolved – remote and hybrid working is here to stay, and now more than ever, it’s essential that businesses have consistent speeds and reliable connectivity.

It’s good news for UK businesses, as networks continue to expand their FTTP connectivity upgrades across the UK. And here at Boxx, one of the ways in which we’re championing this effort is by partnering with CityFibre, with the goal of bringing more fibre broadband options to our Milton Keynes customers.

How does FTTP work differently to other connections? 

FTTP (fibre to the premises) is a level up from FTTC (fibre to the cabinet). To explain how, let’s quickly recap how FTTC works. With FTTC, you get a fibre cable from the exchange to the green roadside cabinet. From there, it’s a copper wire from the cabinet to your premises. 

FTTP is an upgrade because it’s all fibre – from the exchange to the cabinet, and from there to your premises (hence the name!) This is why you’ll sometimes hear people call it full-fibre broadband. The important detail is that fibre cables send data much faster and more reliably than copper ones. 

So, FTTP has some major benefits. It offers faster internet speeds, with a lot less chance of noticeable slowdowns. Meanwhile, it’s futureproof. The UK’s copper PSTN network is being switched off, and should be fully deactivated by 2025. With a full-fibre connection, you’re getting ahead of that.  

Does FTTP offer gigabit-capable broadband? 

Yes! FTTP does allow for gigabit-capable broadband. When talking about gigabit-capable broadband, we’re referring to speeds of at least 1 gigabit-per-second. It gets a bit technical, but essentially, you could download an entire HD movie in 60 seconds. 

Is FTTP available in Milton Keynes?

Yes, FTTP is available in Milton Keynes. Providers like CityFibre have been busy installing the infrastructure across the UK, and Milton Keynes is their flagship city. With BT FTTP all over, that means MK is quite far ahead of many parts of the country.

FTTP isn’t available in every part of Milton Keynes, but that’s changing. Unsure if it’s available in your part of the city? Get in touch! Here at Boxx, we’re proud to be CityFibre City Champions for Milton Keynes. We’d like to think that marks us as experts on what’s available, and what’s best for our Milton Keynes customers. 

What does Boxx’s partnership with CityFibre mean for Milton Keynes?

Our goal is to bring the best connectivity solutions, at the best value to businesses in Milton Keynes and the surrounding area. 

We have been delivering high bandwidth solution to big customers for years, and now we can provide FTTP there is a solution for everyone from single employee owner run businesses to large corporates and everything in between. 

CityFibre’s ‘FTTP for Business’ product uses CityFibre’s revolutionary full fibre network. This connectivity solution offers unlimited usage, a gigabit-capable connection, and different bandwidth options. 

We’re excited to partner with a network that will not only provide top of the line broadband in Milton Keynes, but exceptional VoIP call quality for remote business communications. CityFibre offer an end-to-end fibre connection, at affordable pricing. 

The importance of strong business broadband in a digitally evolving world

We rely heavily on internet in our day to day lives, and that’s only set to increase. As the UK becomes more digitalised, businesses need to have sustained internet and upload/download speeds to function effectively. 

It’s not only important for staying competitive in your industry, but it’s also essential for productivity. If your connectivity setup is impacting your employees’ ability to get tasks done, this directly affects your company’s output.

You may be a data-hungry film company that needs secure, fast, consistent upload connection. Or you may be a community service needing quick access to patient files and data. 

Regardless, time is money. But it’s not just about productivity, it’s about facilitating strong communication tools to stay connected with clients, co-workers, and suppliers in a digitally led society.

 

How we can help you harness the future of FTTP 

Fibre is the future. And once rolled out across the whole country, there will be lots of new options, tiers, and packages to navigate.

Here at Boxx, we make this easy. We’re here to help onboard you to full fibre and guide you through the process of choosing a network and installing a service that’s right for your business. 

How do we do this? Well, we aren’t tied to any network operator. Our customers now receive broadband connectivity quotes for all the major networks, BT, TalkTalk, Vodafone and CityFibre and more. This maximises coverage and expands your options. One call to Boxx, and you can get access to any of the networks available in your location.

Final thoughts

UK broadband is going through a transformation. And as networks raise their broadband game, it’s time for you to raise your expectations. Soon, the new norm will be a better standard of connectivity not just in Milton Keynes, but across all regions of the UK.

We’re passionate about helping local businesses navigate the ever-evolving world of broadband connectivity. We believe in the future of FTTP capability for all organisations, big or small, and are proud to offer a multi-quote service to find the right solution for you.

If you’re a Milton Keynes business and you’d like to find out more, discuss your broadband package, or help with future proofing your business’s connectivity, get in touch.

A guide to internet connectivity for Milton Keynes businesses

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Guide to business connectivity for Milton Keynes businesses

Milton Keynes is home to an amazing diversity of businesses. And whatever their sector and size, they all need a strong internet connection. We love helping businesses across Milton Keynes find the perfect connectivity solution for their individual needs.

The challenge is figuring out what type of connection is best. There’s such an array of choice and providers that it can start to get overwhelming.

Full-fibre broadband connections like FTTP are widely available in Milton Keynes now. But is that actually right for your business? There’s a lot to consider, and that’s where we can help. Boxx Communications are proud to be a Milton Keynes business, and we support other businesses throughout the city.

We know the options, and we know how to tailor them to you. Are you considering changing the way you connect? The first step is knowing what types of connectivity are available. With that in mind, here’s our rundown of some of the most popular internet solutions, and how we’ve successfully onboarded multiple Milton Keynes businesses to these connections.

1.    Leased lines

We’re starting with a premium option. A leased line is an Ethernet connection that goes straight to your premises. Unlike broadband connections, leased lines are uncontended. 

What that means is that you’re not sharing bandwidth with anyone else. It’s your own private connection. That means guaranteed speeds and higher security. You can get speeds of up to 10Gbps. And yes, they’re available in Milton Keynes! 

Who are leased lines for? The obvious answer is larger businesses. If you have a large number of users connected to the internet at any one time, you need to make sure you have enough bandwidth for them. Otherwise, everything you do online will be slowed down. 

It’s not just big businesses though. For instance, leased lines are great for anyone who regularly uploads and downloads very large files. Let’s say you’re a video production company. Chances are you’re regularly transferring huge files. This will be a lot quicker on a leased line. 

They’re also good for shared office spaces, where you need to provide a reliable connection to lots of different businesses and freelancers. 

However, leased lines are generally more expensive than most other options. You need to be sure that you need all those benefits to justify the price. Want to learn more? We delve into the pros and cons of leased lines here.

2.    Ethernet Flex 

Here’s a scenario. Mostly, your internet usage is pretty stable. But sometimes, your need for speed and bandwidth suddenly shoots up. This is a common issue, and it poses a dilemma. 

Option one is to go for a connection that meets your normal needs. Then in those busier times, your bandwidth is choked and it slows down for everyone. Option two is to get a connection that covers the busier times. The trouble here is that most of the time, you’re overpaying. 

That’s where Ethernet Flex comes in. It’s a standard connection with the capability to boost your internet speed, on the fly, from 200Mbps to 1Gbps. It’s completely automatic. Whenever you need it, it kicks in – with no need to request it, and no extra charge.

For those needing a flexible approach, Ethernet Flex could be your knight in shining armour. Here at Boxx, we monitor the performance of the speeds to ensure you’re receiving the necessary boost when you need it. 

If you want to see this broadband type in action, check out our case study on how we provided Ethernet Flex to Fossil Watches in Milton Keynes.

3.    FTTP 

FTTP stand for fibre to the premises. This is a form of full fibre broadband. That means it’s fibre-optic cables all the way: from the exchange, via the green cabinet, to your premises. 

Unlike leased lines, it’s a contended connection. That means it’s shared with other users, so speeds aren’t guaranteed and can reduce during busy periods. Still, it’s a great way to connect. Speeds can reach 1Gbps, which is more than enough for many businesses. 

That’s thanks to the fibre cables. Fibre carries data much faster than the copper PSTN wires that make up the UK’s legacy infrastructure. In addition, that PSTN infrastructure is being phased out across the country. By 2025, it should all be gone. 

Since FTTP doesn’t rely on PSTN, it’s futureproof too. It’s also available in many parts of Milton Keynes. Three networks are providing it in total, and they each have different levels of coverage across the city. 

Here at Boxx, we can provide FTTP via all of them. That means we can offer more coverage at the fairest price. If you’re a Milton Keynes business looking for full-fibre broadband, get in touch!

4.    SoGEA

Another full-fibre option is SoGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access). SoGEA is a service that provides broadband connectivity without the phone line.

In case you’re wondering, you can still make calls. You’d just be routing them online. If you already have a VoIP phone system, you’re doing this already! The lack of a phone line is a real benefit, because it reduces the cost and complexity of installation. 

SoGEA is really a replacement for FTTC, which we’ll be discussing next. Unlike FTTC, it doesn’t require PSTN wires. That makes it futureproof, and it also tends to offer better speeds and bandwidth than FTTC. 

It’s less expensive than the options we’ve discussed so far as well. This makes it a great option for smaller business that don’t need the performance levels offered by leased lines or FTTP.

5.    FTTC

FTTC (fibre to the cabinet) uses a mix of fibre and copper cables. It’s fibre from the exchange to the green cabinet, and then copper from there to your premises. 

There are upsides and downsides here. FTTC is great for less data-hungry businesses, and the presence of fibre makes it much faster than an all copper connection. It’s also widely available, with good coverage across Milton Keynes. 

But, like we’ve mentioned, those copper cables will be decommissioned by 2025. That means it isn’t futureproof. On top of that, it’s more prone to slow-downs than FTTP. They’re both contended connections, but that makes a bigger difference with FTTC due to the copper cables. Speeds can slow down at busy times of day.

6.    ADSL

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is full copper broadband and is the predecessor to fibre broadband. It was a game-changer when it launched back in 2000 – just ask anyone who remembers dial-up! 

However, technology moves on. ADSL is all copper, which means it’s being phased out. It’s still available for now, and it will enable you to do the basics like browsing the internet and managing emails. 

Still, most businesses in Milton Keynes need a lot more out of the internet than that. We’re in the age of cloud services, video calls and the internet of things. ADSL just isn’t built for it. 

We’ve helped countless Milton Keynes businesses transition to a more future-proof connectivity solution. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the options, we’re here to make it easy. Contact us here.

Final thoughts

Working out what connectivity solution is right for you means asking what the needs of your business are, and how these might scale over time. That’s something we can help answer.

We’re proud to be based in Milton Keynes, helping businesses in our community to thrive in a digital age. But not only do we have the expertise to help – we are also not tied to any one network. One call to us, and we can quote for any service available to you in your area. This means more coverage across multiple postcodes.

Contact us now to get expert advice and help with deciding the best solution for your connectivity needs. 

Introducing Teams as a Phone System

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Can I Get Business Broadband At Home?

Business communication has changed a lot since COVID. Remote working has been normalised – and with it, the video call and instant messaging services to keep everyone connected. 

Since then, Microsoft Teams has become the UK’s most popular platform for those services. But at the same time, the phone system is a fundamental part of any business, especially for customer contact. 

The result? Countless UK businesses use Teams for video calls and instant messaging, and a phone system for everything else. Well, what if we told you we can combine the two? Introducing: Teams as a Phone System from Boxx!

 

What is Teams as a Phone System? 

Teams as a Phone System combines the features of a phone system and Microsoft Teams, all on the Teams interface. So, that means video calls and instant messaging, alongside high-quality voice calls. 

Sounds simple, but this offers so much time-saving and convenience. All your internal and external business communication is managed on one screen. And you can access it from anywhere on any device, just like Teams – whether you’re using the mobile, desktop or web app. 

In one fell swoop, Teams as a Phone System covers customer contact, collaboration and hybrid work. Let’s look at it in more detail!

 

Teams as a Phone System – our top four features

There are so many great features of Teams as a Phone System. These are our top four that really stand out.

 

1.     Unified communications over the cloud

At first glance, unified communications (UC) is just another piece of telecoms jargon. But what it describes is very useful. Essentially, UC is just all your business communications channels in one place. That means voice, video and instant messaging. 

The benefit is that this is just very convenient. There’s no flicking between different screens for different methods of communication. And because it’s hosted on the cloud, you can log in and use it from anywhere. Whether it’s video meetings or handling customer calls, your team can do it all in the office, at home or on the go.

 

2.     Softphone 

More telecoms jargon – but again, this is very useful. A softphone delivers the functionality of a phone over software (in this case, the software is MS Teams). That means you can make, receive and transfer calls on your laptop or desktop. 

This can be a big cost saver, because it allows you to cut back on physical desk phones. It can even save time, especially for people whose work revolves around their laptop or desktop. You can click to call instead of manually dialling numbers. 

As for inbound calls, you don’t need to interrupt your work – the call just pops up on the screen, and you click to answer. These features shave a little time off every call. It may not sound a lot, but add it up over a long period and it’s a big efficiency boost!

 

3.     Advanced phone system features 

So, you’ve got video, voice and instant messaging over the cloud. But it’s also worth mentioning that Teams as a Phone System really lives up to its name. It’s got all the call handling features that you’d expect from a high-quality modern phone system. 

You can transfer, hold and add others to a call, for instance. It’s just that thanks to the softphone functionality we’ve discussed, you do this with a couple of clicks. So, not only does it offer advanced phone system features, but it makes them incredibly easy to use. 

The same is true when it comes to admin-level tasks. Routing calls and managing queues is exceptionally straightforward. And if you require contact centre tools like call recording and analytics, we can provide them.

 

4.     Presence 

This is such a small detail, but it helps so much. Everyone in your team will have a live “presence” setting that indicates their availability in real time. This is particularly useful in hybrid working environments. 

Let’s say that somebody wants to talk to one of your colleagues, but they’re working elsewhere. It’s simple – you just find that contact and check their presence. If they’re unavailable, you can see immediately. If they’re available, you can transfer the call in a couple of clicks. 

This allows you to manage calls quickly, easily and confidently, whatever your business and however spread your team is geographically.

 

How do I set up Teams as a Phone System? 

There are many ways of doing this. Your first port of call: get in touch with Boxx! We’ll talk through your business, your needs and what phone system you’re using. From there, we’ll make our recommendation. As for installation, we make it seamless, from installation and configuration to training you in all the new features. 

We are big fans of Teams as a Phone System here at Boxx Communications. You get the amazing collaboration features of Microsoft Teams, along with high-quality phone system features. Want to learn more about Teams as a Phone System? Get in touch today!

 

VoIP phone systems for small businesses – everything you need to know

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Boxx - VoIP phone systems for small businesses - everything you need to know

VoIP phone systems for small businesses – everything you need to know. 

Small businesses are 58% more likely to have a phone system as their primary communication tool, making it even more important to have a phone system which is reliable, modern, and cost-effective.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems are the perfect solution for small businesses. It comes with a whole host of features and benefits that help small businesses to improve productivity and cut down on their phone bills.

Boxx have helped Milton Keynes businesses of all sizes make the switch to a VoIP phone system and are experts in tailoring solutions to meet the needs of your business.

We wanted to write this article to specifically showcase all you need to know about VoIP phone systems and why they work for small businesses.

What is VoIP?

“VoIP” stands for “voice over internet protocol” – which pretty much translates as “phone calls over the internet”. It’s worth comparing with the traditional way of making calls. 

Prior to VoIP, calls were made using phone lines. What that means is either PSTN (copper wires) or ISDN (a digital upgrade dating to the 1980s). But there’s a problem with these: they’re being switched off. 

By 2025, BT plans to have decommissioned the UK’s entire infrastructure of PSTN and ISDN lines.  They served their purpose, but they’re outdated. 

The upside is that instead of investing in maintaining an old creaking network of copper wires, money is being spent on upgrading and maintaining fibre networks. So in place of ISDN, we’ll have a beefed-up fibre broadband capacity – which will support a new era of internet-based phones (and just about everything else!). 

This brings us back to VoIP. Among a host of other advantages, it’s futureproof – unlike PSTN and ISDN.  

How do you actually get VoIP?

There are two basic ways of delivering VoIP calls through a phone system: “hosted” and “on-premise”. Let’s unpack these.  

Hosted VoIP

Hosted VoIP basically means a cloud phone system. We call it “hosted” because it’s hosted in the cloud – in other words, on servers in data centres away from your site. 

Businesses are increasingly reliant on cloud services for all sorts of purposes, including communication. It’s no wonder – cloud is highly flexible, and pretty much endlessly scalable. We’re big advocates of cloud for that reason. 

With a cloud system, you can just log in and use it from anywhere. You don’t even need deskphones – you can make and take the calls on a laptop or desktop, or on a mobile app. And with us, you get unified communications. That means not just calls, but video and instant messaging in one place.

On-premise VoIP 

An on-premise phone system is as the name suggests – it’s hosted as hardware on your site. You can configure it to route calls online through a process called SIP trunking. 

Although you can get most of the same features as with a cloud system, on-premise is less flexible. However, if you don’t want to change your phone system yet, SIP trunking is a good stopgap to avoid being caught out by the ISDN/PSTN switch-off. 

At Boxx, we offer bespoke solutions to meet the needs of your business, from VoIP handsets, desktop software, mobile apps, or a mixture of all these. We will always recommend the solution that is right for your business.

Benefits of hosted VoIP for small businesses 

Upgraded phone system: With a hosted VoIP (AKA cloud) phone system from Boxx, you get a lot more than voice calls. Video and instant messaging are available on the same platform.

Cost savings: If you switch to VoIP, you can often save on call costs. PSTN and ISDN pricing is going up as the demand decreases and the cost to manage old technology goes up. 

High call quality: VoIP gives you crystal-clear calls if it’s set up properly and runs over a strong internet connection. To ensure this, you will need a good provider – like Boxx, for example! 

Simplicity: With ISDN and PSTN, you have to have phone lines and internet connectivity as two separate things. With VoIP, it’s all delivered over the internet. That means no more phone lines, and one less thing to worry about! 

Flexibility: A hosted VoIP system is delivered over the cloud. That means it’s accessible anywhere with an internet connection, including on laptops and mobiles. This makes it an ideal solution for the modern age of hybrid and remote working. 

Future-proofing: We’ve mentioned the ISDN/PSTN switch-off. Everyone will have to route calls online when it’s done. That’s what a hosted VoIP system will do! 

What internet speed do you need for VoIP? 

This is a big question. Without a doubt, all phone calls will be using up bandwidth – but in reality not very much. The key thing is stability, and ensuring that all those other things that depend on your internet connection don’t block up the line

You need enough bandwidth to cope with all the activity you do online, that’s going to have to include calls as well. There are lots of ways to approach this, but we would strongly recommend a provider that knows what they’re doing so they can give priority to calls and ensure that the network is properly configured for quality of services.

At Boxx, we’d look at your business, staff numbers and levels of online activity before tailoring a recommendation. Find out more about recommended internet speeds for small businesses here.

Come to Boxx

Boxx Communications have all the resources you need to make the change to VoIP.  We have years of experience working with businesses of all sizes, and we make the entire process simple and stress-free. Our friendly team can talk you through options suitable for you and get you on the path to saving money and modernising your phone systems.

Get in touch with one of the team today.

Accelerated move to a ‘Distributed Workforce’

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The unexpected events of 2020 turned into a transformational learning experience for us here at Boxx, which helped us accelerate our strategic plans faster and look to a remote-first future with real confidence.

Progressive approach

We had already been moving towards operating as a distributed workforce. We had the technology in place, so technically we were capable, but we weren't quite there culturally. We were happy with the team working from home on occasion and coming into the office 3-4 days a week, but ultimately, we felt compelled by the concept of distributing the workforce, and we aimed to be there by 2023.

At the beginning of last year, we were operating from a very nice suite of offices at Witan Studios in central Milton Keynes, and our team liked working there. It was easy to reach and a convenient place in which to host customer and partner meetings.

witan office

Then the Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent first lockdown came along, and that forced us all into working from home.

Making the change

We found it relatively easy to make the switch and indeed, as the months passed and with working from home encouraged throughout, we found that remote working really did work for us, our team and our customers.

Our staff had more flexibility and did not have to travel to the office every day. At the same time, they were still available and accessible. Our productivity was excellent, and we maintained our high standards of customer service throughout.

Moving forward

As a consequence, we decided to bring forward our plans to switch to more flexible working. Conveniently, our lease at Witan Studios was due to expire in November [2020], and we were intrigued by the new Spaces business centre, just a few minutes down the road. It has similar characteristics to our previous office, in that it is central, easy to reach and brilliantly designed for co-operative, collaborative working. But crucially, it gave us the ability to take that remote-first approach.

We have a small private office, a central point where our teams can meet and work, together or individually and if we need additional desks at any time, or to make use of a meeting room, Spaces can arrange that quickly.

Our people can choose where they want to work on different days – and they don't always have to plan that in advance. They can be more flexible, which allows them to juggle their responsibilities and commitments, while also being readily available and accessible when working—meeting the needs of both the business and our staff.

flexible working

Working together

There are many benefits to working in this more dynamic and distributed way. Wherever our team are working from, our staff can collaborate in virtual spaces, using tools such as Microsoft Teams – and that's what they do most of the time. It is much easier to bring together a group of individuals for an online meeting than to arrange a physical gathering.

But we also have a great central location and an excellent working environment that gives our people to a sense of unity and belonging – of being part of a strong team.

Unexpected benefits

We've also benefited unexpectedly by moving to the new office. Other businesses are operating from Spaces, and we've already found that we've been able to help them, and they have been able to help us. The move has thus expanded the pool of local talent on which we can draw.

unexpected benefits

Bolder and braver

Our accelerated move to a more distributed workforce has broken down the walls between us, our customers, and our partners. In this sense, the whole pandemic has been transformational. We were moving in this direction already, but the unexpected events of 2020 pushed us forward and made us bolder and braver. As a result, we've been able to advance much faster and with real certainty and confidence.

A good learning experience

It's been a perfect learning experience for the whole Boxx team. As communications and collaboration technologies make home and remote working more comfortable and more viable, we're ready and better-equipped than ever to help our customers to adopt more flexible working practices and transform their businesses in 2021.

Images Credit: All Things Business (2020)

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