Boxx Communications Ltd

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Out of the Boxx and into the future: Boxx become part of Focus Group

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As we near the end of 2023, there’s some big changes taking place over here at Boxx.  October has marked the start of an exciting future, and we are pleased to share that Boxx are now part of Focus Group, a leading provider of essential business technology.

About Focus Group

Focus Group, established in 2003, is proud to be one of the UK’s leading providers of essential business technology. With its vision of connecting communities and creating opportunities in a place that people love to work, Focus Group deliver innovative technology solutions, so its customers are free to focus all their energy on the important stuff. Like growing their business. 

Boxx joining Focus Group marks a further step in Focus Group’s progressive drive towards offering transformational solutions to businesses across the length and breadth of the UK, whilst delivering an unparalleled level of service, support and value to customers from an integrated network of regional hubs.

With a team of over 900 passionate experts. Focus Group provide over 27,000 businesses with an extensive range of the latest technology solutions across Telecoms, IT, Cyber Security, Connectivity, Mobile and Energy. 

Boxx and Focus Group

The decision to invest was underpinned by a strong pre-existing link between the two businesses, established back in 2018 when Focus Group purchased a customer base from Boxx. Since this point, a unique affinity between the two businesses has evolved which has undoubtably paved the way for a seamless integration.

At Boxx, we’re committed to growing the business organically, with a consultative & collaborative approach to sales. This is achieved by delivering service excellence, careful selection of suppliers and a pledge to continuous improvement.

Ralph Gilbert, Co-founder & Director at Focus Group said: “When the opportunity arose to acquire Boxx Communications, the decision was an easy one. Beyond their clear commitment to service excellence and an enviable organic growth trajectory, the team at Boxx are quite simply the nicest people in Telecoms! Our long-standing relationship and shared vision will no doubt provide the perfect springboard into exciting times together.”

Our CEO, Dean Burgin shared: “We’re very much looking forward to our future as part of the Focus Group family. Over the years, our rapport with Ralph, Chris and the wider team has matured into an important relationship for us and we had no doubt Focus would prove to be an ideal fit for the next stage in our journey. Our valued customers are set to benefit from an exceptional range of technological products and solutions while our dedicated team is looking towards a promising future.”

James Green, Co-founder at Boxx added: “Working with Focus Group for a second time, on what is naturally a huge step for Boxx, has been a genuine pleasure from start to finish. The team on all sides have moved incredibly fast, enabling us to complete the transaction in a way that has minimised impact on day-to-day operations. Our brilliant team in Milton Keynes fully intend to continue offering the equilibrium of small company service levels, equipped with big company possibilities.”

Which IT support services does my small business need?

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What would happen if you lost all your company data tomorrow? Do you have a backup ready? What about if your website went down and no one could place product orders, do you have a contingency plan?

From network performance to data backups, and as we enter a digitally saturated world, IT is part of the foundations of every business.

But does a small business need outsourced IT support? The answer is most likely – yes. So, let’s talk through what IT support is available, the benefits to small businesses, and how Boxx provide tailored IT support for SMEs.

What do IT providers offer and what does that look like for businesses?

The two main types of IT support available to businesses, fully managed and co-managed, offer different levels of remote support for businesses of all sizes. A fully managed service handles all aspects of a business’s IT, from maintenance and security to management and performance.

In contrast, a co-managed service blends an outsourced MSP with any in-house IT function. The responsibility of the IT support is therefore split between the MSP and any IT employees working within the company. Often, the outsourced IT provider will oversee the wider IT infrastructure, with the in-house team managing more day-to-day IT ticket requests.

No matter which setup a business chooses, the services available from third-party IT providers keeps the status of your IT healthy. These include network management and security, IT infrastructure maintenance, hardware and repairs, and ongoing troubleshooting and technical support.


What are the benefits of IT support for a small business?

Small businesses especially benefit from outsourcing their IT to a third-party provider, and with Boxx, the package can be tailored to suit your individual needs and requirements.

Cybersecurity & protection


The impact of a cybersecurity breach can be devastating. An IT provider will set up firewalls and protective measures to safeguard your business and your data. This peace of mind is invaluable, as the impact of a breach can severely damage company reputation, relationships with clients, and finances.

Small businesses are just as responsible for data protection and GDPR compliance as larger business are. Cybersecurity is a defence against data theft, but IT providers can handle backups, which protect companies against data loss.

Reduced downtime

The role of an MSP is also to monitor your network, troubleshooting problems, and to fix any technical issues as they arise. This will reduce downtime in the event an IT fault occurs, such as system failure, or your website going down. This saves your small business valuable time and money.

Cost saving

Outsourcing your IT needs to a third-party is often more cost-effective than salaries and all the associated costs that come with them, including the spend investment on training.

Increased productivity


Speaking of costs, time is money, and any service that increases productivity and efficiency is a worthwhile investment for any small business. Managed IT support reduces downtime in the event of an issue, but also means your team resolves queries quickly, saving company time and resource.

Expertise

When you choose to invest in a managed IT support provider, you benefit from their expertise and knowledge. From software updates to data recovery, IT can get complex and overwhelming. By leaving it to the professionals, you have a valuable resource that allows you to focus on running your business.

Scalable 

IT support services scale with your business as it grows.


How do I decide what IT support service is right for my small business?

Start by taking a close look at your business and deciding your priorities, your compliance responsibilities, and any future company goals, such as expansion.

Next, decide what IT services you think would benefit your setup. For example, if you handle lots of employee or client data, you’ll want to consider an IT provider that has strong cybersecurity infrastructure. Or perhaps you’re a small digital company that needs cloud services and cloud protection. At Boxx, our managed services extend to cloud communication, which is something that’s beneficial for businesses of any size.

You may be a small company that just needs some simple help desk support to make sure you’re always operational. Whatever the unique IT demands of your business, Boxx can help. Check out our website for more information.


Why choose IT support from Boxx?

Here at Boxx, we understand that IT can be a confusing rabbit hole. It’s an important function within any business, and no matter what level of support you require, you need a provider that can assist you with IT and communications as a package.

With our IT support service, our experts know their craft. We help small businesses with a range of IT setups, and we react quickly in the event of a technical fault.

Our cloud solutions and unified communication tools, such as Microsoft 365 and Teams, promote productivity and collaboration for small business, supporting remote or hybrid employees to connect, collaborate, and harness productivity.

We provide network monitoring software to help monitor performance and install firewalls, which increase business security. For a fast, resilient data backup, look no further than Boxx. Encryption and automatic updates mean you sleep soundly knowing your data is in safe hands.


Final thoughts 

The IT support needs of a business are unique to their industry, company size, in-house IT resource, budget, and employee working setup.

No matter what level of support you need, the benefits of an IT provider will usually outweigh the cost for most small enterprises. This is especially true as businesses become more vulnerable to cyber-crime, and SMEs are no less vulnerable to this threat than larger companies.

For a secure, productivity-boosting solution that offers peace of mind and a wide range of IT and cloud services, speak to Boxx. We’re experts in our field, creating bespoke MSP packages for small businesses. Contact us to see what IT support is right for you.

Make the most out of your business mobiles

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In today’s fast-paced business world, mobile technology is indispensable, and business mobiles have evolved significantly over the years, transforming from simple communication tools into powerful productivity enhancers.

Smartphones have revolutionised the way we work and according to recent statistics, more than 3.6 billion people use smartphones globally. At the start of 2022, there were 71.8 million mobile connections in the UK, an increase of 3.8% from 2021. This is most likely down to the fact that more people have more than one connection registered to them, e.g. one for work and one for personal.

Mobiles really have become the lifeline for many businesses, enabling employees to stay connected and productive no matter their location. So, how do you make the most out of mobiles in the business environment?

The advantages of business mobiles

Mobiles have become a steady presence in the workplace, and for good reason. The pandemic woke people up to the benefits of mobilising the workforce. Not only did employees realise the benefits of an improved work/life balance but employers also realised that a remote team could offer significant benefits.

Having business mobiles as part of the wider business technology inventory allows organisations to experience a range of advantages, including:

  • Flexibility – businesses can look to recruit from further afield, and employees and employers can create working patterns to suit them.
  • Improved communications – mobiles allow employees to be contactable wherever they are and have access to the same communication tools as though they’re in the office.
  • Productivity and efficiency – employee workflow is uninterrupted, and productivity is maintained when staff have access to everything they need via their business mobile.

What employees want

Expectations from employees have changed, they are no longer satisfied with basic communication features and tools. Employees need the right tools to be able to multitask, work on the go and keep up with demanding, fast paced workloads. 

Employees, particularly on the go or remote ones, need seamless access to their emails, calendars, and collaboration tools.

What employers want

So, we’ve touched upon what employees might expect, but what about employers? Employers obviously seek to meet the needs of their employees whilst providing excellent customer service. But they will also be thinking about the costs, management, and security risks that will be incurred when managing a mobile workforce.

Business mobiles aren’t as simple as just handing out devices to the team. Organisations need to be able to manage these devices, ensure they’re secure, and be able to track their expenses effectively.

The benefits of working with Boxx

To make the most out of your business mobiles, it pays to work with someone like Boxx. From networks and handsets to plans and bolt ons, we have all the tools and support businesses need for their business mobiles.

We work with all the major UK networks including EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three to ensure you can select a network and plan that’s most suited to your business.

When it comes to plans, controlling costs is important, and we understand that no business wants unexpected charges landing in their inbox at the end of the month. That’s why on average, our plans can cover a 10-day break outside of Europe before charges kick in. What’s even better is, we’re always at the end of the phone to adjust your packages as needed, we can amend your allowance in advance of any plans your team have coming up. (Ts & Cs apply)

Pricing and support

At Boxx, our SIM-only plans can help your business stay a step ahead. We have access to the latest mobile technology and services to give your business the competitive edge.

Whether you’re a startup or a large enterprise, you can find a plan that aligns with your needs and budget. Our SIM-only plans are the ideal choice for budgeting and managing costs for your business, with unlimited texts, calls and data in the UK.

Boxx and business mobiles

As the business world evolves, one thing remains clear: mobile technology is at the heart of it. The statistics speak volumes – with over 3.6 billion smartphone users globally and a growing number of mobile connections, it’s evident that mobiles have become the cornerstone of modern businesses.

Mobiles bring flexibility to the workplace, enhance communication, and boost productivity and efficiency.

Boxx offer a comprehensive suite of mobile solutions designed to help your business maximise the potential of mobile technology and help you stay ahead in a mobile world.

Our commitment doesn’t end with plans and pricing. We provide dedicated support to your business, ensuring your business mobiles are not a source of stress, but a valuable asset. With Boxx by your side, your team can stay connected, and thrive in the workplace.

Make the most out of your business mobiles with Boxx, speak to one of our friendly team today.

The benefits of a managed network service with Boxx

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How much of your IT network activity are you tracking? Would you be able to tell which devices are connected, or the status of any backups? If you’ve not got a grip on the activity and health of your network, then problems will arise.

As we continue to be more and more reliant on internet connectivity and remote networks, it’s important to make sure your network is properly managed and monitored. 

Not only this, but businesses need a contingency plan in place should your internet disconnect, or your hardware lets you down. We’re going to talk you through how Boxx can monitor and upkeep the health of your network, and rapidly resolve internet issues that could impact your business.

What is Boxx’s managed network service and how does it work?

Our Managed Network Service is a cloud-based solution designed to optimise your network and ensure it performs efficiently and effectively.

The first thing we do is we put together a map of all the devices that are connected to your IT network. Then, we dig deep, conducting an audit of your IT infrastructure and getting to the nitty gritty of your network performance. All of this is handled remotely, so you won’t experience any disruption. 

Beyond the onboarding, we’re monitoring firewalls, switches, and access points remotely, which means your business can continue to operate, safe in the knowledge that we’re tracking your defences and keeping you secure.

Our proactive monitoring means we’ll notice faults almost instantly and provide the expert support needed to resolve them. Alongside security, we can also monitor the uptime of critical servers. From inventory reporting to policy violation audits, a network management service has many tools to help keep your business efficient and safe, you can find out more about MNS here.

Our network management offers a broad scope of advantages and benefits. 

What are the benefits of Boxx’s managed network service?

There’s a whole host of reasons to have managed network services. Here are some of the key benefits. 

  • Reliability – proactive monitoring of your systems allows problems to be anticipated before they have an impact on you.
  • Cost-effective – it’s an affordable option for SMEs that provides ways to optimise performance and save valuable company time and resources. 
  • Flexibility – don’t have an in-house IT team? No problem, we work alongside internal teams to deliver the right blended service for you. 
  • Peace of mind – nobody likes to feel vulnerable. Network management means network security, staying ahead of possible threats before they cause damage, and with managed back-ups at the ready when needed.
  • Easy and fast troubleshooting – because we’re proactively monitoring and optimising your network, we’re able to troubleshoot problems and fix them – pronto! 
  • Efficient – our audits, reporting, and monitoring means efficiency, which provides business continuity and minimises the impact of any downtime across your whole infrastructure. 

Rapid internet connection repair with our Complete Care service

Most of the time, the internet is a reliable and seamless experience. Here at Boxx, our goal is to provide connectivity that delivers strong uptime. However, no internet connection is infallible, and sometimes, connections can drop. 

This can be a frustrating and stressful scenario. Perhaps there’s a line fault, which can take Openreach weeks to fix, or issues with your hardware, such as a broken router. 

No matter what’s causing your internet downtime, you want to be back up and running as quickly as possible. For specialised, fast repairs our Complete Care service will do just that. We resolve issues with your internet both proactively, and reactively, and our service includes:

  • Next-day router replacement – in the event of a router fault, we will send a replacement one out to you the next day.
  • Special faults investigator – if an Openreach engineer is needed, we will cover the costs – making repairs quick and cost-effective.
  • 24/7 monitoring – Complete Care is proactive as well as reactive, with automated monitoring of all your connections.
  • Quick fix – we add BT Care Level 3 to all Complete Care services, which means Openreach will fix faulty lines on the same day.

Final thoughts

The health of your network and infrastructure is multi-layered. It takes a dedicated and skilled team to optimise your network and ensure it’s running safely and smoothly. The impact of unmonitored networks and internet downtime can be detrimental to your business and its resources. 

Boxx’s Managed Network Service and Complete Care services give you the security and peace of mind to know your business’s connectivity and continuity are protected. 

Contact us today to chat to one of our team about how these solutions can work with your business. 

Fossil UK: Case Study

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The Background

Fossil Group Inc are a global company renowned for designing, developing, producing, and distributing watches as well as many other accessories. They’re an innovative company with decades of experience who own and partner with many world class brands.

The Challenge

This year, whilst there is still some uncertainty about what lies ahead, we can be sure of the necessity to embrace the digital world and be flexible if we want our businesses to grow and thrive.

Fossil were faced with moving to a new office and needed to improve their connectivity, step away from the use of landlines, and switch over to VoIP. Their previous services were confusing and complicated, and provided by multiple suppliers.

Fossil were told upfront by the landlord to expect to need a Wayleave agreement to bring new fibre connectivity into the building, and this as a result could delay installation. Additionally, they wanted two diverse connections. Two diverse connections means using two suppliers, and two networks entering from different sides of the building. This potentially adds more complexity to the order process to achieve extra reliability in the final delivery.

Moving their UK head office to central Milton Keynes, Fossil had a few additional requirements beyond the technical aspect that they wanted to accomplish. It was important for them to use a local provider and improve their account management by speaking to a real person who understands the needs of their business.

David Haddon, the facilities manager for Fossil was responsible for sourcing a local provider, who knew the local landscape and could offer the right solution for their needs.

The Solution

When Fossil got in contact and explained their situation and challenge, we were confident we could provide them with a far better solution. Our first step was understanding the specific needs of their business and day to day usage. Initially, Fossil thought they’d need a 1GB leased line, but after assessing their needs we recommended an Ethernet Flex connection.

An Ethernet Flex connection provides them with 200Mbps bandwidth as standard, but also has the capability to burst to 1Gbps when needed without the team having to do anything. Fossil’s office set up can have up to 30 users working at a time, with the main usage being for video calls and day to day admin with a low amount of streaming. Ethernet Flex was the perfect solution for them.

We installed the connection quickly, completing prior to the office move date, giving Fossil peace of mind that they would have zero down time in the move. Since the install, we continue to monitor their connection, on a couple of occasions we noticed the connection was down and were proactive in alerting them to the problem. On both occasions a local power outage was the cause, rather than any fault of the line and our team were able to help get Fossil back online quickly.

The Feedback

Facilities manager, David Haddon, has given us some fantastic feedback.

I cannot fault the service Boxx has provided Fossil. When I was looking for a local provider one of my main goals was to have a real person really listen and understand what we needed. This is exactly what we got from Dean and the team at Boxx. From our initial conversation, I knew Boxx were the right choice, being seen as a real human and not just another sale is exactly what we were looking for.

I cannot fault the product or service from Boxx, they are proactive, honest, and professional, and our connectivity is vastly superior to what we were previously using. It’s rare, but if there have been any issues, all I need to do is ring up, have a chat, and by the end of the conversation the problem is being resolved. We are getting exactly what we wanted and couldn’t ask for more.

Trusting Dean and the Boxx team complicitly, I am keen to involve them in future ventures at Fossil and couldn’t recommend them enough to other companies

Want to updgrade your internet connection? Find out about our services here.

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What’s the recommended internet speed for a small business

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How do you decide what connection and internet speed is suitable for your small business?

It’s more complicated than it may seem at first sight. If you go too low spec to save on costs, you’ll end up slowing yourself down. That means lower productivity, which defeats the whole purpose of saving costs. But there’s just as much risk of overpaying for performance you just don’t need.

It’s important to get your internet connection right, but how do small businesses even decide? Once you start diving into tech specs across multiple providers, it can start to get overwhelming. That’s where we come in!

Proudly based in Milton Keynes, we’ve helped countless businesses in the area answer these difficult questions. We’ve got the expertise to provide the speed you need within your budget. This post looks at some of the things we’d consider. 

Internet speed – the basics

There are things you need to consider when deciding what the ideal connection and speed is for your business needs.

The first consideration is bandwidth. Bandwidth is the maximum download and upload capacity of an internet connection over a specific amount of time. Bandwidth is measured in megabits per second (Mbps), and calculated on the assumption of only one device downloading or uploading files at any one time.

The higher the number of Mbps, the faster the internet speed. However, if for example the bandwidth provides 5Mbps for one user, you have to take into consideration that the 5Mbps will be shared between additional users, reducing the speed. Think of a motorway, it may have multiple lanes, offering a fast route, but, as more cars join the road, speed will be affected.

Let’s look at important factors that determine the sort of connection you should be looking at.

Your location

Where your business is located can affect the connections available to you. If you’re unable to get full fibre, there are solutions. Boxx can provide dongles which connect you to 4G and 5G if your connection is interrupted.

Number of staff

The more staff you have that require access to the internet the more Mbps you will need.

What you do

Are you a data hungry business?

The more data usage your business requires, the more Mbps you will need. A good example of a business which would require a high-speed internet is a call centre. With a high number of people using the phone lines and internet means they would need significant connection speeds.

The future

It’s sensible to think about your internet connection needs now as a business and what you will require in the future. If you’re planning to expand your team and use of the internet in the coming months and years, it’s a good idea to look at flexible and scalable packages.

Types of connection

Like we’ve already discussed, internet speed will relate to the number of users, devices, and the main activity of your business. It’s also important to have the right type of connection. Here’s a quick rundown of the options.

ADSL

An Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line is a broadband connection that works with the copper wires of existing phones lines. ADSLs are suitable for small businesses who need the internet to complete simple daily office tasks and communications. All ADSL services will stop working as part of the 2025 switch-off, and in many areas you can no longer buy ADSL as part of BT’s “stop sell”

Any ADSL Lines, will need to be replaced by other services such as SoGEA or FTTP before Dec 2025.

FTTC

Fibre-to-the-cabinet uses fibre optic cables to bring super-fast broadband to fibre cabinets, which are connected to roadside cabinets (those dark green boxes at the end of the street). Businesses and homes are then connected to the cabinet with copper wires, and the service is then connected to fibre back to the exchange.  

FTTC is suitable for small businesses seeking fast, cost effective and reliable internet connections. It is an effective connection for voice and data communications. However, alongside ADSL, it will be phased out as part of the 2025 switch-off and replaced by SoGEA or FTTP.

FTTP

Fibre-to-the-premises provides a dedicated fibre connection that runs from the exchange to your premises.

FTTP can provide far higher speeds than FTTC. It’s suitable for businesses that require multiple devices to be in use at the same time. Generally, FTTP service are offered with faster download than upload speeds – though it is possible to find offers with equal speeds in both directions.

SoGEA

Single Order Generic Ethernet Access lets your business have a broadband connection without a phone line.

Like FTTC, it uses the copper wires from roadside cabinet to connect to premises. Unlike FTTC, it doesn’t provide a voice line and is used for data connection only. It can lower your costs and won’t be affected by the switch from voice lines in 2025.

G.Fast

G.Fast is a faster version of FTTC. A device is fitted in the cabinet which increases the speed at which data travels down the wires. It is only beneficial to businesses which are close to the cabinet, which represents a small percentage of properties in the UK. So, although G.Fast is excellent value for money, it’s not accessible to most people. Like FTTC, it is being phased out and will no longer be available after 2025.

Leased lines

Whether you’re a small or big business, if you require an uninterrupted speed and connection then it is worth considering a dedicated leased line. A leased line is an uncontended, symmetrical connection, which means upload and download speeds match.

Unlike other internet connections, such as broadband or ADSL, leased lines are not shared with other users, so the bandwidth and speed are consistent and guaranteed. This means that leased lines can offer very high speeds and low latency, making them ideal for businesses that need a fast and/or reliable internet connection.

The private line, solely for your business, has high speeds without risk of disruption. Leased lines can be used to connect geographically separated site together over a private and secure WAN such as an MPLS network. Boxx can successfully arrange a leased line for any size of business, and we’re experts in WAN migration projects.

Getting your internet speed right

Working with Boxx Communications, getting your internet connection and speed right for your business is simple.

The experienced team at Boxx will take you through the entire process. Exploring your business we assess your IT environment, current supplier and consider the best option for your requirements, budget, and timeframe.

We will tailor packages to your needs. Road mapping your customer journey from point of sales to installation, so you know the plan every step of the way. Businesses big or small, we’ve got you.

Get in touch with one of the Boxx team to find out more about keeping your business connected.

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