• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Boxx Communications Ltd

Boxx Communications Ltd

Simplifying telecommunications for businesses large and small!

  • Home
  • About
  • Our Solutions
    • VOICE >>
      • Hosted VoIP
      • Teams as a Phone System
      • Business Mobile Phones
      • Conferencing
      • Call Management >>
        • Call Analytics
        • Call Recording
        • Inbound
        • Message on Hold
    • CONNECTIVITY >>
      • Business Broadband
      • Leased Lines
      • Wi-Fi Hardware
      • Gigabit Internet >>
        • Milton Keynes
    • CLOUD & IT >>
      • Networking
      • Unified Comms
      • Cloud Backup
      • Microsoft Teams
    • SERVICES >>
      • Engineering
      • Project Management
      • Managed Network Service
      • Web Listings
      • Complete Care
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Case Studies
      • Fossil UK
      • Interact Medical
      • Mercer and Hole
      • LBT Flooring
    • Downloads
  • Contact
  • Customer Support
    • Knowledge Base
    • Online Bill

Services

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

19th October 2023 by Dean Burgin

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.”

Filed Under: How We Help, Services

Which IT support services does my small business need?

26th September 2023 by Dean Burgin

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.

Filed Under: How We Help, Services

Fossil UK: Case Study

22nd May 2023 by Dean Burgin

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.

Categories


Yearly Archive

Want to subscribe to our blog updates..?

Enter your details here...


Filed Under: Connectivity, How We Help, Services, Wi-Fi

How to choose the best supplier for your business-critical services

13th June 2021 by Kelly Green

Choosing the right supplier is often tricky and can depend on many factors; budget, specific user requirements, or recommendations, to name but a few. But when choosing a provider of business-critical services, such as telecommunications, this decision is even more significant.

Whether it be internet connectivity or a telephony solution, we are all so heavily reliant on telecommunications these days that savvy business leaders are now prioritising the value of the after-sales service over and above the more common decision-making factors, such as initial price.

Think partner, not provider

It is crucial that any organisation providing a business-critical service understands their customers and their businesses and what those customer’s business goals are, as this is what enables the best recommendations.

And from the client’s perspective, they should feel confident that their needs are understood correctly and that their best interests are being served by any solutions recommended and then supported throughout installation and beyond. This confidence comes when good quality, two-way relationships are nurtured and invested in by all parties, also known as partnerships.

Making the right choice

When researching new suppliers, business leaders need to think past the initial investment required to secure a new telephony solution or upgrade an internet connection.

The actual cost goes beyond any hardware that needs to be purchased, licences bought, or services provided. Business leaders should think about the level of support required throughout the lifecycle of any supplier relationship and the longer-term cost of such services.

Questions to ask include:

  • What happens when you need additional support?
  • Who do you talk to when your business priorities change?
  • Why are the recommended products or services best for your business?
  • How much will it cost your business if you can’t answer the telephone or the internet goes down?

Businesses shouldn’t undervalue the in-life service any supplier provides.

Work with likeminded businesses

Partnerships are two-way, collaborations that triumph over the somewhat one-directional relationships many service providers tend to adopt, and it is crucial to consider potential business partnerships carefully. Think about them in the same way you would relationships in your personal life or perhaps in comparison to the investment in recruiting new team members to ensure a good fit.

The same consideration should apply to the suppliers that you choose. Ultimately, the people within these service provider organisations are the people with whom you will work. So, it makes business sense to get it the right first time and choose like-minded businesses with whom to partner.

Images Credit: All Things Business (2020)

Categories

Yearly Archive

Hosted VoIP
New call-to-action

Want to subscribe to our blog updates..?

Enter your details here…

Filed Under: How We Help, Services

How businesses can embrace the future digital world with flexibility

1st March 2021 by Kelly Green

Last year was all about survival, and some businesses were more prepared than others. Those who had already taken steps towards digital transformation could accommodate the abrupt changes we all made to the way we live and work with greater ease, and this paid dividends.

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.

Looking to the future

Organisations who adopt a forward-thinking approach will be looking to implement more efficient ways to work, such as maximising the use of cloud-based applications and switching to IP telephony solutions. Any business using such technologies over copper-based connectivity services such as ADSL or FTTC broadband is likely to experience frustrating productivity limitations.

Full-fibre connectivity is ultra-fast and resilient, which is needed to underpin these advanced digital solutions to ultimately future-proof businesses through 2021 and beyond.

When 'fibre' isn't fibre

Somewhat confusingly, internet connections can often be described as 'fibre' even when the fibre cable connects only part of the network. An FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet) connection, for example, utilises fibre from the exchange to the street cabinet but then a slower copper cable from the cabinet to the final destination. Full-fibre, however, is just that; a fibre optic connection the entire route, from the exchange to a business premise.

fibre explained

Driving positive change

Here at Boxx, we're working in partnership with CityFibre, to change the perception that full-fibre internet connectivity is prohibitively expensive and, therefore, out of reach for SME's.

Boxx is proud to be one of a select number of City Champions that CityFibre has chosen to recognise our evident passion and commitment to helping our local business community thrive by unlocking their digital potential.

City Champion

Game-changing internet connectivity

The latest, exclusive CityFibre innovation proves it is possible to deliver a full-fibre connection that balances exceptionally high speed whilst retaining critical reliability without requiring a large financial investment.

With a symmetrical speed guaranteed at 200Mbps, which can also satisfy bandwidth surges up to 1Gbps, CityFibre's Ethernet Flex offering is more than cost-effective. The term 'symmetrical speed' means that collaboration tools such as Zoom or Teams work better, as do cloud-based services like Microsoft 365. The solution works by taking advantage of sensibly defined networking to give businesses the bandwidth they need, as and when they need it, without prior request, providing companies with all the flexibility they need.

Bridging the gap for smaller businesses

No longer will just larger organisations or those with bigger budgets reap the benefits of full-fibre connectivity here in Milton Keynes. Through the revolutionary CityFibre network, Boxx is enabling businesses to improve their productivity and fuel growth.

Dean Burgin, Co-Owner of Boxx quotes:

The last year has been a challenge for everyone, but the potential for businesses to flourish here in Milton Keynes is huge. Thanks to CityFibre's full-fibre offering and the Ethernet Flex solution, organisations of any size can access the connectivity they need to take full advantage of modern digital services. As a CityFibre City Champion, we are ready and eager to support our local community, building strong, sustainable businesses here in MK.

To learn more about the game-changing, full-fibre connectivity available here in Milton Keynes, visit our dedicated Gigabit MK page.

Categories


Yearly Archive

New call-to-action
Gigabit MK

Want to subscribe to our blog updates..?

Enter your details here...


Filed Under: Connectivity, How We Help, Services

Accelerated move to a ‘Distributed Workforce’

1st February 2021 by Kelly Green

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)

Categories


Yearly Archive

Hosted VoIP
New call-to-action

Want to subscribe to our blog updates..?

Enter your details here...


Filed Under: Cloud & IT, Hosted VoIP, How We Help, Office News, Services, Voice

Page 1 of 7
1 2 3 … 7 Next »
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 7
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Legal


T&Cs


Website Terms of Use


Privacy Policy


Cookies


Jobs


Pricing


GDPR


Complaints


Boxx Communications Ltd

  • Support: 01908 350750
  • Email: support@boxxcomms.co.uk
  • Address: Boxx Communications Limited, Studio E1a, 327, Upper Fourth Street, Witan Studios, Milton Keynes, MK9 1EH
Trustpilot
Facebook Logo
Twitter Logo
Instagram Logo
LinkedIn Logo
Youtube Logo
Boxx Awards
Boxx Awards
FCSCyber EssentialsCityFibre City Champions

Boxx Communications Limited are an FCS Member. Our Membership number is 1624

Boxx Communications Limited are registered at Companies House England and Wales

Company Number. 07449383

VAT Number. GB 247 2241 21

All Content © Boxx Communications Limited 2023