360ict’s Tips For Relocating Your Business

According to a survey conducted by E.ON this year, over the last 5 years small businesses have lost an average of 7.5 working days as a result of moving premises. 

Moving is always a stressful task, whether you’re moving to a new home or moving your company to a new location, however 31% of SME owners and managers in London say that moving premises is the second most stressful task of their job, more than finances (27%) and customer complaints (13%). 

Anthony Ainsworth, business energy director at E.ON says, 'To hear that more than three quarters of SMEs are staying in potentially inappropriate premises because moving is considered just too hard is surprising. The disruptions businesses face are a very real barrier to relocation and possible future growth.'

But it doesn’t have to be that stressful, we regularly helps companies in Central London, Croydon and Bromley to relocate with 100% customer satisfaction: “What seemed like a daunting and expensive task to begin with, actually turned out to be a cost-effective and simple move with 360ict.” - John Edwards, Company Owner.

If you are thinking of moving, it’s worth getting in contact with one of our relocation advisors.

When should you start thinking about relocation?

Is there enough space: Do you have free desks for new recruits? Do you have enough storage space? When clients walk through the door do they see an organised office? If the answer is no, you definitely want to start looking for a bigger space.

How do you decide on location?

If you’re an SME with a small team you don’t want to be too far from other like-minded companies. For example, if you’re an IT Company or a Business IT Support Company in London look for offices in known tech-hub areas like East London, or the more affordable Croydon. 

If you’re thinking about sharing an office space make sure there are companies or individuals that your team can connect with and that there’s a lively atmosphere. You want to be somewhere dynamic so that your members of staff are inspired. 

Make sure you check the facilities too: internet, storage, parking, local facilities, number of desks and so on. 

Consider a consultant

For some companies a workplace consultant can help to ensure that your new office is running efficiently. This could involve allowing your employees to work remotely or encouraging flexible working times, perhaps staff could use their own laptops too.  

Take advantage of tax breaks

This is a really important tip: Keep up to date on tax allowances because they can save you a lot of money. 

Plan ahead

Think about the things that could go wrong ahead of time. For example, is the internet already set up before you arrive? Are the phones working? Do you need these installed? Will members of staff have to work from home for a couple of days? Always plan for the possibility that there could be a few problems. 

360ict provides managed IT services and emergency IT support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Bromley and Croydon. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.

Which Political Party Offers The Most Support For SMES?

Image Source: Mark Pack

When it comes to the political divide there’s one thing that all entrepreneurs and SMEs can agree on: extra government support is needed. 

The Entrepreneurs Network recently carried out an annual poll of 100 MPs, which shows that Labour and Conservative MPs have very different views on how best to support British entrepreneurs and SMEs.

Growth Business highlighted the key findings from the report:

• ‘It suggests almost two-thirds (63%) of Labour MPs believe increasing grants and loans for entrepreneurs would be the best way to support them’
• Among Conservative MPs, ‘a regime of tax cuts, including slashing business rates and corporate tax, is the most popular policy for driving entrepreneurial growth. Almost all (89%) from the ruling party are in favour of this approach’
• ‘The issue that splits the house more than any other is the potential impact of the UK leaving the EU – or Brexit. More than half (58%) of Conservative MPs believe that this would be a positive move for entrepreneurs – whereas only 1% of Labour MPs feel the same way’

MPs Are Vocal

• Growth Business quotes the Entrepreneurs Network Director Philip Salter as saying he was encouraged to see that 'MPs are increasingly vocal about supporting Britain’s entrepreneurs’
• ‘But he added he found MPs respective view on the EU the most enlightening – especially Labour MPs’ strong support for the EU.’

Ill-Informed About Current Programmes

Growth Business says both sides seem equally poorly informed about current support structures

• ‘More than one-third of Conservative MPs (38%) have not heard of the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). And a further 18% don’t feel they know enough’ to comment
• Labour MPs, despite presenting as broadly supportive of introducing more grants and loans, are ‘also similarly ignorant of current government programmes. More than half (61%) were not aware of Innovate UK – a series of competitions in which £536m of government money is up for grabs’

See the full piece on Growth Business.

360ict provides managed IT services and emergency IT support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Bromley and Croydon. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.

The Collaboration of The Year: Windows 7 + 8 = Windows 10. Will You Update?

Windows 10, the new operating system from Microsoft, has started rolling out to customers worldwide. 

Back in 2012 Windows 8 didn’t receive a very warm welcome from users, so this release is extremely important for Microsoft. There has been much speculation and hype about Windows 10 over the last few months, but was it worth the wait? 

Microsoft decided to bypass Windows 9 and jump straight to Windows 10 (a good marketing ploy to keep up with Apple’s OS X?!) in an attempt to combine the “best elements” of Windows 7 and Windows 8. One of the more controversial features of Windows 8, the “live tiles”, still features in Windows 10, but now they are used as shortcuts to the user’s favourite applications. The start menu is also back from Windows 7, which allows users to browse through a list of their most-used programs. 

Microsoft hopes that Windows 10 will steer the company in a new direction. Chief Executive, Satya Nadella, describes the OS as “Windows as a Service,” meaning that users can expect improvements to the OS at anytime through the internet, rather than having to wait for another big update in a few years.  

Aside from the live tiles and start menu, here’s what else is new in Windows 10: 

• The interface looks similar to Windows 7
• The “familiar and easy to use” OS has moved away from the touch-screen
• The virtual assistant, Cortana, is now available
• Windows Hello - a biometric authentication facility that lets people unlock their computer and specific applications by fingerprint of facial recognition scan
• Edge - A successor to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer
• There’s a new notification sidebar that lets users review recent notifications

Consumers and small businesses are being offered free upgrades on existing computers running Windows 7 or 8 at any point over the next year. Microsoft has made the OS system more appealing to developers through it’s new “universal app platform” too.

Big businesses are unlikely to adopt the OS right away, but will SMEs? Tech consultancy Gartner has advised its clients to wait until the second half of 2016 before they do the update.

For home uses, if you decide you don’t like Windows 10, it is worth knowing there is a "rollback" option that works for the first 30 days.

Have you started using Windows 10? Tell us what you think of it! 

360ict provides managed IT services and emergency IT support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including Bromley and Croydon. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.

How to Free Your Business from Long-Term Telecom Contracts

In business, you have to react fast to stay competitive. Keeping up with technology is no exception.
 

The productivity benefits of up-to-date telephony tech are clear. When you can make and receive calls anywhere with an internet connection, via your desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone, it’s a lot easier to get more done in less time — no matter whether you’re in the office or travelling the world.
 

If you’re thinking about a technology upgrade or considering a relocation, though, there’s one common concern: how long will it take to make the change? 

Don’t get stuck waiting

Switching to a more cost effective service or supplier can take time, but if you’re looking to save money on the company phone bill or improve on an inadequate telephony system, you’ll want the changeover to be as swift and seamless as possible.


So, we think you’ll be pleased to discover 90 day online telephony terms with 360ict. Instead of holding you to a long-term contract, we’re happy to give you control over your telephony so you can upgrade or downgrade services, change provider, or even relocate your office without worrying about 12 or 24 month contract lock-in terms.

Have us replace your old-fashioned telephone systems with online telephony technology to take advantage of all its productivity features, from voicemail and call handling to conference calling and simultaneous ringing for teams. You’ll never be trapped in a long-term telephony contract again!

The ultimate benefit? This level of technology typically costs less than traditional PBX telephony, so your business saves money as well as time and effort. 


360ict installs and manages telephony solutions for SMEs in central London and the south-east. Call us on 0208 663 4000 to find out more about online telephony and get a proposal including our 90 day terms.

What Does A Tory Majority Government Mean For Small Businesses?

The UK has been up in arms over the Conservative win, however it might not be all bad: their small business manifesto has been welcomed by many entrepreneurs as well as the promise of a stable government. Here’s what SMEs across the UK can expect to happen over the next five years:

The Conservatives have won the 2015 General Election and are forming a single party government. Not only is this result a surprise, it has been received with mixed reviews and a minority have taken to the streets to protest. Business owners, however, have high hopes for the next five years. Conservatives have repeatedly described SMEs as “the lifeblood of the economy."

The Conservative’s small business manifesto pledges to increase the number of startups to 600,000 a year by 2020. Business owners will also be hoping that unnecessary, time consuming and costly regulations and paper work will be slashed under the full Tory government. So far the Conservatives have pledged to reduce such regulations and save businesses £10bn over the next five years.

Many employers want greater flexibility in hiring and firing decisions, with a reduced risk of being taken to an employment tribunal. The previously overruled Beecroft report looks likely to be implemented now that the Liberal Democrats can’t stand in the way. It suggests a shakeup of employment legislation and the proposal to allow employers to make no-fault dismissals.

Europe. The in/out referendum. It’s an issue that divides SMEs: Many business owners who have offices or clients in Europe are worried that changes to the UK’s EU membership will make it harder to access the European market. Change and uncertainty on this level is unnerving for everyone involved.

Late payment remains a big issue for businesses. The Conservatives have promised to strengthen the prompt payment code and improve transparency. The Tories have also pledged to invest £100bn in infrastructure during this parliament with high profile projects such as HS2 and proposed airport expansion in the South East.

Business owners can expect George Osborne to implement a bunch of new changes in regard to tax, including increases in personal allowances, national insurance holidays, a cut in corporation tax and a freeze on VAT. There’s also a plan to review business rates.

UK business owners impact jobs, exports, investment and tax revenues and are crucial to our nation’s success. For our country’s economy to grow, SMEs will play a big part in making that happen therefore further financial assistance should become available.

On the whole it seems that a Conservative win will massively benefit business owners, but as always with politics, we shall wait and see whether they can deliver on any of their promises.

360ict provides managed IT services and support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including London Victoria, Euston, Bromley and Croydon. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or contact us via our website.

Will 5G Revolutionize Your Business In 2020?

One of the main highlights at this year’s Mobile Congress World in Barcelona was 5G. 5G is the next development in mobile technology, but will 5G improve the way businesses are run or is it all just hype?

Commercial 5G is expected to arrive around 2020, with full deployment towards the middle of that decade. But what can businesses actually expect from 5G, will it really be worth making the switch from 4G?

• It’s going to be ridiculously fast: we’re talking downloading an entire film in a second or video calling a client without any of the time delays or glitches.
• Smarter technology: devices will have to become smarter in order to successfully run 5G. But we’re talking more than just smartphones and laptops, this includes everything from printers to washing machines. 
• Increase in capacity: businesses will be able to connect all electronics to 5G, making the management of offices that much simpler. 
• It won’t break: a network that “won’t break”? Improving reliability issues is one of the main pros of 5G. 

There are many significant issues that telco providers are currently addressing: one of the main issues according to Business Spectator is that “the success of 5G will have more to do with connected systems than the 5G technology as such. 5G will involve a range of industry sectors and can only be successful if the applications are built in partnership and in collaboration with those sectors.” This means that new business models will have to be introduced. 

One thing is certain. The capabilities of 5G will add a whole new dimension to what the mobile industry is all about, and how businesses will have to adapt to be able to run and use this new technology.

360ict provides managed IT services and support for SMEs in central London and the south-east, including London Victoria, Euston, Croydon and Bromley. For more advice on gaining competitive advantage as a mid-sized company, give us a call on 0208 663 4000 or head to our website.