A guide to modern workplace solutions

Let’s start with an absolute must-have for businesses: the ability to talk.

With 61% of customers still preferring the convenience of a phone call over other forms of getting in touch, support teams should be able to answer calls no matter where they are. This is easier than ever thanks to modern workplace technology – like VoIP phone systems (which use the internet to make and receive calls) that provide an easy, cost-effective contact solution for any business.

In fact, with traditional copper phone lines being phased out every business will soon need to make the transition to internet-based calls. Going digital sooner means your team can benefit from greater productivity and flexibility straight away, instead of being forced to change when PSTN landlines are eventually switched off at the end of 2025.

Not all VoIP solutions are created equal – you’ll want a provider that can offer crystal clear calls without lags or dropouts, who can help you transition from your current system with zero downtime while keeping your all-important phone numbers. For extra info on all this, check out our comprehensive guide to VoIP for businesses, or drop our friendly local experts a line for some personalised advice.

Today’s businesses need company-wide access to collaborative, reliable and secure software.

From Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook to Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive, you’ll want your teams to be able to access and work together on files no matter where they are.

Microsoft 365 is the all-in-one solution you need for this: a powerful and scalable cloud-based tool that allows teams across your business to access their software and files from any device, anywhere in the world. It’s all managed through a single subscription, with no need to juggle multiple service providers or billing cycles – result!

With subscription tiers and licensing options to suit any business, setting up Microsoft 365 in a way that’s both appropriate and affordable can take some fine-tuning. If you’re not sure which of these modern workplace solutions are right for your company, working with a technology partner like Ogi Pro can help ensure you only pay for the tools you need (and avoid wasting cash on unnecessary extras).

When you rely on the internet to get it all done, there’s nothing more frustrating than a slow, unreliable connection. This is especially true if you want to benefit from the latest modern workplace technology, like a VoIP phone system or Microsoft 365 software.

Businesses that don’t have the benefits of full fibre broadband can suffer as poor connections can damage your team’s productivity levels. This can hurt the level of service your team provides – when people depend on you to complete work quickly and answer queries without delay, a bad broadband connection could be the difference between winning and losing customers.

Modern workplace solutions, like ultrafast full fibre broadband (which runs all the way to your door, rather than the nearest street cabinet) can prevent these kinds of problems from affecting you and your teams. For truly modern workplace technology that empowers your teams to reach peak productivity and maintain a high level of customer service, investing in ultrafast, ultra-reliable full fibre broadband is a no-brainer.

Here in Wales, Ogi is the leading alternative network choice for ultrafast, full fibre business connectivity. Drop our Ogi Pro business team a line to find out about switching to the best possible broadband for your business.

It’s not just big businesses that are at risk from hackers. In a recent study, 54% of SMEs in the UK had experienced cyber-attacks in the last year – proof that companies of all sizes need to safeguard themselves from online threats.

One of the best ways to do this is with a barrier between your network and the online world – or a firewall. Firewalls are a great example of modern workplace solutions which protect your secure information. Through monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing traffic, firewalls protect your data from being illegally accessed, while stopping malware from entering your network and keeping you compliant with any regulatory rules you might need to follow.

Implementing and managing cyber security measures like firewalls isn’t a quick or simple task; it requires specialist knowledge and a proactive approach to cyber security. That’s why working with a managed firewall service provider (MSP) like Ogi Pro can be invaluable.

As well as setting up your firewall in the right way, a good MFS will handle software updates, maintenance and security alerts on your behalf, providing peace of mind for you and your team. If you need a hand with that, our cybersecurity experts at Ogi Pro are on hand to help keep your network safe from digital harm.

You can find out more about defending against cyber attacks with this post on how to strengthen your network’s defences. 

The benefits of today’s modern workplace solutions are certainly impressive: greater productivity and efficiency, improved customer service and the chance to accelerate business growth through powerful, scalable technology.

But like anything truly transformative, upgrading your business IT requires careful planning and gradual implementation. Approach it in the wrong way and you could end up doing more harm than good, disrupting your team’s flow or even compromising your network’s security.

At Ogi Pro, we’re passionate about helping businesses and organisations take advantage of the latest game-changing workplace innovations. If you’re interested in taking the next step towards a truly modern IT set-up for your company, our local experts – based right around the corner – would love to support your workplace upgrade.

For more tips and industry insights, check out our blog page.

Updated on 08/04/2024