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How we’re redefining connectivity

Author: Luke Hunt  |  Date published: June, 19, 2024, UK  |  Read est: 5 min read

Focus Group
Focus Group
Focus Group
Focus Group
Focus Group
Focus Group
Focus Group
Focus Group
Focus Group
Focus Group
Focus Group
Focus Group

When you hear the word "connectivity," what comes to mind? If your first thought is broadband, you're not alone. But here at Focus Group, we're all about redefining what connectivity means in a business setting. Sure, broadband is crucial—like the opening act at a concert—but the headliners? They’re your IT systems, cloud devices, phone systems, and a host of other technologies that keep you connected and collaborative.

Connectivity isn’t just about being online; it’s about how you interact with your employees, your business, and the world around you. It's about staying connected no matter where you are and using modern technology to create a more collaborative environment. And let’s face it, connectivity and productivity go hand in hand. So, let's dive into how you can enhance connectivity beyond just plugging in a router.

First things first: broadband

Before we start building the ultimate tech fortress, we need a strong foundation - broadband. Almost all your business technology hinges on having a robust and reliable internet connection. That’s why Focus Group has strategic partnerships with top broadband providers, ensuring we can offer lightning-fast broadband, whether you’re in the bustling heart of London or the remote valleys of Scotland and Wales.

A tailored broadband service is key. Depending on your business needs, we can provide business broadband, fibre broadband, or even a dedicated leased line for uninterrupted connectivity. After all, who wants to deal with buffering during an important video call?

Different broadband solutions for different needs

At Focus Group, we understand one size doesn’t fit all. That's why we offer a variety of broadband solutions tailored to your specific needs:

  • Business broadband: Perfect for small to medium-sized enterprises that need reliable and cost-effective internet. It provides consistent speeds that keep your daily operations running smoothly.
  • Fibre broadband: Ideal for businesses requiring higher speeds and greater reliability. Fibre broadband uses advanced technology to deliver faster and more stable internet connections, which is essential for bandwidth-intensive tasks.
  • Leased lines: For larger enterprises or businesses with critical online operations, a leased line offers dedicated internet access with guaranteed speeds and uptime. This is the gold standard of internet connectivity, ensuring your business never skips a beat.

The next steps in connectivity

Once you have a solid broadband foundation, it’s time to explore the next steps in connectivity. This involves leveraging advanced technologies to enhance how your business operates, communicates, and stays resilient in the face of challenges. At Focus Group, we believe that staying connected means embracing a holistic approach to your IT infrastructure.

The Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionising how businesses operate by connecting everyday objects to the internet, allowing them to send and receive data. This isn’t just about smart fridges and wearables - IoT can transform your business in profound ways:

  • Operational efficiency: IoT devices can monitor equipment in real-time, predict maintenance needs, and reduce downtime. This is particularly valuable in industries like manufacturing and logistics.
  • Data-driven decisions: By collecting data from various sensors and devices, businesses can gain insights into everything from energy usage to customer behaviour, helping you make smarter, data-driven decisions.
  • Enhanced security: IoT security systems can provide 24/7 surveillance, automated alerts, and advanced access control, ensuring your business premises are always secure.
  • Environmental monitoring: IoT can help you monitor environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and air quality, ensuring optimal conditions for both employees and products.

5G/mobile broadband

Gone are the days when business was confined to the office. With the advent of 5G and mobile broadband, staying connected on the go is easier than ever:

  • Unmatched speeds: 5G technology offers unprecedented speed and reliability, enabling smooth video conferencing, rapid data transfer, and seamless mobile working.
  • Global connectivity: Whether you’re travelling across the country or around the world, mobile broadband ensures you’re never out of touch with your team, suppliers or clients.
  • Flexibility: Mobile broadband is perfect for temporary setups, remote locations, or businesses that need to stay agile and responsive. It’s also a great backup solution to ensure you’re always online, even if your primary connection fails.

Failovers

Even the best broadband connections can experience outages, which is why having a failover strategy is essential:

  • Business continuity: A failover solution ensures your business remains operational even if your primary internet connection goes down. This is crucial for maintaining customer service and productivity.
  • Peace of mind: Knowing you have a backup plan in place allows you to focus on your core business activities without worrying about connectivity issues.
  • Cost-effective solutions: For smaller businesses, a full secondary connection might not be necessary. Instead, having a well-thought-out plan for switching to mobile broadband or another backup method can be a practical and cost-effective solution.

Connected to one another - Microsoft solutions

When it comes to connecting people within your organisation, Microsoft solutions are second to none. These tools help create a cohesive, collaborative environment no matter where your team members are located:

  • Microsoft 365: Provides a suite of productivity tools that are essential for modern business operations. With cloud-based access, you can work from anywhere with confidence.
  • Microsoft Teams: A hub for teamwork that integrates chat, video meetings, and file collaboration in one place. It's designed to keep your team connected and productive.
  • Cloud solutions: Storing data in the cloud ensures it's accessible whenever and wherever you need it. This is especially useful for businesses with remote or hybrid working models.
  • Microsoft Copilot: An AI assistant that helps streamline tasks and improve efficiency. Imagine having an extra pair of hands to help you manage your workload.

Explore our Microsoft solutions to see how we can help your team stay connected and productive.

Joining up your business & employees

Now that we’ve discussed the individual components of connectivity, it’s time to think about how to integrate them seamlessly within your business. Joining up your technology means creating a unified system where all parts work together harmoniously:

  • Unified Communication (UC) systems: Ensure your phone, video, and chat systems are integrated so that employees can switch seamlessly between modes of communication.
  • Centralised IT management: Use IT management tools that provide a single dashboard for monitoring and controlling all your connected devices and networks.
  • Collaborative tools: Leverage platforms that facilitate collaboration, whether through shared documents, project management tools, or instant messaging.
  • Integrated security solutions: Protect your business with security measures that cover all your connectivity points, from broadband to IoT devices.

Staying connected with Focus Group

At Focus Group, our mission is to take care of your business technology so you can focus on what really matters - growing your business and taking care of your customers. We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of modern connectivity with ease and a smile.

Ready to redefine your connectivity? Learn more about how Focus Group can keep you connected. Because when it comes to business, staying connected isn’t just a luxury - it’s a necessity.

And remember, at Focus Group, we’re not just connecting wires. We’re connecting people, ideas, and possibilities.

Luke Hunt photo

Luke Hunt
Head of Network Services

Luke joined Focus Group in 2010, bringing with him almost a decade of experience in telecoms sales and management. Initially setting up the Network Services Division to provide Focus Group customers with leased lines and MPLS services, Luke’s extensive understanding of the sector soon led to the establishment of an industry-leading portfolio of connectively products and services.

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