Technology is changing the way we work and collaborate. And at such a rapid speed, these changes can be rather intimidating. But they don’t have to be.
At the moment, landline calls in the UK still use the analogue network, or PSTN service, provided by Openreach. Believe it or not, the technology used to power PSTN hasn’t really changed since the first public automatic telephone exchange opened in 1912! So, naturally it can’t keep up with today’s ever-increasing demands.
The coronavirus pandemic has laid bare the need for flexibility and agility in the workplace. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 30% of adults in the UK were exclusively working from home at the start of July 2020. With the perpetual reshaping of our working landscape, there will be high stock placed upon cloud-based collaboration going forward – particularly in a world that is now ‘always on’.
By 2025, all communications in the UK will take place on a future-proof, digital network. The impending switchover to the cloud means businesses need to begin the transition to new systems that run on the modern All-IP network, 4G wireless networks, or a combination of both. Arming yourself with the latest generation of digital communication tools means you can compete in this digital world; making and taking calls on any device, wherever you are, and running your business how you want, when you want. It sounds like an inconvenience, but really, it’s a huge opportunity to move on to better, more reliable, feature-rich services.
Whatever the shape and size of your business, it’s important to remember that cloud comms can work for you. You may argue that your current system works just fine, or perhaps you’ve already invested in a different, costly solution. But have you looked at the bigger picture? Cloud solutions will unlock new opportunities for your business, and future-proof your services.
And if you think your business doesn’t ‘fit’ with cloud solutions, you can think again. Cloud communications are already used by businesses big and small, so they can be more efficient and productive. In fact, last year’s ‘The Future in 2020’ report revealed that 38% of small, 47% of medium and 44% of large organisations are using VoIP to improve their services. Across the board, businesses are benefitting. And so can you.
At such a crunch moment, taking the step towards cloud migration will be key to unlocking the digital potential of your business, and adapting to the new remote-first world. Making the move to the cloud ahead of the switchover in 2025 means your organisation can be ready for whatever the future brings, with the right tools to manage your infrastructure. No one likes getting left behind, so if you can stay ahead of the switchover, it’ll be your business that leads the charge towards a digital future.
Watch our 15 minute business bites with BT for more or visit the BT website to read more about the PSTN network switch-off.
