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PCSOFT has been serving the Smeaton Grange area since 2005, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Small Businesses Need Comprehensive Communications

Small Businesses Need Comprehensive Communications

Does your business suffer from chronic miscommunication? Chances are that your business is not the only one. Small businesses often lack the ability to invest in solutions designed to cut down on communication problems in the workplace. To help your company’s workforce improve communication and collaboration, we’re going to discuss some of the many ways that you can implement technology to eliminate miscommunication in the workplace.


Here are some of the most important tips that we can offer, in no particular order.

Implement an Intranet
For those who might not be tech-savvy, one of the most difficult parts of communication comes from not knowing how to properly navigate around your own network. This could mean finding specific files, or moving about your organization's cloud-based file storage system. An intranet can help not just these employees, but all of them, by providing a central hub where any critical assets that your business depends on can be seen at a moment’s notice. This clears up any confusion regarding where your employees need to go to access links to software or important information.

Take Advantage of Communication Solutions
If your organization has yet to implement a unified communications solution, it’s in your best interest to do so as soon as possible. A unified communications solution includes an email solution that’s used across your entire business’ infrastructure, a phone system that provides each of your employees with an extension where they can easily be reached (this is often a Voice over IP solution), and an instant messaging or video chat system that can be used to get in touch with employees who might not be in the immediate area. Basically, you want to provide your employees with ample opportunities to reach out to others in your business for assistance with any projects.

Make Important Information Easily Accessible
Have you ever browsed the Internet for information about a particular solution, only to find a whole lot of nothing? In most cases, the services that your organization uses will have detailed online documentation and frequently asked questions that will help you figure out what you need to know; yet, your internal processes may not have these questions or documentation as transparent. You can implement your very own knowledge center that can be located in an intranet, allowing your employees to find any vital information that they need.

Does your business need to implement more powerful communication solutions? If so, PCSOFT can help. To learn more, reach out to us at 02 98730080.

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Voice over Internet Protocol Is a Cost-Effective Telephone Solution for Almost Any Business

Voice over Internet Protocol Is a Cost-Effective Telephone Solution for Almost Any Business

Running a business isn’t getting any cheaper--in fact, it’s only getting more expensive. This drives businesses to save as much as possible on operations and business-critical applications. One of the best ways to cut out unnecessary costs is to implement software solutions that spread-out costs over a span of time. You too can take advantage of the cloud to gain access to critical communication solutions.

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3 Significant Ways Your Business Can Take Advantage of Virtualization

3 Significant Ways Your Business Can Take Advantage of Virtualization

With cloud computing on the rise, more businesses than ever before are taking advantage of great new tools that allow them to get the leg up on the competition. With virtual technology services at their disposal, they are completely changing the way that they approach computing, and the best part is that these services are affordable even for smaller organizations with limited budgets. Here are three of the best ways your organization can implement virtualization solutions.


Software as a Service (SaaS)
Cloud-hosted software is part of a trend that is increasing the accessibility of applications designed to improve the way you do business. Thanks to this type of software, SMBs are able to grow more dynamically and achieve more flexibility in the way that they function. Examples of Software as a Service include well-known solutions such as Microsoft Office 365 and Google’s G-Suite, but just about any software that is offered through the cloud on a subscription basis can be deemed Software as a Service. The main attraction of SaaS is that businesses make smaller monthly payments to use the same software that would otherwise require a full-fledged license purchase. If you’ve ever had to purchase multiple licenses for multiple users, you know how this can be a great way to save money for any small business.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Virtual telephone solutions like VoIP are actively replacing the traditional telephony infrastructure in the office environment. This is mainly due to the fact that they decrease costs overall and provide a level of flexibility that’s never been seen before, both in and out of the workplace. Since you use the Internet to make and receive calls, you’re using something that you already pay for to eliminate an unnecessary expense. Plus, you can use VoIP apps on a traditional handset, a desktop or laptop, and even your smartphone, allowing you to take your office phone number on the go.

Hardware Virtualization
If you have been managing an entire in-house IT infrastructure on your own, you know how challenging it can be to manage servers and other networking components. Due to this immense responsibility, many organizations are choosing to outsource the care of their networking components through a hardware virtualization vendor. This allows companies to consolidate their servers to make better use of their resources, as well as save on energy costs, like air conditioning and electricity. Plus, you’ll be able to access any of these resources through the cloud, and you’ll be able to simplify your in-house network considerably.

If your business is ready to take the next step toward technological advancement, reach out to PCSOFT at 02 98730080. Our trusted technicians are happy to discuss what we can do for your business.

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How VoIP Helps Businesses Get a Handle on Unnecessary Costs

How VoIP Helps Businesses Get a Handle on Unnecessary Costs

Though your phone system and its corresponding infrastructure are borderline necessary for your organization, some providers don’t make it easy for businesses to customize their communications to their specific needs. Have you had enough of your in-house telephone network? If so, you’re not alone; many businesses all over the world are switching to the more dynamic and flexible Voice over Internet Protocol solution for their communication needs.


Rather than providing an additional infrastructure of telephone cables and whatnot, VoIP uses your organization’s Internet connection to transmit your calls to the receiver. It’s especially great because it provides a service through your Internet connection, a must-have for any modern business. In addition to this, VoIP provides many other avenues to save your business money. Here are two of the best ways that VoIP keeps your communications cost-effective and efficient.

VoIP Prevents Unnecessary Costs
As previously mentioned, VoIP uses your Internet connection to keep communication costs down. Since it doesn’t go through your local telephone provider, you don’t need to deal with bundles that include unneeded services. In other words, with VoIP, you don’t have to pay for services that you don’t want. You’re using an asset that you’re already paying for, so you’re cutting down on operational costs.

Of course, you still need to ensure that your VoIP systems don’t bring about an unexpected burden on your network and its bandwidth. Depending on how big of an impact introducing VoIP has on your connection, you may need to communicate with your Internet service provider to ensure that your connection can handle it, or audit the quality of your router. We always recommend reaching out to professionals like PCSOFT for any assistance with implementing major changes to your IT infrastructure.

VoIP is Flexible
When adding new users to your organization’s network, you often need to run cables to connect the workstation to the internal network, and you may even need to run telephone cables to connect them to your phone network. In the worst-case scenario, it’s possible that an office remodeling may be necessary, costing even more time and resources. As you accrue more technology and more employees, the amount of available room will decrease. This results in complex network configurations that can decrease efficiency and make for a confusing experience. This is especially the case for businesses that have grown significantly in a short period of time.

VoIP makes it easy to implement new technology, and it does so without adding complex cabling or infrastructure remodeling to the mix. All you have to do is add a new user to your system, get them the required hardware (a handset or a headset, depending on what they prefer), and make sure that the Internet connection can support them. This makes VoIP a much easier service to provide in the long run, and it’s flexible enough to accommodate for your business’s growth.

If your business needs a reliable communications solution that can keep your operations going, look no further than VoIP. It can grow alongside your business and adapt to changes in your workforce with ease. With the cost savings afforded by VoIP, your organization can take some strain away from your IT budget and provide more opportunities for improving your IT infrastructure. To learn more about VoIP, reach out to us at 02 98730080.

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Your Remote Workers Can Do More With a Mobile VoIP Solution

Your Remote Workers Can Do More With a Mobile VoIP Solution

One of the primary concerns for organizations that have remote workers is the need to control and centralize communication solutions. While this isn’t a problem for a worker that’s in the office and hooked up to the company phone system, the remote worker doesn’t have this luxury. So, how can employees who work out of the office some or all of the time keep up with the rest of your workforce?


One of the easiest solutions to this dilemma is a VoIP system that uses softphones installed onto a device in the form of an application or software solution. This lets them stay in contact with the rest of your employees, without having to be on-site and connected to your in-house phone system. Therefore, a remote worker equipped with this VoIP solution can remain productive and collaborative even while out of the office.

In simpler terms, a softphone is a phone that works as software on your computer or mobile device. It works through either the traditional telephone line or via a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) connection, which transmits your voice across an Internet to the desired party. Unlike some exclusive VoIP-based phones, the softphone works without the physical device, which makes it more of a computing solution rather than a hardware solution. Softphones come with a digital number pad which looks like the dialer on a smartphone, and softphones allow for various features such as conference calling, call transfer, voicemail, and more.

Long story short: It makes more sense to use softphones for your remote workers, as it allows them to communicate with a headset or a mobile device, rather than a full-fledged handset.

As the business owner, it’s up to you to make smart choices about your IT budget before implementing any major change to your current setup. This includes your phone system. With a reliable VoIP solution, you can take advantage of all the benefits of a traditional phone system, without the need for all of the time-consuming and expensive infrastructure overhauls. By going with VoIP, you effectively avoid running new phone lines and revamping your office space to accommodate new onboards, and with a softphone, all you have to do is set up an account and configure a worker’s device. A good VoIP solution allows you to take advantage of traditional handsets that you’re used to, while allowing you to make or receive calls on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.

Softphones have a definitive edge in mobility, one which traditional phone systems can’t come close to replicating. A worker can install a softphone client on their mobile device and use an Internet connection to make or receive calls. It really is that simple.

As a bonus, VoIP systems also tend to be more affordable for businesses, as they don’t require an immense setup process and hardware purchases. Without the need for specialized equipment, a softphone can effectively use your employees’ preferred device to achieve similar results. Of course, the price will still vary by the plan, the number of users, and the number of devices, but you will gain greater flexibility in the long run.

Due to the remote worker needing a quick and easy way to stay in touch with your office, a softphone mobile client may be the best fit. Of course, every employee works differently and may prefer a different type of solution. Perhaps they would prefer a laptop with a headset, or maybe they have a desktop set up in their home office. Either way, a softphone offers a quick and easy solution.

If you’re considering VoIP, then you’ll want a trusted IT advisor to lay out your options before going all-in on an investment. To get started with a softphone solution that fits your needs, reach out to PCSOFT at 02 98730080.

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