Uckfield firms bring us up to date in world of communications

Telephones are the lifeblood of any business with the technology allowing businesses to work smarter, work faster and become more efficient. And that translates to better customer service and improved profitability.

Here at UckfieldNews.com we have been talking to Abtec Communications to bring us up to date on the world of telecommunications.

Anthony Beard, managing director, said: “IP (Internet Protocol) is something we are doing every day rather than once a week, which we used to.”

It is making huge changes in the way people work and what they can do. Mr Beard likened the old telephone networks to rigid train tracks, just going up and down.

IP is like a river, he said. Huge amounts of information can be sent along it and it is easy to branch off as well.

Never miss a call

The technology can help people work from home, allowing businesses to down-size office space and reduce fuel and transport costs. But customers will see no differences in the level of service.

“The ultimate goal in business is to never miss a call,” he said. “Mobile twinning means that when your landline rings, your mobile rings at the same time. Voicemail can be centralised; it doesn’t matter which phone you ring, the message will be there.

“Without that you could decide not to go back to the office on a Friday afternoon and then find a message on the Monday which says there is a £1million order – but you had to ring by 5pm Friday.

“With centralised voicemail you could still have gone home and got the vital message.”

Geographic telephone number

It used to be the case that getting a geographic telephone number was a costly business.

Abtec Communications can get you telephone numbers for anywhere in the country, London, Manchester, Glasgow, for example but the phone will ring in Uckfield.

Firms with branches in different parts of the country can also get geographic routing, meaning that a customer’s phone call is directed to the nearest branch for answer.

And more and more companies are looking at technology to help them measure productivity: number of calls made, duration, international calls.

More news:

Commuters from Uckfield and Buxted (and the rest of the Uckfield line) will need to keep an eye on plans to redevelop London Bridge railway station.

The huge improvement scheme is due to start in 2013 and last for five years.

Currently Southern operates 30 peak-time trains into nine platforms at London Bridge. When work starts there will only be six platforms available. Twenty-four trains are expected to run.

These trains will be lengthened to ensure maximum capacity.

Southern said: “As plans are developed in more detail, the rail industry will be working hard to minimise the impact of the scheme and to keep passengers informed about potential changes to their journeys.”

Next Wealden Business Breakfast is at The Star, Alfriston, on June 21 when “myths and misunderstandings of employment law are on the agenda.