The public switched telephone network (PSTN) switch off is scheduled for 2025, and will mark the end of the copper-based telephone network. In the lead up to the switch off, businesses must transition away from PSTN-based products to newer services ― including FTTP and SOGEA. Here, Kristian Torode, Director and Co-Founder of business communications services provider Crystaline, explains what FTTP and SOGEA services are, and how they will support businesses navigating the PSTN switch off. The PSTN consists of traditional telephone lines that use copper wire to transmit voice communications. Many businesses and residences still use the PTSN for telephone…
Author: sme-admin
2022 will be dominated by change, capital and competition for the UK’s privately owned businesses yet holds promise of growth, according to the recent Regional Economic Outlook from KPMG. Here Chris Hearld, Head of KPMG Private Enterprise, outlines the key issues that private businesses will do well to pay attention to as they pursue their ambitions. Digital transformation This is the year that many privately owned businesses will transform to become digital first. With the pandemic survival measure wave of digital transformation behind us, the development of digital backbones throughout businesses is now underway. Retiring legacy systems – A particular trend…
Yorkshire-based tech start-up meeow has formed a new partnership with business community GB Shared in a bid to help UK business owners reconnect following the isolation brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. The partnership will provide all members of the GB Shared professional community with unlimited access to meeow’s online networking platform, with access to thousands of businesspeople across the globe. By working together, both businesses hope to limit the negative effects the pandemic is having on the ability for small business owners to make real connections. GB Shared is a network of countywide platforms which aim to create an…
Lead generation is one of the key pillars of a successful business, yet many still report wasting time on ‘bad leads’ that never convert. For marketers working for small and medium sized enterprises in particular, it’s often a familiar story: how can efforts be optimised to ensure a limited budget goes the distance? Christelle Fraysse, CMO of cloud-based CRM vendor Workbooks, reveals five strategies to help marketers boost the outcomes and ROI of their lead generation activities. Become data-obsessed As marketers, we have access to a lot of data. But too much data will only lead to more questions than answers.…
In March last year the Government announced its 130% Super Deduction capital allowance scheme to help businesses grow and thrive, but how does this little-known capital allowance scheme work? Carol Roberts, Director of Asset Finance at Time Finance, shares her thoughts on the value of Super Deduction and why businesses should make their investments in 2022. What is Super Deduction? Super Deduction is a new enhanced capital allowance that allows companies to claim tax relief when investing in plant and machinery, enabling them to reduce their corporation tax bills through their tangible capital investments. Through Super Deduction, a company can claim…
According to Health and Safety Executive In the UK 6 million people suffer from a work-related illness 142 workers killed at work (2020/21) 693,000 working people sustain an injury at work according to the Labour Force Survey 65,427 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR 8 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury £16.2 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2018/19) AI-based Computer Vision solutions such as IRIS can predict and prevent workplace accidents significantly. How do the AI Computer Vision Systems improve safety and reduce accidents? Computer Vision AI Systems are very efficient and accurate in capturing all near…
Britishvolt, the UK battery company, has received an in principle offer of government funding though the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) for its planned gigafactory in Northumberland. Once complete, the factory will produce enough batteries for over 300,000 electric vehicles each year, significantly supporting the UK automotive industry’s transition to a zero emissions future and increased production of electric vehicles. The government’s support for the gigafactory will help to unlock a significant amount of further support from private investors. Alongside private sector investment, the project is set to create 3,000 direct highly-skilled jobs and another 5,000 indirect jobs in the wider…
Christmas is the loneliest time of the year for older people, with those who have been widowed feeling it the most. For many it brings back too many memories of people who have passed away and of happier times. Whilst most of us in the UK sat down with family and friends over the Christmas season an estimated half a million elderly spent it without family or friends. But Staffordshire based Community Interest Company Cherishers were determined to ensure that this was not the case in their own community. In the spirit of Christmas, the team at Cherishers shared the…
A London based entrepreneur is hoping the launch of her new product will plug a gap for ethically minded pet owners. Lucy McKinna, a qualified vet and vegan from New Malden, struggled with the fact she didn’t eat meat but did feed it to her dog. “I had fully embraced a vegan lifestyle but I couldn’t find anything on the market I felt confident would provide my dog with everything she needed to stay healthy.” Lucy set about solving this ethical dilemma herself. She started to create her own vegan dog food, initially just for her and her veterinary clients’ dogs.…
The government’s Help to Grow: Digital scheme – designed to support smaller businesses in adopting digital technologies so they can grow – has opened for applications today, Thursday 20th January. Under the scheme, eligible businesses can now receive discounts of up to £5,000 off the retail price of approved Digital Accounting and CRM software from leading technology suppliers. This software will help them to effectively manage their finances and build customer relationships, ultimately levelling up the way businesses are run and helping them to scale up. From today, businesses can also access practical, specialised support and advice on how to choose the…