Telephony and IT is converging so quickly that businesses need a helping hand to make the most of the changes in technology. That was the message at a special event laid on by ACUTEC on the subject of telecoms.

The company is running a programme of events throughout the year to help clients and partners to keep up with the latest changes in IT and invited Wayne Liddle, of Avaya, to give a presentation on telecommunications.

Avaya is the number one supplier of telecoms to SMEs and Wayne pointed out the many ways in which companies can become more efficient by converging telephony with IT.

Navish Mistry, of Forte, attended and said: “I was very impressed with the event and the presentation was excellent.”

New advances in automated systems and facilities such as setting your phone so that you always appear to be ‘in the office’ were also discussed.

Only recently, ACUTEC bought telecoms company Chase Meadow Communications to help clients with the latest changes in technology and to help them integrate the two.

Steve Lines, of ACUTEC, said: “When it comes to telecoms and IT being integrated with the same company it makes sense.

“IT and telephony have converged over recent years and your mobile phone is now a mini PC – in many ways it’s more sophisticated.

“We have a system now where, via our PC network, we can transfer a call from the landline to a mobile. So you could take a call in the office, transfer it to your mobile, walk out of the door, get in your car, transfer it to Bluetooth and the client would never know anything had happened. It’s seamless.

“As with outsourcing any service, it’s not just about the expertise but the people you deal with. So finding a company that understands your business and what you require from your IT systems and telecoms is just as vital as them being able to implement it. That’s what we aim to do here.”

Steve Lines, ACUTEC Account Manager

Steve Lines, ACUTEC Account Manager said: “Outsourcing makes practical and financial sense. If your IT team is in house, then it is the responsibility of the company to train them, ensure they have the necessary qualifications and the up-to-the-minute knowledge.

“This is a fast moving industry and you need trusted IT experts and that’s what you need to look for when you outsource.

“If you want 24-hour cover, 365 days a year, that is going to be much more cost-effective when you have outsourced because you are not having to pay salaried staff for that cover.

“Maybe a few years ago companies would have felt that they needed IT staff on-site in case systems went down but so much of that diagnosis and repair can now be done remotely, it makes no difference.

“So, in my opinion, outsourcing reduces risks and saves money.

“When it comes to telecoms and IT being integrated with the same company, again it makes sense.

“IT and telephony have converged over recent years and your mobile phone is now a mini PC – in many ways it’s more sophisticated.

“We have a system now where, via our PC network, we can transfer a call from the landline to a mobile. So you could take a call in the office, transfer it to your mobile, walk out of the door, get in your car, transfer it to Bluetooth and the client would never know anything had happened. It’s seamless.

“As with outsourcing any service, it’s not just about the expertise but the people you deal with. So finding a company that understands your business and what you require from your IT systems and telecoms is just as vital as them being able to implement it. That’s what we aim to do here.”

Avaya Telecoms event, 20th March

ACUTEC will be hosting a telecoms event in March and managing director Chris Roche says IT and telecommunications have never been more closely linked.

The event is taking place on March 20, from 9.30am until 1pm and lunch will be provided.

Chris Roche, managing director of ACUTEC, said: “When it comes to telecoms and IT being integrated with the same company, it makes sense.

“IT and telephony have converged over recent years and your mobile phone is now a mini PC – in many ways it’s more sophisticated.

“We have a system now where, via our PC network, we can transfer a call from the landline to a mobile. So you could take a call in the office, transfer it to your mobile, walk out of the door, get in your car, transfer it to Bluetooth and the client would never know anything had happened. It’s seamless.

“As with outsourcing any service, it’s not just about the expertise but the people you deal with. So finding a company that understands your busines and what you require from your IT systems and telecoms is just as vital as them being able to implement it. That’s what we aim to do here.”

ACUTEC aims to grow by 30%

ACUTEC is aiming to grow by 30 per cent in 2012 – and is looking to take on more staff to assist that expansion.

The company has expanded rapidly over the past two years both organically and by acquisition, and has added further services such as telecommunications to complement its existing offer.

ACUTEC works across the UK, but predominantly in the Midlands, with a range of businesses from tourist attractions to manufacturers and from SMEs to larger organisations.

A growth in that client base means the firm is on the hunt for new technical staff and wants to add to its sales team to assist the predicted expansion.

Chris Roche, managing director of ACUTEC, said: “Despite tough trading conditions, we have grown over the past few years and we are projecting growth of 30 per cent in the next 12 months.

“Businesses want to know that they have trusted IT experts because firms of all sizes and sectors rely on IT now more than ever.

“Each client wants something different from their IT systems and we make sure we understand each company and organisation to ensure we can bring added benefits.

“That’s why I believe we have grown and why we will continue to expand in 2012. To that end, we need to further strengthen the team with new technical and sales staff.

“Naturally, we want IT expertise but we also want people who know how to deal with people to get under the skin of what they want from their systems.

“Despite the tough economic climate, we believe that is a recipe for growth in this industry.”

IT meets telecommunications

Chris Roche, managing director of ACUTEC, says IT and telecommunications have never been more closely linked.

“When it comes to telecoms and IT being integrated with the same company, it makes sense.

“IT and telephony have converged over recent years and your mobile phone is now a mini PC – in many ways it’s more sophisticated.

“We have a system now where, via our PC network, we can transfer a call from the landline to a mobile. So you could take a call in the office, transfer it to your mobile, walk out of the door, get in your car, transfer it to Bluetooth and the client would never know anything had happened. It’s seamless.

“As with outsourcing any service, it’s not just about the expertise but the people you deal with. So finding a company that understands your business and what you require from your IT systems and telecoms is just as vital as them being able to implement it. That’s what we aim to do here.”

ACUTEC will be hosting a telecoms event on March 20, from 9.30am until 1pm and lunch will be provided.

Richard Lakin (ACUTEC), Michael Hammon, Nick Williams, Andris Skudra

A growing Coventry solicitors practice has moved less than a mile down the road and it marks a major leap for the company.

Hammons Solicitors, which was established in the early 1960s, has made the move to a new office just a short distance from its previous headquarters in Walsgrave Road.

The move was assisted by ACUTEC, which ensured that the firm’s computer systems were up and running within three hours of the move.

Beth Webb, accounts manager at Hammons, said: “We have grown to 19 staff and the move to the new building was essential to support that growth and also to offer a more welcoming environment for our clients.

“The company is approaching its 50th anniversary and we pride ourselves on the tradition of offering high-quality service and advice.

“It was vital that the surroundings reflected that and we look forward to further growth in our new home.”

She added: “With any move, you are always relying on others to assist and, thanks to ACUTEC, the IT side of the transition went extremely smoothly.

“Like most businesses now, we need to be able to access IT on an up-to-the-minute basis and the fact we had an accurate delivery time for when we would be back online was a major help in the move.

“At one stage, one of our older PCs broke down and the swift replacement ensured we didn’t lose any time.”

Helen Brewster, ACUTEC’s client experience director, wished Hammons every success with the move.

She said: “Hammons is a traditional firm that has recognised the need to have a modern IT system in order to meet the needs of its clients.

“We know how stressful moving office can be and it is up to our trusted team of experts to ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible. We hope Hammons are extremely successful in their new home.”