Skip to main content
search

The Columbus Blog

All the latest news and opinion on all things business technology, fresh from the Columbus HQ.
Image of logo for Broadband Voucher SchemeBroadbandConnectivityData ServicesFlexible WorkingIT ServicesRemote Working

Broadband Connections Voucher update

Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey urges businesses to apply for £3,000 broadband grants before it’s too late. Columbus is a registered supplier of the scheme and any customer requiring a better broadband service should talk to us as they may benefit from the government funding. More than 40,000 small and medium businesses (SMEs) across the UK have now benefitted from…
admin
8th September 2015
Image of weather map showing Atlantic storm hitting the UK.Disaster RecoveryFlexible WorkingHosted Business Phone SystemsInbound Call Handling Services

Don’t let the weather get the better of your business in 2015

Is Your Business Ready to cope with Extreme Weather Events? Whilst you could argue we haven't had much of a summer this year, there is a chill in the air during the evenings which marks the beginning of Autumn in the UK. Whilst the traditional November storms are still a few months off it is worthwhile checking that your business…
admin
7th September 2015
Image of Polycom VVX IP handsets. One IP handset in focus in foreground. One IP handset blurred in background.Business Phone SystemsBusiness VoIPCloud VoiceHosted Business Phone Systems

Hosted Business Phone Systems overtake traditional counterparts

Hosted Business Phone Systems overtake traditional counterparts The sale of hosted business phone systems has overtaken the sale of traditional systems at Columbus and these days, you cannot have failed to have noticed that most business applications and services for UK SMEs (Office 365, Dropbox and Salesforce for example) are delivered over a cloud infrastructure. The delivery model has accelerated…
admin
2nd September 2015
Image of Polycom VVX IP handset from Columbus UK.SIP TrunkingVoice Services

SIP Trunks on the rise for UK businesses

SIP Trunks have well and truly arrived. SIP Trunks have become the leading next-generation communications solution for UK businesses and the market will continue to grow at a rapid rate, especially since BT announced that they intend to switch off their ISDN network in 2025. Whilst ISDN has been dependable to businesses over the last few decades, it is inflexible…
admin
23rd August 2015
Image of Office 365 on iPad from Columbus UK.BroadbandFlexible WorkingHosted Business Phone SystemsInbound Call SolutionsIT ServicesMobile ServicesRemote Working

Has your business embraced flexible working?

The UK government’s flexible working laws have been in place since June 2014. Rights that were previously only reserved for carers and those looking after children have now been extended to the wider working population which means that your business is more than likely impacted. Whilst many businesses across the country have embraced flexible working and made the necessary HR…
admin
10th August 2015
Image of display monitors illustrating Horizon web portal used for hosted business phone system management.Business Phone SystemsBusiness VoIPCloud VoiceHosted Business Phone SystemsVoice Services

Hosted telecoms solutions bring agility to UK businesses

Hosted Business Phone Systems provide the flexibility and scalability businesses require today. Nowadays business is done at lightning pace and it can be difficult to keep up with your competitors without a greater degree of flexibility throughout your organisation which allows you to respond quickly to changes in your market place, adopt new technology and take advantage of new employment…
admin
7th August 2015
Image of lock which repesents security for business phone systems.Business Phone SystemsBusiness VoIPCloud VoiceHosted Business Phone Systems

10 ways to secure your business phone systems

Business Phone Systems - Security Best Practice If your business phone system is not managed properly and system security is weak, it could be vulnerable to hacking. Historically, there is a high risk of PBX fraud as a result of hacking attempts on business phone systems during holiday periods. This is due to business premises being left empty for longer…
admin
21st July 2015
Image of logo for Broadband Voucher SchemeBroadband

Broadband Connection Vouchers

Broadband connection vouchers now available from Columbus UK You can now obtain a grant of up to £3,000 to upgrade your business to faster, better broadband through the Broadband Connection Vouchers scheme. Columbus is a registered supplier for the scheme and it is available in 50 cities across the UK. The scheme has been extended until March 2016. How does…
admin
2nd July 2015
Image of a telephone and a call centre agentInbound Call Handling ServicesInbound Call SolutionsNon Geographic Calling Services

Business Telephone Numbers – Ofcom changes July 2015

Business Telephone Numbers - Important Ofcom Changes If your organisation uses business telephone numbers such as non-geographic service number for customers to contact you beginning 08, 09 or 118 you need to be aware of changes to how these numbers operate and are charged. Ofcom are introducing a new system which will provide greater confidence to callers by enabling organisations…
admin
24th June 2015
Image of Windows Server 2003 logo.IT ServicesWindows Server 2003

Windows Server 2003 reaches end of life

Windows Server 2003 support comes to an end Businesses globally are being compelled to migrate from Windows Server 2003 immediately in order to avoid server performance issues and more importantly security vulnerabilities and potential data breaches. The demise of the popular product could have serious repercussions for the millions of servers that still run on the platform across the globe.…
admin
22nd June 2015
Close Menu