Free Leased Line Quote Tool

October 14, 2019 | by Nicola Scoon

Once you’ve decided a leased line is right for your business, it’s time to see what’s out there. Usually, researching the best leased line quotes takes time, especially if you need to call suppliers and manually compare between them. 

In How To Guide, Advice Guide, leased line, business fibre, business broadband, Superfast

Leased Line Checker

October 4, 2019 | by Nicola Scoon

The faster speeds and added reliability that you get from leased lines make them a popular choice in 2019. Because of this, there are more choices than ever when it comes to suppliers, speed and deals. 

In How To Guide, Advice Guide, leased line, business fibre, business broadband

Best Phone and Broadband Deals for Business: What You Need to Know

August 22, 2019 | by Nicola Scoon

There are few services that can impact your business as much as your internet and phone line. The  right business broadband and phone deal can give you a real competitive edge. You can use technology to automate processes, work more efficiently and use systems like VoIP to conduct business calls wherever you are. 

In How To Guide, FTTP, FTTC, Advice Guide, leased line, business fibre, business broadband, phone system, voip, BT

Small Business Phone and Broadband Guide: What You Need to Know

August 19, 2019 | by Nicola Scoon

Whether you need a dedicated line with the fastest speeds possible or just want a reliable connection that’s capable of supporting voice calls over the internet, we’re here to help you find the right package for your small business.

In How To Guide, FTTP, FTTC, Advice Guide, leased line, business fibre, business broadband, phone system, voip, BT

Who Are The Top 5 UK Business VoIP Providers

January 26, 2019 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

Whether you’re starting a business or looking to refine your existing processes, deciding to invest in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) package as part of your communications infrastructure can help save you time and money. With many options currently available on the market, finding the right VoIP providers for your company may seem challenging – but this does not need not be the case with Amvia. 

In order to help you make an informed decision, we have selected five of our favourite providers and given some essential pros and cons for each.

Ring Central 



This company is specifically geared towards providing services for offices and small businesses. Ring Central is an affordable, reliable platform that uses cloud-based services and a flexible pricing plan to produce an end-to-end service for all users. 

Pros: The platform is known for being stable and simple to set up, requiring little assistance from an initial installer and minimal ongoing maintenance. This includes app-based functionality for mobiles and smartphones and a cost of £8 per month for a basic subscription, making it well within the price range of any start-up or small business. 


Cons: Given that the platform is predominantly for smaller companies, the system can struggle when put under heavy use. Additionally, a large amount of the system's customisation is done through deploying automatic wizards, making it easy to set up, but unintuitive to customise once it is up and running. 


In a sentence: Perfect for smaller, budget-conscious businesses. 



Skype



The one piece of software on this list that’s probably on your computer already, Skype is a truly affordable and flexible VoIP tool - albeit one that doesn’t have the masses of functionality available with other platforms. 

Pros: Skype’s integration into Chrome and Android software means that your existing contact data can be easily migrated to the system. The app is also straightforward to use, with a simple ‘tap and go’ nature that makes it perfect for when you need to make a quick call and don’t want to deal with the hassle of setup and invites. The ‘business’ version of the software can also easily integrate with your existing office infrastructure and email platform – saving you time and money.

Cons: If your business needs a dedicated VoIP platform, this may not be it. Skype is predominantly designed and marketed to everyday consumers who often do not hold the same standards for quality and reliability as professionals. And even going for the business version of the software may leave you feeling a little underwhelmed with its limited functionality. 

In a sentence: Useful if it fits your bill or as a stopgap on the way to a fully-fledged solution. 



Vonage



For those that are truly tech-savvy, Vonage’s mobile app and API integration make it a solid choice for businesses who know exactly what they need from a platform or are looking to scale in the near future.

Pros: Vonage is known for its focus on providing high-quality, clear audio and offering a suite of business options for advanced users. While they may be a little more expensive than other platforms, you definitely get what you pay for – giving users advanced data-reporting and admin functionality to help ensure that the system is deployed as required. 

Cons: One of the biggest drawbacks of the platform comes from the fact that – unlike almost all of its competitors – Vonage does not have video conferencing as a standard part of its base-level package. This can be especially frustrating if your business is highly networked or if you need to regularly hold conferences. 

In a sentence: If you’re a small business that knows what they’re looking for, this may be the right pick for you. 



Intermedia



Pushing integration and ease of use, Intermedia is steadily carving itself a niche in the market as a well rounded service provider for companies of all sizes. 

Pros: Simple to set up and maintain, Intermedia’s platform lets its users hit the ground running and keep going with relative ease. The system’s built-in hostpilot console allows your administrators to manage the system with minimal effort and internally track issues. The platform has also taken part in a recent drive to add functionality to the system, with web apps, mobile controls, file sharing, and cloud backups forthcoming. 

Cons: Despite the promise of additional functionality, some of it has taken its time coming to the system. There is also no guarantee of when this functionality will arrive and how stable it may be. Many observers have also noted that their Apple client only works with iPhone handsets and not with tablets, forcing users to find a temporary workaround while the company works to resolve the issue. 

In a sentence: A little more expensive than other providers, but absolutely worth it if you’re willing to make the commitment. 



Mitel



A solid all-in-one platform, Mitel’s sliding scale of user packages means that all your business needs can potentially be found under one roof – even if it’s a little costlier to access them.

Pros: The Mitel system bundles a number of useful tools such as VoIP messaging, a smartphone app, and comprehensive collaboration functionality under one roof. Depending on which of the three pricing bands you choose, your business can gain access to a wealth of market leading integrated functionality, letting you control exactly how you want employees to access the system.

Cons: High-utility tools like speech-to text transcription for mailboxes is hidden under higher price-points. While the system’s tools are often highly advanced, there is a risk of them only being deployed in highly specific ways – running the risk of per-user pricing ending up at the higher end of the scale.

In a sentence: Seek it out if you’re happy to pay a little extra for a great deal of useful tools.



To learn more about our current range of packages and offers, you can call us on 0333-733-8050 or click below to visit our site and make an online comparison of VoIP providers.

In How To Guide, Advice Guide, phone system, voip

BT VoIP Phone System Guide

January 26, 2019 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

If you're thinking about signing up for a BT VoIP phone system, take the time to read Amvia's unbiased review to obtain a rounded picture of the services and functions offered.

In How To Guide, Advice Guide, phone system, voip

10 Key Benefits Of A VoIP Phone System For UK Businesses

January 23, 2019 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

There are so many advantages for businesses making the switch to a VoIP phone system, that it really is difficult to list them all. At present, 700,000 traditional UK landline consumers are switching to VoIP on a monthly basis, so it's clear that these systems are popular for a lot of reasons. However, if you're looking around for a new phone system, here's Amvia's roundup of ten of the key benefits of a VoIP phone system to help you make your decision:

10 benefits of VoIP systems for business



1. Saves your business money



Affordability and cost savings are probably one of the main reasons for the big switch to VoIP. Financial benefits accrue whether you opt for your own in-house system or choose a cloud provider. However, it has to be said that cloud providers will save your business more cash over the short-to-medium-term. From an operational perspective, these systems will continually offer cost savings for any calls, whether at local, national or international rates. 

2. Offer a streamlined service



Using just one carrier for voice and data connectivity means making the utmost advantage of a streamlined service that links all available technologies, therefore, providing greater efficiencies.

3. Easily scalable



Because VoIP systems just use internet connections, they are remarkably easy to scale and can offer unlimited numbers of connections. This means business organisations experiencing growth or contraction will find it is a simple matter to add or delete user accounts. 

4. Boosts productivity 



VoIP systems can boost worker productivity enormously. Because employees don't need to be located in just one place to answer phones, they can use mobile devices as an extension, making it easier to move around the workplace or work remotely. Recent stats show that VoIP systems can:

- save 43 minutes daily due to greater messaging efficiency
- save mobile employees up to 55 minutes each day
- provide a 20% uplift to productivity when workers are given the opportunity to work remotely

5. Offer greater flexibility



Connecting branch offices, subsidiary businesses and remote workers into just one VoIP network makes any business much more flexible. All team members can take advantage of free internal calls and all the added functions associated with the VoIP network. 

6. Feature rich



VoIP systems offer lots of functions and features. Many of them can be networked with business CRM packages, while employees will find team working and collaboration is much easier with all the conferencing facilities offered by VoIP. Messaging via computers and mobile devices makes it an easy matter to exchange documents and text via the system, while sophisticated call attendant and voicemail features ensure no calls are lost. 

7. VoIP is easy to set up and maintain



VoIP systems are really easy to install and usually just need an internet connection and all relevant telephones or devices. Once the software is in place, regular updates ensure the system is maintained at the highest levels, so it's rare for businesses to require any regular maintenance or engineer support.

8. Useful for monitoring customer service teams and staff training



It's an easy matter to monitor calls with VoIP systems, so keeping tabs on the messages imparted by trainees and new hires can be carried out by just one supervisor. Recording calls is also an easy way to create staff training manuals, as all recordings can be quickly transposed into text via the VoIP system. 

9. No need to invest in new phones or other hardware



You won't need to invest your cash into an entirely new hardware upgrades when you opt for VoIP. Most systems work just as well with existing headsets or phones. 

10. VoIP meets all your business requirements


And, finally, the high tech used for communicating in the contemporary business world is all bundled in one service when you opt for VoIP. Workers can text or instant message, video call, or send files of any kind utilising your new VoIP system. 

One additional great benefit offered by many VoIP suppliers is the option to try before you buy. You can take a free trial of some available systems, or opt for the first month free with other popular suppliers.

Amvia are specialists at sourcing the best VoIP systems tailored to our client needs exactly. We tailor all our VoIP solutions to customer requirements, to ensure you obtain the right levels of service and functionality needed by your organisation. Take the time to browse our website for more information, or get in touch with us to discuss your needs with one of our knowledgeable advisors.

In How To Guide, Advice Guide, phone system, voip

Mitel VoIP Phone System

January 23, 2019 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

Fully understanding your hardware options is essential when it comes to deciding the kind of VOIP phone system you or your business should go for. And with so many makes and models on the marketplace, highlighting a good ‘jack of all trades’ option is always helpful.

So, what is a Mitel VOIP system and what are the pros and cons of deploying one through your business?

What is VOIP



Simply, voice over internet protocol (VOIP) systems use the internet rather than landlines to carry calls – turning analogue phone calls into digital information for fast and efficient transmission. While this requires a reasonably fast internet connection and can be a little more demanding to set up than conventional phone service, the benefits are often not only profound but long-lasting. 

Going through VOIP lets you enjoy a cheap, flexible service for small businesses and scalable discounts to larger, established firms - lowering the cost of communicating with your employees, partners and clients and bringing easy-to-use features to your employees’ work. While choosing a provider can play a major role, deciding the physical VOIP compliant hardware is also a must. This is why we often recommend deploying a Mitel VOIP system to our customers – combining affordability and functionality into one unit. 

What is the Mitel System? 


Mitel is a well-respected, innovative hardware provider for VOIP technologies – with their range of phones and comprehensive VOIP service provision earning them a $1.3bn in global revenue, they have a leading market share in Europe, and well over 1600 applications and patents to their name. 

The Mitel VoIP phone system range includes affordable entry-level handsets to sophisticated speakerphones, docks and headsets with a range of different options. The system is controlled through the Mitel MiCloud platform that empowers you to give your system-users distinct profiles and privileges, helping you provide controlled and tiered access to your system. 

In How To Guide, Advice Guide, phone system, voip

What Is A VoIP Phone System?

January 22, 2019 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

A VoIP phone system, or Voice Over Internet Protocol voice system, is a type of telephony system which utilises an internet connection in order to facilitate telephone calls. In the past few years it has emerged as a viable, and in some cases more effective, alternative to traditional telephony systems. 

In How To Guide, Advice Guide, phone system, voip

5 Best Business VoIP Phone System Options

January 22, 2019 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

Amvia excel when it comes to advising business organisations about the best business VoIP phone system most suited to their requirements. We're sector leaders in the arena of UK telephony and are pleased to offer the following review of the top five business VoIP phone systems available at the moment, in no particular order. 

In How To Guide, Advice Guide, phone system, voip

What are the advantages of VoIP for businesses?

January 21, 2019 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

Increasing numbers of UK businesses are switching their telephony to VoIP providers, because it really is the future for communications and offers organisations of all sizes lots of valuable benefits. Modern communications methods are changing, and businesses can't just rely on telephone calls nowadays, and that's why VoIP is such an excellent and comprehensive solution. 

Amvia work with any sort of business to streamline and simplify telecoms so they complement requirements exactly. If you're wondering exactly what are the advantages of VoIP, take the time to read through our brief update below. 

Benefits of VoIP for business users



1. Saves your business money

In How To Guide, Advice Guide, phone system, voip

List Of VoIP Providers

January 18, 2019 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

There are over 50 UK VOIP providers, so if you are looking to understand who the major UK VoIP providers are you're in the right place. In this article you'll find a list of VOIP providers with the best technology and expertise in the UK.

In How To Guide, Advice Guide, phone system, voip

VOIP Provider Comparison

September 17, 2018 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

If you are looking to make a VoIP providers comparison then you're in the right place.

As businesses decide to move away from traditional ISDN services, there are a multitude of VoIP providers helping businesses make the switch.

This is a sector with a low barrier to entry which means providers of all kinds are flooding onto the market. If you’re a business trying to find the right VoIP solution, it can feel daunting due to the sheer number of options.

In this guide we review the leading providers, investigate the pro's and cons, so that you can make the best choice of VoIP provider for your business.

In How To Guide, Advice Guide, phone system, voip

Virgin VOIP & Your Business

September 13, 2018 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

Last year, Virgin Media announced a relatively tentative move into the VOIP space as it started a limited deployment of its VOIP technology to replace its existing line rental services. At first the scheme is being kept to those areas where it has already deployed its fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) technology. 

In How To Guide, voip, Virgin VoIP

Choosing The Best Business VOIP Providers

September 12, 2018 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

Landlines? Where we’re going we don’t need landlines, we need voip providers. More and more businesses are casting their eyes forward to a world beyond hardwired telephone lines to business voice over internet protocol (VOIP) offering integrated communications including voice, video, instant messaging, mobile and cloud applications.

In How To Guide, voip

Leased Line Price Comparison

February 21, 2018 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

Are you shopping around for the best deal on leased lines? There are dozens of ISPs in the UK, all vying for your business, each with different prices and service offerings.

We know that picking your way through the fine print is a tricky and time-consuming process. As a savvy buyer, you want to know you are getting the best leased line pricing with a service level that suits your needs. 

In this guide we cover the providers you should be considering, the main components that determine leased line costs, and finally a quick and easy way to make a whole of market leased line price comparison. 
 

In How To Guide

Switching Internet Provider?

February 6, 2018 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

In this article we cover why businesses switch nework provider, and how to successfully manage a network migration.

Why switch network provider?

Most businesses switch network provider for three reasons:

In How To Guide

Gigabit Connection Voucher Scheme

November 16, 2017 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

If you are a UK SME business, you may be able to get a grant to upgrade your business fibre to Gigabit speeds.

In How To Guide

Is Fibre Right For Your Business?

November 1, 2017 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

This article will focus on helping you to decide if ADSL broadband, Ethernet First Mile (EFM), Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC), Ethernet over FTCC, FTTP or Fibre are best for your business. Too many acronyms already? Stick with us we'll help you get there!

In How To Guide

How To Build Recurring Revenue In Your Business

October 18, 2017 | by Nathan Hill-Haimes

So developing recurring revenue is a great idea, lets explore how can you develop it in your business.

How can selling telecom services to your customers transform your business value?

Selling telecom services such as broadband, fibre leased lines and ethernet develops recurring revenue. The nature of these services is that they are billed on a monthly basis, sometime on multi-year contracts. This means if you sell a fibre circuit for £500/month over 3 years, you can be fairly certian you will receive 36 x £500 or £18,000 in income over the 36 month period.

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