SMEs discover the beauty of broadband

Broadband is the issue of the moment, according to the latest Technology Means Business Adviser survey.

Recent research by Technology Means Business (TMB) revealed that eight out 10 advisers had seen an increase in the number of enquiries about broadband over the past 12 months.

Looking ahead, most advisers anticipate the number of broadband enquiries to rise, with 85 per cent predicting further enquires over the next 12 months.

Tom Evans, a TMB Accredited Adviser, explained that using broadband for the provision of virtual private networks (VPNs) is essential.

"Broadband makes wide area network infrastructure affordable to the SME market and allows corporates and public companies to make huge cost savings over traditional fixed and proprietary network solutions," he said.

"The wide range of connectivity offerings in terms of bandwidth, contention ratio and service-level agreements, combined with the low cost of terminal equipment, means that solutions can be delivered to fit the business need and ensure return on investment."

For SMEs, being competitive is paramount and that means keeping up to date with technology changes such as broadband.

Evans, who works for Shere Solutions, supported SME Redhill Flynn with broadband advice and implementation.

Colin Flynn, managing director of Redhill Flynn, said: "I run a 'virtual' consultancy business based in Reigate and we have a need to create virtual teams on a project-by-project basis.

"The internet is an ideal communications network for us to use with teams and clients, but it is perceived to be inherently insecure. Evans designed and installed a VPN using our ADSL and ISDN connections.

"Not only are all our communications now encrypted and secure while running over the web, but users are authenticated when they log-on to our central file server and can see only the client data they are working on.

"This VPN has transformed the way we do business, and saves us money by reducing meeting and travel time. We are now investigating using Voice-over-IP to give us free phone calls over the network."

Neil Southern is director of Technology Means Business.