Exchange Communications CEO Tom Sime featuring in The Sun
Exchange Communications CEO Tom Sime, featuring in The Sun urging businesses to make the most of their connectivity and enabled networks in order to overcome the growing challenges presented by the global Coronavirus outbreak.
“While the current global coronavirus epidemic is causing widespread concern and even panic, it is worth noting that, from a business perspective, we are more prepared than we might think to accommodate the challenges it may bring.
“In fact, from a technology and connectivity perspective, we might just be in the strongest situation we’ve ever been in to counter a potential pandemic hitting the country.
“While the current global coronavirus epidemic is causing widespread concern and even panic, it is worth noting that, from a business perspective, we are more prepared than we might think to accommodate the challenges it may bring.
“In fact, from a technology and connectivity perspective, we might just be in the strongest situation we’ve ever been in to counter a potential pandemic hitting the country.
“Already, we are seeing worse-case scenarios suggesting mass-shutdowns of workplaces, with all staff being sent home to self-isolate and prevent the spread of the infection. Whilst this does indeed sound catastrophic, there are already systems in place to deal with certain situations and with the enabling of a few other simple measures, businesses could find themselves operating to a normal capacity.
“We are already living in a society where working from home is commonplace, with an estimated four million of us taking advantage of the flexibility it offers. That’s 14% of the population. By comparison, a tech-savvy nation like Japan the number is more like 4%.
“The systems and technology are already in place to minimise the effects of any shutdowns in the workplace and have been for some time. Preparations have been made, even if we weren’t aware we were making them.
“As a business, we have already been flooded by enquiries looking at how companies can use their existing systems to allow staff to work remotely, ensuring continuity and safety of staff. This is an incredibly prudent move – working with their telecom provider to maximise the technology they have in order to ensure that it’s business as usual, which can be make or break for SMEs.
“Either through work equipment or Bring Your Own Device, the functionality to enable this will either already be in place, or can be set up very quickly. There are also a number of very helpful temporary measures which can also be implemented.
“Telecom providers will be essential links in the chain if such a situation arises, enabling teams to continue working, maximising the technology or implementing temporary measures to support staff working from home.
“Putting the right tools in place will minimise disruption and still allow for face-to-face interaction that will approximate the experience to a reasonable extent. Video conferences and meetings can be facilitated easily, while we are already used to working online for most other aspects of our daily working lives. Applications on mobiles could also be utilised more without the benefit of a desktop phone.
“Doomsday warnings and forecasts of huge disruption may or may not be accurate when it comes to the physical impact of coronavirus on us all, but as far as business telecoms and connectivity is concerned, we only have to use what we already have at our fingertips to keep the country up and running, but the time is now to ensure it is all in place.”
“In fact, from a technology and connectivity perspective, we might just be in the strongest situation we’ve ever been in to counter a potential pandemic hitting the country.
