New and Small Businesses Urged Not To Miss The Bus!
Small businesses and new business start-ups around Scotland are being urged not to miss the bus – the Cisco Network on Wheels (NOW) Van, when they attend the New Start Scotland Exhibition on the 18 - 19 March at the SECC in Glasgow. Over 8,000 business hopefuls are expected to attend the free event which is designed to offer expert help and advice to both the next generation of Scottish entrepreneurs and small Scottish businesses.
Cisco, together with partners IP Cell, will be offering advice to small business owners and new start-up companies when they climb aboard the mobile Cisco (NOW) Van. The van is equipped with mobile solutions to see exactly how technology works in action.
Visitors can also view the “home office” set up at the exhibition and see first hand how IT and communications systems are getting more affordable for small businesses and start-ups.
Mobile devices, such as laptops and Smartphones, once the preserve of the boardroom elite, are now more affordable and accessible than ever. They allow you to route direct lines, mobiles and voicemails all to they same device, allowing businesses to work flexibly and be contactable when employees are not at their desks.
A recent survey for Cisco (1) revealed that technology use has been on the rise within SMEs over the past twelve months. On average, small business spent 15% of their available budget on new technology, and those who invested more than 20% of their budget on technology during the year were also more likely (37%) to have increased their customer base than those spending less (33%).
One small business who has reaped the benefits from this technology is DMA Water Treatment. They recognised a need to be more available to their customers and introduced a telephony system from IP Cell using Cisco technology. The system allows them to take conference calls with clients so they can have several experts on the line. They can also respond to emergency calls much more quickly with the single number reach facility which automatically dials your mobile number if you are out of the office.
David Watson of DMA Water Treatment said:
"The new telephony system allows us to work much more flexibly and respond much quicker to our clients needs. As a result, our business is showing good signs of growth and customer service levels have improved."
Donald McLaughlin, Director of Cisco Scotland said:
“Companies of every size are finding that the pace of business is constantly on the increase and your customers need to get a hold of you no matter where you are. Bringing all of your communications together is the perfect way to make sure that you can stay in touch and be attentive to your customers’ individual needs.”
Alasdair Rhodes of IP Cell said:
"For people attending the New Start Scotland Exhibition they can see first hand how easy it is to access technology is a cost-effective way, starting with one phone and growing with the business."
During the two day event, there will be live demos on the van of everything you need to get started in business, from business phone lines and numbers to fully featured office phones.
There will also be giveaways and promotions, including two months free line rental. Cisco will also be presenting a seminar on how new and small companies can utilise web technologies to reduce their costs, promote their business and look at new business models.