The Client

We have a long-standing relationship with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) having worked with them and their
members for several years, offering valuable industry knowledge and supporting a range of connectivity and telephony solutions.

Requirement

Remote Working

Back in March 2020, SCVO identified a need to enhance its mobile and remote working solution. The legacy solution was based on physical hardware, with any options for mobile working requiring expensive licences or additional hardware. This had previously been acceptable as the organisation only had a small number of employees with these needs, however, given Government guidance and National Lockdown, SCVO now had a far wider requirement for mobile and remote working.

What DB Comms did

Teams Telephone System

Through consultation we agreed that the organisation would like to leverage its investment in Microsoft Teams and in particular the Teams Telephone System add on.The Microsoft Teams Telephone System offered the organisation a single endpoint i.e. the Teams app to use for all internal and external communications via voice, video and instant messaging

Direct Routing

Given that the Microsoft Direct Call packages can be slightly restrictive, with the cost of calls and the requirement for users to be linked to a credit card, we were able to offer our ‘direct routing’ platform for Teams Telephone System which not only adds a voice route to MS Teams, but also adds our call management platform so you can build call plans, confirm messages, disaster recovery, voicemail to email and much more via a simple to administer web-based platform – without any technical PowerShell skills required.

Outcome for Client

Not only has the project enabled SCVO to move to a fully flexible remote working solution, allowing them to function as normal as possible throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic, but it provided them with a platform to build their flexible working strategy around in the future.

"DB Comms understood our requirements and future vision for Enterprise voice via the Cloud. They demonstrated excellent knowledge of the Teams Direct. Routing product and how to implement this in a way that would work best for us. The expert consultancy provided ensured a smooth and quick onboarding for our employees. Teams Direct Routing has helped us simplify and streamline business collaboration. We now have an effective single platform for internal and external communications. I’d highly recommend DB Comms to anyone."

Ian Horburgh

IT Manager

The Client

Glasgow Sculpture Studios is a third-sector arts organisation located in the heart of Glasgow, providing 39 individual artist studios and project spaces for rent. The organisation had a shared WiFi network, which was causing a number of issues for the tenants including poor performance, security risks and reduced productivity. To address these concerns, Glasgow Sculpture Studios enlisted the services of DB Comms.

Requirement

The existing shared WiFi network was presenting a number of challenges for tenants. The network had poor performance, leading to slow internet speed and dropped connections. Security risks were also a concern, as tenants were sharing the same network, increasing the likelihood of cyberattacks. Furthermore, productivity was reduced and tenants struggled to access the internet and use online tools.

What DB Comms did

DB Comms installed a new fully managed WiFi network, which involved installing individual access points in each of the 39 studio and project spaces. Each space was equipped with its own access point and SSID, built on its own private VLAN. In addition, each space was given a wired LAN, which was on the same VLAN as the WiFi providing each tenant with a private, secure wireless and wired data network.

Outcome for client

The new WiFi network provided a number of benefits for tenants, including improved performance, increased security and enhanced productivity. With each tenant having their own access point, internet speeds improved significantly and connections were no longer dropped. In addition, the private VLANs ensured that each tenant had a secure network, reducing the risk of cyberattacks. As a result, tenants were able to work more efficiently, using online tools and accessing the internet without interruption.

DB Comms was able to address the challenges faced by Glasgow Sculpture Studios by installing a new fully managed WiFi network. By providing each tenant with their own access point and private VLAN, the new network improved performance, security and productivity. Glasgow Sculpture Studios was pleased with the results and is now able to offer studio holders a high-quality WiFi network, enhancing their overall experience at the organisation.

Client

The Vittoria Group, Edinburgh's favourite Italian family restaurant, features award-winning eateries around the city. An Edinburgh institution since 1970, the Group also has four La Favorita Delivered take away shops which sell and deliver their award-winning pizzas across Edinburgh.

Requirements

The previous telecoms set up across five restaurants, four takeaway shops and one head office were the result of supplier decisions made from necessity rather than value or service and due to rapid growth our client ended up with a situation that was less than desirable.

• The group had multiple providers across 10 locations for telephone lines and broadband services across various sites
  which became very difficult to control and budget
• The situation caused confusion for staff members who didn't know who to report service issues to
• The business experienced several outages and losses of business as they had no disaster recovery plan

Actions

Phase 1:

• We became a single provider for all telecoms and broadband services across the group, thus consolidating billing and simplifying the management
• As part of our take over process we reviewed all available broadband services and recommended upgrades
• Worked closely with the client's IT provider to ensure all the broadband changes and associated router configurations and hardware upgrades were handled seamlessly

Phase 2:

• Addressing disaster recovery, we installed a secondary broadband circuit for failover purposes, this was essential at the sites which rely on connectivity for online ordering
• Legacy analogue phone lines were upgraded to our Hosted VoIP platform, this brought many call handling features, improving call management and customer experience

Outcome

• Universal solution across all sites making it simple for staff to work in different branches and operate in a similar environment
• One simple invoice, broken down into cost centres, making it simple for the finance department to understand all costs assigned with telecoms for
  each location resulting in savings in excess of £8000 per annum
• To follow disaster recovery processes we left staff with easy to follow guides to help them get back on line quickly and easily
• The client now has a dedicated DB Comms account manager which helps staff at the restaurants and take away stores as they now have a single point of contact for all types of moves/add and change enquiries

Amount Saved

£8,000

In today's digital age, having a fast and reliable internet connection is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) is revolutionising the way we connect to the internet by providing lightning-fast speeds and unmatched reliability. In this blog post, we'll delve into what FTTP is, how it works, its benefits, and why it's worth considering for your home or business. 

What is FTTP?  

FTTP, or Fibre to the Premises, is a broadband connection that utilises fibre optic cables to deliver internet directly to your home or business. Unlike traditional ADSL broadband connections that use copper cables, FTTP relies on advanced fibre optic technology, which allows for faster and more reliable internet access.  

How does FTTP work?

FTTP works by transmitting data through light pulses along fibre optic cables. These light pulses travel at incredible speeds, facilitating the delivery of data in the form of digital signals. The use of fibre optics enables FTTP to achieve ultra-fast speeds and consistent performance, making it the gold standard for internet connectivity. 

The Benefits of FTTP: 

• Fast speeds: FTTP can offer speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), far surpassing the speeds of traditional ADSL connections. With FTTP, downloading large files, streaming high-definition content, and online gaming become seamless experiences. 
• Unparalleled reliability: Weather conditions and distance from the exchange no longer pose a threat to your internet connection with FTTP.  
• Future-proof investment: As technology continues to evolve, the demand for higher bandwidth applications and emerging technologies increases. FTTP is future-proof, designed to support even faster speeds as technology advances. Investing in FTTP ensures you won't be left behind as your requirements evolve. 

Is FTTP worth getting?

For those seeking high speed – always on connectivity, FTTP is undoubtedly worth considering. Its benefits extend beyond fast speeds and reliability, particularly for businesses: 

• Increased productivity: With a fast and reliable internet connection, businesses can operate efficiently, improving productivity across various tasks and operations.
   
• Unparalleled reliability: Weather conditions and distance from the exchange no longer pose a threat to your internet connection with FTTP.
   
• Future-proof investment: As technology continues to evolve, the demand for higher bandwidth applications and emerging technologies increases. FTTP is future-proof, designed to support even faster speeds as technology advances. Investing in FTTP ensures you won't be left behind as your requirements evolve. 

It's worth noting that FTTP availability may vary depending on your location. If you use the form below we can send you a report on the best available technologies at your premises. 

Conclusion: FTTP represents the next generation of broadband connectivity, offering lightning-fast speeds, unwavering reliability, and future-proof capabilities. Whether you're a small office set up craving lightning-fast downloads or a multi user business seeking a competitive edge, FTTP is the answer. Embrace the power of FTTP and unlock the full potential of the digital world. 

Additional Information: To put the speed capabilities of FTTP into perspective, here's a comparison with other connection types: 

We hope this blog has shed light on the wonders of FTTP. Should you have any further questions or enquiries, please feel free to get in touch with one of the team. 

The ISDN switch-off in Scotland is scheduled to take place in 2025. This is a major change for charities that rely on ISDN or analogue telephony, and it's important to start planning for the transition now.

Why is the ISDN switch-off happening?

The ISDN switch-off is being carried out in order to make way for newer, more reliable and efficient technologies. Fibre optic connections are now the standard for telephone and internet services, offering the following advantages over copper-based connections, including faster speeds, greater reliability, and improved security.

What are the benefits of digital telephony?

Digital telephony offers numerous benefits for charities, including:

• Improved call quality: Digital calls are clearer and more reliable than analogue calls.
• Increased reliability: Digital systems are less prone to interference and outages.
• Greater flexibility: Digital systems offer a wider range of features and functionality, such as voicemail, call forwarding and video conferencing.
• Cost-effectiveness: Digital systems can be more cost-effective than analogue systems, especially for charities with multiple locations.

How can SCVO and DB Comms help?

SCVO and DB Comms have a longstanding partnership and are committed to helping Scottish charities make the transition to digital telephony. We can help you assess your needs, choose the right solution, and negotiate the best possible price. We can also provide you with ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that your system is always up and running.

What are the next steps?

If you're a Scottish charity that relies on ISDN or analogue telephony, it's important to start planning your transition to digital telephony now. We encourage you to contact SCVO or DB Comms to learn more about how we can help.

Contact us today to discuss your digital telephony needs.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Here are some additional benefits of working with SCVO and DB Comms:

• We have a deep understanding of the needs of Scottish charities.
• We have a proven track record of helping charities make the transition to digital telephony.
• We offer competitive pricing and flexible payment terms.
• We provide ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that your system is always up and running.

We are committed to helping Scottish charities succeed.

Case Study

Follow the link below to find out how DB Comms enabled SCVO to move to a fully flexible remote working solution.

Our work with SCVO

Contact us

We believe that digital telephony can help charities improve their communication and efficiency, and we are committed to helping charities make the most of this technology. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.