What’s new with Xelion 8

What’s new with Xelion 8

Xelion is one of the market leaders in hosted telephony and Connaught are proud to be their fastest growing partner.  With an intuitive interface and flexible features, this cloud-based software can transform your business and futureproof your communications.

One of the best things about Xelion is that all features are included as standard. When new functionality is added, you get upgraded free of charge.

Xelion have recently rolled out version 8 of their telephony software, with a host of added extras to improve on their already extensive service.  Here’s what’s new and coming to a phone near you:

Softphone improvements

.

  • Enjoy a modern user interface, with a fresh look and tons of personalisation options
  • Customise your home screen layout and move widgets for easy access
  • Log in and out of hunt groups with one click
  • Interpret communication logs more easily with categories for each group
  • Change your outbound Caller ID based on hunt group
  • Save unlimited contacts in your favourites (with alphabetise function)

Mobile app advancements

.

  • Benefit from easier, more intuitive navigation
  • Mirror your softphone setup and view communication logs
  • Log in and out of hunt groups easily

Video & desktop sharing

.

  • Use advanced sharing options to quickly create a room with internal and external guests
  • Easily invite external guests to join a video call with a simple web link.
  • Enjoy application-free video calls - no need for external attendees to download an app
  • Expand your meetings with up to 16 participants

Microsoft 365 integration

.

  • Enjoy full integration with Microsoft 365
  • Sync your own calendars and contacts with Xelion
  • Log into Xelion apps using your MS credentials with Azure AD
  • View live caller availability based on individual calendar details and sync your Xelion status with your diary

Microsoft Teams integration

.

  • Now free for all Xelion users
  • Access your Xelion address book in Teams. Simply download Xelion in the Teams app store and log in with your Xelion details
  • Search your Xelion address book and initiate calls through Teams

Here at Connaught, we have now rolled out Xelion 8 to all of our existing customers, so they can enjoy the added, cost-free benefits of this VOIP system.  This rollout happened overnight to minimise any disruption, meaning our customers could wake up to the improvements without lifting a finger.

If you’d like to join them, call us and say yes to cloud communication.

We have been connecting customers as VOIP telephony providers since 1985 and we’re here to talk to you.

Security Solutions at Balaam Wood Academy

shutterstock_585807737 (1)

Security Solutions at Balaam Wood Academy

Meet King Edward’s Balaam Wood Academy. A co-educational secondary school in Birmingham, with over 1000 students and 60 staff.

Their old CCTV system was out of contract support and the failing cameras and poor image resolution was causing regular security concerns. With out-of-date software, video coverage was limited and staff were unable to access footage remotely.

To keep everyone safe, the Academy needed a complete security overhaul. So they launched a tender to ensure the best possible quality and price.

The inside insight

Following a competitive tender process as well as stringent assessments and screenings, the quality-focused Academy appointed us as their new security partner.

We recommended 85 high spec cameras for this large and complex site, complete with a video recording platform that could also be accessed remotely.

With minimal disruption for the school and its learners, we installed cameras, cabling, and network devices so that CCTV images could be viewed on any IOS or Android device; a game-changing outcome for the school’s Site Manager and management team.

The visible difference

The new CCTV system has transformed the Academy’s security, providing full coverage of the school site and modernising an old and unfit-for-purpose system. 

High spec cameras and the latest CCTV software means that security footage is clear and consistent. And continuous recording and 30-day-storage gives everyone peace of mind.

For the busy Site Manager, being able to access the recording system remotely saves time so he can focus on everything else. A top result for staff, students and the Site Manager alike.

Check out our Education page to see how we help schools or our CCTV page to see the scalable solutions we offer.

If you’re ready to get in touch, call for your FREE security consultation on 0800 652 7681

Are you getting the best from your security?

Are you getting the best from your security?

With Spring around the corner, now is a better time than ever to take a look at your premises and make sure everything is working as it should. 

One of the best ways you can take care of your people and property is by getting the most from your security solutions.  So if you think your CCTV could be doing more to protect your staff, service users and buildings, here are some quick and easy fixes you can implement right now.

Keep it clean

Before cleaning camera lenses, switch off the CCTV unit to prevent damage to moving parts. Gently wipe the lens clean with a microfibre cloth. For a deeper clean, soak the cleaning cloth with lens cleaner.

Make way for better insight

Trim nearby bushes, trees and shrubs. Even if they’re not obstructing the lens, a camera nestled amongst plants is less visible and less of a deterrent. Make sure cameras have enough space around them so they stand out to potential intruders.

Carry out a mini site audit

Check that cameras haven’t been moved or knocked. Adjust the positioning of each camera to maximise visibility. Review your video management software to make sure all areas are covered and you aren’t missing any spots. CCTV cameras can be added one at a time, meaning full coverage without a full overhaul.

If you’ve done all of these and still feel like you could be getting more out of your surveillance system, why not chat to us about how we can boost your onsite security.

Hybrid working and you – the impact on your business

Hybrid working and you – the impact on your business

There’s no doubt about it – hybrid working is here to stay.  Two years on from the start of the pandemic, and with government advice indicating that staff are no longer required to work from home, the fact remains that more and more businesses are implementing a hybrid model permanently.

Xperthr reported that in November 2021, 29% of organisations are implementing the hybrid model for all of their employees, with only 4% not adopting the strategy for any of their workforce.

These statistics imply that a flexible future of working is already a reality for a huge proportion of the working population

Effect on staff

Research from Gallup and BCG shows that hybrid working is a key factor for staff making decisions about their employment with up to 92% of employees now expecting to be able to work from home at least once a week where their sector allows.  A survey by Owl Labs asked participants what impact being allowed to work remotely would have on them, with the following results

On top of this, 80% of workers also recorded less work-related stress.

These wellbeing factors cannot be ignored, especially in the midst of “The Great Resignation”, a post-pandemic trend seeing vast job change as workers seek to find roles at companies that offer a better work-life balance and more flexibility.

Effect on business

The key for employers is to ensure that the implementation of remote working maximises staff satisfaction whilst not causing reduced productivity or financial loss.

Despite initial objections to this model, the research does seem to support that hybrid working can be just as beneficial for organisations as individuals.

According to 2021 research, nearly two-thirds of European business leaders reported that hybrid working makes companies more profitable, with 25% lower employee turnover.  Managers saw their hybrid working teams as 65% more productive compared with previous office-based working.

Differences can also be seen in the financial arena, with 40% of managers observing cost savings and 25% of employees willing to take a pay cut to allow for flexible working in their roles.

It is understandable that changing the working model of your business can seem daunting, but with clear benefits to staff and management alike, the hybrid working model could provide a flexible and profitable future for all.

It’s never been easier to offer flexible working to your staff, with cloud-based communications systems, such as Xelion, more accessible than ever. Traditional office setups, with a stationed receptionist at a front desk, can be replaced with a remote working team using instant message functions and softphones on company laptops and mobiles.

Intelligent Door Entry systems like Paxton and camera technology can allow remote staff to grant access to visitors without being tied to an office.

If you are looking to access the benefits that hybrid working can bring to your workforce, Connaught can help.  We can keep you completely connected and properly protected, wherever you are.

Three ways to make business communications easier

Three ways to make business communications easier

Communication is undeniably one of the most important foundations of any business.

Get it wrong, you will lose customers, misplace data and be inefficient. Get it right and you will be lean, profitable and efficient in serving your marketplace.

Any investment into business communications, be that time or money, is an investment well spent and now more than ever there is a clear path you should be following to improve how you communicate at work.

That path is digitisation. In other words, switching manual means of communication for digital alternatives which are connected and convenient. You can find out more about digitisation here or read on to discover how digital communication could make your working day more efficient and your business leaner.

Here are three investments that could make business communication easier for your organisation:

Hosted Communications

When you connect your workers mobile devices to their desktop devices through one easy to use platform, you enable them to make cost-effective voice calls and communicate with colleagues and customers via conference call wherever they are. Platforms like this can be connected to other software packages too like Salesforce or ACT! Which means your team has access to all the data they need on the road, at home or in the office.

The best bit? With all of this hosted in the cloud there’s no need to purchase or maintain physical hardware, so you’ll have more space in the office and lower ongoing maintenance costs too.

VOIP

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is one of the main replacement services for traditional telephone lines, which are due to become obsolete in 2025. Using the internet to make calls is cheaper and delivers a better-quality connection every time.

Ideal for growing businesses, VOIP is highly scalable, meaning you can add and remove lines in a matter of seconds. Switching to VOIP is far easier than many people expect, it is most likely compatible with your existing phone system and will give you access to a range of features like answer machine messages which are automatically transcribed and sent to you as a text or email.

Business Broadband

Business grade broadband brings reliability and speed to any business working towards digitisation. Connecting your workforce, data storage and telephony improves team performance, and when your team is working efficiently, customer satisfaction will soar.

There are different options to choose from including fibre optic broadband, Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) and fibre optic ethernet, depending on your business requirements. Whichever one proves right for you, switching will allow you to move core business applications over to a fully hosted platform for the ultimate in lean communication and business efficiency.

You can discuss all of these options and more, with our dedicated team of specialists. You could even book a free of charge, no obligation audit which will give you a full and comprehensive list of recommendations for digitisation. Call 0800 652 7681 or email enquiries@connaughtltd.co.uk