Making the switch to serviced offices
Technology as driver
The smart use of technology to streamline business processes can help small business overcome their size disadvantage and compete effectively with bigger companies. With a custom designed infrastructure that is entirely developed and supported in-house, Servcorp clients have access to high-grade IT services and information systems that would be cost prohibitive for SMEs.
One of the key benefits offered by Servcorp’s sophisticated IT infrastructure is reliability. Because none of Servcorp’s IT is outsourced, small businesses can be guaranteed top-tier levels of up-time (99.8 percent). A dedicated team of technicians monitor the IT systems every four hours to check usage and ensure the sufficient bandwidth is available to support all the businesses within that location. The benefit to clients is that the network is closed and available only to Servcorp clients. They are not subject to public ISPs with undisclosed numbers of subscribers all wanting access to the system at the same time. Customised security ensures that all clients will always be protected from viruses, Trojans and hacking
In addition to guaranteed reliability and security, Servcorp clients have access all the services of any office at the any time, allowing them to print off documents to any Servcorp location around the world. All the printers, fax machines and physical hardware around the world are connected as though they were within the one building.
“Having a sound technology platform allows small businesses to use technology such as video conferencing that increases the quality of your business partnerships, without the time and cost of travel. Technology should be used by small companies as a facilitator of business. One of the most consistent comments I hear from our clients is how much they appreciate the convenience of our totally integrated technology platforms. Especially for small businesses looking to expand abroad, or working in a number of countries, the convenience of being to access, share and send data and information around the network is immeasurable,” Moufarrige says.
Some of the technologies that are particularly useful to small businesses include:
IP telephony
By integrating IP telephony with their service capabilities, Servcorp clients can organise conference calls that incorporate up to 11 parties, extensive call functions including meet-me, follow-me and remote administration, directory and missed call functions, online help services and direct dial back capabilities allowing users to quickly and effectively return missed calls.
Online service application
Online service applications such as Servcorp’s Hottdesk application ensure that each client has complete control of all their services via an online facility. Within five minutes of registering an account online at www.servcorp.com.au or through any of the 61 locations in the world, Servcorp’s clients have the ability to book and use meeting rooms, boardrooms and day offices anywhere in the world, provision telephone numbers, update their company details, change how their company phone is answered and hold meetings online.
In addition, Hottdesk allows clients to store data online, share and transfer files and even see invoices online in one convenient and accessible program. Hottdesk has been 15 years in the making and no other serviced or virtual office provider has a comparable client service offering.
Fast telephone set-up
One of the most common frustrations for clients moving into serviced office, starting a virtual office service or starting up a business is the length of time it takes to secure and set-up a telephone number. Servcorp clients are privy to the fastest phone set-up service offered by any serviced office, virtual office or telecommunications company in the world. Within five minutes of a new client registering due to unique software developed by Servcorp, they will be allocated a phone number from Servcorp’s unique range of numbers and the receptionist’s console will be programmed to handle incoming calls exactly in accordance with the client’s requirements—and it is all done automatically without any human intervention. In addition the client is set up in the back end billing system and client management system all within the five-minute set-up time. Traditional communication systems can take up two days and 54 separate steps to complete these tasks.
WebEx video conferencing
WebEx is used widely across the Servcorp client base and is available through Hottdesk, changing the way clients conduct business and training and providing more flexibility. Servcorp’s WebEx videoconferencing gives Smart Office clients the ability to talk face-to-face with people in geographically removed locations without the hassle of travel, saving time and money.
Something for every business
“By using serviced and virtual office solutions, your remove the capital risk out of starting or growing your business. Our 12,000 clients around the globe are made up of start-ups, SMEs and even Fortune 500 companies. Particularly in these uncertain economic times, having the flexibility to increase and decrease your workspace to suit your business cycle has a massive impact on your bottom line,” Moufarrige continues.
“I believe small businesses will come to the fore in this recession. Innovators and entrepreneurs who focus on growing their product organically from their cash flow will prosper. People are looking for quality products that they can rely on, that are resilient and make their life or business better off.”
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