The Benefits of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has been revolutionary in the world of business. Many businesses have already switched to the cloud and are enjoying all the benefits it brings. At Midland Networks, we offer a unique hosted desktop service that can bring the maximum benefits of cloud computing to your business.

Cloud computing is an extremely flexible solution. It has the capability to instantly meet the changing demands of your business. Our remote servers have a vast capacity, which allows you to enjoy greater bandwidth and storage whenever it’s needed. Your cloud-based applications can be accessed on virtually any device and at any location, providing there is an internet connection. So, if you need to support a flexible and remote workforce then cloud-computing is the ideal option.

When businesses switch to cloud computing, they tend to notice a huge uplift in performance. With the benefit of much greater bandwidth than the typical on-premises solution, applications are able to run much faster and internet browsing speeds are significantly improved.

Cloud computing also offers robust business protection. Switching to the cloud means that you no longer have to worry about complex disaster recovery plans. Since we host the service for you, we will ensure that all of your files are backed up and replicated and deal with any issues as they arise. Our data centre is monitored around the clock by skilled engineers, ensuring that any issues are detected early and promptly resolved. We carry out all ongoing maintenance work, to ensure the systems continue to deliver the best possible performance. In the event of loss or theft of a device, you will not lose your data. Because it is stored safely in the cloud, you will still be able to access it.

With cloud computing, your employees will be able to sync and access documents and apps simultaneously. This is a great way to promote enhanced collaboration and build team working skills. It can also lead to greater overall productivity and efficiency.

If you’re keen to future-proof your business then cloud computing can help you achieve this. We replace our servers every few years to ensure that you are always running on the latest equipment, and that you always benefit from the best possible performance. This is something that most businesses are not able to do themselves, as it would be financially unviable.

All these benefits make cloud computing an extremely cost-effective solution. Because we take care of all regular software updates as well as ongoing maintenance and support, you will no longer have the cost of maintenance contracts, onsite IT support staff or emergency engineers. You will also save a significant amount of money on the cost of equipment, as this will be housed by us. With fixed monthly payments, you get real value for money and straightforward budget planning.

For more information about cloud computing, contact Midland Networks today on 0800 849 8585.

Telephone Systems Rental in Halesowen, Birmingham & UK

Starting your business can be stressful enough, without having to worry about the cost of your communications equipment. If you are a new business without the adequate credit history to be eligible for finance or a lease agreement, Midland Networks can be of assistance. We offer a telephone systems rental service for start-ups, allowing you to have the telephone system you need without worrying about credit checks or having to buy your equipment upfront.

With our rental service, your business could benefit from an NEC telephone system, fully equipped with an extensive range of advanced features. As a world leading manufacturer, NEC delivers a whole range of solutions to suit the diverse needs of different businesses. An NEC solution is the perfect option for your first business telephone system. Telephone systems from NEC are extremely user-friendly and highly scalable, so they can easily be extended to suit the needs of your business as it grows. NEC also offers a whole suite of call management applications that help to increase efficiency and productivity.

With a rented telephone system from Midland Networks, your businesses will also benefit from a free upgrade every three years. This way, you remain up to date with the latest technology and always benefit from a reliable system. If, at any point, you decide that you would like to own your equipment and have the finances to do so, then that’s fine, as we offer the option to purchase our rental equipment later down the line.

Our telephone system rental service is the simplest way to set up your communications, without the initial capital outlay. This means that new businesses can have the telephone system they need, even on a limited budget. You will have regular, fixed monthly payments and can rent your system for as long as your need, or want to do so.

For more information about our telephone systems rental service, contact Midland Networks today on 0800 849 8585. 

Leased Lines in Birmingham, West Midlands & the UK

These days, most businesses depend, to some degree, on the internet for their everyday functioning. If a reliable internet connection is mission-critical for your business, then you need a leased line. Leased lines are ideal for businesses that have a specific need for high-end connectivity, for internet applications or multi-site networking.

A leased line is a dedicated internet connection that carries voice, data or both. This makes it ideal for businesses using IP telephony, for which a reliable connection is essential. With a leased line, you get a private connection that is not shared with anyone else. This makes it a great option if you’re concerned about security and, hence, leased lines are often used to connect private offices in different locations.

With a leased line, you get the full data bandwidth all of the time because the connection is not shared with other users and businesses in the area. Because a leased line is a dedicated service, the speeds are guaranteed as part of the contract. A leased line connection offers complete peace of mind with a strict Service Level Agreement that guarantees the agreed speeds and covers you against any network issues.

At Midland Networks, we provide leased lines on a bespoke basis, giving you the freedom to choose the bandwidth you need. The upload and download speeds can be adjusted to suit the specific needs of your business, so you will only pay for what you decide you need. As your business grows, or your needs change, you can alter the bandwidth so it always works for you.

If you’re looking for a robust and reliable internet connection, that guarantees speeds and offers enhanced security, then give Midland Networks a call on 0800 849 8585. 

Top Tips on Preventing Telephone Hacking

Phone hacking has been in the news on and off for several years now. Hacking, in general, is on the rise and it’s not just celebrities who are affected. Phone hacking can happen to anyone. However, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent your phone from being hacked.

1. Turn your Bluetooth off

Having your Bluetooth turned on gives potential hackers the opportunity to access your phone and all of its data. If you still want to have your Bluetooth turned on, you should set your device to ‘not discoverable’ and avoid accepting connections from devices that you don’t know.

2. Change your voicemail pin

Depending on your network provider as well as the age of your phone and contract, there is a chance that you may have been provided with a standard voicemail pin. This pin enables you to access your voicemail from another phone. If you have not changed this pin, then hackers will be able to access your voicemail if they call your phone and it is engaged. All they would have to do is enter the network provider’s standard pin.

3. Don’t download untrusted apps

There are many apps available that will automatically obtain your phone number, SIM card serial number and device ID. These will then be sent back to the app developers. Location and user information can then end up the hands of hackers if there is an attack.

4. Never lend your phone to people you don’t know

Anyone can easily send a text message from your phone to hackers. This enables them to remotely access your phone’s microphone to listen to your calls, locate where you are through your GPS and access personal messages.

Following these simple steps will minimise the risk of your phone being hacked. If you suspect that your phone is being hacked, you should immediately remove the battery to prevent hackers from obtaining your data. 

What are Cat 5 Cables?

Cat5 cables are twisted pair cables used for carrying data, voice, video and audio. They are the most popular of all the twisted pair cables in use today. This is largely because they are a cost-effective option that suits the needs of the vast majority of businesses. At Midland Networks, we can provide the highest quality Cat5 cables with an outstanding installation service.

Cat5 cables contain four pairs of copper wire and they support fast Ethernet speeds of up to 100 Mbps. We also offer the newer specification of Cat5 cable, Cat5e. These support networking at Gigabit Ethernet speeds of up to 1000Mbps over short distances, by utilising all four of the wire pairs. Cat5e cables are backwards compatible with the standard Cat5 cables, making them an ideal option if you’re looking to upgrade.

A high quality cabling network is essential in order to run your business efficiently. Cat5 cables provide a great foundation for your business communications. They deliver greater bandwidth as they have the capacity to carry more data than many alternatives. Because Cat5 cables are manufactured using lightweight materials, you will experience minimal signal loss and benefit from greater data transfer speeds across longer distances. Additionally, your data will be more secure as Cat5 cables do not radiate signals. Cat5 cables provide greater reliability because they are immune to impedance problems, crosstalk, radio frequency and electromagnetic interference. They are also less vulnerable to temperature fluctuations than many alternatives.

Cat5 cables are lightweight and small in size, which makes them relatively fast and simple to install. This means that you can have a reliable network up and running in a short space of time. If you would like to find out more about the benefits of Cat5 cabling, contact Midland Networks today on 0800 849 8585. 

NEC Telephone Systems

At Midland Telecom Networks Ltd, we are proud to offer a full range of NEC business telephone systems. NEC is a world leading manufacturer, offering innovative solutions to its global customer base.

NEC Enterprise Solutions provides IT and Communication solutions to enterprises of all sizes – large, medium or small – both in the private and public sectors. NEC telephone systems are designed for open connectivity, high availability and flexible growth. NEC provides innovative solutions that incorporate the latest voice, data and video technologies.

NEC solutions are designed to help businesses compete in an increasingly tech-savvy world. The NEC range includes products that support the latest communication revolutions such as VoIP and Unified Communications. As such, they enable real-time, collaborative working for increased productivity and customer satisfaction. With NEC solutions, businesses can ultimately maximise operational efficiency, performance and profitability.

The NEC telephone systems range includes the SL1100, which is an excellent value-for-money solution for small businesses. The SV8100 is the ideal solution for medium to large businesses. This system offers complete scalability with the option to start small and expand up to 712 ports. The NEC SV9100 is the perfect solution for businesses that are looking to take advantage of the latest IP solutions and Unified Communications. This system comes in two variants, so you can start with the basic system and scale up as your business grows.

NEC also offers the MyCalls Call Management suite of applications that provides a range of call management solutions, with something to suit every business. The MyCalls range has innovative and user-friendly features that can really help to streamline your daily operations, leading to increased productivity and profitability.

At Midland Networks, we can be of assistance with all aspects of your business communications – helping you through the entire process from supply and installation through to ongoing maintenance and support services. To discuss the right NEC solution for your business, contact us today on 0800 849 8585.  

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