Mason Infotech Present at Midlands Engine Conference 2022

The Midlands Engine Conference was a virtual event held on Tuesday, 18 January, bringing together influential Midlands Engine partnership voices from business, academia and the public sector. With a forward keynote speech from Sir John Peace, Chairman Midlands Engine and Julia Lopez, the Minister of State for Media, Data, and Digital Infrastructure on the conference’s panel.

The conference’s purpose was to explore how to successfully implement a digital connectivity strategy across a local authority area and lessons to be learnt with input from the government, local authorities and business.

Our Managing Director, Stephen Mason, was asked to present a seminar on ‘How to support SMEs with Digital Adoption.’ He discussed the digital infrastructure in the Midlands, covering areas such as internet access options, improvements in fibre, the need for internet speed, and cyber security.

One big question posed for SMEs is why they need to improve and upgrade their digital infrastructure…

Competition

Upgrading digital infrastructure enables SMEs to compete with new and evolving markets, the change in purchasing habits and behaviour, increased online traffic, and higher levels of online customer service, to name but a few.

Business Applications

The majority of business solutions are becoming cloud-based models, which means they’re accessed with an internet connection. From communication services to accountancy, CRMs and ERP management solutions, they’re relying on the benefits of cloud-based approaches. That means that businesses without a strong internet connection will be on the back foot.

Cyber Security

As everything moves toward a digital infrastructure, cyber security is integral to protecting a business from internal and external threats. All companies are vulnerable and at-risk, no matter their size, and measures need to be taken to prevent unauthorised access to personal information.

What’s more, the need to improve digital infrastructure has accelerated due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A radical rethinking was imposed upon many businesses to continue trade. That has led to moving their operations online with cloud-based services and digital solutions in order for business models to function.

An example of this was our recent project with Rutland County Council. We established a contact centre within 48 hours, facilitating around 20 home workers to act as 'agents' and take calls the same way as when they were office-based.

Stephen said, “Over the last 18-months, SMEs have found the need to adapt and quickly and easily scale according to business needs. Digital infrastructure is working harder than ever before, helping businesses save time and money alongside robust IT strategies with cloud-based solutions and full-fibre internet access.”

Full-fibre internet access offers an end-to-end fibre-optic connection from the exchange to a company’s premises. Delivering huge improvements in internet connectivity true-fibre provides many advantages to modern SMEs. Cost-effective connectivity, increased speeds, improved productivity and maximising online services are just a few of the benefits of full-fibre internet access.

Nottingham is the latest city to benefit from investment in digital infrastructure, with a new 70km network of full-fibre internet cables throughout the city. Over 3,000 businesses in the city can take advantage of Gigabit speed internet services right now.

We recently worked with McCann in Nottingham on their full-fibre internet connectivity, ensuring McCann's team can access their business management tools, collaborate, and communicate, regardless of whether they are at their desk or on-location at a construction site.

We provide personable IT advice in building your digital infrastructure, enabling you to build a flexible, tailored solution that fits your business needs. Get in touch with the team, and we’d be happy to discuss your IT requirements.