January 2010

Okay – so we’re feeling a little smug here at Arcom IT. We don’t like to say ‘we told you so’ but…

January saw possibly the worst snow storms for 30 years and for some lucky (or unlucky depending on your perspective!) people this meant either working from home or not working at all.

Of course those companies who had heeded our warnings in November at the Arcom IT Virtual Desktop Seminar were fully equipped to keep business running smoothly from the comfort and safety of their living rooms. Even here at Arcom IT, engineers were able to work remotely providing the exemplary service our customers are used to. 

SNOW JOKE!

But for many companies out there, January will have been a very short month indeed. Public Transport ground to a halt, roads were blocked with snow and abandoned cars, accidents littered the highways and according to news reports 46% of the country phoned in to say that they were stuck at home.

Rebecca Clarke, Organisation & Resourcing Adviser at The Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development argued "Employers need to carefully consider opportunities and options available if the weather conditions do stop employees making it in. Many companies that have put in place the technology and management practices to allow home working, reap the benefits at a time like this."

Since Arcom IT delivered a free seminar last November on the benefits of Virtual Desktop we have had four new customers sign up and the January blizzards posed no threat to them. Productivity remained high, work continued as normal and nobody risked life and limb attempting to get to work. See www.arcomit.co.uk/seminar for details.

Louise Punter is the Chief Executive of Surrey Chambers of Commerce who made a point of letting us know how the Virtual Desktop solution we had provided them last year really came into it’s own this month:-

“Even the blizzards and ice of January didn’t stop Surrey Chambers working on behalf of their members. With the support of Arcom IT Surrey Chambers operate through Citrix which means that all staff have constant access to their desktop from any location providing there is an Internet connection. Since transferring to this system we have increased our productivity and are in touch with our members whenever we want to be. The ease of connection is so good that staff members actually plan to do certain jobs “out of hours” as they can do them in the comfort of their own homes.”

For this completely hosted solution, contact us now at sales@arcomit.co.uk for a quote. We’re still only in January; don’t get stuck out in the cold again!!

AIRPORT WEBSITE HAS FACE LIFT

Whilst Red Atlas 2010 prepares to take off at Redhill Aerodrome and Blackbushe Airport, back at home there are some changes too.

Shoreham Airport has been home to the Sussex Branch of Arcom IT and many other companies over the years. Originally built in 1936 and Britains oldest working airport, its current owners Albemarle believe it is time for a make over and have come to Arcom IT to spruce up the website.

Arcom IT already host and maintain Shoreham Airports busy website including the real-time web cam images and flight arrival and departure information but are looking forward to a fresh new look for the site. “Shoreham Airport are pleased to appoint Arcom IT to develop the back end structuring for the new Shoreham Airport web site. I would like to thank you for all your help” – Neil Hill on behalf of Albemarle Shoreham Airport.

B-POSitive!

January 18th was ‘Blue Monday’, officially the most depressing day of the year (apparently!) but here at Arcom IT we can always find a reason to make you smile.

BPOS (Business Productivity Online Suite) is a no hassle, no hardware, no problem set of hosted solutions from Microsoft which allow workers to use Exchange, Sharepoint, Office Live Meeting & Office Communications Online and all for a fantastically low monthly fee per user.

Imagine how simple and efficient life can be…staff can be working in multiple locations but still be able to access their emails, share documents, communicate with one another in real time and even set up live meetings or presentations. And all of this is looked after at secure and stable data centres.
It’s a fantastic solution which can be itemised so that you can just have the services you want. For example, Microsoft Exchange can be delivered for £3.35 per user per month!

To find out whether your company can take advantage of this jaw-dropping offer from Microsoft or to get a quote please contact us now at sales@arcomit.co.uk

 

SHAHID PREPARES FOR A MARATHON PERFORMANCE!

It’s not unusual for us to report that Shahid has been up to some of his usual fundraising activities but this time he’s really put his foot in it!

On 25th April 2010 Jimmy Dack and Shahid Azeem will be pounding the capital's pavements in the Virgin London Marathon on behalf of Woking Football Club to raise £10 000 for the Surrey Care Trust. The Trust was specifically set up to help the local community and Woking FC prides itself on being a part of that community.

This is serious...26 miles...It will not have a half time rest break...and unless Jimmy and Shahid are secretly world class athletes, it will certainly not be over in 90 minutes! (We would also like to take this opportunity to quash any rumours circulating that Jimmy, thanks to his background as a Black Cab Driver, is going to be taking the duo on any shortcuts. The only tip Jimmy will be concerned with is how best to deal with blisters!)

Please support our dynamic duo by donating at www.justgiving.com/wokingfc
 

CONNECTED EARTH

Plans are afoot for the FREE spring quarter Arcom IT Seminar which is concentrating on IP Telephony and the benefits it can bring to your business. If you are baffled by skype but have heard rumours of how the internet can reduce your telephone costs then this is the seminar for you.

As usual there will be a fascinating venue, great demos, quiz and prizes and a lovely hot meal where you can network and meet like minded businesses.

Details will be available soon but if you would like to register your initial interest and get an early bird place then please email heather.abela@arcomit.co.uk

We also have a number of other exciting occasions this spring /summer from IT Courses to Community Events: Arcom IT are either attending an event or hosting an event or both every month! To see a list of dates please go to our home page www.arcomit.co.uk and we really hope you will join us.

See you soon,
 

 

Heather
Marketing Manager
Arcom IT
0845 241 4123


Head Office
Unit 3, Walnut Tree Park,
Walnut Tree Close, Guildford,
Surrey, GU1 4TR
Tel: 01483 505055 		South Coast Offices
Ground Floor, Transair Building,
Shoreham Airport, Shoreham-by-Sea
West Sussex, BN43 5PA
Tel: 0845 2414123
www.arcomit.co.uk