Author: john.liley@fidelity-group.co.uk
Enjoy Broadband Router Protect free for 30 Days! Experience the full power of Broadband Router Protect with a free 30-day trial – collaborate seamlessly and work smarter with no upfront commitment!
Try Broadband Router Protect free for 30 days and explore the following features at no cost! As customers rely more heavily on their mobile phones, Broadband Router Protect provides you with the softphone features that allow you to enjoy Horizon on your mobile.
Here’s how it works:
- Broadband Router Protect will be added to your current Horizon licence from 1 November 2024, this will trigger the commencement of your free 30-day trial.
- After 30 days, continue enjoying Broadband Router Protect for just £4.95 per month – or cancel anytime during the trial to avoid charges.
Don’t miss out! Experience Broadband Router Protect today and stay connected like never before.
Broadband Router Protect Terms
Terms and Conditions for the Free 30-Day Broadband Router Protect Trial Offer
- Eligibility: This offer is available exclusively to existing Fidelity Group customers. Each Horizon licence will receive a free 30-day trial of Broadband Router Protect.
- Trial Period: The free trial period will begin from 1 November 2024 and lasts for 30 consecutive days. After the trial period ends, you will automatically be enrolled in a monthly rolling Broadband Router Protect subscription plan unless you cancel before the trial ends.
- Subscription Plan: Following the trial, your Broadband Router Protect subscription will continue at a rate of £4.95 per month and will be invoiced together with your Horizon licence on your monthly bill.
- Auto-Renewal & Cancellation: At the end of the 30-day trial, your subscription will automatically renew at the monthly rate unless cancelled. You can cancel the subscription at any time during the trial period to avoid charges. To cancel, simply email us at sales@fidelity-group.co.uk. If cancelled before the trial ends, no charges will apply.
- Billing: Your first monthly subscription fee will be billed at the end of the 30-day trial period and will appear on your next billing statement. No fees will be charged if the subscription is cancelled before the trial ends.
- Modification and Termination: Fidelity reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate this offer at any time without prior notice.
- Customer Support: For any questions or issues during your trial or subscription, please contact your account manager on 0800 840 6800.
With the autumn series fast approaching, rugby fans are excitedly buzzing as Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray—two uncapped players—join the Wales squad. Like a business upgrading its communication system, these new faces could catalyse something great in the matches ahead. Whether against Fiji, Australia, or South Africa, team dynamics can make all the difference. But it’s not just on the pitch where the right connections matter—solid communication is the backbone of any winning strategy, whether in rugby or the office.
Freddie Thomas, a Gloucester lock who has switched allegiance from England to Wales thanks to his Welsh grandparents, embodies the idea of adaptability—something we often see in business as well. Much like a hosted VoIP system, which allows a business to remain flexible and scale up as needed, Thomas brings experience from different teams and levels of play. His ability to slot seamlessly into the Welsh squad mirrors how VoIP integrates smoothly into business operations, ensuring every team member is connected and working toward the same goal.
Then there’s Blair Murray, the Scarlets wing, who qualifies for Wales through his mother, adding that bit of versatility every team craves. Just as a rugby winger needs to be quick on his feet and ready to react to whatever the game throws at him, your communication tools should be just as agile. With hosted VoIP, whether in the office or on the move, you’re always connected—much like a winger on the edge of the field, ready to catch that key pass and sprint for the try line. In business, as in rugby, staying connected no matter where you are can turn the tide in your favour.
Tackling Tough Opposition—On and Off the Field
Much like Wales will face formidable opponents in Fiji, Australia, and South Africa, businesses face their own challenges in today’s competitive environment. Success comes down to quick decision-making, solid communication, and seamless teamwork on the rugby pitch. This is where rugby and telecoms cross paths—without clear, reliable communication, even the best strategies can fall apart.
Just as Warren Gatland relies on players like Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan to lead the team, businesses rely on strong leadership to coordinate efforts. VoIP systems serve as the playmaker in a business environment, directing calls, forwarding important information, and ensuring no message gets dropped—much like a scrum-half setting up the play for a perfectly timed attack.
Training the Next Generation—And Keeping Teams Connected
Rugby teams constantly evolve, bringing in fresh talent while relying on experienced players to guide the way. This balance of experience and innovation is critical both in rugby and business. For Wales, uncapped players like Thomas and Murray represent the future of Welsh rugby, and their development will be crucial to the team’s long-term success. Likewise, a modern telecom system keeps businesses connected, allowing new employees to seamlessly integrate and benefit from the wisdom of more seasoned team members.
Remember how Rhodri Williams, after more than a decade, was recalled to the squad? It’s a reminder that staying in touch, even after years of absence, can lead to unexpected returns—just as VoIP allows businesses to reconnect with clients, no matter how long it’s been.
The Final Whistle—Prepare for Victory
Whether you’re preparing for a tough match or a challenging quarter in business, the fundamentals remain the same: teamwork, communication, and adaptability. The Wales rugby squad is gearing up for their autumn test series, with experienced players and newcomers ready to work together toward a common goal. Similarly, businesses that invest in robust communication systems, like hosted VoIP, can ensure their teams remain agile and united—ready to tackle whatever comes their way.
As we look forward to Wales taking on Fiji, Australia, and South Africa, remember that strong communication and reliable connections—whether in rugby or telecoms—are always the keys to success.
Wales Squad for the 2024 Autumn Series
Forwards:
- Nicky Smith
- Gareth Thomas
- Kemsley Mathias
- Ryan Elias
- Dewi Lake (captain)
- Evan Lloyd
- Henry Thomas
- Keiron Assiratti
- Archie Griffin
- Freddie Thomas
- Christ Tshiunza
- Ben Carter
- Will Rowlands
- Adam Beard
- Taine Plumtree
- James Botham
- Jac Morgan
- Tommy Reffell
- Aaron Wainwright
Backs:
- Tomos Williams
- Rhodri Williams
- Ellis Bevan
- Sam Costelow
- Gareth Anscombe
- Ben Thomas
- Nick Tompkins
- Max Llewellyn
- Eddie James
- Owen Watkin
- Mason Grady
- Blair Murray
- Rio Dyer
- Josh Hathaway
- Tom Rogers
- Cameron Winnett
Let’s Talk Rugby and Telecom!
Want to chat about the Wales squad, upcoming matches, or how the right communication tools can help your business score a try? Book a call with me using my calendar link here so we can discuss all things rugby and telecoms! Let’s see how your local Welsh legend can help you make the right connections—both on the field and in your business!
Modern telephone systems offer an amazing range of benefits for your business, but as with any such system, it’s important that you know how to make the most of it. Below are the 5 most common errors we see companies making. Are you making these mistakes too?
Network quality
Modern digital phone systems rely heavily on a strong and stable network to ensure you always have high-quality calls. To ensure this is achieved, dedicate specific bandwidth for this and set up your broadband data to prioritise phone calls. And, if possible, use wired ethernet connections.
Make sure you use advanced call features
Your phone systems should have a range of features that will help the operational running of your business and optimise customer calls. These are the 4 most common errors we see here:
• Call Forwarding to route calls to other numbers or mobile devices is not utilised.
• Automated call routing to greet customers professionally is not utilised.
• On many systems, voicemails can now be automatically sent to emails however this is rarely used.
• Call recording is essential to improve customer service and yet this is often not implemented.
Compatible phones
The latest phone systems require the very latest handsets to ensure they work smoothly and so investing in VoIP-compatible desk phones, headsets, or softphones will enhance call quality. Do you have these?
Also, and a facility that is rarely used, are mobile apps which allow staff to stay connected even when away from the office.
Look at your call data
Modern phone systems come equipped with a host of reporting information. Despite this companies often fail to look at the information their phone system provides to help them understand and resolves issues within your operational team and customer communications.
Integrate your phone system with other business tools
And finally, modern digital telephone systems are not stand-alone systems, they can integrate with a wide range of other digital systems, from CRM systems to helpdesk software. The more you can integrate your phone with these, the more efficient your business will be. If you’re not doing this, now is the time to do so. You can be sure your competitors will be!
This article was written by one of our telecoms experts here at Fidelity Group. We support a wide range of business sectors with our outstanding telecoms solutions. If you would like to speak to one of our experts to find out how we can help your business, please Click here or call us today on 0800 840 6800.
At our partner day back in June, I shared with some of you who don’t currently sell Energy why I believe it’s worth considering. I wanted to highlight a success story from one of our partners who hadn’t really considered selling Energy before. Since the partner day, they sent over their first-ever customer bill for us to review.
In August, we worked closely with this partner to understand their customer’s needs, which led to a signed order on the last day of the month. The result? This partner earned over £30,000 in commission! Not bad for simply sending us a bill!
Energy market analysis
The market has been falling so far this year, however we have seen upwards movement in the market over the past 6 weeks, please see below graphs, as you can see, in hind site, the lowest point to procure in the market is typically between April and June, and we believe now is the optimal time to procure, to crystalise your position in the market as far out as September 2027.
The below graphs demonstrate that 2024 is performing on a similar trajectory to 2021, as typically around July/August, price increase begin to accelerate as many businesses look to secure mass volume in preparation for Winter.
The world’s uncertainty has created a susceptible UK commodity market; the most recent factors to consider are the recent snap elections in France and the recent election in the UK. The outcome of such elections could significantly impact the UK energy market as France supplies a significant volume of electricity through the interconnectors along the south coast, driven by its extensive nuclear facilities.
The UK elections will determine the direction the UK decides to pursue in terms of energy strategy, including self-sufficiency and imports. The new Labour Government is pushing for the UK to be a “Clean Energy Superpower,” which has progressed and begun appointing board members. This will push for heavy investment into further improvements in Wind, Solar, and Hydro generation.
The ongoing tension in Russia/Ukraine and the more recent tensions in the Middle East and the Red Sea are also crucial factors. We believe securing budget certainty now whilst significant savings are available is key, as the market is rising. Savings may diminish as time goes by, particularly as the above factors play out.
Tension in Israel has increased, and therefore, it may be prudent to secure before this intensifies further to ensure you lock in before rates potentially spike.
Solar and Wind generation is forecasted to fall over the next few weeks due to a decline in weather conditions.
As mentioned above, the futures market is also increasing, so obtaining this budget certainty now is vital, as we believe there is a minimal chance of further drops.
To talk to your account manager and find out more please call us on 0800 840 6800.
We’re about to launch two fantastic new products that will revolutionise the way businesses view Microsoft Teams from a business intelligence perspective. These products are perfect for bundling, helping you increase your wallet share with your clients. Marketing campaign incoming!! These products are:
Microsoft Teams Call Reporting: Are you struggling to differentiate your Microsoft Teams Voice offering? This is one of ways we can help you by reporting on how many calls (PSTN or not) that your customers staff are making through MS Teams.
We have always been able to report on our hosted phone systems but very seldom on MS Teams. This powerful reporting tool allows businesses to now intelligently see what activity their staff have on MS Teams AND the phone system they are using!
Microsoft Teams Call Recording: This fantastic product that you can now sell with MS Teams really does put businesses in the driving seat. With our new offering, you can:
- Record all types of calls, including internal, external, Teams, mobile and PSTN lines
- Store recordings in Azure as long as needs
- Store recordings in an encrypted tamperproof format
- Tag recordings with Legal Hold to prevent Deletion as part of an investigation
To talk to your account manager and find out more please call us on 0800 840 6800.
As you are aware, you now have access to this great product which allows you to be even more agnostic when it comes to client communications.
This platform focuses heavily on integrations, AI tools and CX capabilities. Version 7.0 is about to land and will deliver significant CX enhancements. Find the brochure here (cp.gamma.co.uk/Connect-Brochure-July-2024-PDF)
To talk to your account manager and find out more please call us on 0800 840 6800.
Horizon with Cisco Webex is Gamma’s new unified communications solution. The all-in-one platform combines high-definition voice and video calling, messaging, and meetings in one single app.
Check out the new video that showcases just some of the many features your customers will be able to look forward to, including:
Built in high-definition voice and video calling with AI-driven noise cancellation
Feature rich messaging including chat threads, file sharing, tone analyser and message rewrites
Meeting summaries, recordings and breakout sessions
Launching for you in September, this highlights our vision and commitment to keeping you on the cutting edge of your customers’ communication needs while continuing to provide the reliable service you expect. To talk to your account manager and find out more please call us on 0800 840 6800.
I have spoken about this in the last couple of updates because I am genuinely excited and proud about the partner hub that the team have been working on so hard to bring you. Below is a reminder of what you will be able to achieve with this as of this month:
Full pipeline management:
manage new quotes and track customer success team leads.
Comprehensive commercial summaries:
each lead will provide a full commercial summary breakdown, powered by our active pricing index.
Integrated availability checker:
get live information on the availability of ADSL, SoGEA, FTTP, and ethernet lease lines for your customers using a telephony number or address.
Customer information access:
view recent bills, activity history, open opportunities and more.
Ticket management:
full access to your customers’ open and closed tickets, including status updates and next steps.
Customer information access:
view recent bills, activity history, open opportunities and more.
Marketing hub:
access email campaign templates for all products, the latest promotions, call scripts for new business campaigns, service documentation, and more.
Commission control hub:
digitalised commission procedure, giving you fast insight to your commissions.
Customised reporting
Personalised proposal documents
Your account manager will be in touch very soon to give you a demo and walk you through how the self-billing commission will work. After that, you’ll need to sign a self-billing agreement to enable your access, but everything will be explained on the call.
Fidelity Group, a leader in telecoms and XAAS, has scooped an incredible four prestigious industry awards, highlighting its commitment to excellence and innovation. The awards were announced at the annual Channel Champions event held in Regents Park. The awards recognised the teams which contribute the most to building winning channel organisations.
Fidelity Group’s teams’ awards were spread across four categories:
WINNER – Reseller Sales & Account Management Team
Awarded to the sales or account management team in a reseller/dealer/VAR/SI business, which has shown a consistent record of achievement against KPIs, a readiness to rapidly grasp and sell new solutions and technologies and has provided exemplary account management.
WINNER – Reseller Technical Support & Engineering Team
The judges looked for a consistent record of achievement from a team that has provided customers with exemplary service, has gone the extra mile, when necessary, has explained complex problems in simple language, has educated end users respectfully, has worked calmly and effectively to deadline and has been dedicated to problem resolution.
WINNER – Reseller Billing & Finance Team
The judges looked for a consistent record of achievement from a billing and finance team that has demonstrated the following qualities: Ensured bill runs are managed precisely, effectively and on time; fully understood the operations within an organisation and the challenges colleagues face; acted professionally and effectively as an ambassador of the business; provided accurate financial numbers to aid forecasting, cashflow etc, participated in key deals when necessary.
WINNER – Distributor/ Service Provider Billing & Finance Team
The judges looked for a consistent record of achievement from a billing and finance team that has demonstrated the following qualities: Ensured bill runs are managed precisely, effectively and on time; has fully understood the operations with an organisation and the challenges colleagues face; has acted professionally and effectively as an ambassador of the business; provided accurate financial numbers to aid forecasting, cashflow etc; participated in key deals when necessary.
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Distributor/ Service Provider Executive Leadership Team
The judges looked for a consistent record of achievement from a leadership team that has demonstrated the following qualities: Honestly and openly given staff clear goals and shaped growth plans and objectives accordingly; provided positive training, motivation and incentives; dealt with issues quickly and objectively; identified and helped any struggling staff members; has created a high quality and stimulating work environment; and unlocked staff potential.
With these accolades, Fidelity Group continues to cement its reputation in the telecoms sector. Managing Director, Alan Shraga expressed his gratitude, saying “These awards are a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication. We remain committed to providing the very best service to our partners and delivering exceptional value.”