The benefits of broadband are pretty well understood now – the rapid transfer of electronic files and information, quick access to emails and fast downloads of web pages.

But, for companies like yours, it offers a whole lot more, including an extra channel to market, the ability to work remotely and collaboratively to create a better work-life balance and an innovative way of cutting costs.

So, how do you get your broadband strategy right and make sure you’re getting the most from your connection? To do this, you need to understand some of the things broadband can offer you and your team:

A BETTER WORK LIFE BALANCE

Home or remote working used to mean taking reams of paper and files home, and only being in touch with the office by telephone and fax. But today, home workers can be virtually in the office and access the same systems and documents as they can from their desks. Broadband provides remote workers with a range of tools to make their life and yours easier. It allows users to securely access services, such as hosted email and collaboration tools, and provides a secure link to your company’s server or network. It also provides the opportunity to use services such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone and data back-up services.

REDUCING COSTS

Broadband opens up a range of communications applications that allow you to cut costs, including VoIP services, which enables you to make low cost or capped-price calls over the internet to destinations in the UK and internationally. These services are suited to all types of business, but are particularly cost-efficient if you have a number of offices, staff working remotely, or even people travelling internationally – wherever there is an internet connection they can make and receive calls as though they’re in the office. Again, this may not be news to you, but have you put the systems in place yet and communicated it? Broadband also allows you to take advantage of the latest support services that offer access to IT experts round-the-clock for a low monthly subscription. These experts can access your computer and remedy problems remotely, freeing your IT team to work on projects that are more valuable for your business.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

Broadband is at the heart of what the industry is calling convergence. Bringing together your telephone, mobile and broadband services allows you to reduce costs and makes things simpler, as everything comes on one bill and gives you a single point of contact. It also allows you to take advantage of the latest telephone services that switch between making and receiving calls over mobile networks when you’re out of the office and broadband when you’re at your desk – from the same handset and using the same number. A broadband connection is only the beginning; high-speed internet opens up a world of possibilities.

Mick Hegarty is general manager, broadband and VoIP at BT Business.