Power failure is the inconvenience that is rarely expected but never welcomed within business. When a power failure occurs it’s all hands on deck to try and get things up and running again, but there are several things you can put into place to keep your processes on track in the event of an outage.

 

A power failure is bad news for any business, but with these tools up your sleeve, you should be able to keep your operations running smoothly at all times.

 

How They Can Happen

A power failure can happen due to a number of different reasons; some are preventable and others are not, so it’s best to try and stay ahead of the game wherever you can. One of the main causes of energy-related power failure is old and poorly maintained equipment. This one can be managed by ensuring that you keep all of your equipment up-to-date, so that it doesn’t shut down unexpectedly and cause a power failure in your office. Spikes in voltage can also cause a power failure, but the risk of this can be mitigated with power surge protectors, which should help to diffuse any overwhelming power surges.

 

In terms of the power failures that can’t really be helped, these could be caused by things such as the weather disrupting power supply, animals who may chew through wires or vehicles accidentally damaging the equipment. Whilst these causes are tricky to prevent, there are plenty of ways your business can be prepared in the event of a power failure.

 

What It Means For Business

It’s essential to try and prevent every single power failure, as being out of power can have significant consequences for any business. The interruption itself will cause lows of productivity within your teams, and can even begin to demotivate them if it’s a frequent occurrence. 

 

When a power failure takes place, customers won’t be able to access your website and make enquiries or purchases. They won’t be inclined to hang about, so this means they’ll go elsewhere, resulting in a loss of custom and revenue for your business.

 

A power failure can also damage your company’s equipment due to the electrical surges that take place when the power is restored. These can cause your equipment to break or get damaged, which will ultimately cost your business even more money due to having to pay out for replacements.

 

Perhaps what causes the most inconvenience for business when a power failure happens is lost data. Because computers aren’t shut down properly, and work might not be saved, this can often result in irretrievable data. Here at The Isobar, we store all your business’s data on the Cloud. This means that even in the event of a power failure, you can rest safe in the knowledge that when the power comes back on, you and your team are going to be able to pick up exactly where you left off.

 

 

Be Prepared and Keep Moving

Putting a power failure plan into place could be what keeps your company in business during an outage, putting you leaps and bounds ahead of your competitors. The first thing you’ll need to do when you’re outlining a plan is to assess the risks within your workplace and highlight where your business might be most vulnerable. This allows you to focus on what’s most likely to go down, so you can best prepare for it.

 

Outline how you can deliver your products and services, even during a power failure, so the losses you see will be minimal. It’s also a good idea to educate your employees so they know what needs to happen when a power failure occurs. This emergency response training is the trick to getting everything back up and running in the blink of an eye. Your team will need to know what needs to be turned off during a power failure, and a dedicated member of staff should know how to reset the power, as well as whether it’s safe to do so. You could also ask someone in your team to sign up for outage alerts, so you can stay in the know if and when there will be any planned power cuts.

 

In terms of your equipment, make sure you’ve got a backup generator or an Uninterruptible Power Supply ready to go so you can be up and running again in seconds when a power failure kicks in. It’s also a good idea to have a backup battery for your computers or your mobile phones so that even if they can’t be plugged in to the mains, they can still keep running until the power comes back on. Having a mobile hotspot in place is also handy in case the WiFi goes down, as well as having a landline phone on hand if there’s a loss of signal.

 

One of the most effective ways to keep your business’s operations running smoothly at all times is by making the most of the Cloud. With automatic backup and recovery solutions, having the Cloud by your side will help to protect your important documents in the event of a power failure. It also means that even if your office is down, your team can get back to work on whichever devices are available to them. With the Cloud, all your data and applications are stored safely, so you can access them from any device, wherever you are; all you need is an Internet connection.

 

With Sage Hosting from The Isobar, we’ll safely and securely connect your business to the Cloud, so you can rest easy, knowing your team won’t be held back by a power failure. Grab a seat at The Isobar to prepare for power failures and keep your business smooth sailing at all times.

Operating costs are part and parcel of running a business, but they also go hand in hand with the amount of profit your business makes. This is why it’s important to stay ahead with your operating costs, so you can be sure that your outgoings don’t hinder your profit margins.

 

Operating costs are the expenses a business faces through maintenance, administration and any other day-to-day costs. Things like payroll, benefits, sales commissions and the cost of running the building all come under operating costs, so keeping these at an efficient level for your business will see your outgoings go down and your profitability go up.

 

Using Technology To Your Advantage

 

Believe it or not, having the most up-to-date technology can in fact help you to keep your operating costs down. Take a look at your processes and what you and your team have to spend a lot of time on. Once you’ve pinpointed these difficulties, use technology to streamline these systems and improve your business’s efficiency.

 

You could even consider switching over to the Cloud for all of your computing needs. This will mean that you no longer need to spend money on expensive on-site servers or their ongoing software upgrades. Connecting your business to the Cloud also means that you won’t be wasting money on your resources. Here at The Isobar, you can upgrade your package whenever you need extra servers, giving you the flexibility to only use what you need. This efficiency will save you money on your operating costs, as you won’t be shelling out for unused servers.

 

 

Negotiating Suppliers & Office Equipment

 

Take the first steps towards reducing your operating costs by shopping around for new suppliers or by striking up a new deal with your current ones. Take a look at your biggest outgoings so you can highlight where the inefficiencies are, and then all you’ll need to do is negotiate with your current suppliers or shop elsewhere for a better deal. After doing this for a few of your biggest outgoings, you’ll soon find your operating costs are reducing. Don’t be afraid to cancel anything that goes unused, such as staff benefits or subscriptions.

 

Perhaps quite surprisingly, outsourcing jobs could make your operating costs look healthier. Although hiring freelancers or agencies to help run your business can seem expensive, going to the experts will ensure you get a healthy return on investment, which, in the long run, will actually make your business money and make those operating costs a worthwhile investment. You could also start buying refurbished equipment for your office. This could be anything from work mobiles down to a new keyboard. Getting refurbished equipment doesn’t mean compromising on quality, it just means you’ll get kitted out with equipment that’s almost as good as new, but costs significantly less.

 

Another way to cut your operating costs is by going green. Simply by trying to print less or even going paperless, you’ll reduce your operating costs by not needing to buy as much paper, printer ink and printer maintenance. You can also save money on your bills by installing eco-friendly lightbulbs, insulation to keep the heat in, and even by opting to reduce your waste. Saving on energy costs will not only paint your business in a better light to potential clients, but will make your pockets happy too, taking your operating costs even lower.

 

Reducing Operating Costs With Productivity

 

Productivity is a big factor when it comes to your operating costs. It’s worth spending money on enabling your team to become more productive, as productivity means that your team will be working harder and essentially bringing more money into your business. You can start upping productivity by encouraging your employees to report any inefficiencies. Ask them how processes can be improved, and you could even offer a small reward for anyone who suggests a plan which is then put into practice. Another way to save money through productivity and efficiency is by paying your invoices early. Often, companies will offer a small discount when invoices are paid early, so make the most of this and you’ll soon see savings on your operating costs.

 

One of the most efficient ways to save on your operating costs is remote working. Not only will remote working allow your team to work more productively, but when your team work remotely, you’ll also save money on maintenance and equipment, as well as utilities and office supplies. You may even be able to downsize to a smaller office, which will knock a huge chunk off your operating costs. Over at The Isobar, our Sage Hosting service lets your employees work wherever their feet take them, so whether they’re out and about or just at home, they’ll be able to access their desktop, without using up space or supplies in your office.

 

Operating costs are the expenses needed to run your business, but there are plenty of ways you can shave off those pennies to start seeing smaller bills and higher profit margins. Here at The Isobar, our Sage Hosting service lets you and your team hop on and off your desktop whenever you need, so you can make significant savings in your office. We’ll always let you know if you’re running low on resources, so you can rest easy knowing you’ll never be wasting money on unused servers, letting inefficient operating costs be a thing of the past. Come and have a seat at The Isobar to see just how our savvy Sage specialists can boost efficiency and decrease operating costs in your business.

If you’ve decided to work from home, you can get ready to welcome productivity and flexibility into your working life. However, before you dive in, it’s best to set some ground rules so that you can work from home in the best way possible for you, your job and your schedule.

We’ve delved into some of the most effective ways to work from home so you or your team can start remote working in the most productive way to achieve positive outcomes for your business.

Creating a Home Office

If you’re starting to work from home, it’s important to still make it feel as though you’re at work, even if you are in your own front room. Create a workstation or office for yourself somewhere in your house so you can work from home whilst still being in the working mindset. Make one spot in your house where your mind can start switching to business-mode, encouraging you to remain productive as you work from home.

Declutter your space so you don’t see that stack of washing up or the ironing pile in the corner of your eye, distracting your mind and invading your to-do list. By creating a clear space away from any reminders of household chores, you can work from home in peace, staying focused on the tasks in hand.

When you work from home, it’s also important to establish some ground rules with anyone you share your house with. Tell your housemates what your schedule is, so they know when they can and cannot disturb you. Just because you work from home doesn’t mean you can act as though you’re at home, so just ensure the people you live with can understand and respect your working space.

 

Setting up a Routine

Remote working can take some time to establish and fine-tune, but it’s important to find a routine that fits into your schedule and helps you to continue working in the most productive way, even though you now work from home. Time management is one of the most important aspects of a routine when you work from home. Set aside a schedule so you know exactly when you should and should not be working. As you work from home, it’s easy to get carried away, but it’s also important to switch off and refresh, so make sure you establish break times and a definitive finish time to your working day. The great thing about remote working is that you can set your own schedule, so you can work from home at the times when you know you’re most productive.

Make sure you keep a to-do list when you work from home and include the tasks you need to complete each and every day, so you’re always aware of what you should be doing, helping you to avoid distraction. Set limits to how much time you can spend freely browsing the Internet and social media, and try to be mindful of keeping procrastination to a minimum so you can keep your focus on your to-do list.

If you’re just starting to work from home, you can try acting as though you’re going to work as you normally would. Keep your morning routine the same and once you’re dressed and ready to work, head over to your designated space to get your head down. Something as small as dressing for work will put you in the mindset for the job straight away, so you can enjoy a productive day of remote working.

Whether you work from home or not, it’s a really good idea to get up from your desk or workspace every hour or so to escape the screens and stretch your legs or get some fresh air. Keeping a clear head is even more important when you work from home, as it’s easy to get distracted by your personal life, but setting strict working hours and having regular breaks will certainly help you to master productive remote working. Try to leave the house each day, even if it’s just for a little walk on your lunch break. The beauty of remote working is that you can even up sticks and work from your local coffee shop for a few hours to break up your routine and enjoy a change of scenery. As long as they’ve got an internet connection, with Sage Hosting from The Isobar, you’ll be able to access your data and applications without a worry.

 

Kitting Yourself Out

When you work from home, you’ll find that your technology and your equipment become all the more essential. You’ll need to make sure you have the right chair and desk to sit at your computer throughout your working day, so it’s worth investing in these if you’re planning to work from home regularly.

Staying connected to the rest of your team is increasingly important when you work from home in order to keep your processes running as smoothly as possible, so ensure you make the most of technology such as instant messaging and video conferencing. Remote working will also mean you strive for the peace of mind that your data is safe as you move from the main office to your home office and beyond. Here at The Isobar, we pride ourselves on having a water-tight Sage Hosting service, so you can access your desktop safely, wherever you choose to work.

 

4 Tools to Help Your Team Work From Home

Zoom

Conferencing service Zoom has come out as one of the nation’s favourite remote work solution, with even the likes of politicians using the software. Zoom offers a range of communication tools to help you conduct meetings whilst out of the office. The platform allows up to 49 users to share HD videos of themselves and allows 1000 participants to join the stream and watch. Zoom provides users with transcription tools for easy minute taking and the ability to share screens. It is integrated with several email systems (such as Outlook), allowing you automatically post events to your teammate’s calendars. The software can also act as a phone system, allowing users to preview and log incoming calls. This feature can help users who work within customer service.

Additionally, regular webinar holders can benefit from using the service. With the ability to connect to a range of CRM systems, presenters can control stream subscriptions and can broadcast seamlessly to viewers. This feature can work well for product announcements, demos and thought leadership streams.

All in all, Zoom is a versatile option for staying in contact with customers and colleagues alike. Video chats let you exchange information visually, such as through body language, to communicate the right message whilst working from home.

 

Slack

If you’re looking for an instant messaging service to deliver quick updates to team members, Slack is a great option. With a straightforward screen layout, Slack will update your co-workers in real-time and is ideal for collaborative projects. It’s the quickest way to communicate whilst working from home.

Instant messages allow you to share and receive information faster than email correspondence. Slack works by flashing a small notification on the user’s screen which shows a preview of the latest message received. Teammates can then click onto the chat boards to read the message in full.

Chat logs can be organised via ‘channels’ which can be named by the users and customised with public or private settings. The platform also gives you the ability to share files with colleagues, including Word documents, spreadsheets, and image files.

The platform even comes with an app store for further customisation. Along with interactive apps such as polls, Slack can be connected to separate programs such as HubSpot, Monday and Dropbox.

Slack is a great way to improve communications amongst teams and enhance project management whilst businesses work from home. Its simple design makes it accessible to all users and provides teams with instant updates to help them stay coordinated.

 

The Isobar

Whilst taking your laptop home is simple, the same cannot be said for your office server. The Isobar eliminates the issue by hosting your software online.

Servers are pieces of hardware which connect your computer to your electronic office files. On-premise servers are limited by location, meaning that you can only access your files if you’re in the office. Cloud servers, however, store your data and software online so they can be accessed from any device.

The Isobar is a hosting and storage solution. It uses cloud-technology to host your software, making it accessible from any device. With several built-in layers of security, cloud servers keep your information and files secure. The Isobar uses features such as two-step authentication and dual-layer firewalls to keep confidential data protected.

The remote software creates regular backups to act as a safety net, making it possible to retrieve data if it is accidentally deleted. The Automatic Failover feature helps reduce office downtime by switching out faulty hardware, so work stored is not compromised. Cloud servers allow you to work remotely for the long-term. On top of this, The Isobar’s technical team can remotely log in to perform updates and resolve software issues.

The Isobar is suitable for businesses who use Sage 50 and can be a great asset to any team that decides to work from home.

 

Monday

If you often have multiple projects always running at once, you should consider a project management software, such as Monday. These platforms exist to provide insight into project progress and the workload of teammates.

Monday lets you see the status of tasks at a glance. With a user-friendly layout, you can see exactly what stage work is at and managers can make sure employees are on track for deadlines. The platform has a simple column structure where you can choose what kind of information you would like to be displayed. The columns types include text, timelines, dates, numbers, and ‘people’ for assigning tasks. Once you are happy with the arrangement, you can preview this information as a timeline, calendar, or Kanban board. You can separate each board you create using workspaces. This allows you to organise projects by department or work area, making it easy to find what you are looking for.

 

If you’ve enjoyed this blog, you can read more articles here. To start your free demo of The Isobar, leave an enquiry and we’ll get back to you shortly.

 

Cloud hosting is becoming more and more commonly used in workplaces all over the world. There are many advantages that your business could see when you take the plunge with Cloud hosting, not least the welcome opportunity to introduce remote working as a practice within your operations.

 

If Cloud hosting has piqued your interest, take a look at these benefits and start seeing improvement in your business’s operations.

 

Time, Money and Resource Saving

 

Cloud hosting naturally has a flexible pricing structure, meaning you’ll only ever pay for what your business actually needs. Simply put, when you require more resources, you can easily give us a call at The Isobar and we can increase your package at the touch of a button. This flexibility means that you don’t need to worry if you have additional data needs, as we’re always on hand to amend your package as you and your business need. Ultimately, the flexibility of Cloud hosting will save your business money. 

 

Not only does Cloud hosting save your resources, but it works towards a healthier environment too. By using fewer overall datacentres, and only the server resources your business really needs, your company will ultimately be building a lighter carbon footprint. This sustainable form of desktop hosting powers virtual services rather than physical products, encouraging a more environmentally-friendly workplace and putting your business in the green spotlight.

 

Business Efficiency

 

Your business also has the opportunity to become even more efficient with Cloud hosting. Thanks to multiple servers within the Cloud infrastructure, your business can reap the rewards of a high uptime rate. If one datacentre does go down, there’s always another one available to support your operations, letting you rest safe in the knowledge that downtime can become a thing of the past with Cloud hosting and its mirrored datacentres. Cloud hosting also means your business can enjoy the benefits of load balancing across these multiple servers. This ultimately means that there’ll be less strain on any one server, paving the way for a better user experience. With Cloud hosting by your side, you can also make the most of automatic software updates, saving you and your business both time and money.

 

Cloud hosting also makes way for the opportunity for your team to work remotely. They’ll be able to access their data whilst they’re on the go. This also gives your business scope to employ skilled freelancers who can work offsite. As well as remote and freelance working, Cloud hosting also encourages increased collaboration, as team members can view and share information amongst each other both easily and securely.

 

Cloud analytics comes hand in hand with Cloud hosting too. This means that you can easily analyse your business and its efficiency, allowing you to amend and increase productivity accordingly.

 

 

Safety and Security

 

After all these benefits of Cloud hosting, the icing on the cake is that it’s also an incredibly safe and secure place for your business to store your data and applications. All your company’s documents are stored in one place within the Cloud and in a single format, maintaining consistency within your data. This reduces the opportunity for human error and also ensures a clear record is kept of any revisions or updates in your data.

 

When it comes to your data, Cloud hosting ensures safety from any server hardware issues. By working within the Cloud, your data will be kept safely away from any physical server issues including hacking, hardware failure or system overload, thanks to being able to rely on those multiple servers who will always have your business’s back.

 

With Cloud hosting, you never need to worry that your data will go AWOL. All of your information that’s uploaded to the Cloud will remain safe and easily accessible. As long as your employees have got an Internet connection, they’ll be able to simply and securely access their data and applications, even if their usual computer is on the blink.

 

Cloud hosting is becoming more and more commonly used within businesses and it’s easy to see why. Cloud hosting with Sage from The Isobar means that your data will not only be kept away from the wrong eyes, but you can also rest safe in the knowledge that your team will be able to get to those all-important files, whenever they need to. Thanks to our Cloud hosting, hardware upgrades become quick and painless, and our Automatic Failover feature means that your business can make the most of uptime, all the time. These features essentially put your business on the cutting edge of technology, allowing your company to take the lead ahead of your competitors, with uninterrupted working days and maximum efficiency. Pull up a chair at The Isobar to start reaping the rewards of Cloud hosting with Sage for yourself.