Business case studies
Orbiss
Orbiss, previously known as Western Talk, was established in July 2006 by Directors Karen Patterson and Karen McGowan, both of whom had been involved in the telecommunications industry for many years.
The company - which recently doubled its workforce – started business by supplying, installing and maintaining phone systems for hundreds of businesses across the UK.
Specialising in leisure and hospitality, Orbiss’ customers vary in size from small boutique hotels to a major hotel near Stansted Airport using a system with about 400 extensions.
New product development
“Growing our business substantially over the past five years and expanding our work force has enabled us to develop our new software product, Clarity” says Karen McGowan.
“This provides our hospitality customers with cutting edge in-room guest technology, including video on demand, movies, IPTV and internet access the touch of a button, which can then be fully integrated into any hospitality billing system.”
“As a result of the many recent changes in the telephony industry and the demand for communications over the internet, superfast broadband has enabled us to enhance our expertise to provide our customers with some of the very best Voice Over IP solutions available.”
Pioneering superfast broadband
Orbiss had the foresight to recognise the business potential of superfast broadband and pioneered the new technology, being the first customer in Cornwall to connect. Karen Patterson said:
“It was a great privilege to be the first customer in Cornwall to connect to superfast broadband, a fact we are very proud of. Superfast connectivity couldn’t have come at a better time. In today’s competitive business world, fast and reliable communication is essential to encourage growth and prosperity. We are harnessing our years of expertise to address opportunities in the market opened up by superfast broadband.
Improving efficiency and customer service
“It is a massive leap forward, helping us to operate more efficiently and effectively and making an important contribution to the service we provide for our customers. To take one just example, we are now using superfast broadband to distribute the latest movies to our hotel customers around the UK far faster than ever before.
“The technology and expertise we have available allows us to operate on a national scale here in Cornwall and compete successfully with very big companies.”
Grant Cullingford, Chief Technical Officer says: “The benefits we’ve experienced can be summed up as the ability for more engaging levels of communication and collaboration between our field based colleagues, strategic partners, and our emerging reseller channel; regardless of the geographical position/restraints.
"This improvement in communication extends beyond the layers of human interaction, providing a more reliable and capable infrastructure and enhancing our customer service.
New ways of transferring data
"Recently we have put our superfast connection to the test, by transferring around 250Gb of Movie Content to our new content distribution platform. Without superfast broadband, we wouldn’t have been able to commission this distribution platform efficiently.
"To upload on our original ADSL connections would have taken close to one month, which would have left us with only one alternative – to request access in to a highly secure data-centre in London and upload the content in person; an unachievable and ultimately unsustainable process.
"Superfast broadband enabled us to complete the upload within 48 hours, significantly streamlining our operational processes, saving valuable time to re-invest in other areas of our business; which is paramount to continuing our successful growth."
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