Legal Technology Journal

With February’s snow falls, traffic chaos and billions in lost productivity serving as a timely reminder that business continuity is not just about coping with major disasters, managed service provider e-know.net has launched a new solution to help firms maintain normal operations whatever the circumstances – or weather.

Appropriately named ‘Business as Usual’ and offered on a Software as a Service basis with monthly costs per user, it comprises:

• Managed Microsoft Exchange and Outlook, providing secure e-mail access from anywhere and any device
• Managed Microsoft Live Communications Server and Microsoft Office Communicator, enabling instant messaging, scheduling of calls and meetings, application sharing and audio and video for online meetings or telephone calls
• Managed SharePoint, providing a properly structured file storage area and smart workplace, making it easier for co-workers to collaborate on documents and tasks, whilst sharing relevant contacts and other information
• Managed SMS, allowing users to text mobiles directly from Outlook, including group texting for fast dissemination of news and information

Nigel Redwood, e-know.net’s managing director, is keen to point out the benefits in both exceptional and normal circumstances: “We’ve seen plenty of evidence earlier in the year of the disruption and costs to business caused by people’s inability to get into work, to travel to meetings or to fulfil their obligations because of others having to cancel. By giving staff the ability to access e-mail and files, to work online with colleagues or clients, to meet and chat virtually, not only do you get round ‘local difficulties’ but you also create a very focused, dynamic working environment.

During February’s snowfalls, users of tools like Office Communicator and SharePoint found that they had more time available because they didn’t have to travel; they achieved more because there were fewer distractions and they could maximise time through clever scheduling; online meetings tended to stick closely to the agenda and adhere to original time limits; they remained in touch with colleagues and clients through e-mail, instant messaging and video-calling; and they could remain productive but flexible in relation to family requirements.

And there’s no reason why these advantages have to stop when the good weather starts. Firms can put these technologies at the heart of their IT and reap the rewards all year round. With more mobile and home-working, increasing travel costs, budgets under scrutiny, environmental drivers and growing pressure to use time as efficiently as possible, there’s an inevitable logic in, and attraction to, connecting, collaborating and communicating online.”

For more information, please contact the sales team on 01952 236 236 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it