~ New online resources feature videos and case studies to help SMEs improve their business communications, reduce operational costs and avoid pitfalls ~

London, England – 14 November 2012: Managed communications provider, Foehn, today launches guidance for SMEs on using business communications to help them become more agile, productive, reduce costs and stay competitive. www.foehn.co.uk will feature educational content such as videos, case studies and whitepapers for SMEs looking to switch to cloud communications with soft phone systems and open source telephony.

Specialist VoIP analyst firm, illume Consulting, recently highlighted more than a 50% growth in just three months in the UK VoIP[1] market which shows no signs of slowing down. VoIP phones and open source technology, which work over the internet, are proving popular with SMEs looking to reduce legacy costs such as ISDN lines or old phone systems which are restrictive and inflexible. SMEs are increasingly turning to such services like SIP trunks and VoIP phone systems to lower the total cost of ownership, reduce maintenance resources and lower capital expenditure.

Foehn’s online resource centre includes:
 
Buyers’ guide to hosted VoIP telephony
Hosted VoIP telephony brings the functionality of a private branch exchange (PBX) – the telephone exchange that serves a business or office – from the cloud to the desktop. Foehn’s Operations Director, Gary Muchmore discusses how SMEs can choose the best solutions for their business communications needs by keeping hosted VoIP phone systems simple.
 
Hosted Telephony - the benefits
From lower cost of ownership and scalability to the need for minimal IT support, Foehn’s managing director James Passingham introduces the business benefits of modern hosted telephone systems for SMEs.
 
Hosted telephony - the trend of using phone systems hosted in the cloud
From simple telephone systems to fully-integrated communications in call centres, James Passingham discusses the key trends for SMEs using hosted phones. The video discusses trends like start-ups exclusively using cloud phone systems for their email, applications and telephone services and how recruitment firm, Marketingmoves saved 50% of its annual communications bill.
 
Low Cost Travel – open source call centre case study
Low Cost Travel’s group IT manager, Steve Darlington, explains how the Asterisk-based PBX solution helped Low Cost Travel increase call centre conversion by 20%, call handling productivity by 25% and customer retention by 40%. Using Open Source VoIP technology, Low Cost Travel changed their business process to support remote workers to reduce their cost per employee, to aid their growth.
 
One Test Express - hosted VoIP case study
Director, Simon Trigg of psychometric test experts, Onetest Express discusses how hosted phone systems met his need for simplicity and flexibility when he was setting up his business. Hear how hosted telephony delivered 24/7 business continuity that kept his customers happy.

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[1] Illume Quarterly Convergence bulletin: The growth is related to UK businesses using ‘Centrex style’ VoIP – where the call platform and features are hosted at the service provider location.