Business Phone Systems: PBX, IP and Everything In-between

Most businesses have a phone system these days and words like ‘PBX’ and ‘IP Telephony’ are often bandied around as an ingrained part of business conversation, yet what exactly is a phone system? How does an IP PBX differ from a PBX? And how can a phone system benefit your business in discernable ways? This article will answer all these questions and more and leave you with a workable knowledge of business phone systems.

What is a Phone System?

To properly understand the differences between phone systems, a basic knowledge of what a telephone system is needs to be attained. A phone system acts as an exchange that allows people to communicate both internally and externally. Rather than each phone having a separate line to the Public Telephone Network (PTN), a phone system enables your business to connect all phones, using a limited number of lines.

As well as placing and receiving internal and external calls, phone systems also employ certain basic features designed for business – these will be discussed further on.

PBX Phone Systems

Let us first explain the acronym so as to avoid confusion – PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange. A PBX phone system consists of internal and external phone lines, a console and a computer server. The PBX is a switching system used to manage internal calls and provide external lines to internal phones when needed. Distinguishing itself from the Public Telephone Network though, PBX phone systems can route incoming calls to extensions and connect calls to answering services as well as other more business-specific features that are the trademark of phone systems and which we shall come to later.

IP PBX Phone Systems

An IP (Internet Protocol) PBX does the same thing as an ordinary PBX except it is designed to deliver voice (VoIP) or video over a data network and interoperate with the normal Public Telephone Network. IP PBXs can be either hardware or software based and can provide more advanced functions than ordinary PBXs by integrating with computer systems.

PBX and IP PBX phone systems are not the only business phone systems available, however they act as a standard around which other phone systems are based and are the most widely used phone systems in the business arena.

Phone System Basic Features

Phone systems all share a common set of features that make businesses more efficient – after all, time is money. These features include:

Call Conferencing – the ability to share a phone call between more than two people which can save time and travel

Call Hold – an important feature for business phones – on-hold music or messaging can be added

Call Routing – saves time by routing calls to the right internal extension

Voicemail – one of the most important business telephone system functions. Voicemails can be accessed by individuals or departments and can be also be forwarded

Auto-Attendant – this feature is well used especially with small phone systems as it negates the need for a secretary

These features as stated before, are common to all phone systems. Different types of phone systems however can have different features and as IP phone systems are becoming ever more popular, it is worth noting a few of the extra features that they can provide for your business:

Click-to-Call – uses computer-telephony integration (CTI) so you can simply click on the screen to call

Call Logging and Tracking – this feature is useful to find out call history and other information

Call Screening – allows you to see who is calling before you answer

Benefits of a Business Phone System

A common misconception is that you have to be a multi-national, filthy-rich corporation to have an advanced phone system but that is not the case. Many small and medium businesses have small phone systems that cost little and save them money. A VoIP phone system can seriously reduce costs for instance – calls can be routed over the internet rather than the Public Telephone Network, eradicating almost all call charges. Many businesses also bypass the cost of hiring a secretary by using an auto-attendant instead.

Certain features on a phone system can create the right impression with customers too. On hold messages and on hold music in particular can make a business seem more professional, as first impressions do go a long way.

Many businesses find that a phone system increases efficiency and functionality. For example, phone conferencing can reduce time spent in business travel, speed dial and click-to-call can also reduce time spent looking up phone numbers and voicemail is much more efficient than an answering machine. In the fast-paced world of business, the utilisation of time-saving and efficient tools can often be the difference between a good business and a mediocre business.

Phone Systems – Communication is the Key

Business phone systems then are exchanges that allow people to communicate internally and externally via the Public Telephone Network. Phone systems can come in many different versions with the most popular being the standard PBX and IP PBX phone systems. Phone systems are characterised by bespoke business features common to all phone systems and they can save businesses money as well as making them run more efficiently. Phone systems are becoming one of the essential tools of business now – communication is the key no matter what business you are in and business phone systems undoubtedly broaden communication horizons.

Southern Eagle Insurance, a workman compensations service for businesses in Florida, has implemented an Avaya phone system in order to make services more efficient. Due to the nature of the business that Southern Eagle Insurance run, a missed call or message can have a disastrous effect on claims that are time-sensitive. Avaya has implemented an IP Office 500 phone system which has all the hall marks of an Avaya system. Features such as voicemail, auto-attendant and call routing can make life a whole lot easier for Southern Eagle Insurance.

Business Phone Systems: PBX, IP and Everything In-between

Most businesses have a phone system these days and words like ‘PBX’ and ‘IP Telephony’ are often bandied around as an ingrained part of business conversation, yet what exactly is a phone system? How does an IP PBX differ from a PBX? And how can a phone system benefit your business in discernable ways? This article will answer all these questions and more and leave you with a workable knowledge of business phone systems.

What is a Phone System?

To properly understand the differences between phone systems, a basic knowledge of what a telephone system is needs to be attained. A phone system acts as an exchange that allows people to communicate both internally and externally. Rather than each phone having a separate line to the Public Telephone Network (PTN), a phone system enables your business to connect all phones, using a limited number of lines.

As well as placing and receiving internal and external calls, phone systems also employ certain basic features designed for business – these will be discussed further on.

PBX Phone Systems

Let us first explain the acronym so as to avoid confusion – PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange. A PBX phone system consists of internal and external phone lines, a console and a computer server. The PBX is a switching system used to manage internal calls and provide external lines to internal phones when needed. Distinguishing itself from the Public Telephone Network though, PBX phone systems can route incoming calls to extensions and connect calls to answering services as well as other more business-specific features that are the trademark of phone systems and which we shall come to later.

IP PBX Phone Systems

An IP (Internet Protocol) PBX does the same thing as an ordinary PBX except it is designed to deliver voice (VoIP) or video over a data network and interoperate with the normal Public Telephone Network. IP PBXs can be either hardware or software based and can provide more advanced functions than ordinary PBXs by integrating with computer systems.

PBX and IP PBX phone systems are not the only business phone systems available, however they act as a standard around which other phone systems are based and are the most widely used phone systems in the business arena.

Phone System Basic Features Phone systems all share a common set of features that make businesses more efficient – after all, time is money. These features include:

Call Conferencing – the ability to share a phone call between more than two people which can save time and travel

Call Hold – an important feature for business phones – on-hold music or messaging can be added

Call Routing – saves time by routing calls to the right internal extension

Voicemail – one of the most important business telephone system functions. Voicemails can be accessed by individuals or departments and can be also be forwarded

Auto-Attendant – this feature is well used especially with small phone systems as it negates the need for a secretary

These features as stated before, are common to all phone systems. Different types of phone systems however can have different features and as IP phone systems are becoming ever more popular, it is worth noting a few of the extra features that they can provide for your business:

Click-to-Call – uses computer-telephony integration (CTI) so you can simply click on the screen to call

Call Logging and Tracking – this feature is useful to find out call history and other informationCall Screening – allows you to see who is calling before you answer

Benefits of a Business Phone System

A common misconception is that you have to be a multi-national, filthy-rich corporation to have an advanced phone system but that is not the case. Many small and medium businesses have small phone systems that cost little and save them money. A VoIP phone system can seriously reduce costs for instance – calls can be routed over the internet rather than the Public Telephone Network, eradicating almost all call charges. Many businesses also bypass the cost of hiring a secretary by using an auto-attendant instead.

Certain features on a phone system can create the right impression with customers too. On hold messages and on hold music in particular can make a business seem more professional, as first impressions do go a long way.

Many businesses find that a phone system increases efficiency and functionality. For example, phone conferencing can reduce time spent in business travel, speed dial and click-to-call can also reduce time spent looking up phone numbers and voicemail is much more efficient than an answering machine. In the fast-paced world of business, the utilisation of time-saving and efficient tools can often be the difference between a good business and a mediocre business.

Phone Systems – Communication is the Key 

Business phone systems then are exchanges that allow people to communicate internally and externally via the Public Telephone Network. Phone systems can come in many different versions with the most popular being the standard PBX and IP PBX phone systems. Phone systems are characterised by bespoke business features common to all phone systems and they can save businesses money as well as making them run more efficiently. Phone systems are becoming one of the essential tools of business now – communication is the key no matter what business you are in and business phone systems undoubtedly broaden communication horizons.

Security Guard Services – What Guarding Is All About

Many people know what a security guard is, but not that many know exactly what it is that a security guard does. Ask the majority of people on the street and the most likely answer you will receive is “guarding.” While this is correct in the broad sense of the word, it demonstrates a lack of knowledge about the security services that a guard can perform.

So, let us take a look at a few of the security services that most security companies, such as www.churchill-security.co.uk, provide on a regular basis:

Key Holding

Key holding is not as simple as it sounds, trust me. This security service involves responding to a businesses alarm during the night. Should the alarm go off, the security guard will investigate, check the premises and then reset the alarm. So the business owner can remain safe and asleep.

CCTV Monitoring

As a security service, you would think that monitoring CCTV would be an easy job. This could not be farther from the truth. Rather than just one CCTV screen to monitor, most security guards, especially those who work in retail, will have multiple screens to monitor simultaneously.

Now, many companies choose to leave their CCTV unmanned – taking a reactive rather than a proactive approach by simply using CCTV to prosecute any offenders after the act. But with manned CCTV, security guards have to watch closely, monitor and then act on anything suspicious or criminal that they see – thereby taking a proactive approach to it.

So, all those films you see, where the security guard who is monitoring the CCTV is instead watching a film, are completely false or in most cases anyway!

Access Control

A popular security service at the moment is access control, particularly in the case of public institutions and big businesses. Despite the fact that biometrics is heralding the arrival of totally electronic access control systems, security companies are generally still needed to install the systems. And, in a lot of cases, to back the systems up should they need it.

Access control is often thought to be a lot more advanced than it actually is, thanks to films such as Minority Report and Mission Impossible. However, there have been some very sophisticated advances such as facial recognition technology, which will no doubt hit the security companies in the next few years.

Security Guards

This is the most basic and the most well-used of the security services. Security guarding can come in two forms – static security guards or mobile security patrol.

Static security guards remain at one site for the duration of their shift. They not only act as a deterrent but are also on hand to respond at once to any signs of trouble or suspicious activities.

Mobile Security Patrol

Security guards drive to your premises and patrol it randomly throughout the day and night. This random approach to patrolling allows security officers to catch criminals in the act more often than not.

Retail Security

As a security service, retail security is an amalgamation of other security services such as security guards, access control and CCTV. A retail security guard often has to be a jack of all security services trades.

Not As Cut And Dried As You Thought!

So security services involve more just being a security guard. Although services such as retail security and security guarding have a lot in common, there are often subtle differences between them. A security guard is not just a security guard but can also turn his hand at any other aspect of security – something you need specialist training to do. Like most other occupations, once you look a little more closely, the security services are not as cut and dried as you thought!

Business Phone Systems: PBX, IP and Everything In-between

Most businesses have a phone system these days and words like ‘PBX’ and ‘IP Telephony’ are often bandied around as an ingrained part of business conversation, yet what exactly is a phone system? How does an IP PBX differ from a PBX? And how can a phone system benefit your business in discernable ways? This article will answer all these questions and more and leave you with a workable knowledge of business phone systems.

What is a Phone System?

To properly understand the differences between phone systems, a basic knowledge of what a telephone system is needs to be attained. A phone system acts as an exchange that allows people to communicate both internally and externally. Rather than each phone having a separate line to the Public Telephone Network (PTN), a phone system enables your business to connect all phones, using a limited number of lines.

As well as placing and receiving internal and external calls, phone systems also employ certain basic features designed for business – these will be discussed further on.

PBX Phone Systems

Let us first explain the acronym so as to avoid confusion – PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange. A PBX phone system consists of internal and external phone lines, a console and a computer server. The PBX is a switching system used to manage internal calls and provide external lines to internal phones when needed. Distinguishing itself from the Public Telephone Network though, PBX phone systems can route incoming calls to extensions and connect calls to answering services as well as other more business-specific features that are the trademark of phone systems and which we shall come to later.

IP PBX Phone Systems

An IP (Internet Protocol) PBX does the same thing as an ordinary PBX except it is designed to deliver voice (VoIP) or video over a data network and interoperate with the normal Public Telephone Network. IP PBXs can be either hardware or software based and can provide more advanced functions than ordinary PBXs by integrating with computer systems.

PBX and IP PBX phone systems are not the only business phone systems available, however they act as a standard around which other phone systems are based and are the most widely used phone systems in the business arena.

Phone System Basic Features

Phone systems all share a common set of features that make businesses more efficient – after all, time is money. These features include:

Call Conferencing – the ability to share a phone call between more than two people which can save time and travel

Call Hold – an important feature for business phones – on-hold music or messaging can be added

Call Routing – saves time by routing calls to the right internal extension

Voicemail – one of the most important business telephone system functions. Voicemails can be accessed by individuals or departments and can be also be forwarded

Auto-Attendant – this feature is well used especially with small phone systems as it negates the need for a secretary

These features as stated before, are common to all phone systems. Different types of phone systems however can have different features and as IP phone systems are becoming ever more popular, it is worth noting a few of the extra features that they can provide for your business:

Click-to-Call – uses computer-telephony integration (CTI) so you can simply click on the screen to call

Call Logging and Tracking – this feature is useful to find out call history and other information

Call Screening – allows you to see who is calling before you answer

Benefits of a Business Phone System

A common misconception is that you have to be a multi-national, filthy-rich corporation to have an advanced phone system but that is not the case. Many small and medium businesses have small phone systems that cost little and save them money. A VoIP phone system can seriously reduce costs for instance – calls can be routed over the internet rather than the Public Telephone Network, eradicating almost all call charges. Many businesses also bypass the cost of hiring a secretary by using an auto-attendant instead.

Certain features on a phone system can create the right impression with customers too. On hold messages and on hold music in particular can make a business seem more professional, as first impressions do go a long way.

Many businesses find that a phone system increases efficiency and functionality. For example, phone conferencing can reduce time spent in business travel, speed dial and click-to-call can also reduce time spent looking up phone numbers and voicemail is much more efficient than an answering machine. In the fast-paced world of business, the utilisation of time-saving and efficient tools can often be the difference between a good business and a mediocre business.

Phone Systems – Communication is the Key 

Business phone systems then are exchanges that allow people to communicate internally and externally via the Public Telephone Network. Phone systems can come in many different versions with the most popular being the standard PBX and IP PBX phone systems. Phone systems are characterised by bespoke business features common to all phone systems and they can save businesses money as well as making them run more efficiently. Phone systems are becoming one of the essential tools of business now – communication is the key no matter what business you are in and business phone systems undoubtedly broaden communication horizons.

The Security Company – How We Ended Up Here

A security company sounds like a pretty simple thing doesn’t it? However, ask ordinary people what a security company is and you won’t get the same answer twice. The truth is, modern security companies have become a bit ambiguous – with so many areas in today’s world needing security, it’s difficult to know exactly what a security company does do and can do. So what is a security company? What does a security company do and where did they originate from? If you’re interested in the answers, read on to find out!

The Medjai of the Modern World

Forget thinking that security companies are the invention of more modern times – paying for a security service is nothing new. In fact, one of the earliest recorded instances of a security company and security guards is with Pharaoh Ramesses II, otherwise known as Ramesses the Great.

Ordinary Egyptians were either forced into the army or gladly joined to serve their Pharaoh however, Ramesses the Great wasn’t just any Pharaoh. This Pharaoh spent much of the thirteenth century making Egypt great and expanding the kingdom. Because of this, Ramesses II needed more security than ordinary Egyptians could supply – so he hired the Medjai. Unlike popular belief, the Medjai were not a religious group dedicated to serving the Pharaoh. They weren’t even Egyptian most of the time. Instead, they were what we would call a private security company, specialising in providing physical security to top officials.

As well as the Medjai, Ramesses II would often pay Canaanites, Libyans and Syrians to fight for him or protect him and his officials. So since ancient times, we can trace security companies through the ages, all the way down to our modern security companies today.

Security Companies with Many Faces

Security was a simpler thing in ancient times. You were hired, you got paid and you protected your charge until you either moved on or died. In modern times though, a security company isn’t just about security guards anymore. There are many different types of security and a lot of the time, this is what causes some confusion. So let’s take a look at the different types of security a security company can offer;

Physical Security
Physical security can cover a lot of different facets, from security officers and guards to security patrols, body guards, hired mercenaries – a whole range of things and without a doubt, the most basic and historical type of security.

IT Security

This is the newest type of security and confusing for anyone outside of the IT security business. This type of security can cover networks, data, information, biometrics and application security.

Political Security
Again, an historical segment of security that is even more widely used today. Political security includes homeland, national and international security – think Medjai.

These are the main types of security that companies deal in however, there is also financial security and aviation security you can add to the list if you want to. Today, most security companies such as www.churchill-security.co.uk take a holistic approach to security. By this I mean that they incorporate all these kinds of security into their security company.

More Security Than You Can Shake a Stick At

Security is big business right now. The rise in violent crime, business crime and general vandalism that goes with having a contemporary society has a lot of people worried. Resources are stretched thin and the Police simply can’t do everything. So enter the security company. Companies like Churchill Security get paid to provide IT security, physical security, CCTV and perimeter security amongst other things, to a number of different businesses and public and private bodies. Even with the massive demand for private security forces, there’s still a lot of competition out there though. But what can we say – we’re simply following tradition, the Medjai of the modern world.

The Common Security Guard – Surplus To Requirements?

A security guard or a security officer is a privately employed individual who is paid to protect people, property or assets. For the majority of people, security guards will conjure up a mental image of overweight and balding men, out of breath as they slap-slap-slap after a shoplifting youth. In a society where even the police don’t garner any respect, you have to ask yourself the question – are security guards surplus to requirements?

Security guards are sometimes heralded by the name ‘Watchmen’ which conjures up mysterious and poetic characters like in the graphic novels of the same name, but often the reality can be somewhat different. However, the basic manifesto of security guards is to detect, deter, observe and report. Not exactly an inspiring maxim, but close enough.

What Do Security Guards Do Anyway?

So as stated before, security guards protect people, property and assets. Once you get right down to it, security guards can have quite a variety of different duties – it’s quite surprising how many facets ‘security’ can be broken down to. Security guards can be hired to prevent:-

-theft

-fire
-vandalism
-health and safety violations
-sabotage
-terrorism
-employee misconduct

Some of the common duties that security guards can be expected to perform are key holding, CCTV monitoring, mobile patrolling, static guarding and access control;

Key Holding
Security guards respond to alarms at your business, saving you time and energy and risk.

CCTV Monitoring
Security guards can monitor CCTV systems, responding to suspicious activity or threats.

Mobile Patrolling
Security guards patrol your business area in a vehicle, making random patrols in order to catch any suspicious activities or intruders unawares.

Static Guarding
Security guards stand watch at your business, acting as a deterrent to criminals.

Access Control
By using either electronic, biometric or manual security systems, security guards can monitor and control access to businesses or institutions.

A Word Or Two About Training

Due to the Private Security Industry Act 2001, all security guards in the UK now have to have a licence given by the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which also trains up security guards. Licences have to be displayed in most cases and tests and CRB checks have to be passed in order to gain a licence.

Do Security Guards Do Any Good?

This is a difficult question to answer. As was said in the first paragraph, with police officers (a step up the ladder from security guards most people believe) being afforded no respect in today’s society, how can we believe that security guards could garner enough respect to do their jobs when they have less powers than the police?

But believe it or not, security guards are still useful and still needed. With the progressive roll-out of technology based security systems such as biometrics, alarms and CCTV, security guards will maybe become surplus eventually. But at the moment, security guards are still needed to keep watch over technology systems, to provide that link between computer and authorities.

With duties such as key holding, security guards take on the risk and take on the time and effort of checking out false alarms, a job that someone needs to do.

In retail security, mobile patrolling and static security guarding, security guards act as a deterrent more than an active crusader. Criminals are still wary of performing nefarious deeds in front of an audience and with things such as fire, having a security guard around can save you quite a lot of money.

So despite the fact that there seems to be a running trend of companies trying to get away with providing as little training as they can for security guards (unlike www.churchill-security.co.uk), despite a society that fosters a lack of respect for all authority figures and despite the rise of technology, it seems to me that security guards are in fact, required.

Security Officers – A Noble Calling?

During the past few years, there has been a subtle decline in the respect that security officers are given. Far from being awed or perhaps at least interested, the common belief is that most security guards are foreign migrants who are given basic training and paid minimum wages to do a job that they don’t particularly care about. Which, if I’m to speak honestly, is true for quite a lot of security companies. However, security officers haven’t always had a poor reputation. There was once a time when being a security guard was a noble occupation.

The Tomb Guards

Forget Roman security officers, if you want to find one of the earliest security guards around, you need to go all the way back to ancient Egypt, to the Land of the Pharaohs. Although a lot of the time Egypt is portrayed as a land of magic and mystery, the truth can be somewhat more prosaic. For all their animal-headed Gods and high priests, the Egyptians still needed security officers to guard the wealth of Egypt, the Necropolis and to protect the Pharaoh. This is where the Medjai (or Medjay) came in. From the district of Medja in Nubia, the Medjai were elite warriors, paid to serve the Pharaoh. The original security officers and undoubtedly looked up to.

Guardian Of The Underworld

One security officer in particular was given so much respect that, thousands of years after the original story, we all still know its name…Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hades. As a security guard, Cerberus was supposed to prevent anyone who crossed the river Styx from leaving the Underworld. Despite letting a couple of people past, one of whom was Heracles, Cerberus is fondly remembered as a bang-up security guard, fictional or not.

A Few Good Security Officers

Well actually yes, we do. There are quite a few security officers that have become famous and garnered the respect of many. For example, Frank Wills, the security guard who set the train in motion to uncover the Watergate scandal.

Christoph Meili was a security officer at a Swiss bank. A man of high moral character, he could not stand idly by while the upper echelons of the bank tried to destroy evidence relating to their swindling of Holocaust victims. Meili instead let the world know, a courageous move.

Another security officer that will always be looked up to and remembered is Pierlucio Tinazzi, an Italian security guard who worked in the Mont Blanc Tunnel. Tinazzi was on duty during the terrible 1999 Mont Blanc fire tunnel and saved the lives of ten people before succumbing to the fire. Tinazzi had journeyed to the heart of the fire in the tunnel and had advised people along the way on how to survive. He also grabbed survivors and drove them out of the fire on the back of his bike. In the tunnel, Tinazzi spotted an eleventh man. Unfortunately, time had run out and Tinazzi and the man died. Tough, courageous and capable – Tinazzi is the quintessential security officer.

A Couple Of Rotten Apples

There are a few bad apples in the security officer bunch, which is one reason why security officers now get such a lack of respect. One such security officer was Mark David Chapman, the man responsible for killing John Lennon. Although only a former security officer, mud tends to stick. Which is one of the problems we face today. You hear about security officers abusing CCTV, beating victims or even just not being bothered to do their job properly. And of courser, the news would rather focus on bad than good, hopeless rather than hopeful. It is no wonder we foster a world of violence and disrespect. Luckily though, it won’t last – it never does. And then once again, great men- no, great security officers like Christoph Meili and Pierlucio Tinazzi, will inspire us to be greater than we are.

The Progression of Communication Systems

Although it may be hard to believe, communications systems have not always  been as complex and technological as they are now. Communication, in forms other than the word of mouth, has a long and rich history. So how did we get from the very beginning of communication to the golden era of communication, papyrus to phone systems?

Where to Begin?

So where do we start when it comes to communication? The first alphabet developed by the Phoenicians? The first paper developed by the Ancient Egyptians? Maybe, we should stick to AD and go from there!

In 14AD, the Romans established a postal service. While this wasn’t the very first postal service invented, it was the first widespread postal service that was invented that caught on. 1650 saw the arrival of the first ever daily newspaper and 1714 saw the first patent for a typewriter given to Henry Mill.

In the 1830’s two inventions were patented that would change the face of communication systems forever – the first electric telegraph by Joseph Henry and Morse Code by Samuel Morse. Now people could communicate quickly and effectively. However, the telegraph would not have a long run in the limelight – things were really starting to pick up in the communication world!

Mr Watson, Come Here. I Want to See You.

Alexander Graham Bell is a name that everyone knows. An inventor of astounding ideas, Bell took a dislike to the telegraph service and how it could not send multiple messages, and he decided that something should, and indeed could, be done about it. For Bell, serious research began in 1874 and on March 10, 1876, the first words ever were spoken via a telephone call were to Bell’s assistant Thomas Watson:

"Mr Watson, come here. I want to see you." Success!

What you may not have known, is that there was a race to invent the telephone at the time. Another inventor, a Mr. Elisha Gray, came the closest – and by close, we do mean close. Gray registered for the patent for the telephone a mere two hours after Bell. Great minds and all that.

Hi Joel – Guess Where I’m Calling From?

So where do we go from here? Not to give you the impression that from the 1870s to the 1940s there were no inventions, there were actually plenty of important inventions. There simply isn’t time to mention them all. So, sticking to the highlights, what do we have? Computers, obviously! One of the most used platforms for communication today.

Depending on how you define a computer, you could easily say that the first ‘computer’ were the tally sticks, predating the abacus and used around 35,000 BC. Looking a little closer though, most people would agree that the first computer was the ‘Difference Engine.’ This was thought up in 1786 by J.H. Müller but was built around 1834 by Charles Babbage. However, to really go into the history of the computer is to delve deep – in another article perhaps!

After the computer came the internet, the precursor of which was developed by a team of experts in 1969 and was named ARPANET. This packet-switching network was to be the network that led to the internet, a phenomenon that has swept the world.

After the internet came the mobile telephone. As well as computers and the internet, the mobile phone is beyond huge – most people seem to have one now and some have more than one. The mobile, an advanced adaptation of the very first telephone, was invented by Martin Cooper, a Motorola researcher in 1973. He invented the first portable, hand-held mobile phone and his first call was to his rival, Dr. Joel S. Engel of Bell Labs. The first sentence on a mobile phone?

"Hi Joel – Guess where I’m calling from?"

Light-Years Ahead

Now we have PBX phone systems that use a switching system used to manage internal calls and provide external lines to internal phones when needed. We have phone systems that can record calls. Mobile phones that have the capabilities to make video phone calls. The internet which can instantaneously transmit information across the world. When you look at where we’ve come from, you can only wonder where we’ll eventually end up.

Key Holding – Ian’s Night

G’morning folks. My name’s Ian. I’ve worked as a security guard for most of my life, working for different security companies. Now I’m not much of a writer but it’s been a little quiet now I’m on the nightshift so I thought I’d give it a go. Thought I’d have a bash at writing about key holding seeing as how nobody seems to know about it, nobody but businesses that is. But in a few places key holding is becoming quite popular with just ordinary people who want to make sure their houses are OK while they’re away. Good idea if you ask me.

So about ten to midnight when I started the graveyard shift, we gets a bell. Mr Ahmed down at the wholesale food store, he had to go take his little boy to the emergency doctors before, he tells me. Can’t leave his little boy because his wife is with her family for the time being so could I mosey on down to his store and switch the alarms on and all the rest of the paraphernalia (good thing I have a dictionary.) So at about two minutes past the hour, I down at Ahmed’s wholesale store. I have his set of keys from out the safe, layout of the place and the alarms codes. Takes me fifteen minutes to give the place a quick check over, as a good security officer should, then I set the alarm and the security lights and off I trot. Now it’s about 1.45am. Tried to draw the paperwork out for a bit once I got back but there’s only so much you can dramatise a simple call out. Since we got a new day time secretary, there’s been hardly a thing to do between call outs! Mind you, the last security company I worked for was mad busy, on the go all the time, so it makes a bit of a change!

So while I’m here and doing nothing, I may as well tell you a little about key holding hadn’t I? Not that I’m a trying to imply I sit here whistlin’ Dixie all night, because I don’t – some nights get so busy that you’d swear the horsemen of the apocalypse had been set loose! Now where was I? Ah, key holding!  So at my security company we have different divisions – we have security guards and a full range of security services like IT security, retail security and security patrols, things of that nature. One division is key holding, which I like to do because it’s mainly a night time job. So with key holding anyway, we key holders nip to your business when the alarm goes off or if you’ve left it unlocked by mistake and can’t make it back and sometimes, just if you’re paranoid and like someone to check your business out every once in a while. Now as well we have none-business people asking us to key hold when they’re on holiday or to look after their holiday home. I think it’s more off a – oh, here we go, an alarm this time, department store!

Back door keys, check – now, let’s open the door quickly and quietly and get to the alarm box. Now, put the number in aaand…bliss! Alarms like that are enough to wake the dead! Right then, let’s check things out.

Hmm. I’ve just had a check of the store and right at the smallest window in the front there’s a smashed window. Only a small smash mind, more like a teenager worse for wear’s put his elbow through when he’s been staggering home. Not for me to speculate though is it eh? Have to take care of the security procedures now though, each person or business who wants key holding gives us a set of instructions to follow y’know. So, switch the lights on, ring emergency contact numero uno and explain the situation. Numero uno in this case is the boss and seemed a nice chap despite that I’ve just woke him up. Asked for details and asked me to get it fixed up before I left, he’d take a look in the morning. Said to get myself a coffee, so don’t mind if I do! After I ring the emergency repair company we use (who’ll have a board to board up the window and take measurements to fit the glass first thing when the world wakens up) I went and checked that the CCTV booth was secure – so the owner can find out what happened once he comes in tomorrow. I sweep up the glass and finish my coffee just as the repair company pulls up.

’Still workin’ the graveyard Bob?’ I says to the older one.
’Ar, s’long as it pays me wage Ian me lad!’ he says back, cackling. A good bunch, these night time lads!

Once they get done and we say our goodbyes I check everything over again, wash my cup, switch off the lights and switch the alarm on. Lock the door too. Think I might go make my nightly patrol to Mrs. Hanlon’s next, check her house is OK and leave the cat food out for her cat like she asked. Not that we’re pet feeders or anything – but it doesn’t hurt to lend a hand for an old dear does it? I’ll just double check this lock then be on my way – job’s a good ‘un!

Office Furniture – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

From past experience, do you know what the best part of working from home is? You can work comfortably. No stuffy work clothes, no uncomfortable shoes and no office furniture that feels like it has been designed by Lucrezia Borgia. Working from home, you could quite happily have your bed as your office chair – and there’s nothing quite as comfy as that!

For the majority of people though, working from home simply is not viable. And if you can’t allow your employees to work from home then the very least you can do, is to provide them with some comfortable office furniture. Why not spoil them a little more too? Spring for some stylish office furniture while you’re at it!

Good Office Chairs Could Be Your Best Friend

If you have a heart, when you choose office furniture, choose some decent office chairs. Some employers simply go for the flat pack, mass produced office chairs that collapse if you weigh over 10 stone and the only guarantee these kinds of office chairs come with, is a guaranteed curvature of the spine in your later years. Proper office furniture businesses such as www.officefurnitureonline.co.uk like to offer customers a range of stylish, comfortable, supportive and cheap office chairs, none of which could cause your chiropractor to cry.

An Office You Could Live In

You have the office chairs – now you need the rest of the office furniture and luckily, www.officefurnitureonline.co.uk has you covered. We have stylish office desks – from traditional manager’s desks to crazy-shaped desks, brightly coloured desks and desks with lots of storage space. We have office boards and presentation furniture. We have sofas and bookcases and decorative tables, reception furniture, filing cabinets and cupboards and office furniture for the café. In short, we have it all. If our office furniture store sold beds, you could quite easily live at work!

Offices tend to look the same the world over – clean, functional spaces that could set you off yawning just looking at them. So you could even try a few crazy ideas to jazz your office up a bit and enthuse your staff – like add a book case and a couple of comfy chairs somewhere. Or add a book case and fill it with arty objects and a few vases. Forget routine and choose four different colours for your office chairs and maybe those Monday mornings won’t depress your staff as much!

A Service Second To None

A lot of warehouse furniture is simply a case of one size fits all, but we aren’t like that. One size, definitely does not fit all – especially when it comes to office chairs. So www.officefurnitureonline.co.uk offers a live chat service on the website. You can take a look at office furniture whilst talking to one of our trained members of staff. They can help you to decide what would suit your office best, what furniture you can fit into your office and what furniture you actually need. As well as that, they can also get you the best price available and 24 hour delivery if you want it!

Just To Reiterate…

Good office furniture an important part of business. Staff who are uncomfortable and bored by their surroundings simply won’t be as productive. Comfortable and supportive office chairs are a must – cheap out on these and you’ll know about it! At www.officefurnitureonline.co.uk is an online furniture store that offers funky and traditional office furniture at low prices. We can help you decide what you need and even get it delivered the next day. Not only that, we can help keep your staff happier – after all, if you have to work, you may as well be comfortable while you’re doing it!