ADSL Broadband ADSL presents many alternatives to enhance business efficiency and minimize costs. Companies everywhere, given the present financial outlook, are in search of methods to economise. without having to surrender any products on which they rely, or by getting extra out of current resources. One technique to get more out of what you already have is to exploit the possibilities that your ADSL connections offers. Listed below are a few things that we recommend to our ADSL users:

ADSL / VPN  Many companies would like to enable their staff access to the companies servers, mail or files while they are onthe road or at home. When working from home over the weekend, after hours or while on leave etc you are probably familiar with the frustration when you realise you forgot some data or mail or file at the office.

Even with the most affordable ADSL line you possible you can setup a Virtual Personal Network (VPN). A VPN is a safe link that permits the person access to the outside community as if they were there on a local network. Advantages of having a VPN is that your distant employees, salespersons etc will require internet access. and by using 3G or HSDPA or their own ADSL line your distant employees, sales persons can access all files, mail etc without having to travel into the office everyday. This results in more efficient use of time and higher service to customers Sales reps can get the newest product listing or prices within seconds.

Branch Connections with ADSL

When you've got two or more branches you probably have some software hosted at the head office that branches must access frequently, Pastel, VIP and other standard purposes are common. When on the lookout for solutions to many small companies attempt to rely on some kind of disconnected solution that allows merging of databases and information on a periodic basis. Those who do this are probably aware of how this is by no means an easy process. As you end up losing a whole lot of time and money sorting out conflicts, corruption and misplaced data. The answer is to setup a inter-branch Digital Non-public Network (VPN). With an inter-branch VPN customers from the remote departments can access and run utilities which are at the head office. We frequently suggest using Microsoft's Distant Desktop together with the ADSL VPN to get the most out of the ADSL uplink speed without having to use a larger ADSL pipe.

Minimize phone costs with VOIP

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) with ADSL is another way to save costs. If you are a small concern then a single ADSL line is all you need to have the ability to use voip and access the Internet. If you are a larger enterprise then you will want a dedicated ADSL connection on your VOIP calls. With the wide range of ADSL offerings on the market and the corporate ADSL resolution it is possible to run call centres off VOIP trunks. VOIP could be added to a present PBX or for those who need a whole new PBX then an entire PBX VOIP resolution could be supplied. In the case of a larger sized business not needing to use VOIP in the essential switchboard it can be used to connect branches. Since VOIP on VOIP calls are free you save on the price of all inter-branch calls. With VOIP you don't have to change your companies numbers. You can preserve you current telkom incoming calls and just route outgoing over VOIP. Routing is at the VOIP providers premises so you also get to reap the benefits of routing calls over the most affordable connection with out the outlay for expensive routing equipment.

Host your personal servers over ADSL securely

Do your procuring and banking online Although this might seem lame it's surprising how many individuals don't use the Internet to do banking and purchasing online. With the cost of petrol these days, horrendous traffic jams and lack of parking at the shopping malls, it is far better to buy on-line with out raising your blood pressure and stress levels. The weekend should be used to relax not looking for parking and waiting in queues. Besides the comfort factor it is also possible to get monetary savings, as online shopping is usually cheaper and you can also make decisions with out being distracted by all those advertising gimmicks that retailers use to convince you to purchase the goods although you really did not need them anyway.

I hope this has supplied you with some ideas on how to use your ADSL connection to reinforce your small business's competitiveness.

Work smarter, not harder