Y2K
When I started at the beginning of 1999, the hot IT topic was the Millenium Bug. There was massive fear that key Servers across the Globe would not recognise the date change from 1999 into 2000, a new Millennium. Financial systems, Security systems, Travel systems, IT systems could all collapse.
A huge chunk of time was spent in 1999 supporting clients to upgrade their Servers which resulted in almost zero failures across the UK and the rest of the world. Some would say this was over hyped, and we will never know, but it deliver positive upgrades to IT networks.
Microsoft Small Business Server
When I started at Commsworld I was introduced to Paul Moore who had joined a few months earlier. Paul was my Analyst support, and we spent many a year sitting in front of clients expounding the benefits of some technology or another and we came to be close friends.
Despite Commsworld almost exclusively selling Phone systems, Paul introduced me to Small Business Server and the initial thinking was – that looks good. Let’s sell a few of those. Of course, that all turned out to be a bit more of a challenge than we first thought!
The 2000’s
I have nothing but total admiration for our Sales teams over the years. Of which we still have Robert Hartley leading the way. To be able to go out every month and find target clients and introduce them to the exciting world of Phone systems and Handsets was simply mind numbing. We had Demonstration suites where we could offer 8 button, 16 button, or heavens above even up to 64 button handsets! Sometimes with a single or dual screen! Revolutionary. Paul and Sales would show how phones could dial each other, go to voicemail, set up hunt groups, Receptionist functions and much much more. My how the world has changed.
We also thought we should have some of that ‘marketing’ thing. Which is when Martina Corr joined us initially to drive email campaigns and maintain databases. Also, develop the Commsworld Website. The challenge with Marketing is that everyone thinks they are experts and know how it should be done. Fortunately, Martina could work through that and my goodness look at our Marketing function now! We frequently get ‘complaints’ from people who know us that we are never out of the news feeds. Excellent I say.
At the time there was also a ‘thing’ called Voice and Data Integration. We had clients such as Eastern Western using 2Mb Voice circuits between sites now being able to wait for it, hive off 128kb or 256kbs even, for Data! The way to go. However, these developments did encourage us more into the Data Networking world and setting up relationships with BT, Thus and TTB.
The 2010’s
By now it was becoming apparent that in order to support our own clients better, we should procure or develop our own Wide Area Network. This led to the acquisition of Fluency bringing Charlie Boisseau into Commsworld. This was one of the game changers.
Charlie’s vision of how a UK Network should look was forward thinking and leading edge. I fondly recall the very first ‘UK Network Map’ which consisted of a single line between Edinburgh and London. However, it was enough to get us started. This change also gave the Sales team a much more powerful story to tell rather than Phone system hardware. From there, they quickly adapted the opening of client engagements to discussing Network first and foremost. Then potentially moving into Voice, or not.
I recall a meeting with the IT Director of a leading Legal firm with offices in Scotland and London. This was at the time we were working alongside CityFibre to Fibre enable Edinburgh and were close to their Edinburgh offices. The meeting spent an hour discussing Network and went well. At the close of the meeting the IT Director lobbed in the comment that apparently we promote Mitel Phone systems. In which case they would be having that as well. Not a mention of handsets or functionality and that underscored the importance of Networks. Which became the opening topic on all calls.
Mid-decade we were heavily involved in engaging with the Public Sector. As mentioned elsewhere, a crucial target market for Commsworld in order to grow and expand. We had a compelling story and an emerging leading edge UK Network. Public Sector client engagement was led by Steve Edwards supported by a relatively small team across Commsworld as we crafted groundbreaking contracts.
Winning the contract to provide the new Wide Area Network of The City of Edinburgh Council was another game changer. From that point I knew we would continue to be successful in the Public Sector as demonstrated in the long-term contracts we have won since that point. We had a compelling message and could demonstrate quality delivery and co-operative relationships with our clients. We were different to the large legacy Telecoms organisations, and that showed.
2020 and Beyond
The LDC Investment at the end of 2019 has allowed Commsworld to grow, expand and secure even more large, long-term, contracts. The organisation and it’s people have had to change and adopt more robust company processes and functions. As you become larger then you also have to be able to demonstrate greater capabilities and maintain Quality throughout. The long-term staff have adapted well picking up the change. New employees will come with a certain level of expectations but do see that the Commsworld culture is something rather unique in our space.
I have absolutely no doubt that Commsworld will continue to be successful and a major force in the Telecoms space. There was a time when the legacy providers were a bit rattled by our presence and were a bit annoyed. Now they have respect us for what we have achieved and are trying to work out how they can compete. I believe they will find that a challenge.
As I disappear into my sunset from Commsworld, I wish them fantastic success from the bottom of my heart. When I joined it was supposed to be a two-year gig whereas I have experienced the most phenomenal period of my working and personal life. Many thanks to all my colleagues and I look forward to reading of many more success and achievements.
