The lyrics of the famous song include a “dazzling place we never knew” and whilst if given the choice we may have opted for dazzling to mean exciting or adventurous as we imagined exploring a whole new world we can make the choice to embrace the unknown future with an attitude of kindness, resilience and hope.

Comments ring loud from people expressing how they are “feeling like they’re in a movie”, others are “fearful of the future” and some have genuine “concerns about health and financial risk”. Whilst we can never underestimate the anxiety some are experiencing, and should ensure we make time to empathise with how people are responding to the Covid-19 crisis, we can all choose to respond by committing to do something to help make life better for someone else.

“We will get through this by working together to help others.”

We can take our responsibility to keep good hygiene measures in place seriously, we can adhere to social distancing to minimise risk to the vulnerable and we can make all necessary changes to our current way of life to make sure the health of the people in our lives is the number one priority.

People above everything else.

Lifestyles can change, we can all adapt.  Whilst none of us may have experienced anything like this in our lifetimes, history has taught us that resilience in the face of adversary will help to ensure we come out of this crisis better people.

We have many tools available to help us function as “normally” as possible, things that during previous war like times of history were only imagined by those who found themselves isolated and alone. Use them to equip yourself will all you need to help yourself and others. Remembering always to keep an eye on the future, ambitions and plans should not be forgotten, place them on hold for now, not forever.

Check out the info-graphic below for a few ideas that might help or might inspire your thinking and contact us if there is anything that our team can do to help.

As the Covid 19 pandemic evolves we are seeking to help business’ explore technology and discover solutions that can enable new ways of working.

Our global telecoms partner 8×8 UK have released a FREE service that can enable your staff to work from anywhere using any device.

Some of the key features include:

• • Unlimited meetings
• • Freephone dial in numbers
• • Use of a Web RTC-compatible browsers means no downloads are required either.

This free video service is allowing people around the globe to work safely and productively.

It is fast and simple. You can instantly join using an easy and intuitive user interface allowing full-screen experience using desktop and mobile apps or the Web.

Video collaboration also gives access to easy screen sharing, remote desktop control and cloud-based recordings.

Resilient Infrastructure

The 8×8 cloud communications platform is highly resilient and scalable. It is designed with a high degree of redundancy and geographic fail-over capabilities to minimize disruptions. The Unified Communications and Contact Center platforms are cluster-based. This means the existing capacity which is already able to handle 4x the current peak load is scalable to greater capacity as needed.

The resilient infrastructure 8×8 offers means they are ready to respond to customers’ needs with technical support teams located around the world.

Stay connected by using 8×8 Free Video Meetings available without any downloads or registration required.

Or contact us to talk to one of our expert team who will be happy to help get you set up on your first of many video calls and conferences.

We are closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19 as it continues to affect various areas of the world. We have an important role to play in helping customers with their business continuity plans as information around the virus continues to unfold.

Outsource’s number 1 priority is the health and well being of our staff, our customers and their businesses and we have taken the decision that all Outsource staff will be working remotely with immediate effect.

In our business every day we deal with business critical issues and even the occasional crisis on behalf of our customers so we do not take knee jerk reactions to events and we will always take a measured, professional and practical approach to matters. At this point in the spread of Covid-19 we believe this is the right approach and we shall continue to monitor and assess events on a daily basis and respond in our typical dynamic manner whatever issues our business or our customers business encounter.

Based on our existing capacity to operate remotely during this period we will continue to provide the full range of support and services, 24/7/365, to our normal high standards but we will be limiting face to face visit and customer and site meetings where practical to do so.

At this difficult time for some businesses we remain here to help and we wish you, your business, your families and friends best wishes over the coming days and weeks.  Please contact us if if you would like to discuss further how our range of IT Managed Services and Security Solutions can help minimise disruption and keep your workforce safe, engaged and connected.

It might get a bit bumpy over the next while but we will all come out the other side and life will return to normal sooner rather than later. Our team of experts can Make Your Life Better by equipping your teams with the correct technology, training and support from our trusted global partners to ensure your business is prepared for any eventuality.

We are delighted to announce our staff have chosen Action Mental Health as their Charity of the Year for 2020.

Outsource staff are committed to giving back to local communities and charities with teams constantly looking for innovative ways to raise funds, support and donate to local causes. Action Mental Health do amazing work across Northern Ireland in raising awareness and supporting people in need or in crisis, working to enhance the quality of life and the employability of people with mental health needs or a learning disability.

“Mental health and well being needs to be a priority for us all. At Outsource we build and develop relationships and are committed to Making Life Better for our staff, our customers and local communities. It is our privilege to support Action Mental Health in this small way and support the fantastic work they lead bringing positive change and removing the stigma associated with mental health. As our partner of the year, we look forward to doing our small bit to support their work by getting involved in a range of planned events to raise vital funds to help the charity continue their efforts in tackling this issue.” Terry Moore – CEO at Outsource

Outsources efforts to raise awareness and funds will be spearheaded by our two charity champions, Gena Notman and Damien Atkinson,  who already have a wide range of activities planned for staff to get involved, including the Belfast Marathon and staff abseiling off some local buildings.

Behind the wall to wall headlines, almost hysteria at times and 24/7 news coverage businesses need to take a mature approach on how to deal with instances such as Conoravirus. Such events are serious and unfortunately businesses will face more such detrimental external events in the future however we can only manage what is within our control.

Firstly, and most importantly in terms of Coronavirus “wash your hands more often and avoid unnecessary risks of exposure”.

Secondly, and in a much wider context take some time to assess the readiness of your business to deal with such unplanned detrimental business incidents going forward.

Two areas which should be assessed as a matter of best practice by all businesses are Flexible Working and Disaster Recovery. The best solutions will vary for every business so a professional assessment will be required using internal and possibly external resources.

Flexible Working:- Research has shown that remote working, if managed and supported correctly, can increase productivity, improve the health and well being of staff and improve overall business performance.

• What flexibility do you currently provide employees?
• What additional options have you considered?
• What systems and infrastructure do you have to support remote working?
• Do your staff have adequate training, technical support and guidance on remote working?

Disaster Recovery:- Every business should have an insurance plan to cover a worst case scenario and be concerned at their exposure if they don’t.

• Do you have a DR plan in place?
• What are the business implications of not having one (financial/reputation etc)?
• What does a good DR Plan cover and cost?
• Do you need external professional support in assessing and preparing a DR Plan that meets the requirement of your business?

Technology and Telecoms provide people with the tools and solutions they need to work from anywhere at any time. All of the necessary systems, technology and communication tools exist now and businesses do not need to wait for the next big technological breakthrough. Nor do they need to wait for costs to fall further, they no longer have excuses not to deliver increased flexibility to their staff. The future of remote working and enhanced staff flexibility is now and the only thing left is for business to fully embrace.

Get in touch today if you would like to discuss how our team can offer a bespoke range of IT Managed Services and Security Solutions to minimise disruption to your business and keep your workforce safe, engaged and connected.

Our team of experts can Make Your Life Better by equipping your teams with the correct technology, training and support from our trusted global partners to ensure your business is prepared for any eventuality.