Digital transformation is moving up the agenda for most businesses in 2024. According to a recent study from Statista, total global spending on digital transformation technology and services is set to reach nearly £2tn in the next 12 months. In the UK, the digital transformation market was worth over £27bn in 2022 and is expected to rise by 27.7% a year until 2030. 

Emerge Digital’s new IT transformation partnerships include OPS-BOX in Gloucester, Weston Aviation, Ritual Coffee Roasters and Circle2Success (C2S) in Cheltenham, and The HR Dept marking a period of sustained growth for Emerge Digital. These partnerships help make up £200k worth of contracts won by Emerge Digital in recent months, and have been instrumental in a 22.5% growth in Emerge Digital’s client base in the last 12 months. 

Working with The HR Dept, a national franchise network providing outsourced HR support to SMEs, Emerge Digital will modernise the company’s CRM system by creating and installing a new system that will be ready for the introduction of AI.  

Felicity Kenny, Managing Director of The HR Dept, said: “With 60+ franchisees across the UK and Republic of Ireland, creating a tailored and effective CRM system which works for each of our franchise businesses is crucial. Emerge Digital is developing a customised and user-friendly CRM system that will help the franchisees manage their client relationships, sales, and marketing activities as well as give us the capabilities to harness AI that will support our internal operations.” 

The technology provider is also providing IT support and cloud services to OPS-BOX, a leading business consultancy specialist in the South West. For Weston Aviation, a company that operates business aviation facilities in airports across the UK and Ireland along with private jet charters worldwide, Emerge Digital has implemented a modern and scalable customer telephony system and is managing a migration to Microsoft 365. 

Finally, Emerge Digital is providing the leading regional leadership network, C2S, with a modern CRM, which can be developed to fit its needs over time amid the organisation’s continued growth. 

Nigel Church, CEO of Emerge Digital, said: “It’s a privilege to be working alongside industry leaders across a wide array of sectors. All our new partnerships are embracing new technologies to streamline and enhance their service and product delivery for their customers and partners. These innovation and IT projects encapsulate the range of services and skills Emerge Digital offers.  

“Providing industry-leading IT and technology solutions from national franchisees to independent SMEs is at the core of what we do, and these recent additions to our client roster are testament to the great work we have been doing in recent months.” 

Pictured: Nigel Church, CEO of Emerge Digital (left), and Nick Weston, CEO of Weston Aviation (right).

The Essence of a Modern Workplace

The modern workplace is defined by its adaptability, collaboration, and innovative use of technology. It supports a work culture that’s flexible, efficient, and secure, offering an environment where employees are empowered to work in ways that best suit their needs and the goals of their organisations.

 

The Pillars of a Modern Workplace and Microsoft 365 in Action

In answering “what is modern workplace”, four pillars stand out: flexibility and mobility, collaboration and communication, security and compliance, and continuous learning and improvement. Enabled by Microsoft 365, these pillars are the foundation of a dynamic work environment:

1. Flexibility and Mobility

• Definition: The freedom to work anytime, anywhere, harnessing the power of cloud computing.

• Example: Consider a sales team spread across different regions. With Microsoft 365, they can access customer data, presentations, and reports on OneDrive or SharePoint from any device, enabling them to update and share information in real-time, whether they’re at the office, home, or on the road.

2. Collaboration and Communication

• Definition: Enhanced by tools that break down silos and encourage seamless interaction across geographies.

• Example: A project team working on a new product launch uses Microsoft Teams as their central hub. They conduct virtual meetings, co-author documents, share updates, and even integrate external apps for project management, all within Teams. They can even get AI-powered meeting summary notes courtesy of Microsoft Copilot. This setup not only streamlines their workflow but also keeps everyone aligned and informed, fostering a strong team dynamic despite geographical distances.

3. Security and Compliance

• Definition: A non-negotiable foundation that protects data, respects privacy, and complies with global standards.

• Example: An IT department ensures that company data is protected by leveraging Microsoft 365’s advanced security features. They use multi-factor authentication for access control, data loss prevention policies to safeguard sensitive information, and Microsoft Defender to defend against cyber threats, all managed through a centralised admin console. This comprehensive security framework enables the company to maintain high standards of data protection and compliance.

4. Continuous Learning and Improvement

• Definition: The commitment to evolving with technological advancements and industry trends.

• Example: An organisation utilises Viva Insights to offer employees insights into their work patterns, suggesting adjustments to improve productivity and well-being. Meanwhile, Power BI is used to analyse business data, identifying trends and insights that drive strategic decisions. This culture of data-driven improvement and personal well-being is pivotal in the modern workplace.

 

Realising the Vision of a Modern Workplace

Embracing AI and Microsoft Copilot is crucial in realising the vision of a modern workplace. These technologies play a pivotal role in transforming traditional workspaces into hubs of productivity and innovation. By strategically integrating Microsoft 365’s AI capabilities, businesses can navigate this transformation effectively, ensuring that what modern workplace means to them is both innovative and forward-thinking.

Strategic Planning and Leadership

The journey towards a modern workplace begins with visionary leadership and a clear strategic plan. Leaders must articulate a compelling vision that encompasses not only the adoption of new technologies but also the embrace of a culture that supports flexible work practices, collaboration, and continuous learning. This vision should be underpinned by a detailed plan that outlines the steps required to achieve this transformation, including technology deployment, staff training, and change management.

Cultivating a Flexible and Inclusive Culture

A modern workplace thrives on flexibility and inclusivity. It’s essential to foster a culture where employees feel valued and empowered to work in ways that best suit their productivity and life balance. This means rethinking traditional work patterns and office layouts, encouraging remote work, and adopting flexible hours. Microsoft 365 facilitates this cultural shift by enabling teams to stay connected and productive, regardless of their physical location.

Leveraging Microsoft 365 for Seamless Collaboration

Microsoft 365 provides a comprehensive toolkit for seamless collaboration and communication. Tools like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive enable real-time collaboration on documents, virtual meetings, and efficient project management, breaking down silos and fostering a sense of unity and purpose across the organisation. Encouraging the use of these tools through training and support ensures that all employees can collaborate effectively, regardless of where they are working from.

Ensuring Robust Security and Compliance

As businesses transform into modern workplaces, they must not lose sight of the paramount importance of security and compliance. Microsoft 365’s built-in security features, including advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and compliance solutions, offer robust defenses against cyber threats while ensuring data privacy and regulatory compliance. It is crucial for businesses to implement these features comprehensively and educate their workforce on the importance of security best practices.

Embracing Continuous Learning and Improvement

The final piece of the puzzle in realising a modern workplace is fostering an environment of continuous learning and improvement. Microsoft 365’s analytics tools, such as Viva Insights, provide valuable insights into work patterns, enabling both individuals and teams to optimise their productivity and well-being. Organisations should promote a culture of feedback and learning, where these insights are used to drive personal development and operational efficiency.

 

Conclusion

The path to understanding what a modern workplace is, isa journey of transformation that requires more than just technological adoption; it demands a holistic approach that integrates strategic planning, cultural change, and the leveraging of cutting-edge tools like Microsoft 365. By addressing these elements, businesses can unlock the full potential of their workforce, foster innovation, and secure their place in the future of work. The modern workplace is not just about where we work, but how we work together to achieve remarkable things. With Microsoft 365, the vision of a modern workplace becomes an attainable reality, offering a blueprint for success in today’s digital landscape.

 

If you’d like to speak to a member of our team to discuss your IT requirements and to obtain a proposal, get in touch here or email hello@emerge.digital.

 

About Emerge Digital

Emerge Digital is a technology and digital innovation business and Managed Services Provider (MSP) which provides solutions to SMEs that drive efficiency, competitiveness, and profit. Using comprehensive solutions, including outsourced IT support, cyber security, cloud infrastructure, and innovative technologies like process automation, data visualisation and AI – Emerge Digital enables businesses to invest in technology that supports them in achieving their goals.

Traditional Views on Locality

 

Pros of a Local IT Company

Personalised Connection

Historically, local IT companies could offer the advantage of face-to-face interactions. Clients often felt more comfortable knowing that their service provider was just a stone’s throw away, able to understand their specific needs and deliver bespoke solutions.

Immediate Physical Support

When hardware malfunctions or technical emergencies arose, local IT providers were able to dispatch technicians promptly, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.

 

Cons of a Local IT Company

Limitations in Technology and Expertise

Focusing solely on local providers may limit access to cutting-edge technology and a diverse range of expertise. As technology evolved, the pool of local talent may not have always been equipped to provide the latest solutions.

Potential Higher Costs

Offering a regular physical presence with the client can lead to additional overheads for an IT company, which might translate into higher costs for the client without necessarily equating to better service.

 

As we continue to explore the question ‘does your IT company need to be local?’, we’ll delve into how the cloud-based era has redefined these traditional views, highlighting how companies like Emerge Digital successfully leverage technology to provide a superior, cost-effective service that retains a personal touch without the need for regular face-to-face contact.

 

The Cloud-based Era – Emerge Digital’s Approach

 

Pros of a Non-local IT Company

Access to National Expertise

The advent of cloud-based services has revolutionised the way businesses access IT solutions. Geographical boundaries no longer restrict access to diverse talent and cutting-edge technology. Companies can now leverage national and even global expertise, ensuring that they always have access to the best solutions tailored to their needs. Even if you are in the US, you can work with the top ecommerce website design sydney.

Warm and Friendly Service

Emerge Digital embodies how a non-local IT company can maintain personal connections with clients. Although regular face-to-face contact might not be present, our team consistently delivers warm and friendly service. The relationships forged over the phone or virtual meetings are as robust and meaningful as those established in person.

Cost-Effective Solutions

Remote services enable greater efficiency and often lead to cost savings. Without the need to maintain a local physical presence, IT companies can pass on these savings to clients without compromising quality.

Scalability and Flexibility

Cloud infrastructure offers unparalleled scalability and flexibility. Businesses can adapt and grow their technology landscape according to their evolving needs, without being bound by the limitations of a local provider.

 

Cons of a Non-local IT Company

Potential Loss of Personal Touch

A common concern with non-local IT companies is the potential loss of a personal touch. However, at Emerge Digital, we counter this by ensuring that our engineers are accessible and approachable. Even without regular face-to-face interactions, we foster strong relationships, epitomising how technology can bridge distances without losing human connection. We have a high retention rate for engineers, meaning names and faces aren’t constantly changing. This way, clients get to establish strong relationships with our employees.

Lack of Onsite Presence

If your IT provider is based several hours away, it could be difficult for them to get an engineer on-site quickly if there’s a physical problem which needs troubleshooting and fixing. However, in reality, this is quite an uncommon occurrence. There are several steps you can take to eliminate the need for someone to travel to your office, including spare, pre-configured laptops in case of a hardware fault, and the allocation of a operational contact in your business who can liaise with engineers. If there’s a problem with the patching in your office, we can simply walk you through fixing the fault via WhatsApp, or at least applying a temporary fix to get you up and running again whilst an engineer travels to fix the fault.

 

Conclusion

The world of IT has transformed, and with it, the factors that define what makes a great IT service provider. While location once played a pivotal role in selecting an IT company, the advent of cloud-based technology and global connectivity has rendered it secondary to factors such as expertise, efficiency, and personal connection.

Emerge Digital’s approach illustrates that it’s entirely possible to provide a warm, friendly service without regular face-to-face interactions. By leveraging cutting-edge cloud technologies and placing an emphasis on understanding clients’ needs, we ensure a personalised, yet efficient service.

So, to address the question ‘does your IT company need to be local?’: while local IT companies have their merits, it’s the cloud-based era that truly empowers businesses to access world-class solutions without geographical constraints. The flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness offered, coupled with the commitment to human connection, make a compelling case for looking beyond locality when choosing an IT service provider.

What are SharePoint Lists?

SharePoint Lists are like supercharged spreadsheets. But instead of being stuck on one person’s computer, they’re online and accessible to your whole team. You can use them to track, organise and manage all sorts of data, from customer enquiries and project timelines to equipment checks and more.

How SharePoint Lists Can Help Your Team

Collaboration is the name of the game with Lists. Everyone in your team can view and edit lists in real-time, so there’s no need for back-and-forth emails. This can save a lot of time and reduce miscommunication. And the best part? Lists can be accessed directly via Microsoft Teams, keeping all your teamwork tools in one place.

 

Key Benefits of SharePoint Lists

Here are some reasons why SharePoint Lists could be a game changer for your team:

1. Easy Collaboration: Lists are online and shared, so everyone can work together in real-time.
2. Adaptable: You can create lists for any kind of data your business needs to track.
3. Accessible: Lists can be accessed directly through Microsoft Teams, making them easy to use and keeping all your team’s tools in one place.

 

Example Scenario

Let’s look at ‘Plum Builders’, a small construction company. They used to keep track of project timelines using a spreadsheet on one person’s computer. This led to confusion and communication delays. After switching to SharePoint Lists, everyone could see and update the project timeline in real-time. This reduced errors and confusion and led to more efficient project management.

 

Maximising the Potential of SharePoint Lists

Lists are nothing short of adaptable, lending themselves to a host of business requirements. They are easy to create and equally straightforward to modify. Their flexible structure allows you to manage, organise, and track just about any type of data your business might need.

You could think of SharePoint Lists as blank canvases ready to be transformed into valuable repositories of information. From project timelines and inventory checks, to client enquiries and task assignments, the versatility of Lists caters to a diverse range of needs. They can be used to capture and organise structured data, making it easy for your team to manage and access important information.

For instance, a marketing team could utilise Lists to manage an editorial calendar, with columns for authors, due dates, content topics and publication channels. Similarly, a sales team could use them to track leads, customer feedback, or even manage customer relationships by recording details of calls, emails, meetings, and more.

Even more crucial is the ability to customise list views. Each team member can personalise how they see the information in the list based on their role or preference. This feature allows each user to focus on what matters most to them, thus increasing productivity.

With SharePoint Lists integrated into Microsoft Teams, you can bring together content and conversation for collaborative teamwork. By simply adding a list to a Teams channel, you can facilitate contextual conversation about the list items directly within Teams. This means that your team can discuss and update a list without having to switch applications, promoting an efficient and fluid workflow.

But to truly leverage the potential of Lists, consider the bigger picture of your business process. Identify the data points that require regular monitoring, collaboration or reporting. Then structure your lists to capture this data in a way that’s intuitive for your team. Encourage your team to use SharePoint Lists as a daily tool to manage tasks, monitor progress, and make data-driven decisions.

In short, the key to making the most of SharePoint Lists lies in aligning them with your team’s workflow and data requirements. With a little creativity and strategic thinking, Lists can become a powerful, tailored tool for information management in your business.

 

Conclusion

In our busy world, effective teamwork is essential. SharePoint Lists offer a simple, flexible tool that can help your team collaborate better. And with access directly via Microsoft Teams, it’s never been easier to keep your team on the same page. Why not try SharePoint Lists and see the difference it can make to your teamwork?

How Emerge Digital Can Help

At Emerge Digital, we’re here to help you make the most of tools like SharePoint Lists. We can guide you through setting up and using lists that meet your unique business needs.

Our team of IT experts understand that every business is different. That’s why we’ll work with you to develop a SharePoint Lists strategy that helps your team collaborate more effectively.

If you’re ready to boost your teamwork with SharePoint Lists, let’s talk. Contact Emerge Digital today to find out how we can help you improve your team’s collaboration and efficiency.

What SharePoint Syntex Does

SharePoint Syntex is a tool that uses artificial intelligence to automate content processing. It’s like having a smart assistant that understands and organises your data for you. This means less time spent on sorting information and more time for decision-making and growth.

SharePoint Syntex in Action

Let’s imagine you’re managing a vast array of documents in your business. Finding the information you need can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Syntex changes that. It can tag important documents, like invoices or contracts, so they’re easy to find. This can save your team a lot of time and boost productivity.

 

Key Benefits of Syntex

There are plenty of reasons to use Syntex:

1. Better Document Understanding: Syntex uses AI to understand your content quickly and accurately.
2. Time-Saving Data Extraction: It pulls out key information from your documents, freeing up your time.
3. Smarter Decision Making: By turning raw data into insights, Syntex helps you make informed business decisions.

 

Example Scenario

Take ‘EcoWear Clothing’, an online retailer. They used to spend hours processing invoices and contracts manually, which was slow and prone to errors. When they introduced Syntex, it automated this process. This saved time, reduced errors and let the team focus on growth initiatives.

Bringing SharePoint Syntex into Your Business

Embarking on the journey to integrate SharePoint Syntex into your business processes might feel like a daunting prospect at first. There’s no denying that it’s a sophisticated tool, and understanding how to fully utilise its features requires some exploration.

However, SharePoint Syntex’s potential for positive impact on your business processes is immense, making it a worthy consideration. It can facilitate better data management, promote efficiency and, in the long run, contribute significantly to your business’s productivity and growth.

What’s particularly appealing about SharePoint Syntex is its flexibility. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a tool that can be customised to align with your unique business requirements. It has the capability to learn from your team’s expertise and replicate it on a larger scale. This means it can adapt to the way your business works and provide a solution that feels tailor-made for your operations.

Implementing SharePoint Syntex begins with understanding your information management needs. Once these are defined, you can determine how SharePoint Syntex’s features can be best used to meet those needs. This could be automating the processing of specific types of documents, enhancing the searchability of your digital assets, or creating an organised, intuitive information structure.

The process may involve some trial and error initially, but with time, SharePoint Syntex will learn from and adapt to your requirements, becoming an increasingly effective tool for your business. The key is to remain patient and persistent, allowing SharePoint Syntex to fully integrate with and augment your processes.

Embracing SharePoint Syntex is, in essence, embracing a smarter way of working. It’s about equipping your business with the tools to turn information into insights, to automate time-consuming tasks, and to allow your team to focus on strategic initiatives that foster growth.

 

Conclusion

In today’s world of information overload, SharePoint Syntex stands out as a tool that can help your business thrive. By making your data work for you, it boosts productivity and drives growth. With Syntex on your team, you’ll be well on your way to a more efficient and successful future.

 

How Emerge Digital Can Help

We’re here to help you get the most out of SharePoint. Our team of IT experts will work with you to understand your business needs and guide you through implementing SharePoint Syntex.

Our aim is to make your digital transformation smooth and beneficial. We’ll support you every step of the way, ensuring you reap the full benefits of Syntex.

Ready to revolutionise your information management and accelerate your business growth? Let’s chat. Contact Emerge Digital today to find out how we can support your journey towards business optimisation with SharePoint.