Steve O'Connell, sales director at Advantex Network Solutions, looks forward to 2018 on the back of a successful 12 months of growth for his Gateshead-based technology firm.
It’s 15 years since we opened the doors for business with a commitment to provide a first class service to customers utilising top quality products, and a clear desire to forge a great place to work for talented people driven by enthusiasm, ambition and desire. But these are only two chapters in a compelling story – one that’s seen Advantex defy the odds and build the foundations for long-term success and achievement.
Indeed, the last 12 months have witnessed some significant accomplishments for the Advantex team, not least achieving Mitel Silver Solutions Partner status and VMWare Enterprise Solution Provider in a move that recognised our expertise in supplying and supporting the latest generation of internet protocol phone systems, IT solutions and applications, demonstrating in the process our capacity to deliver the highest levels of service, technical competence and sales in a competitive arena.
We are living through exciting times with technologies powered by the new high performance superfast networks, providing the infrastructures for advanced, flexible solutions that are not only break new ground but are also future proof, improving the way business and commerce interact and communicate.
Second-guessing the future can be hard but looking forward to 2018, there are some significant issues on the horizon. Cybercrime and the threat from ransomware and phishing attacks will undoubtedly continue to dominate the IT agenda, driving even greater demand for intelligent security solutions and protection from the ever-present threat of wannacry and badrabbit among other new and even deadlier e-viruses.
While it’s hard to predict when an attack will strike, which when it does can be a terrifying, seismic and costly ordeal for those involved, virtually every organisation is at risk and a potential target for the criminals. Companies ignore the threat of ransomware at their peril and will increasingly have to seek professional advice in 2018 from experts like Advantex, who can provide advice and effective solutions to mitigate the threat.
Of course, the impact of GDPR, which comes into effect from May, will be felt deeply and the expected fall-out will impact the majority of organisations; so those with data management responsibility need to now be drawing-up their plans to deal with the implications.
The new year will also see a new Government funded scheme aimed at helping SMEs fund invests in new superfast broadband services to improve connectivity. Similar to the £100m broadband connection voucher scheme that Advantex was in the vanguard of delivering in the North East between 2013 – 2015, the new gigabit voucher scheme will herald opportunities for the region’s IT sector as businesses bid for funding worth up to £3,000 for gigabit-capable’ connectivity.
Indeed, the issue of connectivity in a broader sense will be omnipresent over the next 12 months as organisations strive to secure the safety and reliability of their wireless technologies. Opportunity will continue for those adroit, adept and deft technology firms who can better help to safeguard people using wireless devices either in the office or while they are on the move: Advantex is working with the new North East Futures technical school to secure and manage connectivity for children aged 14-18. Further opportunities lie this will emerge during 2018 to spearhead continued sector growth.
Watch out also for the new 5G mobile and wireless communications coming on stream this will open a new chapter of commercial opportunity and offer added impetus to a strong and capable regional IT sector as the next evolution of mobile data takes hold.
The pace of change is seemingly breath taking, with next generation technologies that will be at the heart of an ever-changing landscape that’s built on access to almost limitless online resources, powering creativity, imagination and enabling new services to flourish and prosper.