What will the 21CN network mean for your business? 

Small and medium sized businesses are becoming more switched on to the benefits new technologies can bring to their bottom line. With the old BT network beginning to creak a little BT have embraced a whole new network infrastructure based on the ever increasing concept of IP. This new technology will enable companies no matter what size they are to use the latest technology in the market place bringing affordable technology products and content services to enable faster, easier communication with the office, co-workers, mobile devices, video, voice and data services from any provider who cares to use the new network.

It is already possible to use various products like PDA’ laptops and mobile phones to send email, text, voice and video while on the move but people want these services to be easier to use, more joined up and more intuitive since providing excellent customer service is key to retaining and growing their customer base.

To meet these expectations, 21CN promises a more simple, seamless, integrated communications experience for everyone. In short Unified Communications will allow SMBs to project a global business presence and will give them real choice about which devices they use and how to customise personalise and change their services in real time.21CN is about using the power of the digital networked economy - the Unified Communication of the telecoms, IT, media and entertainment industries - to create better ways and wider opportunities for SMBs to access their markets and to access content.

 All electronic equipment today has the potential to be a network device - from a personal organiser to a vending machine. The industry is already developing services based on the convergence of voice, mobility, video, data and content. Although we can't predict the products and services of the future, we believe the following are examples of what may well become commonplace for SMBs in the 21CN world:

Wireless hubs to enable businesses to manage PCs, laptops, web-cams and security systems Combating identity fraud by using biometrics to make it easier for people to safely and securely sign up for services ensuring customers feel secure in their dealings with your business Using Voice over IP technology in innovative ways:

People sharing data on their computers could speak to each other over the web at the same time, saving time and improving customer satisfaction Creating shared directories:

Your personal phone number list can be shared with your computer, your mobile, your personal organiser or other devices to improve business efficiency Combine web-based online directories with voice calls:

A single click of the mouse will connect your call improving response handling times and customer satisfaction A phone which enables you to use the fixed line network in the office or at home transferring seamlessly to a mobile network without changing handset while on the move improving the efficiency and flexibility of the workforce while reducing costs Flexible bandwidth will enable SMBs to boost the power of broadband temporarily at the click of a button making the sharing of documents, information and services easier and faster, improving customer satisfaction. Some of these products and services are available now but more will doubtless become commonplace over the coming year or two.