Take telecoms action now to minimise Swine Flu’s impact later

Thursday, August 6, 2009. With the HSE predicting an out-of-office rate of 15% or higher when the swine flu pandemic materialises in Ireland, companies are being warned that a lack of telecoms planning now could restrict them doing business later. MinuteBuyer, an independent telecoms provider, is urging businesses to include remote telecommunications solutions in their swine flu contingency planning and says that remote working tools, such as call and web conferencing, can help cushion the blow of one in seven employees potentially being absent from work. It has created a checklist for companies to help ensure workers instructed to remain out of the office remain productive and in touch with the office.  Employers are encouraged to check that each employee has the following:

·         Access to a laptop or PC at home

·         Access to phone lines at home

·         Access to broadband at home

·         Access to call conferencing

·         Access to web based conferencing

·         Remote Access to the company’s network via VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Shaun Hayden, a director with MinuteBuyer, says, “As part of any swine flu crisis planning, Irish businesses should think hard about ensuring they have the tools in place that can help them meet their core business objectives if the pandemic hits. These tools start with a landline, broadband and a computer at home and should ideally include phone and web conferencing services so that scheduled meetings can still take place remotely between workers. Businesses can’t just stop operating; a contingency plan has to be in place. When it comes to business continuity planning, companies should reallocate costs from the office to elsewhere, taking over the costs involved in employees working from home. There is no real option in a scenario such as a swine flu pandemic. The alternative of 15% of the workforce at home, not working, is a huge cost to companies. Mid to large sized companies could potentially have up to 200 people at home. By putting procedures in place now, companies can minimise the cost to their business later.”

Last year the World Bank estimated that a full flu pandemic could cost the global economy more than €2 trillion worldwide and result in a nearly five per cent drop in world output, adding to the difficulties Irish businesses are already suffering from.

According to Hayden, a number of their clients have already taken action on implementing their swine flu plans as they saw the potential threat looming for months. “For many of these companies, the starting point is to ensure key personnel have access to all information required to do their job, even when not in the office. MinuteBuyer’s unique billing engine integrates their remote telecom contingency costs into the company’s main telecoms bill, ensuring they do not have to spend time reviewing additional billing information.”

Added Hayden,“There is still time to avoid losing manpower and money to Swine Flu and we urge businesses to get to work in putting measures in place immediately. For example, by providing access to a teleconferencing service, it ensures remote employees are kept up to date, allows them to continue to “meet” with clients virtually, as well as participate in important decisions, even when they can’t make it into the office. MinuteBuyer can provide solutions that can be set up quickly and offer economical bespoke billing, allowing the company to manage and control the cost of the home worker efficiently, whilst ensuring the company is always on the most economical price plans for the services provided.” 

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

Connell Kennedy, 01 6618915/ 087 2237708, connell@corporatereputations.ie

Ronan Roche, 01 661 8915/ 086 046 0326, ronan@corporatereputations.ie

For further details on MinuteBuyer’s offerings, please contact Shaun Hayden, shaun@minutebuyer.com, 01-661-4697/086 836 9900 or go to www.minutebuyer.com

About MinuteBuyer:

Established in 1999, MinuteBuyer is a leading provider of telecoms solutions to the corporate market in Ireland.  A wholly owned Irish company, based in Dublin, the company’s solutions give clients greater control over their telecoms portfolio. MinuteBuyer’s consultancy services include telecoms audits, advising on telecoms solutions, invoice verification, tender facilitation, mobile procurement, provision of management information on telecoms usage, capacities and efficiencies, and counseling on industry trends. Clients include Deloitte, Musgrave Group, Toyota and Ernst & Young.  Visit www.minutebuyer.com for more details.