Guide Superfast Broadband technology and the environmental sector 0345 600 3936 www.sfbcornwall.co.uk
Contents Introduction... 3 An overview of the environmental sector... 3 What are the key digital technologies for the environmental sector?... 5 What are the business benefits of Superfast Broadband enabled digital technology?... 7 What new capabilities does Superfast Broadband enabled technology bring to your business?... 8 Get some expert help... 9 Further information... 9 Page 2 of 9
Introduction This guide will tell you: The key digital technologies you need to be aware of The business improvements that Superfast Broadband technology can bring The new capabilities that Superfast Broadband technology gives to environmental businesses An overview of the environmental sector The latest available Government figures for the Low Carbon Economy were published in 2015 and illustrate what a large and diverse business sector this has now become. There were 11,550 UK firms operating in the sector who together employed a total of 460,600 people. The Low Carbon Economy is estimated to have a total turnover of 121.7 billion, and breaks down into the following broad categories: Waste processing, energy from waste and biomass (37%) Low carbon electricity (29%) Energy efficient products (17%) Low carbon heat (9%) Low carbon services (7%) Low emission vehicles (1%) The UK has committed to a legally binding target of reducing carbon and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 80% by 2050, compared to 1990 base year levels. The Government has put forward the following points in support of developing the Low Carbon Economy in the UK: Page 3 of 9
Climate change carries with it significant and irreversible long-term costs that can only be mitigated by prompt action The growing dependence on imported fossil fuels carries significant risks in terms of possible geopolitical constraints and price volatility The market for low carbon goods and services is already large and is growing strongly, so represents an area of opportunity for UK industry For all these reasons, the Low Carbon Economy will continue to be a vital sector for UK businesses in the decades to come. The impact of the Government s approach is being reflected in the decarbonisation performance of the UK. In this regard, the UK is currently achieving a better performance than the USA, France, Germany and the EU group. (For example, the UK s consumption of coal has fallen by 20% per annum for the past two years.) In its action plan on climate change, the EU defined environmental technologies as all technologies whose use is less environmentally harmful than relevant alternatives. This covers an extremely broad range of business and public sector activities. It requires coordination and collaboration between operators, manufacturers, people in the field, specialist contractors and consultants, and those working in leading edge academic research. It also requires the deployment of the latest techniques in engineering, design and innovation. It is therefore critical that all businesses working in this field have access to the most up to date ICT infrastructure. Page 4 of 9
What are the key digital technologies for the environmental sector? Superfast Broadband is a key enabler: modern businesses need the high bandwith, quality of service and reliability that Superfast Broadband can bring to their operations. The adoption of Superfast Broadband allows you to take full advantage of the latest technologies, as shown below. Unified communications: modern business practices demand fully integrated systems to cover data, voice and mobile communications. This is even more important for environmental businesses, who are likely to have a large number of staff and associates working in the field. Environmental businesses need to able to share and update their information in real time and to fully exploit applications such as video, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and virtual collaboration tools. Cloud computing: Superfast Broadband has enabled environmental companies to transfer a greater proportion of their ICT infrastructure to the Cloud. This gives them access to some of the most powerful applications available, without having to make significant new investments in hardware. It also means that computing resources can rapidly be scaled up or down, according to the needs of the business, and that users only pay for those resources that they actually need. Cloud based applications can be a much more efficient and cost-effective way of delivering day to day processes such as email, document management, spreadsheets and analysis. There are also Cloud-based Customer Relationship Management systems and marketing applications which can help SMEs develop new strategies and tactics for targeting specific types of customer. With environmental services being an area which requires significant use of complex data analysis, Cloud computing means that even small business can gain access to some of the latest programmes for analysing Big Data. The other factor that environmental businesses should be aware of is that Cloud services can be a greener solution to your computing needs. Cloud servers are generally more energy efficient and therefore result in less energy wastage compared to in-house servers. Page 5 of 9
Mobile communications: many environmental businesses are likely to have consultants, engineers or specialist working in the field at customer sites. So, having streamlined mobile communications with real-time access to key data and applications via smartphones and tablets is now becoming standard practice. The integration of Cloud-based systems with modern mobile communications means that staff can get access to their company s data at any location in the world that has an internet connection. It also allows remote teams at different locations to collaborate closely and be more responsive to customer needs. Customer-facing web applications: as the environmental sector grows in value, there are more and more service companies competing for the same contracts. Therefore, it is more important than ever that you have an interactive web presence that markets your services to the outside world, takes advantage of the latest innovations such as web-based video, and is regularly updated with latest news and case studies. A key part of this is ensuring that you have a hosting company that understands the specific needs of your business and can give you the support and the hosting package that meets your requirements. Business networks on social media: environmental businesses can tap into the power of social media, using business networks to market themselves, engage more closely with their customers, communicate their expertise and enable their own staff to share the latest information in dynamic ways. Social media is becoming increasingly important for building customer networks, promoting products and services, and creating new ways of communicating information. Social networks are frequently used by academics, so they can be a useful way of building ties with the leading academic communities and institutions. Social networks also give your business the opportunity to react quickly to the latest market news, government announcements, or changes in legislation. In this way, they can help position your company as being at the leading edge of new developments in your sector. Data security: environmental businesses often need to share sensitive project information, intellectual property and customer data between different parties. Therefore, it is important to have the latest systems and policies in place to protect information and to prevent data loss and theft. One of the added benefits of Cloud computing is that the leading Cloud providers will have access to the latest and most secure data protection systems, and these are continually updated to deal with any new and emerging threats. Enterprise apps: it has now become much more cost effective for businesses to create their own in-house apps, in order to manage their processes more effectively or to provide a better service to their customers. These types of apps are termed enterprise apps and, when combined with Cloud computing, can greatly enhance the speed and productivity of your services, both for office based staff and for teams working in the field. Page 6 of 9
What are the business benefits of Superfast Broadband enabled digital technology? Boost productivity: with faster speeds, your business will be able to achieve more output than was possible with a standard connection. Improve processes: Superfast Broadband offers new opportunities for you to improve your working practices, using the very latest digital technology. Increase reliability: Superfast Broadband gives your business a more reliable and stable platform, with multiple users being able to share the same connection without slowing down speeds. Better customer service: Superfast Broadband enables you to enhance the service you give to your customers and build your customer loyalty. Use the latest software: you can access the very latest applications, using Cloud computing services. Protect your data: it becomes much easier and quicker to back up your data and to use state of the art security systems to safeguard it. Make cost savings: you can replace expensive physical servers with Cloud-based storage. You can use Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony to reduce your telephone costs. Flexible working and remote working enables you to reduce office overheads and save travel costs. Access a global market: with Superfast Broadband, even businesses located in rural areas now have a level playing field, where they can communicate effectively with customers around the world. Page 7 of 9
What new capabilities does Superfast Broadband enabled technology bring to your business? These are some examples of how Superfast Broadband is changing the way companies do business: Much faster transfer of information: companies that regularly need to send large files will find that these can be downloaded and uploaded much more quickly. This applies to databases, design files and videos. Uploading new videos to your company s website becomes much easier, as does the back up and storing of key company information. These faster speeds can save time and increase efficiency across many areas of the business. Remote working: Superfast Broadband enables you to create a fast and secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) for your business. This means that staff who are working remotely or working from home can access all the systems that they need, just as if they were based in your head office. This can lead to improved team working and productivity, whilst your business will also be able to benefit from modern flexible working practices. Better collaboration: with Superfast Broadband, you can make use of low cost, reliable video conferencing, through applications such as Skype and Facetime. Google Hangouts and WebEx provide effective tools for conducting online meetings and presentations. Through Cloud services, manufacturers can now use online Computeraided Design (CAD) systems to allow teams around the world to contribute in real time to complex design projects. Mobile connectivity: many companies are now adopting a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategy, so that staff can access company systems through any device that they wish: laptop, smartphone or tablet. This, coupled with Superfast Broadband, enables teams to have real-time access to data and software, 24 hours a day. Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Superfast Broadband means that you can use the latest Cloud-based CRM software and social media tools. These will enable you to improve your understanding of customer behaviour, develop new strategies for engaging with your customers, and communicate with them in real time at the point when they are most likely to make a purchase. Page 8 of 9
Get some expert help The team at Superfast Business Cornwall can give you professional guidance to help you make the most of Superfast Broadband enabled technologies. We have a great network of contacts in the industry, access to the latest information, and all the advice that we offer is impartial. Further information https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/low-carbon-economy-size-andperformance The Department of Business Information and Skills report on the size and structure of the UK Low Carbon Economy. http://pwc.blogs.com/press_room/2016/11/low-carbon-economy-index-2016-ukmaintains-its-position-as-a-climate-change-leader.html PricewaterhouseCoopers article on how the UK is performing in terms of decarbonisation. https://environment-analyst.com/ A website giving a wide range of news and information about topics affecting the environmental sector. www.sfbcornwall.co.uk/knowledge-bank/ Superfast Business Cornwall s range of comprehensive guides to digital technologies and how they can help your business. Page 9 of 9