Scottish IT firm Converged Communication Solutions is expanding its operations with the opening of a new office in Inverness, whilst bolstering the service it offers to clients.
The Aberdeen-based Internet connectivity, telephony and IT support services provider will base its enhanced cyber security service in the city.
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Both moves will provide greater support and guidance to organisations in the Highlands and Islands, where significant investment is currently being made in strengthening the region’s digital infrastructure.
Converged has secured 1,181sq ft of office space in the Longman Industrial Estate in Inverness on a long-term lease. Two staff will be based there initially, with the property providing scope for the firm’s future expansion in the region.
As Converged builds its cyber protection service it has appointed Stuart Mundy as senior security engineer to lead its development. A certified ethical hacker and advanced cyber essentials consultant, he brings 25 years of experience in the IT industry to the role and expands the diverse skillset of the firm’s workforce
Joining Stuart in Inverness will be Karyn Evans, who was previously based in the Aberdeen office. She is relocating to Inverness and will continue to deliver IT support to customers through the firm’s 24-hour service helpdesk.
Establishing an Inverness office forms part of a six-figure investment by Converged, which includes work already completed to unbundle Openreach telephone exchanges in the city. Unbundling is a process that allows Converged to place its own equipment in exchanges and then provide flexible and more competitively priced Internet connections directly to business customers.
An office in the Highland capital is a natural progression for Converged. In recent years it has provided its Internet connectivity, telephony and IT support services to a growing number of businesses in the Inverness area, which was managed successfully from its Aberdeen office.
Current investment is set to transform Internet connectivity in the Highlands and Islands, which has traditionally lagged behind other parts of the UK and hampered growth. Part of the £315million Inverness city region deal will enable the Highland area to become the most digitally connected rural region in Europe. Investment is being made in extended digital coverage, including superfast broadband and mobile 4G connectivity across the Highlands.
In a recent survey carried out by Converged to gauge how poor Internet connections impact business, 84% of respondents in the Inverness area described Internet downtime as disruptive or catastrophic to day-to-day operations. These statistics are backed by a Highlands and Islands Enterprise survey from March 2018. It revealed that although 75% of firms understood the importance of digital technology to their business and its growth, eight in ten had no specific strategy in place for its use in the running of their business.
Neil Christie, managing director of Converged Communication Solutions, said: “Robust, fast and affordable Internet connections should be a given in this day and age, regardless of location or business size. Our economy is digitising and that is driving growth. The major investment in digital connectivity in the Highlands will have hugely positive benefits and help meet the bold plans to grow and develop the region’s economy. We are committed to supporting the Highland economy and being part of it through our Inverness office.
“Since establishing Converged in 2005 we have remained committed to providing technology and connectivity services that enable businesses to operate efficiently and ultimately achieve their growth ambitions. The geography of a local area can present connectivity challenges, but wireless and mobile technologies can overcome such issues.
“As technology advances, so must our services. Cyber security is an increasingly important matter for every business and its employees. The appointment of Stuart Mundy adds real depth to the support we can provide to companies in this area, helping ensure they are better protected. Ultimately it means we can deliver a fully integrated offering to customers.”
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