Author name: Adam Cole

What is an ISP? Understanding the backbone of internet connectivity. Lancashire, UK – 2023 An ‘ISP’ refers to an Internet service provider, ISP providers can provide this through multiple means however with big industry changes such as the full fibre rollout and the big switch-off the industry is moving towards predominantly full fibre. Full fibre internet is faster, more reliable, and more consistent than traditional copper-based connections. This means faster download and upload speeds, less buffering when streaming videos, and better performance for online gaming and other real-time applications. With more devices connected to the internet than ever before, full fibre connectivity can provide the bandwidth needed to support multiple users and devices simultaneously. Additionally, with the rise in remote working, having a reliable and fast connection has become essential for staying productive and connected. Switching to full fibre can now future-proof your internet connection, providing you with the infrastructure needed for years to come. When it comes to the reach of full-fibre connectivity, the UK now lags behind the rest of the EU. However, as the number of connected devices per household grows, so does the demand for higher bandwidth. While Openreach remains the largest infrastructure provider for UK connectivity, the full fibre environment is constantly expanding to give clients a larger range of suppliers. Partnerships with alternative network providers have been developed to assure the optimum availability of full-fibre services, and all live connections on the network are proactively tested for full-fibre availability each week. But why should you switch connections? Upgrading to full fibre connectivity can provide numerous advantages to both individuals and organisations. As previously said, Openreach remains the largest infrastructure provider in the UK, however, to acquire a competitive advantage, To deliver the greatest connectivity across the UK, Evolve collaborates with several industry-leading carrier partners, including ITS. The Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) service, which allows businesses and individuals to rent phone lines, will be phased out and decommissioned by December 2025. It is considered that the technology for providing high-speed internet services is obsolete and inefficient. WLR has been phased out in favour of two new technologies: Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SOGEA) and Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP). SOGEA allows for direct internet access without the need for a landline phone line, whilst FTTP offers ultrafast broadband rates of up to 1 Gbps. This transformation presents both challenges and possibilities for businesses and consumers. Those who rely on traditional landline phone services must migrate or discover alternate communication means, which will necessitate preparation and expenditure. However, it also provides an opportunity to incorporate current technologies, hence encouraging innovation and growth. We support businesses in making informed decisions to stay connected. Plan for a smooth transition to the new digital landscape. If you want a reliable, high-speed, scalable, and secure internet connection for your business, EvolveISP is the right choice for you. Evolve aims to make the transition as seamless as possible. End About Evolve Business Group and Evolve Evolve Business Group is an independently owned company that specialises in providing end-to-end IT and managed network solutions to a range of businesses. Evolve Managed Network solutions are helping businesses to reduce costs simplify the management of services and give business owners and their teams more time to do what they do best. Founded in 2005, it has worked with a variety of clients across different industries around the world, building a team of highly experienced specialists to help create effective and efficient packages using any combination of different offerings. It keeps a range of cross-sector networks protected and connected. Explore Evolve’s website to find out more about how their Managed Network Solutions can help your business stay secure. @evolvebg Visit Evolve’s LinkedIn

Evolve helps businesses explore the possibilities of IoT with their reliable connectivity solution. Lancashire, UK – 2023 The demand for increased connectivity is growing exponentially, increased bandwidth demand in the UK is driven by the growing number of devices and businesses relying on the internet. IoT has increased the number of connected devices from 3 to 11 per household. This demand highlights the need for new, faster and more secure internet service, especially for businesses. With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), businesses and households are connecting more and more devices to the Internet. The interconnectivity has not only revolutionised the way we interact with technology but has also ushered in a new era of efficiency, convenience and data-driven decision-making.  But what is ‘IoT’? The Internet of Things is the name given to a network or object that is connected by and can communicate over an internet connection. The ‘things’ in question could be anything from kitchen appliances and TVs to security cameras. The premise is that these items collect and share data to improve efficiency and create a better user experience. Take smart cities for example, In an area that Evolve specialises in, IoT technology is being used by governments and councils for town planning and infrastructure projects. Smart systems can be used to automate lighting systems to save money or detect maintenance needs for roads and other infrastructure. The predicted growth in smart cities globally as the global IoT in smart cities grows is 19%. It Is predicted to grow from $130.6 billion in 2021 to $312.2 billion by 2026. Smart cities require a smart solution… Evolve’s Managed Network Solution for property management and smart cities as well as a variety of other sectors – provides your business with the most comprehensive, flexible, and secure network that helps retailers keep their customers in-store, increase loyalty, maximise uptime, and generate revenue. Investing in an efficient connectivity solution is essential, businesses need to understand the impacts of not having a reliable connection. An astounding 44 minutes are lost per employee every day due to poor broadband speeds and connectivity. Visit Evolve’s website to find out more :  Evolve ISP End About Evolve Business Group and Evolve Evolve Business Group is an independently owned company that specialises in providing end-to-end IT and managed network solutions to a range of businesses. Evolve Managed Network solutions are helping businesses to reduce costs and simplify the management of services and give business owners and their teams more time to do what they do best. Founded in 2005, it has worked with a variety of clients across different industries around the world, building a team of highly experienced specialists to help create effective and efficient packages using any combination of different offerings. It keeps a range of cross-sector networks protected and connected. Explore Evolve’s website to find out more about how their Managed Network Solutions can help your business stay secure. @evolvebg Visit Evolve’s LinkedIn

Evolve expands portfolio of Managed Network solutions with EvolveIT. Lancashire, UK – 2023 Evolve BG Limited has reached new heights with its next offering of IT support, bridging the gap between your ISP provider and IT support – creating a seamless experience. EvolveIT provides technology solutions, building unique IT solutions for your business. It specialises in supporting all aspects of IT, tailoring the support package to fit your business requirements. The dedicated team at Evolve can deliver a variety of IT solutions. EvolveIT will help businesses with a whole array of challenges, after carefully reviewing and analysing your business’s needs their experienced team will create a bespoke plan to help you get the most out of your business’s IT. Security is at the heart of everything Evolve do, EvolveIT’s cyber security and compliance platform offers comprehensive IT security solutions. Training is crucial, as over 70% of cyberattacks originate within organisations. EvolveIT provides a flexible training platform with monthly courses, advanced reporting, simulated phishing attacks, policy distribution and GDPR tools. Additionally, their 40-point IT Security Audit assesses your IT environment in key areas such as infrastructure, networking, user computing and governance. The team create a unique target map to visually represent your technology’s health and offer recommendations for migration.  Having a backup solution in place is one of the most critical aspects of your IT set-up, with the increased risks of cyber-attacks, having a regularly tested and trusted backup solution is vital.  Visit Evolve’s newest webpage, EvolveIT to find out more and get in touch to find out what EvolveIT can do for your business.  End About Evolve Business Group and Evolve Evolve Business Group is an independently owned company that specialises in providing end-to-end IT and managed network solutions to a range of businesses. Comprising of the Evolve is helping businesses to reduce costs and simplify the management of services and give business owners and their teams more time to do what they do best. Founded in 2005, it has worked with a variety of clients across different industries around the world, building a team of highly experienced specialists to help create effective and efficient packages using any combination of different offerings. It keeps a range of cross-sector networks protected and connected. Explore Evolve’s website to find out more about how their Managed Network Solutions can help your business stay secure. @evolvebg Visit Evolve’s LinkedIn

39% of businesses in the UK reported suffering a cyberattack in 2022. Lancashire, UK – 2023 Cyberattacks are on the rise, with 1 in 5 internet users reporting that their data has been exposed in previous years. Security is no longer just a talking point for businesses; it’s serious. It’s reported that on average, a data breach costs businesses $4.3 million. This can be prevented by taking the correct precautions. EvolveIT is Evolve’s IT support solution, specialising in IT security and protecting business data. The Evolve team works with your business to assess the existing IT infrastructure, review how secure it is currently, and then work alongside you to implement a clear plan. The most popular security standard is ISO 27001, having a standard for information security is no longer an optional extra. Every business needs a certain level of information security, this also includes GDPR standards.  EvolveIT can perform a 40-point IT Security Audit, assessing 4 key areas of your IT Security infrastructure. The 4 areas that the audit assesses are infrastructure, networking, user computing, and governance. Having this information and recommendations moving forward allows you to make more informed decisions in the future. Having a trusted backup solution is also an essential part of keeping your business afloat. Another way to achieve this is through utilising the cloud. Evolve also offers EvolveWAN, their SD-WAN solution that can provide PCI Compliance. PCI Compliance is another extremely important aspect that businesses must consider, The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard exists to help keep sensitive financial information safe from theft, hacking, and other security thefts. Security is at the heart of everything Evolve does. EvolveIT’s cyber security and compliance platform offers comprehensive IT security solutions. Training is crucial, as over 70% of cyberattacks originate within organisations. EvolveIT provides a flexible training platform with monthly courses, advanced reporting, simulated phishing attacks, policy distribution, and GDPR tools. EvolveIT Website End About Evolve Business Group and Evolve Evolve Business Group is an independently owned company that specialises in providing end-to-end IT and managed network solutions to a range of businesses. Evolve is helping businesses reduce costs, simplify the management of services, and give business owners and their teams more time to do what they do best. Founded in 2005, it has worked with a variety of clients across different industries around the world, building a team of highly experienced specialists to help create effective and efficient packages using any combination of different offerings. It keeps a range of cross-sector networks protected and connected. Explore Evolve’s website to find out more about how their Managed Network Solutions can help your business stay secure.   @evolvebg Visit Evolve’s LinkedIn

Evolve are shortlisted for Northwest Business of The Year by TheBusinessDesk…   Lancashire, UK – 2023 Evolve are delighted to announce that they have been shortlisted for Northwest Business of the Year Awards, this award is presented by TheBusinessDesk.Several weeks ago, the esteemed judges of the award visited Evolve’s headquarters in Wigan to discuss everything to do with the business from acquisitions to organic growth year on year. The Northwest Business of the Year is an extremely influential achievement, The Business Desk is the market leader for regional digital business news. The business provides 2.5 million emails per month generating around 1-million-page impressions. They operate across the whole of the UK. Evolve has been shortlisted for Northwest Business of the Year under the category of ‘Investment’. This is something that Evolve has devoted a lot of time and effort into over the past couple of years, aiming to create the best environment for its colleagues and a great experience for its customers. Evolve is a fast-growing, medium-sized Northwest Company. Since its inception in 2005, Evolve has experienced rapid organic growth of 43%. What sets Evolve apart is its leading innovation in the networking industry, starting with the development of its in-house Guest Wi-Fi solution, which was the first of its kind in the market. This innovation paved the way for further developments, such as the PCI-compliant support offering and leading the SD-WAN market after forming a relationship with Mako in 2012. This introduced the only Level 1 PCI device to the UK market, which is necessary to allow payments to be processed securely. Evolve is now Mako’s only platinum partner. Over the years, Evolve has invested a significant amount into the culture of the business. After the global pandemic, Evolve realised that remote working did not apply to their field of work and instead decided it was right to invest £400K in a new office space – equipped with high-tech items, modern furniture, and a very popular pool table. This investment demonstrates the company’s commitment to its employees and provides them with a place to look forward to coming to work. Evolve understand that having a good office space is crucial for the overall well-being and productivity of employees. An office that is well-designed, clean, and comfortable can help reduce stress levels and improve morale. It also provides a professional and welcoming environment, making employees feel valued and respected. Additionally, a good office space can have a positive impact on employee health, as it can encourage movement and physical activity and all of their desks and portable sit to stand to ensure they can accommodate everyone. Furthermore, a well-equipped office space can facilitate collaboration and communication among employees, which can enhance creativity and problem-solving skills.  Ultimately, investing in a good office space is an investment in the success and satisfaction of employees, which in turn can lead to greater success for the whole business. This move also helped reignite the buzzing environment of the office, which has made Evolve a special place to work and is now sort after by technical and non-technical people alike in the Northwest. Furthermore, Evolve recently completed the acquisition of a Preston-based IT services company as well as a mobile-telecoms provider. These additions to the company have resulted In Evolve being a genuine one-stop-shop managed network solutions provider. In the present day, Evolve BG now encompasses EvolveISP, EvolveWAN, EvolveODM and EvolveIT. Finally, in the recent weeks Evolve have invested heavily in producing a bespoke Reseller portal and channel, developed in-house to ensure the whole process can be commercially flexible for the customer. The development team dedicated over 200 hours per week to ensure that the channel and portal was a seamless experience for the user. Visit the Business of the year website here:  The Business Desk ‘North West Business of the Year’  Visit the Evolve website here: EvolveBG End About Evolve Business Group and Evolve Evolve Business Group is an independently owned company that specialises in providing end-to-end IT and managed network solutions to a range of businesses. Comprising of the Evolve is helping businesses to reduce costs and simplify the management of services and give business owners and their teams more time to do what they do best. Founded in 2005, it has worked with a variety of clients across different industries around the world, building a team of highly experienced specialists to help create effective and efficient packages using any combination of different offerings. It keeps a range of cross-sector networks protected and connected. Explore Evolve’s website to find out more about how their Managed Network Solutions can help your business stay secure. @evolvebg Click Here

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) exists to help keep sensitive financial information safe from theft, hacking, and other security threats. Since all merchants that process, transmit, or store cardholder data must be compliant, it’s surprising how many misconceptions and myths there are about the standard. Here they look at the most common misconceptions, set the record straight, and provide a handy guide to becoming – and staying – compliant. I’m not an e-commerce business, so it’s not relevant to me. Wrong! Even if you store, process and transmit cardholder information through in-store point-of-sale (POS) systems, standalone terminals or virtual terminals, you need to be compliant. My business is too small to worry about PCI compliance. Compliance does not depend on the size of a merchant’s business. This is a common and potentially costly mistake that many small businesses owners make. Whether you take just one credit card every year, or thousands, you need to follow PCI regulations. We follow most of the criteria, that’s enough, right? This is another common misconception. To be compliant, merchants must meet all PCI requirements – even the ones that don’t seem relevant. Failing to meet even one standard puts customer information at risk. According to research by SecurityMetrics, merchants who experienced data compromises were not compliant with 47% or more of PCI DSS requirements. Does PCI mean I have to store cardholder data? The PCI discourages merchants and processors from storing such data. If you have a legitimate business reason to store any information on the front of a payment card, such as a customer’s name or account number, PCI DSS requires that you encrypt that data. My card processing is outsourced, so I must be compliant. Outsourcing payment processing is not a guarantee of compliance, and merchants still need to follow procedures for handling transactions and data, as well as ensure payment terminals and applications comply with PCI regulations. If in doubt, ask for a certificate of compliance from your payment processing provider. The whole thing is too complicated. We can’t entirely bust this particular myth; following the 12 PCI DSS requirements can be daunting, particularly for smaller enterprises which often lack time and resources. The best way to simplify PCI compliance is to partner with a trustworthy provider of products and services that help meet the requirements of compliance. Partnering with Evolve means benefitting from Evolve’s platinum partnership with Mako, which has the world’s only PCI level 1 compliant SD-WAN device. So, we’re not compliant – what’s the worst that can happen? Once security has been compromised, it’s incredibly difficult to regain customer trust, especially when it comes to sensitive payment information. The Forbes Insight report found 46% of surveyed companies had suffered reputational damage following a data breach. If that doesn’t deter you, then you might take notice of the financial implications, as non-compliant merchants can be fined by their acquiring bank, prevented from taking card payments and even lose its merchant status. On top of these penalties, merchants that suffer a data breach can be forced to compensate affected customers. In fact, the average global cost of a data breach reached $4.35 million globally in 2022, an all-time high and up 2.6% from the previous year. Hopefully we’ve convinced you just how important PCI compliance is, but how do you actually go about it? Step 1: Calculate the number of transactions you process annually, then compare it to the requirements of each credit card company you plan to support. Step 2: Map the flow of cardholder data, including apps, systems and people who work with credit card data. Make sure to include all credit payment platforms and storage systems that hold card data. Step3: Fill out the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), a tool used to validate PCI compliance, which checks if your business meets each of the 12 requirements. Remember, the experts at Evolve are on hand to help. Step 4: Fill out the Attestation of Compliance (AOC), which differs according to the PCI compliance level of your business. Step 5: Conduct a vulnerability scan to make sure you meet all standards. Step 6: Submit relevant documents, such as AOC and SAQ, to banks, credit card companies, etc. Crucially, you need to monitor compliance on a regular basis throughout the year. Becoming and remaining PCI compliant requires continual audits and precautions to make sure cardholder data is always protected from data breaches. For merchants to survive and thrive in what are very challenging times, it’s vital they remain PCI compliant. We provide customised solutions with PCI Level 1 certification for payment security as Mako Network’s only platinum partner – the only network management company in the world to qualify as a PCI-certified Level 1 service provider. If you’d like to know more, or would like to talk about how Evolve can help you with compliance, get in touch with the team today on 0333 207 0364 or visit Evolve’s website  https://issuu.com/evolve.bg/docs/evolvewan_fv End About Evolve Business Group and Evolve Evolve Business Group is an independently owned company that specialises in providing end-to-end IT and managed network solutions to a range of businesses. Evolve is helping businesses to reduce costs and simplify the management of services and give business owners and their teams more time to do what they do best. Founded in 2005, it has worked with a variety of clients across different industries around the world, building a team of highly experienced specialists to help create effective and efficient packages using any combination of different offerings. It keeps a range of cross-sector networks protected and connected.

Evolve celebrate at Comms Dealer’s prestigious Channel Champion awards. Today, Part of the Evolve team are in London celebrating at Comms Dealers prestigious Channel Champion summer awards. Lancashire, UK – 2023 Evolve are thrilled to have been finalists for both ‘Reseller Executive Leadership Team’ and ‘Reseller Technical Support & Engineering Team’ and are even more thrilled to announce they are the winners of ‘Reseller Executive Leadership’. With their exceptional performance over the past few years and dedication to their partners, Evolve has earned a well-deserved spot among the finalists. Years of hard work, innovative solutions and exemplary customer service have put Evolve in the position is it now, ready to showcase their expertise and commitment to the industry. Comms Dealer is a highly respected business in the telecoms industry, Evolve is delighted with the relationship that the two businesses have been able to create over the years. Being recognised by this esteemed company reaffirms their position as industry leaders, continuously pushing boundaries and driving innovation. Founded in 2005 by Jon Shaw, Evolve has grown exponentially. With over 100 years of combined industry experience with the Executive Leadership team, they have enabled impressive organic growth of 43% YoY. While maintaining a strong customer base of 200+ with a less than 1% churn rate. Evolve have doubled their employee headcount and dedicated 200 Development Hours per week to automation, innovation, and support.  They are proud to be a family-run business, and Evolve have expanded their international trade and created jobs in the Northwest. The Evolve team are thought leaders in their respective fields, with Alan Stephenson-Brown recently invited to be a guest on the Barclays business podcast. Throughout Alan’s career, he has secured contracts worth millions and introduced the first PCI Level 1 certified network management solution in the UK.  Ryan Stephenson-Brown, Evolve’s youngest leadership team member at only 23, has contributed significantly to the business, developing a multi-currency, customisable, in-house-built billing platform. At age 15, he founded his first managed network business, which has since been incorporated into Evolve. Ryan has demonstrated that age should not be a barrier to success.  Evolve are proud of this achievement as it showcases the hard work and dedication that has been shown by the team for 18 years. It is such an amazing accolade for the business to take forward with them. Check out their website here.   End About Evolve Business Group and Evolve Evolve Business Group is an independently owned company that specialises in providing end-to-end IT and managed network solutions to a range of businesses. Evolve is helping businesses to reduce costs and simplify the management of services and give business owners and their teams more time to do what they do best. Founded in 2005, it has worked with a variety of clients across different industries around the world, building a team of highly experienced specialists to help create effective and efficient packages using any combination of different offerings. It keeps a range of cross-sector networks protected and connected. @evolvebg Click Here

Evolve helps businesses’ day-to-day operations. Lancashire, UK – 2023 For all businesses across the globe, having a reliable, flexible and scalable networking solution is crucial. Evolve can help tick all those boxes. Evolve BG offer three key solutions, EvolveISP (Connectivity), EvolveWAN (SD-WAN) and EvolveODM (Guest Wi-Fi). The Evolve managed network solution is tailored to any business’s requirements, to meet the business needs now and fully scalable for future growth. Their SD-WAN solution allows them to deliver software-defined area networking to any business, no matter the size. EvolveWAN maximises business uptime with its 4G failover capabilities. This means that the business is always fully operational. Nevertheless, if for any reason there are any issues, Evolve’s solutions are managed 24 x 7 x 365 in-house in their Wigan-based office. Evolve’s vision is that they envisage all multi-site brands seeing connectivity as a gain, not a pain.  Adam Cole, Director at Evolve talks about their background and experience in helping multi-site businesses “We are an independently owned company specialising in end-to-end managed network solutions for a range of businesses from leisure and hospitality to retail. By working in partnership with clients we help them reduce costs, and simplify the management of services, giving business owners and their teams more time to do what they do best. “Since our business started in 2005, we have been working with clients across multi-industries around the world and as such we have built a team of highly experienced specialists to help create effective and efficient packages using any combination of our different offerings to support our clients’ businesses. “We are proud of the relationships and trust we have built with our clients, evidence of which is shown when we are invited at an early stage to be involved in the planning of new and refurbished sites to ensure that the managed services frameworks are considered and installed during the building stage rather than as an afterthought”. End About Evolve Business Group and Evolve Evolve Business Group is an independently owned company that specialises in providing end-to-end IT and managed network solutions to a range of businesses. Evolve is helping businesses to reduce costs and simplify the management of services and give business owners and their teams more time to do what they do best. Founded in 2005, it has worked with a variety of clients across different industries around the world, building a team of highly experienced specialists to help create effective and efficient packages using any combination of different offerings. It keeps a range of cross-sector networks protected and connected. @evolvebg Click Here