Author name: Georgia Mather

Evolve has been heavily engaged in several events over the past two weeks. The first event was The Retail Technology Show at London’s Olympia, and the second week they attended The Forecourt Show at Birmingham’s NEC, which included The National Convenience Show alongside other exhibitions. During the same week, Evolve was present at the Completely Retail Marketplace event held at Old Billingsgate Market in London, as well as the Association of Convenience stores Conference24 in Birmingham. Here are the headlines… Retail Technology Show The Retail Technology Show offered a dynamic collection of businesses showcasing cutting-edge technical advancements advancing the retail scene. The event was a monument to the limitless possibilities driving the industry, from fighting shrink and crime to utilising AI’s revolutionary potential, exploring the immersive worlds of AR and VR, and embracing the power of digital signs. The most significant lesson we encountered during our immersion in the Retail Technology Show is how crucial it is to build and maintain a strong base of dependable, secure, and consistent bandwidth-capable connectivity to successfully adopt these state-of-the-art technologies. As we have personally seen, every innovation depends on the principles of flawless connection, whether it be using AI for analysis or creating immersive AR and VR experiences.   Furthermore, the demand for dependable connectivity increases at a time when customer expectations for speed, convenience, and personalisation are rising. Every aspect of the retail ecosystem depends on seamless connection to operate at its best, whether it is supporting inventory management systems, allowing frictionless transactions, or powering interactive displays. During the event, some of the biggest brands in the industry, like Primark, River Island, Ann Summers, SWAROVSKI, and more, shared their experiences with technological advancements in retail, the rise in crime, and using AI to create a seamless customer experience. It was great to hear from them all. The Forecourt Show The Forecourt Show provided an invaluable platform for businesses to gain profound insights into the critical importance of reliable, secure and adaptable connectivity solutions in today’s landscape, which is witnessing a surge in both digital transformation and criminal activities.  With the proliferation of digital technologies, businesses are increasingly reliant on robust connectivity infrastructures to support their operations efficiently and securely. From managing transactions to monitoring security systems, seamless connectivity such as Evolve’s ISP solution is indispensable for ensuring smooth operations and safeguarding against threats. Additionally, the event offered attendees a unique opportunity to engage directly with leading forecourt and big oil companies, fostering collaboration and innovation within the industry. Through networking sessions, product demonstrations, and expert panels, visitors had the chance to explore the latest advancements in technology and best practices for enhancing operational efficiency and security in the forecourt sector. By bringing together industry stakeholders and thought leaders, the Forecourt Show catalysed driving progress and shaping the future of the sector. It provided a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and partnership building, empowering businesses to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in an increasingly dynamic and competitive environment. Whilst at the Forecourt Show, Evolve launched their latest innovation, Vision. A host monitoring platform that allows businesses to view and monitor any devices that pass through the Evolve SD-WAN device, ensuring quick resolution and increasing operational efficiencies.  Association of Convenience stores– Conference24 At the Conference24 event hosted by the Association of Convenience stores, Evolve absorbed crucial insights from industry leaders on pressing issues like community engagement, sustainability, and communication challenges. Presenters highlighted a concerning 44% year-on-year increase in crime within the sector, with an alarming 1,000 daily instances recorded at convenience stores nationwide. Discussions emphasised the interconnected nature of these challenges, stressing the importance of proactive measures and collaborative efforts among businesses, local authorities, and communities to address security vulnerabilities and foster resilience. Completely Retail Marketplace The Completely Retail Marketplace stood out as a pivotal event where forging connections and nurturing relationships were paramount, distinguishing it as an unparalleled experience in the industry. Attendees seized the opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals, fostering meaningful connections and cultivating partnerships that could propel their businesses forward. This emphasis on networking not only facilitated the exchange of ideas but also fostered an atmosphere conducive to collaboration and innovation, laying the groundwork for future growth and success. The event brought with it several topics, including technological advances, shop environment improvements, and customer journeys and experiences. The amount of criminality in every business was the most recurring subject throughout all four events; in fact, shoplifting is on the rise in retail stores, where 9% of frequent customers are now involved in theft. One of the primary topics of conversation at every event was how to counteract the increasing number of offences. While some companies chose to use more tangible tools like body cameras, AMPR, CCTV, and other equipment, others chose to use artificial intelligence (AI) software to study patterns and behaviour. Whichever route businesses take to combat the rise in crime, the rise of devices whether that be advanced CCTV or AI requires a significant increase in connectivity. Evolve’s solutions are designed to be flexible, working to scale with your business as you increase the number of internet-dependent devices and software. 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 customers 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 Visit Evolve’s LinkedIn

Evolve will be releasing Vision, their host monitoring platform, at the Forecourt Event today, April 29, at the NEC in Birmingham. Vision uses the capabilities of the EvolveWAN device to monitor the whole network of your company. Vision presents your business with a clear view of your entire network, including all third-party devices that pass through the SD-WAN device. The platform provides complete visibility through a single dashboard. It is supported by Evolve’s 24/7/365 Network Operations Centre and has been created by Evolve’s in-house Development Team. This latest software boasts a plethora of advantages for your business, including streamlined operations, increased revenue and customer satisfaction. Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise how a platform such as this may benefit your business Well, envision this scenario… At 5 a.m. on a Wednesday, Vision automatically detects an issue with connectivity to your business’ loyalty platform. The Vision platform instantly raises a ticket in the Evolve system and alerts the Evolve Network Operations Centre. A member of Evolve’s 24/7 support team immediately calls your business’s service desk, providing a description of the problem and helping to resolve it. Your business’s service desk then speaks to the third-party provider, who resolves the issue within minutes, comfortably ahead of your business opening for the day. Should your business’ loyalty cards have been down during the peak breakfast rush, it would have led to customer dissatisfaction. Thanks to Vision, this scenario has been avoided. Later that month, your business meets with a third-party service provider for a series of routine reviews. As a result of Vision’s reporting capabilities, you can present a bespoke report that shows the uptime (and downtime) of those vendors’ platforms. Together with the third-party provider, you can identify and drive improvements through Vision. Join us at the Forecourt show from the 29th April to May 1st at stand J39 for a demo of the platform. Contact Evolve at 03333 247 247 or info@evolvebg.co.uk. @evolvebg Visit Evolve’s LinkedIn

Evolve Appoints Stuart Milroy as Head of Technical Delivery. Lancashire, UK – 2023 Evolve, a leading supplier of managed network solutions and IT services, announced today that it has expanded its executive team. Stuart Milroy has been appointed as Head of Technical Delivery by Evolve as part of a long-term effort to improve operations and service delivery. Stuart is an accomplished IT specialist who has worked in the field for over 30 years. Prior positions held include Senior IT Project Manager at Maintel and Intrinsic Technology, Head of Project at Ensign Communications Ltd., and Head of Project Management and Professional Services at Adept4 ltd. Alan Stephenson-Brown, CEO at Evolve Business Group, said: “We’re thrilled to bring Stuart into our organisation. Throughout his career, Stuart has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership, strategic foresight, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His ability to navigate complex projects, mentor teams, and drive results has earned him a great reputation in the industry. “Stuart brings with him a deep understanding of IT technical delivery, encompassing various domains such as networking, telephony, cloud computing, and WAN. His proficiency in these areas will be instrumental as we continue to innovate and expand our technical capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our customers. I’m confident his contributions will be invaluable as we continue to grow as an organisation.” Stuart’s expertise extends beyond project management to encompass financial forecasting, project validation, and effective resource management. Stuart added: “Evolve has a stellar reputation for unrivalled customer service and I’m looking forward to joining the team. My immediate focus will be on the customer experience and project governance, and how I can contribute to elevating the level of service Evolve provides even further.” Stuart’s involvement is a critical turning point in Evolve’s attempts to coordinate and unify project teams. A more unified and efficient approach to projects on the networking and IT sides of the company will be made possible by his vast experience in IT service and project delivery, as well as his demonstrated track record in leadership roles.   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. Discover more about Paul View Paul’s LinkedIn Profile @evolvebg Visit Evolve’s LinkedIn

Lancashire, UK – 2024 Some of Evolve’s competitors take an airline approach to their service offering: it’s like booking a flight and finding a great price, only to find out the price didn’t include luggage, boarding passes, food, or a seat. That’s just not how Evolve work. Evolve offer a complete, bespoke service, which includes everything you would expect with no surprise fees. Welcome to your one-stop shop. Evolve is a firm believer in adopting an agnostic strategy to develop a solution for your company that will maximise its potential and address any issues that may crop up. During the first meetings between Evolve and your business, your team will be presented with a variety of different options designed to achieve the best outcome. From that point on you’ll benefit from… Design consultancy This element of Evolve’s offering is often billed separately or outsourced. Evolve treat it as a complimentary service carried out during the planning phase. Thanks to their extensive skill set, industry knowledge, and experience, their engineers can design a custom plan for any situation. Established third-party relationships The Evolve team has spent more than 10 years cultivating strategic partnerships with third parties, and is trusted to place its SD-WAN device in their data centres. This enables remote communication through our devices, and means if a problem arises Evolve can promptly alert the customer and all relevant parties. Unrivalled expertise Every team member at Evolve is highly skilled, knowledgeable in every field – including PCI compliance – and equipped to make sure your individual solution is planned meticulously, handled effectively, and carried out with pace. Strong vertical understanding Evolve understands that managing complex networks across different sectors can be a daunting task. The team of experts has the cross-sector knowledge and skills to provide fully managed network solutions, so you can trust to handle the complexities of your network, and enjoy the freedom to focus on running your business and achieving your goals. To on-boarding and beyond Evolve’s elevated service level doesn’t stop once planning is completed. Evolve’s customers enjoy ongoing support and services that exceed expectations… Speed of Deployment One of Evolve’s core principles is pace; they don’t sit on the sidelines. Always two steps ahead and work tirelessly to ensure maximum speed of deployment. Evolve has invested in a 5000-square-foot warehouse where the team stages, configures, and deploys with pace. This way, they can keep up with the dynamic nature of markets, so when they go fast, Evolve go faster. In-House Field Engineers Businesses that operate on the same scale as Evolve often bring in outside field engineers to handle any on-site work. Evolve, on the other hand, employs in-house field engineers who are committed to making sure the assignment is completed effectively, and won’t leave site until the job is done to the high standard Evolve strive for. Transformation Management Evolve’s scalable solutions ensure Evolve can adapt to your business’s changing needs and continue to support your growth. In-house development Businesses that operate on the same scale as Evolve often bring in outside field engineers to handle any on-site work. Evolve, on the other hand, employs in-house field engineers who are committed to making sure the assignment is completed effectively, and won’t leave site until the job is done to the high standard Evolve strive for. Dedication to the customer Everyone at Evolve wants to make a difference, and that starts with exceptional customer service. It’s something we excel at, and Evolve have the stats to back it up: · 69% of our staff are employed in customer service roles. · 84% of tickets resolved within 24hrs. · The average call wait time is just nine seconds. We’re in the business of taking the pain out of connectivity, and that means offering a complete, bespoke and transparent service. Evolve are not an airline, but if they were, they would offer all the benefits of flying first class and never leaving you wondering if your seat is part of the price. To find out how you can save money, gain a competitive edge and transform your business through industry-leading technology, give the team a call today on 03333 247 247. 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 customers 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 Visit Evolve’s LinkedIn

Lancashire, UK – 2024 In a few weeks, Evolve will be exhibiting at the Forecourt Show at the NEC Birmingham from April 29th until May 1st. The Forecourt Show is an opportunity for all of the leading individuals within the Forecourt industry to come together and share ideas and innovations. At the event, there will be over 25000+ visitors and 1500+ exhibitors across 3 days. Innovation has been the key focus for the past few days. The show brings together leading suppliers and distributors across a variety of fuel types, vehicle care, and convenience retail. Since there has been drastic growth in the Forecourt, retail, and convenience sectors, the Forecourt Show is the best place to discover new ideas, innovations, solutions, and products for your site.  Throughout the event, there will be a series of free seminars at the show. Your free pass gives you access to all of the events, including the National Convenience Show. Evolve will be exhibiting at the show alongside their partners, Mako Networks. Evolve and Mako began working together back in 2012, and Evolve became Mako’s first platinum partner in 2020. So, what can Evolve do for forecourts?  EvolveISPISP solution: A scalable, secure, business-grade connection that is customised for your company is offered by EvolveISP. Evolve is aware of the constantly shifting nature of the digital world and the rising need for bandwidth brought on by the development of technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. EvolveWANSD-WAN: Forecourt retailers depend on Evolve’s SD-WAN solution because it offers complete Level 1 PCI certification and guarantees the security of all card payments and company data. Evolve understands how important it is to keep your business running smoothly, and that’s why their solution has 4G failover, which means that if your device loses its primary connection, it will instantly switch to a secondary connection (4G/5G), which won’t affect your connection. EvolveODM To safeguard both parties, Evolve’s Guest Wi-Fi solution enables your visitors to connect to a different Wi-Fi network from the company’s main network. Your customers may simply access online deals, e-receipts, applications, loyalty programmes, and more if you provide guest Wi-Fi. VisionVision, Evolve’s newest innovation, will be unveiled at the Forecourt Show. Using the capabilities of Evolve’s SD-WAN solution, Vision is a host monitoring platform that gives organisations a single “pane of glass” view of their network, including loyalty programmes, petrol pumps, and various customer-facing devices. Businesses can now receive notifications when there is a problem with their entire network instead of just a specific device, which completely transforms how they view their network. Come along to the Forecourt Show and discuss with Evolve how they can revolutionise your retail business. Our stand is J39. For more information, contact Evolve today at 03333 247 247 or by email at info@evolvebg.co.uk. 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 customers 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 Visit Evolve’s LinkedIn

Lancashire, UK – 2024 OpenReach Infrastructure  In September 2023, Openreach introduced a ‘Stop-Sell’ on all WLR products; meaning traditional forms of communication could no longer be purchased. Traditional lines refer to the physical copper product laid in the ground by Openreach.   To break this down further, ADSL (Broadband) sits on layer 2 of the network Lanscape; it is layer 1, the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) line, that is being switched off.  In December 2025, Openreach will be switching off the PSTN line. There are currently just under 9 million lines over the Openreach network left to convert to digital alternatives; however, Openreach is currently converting around 80,000 legacy lines to digital alternatives per week.  Evolve feels there is little need to panic or remodel your whole network infrastructure. This paper will outline the different options available to your business at a relative cost and outcome. In essence, you are not losing the broadband that connects you to your business, you’re losing the line that it sits on. Because of this, you’re losing the connection.  All voice will be moved from the physical line in the ground to the internet; this is referred to as VoIP. VoIP stands for voice-over-internet protocol, and it is a technology that allows you to make phone calls over the internet rather than through a traditional landline phone system. VoIP services are cheaper than traditional landlines due to their low-cost structure and reliance on data transmission rather than calls being made directly between two parties on either end of a line.  VoIP offers significantly more flexibility as well as increased security. Traditional landlines can be very expensive, as well as incur a high cost to maintain and install How does the move to full fibre support this?  There are many reasons why full fibre is more beneficial to the user than traditional networks. For example, full fibre is significantly more reliable than standard copper or partial fibre broadband like FTTC due to it being less prone to interference, damage, or loss of signal over long distances while also improving the voice quality. Evolve’s Network Operations Centre further underpins the reliability of full fibre connectivity through their 24 x 7 x 365 support desk, offering pro-active monitoring and resolution.  It is also one of the best options moving forward due to its scalability to increase bandwidth at pace. With full-fibre internet that is future-proof, it is ready to meet growing demand for faster and better broadband services that require high speed and lower latency. Furthermore, full fibre has a longer lifespan than copper wires. Evolve specialises in speed of deployment; within our warehouse, we conduct the whole operation in-house, from staging to configuration and testing.  How is the full fibre roll out progressing?  Openreach ‘stop-sell’ exchange roll-out refers to the discontinuation of sales and installations of analogue phone systems, and all telephone products that rely on the old, copper PSTN or ISDN phone lines.  Evolve can provide site-by-site visibility of when existing connections are impacted, helping you strategically plan the move.  The role of alternative network providers to that of Openreach, including ITS, CityFibre, Ms3, CommunityFibre, G-Networks, and Freedom Fibre, means that Evolve is not solely reliant on OpenReach for full fibre connectivity in more remote or difficult locations.   What happens if full fibre is not available?   FTTP accessibility for businesses is growing exponentially, and through Evolve’s portfolio of full-fibre partnerships, we endeavour to provide full-fibre connectivity to support additional services requiring better stability and bandwidth, such as the move to VoIP. The PSTN Switch Off and the move to full fibre are separate operations; however, the two things cross over due to the conversion from PSTN to digital alternatives. Currently (January 2024), Open Reach is converting over 80,000 legacy lines per week to digital alternatives.   In the event that it is not available or not in your budget, however, there are currently several other options:  SoADSL & SoGEA  SoADSL (Single Order Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) and SoGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access) are single-line offerings, meaning there is no need for a PSTN line. The next level of data connectivity, offered by SoGEA, eliminates the need for any traditional voice services over the phone. This guarantees that you are prepared for “The Big Switch Off” in 2025 and that you have a pure data connection devoid of PSTN services.  SoGEA is a direct replacement for FTTC; currently, there are over 28 million (FTTC enabled) premises and growing. There is no traditional line underneath, but you are still able to use the same service.   SoADSL is only available where SoGEA or FTTP are not available. The goal of all-IP is to close the legacy network components, not necessarily all the copper; copper will not be removed until 2027. The all-IP variant of copper-to-copper broadband, for instance, is called SoADSL. By the time that the copper is removed in 2027, it is likely that full fibre will be available in your area.  MPF  MPF (Metalic Path Facilities) is a short-term fix, MPF does not have a switch off until approximately 2030. MPF based products of FTTC, you don’t have the physical line underneath, but you will still have access, and you will also be able to get FTTP by the end of its life.  In conclusion, we understand that traditional PSTN is being switched off, however, there are a variety of digital alternatives available, including short-term solutions that will last a further 5 years. There are several like-for-like solutions that mean you will not pay more for the service. If full fibre is not yet available in your area, there is no reason to panic and implement a leased line. Contact Evolve about what other cost-effective methods of connectivity are available.  Evolve, in collaboration with their extensive carrier partner profile, can help speed up the process of switching to full fibre as well as offer a bespoke consultation to find you and your business the best option available.   End About Evolve Business Group

Lancashire, UK – 2024 Evolve is excited to be exhibiting at the upcoming Retail Technology Event alongside our longstanding partner Mako Networks. The Retail Technology Show is the coming together of over 400+ tech suppliers as well as over 12,000+ industry leaders. Throughout the duration of the show, there are over 100 speakers, including Chief Product Office for Holland & Barrett, Founder of NotontheHighstreet, and many more. Innovation is one of the key buzzwords circling the event, with an innovation discovery zone and Innovation Trials and Awards, giving exhibitors such as Evolve the opportunity to showcase their best solutions and the chance to discover whats new in the industry. Evolve is exhibiting with their hardware partners, Mako Networks. Evolve and Mako began working together back in 2012, and Evolve became Mako’s first platinum partner in 2020.  So, what can Evolve do for retailers? EvolveISPISP solution: EvolveISP provides scalable, secure, business-grade connectivity that is tailored to your business. Evolve understands the ever-changing digital landscape and the increasing demand for bandwidth as a result of the rise in technology such as the Internet of Things, AI, AR, VR, and more.  EvolveWANSD-WAN: Evolve’s SD-WAN solution is paramount to retailers, providing end-to-end Level 1 PCI certification and ensuring all card payments and data are secure within the business. As a business, Evolve understands the importance of uptime and maintaining seamless operations; therefore, their solution is equipped with 4G failover, meaning that should your device fail on the primary connection, it will immediately failover to the secondary connection (4G/5G), meaning there is no impact on the business. EvolveODM Evolve’s Guest Wi-Fi solution allows your guests to access a separate Wi-Fi connection from the business’s main network to protect both parties. Providing guest Wi-Fi allows your customers to easily access loyalty schemes, apps, online offers, and e-receipts.  VisionAs well as the Retail Technology Show, Evolve will also be exhibiting at the Forecourt Event on April 29th. There, they will launch their latest innovation, Vision. Vision is a host monitoring platform that harnesses the power of Evolve’s SD-WAN solution to provide businesses with a single ‘pane of glass’ view of their network, including fuel pumps, loyalty cards, and different customer-facing machines. Vision revolutionises the way businesses view their network, allowing them to be notified when there is an issue across their entire network rather than by device.  Come along to the Retail Technology Show and discuss with Evolve how they can revolutionise your retail business. Our stand is 6H28. Can’t wait till then? Contact Evolve today at 03333 247 247 or by email at info@evolvebg.co.uk. 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 customers 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 Visit Evolve’s LinkedIn