Author name: Georgia Mather

Lancashire, UK – 2023 The food-to-go sector has evolved significantly in recent years, encouraged by changing consumer behaviours and technological advancements. As the demand for convenience and speed continues to rise, food retailers and vendors are increasingly turning to digital tools to revolutionise the customer experience. From mobile apps and online ordering platforms to innovative point-of-sale systems, the implementation of these digital tools is reshaping how the food-to-go sector engages its customers.  In the modern world, convenience is key. Consumers are now completely accustomed to speed, ease of access and personalised experience when it comes to their food choices. This shift in consumer behaviour has promoted a notable transformation within the quick-serve and food-to-go sector: Mobile ordering apps: When it comes to ordering food, more than 60% of consumers prefer using mobile apps to do so. Implementing user-friendly apps allows customers to browse menus, place orders and pay seamlessly, enhancing convenience and reducing wait times.  Online ordering platforms: With the rise of e-commerce, online ordering platforms have become increasingly popular. Offering the ability and flexibility to pre-order meals for pick-up, saving time and ensuring their preferred items are available on arrival.  Streamlining operations and efficiency Digital tools not only align with customer preferences but also streamline operations for food-to-go and quick-serve restaurants such as integrated POS (point of sale) systems and data analytics. Digital transformation and the integration of new digital tools are also encouraging an enhanced customer experience through personalisation and real-time communication. Through data-driven insights, businesses can offer personalised recommendations, promotions and loyalty promotions therefore fostering relationships with customers and therefore increasing retention rates.  Guest Wi-Fi One of the keyways the QSR and food-to-go industry can harness the power of digital transformation is through Guest Wi-Fi, EvolveODM is Evolve’s Guest Wi-Fi offering. Guest Wi-Fi provides separate internet access for visitors, enhancing their experience and protecting the main network. Guest Wi-Fi is an incredible marketing tool for businesses to provide extra information, promotions and deals. Therefore, improving customer experience.  EvolveODM stands for Evolve ‘Online Digital Marketing’. EvolveODM can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a business in several ways, including customer login pages, branding and data collection. EvolveODM offers real-time reports and fast management.  Embracing Digital Transformation A robust and dependable connection is the foundation of digital transformation. Companies require a constant connection as well as the guarantee that it won’t fail at any time of day. Given Evolve is aware of the negative effects that more downtime may have on your company, its ISP (Internet Service Provider) solution is built with redundancy to guarantee optimal uptime and reduce the possibility of service interruptions.   In conclusion, the integration of digital tools in the food-to-go sector is not merely an option by a necessity to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. By embracing these tools and staying ahead of technological advancements, businesses can elevate the customer experience, streamline operations and position themselves as industry leaders.  The implementation of digital tools is not just an adaptation of current trends; it’s a strategic investment in meeting evolving customer expectations and driving sustainable growth in the ever-changing food-to-go sector.  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

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)   Lancashire, UK – 2023   SASE  As part of Evolve’s managed network solutions, they provide an outstanding SD-WAN solution, EvolveWAN. The organisation utilise Mako Network’s systems to provide the SD-WAN device to the end customer. The Mako system is a PCI Level 1 certified system with cloud-managed, carrier-independent networking solutions that make it possible to connect and manage thousands of global sites in a high-performance SD-WAN business network that has no single point of failure and is secure, reliable, scalable, and cost-effective. What is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)? SASE is a convergent network and security service architecture. SD-WAN, Cloud Security (Security Service Edge) (SSE), and Zero Trust Network Access are the three fundamental components of the SASE concept. SASE is a cybersecurity concept that Gartner first described in the 2019 report ‘The Future of Network Security in the Cloud‘, they went on to expand on the concept in their ‘2022 Strategic Roadmap for SASE Convergence’. To meet developing cyber security concerns, growing demand for convenient remote access, and broad use of software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) combines networking and security operations into a unified cloud-delivered service. Alongside being PCI Level 1 compliant, the Mako System is a secure and dependable SASE SD-WAN system that allows you to build your network using hardened, tamper-proof network devices that are only maintained through the cloud-based Mako CMS. There are many benefits to using a SASE SD-WAN system, including: Flexibility  Cost Savings Reducing Complexity Threat Prevention Increased Performance Data Protection About Mako With more than 20 years of experience designing, deploying and maintaining high-security, high-performance distributed enterprise networks, including developing the specialised hardware and software that makes our SASE solution possible, Mako Networks has the knowledge and expertise to solve your network challenges. Evolve have been in partnership with Mako since 2012 and have been their only platinum partner for several of those years.  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’s Finance Director Ryan Stephenson-Brown is shortlisted for two awards at the Northern Finance Director Awards.  He won the award for Best Northern Finance Director of a Limited Company up to 25 Million.   Lancashire, UK – 2023 The Northern Finance Director Awards showcases and celebrates exceptional talent of finance directors and their teams across the North of England. The NFDAs recognise that often within businesses finance directors can be the unsung hero.   Ryan was been nominated for; – ‘Best Northern Finance Director of a Limited Company up to £25 million’  – ‘Northern Finance Director of the Year 2023 – Growth/Scale Up’. Ryan has made significant contributions to Evolve over the years. He successfully developed a multi-currency, fully customisable, in-house billing platform which is widely used across Evolve’s customer base.  Ryan launched his first managed network business at the age of 15, which has subsequently been merged into the Evolve brand. As Evolve’s youngest director, he demonstrates time and again that age is not a barrier to accomplishment. Ryan has a clear vision for the company’s future, and he possesses the strategic acumen and entrepreneurial spirit required to bring that vision to fruition. Ryan exhibits a truly exceptional degree of drive and ambition. The nominations for the FDAs went through a rigorous process, once nominated they were required to conduct an interview with the panel. From there in July 2023 the judging day commenced, and the finalists were announced in September 2023.  Evolve are proud to see Ryan receive this amazing recognition, and are extremely proud of the award successes this week and look forward to the future.  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

Winners of ‘Business Of The Year – Investment’ Award at the Business of the Year awards hosted by TheBusinessDesk.    Lancashire, UK – 2023  The North West Business of the Year awards celebrate the very best business successes from across the region. The Business Desk are showcasing the companies across the UK that are innovative. disruptive and thriving.  TheBusinessDesk.com is the market leader for regional digital business news. They operate across five regions: Yorkshire, North West, West Midlands, East Midlands and South West and offer several different client services include business development and digital marketing.  Each company, including Evolve partook in a rigorous judging process that saw companies visited by members of the judging panel. Once shortlisted, each company was then invited to pitch to the desk why they should win an award.  Evolve are ecstatic to announce that they won ‘Business of The Year’ award in the Investment Category. Evolve was shortlisted for this award amongst several other industry leading business in several different sectors.    Evolve has put significant time and effort into this over the last few years, seeking to create the greatest workplace for its colleagues and a fantastic experience for its consumers. Evolve is a medium-sized, fast-growing Northwest company. Evolve has had 43% organic growth since its founding in 2005. What distinguishes Evolve is its pioneering innovation in the networking business, beginning with the development of its in-house Guest Wi-Fi solution, which was the market’s first of its type. After creating a collaboration with Mako in 2012, this innovation cleared the path for subsequent improvements, such as the PCI-compliant support offering and dominating the SD-WAN market. This introduced the sole Level 1 PCI device to the UK market, which is required for secure payment processing. Mako’s only platinum partner is currently Evolve. Evolve has made considerable investments in the company’s culture throughout the years. Following the global pandemic, Evolve realised that remote working did not apply to their line of business and thought it was better to invest £400K in a new office space outfitted with high-tech goods, modern furniture, and a popular pool table. This investment reflects the company’s dedication to its employees and gives them a reason to look forward to coming to work. Evolve understands the importance of having a decent workplace space for employee well-being and productivity. A well-designed, clean, and comfortable office can help decrease stress and boost morale. It also creates a professional and friendly environment for employees, making them feel appreciated and respected. Furthermore, a decent office space can improve employee health by encouraging movement and physical activity, and all of their workstations and portable seats should stand to guarantee they can accommodate everyone. Furthermore, a well-equipped workplace environment can encourage staff collaboration and communication, which can boost creativity and problem-solving abilities. Finally, investing in a nice office space is an investment in the success and contentment of employees, which can lead to higher overall business success. This change also contributed to the office’s lively atmosphere, which has made Evolve a remarkable working environment and is now sought after by both technical and non-technical professionals in the Northwest. Evolve is extremely passionate about investing in the future of the company and its employees, this award is testament to the dedication.   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

Lancashire, UK – 2023 In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, one of the critical decisions that companies must make is choosing between WAN and LAN to meet their connectivity needs. As a leading provider of secure and reliable SD-WAN solutions, we understand the importance of making an informed choice that aligns with your business goals. A WAN (Wide Area Network) is a network that connects devices over a large area, like between cities, while a LAN (Local Area Network) connects devices within a small area, like a building. WANs are useful for organisations with multiple branches in different locations, as they allow employees to communicate and share resources across locations. WANs can also be used for remote access, which allows users to access resources from a different location, such as when working from home or traveling. EvolveWAN is best used for optimising and securing network traffic between different sites, cloud-based applications, and remote workers. It provides organisations with an efficient and cost-effective way to manage their WAN connections, improve application performance, and enhance security. With EvolveWAN, organisations can prioritise traffic based on business criticality, dynamically route traffic to the most optimal path, and reduce latency by leveraging multiple network paths.  EvolveWAN also provides end-to-end encryption and security, protecting the organisation’s data against cyber threats. Overall, EvolveWAN is best used for tasks that require efficient, secure, and reliable connectivity across different locations, particularly in situations where traditional WAN technologies may not be able to deliver the required performance or security. A LAN (Local Area Network) serves as the foundation for internal communications within a limited geographic area, typically confined to a single office building or campus. LANs are typically faster than WAN as they span less distance and have less congestion however the reduced speed of a WAN network may not actually be perceived by users. Typically, a LAN network would be suitable for a smaller area than WAN for example home Wi-Fi. Whether you are a small business looking to expand or a large enterprise seeking optimised network infrastructure, Evolve’s expert team is here to support you every step of the way. With Evolve’s reliable SD-WAN solutions, your business can thrive in today’s competitive landscape, staying connected, agile, and ready to seize opportunities on a global scale. Let Evolve be your trusted partner in building a future-ready network that drives your business forward. 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 officially reaches 100 employees!   Lancashire, UK – 2023  Evolve was founded in 2005 by Jon Shaw, with Guest Wi-Fi at the forefront. From there, in the coming years, CEO Alan Stephenson-Brown, Technical Director Ryan Stephenson-Brown, Operations Director Rob Brown, and Development Director Adam Cole joined the organisation. Evolve now offers a plethora of managed network solutions including Internet connectivity, SD-WAN, Guest Wi-Fi, and IT Support.   In 2018, Evolve employed 9 people, and in August 2022, Evolve had 37 employees. In an article from August 2022, Evolve stated that they had hoped to double their headcount within two years. This has been exceeded in one year, with an increase of over 60 in 12 months. In 2022, Evolve acquired Preston-based IT support from GB3 from the EG Group. This acquisition took Evolve from around 40 employees to over 80. The amazing team from GB3 are now fully integrated into the Evolve office, now operating as EvolveIT. Evolve is passionate about being ‘forever learners’; currently, there are 11 employees who are in further learning courses. Furthermore, Evolve is re-introducing apprenticeships, enabling people to start and excel in their telecommunications careers. Now, Evolve has officially reached 100 employees.  As a Wigan-based firm, it is important to Evolve to be hiring within the local community. An incredible 90% of employees are based in the Northwest. Evolve operates solely within its Wigan headquarters, including in-house development, a 24 x 7 x 365 in-house multi-lingual Network operations centre, and in-house IT support. Similarly, the organisation heavily encourages internal promotion. In the past 12 months, there have been 13 internal promotions as well as several roles advertised internally before going external.  Of Evolve’s now 100 employees, 63% are under the age of 35. Evolve values the overall enthusiasm and drive that these employees bring to the company. As a generation that has grown up with technology at the forefront of their everyday lives, they offer fresh ideas and a new perspective for the tech industry. Working collaboratively with more experienced employees Evolve can curate innovative ideas and solutions.  Research shows that workplace absences in other companies have hit their highest level in over a decade at 7.8 days per employee. Evolve’s employee absence rate over the past 12 months is an astounding 0.4%.  Not only that, but research shows that 76% of the respondents had been off work due to stress over the past year.  Evolve has a significant number of resources in place to ensure that its employees are happy and comfortable in the work environment. Firstly, the flexibility to work from home, subject to department. Similarly, flexible working hours allow employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Evolve offers a premium private healthcare service that allows employees to get expert help. Finally, the people. Evolve is a positive and supportive work environment with real people, not red tape. The company aim to create a comfortable environment with each of these aspects, as well as an open, well-lit, and modern office space. The leadership team has recently grown further with the appointment of Lee Simpson, Chief Financial Officer. These milestones demonstrate the success Evolve has had over the past 18 years, it is extremely exciting to see the direction Evolve is heading in. 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. Winners of Enterprise MSP/Reseller of the Year Visiting BT Future Room Executive Leadership Team of the year Channel Champs Winners Channel Champs Winners Channel Champs Awards MacMillian Coffee Morning 3 Peaks Challenge GB3 welcomed into Evolve @evolvebg Visit Evolve’s LinkedIn

Lancashire, UK – 2023   In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, high-speed connectivity is no longer a luxury but a necessity.  XGS-PON is the next-generation Passive Optical Network (PON) standard. It offers big advantages to existing GPON networks, which is seen as consumer-grade-as it is capable of 10Gbps speeds and dynamic guarantees for users wanting to upgrade from traditional contended broadband products. XGS-PON is unleashing the power of fibre optics and giving businesses next-generation PON technology. XGS-PON boasts impressive capabilities in terms of speed, bandwidth, and scalability. With symmetrical 10 Gbps data transfers, XGS-PON offers four times the speed of existing lines, making it the perfect solution for bandwidth-intensive applications for example 4K/8K video streaming, virtual reality, or online gaming. Leveraging fibre optic technology, XGS-PON ensures reliable and inference-free data transmission, resulting in a superior user experience. Scalability is a key advantage of XGS-PON. Service providers can connect a significantly higher number of users to existing equipment, enhancing their return on investment. Supporting hundreds users on a single fibre, XGS-PON outperforms traditional GPON technology, which typically serves a maximum of 64 users. This scalability makes the technology an attractive option for business users, facilitating future growth and expanding service offerings.  But how does XGS-PON compare to older methods of connectivity, such as Ethernet? 1. Speed and Bandwidth: XGS-PON provides blazing-fast symmetrical 10 Gbps data transfers, catering to the increasing demand for high-speed applications. Ethernet, while capable of high speeds, may require upgrades to match the performance of XGS-PON. 2. Scalability: XGS-PON shines in scalability, accommodating a larger number of users per fibre. Ethernet can be scalable too, but it may require additional equipment and network design considerations. 3. Infrastructure and Cost: XGS-PON requires significant infrastructure investments, including fibre optic cabling and equipment upgrades. Ethernet may offer cost advantages, leveraging existing infrastructure, and potentially requiring fewer upfront expenses. 4. Flexibility and Compatibility: Ethernet’s versatility allows for easy integration into various network configurations and protocols. XGS-PON, on the other hand, may require a learning curve and potential retrofitting of existing Ethernet equipment. No matter the industry, all businesses can benefit from moving away from GPON and embracing XGS-PON-capable connectivity. Evolve and ITS are proud to be gearing businesses across the UK with Gigabit-capable fibre that can prepare for the future of cyber security.  End Read more about Evolve’s Partnership with ITS here 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