What is Boxless?

Boxless aims to simplify IT for small and medium businesses – those with fewer than 200 staff.

Why simplifying IT?

Because lots of businesses have IT setups that are too costly, complex or risky to maintain. Or they aren’t aware of all the cost-effective tools they could be using to increase productivity.

How will Boxless help?

By providing consulting services to assist small and medium businesses adopt cloud computing.

Huh?

Let’s try this: Boxless can help your organisation implement robust business systems without the usual complicated IT infrastructure – like servers, cables, uninterruptible power supplies and all that other expensive hardware.

Que?

OK… so the “elevator pitch” needs some work. I’ll add it to the list. Along with a logo, a proper website and service information.

Maybe give me an example?

Good idea. Let’s go with email. You might not know much about email systems. But that’s OK. Because after all, your business is to know about real estate or accounting or whatever it is you sell.

For our example let’s look at Business X and Business Y.

Business X

Business X gets its email free from its website provider. The service is very limited. No backups. If the mailbox becomes full, Business X stops receiving email. Email is also hard to access away from the computer.  There is webmail – but it’s clunky, and only keeps messages that haven’t already been downloaded.

Business Y

Business Y has a much better system. It uses Microsoft Exchange to overcome the issues faced by Business X. Plus the staff have access to a shared calendar system which lets them see when colleagues are free or busy. But the system is a nightmare to maintain. There’s a server in the office that someone needs to manage. Applying patches, doing backups, administering users. It’s all very expensive. And if it’s not done properly Business X could lose all its email. Forever.

The role of Boxless

As it turns out, there’s a Goldilocks-type solution. One that’s not too small and not too big. It’s called Google Apps and it’s very powerful – while still being easy to setup and maintain. But someone has to tell organisations about it. Someone whose business it is to know about useful IT systems. And a few of those organisations might even want that someone to help them get up and running too.

OK. I’m curiuos. Where can I learn more?

The Boxless site’s still under construction. So at this stage your best bet is to read the blog or contact me.

Thanks for your interest. And patience.

Andrew