The NHS may dominate the provision of health care in the United Kingdom, but the country also has a significant private sector.

The King’s Fund estimates that the private general practice market earns some £500 million a year. Private doctors and dentists, health and mental hospitals, private care homes and ambulant care services, private medical insurers as well as a considerable number of diverse suppliers for treatments provided by professions supplementary to medicine such as physiotherapists, podiatrists and massage therapists, counsellers and psychotherapists, as well as alternative therapists such as acupuncturists, homeopaths and hypnotherapists are all players in the private healthcare system. The sources of funding for private treatments include patients with private medical insurance, self-pay patients, overseas patients and NHS purchase.

WinWeb HEALTHCARE helps private healthcare providers organise and automate complex administrative tasks, manage a diverse workforce and meet changing legal requirements so that more time and resources can be used for providing care and growing the business.

Cloud solutions such as WinWeb can help healthcare providers make considerable savings and streamline business processes. Above all, WinWeb HEALTHCARE is a comprehensive and secure cloud-based business management solution – not a fragmented collection of apps from a multitude of suppliers (the management of which is a challenge in itself) but a single system, which supports the business as a whole.

WinWeb HEALTHCARE  combines essential business functions such as accounting, invoicing and online payments, payroll, business planning and helpdesk services, with healthcare-specific functionality such as patient history, referral and resource management, management of treatment pipelines, self-service patient check-in and reporting.

To find out more about WinWeb HEALTHCARE, contact us today.

Because WinWeb is a complete and inclusive business management solution, as a WinWeb partner you will be able to set yourself apart from the competition by offering an all-in-one system to your clients.

For your clients, this has several advantages:

• A comprehensive cloud-based system, which caters for essential business functions such as accounting, invoicing, reporting, helpdesk, enterprise resource planning ERP, and customer relationship management CRM
• Industry specific functionality, for example multi-channel sale for retailers or manufacturing resource planning and production scheduling for manufacturers
• Suitable for business of all sizes, from small start-ups to multi-national companies with hundreds of employees.

WinWeb is not a rigid solution, it is flexible and adaptable and we work with our partners to support the specific needs of their clients.

An attractive revenue share and training programme enables our partners to be part of the exciting expansion of the cloud computing market as companies are continuing to move their IT systems to the cloud to save money and increase productivity.

WinWeb Premier Partners specialise in micro-business and SMEs/SMBs and can add WinWeb cloud and business solutions to their portfolio.

WinWeb Joint Venture Partners typically include IT service providers, MSPs, business mentors and advisors, web developers, and SEO specialists who want to add value to their clients’ businesses.

WinWeb Development Partners with in-depth knowledge of certain markets build unique, customised apps with us and secure instant global market access via the cloud.

If this sounds interesting, contact us today to become a WinWeb partner.

For organisations who are not sure about how to move their business to the cloud or how to deal with an unmanageable amount of differing apps, WinWeb industry solutions present a straightforward and affordable way forward.

WinWeb’s industry solutions combine basic business functions with industry-specific functionality, all in an integrated business management solution.

WinWeb RETAIL for example combines modules for back-office tasks with features needed for selling at different locations and through various channels. Accounting, invoicing and payroll, business planning, project management and helpdesk services, as well as multi-channel and multi-location retail, E-POS and a customer relationship management system all form part of one integrated solution.

Cloud software applications have developed exponentially alongside the rise of the internet. They can help make considerable savings, for example for companies who can buy extra data storage space if and when needed. In addition to cost savings, companies are also looking to take advantage of the other potential benefits of cloud computing, namely to launch products more quickly, to sell products globally and to adapt quickly to changes in legal and other requirements.  But, as pointed out in earlier posts, software that really supports businesses needs to be more than a collection of apps because there is a danger that data become fragmented and business processes unconnected: This is why WinWeb industry solutions support businesses as a whole

WinWeb industry solutions are suitable for any size business. Contact us today for a free demonstration.

When talking about apps we often mean an application for a specific task, for example a calendar app for managing appointments.

There are also more complex apps, for example for book-keeping and accounting.

A third approach as chosen by WinWeb is bringing together the basic functions all businesses need under one roof to create an integrated business management solution.

Take WinWeb RETAIL. This industry-specific app combines everything a retail business requires to manage back-office tasks with features needed for selling at different locations and through various channels.

Functions such as accounting, invoicing and payroll, business planning, project management, marketing and helpdesk services are integrated with multi-channel and multi-location retail as well as an integrated E-POS and CRM system.

With a comprehensive solution such as WinWeb RETAIL, businesses have the freedom to sell products through any channel they choose and expand into international markets no matter where they are located. A stock management module helps reduce stock levels and order delays, while an integrated customer relationship management system supports brand building and helps create customer loyalty.

Altogether, this means a better and more cohesive shopping experience for customers and clients.

For staff, this means that they will need less IT training and have at their disposal the tools they need to deliver an excellent service and resolve any queries.

So far, integrated packages have only been available to mid-size to large businesses because of a very considerable price tag. WinWeb integrated business solutions on the other hand are affordable for any-size business and quickly pay for themselves.

1. Technological skills are part of  the job description
Whereas technology was once the remit of the IT department, knowing how to use various devices – such as smartphones, laptops and PDAs, interactive whiteboards and conference call equipment, as well as e-mail, Skype, instant messaging, video and office and workflow applications, to name just few – is essential for most of today’s office workers. It is likely that organisations will continue to embrace new technological developments if they help increase efficiency and profitability, and emloyees will have to show the ability and the willingness to embrace these technologies, too.

2. The office is where your phone is
Because cloud applications are accessed over the internet they are available whereever there is a broadband, Wifi or 3G/4G connection – and that is pretty much everywhere. This has created the possiblility of working from home and, with certain restrictions, the opportunity to work flexible hours, which is an advantage for many people who have children or other family members to look after.

3. Your colleagues can be anywhere
Cloud computing has allowed companies to put together teams with members based in different locations, even in different countries. This means that working hours are less fixed and have to accomodate different time zones. It also means that soft skills such as cultural awareness and sensitiviy have become as important as technological savvyness. If colleagues can by anywhere so can employers and especially people with expert skills have the opportunity to work remotely without the need to relocate.

4. You can work on projects at the same time
Many organisations now have a leaner structure than before, with less hierarchy and teams as the basic organisational building blocks rather than departments. Cloud computing makes it possible for teams to work across different locations because files can be shared easily. Real-time data is available for every team member, speeding up project delivery. Documents and other items can be viewed and edited simultaneously. Tasks can be tracked  and audited centrally. Cloud-computing solutions such as WinWeb provide a secure and regulated environment for collaboration across the business.

The Olympic motto – Faster, Higher, Stronger – might be a good starting point to consider the benefits of cloud computing. The motto was introduced in 1924 at the Olympic Games in Paris and was chosen because it expressed the aspirations of the Olympic movement – not only in terms of athletic performance but also with regard to a wider developmental perspective. The motto also perfectly reflects the ambitions of most businesses, who want to be able to introduce products as quickly as possible to beat competitors and increase market share, generate high income to maintain a sound financial foundation, and grow into a strong organisation, which is able to recover from setbacks and invest into the future.

Business is never static. It is therefore not surprising that a report by The Economist found that business leaders want to ensure that cloud technology makes their organisations more flexible, efficient and effective. Businesses want to make certain that cloud computing helps meet business objectives such as increasing employee efficiency, safeguarding business continuity, higher flexibility through faster access to infrastructure, increasing geographical reach, and faster time to-market.

Moving to the cloud does not automatically reduce spending on IT systems, but substantial savings on IT costs are possible. Some of these savings can be achieved through buying in extra storage capacity if and when required rather than having to invest in expensive IT equipment.  More savings are to be expected when older so-called legacy systems come to the end of their lifetime and will eventually have to be retired. However, equally important are other savings which can be achieved through cloud computing, such as lower fixed costs, lower HR costs, fewer order delays and reduced stock levels.

Cloud computing can also strengthen businesses in that it allows to back-up and recover business data easily. Cloud data are stored on highly secure servers, run by data centres that have to adhere to international standards for security and data protection required by law. These standards and regulations are designed to protect users of the cloud.

Strong businesses require strong partners: to best benefit from cloud computing, enterprises should look for an experienced provider.  They need to look beyond apps and technology and opt for a provider who is able to understand underlying business needs and objectives. Choosing the right cloud computing supplier will be crucial in safeguarding IT investments.

The business benefits of cloud computing are manifold and worth exploring because the cloud is now a core component of any successful business.

1. Are you happy with your broadband provider?

While according to Ofcom’s research, 85 per cent of UK SMEs feel their business needs are well catered for by the communications market, a significant number expressed concerns about speed, availability, repairs, and choosing between providers.

The internet is now available to 43 per cent of the global population, an almost seven-fold increase of since 2000. Today, 3.2 billion people are using the Internet. They constitute not only a global pool of potential customers but also a global source of potential competitors, especially for the retail sector. If your business has any issues with broadband or 3G, try to get them resolved quickly so that connectivity problems will not put you at a disadvantage.

2. Are you using cloud solutions?

The rise of cloud computing over the past decade has transformed the way organisations use IT products and services. There are many benefits of cloud computing for SMEs, including possible cost savings, not only for IT but also by improving productivity, for example through fewer order delays and more efficient warehousing leading to lower stock levels.

While the initial buzz around cloud computing was created by the availability of abundant apps, SMEs are now advised to look at the bigger picture and acquire cloud solutions which support their business as a whole. WinWeb Cloud for example encompasses modules for business planning, accounting, invoicing, CRM, project management, sales, HR, helpdesk and analytics, all sharing the same pool of data and user interface.

3. Do you have a web site?

Many small business still do not have a website although most customers looking for a particular product or service will turn to the internet. A website is therefore as essential as a business card. And just like a business card it needs to be well-designed and convey what makes your business unique. Social media might make embarking on the online journey even more daunting for some businesses but again, ignoring these channels might mean missing out on reaching new customers.

The main point to remember when creating your website and other online profiles is that they help you achieve your business objectives. Just copying what someone else does is not the best approach. Therefore, before rushing into things, take a moment to stop, think, and make a plan.

Cloud-based apps hold out the promise to make life easier for businesses. They can help consolidate accounts, keep diaries, organise helpdesks, monitor sales and manage projects. There are apps for almost anything. But are they really the answer to your business needs?

The big advantage of cloud-based apps is that they are accessible online through a familiar web browser and therefore available anytime, anywhere. The only requirement is internet access, an account, and a password. This is a considerable advantage, especially for companies with employees working at different sites or with project teams dispersed around the globe.

In the long run, however, there is a danger of business data becoming fragmented and business processes becoming disjointed. Do your apps work together? Do they share the same pool of data? Are they suitable for the industry you are working in? Do they do what they are supposed to do? Are some of them redundant? Do some of them do the same thing? Managing apps can become a task in itself – wasting time, energy and money.

There are even blog posts and other comments on the net, recommending to businesses to take stock of their applications and sift through them on a regular basis. The advice seems to be: Keep calm, organise your apps, and carry on. Surely this cannot be the way forward.

Software that really supports businesses needs to be more than a collection of apps: To really make business easier, an integrated solution is required – a solution, which combines the advantages of apps into a unified system. Ideally, such a solution is industry-specific, with an option for bespoke extensions and modifications. Uniting diverse functions such as business planning, accounting, invoicing, CRM, project management, sales pipeline, HR, helpdesk and analytics into a working system. Providing a cloud solution which makes succeeding in business easier – that is the vision behind Winweb Cloud.

Such a cloud solution simplifies business also because it takes care of the technological side of things, freeing businesses to focus on growth, customer care and innovation rather than technology. Backups take place regularly, assuring that data can always be retrieved and recovered. Equally, updates and software renewals are managed centrally and are part and parcel of the package. The cloud provider also takes care of security. While nothing is ever one hundred per cent safe, a quality cloud provider certainly will be able to offer better security than what most small businesses could afford by themselves.

When choosing business software, look beyond apps and focus on a comprehensive solution that really makes your life easier.

Cloud computing has transformed the business landscape and is here to stay. So far, organisations have used the cloud for web hosting, data storage, business applications, desktop applications and e-mail. Small and medium-sized enterprises have taken advantage of up-to-date and secure IT infrastructure without having to invest in their own equipment and experts, while bigger companies have used the cloud to add capacity to existing IT systems.

Organisations are now looking for additional benefits, such as higher productivity, speed to market, and compliance with regulatory requirements, especially in retail and the healthcare and financial industries. Integrated, modular systems will provide them with the flexibility to add on functionality. Customisable systems will help them gain and safeguard a competitive advantage in a globalised economy where competitors can emerge anywhere in the world. The future of cloud computing lies in comprehensive solutions, which support complex business processes from start to finish.

When the planning starts we are often under the impression that we know exactly what we need a new IT system to deliver in terms of functionality – when in reality we are uncertain.

Overdesigned systems are the result of these uncertainties as we feel we need to include anything we might need in the future.

From years of experience of installing integrated cloud software solutions for SMBs/SMEs, we find two major issues with this approach:

Firstly, do we really know to the minutest detail what we as an organisation need to optimise our business processes, or are we not so sure? The reallity is that over 40% of software features of pre-designed systems will hardly be used, if ever!

Secondly, installing a new sytem is not the end of the business optimisation process, it is the beginning. With that in mind it is easy to see, that with new processes comes new knowledge and insight into the business processes we deem important. As a consequence, our IT system needs may need changing – which will not be possible.

The bottom line is get started with an integrated management software system, that will allow you to customise it whenever you gain real new insights into your business.

A good management software solution needs be more of an business development tool, than just a simple pre-designed back-office solution.