Digital and technology

Leading the way

PEye-280512KB2-0024Chatting with Sentel’s CEO, recently, we got the lowdown from Ger Connery, from his background and experience, as to where he sees telecoms in the future.

How did it all begin?

Over 16 years ago, I began my career with Sentel. In those years we’ve gone from pen and paper alongside the screeching of dial-up internet to unified comms and cloud based services. Sentel’s reputation through partners and clients was second to none so when the opportunity was presented to me, I jumped at the chance to buy the company. An innovative product with such opportunity for growth was not to be missed.

What do you feel have been the biggest changes in the industry?

I’ve seen a lot of changes but the main changes affecting Sentel have been across the development of data and internet technology, comms network development, the move to digital technology and the development of mobile. Convergence of data technology, voice technology, and computer technology are all technological advances that provide the basis for our development.

Not that long ago, cloud-based solutions were for futurists but the cloud has now become part of everyday life. Our industry moves at such a fast pace and Northern Ireland is leading the field across Europe in lightning speed advances, especially where fibre broadband is concerned. The technology industry in Northern Ireland is transforming how businesses operate and it’s great to be part of it.

New technological development leads to new ventures, thereby providing the audit and support services that meet these new market needs. It’s what we as Sentel do.

What technological challenges have Sentel faced recently?

Telecommunications are vital and a major part of most organisations key infrastructure. Over the past few years, providing solutions that synchronise IT, voice and data into a converged solution became critical for us in terms of cost, manageability, productivity and efficiency. Our solution offers the integration of fixed line and mobile telephony data to provide a unified view. Through our TEM360 solution, we bring together the data from disparate communications technologies that exist in organisations environments today.

And now with the move to BYOD (bring-your-own-device) becoming an increasingly popular solution, it is imperative that we step up to the plate for our customers – segregation of technologies is a thing of the past. Sentel is taking a strategic step in the right direction.

What aspects of business are you most passionate about?

Service. Our service is second to none. We offer unlimited 24/7 support to our clients and go the extra mile by offering a pro-active service. We pick up the phone; we don’t wait to be called. It sets us apart from the competition.

Here at Sentel, we have skills, knowledge, resources, and expertise. We respond to our client needs professionally, and efficiently.

The sales and support staff are customer service-oriented. They take pride in providing our clients with the most effective and beneficial information possible. Our staff are competent, sharp and highly trained.

What will telecoms be like in 10 years?

No-one knows all the developments telecoms will make or what it’s going to look like in even five years from now. That’s exciting. Only six years ago, we were just beginning to talk about something called an iPhone. So, who knows what’s coming? But what I can be sure of is that there will be a lot of exciting things that will impact our lives and I know that Sentel want to be part of it.

Mobile telephones are on the leading edge of innovation. Big changes will be expected in the foreseeable future and it is up to us to monitor and predict these to make sure we are creating cutting edge new technologies that mirror the needs of our clients. Communications services are spreading into vertical markets and gaining momentum.

I imagine the next ten years will result in a telecoms and internet that is not recognisable today. Through amazing technological developments and the increasing pace of new product introduction, it is my hope that our technology businesses here in Northern Ireland will continue to prosper and lead the way as well as providing a tremendous engine for local, national and international growth.

thumb-large-7 15 McKibbin House
Eastbank Road
Carryduff, Belfast, BT8 8BD
Tel: +44 (0)28 9081 5555
Email: sales@sentel.co.uk
Web: www.sentel.co.uk

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