Latest News and Updates
Last Updated 31st March 2025
31st March
2025
Now Offering
SM Unified Solutions is now offering restaurant paging devices through our partnership with Retekess! These reliable and efficient paging systems help streamline communication in restaurants, cafés, and hospitality venues, improving customer service and operational efficiency.
28th February
2025
Futurebuild 2025
SM Unified Solutions at Futurebuild 2025!
With only 3 days to go we're excited to see everyone at Futurebuild 2025! As leaders in cutting-edge telecommunications, security, and networking solutions, we’re looking forward to connecting with industry professionals, sharing insights, and showcasing how our technology can drive innovation.
Date: Tuesday 4th March 2025
Location: London Excel
Come and visit us to learn more about how we can support your business with bespoke technology solutions. See you there!
27th January
2025
Grandstream Software UCM Update
At SM Unified Solutions, we pride ourselves on staying ahead of the curve by working with cutting-edge technologies that empower businesses. Today, we are thrilled to share an exciting update: the highly anticipated Grandstream UCM software has entered its beta testing phase.
This latest release from Grandstream is poised to deliver enhanced functionality, improved usability, and a suite of powerful tools to revolutionise unified communications. Here’s what we know so far about the key highlights of the beta version:
Enhanced Features for Seamless Communication
Grandstream’s new UCM software promises to streamline collaboration by introducing a range of advanced features, including:
- Intuitive User Interface: Simplified navigation and improved workflows for effortless management.
- Scalability: Support for larger deployments, ensuring the platform grows with your business needs.
- Stronger Security: Bolstered measures to keep your communication systems safe from emerging threats.
Integration-Ready Platform
With its enhanced integration capabilities, the beta version enables businesses to seamlessly connect with third-party applications and devices. This open approach makes it easier than ever to create a tailored communications ecosystem that meets unique operational requirements.
Why the Beta Release is Significant
Beta testing is a critical phase in the development cycle, allowing Grandstream to fine-tune the software with real-world feedback. By ensuring robust performance under various scenarios, the company is laying the groundwork for a smooth official release in the near future.
How SM Unified Solutions Can Help
As Grandstream Professionals, the team at SM Unified Solutions is closely monitoring developments surrounding this beta release. Our expertise in installing, maintaining, and supporting Grandstream products means we’ll be ready to assist you in leveraging the full potential of this new software once it becomes widely available.
Whether you’re already a Grandstream user or considering upgrading your unified communications setup, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
24th January
2025
Major Service Disruptions
Several major technology platforms faced global service outages:
- ChatGPT: OpenAI's chatbot experienced "elevated error rates" early Thursday morning. The issue was resolved within 45 minutes.
- Three Network: Thousands of UK customers on Three, as well as smaller providers like Smarty and iD Mobile, reported call outages. Emergency calls and data services remained unaffected.
- Microsoft 365: Services like Teams and Outlook were disrupted due to Azure networking issues. Microsoft worked quickly to restore functionality.
- Ring Central: The cloud-based communication provider suffered service interruptions, leaving phone systems offline.
These events highlight the growing importance of ensuring digital infrastructure resilience amidst increasing dependence on technology.
21st January
2025
Boost Your Business with Seamless Integrations!
Did you know that the Grandstream system and Wave mobile application integrate effortlessly with a wide range of third-party applications to streamline your workflows and enhance productivity?
Whether you’re looking to manage your customer relationships, collaborate with your team, or stay connected on the go, Grandstream has you covered!
- CRMs: Zoho CRM, SalesForce, Vtiger CRM, Sugar CRM, Act! CRM, HubSpot, Capsule CRM, Less Annoying CRM, Odoo CRM, monday sales CRM, and more!
- Helpdesk & Collaboration Tools: Freshdesk, Bitrix24, Zendesk, Zoho Desk, OfficeRnD Hybrid Work, and IPVideoTalk.
- Productivity Apps: Microsoft Office 365, Google Drive, Oracle NetSuite, and Dynamics 365.
- Communication Enhancements: WhatsApp Business, Telegram, Wave Plug-in for Microsoft Outlook, Wave Click2Dial Plug-in for Chrome, Wave for Chrome, and Wave for Microsoft Teams.
Simplify your operations and stay ahead of the competition with these powerful integrations.
12th January
2025
Proud Partners and Resellers of Gamma Communications
At SM Unified Solutions, we are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Gamma Communications, a leading provider of Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) in the UK. This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance connectivity, productivity, and efficiency for businesses across the nation.
Why Gamma Communications?
Gamma Communications is renowned for its innovative and reliable communication services, including hosted telephony, SIP trunking, mobile solutions, and more. With a strong focus on scalability and flexibility, Gamma empowers businesses of all sizes to stay connected and agile in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.
By partnering with Gamma, we are expanding our portfolio of services to offer our clients:
- Hosted Phone Systems: Feature-rich and cost-effective VoIP solutions designed to adapt to your business needs.
- SIP Trunking: High-quality voice connectivity that integrates seamlessly with your existing PBX.
- Business Mobile Solutions: Tailored packages that ensure you’re always connected, no matter where you are.
- Collaborative Tools: Unified communication platforms that streamline teamwork and enhance productivity.
- What This Means for Our Clients
- This partnership allows SM Unified Solutions to provide even greater value to our clients. By integrating Gamma’s advanced solutions with our expertise in telecommunications, networking, and support services, we can deliver:
- Comprehensive Communication Packages: End-to-end solutions tailored to meet your unique business requirements.
- Enhanced Reliability: Access to Gamma’s robust infrastructure ensures seamless communication and minimal downtime.
- Future-Proof Technology: Scalable solutions that grow with your business and keep you ahead of the competition.
- Expert Support: As certified resellers, we are fully equipped to support and maintain Gamma’s products and services.
Our Commitment to Excellence
At SM Unified Solutions, we pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of technological advancements to better serve our clients. Partnering with Gamma Communications aligns perfectly with our mission to provide reliable, innovative, and sustainable solutions that drive business success.
Get Started Today
Ready to explore the benefits of Gamma’s world-class communication solutions? Contact SM Unified Solutions today to learn how we can tailor these services to your needs
2nd January
2025
New Partnerships News
We are excited to announce new partnerships at SM Unified Solutions with industry leaders including:
Mitel: Innovators in business communications.
Yealink: Specialists in VoIP and video conferencing.
Snom: Experts in enterprise telephony solutions.
TP-Link: Reliable networking equipment providers.
Hikvision: Leaders in video surveillance technology.
Cisco: Pioneers in networking and cybersecurity.
2N: Innovators in intercom and access control systems.
In addition to these new partnerships, we continue to uphold our Grandstream and NEC/Philips accreditations and partnerships, reflecting our expertise and commitment to excellence.
These collaborations enhance our ability to deliver state-of-the-art solutions, ensuring better efficiency, security, and connectivity for our clients. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to grow!
18th December
2024
Changes are coming to the UK’s telecoms network
As you may already be aware, significant changes are coming to the UK’s telecoms network that could directly impact your business.
The PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) is scheduled to be fully switched off on 31st December 2025, with the migration of ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) lines completing by January 2027. This transition is part of the UK's move to an all-digital future.
This change affects all copper-based phone lines and any services relying on them, including alarms, CCTV systems, and other critical infrastructure. Businesses and homes will require internet-based solutions like Voice over IP (VoIP), Digital Voice, or All-IP telephony to maintain continuity of service.
Failing to act now could lead to service disruptions, rendering key communications systems unusable. But don’t worry—SM Unified Solutions is here to handle all the hard work for you.
Act Now to Protect Your Business
Don’t risk disruption—let us help you make a smooth and stress-free transition to digital telephony.
The clock is ticking. Take action now to future-proof your communications and avoid unnecessary complications.
17th December
2024
Big News Coming Soon!
We’re excited to let you know that a massive update is on the way! We’re just putting the finishing touches on some details, and soon we’ll be announcing a full list of companies we now officially work with. This includes our new reseller partnerships and collaborations with leading brands in the industry!
Stay tuned for the full reveal – we can't wait to share this exciting new chapter with you all. We’re always striving to bring you the best solutions, and these new partnerships are sure to help us do just that.
6th December
2024
Storm Darragh Alert
The team at SM Unified Solutions is urging everyone to stay safe as Storm Darragh is set to hit on Friday 6th December at 3PM, bringing strong winds and heavy rain across the UK. 🌪️
Here are a few tips to keep safe:
✔️ Secure outdoor items like bins and furniture.
✔️ Avoid unnecessary travel during peak storm hours.
✔️ Stay updated with local weather reports.
✔️ Check in on neighbours, especially the elderly or vulnerable.
Your safety is what matters most! 💙 Let’s look out for each other during this storm.
Stay safe, everyone!
— The SM Unified Solutions Team
6th December
2024
Trains Delayed Across the UK Due to 'Nationwide Fault' on Communication System
Commuters across the UK are facing significant disruption today as a major fault in the nationwide railway communication system has caused widespread delays. The issue, which began early this morning, has impacted signaling and coordination between train operators, making it unsafe to run services as scheduled.
Train operators have urged passengers to check for updates before traveling, with many services delayed or canceled altogether. Emergency contingency plans are being implemented, but the scale of the fault is causing frustration for passengers during peak travel hours.
Network Rail confirmed that engineers are working urgently to identify and resolve the fault. However, no timeline has been given for when normal service will resume. Passengers are advised to use alternative transport where possible and to be patient as rail staff navigate this unprecedented disruption.
For real-time updates, travelers should consult their train operator’s website or app. While delays and cancellations are unavoidable for now, safety remains the top priority as teams work to restore communication systems across the network.
1st December
2024
Cyber Monday Deals
This Cyber Monday the 2nd December 2024, grab unbeatable offers from SM Unified Solutions:
10% OFF a full year of 24/7 maintenance support when you purchase any onsite PBX solution.
5% OFF the purchase of any onsite PBX system.
Stay connected and supported with top-notch solutions for your business, all while saving big this Cyber Monday.
Offer valid on December 2nd ONLY. Don’t miss out – act fast!
Contact us now:
01787 736047
enquiries@smunifiedsolutions.co.uk
Upgrade your communications and save today!
25th November
2024
Microsoft Outage
Many MS users signed on to the start of the week only to encounter problems with their MS services including Microsoft 365, teams, outlook and microsoft store.
21st November
2024
Telecoms Cables Severed
Two telecoms cables in Baltic Sea severed, raising suspicions of sabotage. Outages include 1,200km link between Germany and Finland and 218km cable between Lithuania and Sweden
11th November
2024
Unexpected Windows Server 2022 Updates to "2025" Raise Concerns in IT
IT administrators across various sectors are reporting unexpected behaviour in their Windows Server 2022 environments, with some servers being automatically upgraded to a version labelled "Windows Server 2025." This has sparked confusion and concern, as Microsoft typically maintains strict control over server updates and has not announced an automatic upgrade path to a new server operating system.
Several administrators have noticed that their Windows Server 2022 systems have seemingly received upgrades to a "2025" version, potentially through Windows Update. This behaviour is unexpected, as Microsoft doesn’t typically roll out major server version upgrades automatically—especially not to production environments without administrator authorisation. Reports have emerged from a range of industries, with IT departments scrambling to understand the cause and potential impact.
Microsoft has not yet released an official statement on these reports, but experts believe the company may address the issue with clearer guidelines or patches if a widespread problem is confirmed.
7th November
2024
New Hosted Telephony Offering
At SM Unified Solutions, we’re excited to announce that we now offer a new level of hosted telephony services designed to meet the demands of modern businesses. By partnering with a number of UK providers, we deliver a robust, scalable, and feature rich communication system, ensuring your team stays connected and efficient.
6th November
2024
Grandstream GCC Series
Grandstream have recently launched its GCC Series, an integrated communication solution aimed at small to medium-sized businesses. This new series allows organisations to manage unified communications, networking, and security from a single platform. Designed for streamlined deployment, the GCC Series is compatible with Grandstream’s IP phones, network switches, and surveillance systems, all of which can be managed centrally via the Grandstream Device Management System.
The series offers comprehensive control over their communication and security infrastructure.
5th November
2024
Exciting Partnerships on the Horizon – Stay Tuned!
We're thrilled to announce that some exciting partnerships are in the works, bringing new opportunities and value to our community. Keep an eye on our website out for updates, as we'll be sharing more details as soon as we finalize these agreements. We can't wait to reveal what’s in store!
5th November
2024
Vodafone & Three merger could get the gree light.
The planned merger between Vodafone and Three, set to create the UK’s largest mobile network, is one step closer to approval as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) indicates it could back the deal. However, the CMA is demanding firm commitments on 5G pricing and service quality before granting final approval.
The regulator’s main concern is that the merger might reduce competition, leading to higher prices and fewer options for consumers. Vodafone and Three are expected to address these concerns by pledging not to raise prices unfairly and by ensuring that the quality of 5G services remains high.
If approved, the merger would reshape the UK telecoms landscape, consolidating market power but, ideally, without compromising customer choice and affordability.
1st November
2024
Gang jailed for £1m BT Cable Theft.
A gang responsible for stealing almost £1 million worth of BT Openreach network cable has been jailed for a combined total of 14 years.
Why this matters:
- Disruption to 16,000 customer phone lines
- More than £750,000 in losses to businesses and victims
- Vulnerable people being cut off from emergency services
- Widespread services outage across four counties, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Wrexham
3rd September
2024
Exciting News!
We’ve just released our brand new business cards, and we want you to be part of the fun! If you come across one of our cards, snap a photo, show us where you found it, and tag us in your post! accross all of our socials.
We’d love to hear your thoughts and see where our cards have traveled. Whether it’s in your favorite coffee shop or your go-to spot, share the moment with us!
Thank you for supporting us, and we can’t wait to see where our cards pop up!
#BusinessCardHunt #TagUs #CommunitySupport
11th October
2024
Ofcom Clamps down on millions of scam calls from abroad.
Millions more scam calls from abroad that use spoofed UK landline numbers are to be blocked after the telecoms regulator finally ordered a long-overdue clampdown.
From Monday all phone companies will have six months to identify and block calls from abroad that falsely display a UK telephone number under strengthened guidance from Ofcom.
10th October
2024
BT Indentifying 2,000 Signals a second indicating possible cyber-attacks.
BT identifies 2,000 signals indicating a potential cyber-attack across its networks every second, it has revealed, amid an “AI arms” race between businesses bolstering their defences and increasingly sophisticated hackers.
The telecoms company – which owns the mobile operator EE and Openreach, which has the biggest broadband network in the UK and international business operations – said hackers were attempting to weaponise AI for cybercrime and affecting some hosted telecommunication connections by slow internet speeds, dropped calls, and buffering during peak usage times due to network congestion.
11th October
2024
BT Pocket £105m in first ever recycling deal for surplus copper cables.
BT has received £105m as an upfront prepayment for the sale of surplus copper cables from its old network which it is replacing in a £15bn rollout of high-speed full-fibre broadband to 25m homes in one of the UK’s biggest private national infrastructure programmes.
3rd September
2024
Halloween Update
Spooky season is upon us! Keep an eye on our socials for some hair-raising Halloween surprises coming your way soon. You won't want to miss the tricks, treats, and maybe a few thrills we've got in store. Stay tuned! #Halloween2024 #SpookySurprises
26th August
2024
MASSIVE UPDATE!
Established in 2002, SM Communications has rebranded as SM Unified Solutions Limited to better reflect its expanded focus on delivering comprehensive, integrated technology services. Building on over 30 years of expertise, the company continues to bring leading technology to businesses, offering tailored solutions in CCTV, door entry, on-site and hosted telephony solutions, nurse call systems, and much more. This rebranding marks the company's evolution from a traditional telecommunications provider to a holistic technology partner, committed to driving innovation and seamless connectivity across industries.
22nd July
2024
BT Fined by Ofcom
BT has been fined £17.5 million by Ofcom following a significant network outage that affected the 999 emergency call service last summer. The regulator criticized BT for being ill-prepared to handle the failure of its emergency call handling service, describing the situation as "catastrophic." This fine highlights the critical importance of reliability in emergency communication infrastructure and the severe repercussions when such systems fail.
19th July
2024
Global IT Outage
Have you experienced disruptions in your telephony services due to today's IT outage? If so, consider switching to SM Unified Solutions for a more stable and reliable solution.
We offer on-site Unified Solutions designed to maintain business continuity even during IT disruptions. Our systems are robust and tailored to meet the specific needs of your business, ensuring seamless communication at all times.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you avoid future outages and keep your business running smoothly.
7th July
2024
On Site Power Outage
On Sunday, we received a notification on our management software about a power failure at one of our care home clients. We immediately jumped into action and started running our diagnostic protocol to identify the issue. Approximately five minutes later, the client called to inform us of the problems they were facing. Recognizing the nature of the issue, we prepared for a potential site visit as a precautionary measure. Within 30 minutes of the initial notification, the system was back up and running smoothly.
10th May
2024
The End Of NEC Onsite Solutions
NEC's have decided to exit on-premise UC operations outside of Japan in the coming years. This decision applies to all on-premise UC products, while our NEC Univerge Blue offerings remain unaffected.
We're committed to fulfilling our existing contractual obligations with you. However, please be aware of the following changes effective immediately:
- We will not accept any new Purchase Orders after December 31, 2024, nor will we engage in new commitments, renewals, or extensions beyond that date.
- Purchase Orders with a delivery date after March 31, 2025, will not be accepted.
- Hardware and software support services will cease after March 31, 2026, except for existing contractual obligations.
Our target completion date for the last shipment of products related to accepted Purchase Orders received between April 15, 2024, and December 31, 2024, is March 31, 2025.
3rd Febuary
2024
Our Very Own Tailored Training Programs
SM Communications comprehensive training program! Our tailored sessions are crafted to equip participants with the essential skills to effectively utilize our phones and installed products. Through hands-on demonstrations and interactive learning modules, participants will learn the ins and outs of our systems, including setup, troubleshooting, and advanced features. Our training emphasizes practical application, ensuring participants gain confidence in using our products efficiently.
22nd January
2024
New Company Clothing
We want to express our sincere gratitude for the exquisite personallied t-shirts you created for us. Your craftsmanship is truly exceptional, and we are thrilled with the personalized touch you've added to our attire.
The attention to detail and the artistry involved in your work have not gone unnoticed. It's evident that you put a great deal of care and skill into every project, making our work clothing truly unique and reflective of our brand.
Thank you for your dedication to quality and for contributing to the professional image of SM Communications. We look forward to proudly wearing our clothing, knowing it carries a touch of your talent.
At SM Communications, we are thrilled to support brilliant local businesses. Their dedication to excellence aligns with our values, and we believe in fostering a strong community that thrives on collaboration and mutual success. Together, we contribute to the growth and prosperity of our local business ecosystem.
10th October
2023
Emergency call out
We had an emergency call out in October, A power outage in the area causing damage to the phone system CPU. As soon as we got notification of this, we had an engineer sent to site 195 miles away, who got the Philips Sopho IS3000 back online as soon as possible, showcasing the importance of having skilled and responsive personnel in place for such situations.
Having a quick response to such emergencies is crucial to minimizing downtime and ensuring that business operations can resume as soon as possible.
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Registered Office: 10 Spire Chase, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 1PZ. Registered in England & Wales with Company No: 15910310
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