Continental Underfloor is one of the UK’s leading designers and suppliers of underfloor heating systems and has been established for over 15 years. Delivering outstanding customer service and technical support to trade and domestic customers is a key factor in the success of the business.
Continental Underfloor has always been committed to making full use of information and communications technology in order to maintain its competitive edge. At one point the company had two separate offices in Bude and Pool, which were connected by a live video wall. This used live webcams and microphones to allow constant communication between the two offices, so they could operate as one team and maintain a strong company culture. Initiatives like this led to the company receiving a Cornwall Business Award for Best Use of Superfast Broadband.
The team is now based at one custom-designed office in Launceston, where they have a full fibre to the premises broadband connection, in order to use their systems to their full potential.
Simon Smith, ICT & Operations Manager, explains:
“We have set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and the whole team has been issued with laptops and smartphones. This means that we have the flexibility to work remotely or away from the office whenever it is needed, and we can securely access all the required software and files, just as if we were working from our head office.
“Members of the Management Team will for example work from home if they have a project to write which demands some peace and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of the office. This helps add to the productivity of the business.
“This ability to work flexibly came into its own in March 2018, when Cornwall was hit by heavy snow and travelling by car was extremely difficult. Out of our team of twenty, five live in the local area and were able to walk to the office to form a ‘skeleton staff.’ The rest of us were able to connect remotely and the whole operation ran as normal. So, as far as all our customers were concerned, it was business as usual!
“Knowing that we have the systems we need to provide this kind of continuity of service to our customers is a real asset for the business.
“The arrival of Superfast Broadband has created lots of new opportunities for businesses like ours to improve the way we operate, and I would see flexible working continuing to play an important role in the years to come.”