In the interview with Uwe Bergmann, Managing Director of NETHINKS GmbH
NETHINKS GmbH has been a owner-managed ITK service provider since 1996. The company has specialised in particular in high-quality ITK services and offers a wide range of solutions from site networking and internet access solutions, telephony and digital communication to IT monitoring and management solutions, including hosting and conference solutions. It operates in a manufacturer-neutral manner and also uses the products it recommends and implements itself. In an interview with Managing Director Uwe Bergmann, we talk today about experiences and dealing with pandemic phenomena as well as the importance of bandwidth for video conferencing and home office.
DIGITAL FUTUREmag: How are you and your company doing in the current Corona situation?
Uwe Bergmann: Thank you for asking. We are doing well, all things considered. However, the uncertainty is very high in general, and our employees are also reacting very sensitively to the situation. What we can positively highlight, however, is that we are currently in a position to help our customers with our solutions so that they can get through the crisis immediately. It is now becoming clear how essential it is to have a good ITK system in order to be able to send employees to a secure home office from one day to the next.
DIGITAL FUTUREmag: How are you currently supporting other companies so that work processes are ensured?
Uwe Bergmann: In such an exceptional situation, home office is the only option for many companies to maintain business operations. In particular, all solutions for voice communication and video conferencing are in high demand. In addition to the standard groupware Kopano, we equip our customers with the NT/VMatch product for chat and video conferencing. For flawless and secure telephony, even in the home office, we rely on our NT/Communicationserver with our Session Border Controller. Here, we specifically address the requirements and wishes of our customers. The be-all and end-all, of course, is that there is sufficient bandwidth. This is often not taken into account or underestimated.
DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Why is bandwidth so important?
Uwe Bergmann: There is a big difference between a normal DSL connection and professional line access via fibre optics. A DSL connection can be used very well for smaller offices or home offices. However, experience shows that these quickly reach their limits when video applications are used that also require bandwidth in the upload range. Demand for more bandwidth has risen rapidly in recent weeks. We have been working reliably with local and national partners for years, so that we have been able to upgrade or newly connect many companies to up to 10 gigabit access within a few working days.
DIGITAL FUTUREmag: What advantages do you see in the future in the area of video conferencing and home office?
Uwe Bergmann: Home office and video conferencing is an exciting topic. A major advantage is the time saved, as there is no longer any need to travel between the workplace and home or between the workplace and the customer. This saved time can now be used more productively and in other ways. Many business partners and customers no longer want to do without this tool. Work-life balance is also becoming increasingly important. Home office helps to better combine work, family and leisure time.
DIGITAL FUTUREmag: What challenges do you see in the coming months and years?
Uwe Bergmann: Currently, the stability of the economy is occupying me above all. There is a lot to do in the coming weeks and months. The question remains as to what damage the economy will sustain and, above all, what impact this will have on companies. One thing is certain: the world of work is in a constant state of change and will change completely in the future. Remote working will increasingly replace business travel - I am sure of that. However, I do not claim to make any forecasts at this point. I wish us all perseverance, a good outcome and, as far as possible, an economic normalization.
DIGITAL FUTUREmag: I am sure you can help in many areas. Thank you very much for the interview.
The interview was conducted by Michael Mattis, Managing Director of AMC Media Network GmbH & Co. KG and publisher of DIGITAL FUTUREmag.
Contact:
NETHINKS GmbH
Rabanusstraße 14-16
36037 Fulda
Tel.: +49 661-25000-0