An IT consultancy based in Leicester, we’re celebrating 25 years in business this year. It’s an incredible milestone made possible by the passion and dedication of founders David Challen and Chris Mason. In this month’s blog, we look back on how the industry has changed in that time, how it’s benefitted the modern workplace, and what’s coming next.
A quarter-century in numbers
A lot has happened during our 25 years in business:
- The amount of internet users has positively surged – from under 7% of the global population to around 67% (2000-2024, Statistica).
- More businesses are online than ever before, and organisations are expected to have an online presence, whatever their industry. This doesn’t just mean a website, either, as social media use also increases annually – with the average person plugging in for 2.5 hours every day (Statistica).
- In 2007, the first Apple iPhone launched, followed by the iPad in 2010. There’s no denying they’ve changed the way we live and work forever. Today, employees can access company apps (think Microsoft 365 Teams for chat or conference calling, and Outlook for email) from the palm of their hand, anywhere in the world.
- In more recent years, the effect of a global pandemic has shifted the way we work and socialise on an unprecedented scale. Employees now have a legal right to request flexible working from the first day of their employment – and with people working from the comfort of their home, a coffee shop, a co-working space or their daily commute, technology has had to move even faster to keep them connected and secure.
Here’s what the world of work looks like, 25 years on.
Supercharging the workplace
1. Speed
These days, high-performance internet connectivity is a must for both businesses and individuals. People want to share information and communicate in a fast, secure and reliable way, particularly in the workplace. Since the 2000s, we’ve seen average file sizes grow more than ten-fold (Researchgate), Broadband replaced dial-up services, which later give way to partial fibre-optic connections providing faster speeds and now full fibre (Uswitch) and, more recently, the advent of the ‘Project Gigabit’ initiative, which the government describes as ‘a £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband’.
2. Security
25 years in business have seen a huge drive for businesses to be online. Now that the majority are, the focus has shifted to not just being digital, but being safe – and that’s where cyber security comes in. Some of the biggest cyber attacks to hit business in the past few decades are Blaster Worm (which caused computers to reboot every 60 seconds), CryptoLocker (a phishing trojan that locked down computers), WannaCry (ransomware that famously infected the NHS) and NotPetya (data-wiping malware that caused $10bn of global damage). Thankfully, more and more companies are seeing the value of cyber security protection and investing in both preventative and remedial solutions.
3. Communications
Changes in telephony services have seen a move away from analogue circuits (like public subscriber telephone networks, or PSTNs) and into digital (voice over internet protocol, or VOIP). This means a shift from traditional analogue connections, with all the associated benefits: less hardware and cables, less cost, better reliability and more readily available features such as call blocking, caller ID, conference calling and more. Communications are also more unified – and thanks to the internet, you can enjoy online chat, video calling, voice calling and many other benefits.
4. Flexibility
Spurred on by the pandemic and changes in modern working practices, many businesses offer a mix of hybrid and remote working. This means flexible hours for workers and greater agility for companies – bringing together the needs of a business, its employees and its customers. Office software like Microsoft 365, plus hosting frameworks like Microsoft Azure, can now run virtual desktops and house apps in the cloud (more on that below). This means employees can work from whatever location – and at whatever time – suits them best.
5. Scalability
One of the biggest advances we’ve seen over the past 25 years business is how data is stored, managed and accessed. Migrating legacy business applications to the cloud means huge cost and security savings for businesses – there’s no longer a need for companies to have onsite servers or data centres (or have to replace them), as well as the associated costs for keeping them powered, cooled and secure. Cloud technology allows for tailored solutions, built from the ground up, that flex to businesses of any size and location – yet another way to keep competitive.
Looking ahead to the next 25 years
There’s a lot on the cards for the future of workplace technology, whether through the development of AI (think Copilot and chatbots) or the lean toward greener solutions (think carbon capture and offsetting). Plus, with companies increasingly using cloud technology, there’s much less energy being used in powering and cooling, and no need to run a costly, energy-guzzling office building. One thing is for certain: businesses will continue to need effective, productive, flexible solutions, and we’ll continue to offer the technology that delivers them.
Reach out to Aurora today
Over 25 years in business, we’ve been privileged to help our clients find the right solutions for their businesses, and have relished the opportunity to grow and develop alongside them – introducing new technology as time goes on, and offering the right support where it’s needed.
We’ve worked with many of our clients since we were first established back in May 1999. By tapping into the decades of experience our team holds, they’ve benefitted from our expertise and huge breadth of knowledge. Now in our 25th year of business, we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together – and excited about what’s coming next.
A final word
David, Chris and all the team at Aurora Technologies IT consultancy in Leicester would like to thank our clients for their business and support. To get in touch with the team, email hello@aurora.uk.net or visit our LinkedIn business page.
