Welcome to the latest edition of Connections, our monthly customer newsletter. This month, we are excited to share a new partnership agreement with Red Cactus, a global supplier of software solutions and introduce a new Technical Engineer to the growing F One family.
We also welcome another new customer, a respected London-based tree surgery company with more than 18 years of experience and meet the latest addition to the F One sales team.
Coming soon, we feature a new AI Receptionist solution available to existing F One customers and report on a recent business trip to Munich.
Smarter CRM and Telephony Integration for Estate Agencies
The recent installation at James Bailey Sales & Lettings (September, Connections) showcased more than just a new telephone system. It also highlighted how estate agencies can unlock greater efficiency by integrating their CRM platform directly with their communications technology.
To help estate agency and property management businesses work smarter, F One has partnered with Red Cactus to offer Bubble, an advanced integration platform that connects leading CRM solutions, including Street and Reapit, with cloud-based telephone systems.
For many agencies, the CRM is at the heart of daily operations, yet telephony often operates separately. Bubble bridges that gap, automatically linking customer records with inbound and outbound calls so staff can instantly access the information they need without switching between systems.
Adam Monaghan, Solutions Director at F One, explained: “Estate agents rely heavily on their CRM platforms, but telephony often sits independently of those systems. Bubble brings the two together, helping staff spend less time searching for information and more time focused on delivering great customer service.”
The benefits are immediate. Teams can respond more quickly, hold better-informed conversations and provide a more professional experience for clients. The platform also includes powerful automation tools, enabling agencies to create simple workflows that automatically open customer records, display call notes or trigger actions as soon as a call begins.
Importantly, Bubble is designed to adapt to the way each agency works, rather than forcing businesses to change their processes. Combined with F One’s implementation expertise and ongoing support, the solution can be deployed quickly and with minimal disruption.
By bringing CRM and telephony together, estate agencies gain greater visibility, improved productivity and a more seamless customer journey, helping them deliver the high standards of service that today’s property market demands.
Edward Payne & Co Finds the Right Connection with F One
Edward Payne & Co. Limited, a respected London-based tree surgery company with more than 18 years of experience, has partnered with F One Technologies to modernise its communications and connectivity infrastructure.
Founded by Edward Payne in 2005, the business has grown from a one-man operation into a thriving company with four teams of arborists and dedicated office staff, delivering professional arboriculture services to homeowners, developers and property managers across London and the surrounding areas.
As part of the project, F One supplied and installed a new cloud-based telephone system powered by Elevate, complete with replacement Yealink touchscreen handsets for three users. The new solution provides advanced features including call queuing, mobile applications, call recording with transcriptions, and automated call summaries, helping the team stay connected whether they are in the office or out on site.
To further enhance performance and reliability, F One also delivered a new full fibre broadband connection and will provide ongoing management and support for the company’s internal network.
The installation was completed by F One’s engineering team, ensuring a smooth transition to the new system with comprehensive training provided to staff.
Business owner Edward Payne praised the experience, saying:
“We’re really impressed with F One. From the in-depth, professional and non-pushy sales advice given by Ross, to the seamless hardware implementation and then training given by Rory over two days, the daunting movement to a new telephony system has proven painless and straightforward. Highly recommended.”
The project demonstrates how the right technology can help growing businesses improve communications, increase efficiency and provide a better experience for both customers and employees. We are delighted to welcome Edward Payne & Co. Limited to the F One family and look forward to supporting the business as it continues to grow.
Strengthening Partnerships and Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity
F One Directors Adam Monaghan and Lee New were recently invited to attend an exclusive Acronis Partner Program event held at the renowned Paulaner Festzelt in Munich during Oktoberfest.
Taking place last month, the event brought together Acronis partners from across the UK for a day of collaboration, insight and networking with the Acronis UK team. The programme included a dedicated #TeamUp partner session featuring a marketing workshop, an overview of the latest Acronis Innovation Roadmap, and updates on the Acronis Partner Program.
The event provided valuable opportunities to learn about forthcoming developments, share ideas with fellow partners, and explore new ways to help customers strengthen their cybersecurity, data protection and business resilience strategies.
Following the business sessions, guests were invited to experience the unique atmosphere of Oktoberfest, enjoying traditional Bavarian hospitality at one of Munich’s most iconic festival venues.
The invitation reflects F One’s strong partnership with Acronis and our ongoing commitment to investing in industry-leading technologies, expertise and relationships that deliver added value to customers.
Coming Soon: AI Receptionist for Smarter Business Communications
We’re always looking for ways to help our customers improve efficiency, enhance customer service, and get more from their communications technology.
That’s why we’re excited to announce that a new AI Receptionist solution will soon be available!
Designed to work alongside your telephone system, the AI Receptionist acts as a virtual member of your team, answering calls, handling routine enquiries, and directing callers to the right person or department. Available around the clock, it ensures your business never misses an opportunity to engage with customers, even outside normal working hours.
The technology can answer common questions, provide information such as opening hours and contact details, take messages, and intelligently route calls. By handling these repetitive tasks, it frees up your staff to focus on the conversations that benefit most from human expertise, experience, and personal interaction.
For businesses that receive a high volume of calls, the AI Receptionist can help reduce waiting times, improve response rates, and deliver a consistent and professional experience for every caller. It can also support business continuity during busy periods by managing multiple enquiries simultaneously.
As customer expectations continue to evolve, many organisations are looking for ways to provide faster and more convenient service. An AI Receptionist offers an effective way to enhance communications while maintaining the personal touch that remains at the heart of great customer service.
We’ll be sharing more details in the coming weeks, including how the solution integrates with existing F One telephone systems and the benefits it can bring to businesses of all sizes.
If you’d like to learn more about our upcoming AI Receptionist service, speak to your Account Manager or contact the F One team today.
Meet the Team: Welcome Alfie Russell and Charlie Irwin
Alfie Russell, Technical Engineer
We’re pleased to welcome Alfie Russell to F One as our newest Technical Engineer. Alfie joins with five years of experience in the telecoms and IT sector and will play an important role in supporting our customers and delivering technical solutions.
His passion for the industry has already been recognised, having been nominated for Apprentice of the Year at the 2022 News Business Excellence Awards, an achievement that reflects his commitment to learning and delivering excellent service.
Outside work, Alfie enjoys a wide range of interests. A devoted Southampton FC fan, he regularly travels across the country to support the Saints. He also enjoys boxing, darts, Formula One, Pokémon, video games, learning German and travelling whenever he can. Family is also important to Alfie and he enjoys spending time with his two sisters and his niece.
As part of the technical team, Alfie will be helping customers with the technology they rely on every day, ensuring they receive the high levels of service and support that F One is known for.
Welcoming Alfie to the company, Technical Team Manager Stuart Venn said:
“We’re delighted to welcome Alfie to F One. He brings valuable telecoms and IT experience, a great attitude and a real enthusiasm for technology. Our technical team plays a vital role in supporting customers and delivering successful solutions, and we’re confident Alfie will be a fantastic addition. Everyone at F One wishes him every success in his new role.”
We’re delighted to have Alfie on board and look forward to seeing him develop his career with us.
Charlie Irwin, New Business Executive
Charlie joins us as a New Business Executive, where he’ll be helping to introduce new customers to F One, explain how we can support their businesses, and arrange appointments for our sales team. It’s an important role that often provides a customer’s first impression of F One.
Originally from North Devon, Charlie recently moved back to Southampton from London and now lives locally with his girlfriend. He has spent the last few years working in professional football recruitment across both League One and Championship clubs and continues to work part-time as a football scout.
Alongside his football experience, Charlie has recently completed a Master’s degree in Football Performance, bringing plenty of dedication, organisation and people skills to his new role at F One. When he’s not working, Charlie enjoys keeping fit in the gym, travelling, watching football and spending time with friends and family.
Welcoming Charlie to the team, Sales Director Lee New said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Charlie to F One. His background in football recruitment means he’s used to building relationships and communicating with people from all walks of life, which makes him a great fit for our sales team.”
And Finally: A Huge Congratulations to Rory and Rhiarna
Everyone at F One would like to congratulate our Field Engineer and Technician, Rory Anderson, and his new wife, Rhiarna, who recently tied the knot in the stunning surroundings of Imerovigli, Santorini.
The couple celebrated their special day with just 15 guests, keeping the occasion intimate and focused on close family. Set against Santorini’s famous whitewashed buildings, breathtaking scenery, and spectacular views across the Aegean Sea, the wedding was a truly unforgettable experience.
Rory described the day as incredibly emotional and intimate, made even more special by the way both families bonded throughout the trip, arriving as strangers but quickly forming lasting connections.
Following the ceremony, Rory and Rhiarna enjoyed a short honeymoon in a luxury suite complete with its own private pool and panoramic views of the Aegean.
We’re delighted for Rory and Rhiarna and wish them every happiness for their future together.