The bosses of two companies have joined forces to set up a new service that provides a communications one-stop service to help business people on the move.

Mark Pritchard, of Ilkeston-based Just Clerical Recruitment agency and Geoff Seymour, of Bluu Sky Connections, based at Shardlow Business Park, say Total Equip will synchronise communications and particularly benefit start-ups.

Both set up their own businesses around five years ago so know the pitfalls and the difficulties in equipping an office efficiently.

Mark helps new businesses recruit staff and advises people who go solo about their business needs, and Geoff provides telephone systems for small to medium enterprises.

They met through enterprise agency Erewash Partnership and were looking to see how they could help other businesses. For instance, when looking for a mobile phone there are so many phones available on different tariffs.

"We realised that when people set up businesses they often buy phones and laptops from different suppliers," said Mark. "We thought it would be a good idea to set up a business where people source both from one supplier and synchronise them."

With Total Equip businesses are advised on their needs and leased phone systems, mobiles, laptops, personal computers and servers, and other office equipment such as printers and fax machines. These can be installed and synchronised so that they work together.

"We set up the system so that an e-mail is received on somebody's mobile phone as well as their different computers," said Geoff. "We can then synchronise the calendars, the tasks to be done, contacts and content management systems. In effect the users have a complete mobile office."

"A business can then receive communications anywhere and respond immediately, saving time," Mark added. "This is an easy way of equipping it without a large capital outlay."

The Total Equip service can also offer hosting and support.

Equipment is provided on a two-year lease, after which it can be renewed.

But the bosses have an alternative idea to re-use laptops rather than throw them away.

At an Erewash Partnership event, local MP Jessica Lee suggested that any laptops which are out of contract could be sent to help poor children abroad. 

Geoff said that they would be seeking an appropriate charity for such laptops which would be cleaned of data and be in good working condition before being sent out.