Telecom’s new business hub is already seeing decent take up, despite little promotion by the company – and Telecom is banking on new services to produce successes over the 2009 year.

Telecom Business Hub is a web portal incorporating all of Telecom’s online services for small businesses under the one umbrella.

The latest addition is an IP-based, PBX integrated computer and phone system, temporarily named “Business Connect,” which is expected to launch before Christmas.

It essentially combines mobile, landline and computer into one communication unit. The systems features include incoming calls ringing on all three devices simultaneously, voicemails can now arrive as MP3s in email inboxes, online, realtime phone lists show who is available at any time, and other features such as call interruption and set up calendar based events, such as simultaneous audio conferences.

The new “business connect” services are expected to cost somewhere between $30-$50 a month, depending on the plans.

Telecom’s Victoria Crone says the companys' new business broadband offerings, have already picked up 3000 customers with next to no promotional input. This is well ahead of schedule; the target is to reach 15,000 subscribers by June 2009.

Business Hub was designed to help small to medium businesses operate their web and communications based services without the requirement for extensive hardware purchases. This is commonly referred to as "cloud computing" or "Software as a service" (SaaS), as well as tying into Telecom’s mobile, phone and broadband plans.

This includes facilities to remotely monitor customer computers for viruses and performing maintenance, remote website hosting and domain registration, online website design and incorporates a suite of remote email services allowing clients to have their email infrastructure hosted offsite.

The recent addition of Xero’s SaaS accounting software, and the "Made from New Zealand" business database has given all parties a boost.

“Eventually there will be a complete suit of services for every type of business need,” Ms Crone says.