June 2005 - Business Link Wessex
An evening of information technology provided the theme for members of Andover Women in Business Club at its June meeting, held at the Red Lion Country Inn, Clanville.
With 40 years experience working with computers, Barry Williams, ICT/E-commerce Adviser for Business Link Wessex, provided an informative and easily understood talk on the use of broadband, information security and how to manage disaster recovery in the workplace. With past personal experience running his own business, Barry is able to understand issues for small businesses, such as those run by many members of the Club.
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Tessa Makepeace with |
Barry explained his role within Business Link Wessex, a government-funded organisation which provides totally independent advice and guidance to business organisations. Preferring to give advice to prevent problems occurring in the first place, he gives many talks to businesses and organisations where the use of IT is considerable and he is happy to visit small businesses on their own premises to provide the service.
The advice given by Business Link Wessex begins with considering what IT is necessary to begin with, before purchase of computers. Considerable sums of money can be saved by only buying what is actually needed, and not necessarily what is the latest model available.
Advice is given after assessing the business needs of each company and help given with phasing the implementation of installing equipment.
Guidance on the need for training is important and can make a significant difference to the practical value of the software installed. The critical need for security, virus protection and the backing-up of information is also an important part of the advice service offered.
In easy to understand terms, Barry explained to members the advantages of broadband within the workplace and how its widespread implementation is part of the government’s goal to make the United Kingdom the best place in the world for e-commerce.
There are financial incentives available for businesses considering the switch from dial-up to broadband and the Hampshire Broadband Forum was formed in 2004 to support local partnerships to use this new tool and to provide independent free information and advice on the change. Members were invited to visit www.hampshirebroadband.org to find out how to access the financial bonus available once the first invoice is received. (An incentive is also available for private users connecting to broadband.)
Apart from its increased speed of access to the internet, providing the rapid transfer of large amounts of data, broadband is continually on-line and avoids the need for an additional telephone line for internet use. Its installation can help to provide a wealth of fast research facilities and automatic downloads of virus protection and updates.
The need for best practice procedures to be in place for disaster recovery was also discussed, with members being given advice on the need for back-ups and ICT disaster prevention. With major threats and vulnerabilities such as fire, water, electrical or mechanical failure, loss of key personnel and internet viruses to consider, there are many preventive procedures which need to be in place.
From what could have been a somewhat heavy subject following an enjoyable meeting and dinner, Barry succeed in providing a talk which was informative and enjoyable, with members having learned more about broadband and been reminded about the need for back-up of information.