The recent IT For Profit events sponsored by Microsoft, Compaq, BTopenworld and Access Accounting in the UK, have revealed that 90% of SME companies want to radically improve their IT.
The nationwide seminars fronted by Britain`s best-known industrialist Sir John Harvey Jones, confirmed that mid-range companies were open to implementing the latest technology to improve their business performance. The technology demonstrated by IT For Profit included Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft.net, BTopenworld broadband connections, iPaq handheld PCs, wireless networking and the latest e-commerce financials software from Access Accounting Ltd.
From a sample of 398 SMEs:
* 65% of delegates at the seminars were managing directors, financial directors or owners and virtually all of the remainder were other directors or senior managers.
* 57% of delegates had multiple PCs within their business and the majority had between 6 and 25 PCs, making them ideal prospects for an upgrade to modern integrated IT systems.
While a wide range of industries was represented at the seminars, the manufacturing sector and wholesalers (trade distributors) accounted for more than a third. There was also good support (12%) from the IT industry. The `Others` section (17%) was a mixture of legal, financial, consultants, architectural, engineering and marketing organisations.
"This was our most successful event yet it confirms there the real demand for innovative technology capable of helping to maximise profits in the UK today," commented Access MD Alistair O`Reilly.
"I believe that local organisations are just as willing to pursue similar strategies, and in many cases local executives are even more entrepreneurial in their approach compared to their UK counterparts," added Paul Marketos, MD of ASYST International SA. "We have seen trends in the local market where smaller organisations are more agile and more willing to invest in innovative technology like Access. This use of pioneering software has kept them ahead of their competitors and translated directly into increased profits through enhanced efficiency."
For further information, please contact Justine de Vos, Marketing Manager, ASYST International SA (Pty) Ltd: telephone (011) 622 0112, fax (011) 622 0124, e-mail jdv@asyst.co.za
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ASYST International SA is a subsidiary of UK-based ASYST International, providing experienced consultancy, specialising in the provision and improvement of business information systems. ASYST International is an established expert in financial, business intelligence customised software systems, providing solutions to improve business efficiency, reduce operating costs and increase profits. Asyst believes in a hands-on approach, from a tailored proposal, through to the best software design and systems configuration, to providing on-going training and support. It is also the sole distributor of Access Accounts in southern Africa.