Getting on-line for the 21st Century

A new project is up and running in Netherton which aims to transport local companies along the Information Superhighway.

The Telematics Centre, based in the North West Training Council building on Dunnings Bridge Road, will keep abreast of the rapidly-changing face of Information Technology, in order to assist small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The centre offers a free health-check and audit to SMEs within the Netherton area. This involves evaluating the existing IT systems and giving advice on upgrades or enhancements. The centre staff will also advise companies who wish to set up a computer network.

A major aim of the centre is to show businesses how they can benefit from electronic commerce and the Internet.

Though almost everyone can claim to know something about the Internet, not many can say they know how to fully-utilise its many functions. Through a series of Internet Awareness days, the Telematics Centre hopes to address this problem.

Les Coleman, who manages the SRB-funded centre, explains: "It is basically an introduction into how you would use the Internet, what the Internet can do for you and your business, why you should be aware of the Internet, what businesses are going to be affected by it and how small businesses can gain an advantage over large organisations by using the Internet."

The centre will also be running a series of presentations, training days and workshops with special themes relevant to SMEs. The first of these will commence in January when the month's theme will be Computerised Accounting, with a special emphasis on the SAGE range of programmes.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the many functions of the Telematics Centre can contact Les Coleman or Sue Hayton on (0151) 521 4180.


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