Pictured: Chris Roche
A leading West Midlands ICT expert is calling for Government to
place communications and technology at the heart of plans for UK
growth.
Chris Roche, managing director of Coleshill-based ACUTEC, said
there was an alarming assumption that all businesses were now
accessing ICT.
Chris said in order for the economy to grow, firms needed to
start making the most of new technology.
He said: "The impression I have been given is that Government
just assumes that each and every business is making the most of
technology but the statistics just don't back that up.
"The last piece of research I saw said that still 13 per cent of
firms in the West Midlands used no IT at all and that 27 per cent
operate without a network. You'd think pretty much every business
has now got a website - but around one in five hasn't.
"It sounds obvious to those who use it, but ICT should be at the
heart of what almost every business does - not on the periphery. It
can help you plan, operate, communicate and market your
business.
"It needs Government to understand that not every company has
got the message yet and they may need support. They need help to
decide how to invest."
Chris said that many see the advent of cloud computing as the
dawn of a new era but he believes major investment is needed in
infrastructure before it can truly take off.
He said: "The potential is there for it to be the 'next big
thing' but for that to happen, we need faster and more effective
broadband which needs investment.
"We are not going out to clients yet and suggesting the cloud as
an option on its own because it is simply not viable yet.
"We have to find individual solutions for each and every client
we deal with on everything from file back-up to their website.
"I know for a fact that there are thousands of businesses out
there either not utilising ICT to its full potential or who are not
using it at all.
"And, from speaking to the UK IT Association and from the people
we have here at ACUTEC, it's clear that there are trusted ICT
experts who can help firms make the most of technology.
"That message needs to be conveyed from the Government downwards
in order to get the economy growing again."
For more information on Acutec, view their website here: www.acutec.co.uk