IC
T
The use of ICT In The regIon Is
growIng, buT CompanIes Can
sTIll do more To boosT effICIenCy
and margIns by InvesTIng In
TeChnology, as Inform dIsCovers.
LIQUID ASSETS.
Powerful evidence shows that ICT improvements lead to accounts package for business, recently winning a category
increased efficiency and profitability, boosting a company’s in the Software Satisfaction Awards.
resilience to the current economic conditions. Liquid Accounts has been assisted throughout by Business
Link. Kendrick explains: “We have had a Business Link
The 2008 ICT Regional Benchmarking Study, commissioned advisor from the start and still have one, and have been on
by Yorkshire Forward, which surveyed over 2,500 businesses several of their courses.
of varying sizes, documents increased use of ICT in the region. “We were referred onto West Yorkshire Ventures and had
It also points to the success of ICT grant support, which has help and support from them (funding, advisor, access to
been delivered through Business Link. expertise and leadership development). We’ve had several
Of the companies receiving grant support for an ICT Business Link grants – start-up, marketing and e-business –
intervention: 77 per cent increased their turnover, the to enable us to create e-learning and help resources for
productivity of 73 per cent improved and the need for more our clients.”
employees increased as a result. Holmes adds: “Businesses are becoming more and more
aware of the need to budget and know what’s going on in their
SOME NOTABLE FIGURES FROM THE BENCHMARKING business and are starting to look at online accounting as a
STUDY ARE: good solution. It enables businesses to become more flexible
l the number of companies using computers increased by
and able to adapt quickly to market conditions.
12 per cent between 2006 and 2008 (70 to 82 per cent). Of
“You’re more likely to survive when times are tough if you
those that do not use computers, 16 per cent were planning
can log in at any time and quickly see how you’re doing,
to use computers in the future
without having to wait until your year end or to ask your
l 66 per c ent of computer-using businesses in Yorkshire
accountant to translate your figures for you.”
and Humber have a website. Websites are mainly used
Another recent benefit for companies using IT was when
as a brochure site. Nearly one third also use their website
the VAT rate changed from 17.5 per cent to 15 per cent.
to market overseas
IT systems can automatically update themselves, making
l 34 per c ent of businesses in theYorkshire and Humber
the move much easier for the hundreds of current users.
region receive orders online, using their web presence
to generate sales
l Ov er half of businesses (53 per cent) place orders
over the internet
l Busines ses are increasingly using IT to support practices
and processes: 70 per cent use IT to support finance and
“
YOU’RE MORE LIKELY TO SURvIvE WHEN
TIMES ARE TOUGH IF YOU CAN LOG IN
accounts, 52 per cent use IT to support managing customer
AT ANY TIME AND QUICKLY SEE HOW
“
relations, 51 per cent use IT to process customer orders YOU’RE DOING, WITHOUT HAvING TO
and 35 per cent use IT to manage capacity.
WAIT UNTIL YOUR YEAR END OR TO ASK
This final point is pertinent to Huddersfield-based accounting
YOUR ACCOUNTANT TO TRANSLATE
software company Liquid Accounts. The firm, run by Matthew
YOUR FIGURES FOR YOU
Holmes and Lisa Kendrick, has developed a leading online
INFORM January 2009 page 18
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