Broadband saves time online21 September 2005
With an always-on internet connection and the ability to send and receive large amounts of information quickly, broadband can seriously improve the effectiveness of any size of organisation, if used wisely. There is an endless list of business activities that can be done online, here are just a few to get you started.
Online collaboration
There is a vast range of software tools and applications available that now allow people to hold 'virtual meetings' over the internet saving travelling time and expenses.
Microsoft's Netmeeting and Windows Messenger applications for example, allow two or more people at different locations to hold a conversation over the phone while mutually sharing documents, desktops, or viewing the same presentation.
You can even use the voice over IP facility (VOIP) using your PC's audio hardware, rather than a telephone, to save on calls. If webcams are connected to the PCs, live images can also be sent and received just like a video conference. A virtual white-board application also lets you share thoughts and ideas visually while the instant messaging facility lets you send quick messages over the internet saving time on phone calls or writing lengthy emails.
Research
The internet is a great place to find out more about your customers and competitors. You can either visit their websites directly or use online business tools to gather specific information such as credit rating, accounts, and sales and marketing information. Here are some examples:
Companies House provides basic company information free of charge or more detailed accounting information for a small fee. The premium facility allows you to search over 240 million images of company documents and you can even be notified when your competitors file new documents with Companies House.
Findout from Equifax provides business credit reports on over 4 million limited and non-limited companies. Reports can be paid for on an individual basis and BT Business customers can receive a 10% discount.
Marketingfile.com is the ideal place if you are looking to run your own marketing campaign. It gives you the ability to create your own prospect list from within both the business and consumer market place. Free information is available on how to improve your sales and marketing as well as premium services such as access to direct marketing lists and list cleansing facilities.
Our Useful links and Special offers pages provide links to these and many other useful sites to help your business become more efficient online.
Next week, we will look at some more ways your business can save time with broadband.
