News
Press
25.05.05
Daily Post
Wake-up call for industry
The ever-changing world of computer technology has been boosted by the rapid advances in broadband. Yet hundreds of businesses across Merseyside are still living in the 'dark ages' as far as IT is concerned. The reality will quickly dawn on them that faster and more efficient ways of communicating are the most dramatic way of becoming business friendly in the 21st century.
Liverpool is very fortunate because one of the longest established IT businesses, Rapid Technologies, has its finger on the pulse for IT solutions and broadband technology.
Broadband has opened up a new future in the computer world Rapid, based at Childwall Fiveways but serving the region, is one of the UK's fastest growing technology suppliers.
It has earned its high reputation because of it's innovative approach to providing ICT solutions and broadband services to schools and commerce.
Rapid also provides specialist advice on planning, installation and network design facilities. When Rapid was started 20 years ago - and in the age of IT that is light years away - experts were able to offer advice and assistance about the best available technology of the day.
The ethos continues to this day, thanks to Rapid's ability to keep well ahead in the technological revolution.
Mark Stevens, Rapid's Managing Director, realised that the technology the firm supplies to schools and the education world is far more advanced than that used in many local businesses.
Mark explained: "When we started 20 years ago a lot of our focus was on business customers.
"We then started to do more and more for schools all over the North West and, as the technology has developed, the schools have kept well ahead.
"It struck us that many businesses are now lagging behind. Today's computer technology is about wireless systems, hand-held tablets that can gather information and voice-activated systems that can communicate with each other."
Rapid have been extremely supportive in helping Broadgreen High and Springwood Heath schools to develop an e-learning foundation.
"Their inspirational and innovative work has spurred us on to become one of the leading e-learning foundations in the country, cited as an example of best practice in the DfES e-learning strategy, says Judy Boyce, Regional Education Advisor.
Denise Barratt Baxendale, Director at South Liverpool City Learning Centres said: "Having worked with Rapid Technologies for a number of years, they have proven themselves to be consistently reliable and intuitive in assessing our business requirements, providing efficient and effective solutions to our technical needs through excellent communication and after sales care".
Mark added: "Sadly, the last time many businesses took a look at their systems was at the millennium because of fears over the millennium bug.
"We thought at Rapid that it was time for a wake-up call to industry. The benefits of looking at new systems are too good to miss, and we are not talking about it costing an arm and a leg."
Mark cited Video Conferencing as a major tool for businesses wanting to become more efficient. New systems are far superior to the technology used just a few years ago - cutting out the time and cost of travelling around the country for business meetings.
"Atlantic Chambers is delighted with the video conferencing solution provided by Rapid Technologies. Their after sales service has been first class," was the tribute from one legal team in Liverpool.
The technology has been used to host a formal court hearing with a High Court Judge located in London as well as head-to-head conferences with a QC also in London, says Alan Weston, Chambers Manager at Atlantic Chambers.
Paul Thompson, Chambers Manager at Oriel Chambers says: "Rapid Technologies rang me to offer Chambers a video conferencing suite at minimal cost.
"As a Barrister's Clerk the alarm bells rang. Where was the catch!
"However, as Rapid explained fully, there was no catch and, with the help of Mersey Broadband, within a few weeks we had installed and working a state of the art video conferencing system, along with the facility to view documents and, if we wished, record all the relevant details.
"To date the suite has been used on about six occasions, including an in-House training seminar, which was recorded to enable us to show that we are thinking in our training for our Chambers.
"This recording will be used in a few weeks when Chambers are vetted by the Law Society for 'Quality Mark'.
"Without the help of Rapid and Mersey Broadband, the Chambers would have not given video conferencing a second thought at the present time."
The word from Rapid is that the business world urgently needs to take a journey into cyberspace to see the wonders o f the very latest computer technology.