THE MERSEYSIDEINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) SECTOR

BROADBAND ENABLING MERSEYSIDE

In association with

In layman’s terms, clients get a till system,back office and e-commerce-enabledwebsite that delivers one complete,instantaneous – and very cost effective -sales experience.

Companies manage and update their owncomplex inventory, distribution, pricing,order processing and tracking andpromotional information to customers on aplatform provided by Cybertill. The result isa system that rolls physical and e-commerce stores seamlessly into onewith mail order and a complete portfolio ofcustomer communications.

‘Last week I watched a client press a tillbutton and as the requested informationflashed up in a fifth of a second, I couldn’tresist asking, "Did you know that has justbeen to Glasgow and back?" (BT’sdedicated computer centre hostingCybertill’s UK data centre).‘

Ian Tomlinson, St Helens-based Cybertill’sManaging Director and founder, and his36-strong team have empowered small tomid-market retail operators with the tools tosupport hundreds of their remote salespoints with ‘time critical’, integrated EPoSand e-commerce information.

It was Ian Tomlinson’s choice to make Merseyside homefor Cybertill,his mould-breaking IT company that usesbroadband to radically enhance the retail experience formulti-sized companies across the UK.

BROADBAND + INNOVATION + PEOPLE + FUNDING = MERSEYSIDE

Cybertill, meanwhile, assures operability,security and user-friendly access. It alsoadds a high level of basic web design. Asan ASP, it can also upgrade its servicesconstantly.

‘The whole concept is broadband-basedsoftware,’ explains Ian. ‘There is nothingcomparable. It’s revolutionary. Before, toimplement changes across a nationwideretail grid, you had to send out hundreds ofCDs. Individual recipients often failed toback up their part of the system. Therewere hosts of problems.

‘Now, as soon as you make a pricechange, it’s live! There is no need forcomplex overnight message runs sent outindividually to remote stores – 10% ofwhich failed to arrive. No need either formanagers to dial in every 24-hours forupdates.’

In a significant vertical move, Cybertill isworking with global IT giant Fujitsu – apartnership that includes high-tech leaderssuch as Box Technology and Comms XL– in creating iRetail, a project designed tosupport retailers operating circa 100 tilllocations. Fujitsu’s £1.86 billion annualworld turnover is inevitably focusing theattention of high street retailers on thepotential for EPoS solutions online. WithFujitsu, Cybertill aims to support some15,000 non-food till points within five years– approximately 10% of the national total. continued on page 13

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Ian – Regional Chamber of Commerce ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ and UKrunner-up for 2004 – had spotted an EPoS (Electronic Point of Sale),e-commerce and Chip & PIN market opportunity missed by other solutionproviders. Today,Cybertill uses the unmetered connectivity of broadbandADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line),or IDSN,to feed thousands ofnon-food retail chain sales tills with real time stock and sales information onlylarge enterprises enjoyed previously.It remains the only EPoS company todeliver its services nationally as an ASP (Application Service Provider) over asecure Intranet – a Virtual Private Network (VPN) which links the entiresystem to provide a fully-integrated retail solution. Ian also spotted somethingelse. As the company begins a new partnership with Fujitsu that will takeCybertill’s core solution to a further 15,000 UK sales points in the years ahead,Merseyside continues to offer the key venture funding and deep skills pool thatwill make companies like Cybertill names to follow closely in the future.

BROADBAND - HIGHWAY TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Broadband is revolutionary. Quietly, it is redefining theefficiency, scope – and sustainability – of businesses and

communities the world over. So quietly, in fact, that its strategicsignificance can be easily overlooked – an oversight that Merseyside ICT iscommitted to rectify. Broadband is for everyone.

Broadband communications are an inevitable outcome of the digitalrevolution’s continuing evolution – sharing large volumes of data, image orsound information, encoded as numbers, slipped around the world in secondsby wire, satellite and wirelessly, and reconstructed for end-users to understandinstantly.

Its power lies in information volume – and speed. Bandwidth is a key term.The bandwidth size and availability that organisations, and individuals, need tocarry their data around the 24-hour world can be tailored to their goals - andwallets. To many small businesses and home users, broadband meansADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), where asymmetry means thatthey receive far more data – from websites, etc – than the files they transmit.As Cybertill is showing in St Helens, ADSL can be a potent commercial tool(see page 2 profile). SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is alsocommonly referred to in broadband circles and this (usually more expensivemedium) allows for as much upload bandwidth (up to the web) as the morecommon requirement of downloading data from the web, hence thesymmetry. Broadband is simply a generic term that came into being when thebandwidth restrictions around connected PCs were reduced by technologydevelopments, in much the same way that the M25 eased the trafficcongestion around London in the mid-1990s. However, broadband applies toa wide variety of speeds and capacity; "speeds and feeds" but users shouldalways seek clarification before committing to a contract.

Whatever the individual choice, broadband opens up new horizons that arelimited only by the imagination. Its benefits include much more time and cost-efficient working. Gone is the waste of expensive physical resources, includingenergy and fuel and unproductive journey times. For the same low price,people can work closely together while living farther apart, around the planet,or simply next door.

This publication is devoted to simplifying the broadband issue, explainingsome of the terminology and identifying the key players in the provision andexploitation of broadband as a powerful business tool. Merseyside ICTbelieves that in doing so we can encourage more businesses to embrace thebenefits that could and should come with using the correct technology inappropriate ways. It is crucial for everyone wishing to participate in theconnectivity explosion that correct guidance is sought before anyimplementation is undertaken... understand what it is you wish to achieve andthen partner with a professional organisation that can demonstrate a pedigreeof cost-effective implementation - an organisation that takes time to interpretyour requirements. Merseyside has good ICT capability and capacity to matchthat availability. Reading this document is a great first step.

Steve SmithICT Industry Sector Director

Merseyside ICT

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IN THIS ISSUE

IN PROFILEBROADBAND + INNOVATION + PEOPLE +FUNDING = MERSEYSIDE

Cybertill is an inspiring Merseyside example of

entrepreneurship where the best people, funding and ADSL

(Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) broadband access in

the right location have proved a recipe for success

(previous page)

IIMMPPRROOVVIINNGG TTHHEE PPAASSTTBROADBAND’S BEST – AND THEN A LITTLE MORE

If Merseyside had a deficit in communicating to the world at

large, BT’s recent investment in a community-wide

broadband-enabling, infrastructure has moved it to the front

of the UK and world field – with increasing SDSL (Symmetric

Digital Subscriber Line) access. Total broadband availability

makes the difference – pages 4-5

NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENTEXPLOITING MERSEYSIDE’S 100% BROADBANDENABLEMENT

Merseyside is playing to its strengths, with

MerseyBroadband championing a far-reaching palette of

broadband-based services and functions to boost existing

companies and inward investors alike. Helping people to

become broadband enabled – pages 6-7

FUTURE PERFECTTHE NEXT GENERATION NETWORK

Almost by definition, predicting ICT’s final destination is

impossible - but if you think broadband is remarkable today,

Marconi points to an even more exciting future. The next

generation network – an engine for growth – pages 8-9

PILOT PROJECTSMAKING PRACTICAL CONNECTIONS

Compendium of broadband initiatives – pages 10-11

BROADBAND WITH SAFETYSIMPLE STEPS TO ONLINE SECURITY

Opportunity tempered with responsibility – page 12

BROADENING THE MESSAGEBROADBAND ADDS COMMUNICATION POWER

Tracking the certainty of communication with

Mando Group – page 13

ICT USSTUDY TOURA SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

Merseyside ICT’s first , and extremely successful,

professional, academic and technical tour to the cream of

the US industry – page 14

Why the priority? To give Merseyside animmediate international competitiveadvantage - and to establish a world-classplatform for ‘Liverpool European Capital ofCulture in 2008’. The opportunities nowopen for one of the world’s most connectedcommunities are tremendous!

BT is working in partnership to makepeople aware of how they can exploit

broadband’s benefits. This is vitallyimportant. In the last 12 months, resultshave been impressive - take-up of ADSLbroadband on Merseyside has more thandoubled, yet the proportion of businessesand consumers taking advantage ofbroadband currently falls behind the NorthWest and UK averages. Acceleratingindividual and partnership successes arecritical to close this gap.

BT has invested in Merseyside to reinforcethe area’s rapid and exciting economicdevelopment in recent years. We saw theopportunity to accelerate success.Government statistics show Merseyside tobe one of the UK’s fastest growing regions.With this momentum, the local economy isnow in an excellent position to be one ofthe UK’s most innovative and competitive.

Broadband will be central in driving thisgrowth and vital for Merseyside tocapitalise on Northwest and nationalcompetitive gains.

Merseyside is well placed to be a worldleader in the use and creation of content forbroadband technology. Businesses canwin new markets and streamline supplychains. Communities can rethink flexibleworking, homework and training, shopping,access to jobs and public services. BT isworking with MerseyBroadband partners toshowcase how local businesses andpeople can lead and win using broadband!

Peter Connor,Regional Manager,BTNorth West

THE BROADBAND EDGE FOR BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES

MERSEYSIDE’S WORLD-CLASS BROADBAND PLATFORM

ALL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES ON GREATER MERSEYSIDE HAVE ACCESS TO ADSL

BROADBAND – AND INCREASINGLY SDSL BROADBAND – WITH EXCITING IMPLICATIONS.

BT’s recent priority investment toenable the entire community toaccess basic – and now advanced –broadband has positioned GreaterMerseyside at the leading edge oftechnology. Future prosperity isbeing built on the ability to transferincisive information swiftly,accurately and comprehensively.The 100% broadband platformfirmly establishes GreaterMerseyside as one of the world’smost connected conurbations. Thechallenge is to capture the benefitsacross businesses,communities,learning and public services.

BT - working closely with MerseyBroadband partners - has acceleratedbroadband delivery to create a Merseyside infrastructure in which localcompanies can thrive. The NWDA,through MerseyBroadband,is investing over£3 million in broadband partnership projects to encourage and showcasebroadband take up and usage. In direct support,BT in March 2004 completedADSL broadband enablement of all exchanges serving Greater Merseyside!

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Effective technology use is as important tosmall businesses as large corporations.Having begun by simply sending andreceiving basic text emails, plus onlineresearch, perceptive SMEs haveexpanded their Internet use to cover e-commerce and distribute large files,images and video. However, many don’trealise how much information they actuallytransfer electronically.

They wrongly assume that upload speedsare the same as download speeds onADSL broadband services. In addition,they often believe that the latest breed ofhigh-speed Internet technology isexclusively for companies working in hi-tech and new media sectors. Nothingcould be further from the truth.

Many new symmetrical (SDSL) businessbroadband customers work in ‘traditional’industries - printing, law, finance and

accountancy. Traditional sectors they maybe but these companies are at the forefrontof broadband’s quiet revolution. Havingfully embraced the Internet’s potential, theyrealised they need greater upload speedsto connect between sites and for faster filetransfer, video streaming and videoconferencing – plus email or web serverhosting. The number of businesses usingSDSL broadband is increasing. Whetherthey use this to create a virtual privatenetwork (VPN - connecting togetherregional sites), satellite offices, or to givecustomers multimedia information, theability to send and receive data at an equalspeed gives companies a clear competitiveadvantage.

This means that BT’s announcement toupgrade a further round of UK exchanges toSDSLservices has been timely. The numberof Merseyside SDSLexchanges will increasefrom six to15 by the end of summer 2005, to

Most people may have access tobroadband. Not all of us choose to use it –particularly in the SME community, whichaccounts for all except 6,000 of the UK’sfour million companies!

Does broadband really live up to the hype?Yes. Organisations typically report 10%productivity improvements - sophisticatedsoftware applications can be used onlineat a fraction of conventional costs.Communication within a firm is improved.Irreplaceable information is also betterprotected. An estimated 60% of businesseshold vital data on PCs and can now storethis routinely, at low cost, off-site via

broadband services like BT Datasure.Seven out of 10 firms go out of businessafter a major data loss.

So why do August 2004 Ofcom figuresshow UK SME take-up to be below 40%?

Awareness is one reason. Many decision-makers still see broadband as just fasteraccess to websites and receiving bigemails. Others are concerned about cost.Again, the case for the defence is growingstronger - subscription package prices havetumbled recently and look set to fall lower.Many ask, ‘Opting out won’t becatastrophic will it’ ? Again, the answer is a

include Bootle, Wallasey, Birkenhead,Stoneycroft, Claughton, Arrowbrook, SeftonPark, Waterloo and Anfield.

The availability increase is good news forMerseyside SMEs, teleworkers andremote office workers needing to send andreceive data at equally fast speeds.Applications such as Virtual PrivateNetworks, video conferencing and Voiceover IP (VoIP) can become an integral partof daily work.

www.btbroadbandoffice.com/sds

SDSL – MOVING THE BUSINESS INTERNET FORWARD

resounding ‘I’m afraid so’ becausedevelopments in networking technology –including broadband – mean the waybusiness is done is changing forever.

BT calls this new reality the ‘digitalnetworked economy’. We’re talking about aworld where everything is increasinglyconnected to everything else – people topeople, people to IT, and IT to IT – withproductivity, profitability and customer,employee and partner satisfaction gains allround. This is an opportunity to improvecompetitiveness fundamentally.

WELCOME TO THE DIGITAL NETWORKED ECONOMY

Many organisations have learned how to take commercial advantage of the information-receiving capability of ADSLInternet access.Now,as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines are replaced by Symmetric Digital Subscriber Lines(SDSL),their scope for creatively sending – as well as receiving – sophisticated communications is multiplying.

Technical developments are being made at such a pace that no company can afford to miss not only the technology itselfbut also the inherent efficiencies and business advantages it brings. The way business is done is changing forever and no-one can risk being left behind the pack,says Brian Crouch,North West Regional Director for BT.

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THE EMPHASIS IS ON CAPABILITY RATHER THAN SIMPLY SPEED AND COST.

EEXXPPLLOOIITTIINNGG MMEERRSSEEYYSSIIDDEE’’SS 110000%% BBRROOAADDBBAANNDD EENNAABBLLEEMMEENNTT

MerseyBroadband exists to maximise the number of people and organisationsunderstanding the broadband concept and exploiting it to the full. A uniquefeature is the expanding range of sophisticated business-related functions thatconnected companies can now ‘lease’ online.

Business growth,lower costs,higher productivity andinspiring new ways for working swiftly and efficiently -MerseyBroadband’s mission

To integrate these into the local businessfabric, MerseyBroadband has been rollingout trial pilot projects to the businesscommunity. In its directory is a full suite ofonline services, made possible bybroadband data transfer. To make thejourney even easier, MerseyBroadband’sChapel Street demonstration centre inLiverpool offers first hand broadbandexperience to organisations and their clients.

MerseyBroadband is a partnership led byLiverpool Chamber of Commerce andIndustry, strongly backed by GMDDA(Greater Merseyside Digital DevelopmentAgency). Funded by the NorthwestDevelopment Agency (NWDA), it also hasthe full technical and professional supportof the Merseyside ICT Sector. Crucially,sector member companies areinstrumental in pioneering its pilot projects.

WHO NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUTBROADBAND ON MERSEYSIDE?

100% broadband connectivity is a life-changing experience shaping the businessplans of: -

• Inward investors making decisions thatpivot on the sheer strength of thebroadband environment

• Far-sighted SMEs - many in the ICTSector – that are, or will, be bothbroadband service users and solutionsuppliers

• Start-ups with business strategies built onbroadband information exchange

• General business and public sectorbodies in transition

• Synergies of all the above!

• Merseyside’s vibrant social communitywhich is pioneering novel broadbanduses

NEW WAYS OF WORKING BUILTON FAST,CHEAP DATA EXCHANGE

Through uninterrupted access to abroad stream of mobile information,employees can become teleworkers –active where they choose whileexchanging simple messages orcomplex data sets. A laptop - or PDA -diary entry during,say,a Berlin clientmeeting registers instantly withcolleagues working around Merseyside.Tele-conferencing and customer/clientrelations management tools makehistory of fuming in cars,trains or planesand adjusting the body clock to worldtime zones.Instead of budgeting forexpensive software,every company cancost-effectively lease - as needed -regularly upgraded packages andservices from Application ServiceProviders (ASPs).Or,their own bestroute to market may be to becomeASPs themselves.Fire,theft,flood,illnessand staff turnover are lesser businessthreats when essential information,automatically stored off-site, is availablesecurely at multiple locations.Othercore functions include stock control,supply chain management,businessadministration,accounting and security.

6

them when they move. From computer-to-computer, calls are free. From computer-to-phone they are at low-cost local rates. Callquality is also digitally clear.MerseyBroadband has worked withiFreedom (UK) to promote the latestcommunications technology that allowscompanies to set up their own extremelyefficient intranets to connect geographicallyremote workers at negligible cost. Once callsgo outside a company, they can be routedvia the Internet or standard phone lines.

www.ifreedomcom.com/uk

BARRISTERS LEAVE THECOURTROOM TO CONFER ONLINE

Four barristers chambers across Liverpoolhave been sampling the benefits that videoconferencing can bring to their businesses.The video conferencing equipment,supplied by Rapid Technologies, can workeither over a standard broadband internetconnection or, for higher quality, aconnection can be made directly overmultiple ISDN lines. The technology is soadvanced now that not only will it enablepeople to meet without travelling but also toshare within a conferencing sessionelectronic content, such as PowerPointpresentations, video and word documents

and printed material, such as old case files.Each conference session can also berecorded digitally onto a computer andplayed back for review in the future.

www.rapid.co.uk

TELEWORKING ADDS UP FORACCOUNTANTS

Teleworking is about flexible ways ofworking rather than specific technology. Itoffers businesses choice in how their staffand clients work and communicate.Broadband puts these services withinreach of smaller businesses so they canbypass existing, expensive, remoteworking solutions. With help fromMerseyBroadband, Rainhill-basedaccountancy firm, Jonathan Ford, hasbeen using a document managementsystem provided by Gap InfoMedia. With abroadband connection, it can sharestandard company documentation in asecure environment through the companywebsite. This means the company’s clientsbenefit from secure, 24-hour, online accessto their accounts and financial details, whilebeing able to submit their tax returns via thesystem.

www.gapinfomedia.com

Greater Merseyside companies would find it hard to keepup with all broadband technology’s advances. They don’thave to. Instead, they can experience technology in actionat no charge in MerseyBroadband’s Chapel Streetdemonstration suite, advised by Chris White, EnablingSMEs Manager. Current examples include Voice over IP(Internet-based telephony), wireless communication (Wi-Fi), remote team working (teleworking) and CCTV-based property security. The next step can be tojoin free, or subsidised, broadband pilot projects.

Booking via tel 0845 145 1115,or viasme@merseybroadband.com

YES,THERE IS MONEY FORBROADBAND INNOVATION

Funding is available to support proposalsencouraging broadband use in the GreaterMerseyside area.

MerseyBroadband’s Community Chesthas supported a wide range of innovativeprojects, such as an on-line magazineabout disability issues -Alltogethernow.org.uk, Tenantspin - adigital TV channel created by tower blockresidents in Sefton Park, a healthinformation project for cancer patients andtheir families and a computer gamescreation platform to help freelancers selltheir work.

Although much of the funding has beenawarded, some capital funding is stillavailable for path-finding broadbandprojects through grants of up to £50,000.

For more information, call 0845 145 1115A ONE-STOP BUSINESS SOLUTION– WITH ZERO SOFTWAREPROBLEMS

It’s a common company problem. To cutcorners, businesses try to integrateseparate business software tools on apiecemeal basis – and struggle. Iomis™has been designed by Liverpool newmedia company, New Mind, to help SMEsavoid that trap from the outset. It bringstogether core functions of ordinary,competent businesses – through ASPservices accessed by broadband onlinetechnology. Either run independently, or asan integrated system allowing remotelystationed people to work co-operativelyusing shared information, Iomis™ could,for example, connect an office-basednetworked PC-user, to a laptop-userworking through an airport wireless link, toa personal digital assistant-user operatinga Bluetooth mobile phone. And becausethe system is accessed through a webbrowser and Internet access, there is nosoftware to go wrong!

www.newmind.co.uk

‘FREE’ BROADBAND PHONE CALLS

Voice over IP telephone calls always beginwith the international dialling code – usingthe Internet, they have global reach. Notbeing tied to local area codes also meansthat businesses can take their numbers with

DEMONSTRATION CENTRE IN CENTRAL LIVERPOOL

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"The real challenge for many small businesses is how to make effective use of ICT withoutspending a fortune on technical consultancies or having the over-head of in-house staff."

Chris White, Enabling SMEs Manager, MerseyBroadband

The Broadband Revolution. Surfing theWeb. The Digital Divide. Website. Spam.Webcast. Fifteen years ago theseexpressions meant little; now they arecommonplace. Technology has become apervasive part of our lives, empoweringindividuals, businesses and nationaleconomies in ways never previouslyimagined. But even greater changes areon the horizon with the emergence of NextGeneration Networks. These are set toplay a key part in transforming society andcontributing to economic growth andproductivity. And Marconi is at the forefrontof this transformation.

THE NEXT GENERATIONNETWORK

In simple terms, the Next GenerationNetwork (NGN) represents the comingtogether of different communicationsproducts and services. In the NextGeneration Network, the separate worldsof voice and data converge into a single,very-high-speed broadband world 60 timesfaster than what we know today. WithNGNs, simultaneous access to things suchas global videoconferencing, interactivedigital TV and software downloading willeventually become the norm.

But NGNs are much more than tools forproviding advanced communications: theyhave the ability to drive the creation of arobust knowledge-based economy. NGNsare as vital to a region’s and a country’swellbeing as are a reliable transportinfrastructure and the ability to attract andretain new investment.

THE NEXT GENERATION NETWORK

Marconi is an international company that has influenced the economicand social development of the area now known as Merseyside for morethan 100 years.Its research has been fundamental in opening up theboundaries of broadband technology,an intellectual lead that continuesto point towards the shape of things to come.

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NNGGNNSS AANNDD PPRROODDUUCCTTIIVVIITTYY

Broadband has made a difference tobusiness productivity like no othertechnology before. But NGNs will take thatgrowth to another level, contributing toproductivity by driving efficiencies inbusiness processes, increasing access tointernational markets and providing thefoundation for more flexible working. Thebenefits of NGNs are not restricted to theprivate sector, they will also bring aboutdramatic improvements in public services.

NNGGNNSS AANNDD TTHHEE CCIITTIIZZEENN

According to the CBI, road congestioncosts the UK up to £20 billion per year inlost productivity and earnings. NGNs maynot solve all our transport problems, buttheir ability to allow individuals to travel lessand use virtual workplaces will make animportant contribution in alleviatingcongestion and improving quality of life.

With broadband availability hitting 99% bymid-2005 and the increasing prevalence ofNGNs, flexible and remote working willbecome more widely available and moreaccessible to employees requiring highvolumes of bandwidth, regardless of theirwork location.

Teleworking and telecommuting, enabledby high-end video/web conferencing anddata transfer, can play a significant role ineasing congestion in our transport systemand contribute to environmentalsustainability by keeping cars off the roads.

NNGGNN AANNDD SSKKIILLLLSS

Despite its expected growth, the fact is themajority of UK citizens do not havebroadband. With estimates that 90% ofnew jobs in the UK require some degree ofcomputing and that 20% of the productivitygap between the UK and Germany is aresult of a poorly-skilled workforce, thisvery real digital divide is not good news forUK plc.

But NGNs and advanced technology cango a long way in addressing this skills andeducation problem. In fact, technology is

already empowering primary andsecondary schools through thegovernment-backed National Grid forLearning programme (NGfL). By deliveringnetworked curriculum over fibre networks,the NGfL transforms the classroom withnew, creative, digital learning resources.

NGNs also allow for greater and wideraccess to a range of new technologies, aswell as new ways of looking at "old"technologies. NGNs will, for example,transform the ordinary TV into a toolessential to the knowledge economy,capable of addressing the digital divide.Today’s television is used primarily forentertainment but the pending digitalswitchover, coupled with theadvancements offered by NGNs, will allowmore people widespread high-bandwidthaccess to interactive, advancededucational training in the increasinglyimportant area of IT skills development.Because the TV, unlike broadband or thePC, is available in 98% of UK homes,NGNs will make "upskilling" and distancelearning opportunities available regardlessof location, financial status or mobility.

MMAARRCCOONNII AANNDD NNGGNN

Marconi is a global telecommunicationsequipment and services provider poweringbroadband and Next GenerationNetworks. They are working with telecomsoperators to provide infrastructure solutionsthat support an easy evolution fromnarrowband to broadband services.Marconi has a strong track recorddesigning multiservice broadbandnetworks for customers as diverse as theLondon Underground, the Paris TransportAuthority and Miami International Airport.They are investing £200 million per annumin R & D to continue the creation of NextGeneration Networks.

Marconi’s Northwest operations areplaying a major part in the company’sNGN development, in particular with workon the Impact portfolio of products. Thiscovers the part of the network that handlesthe real-time services of voice and video,and will lead to the eventualdisappearance of traditional telephoneexchanges: today’s PSTN (Public

Switched Telephone Network) will bereplaced by IP (Internet Protocol)softswitches, which are similar to, and notmuch bigger than, personal computers.

IIMMPPAACCTT OONN SSMMEESS

The Impact portfolio includes products andsolutions aimed particularly at SMEs. Thefirst of these is Impact UltraKey, a keysystem solution hosted by a telecomsservice provider that delivers fully featured,integrated, broadband communicationsservices for small businesses.With UltraKey, SME owners andmanagers can provision, configure and,crucially, reconfigure their communicationsservices quickly and easily in line with theirchanging business needs.

Web technologies are used to provide thecustomer with a simple self-provisioningand control portal. Together with multiplelanguage support and Web Interfacebranding, this approach touches all the keyaspects of the customer experience – fromordering, through provisioning andfulfilment, to online customer support. Itputs the control and power into the handsof the small business owner.

The solution provides all the features thatsmall businesses use, without the upfrontcapital cost and the ongoing maintenanceexpense inherent in owning a traditionalphone system. Instead, this simple-to-usefunctionality is delivered as a ‘pay as yougrow’ service that will never be obsolete.

And the business will not outgrow its voicesystem: the customer can grow theirbusiness and extend to multiple-siteworking in line with their needs,maintaining consistent number ranges andfeature interworking between sites.

This unique solution delivers on thepromise of simplicity and ease of use – thetwo primary requirements for smallbusinesses to quickly adopt this solution.

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M denotes a Merseyside-based service.

(A) Enabling SMEs

(1) Application Service Provision (ASP)Leasing sophisticated software on apay-as-you go basis immediately givessmaller companies the power,functionality and marketplace clout oflarger organisations. Merseyside ishome to a suite of world-class ASPproviders that can radicalise an SME'sbusiness footprint, including: -

M Marple Document Management –Ushering in the paperless office andcontrolling the delicate transition fromtraditional, physical records to off-site,electronic access.www.marple.co.uk/pages/docman.htm

M Iomis™ – Automating dailybusiness functions – a sharedcompany diary, projectmanagement, timesheetsand customer relationshipmanagement.www.iomis.com

CICCWORLD - Credit control /management system. www.ciccworld.com

Visor Stock Control – Real-time, securestock management over the Internet.www.v-stock.co.uk

M eShot – A marketing suite to reach andtrack thousands of contacts viapersonalised emails and e-newsletters.www.mandogroup.com

M EntryNet - A bespoke, entry-levelwebsite updated in-house in seconds toput businesses online and in full controlof their Internet profile.www.acmeart.co.uk

Netsuite NetCRM - Customerrelationship management systems forsmall companies to integrate andstreamline customer-focused activities.www.netcrm.com/netcrm/products/netcrm/main.shtml

M PDC Online 50 – Access to Sage Line50 accounting and businessmanagement software allowingcompanies to benefit from real-timeonline accounting.www.pdconline.co.uk/50/50.asp

(2) Offsite data storageUS research shows that major datalosses are likely to put companies out ofbusiness within two years. Offsitestorage automatically transfers data tobe held in an encrypted form on asecure computer in a remote location.Equally important is an accompanyingbusiness continuity and disasterrecovery plan. www.databax.co.uk

(3) M Crime reductionBroadband links technologiescombating crime, including IP CCTVaccessed by a web browser, soproperty can be monitored around theworld.www.businesscrimedirect.org.uk

(4) Supply chain managementSupply chain efficiency can beimproved, using websites to process

MAKING PRACTICAL CONNECTIONSIn the past year,MerseyBroadband has run pilot projects with the following suppliersof broadband services.These pilots are now underway and will be finishing towardsthe end of the year.Evaluations of the experiences and of savings and benefits tolocal businesses will then be published in early 2006.

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orders and sell products, while replacingcatalogues and laptops with information on hand-held devices. www.tradeasi.com

(5) Excluded and disadvantaged groupsBroadband’s near universal access caninclude the contribution and needs of home-bound people who, not being in formalemployment, can’t surf the web at work, orare marginalised for many reasons.MerseyBroadband is actively examiningways for everyone to have information,opportunities, services and a global voice.www.kensingtonvision.org

(6) New technologiesIntroducing new ICT-based ways ofworking, such as Voice over InternetProtocol (VoIP) telecommunications - low-cost digital telephone calls around theworld via the Internet rather than standardtelephone lines.www.ifreedomcom.com/uk

(B) Teleworking

M MGL Mobile Working Solutions -Increasing ICT support efficiency for SMEsand bypassing the complications of IThelpdesks. www.mglworld.com

Your Communications - The BlackBerrywireless communications device withservices including wireless email, calendar,mobile phone and internet access.www.yourcommunications.co.uk

M Gap Infomedia - A documentmanagement system for local SMEs,plus secure and stable back-up of keydocumentation and information.www.gapinfomedia.com

ConferencePlus – Highlighting the roleof web conferencing in teleworking.http://global.conferenceplus.com

M Nviron – Introducing the SmallBusiness Server 2003 system as abroadband-enabled hub providing 20%business efficiency gains.www.nviron.co.uk

eSAY Solutions - Vehicle managementsystem using GPRS and GPStechnologies to deliver real-time,interactive and detailed journey reportsabout vehicles activities. www.esay-solutions.co.uk

M Nublu Wireless VPN Solutions – Apackage enabling access to businessinformation, such as email and officedocuments, virtually anywhere.www.nublu.com

(C) Tele-conferencing

M Atlantic, Oriel, Exchange and ChavasseCourt chambers - State-of-the-art videoconferencing facilities for localbarristers.http://www.rapid.co.uk/index.html

Liverpool has the Best IT andTelecommunications Infrastructure inEurope, according to Financial Timesmagazine, Foreign Direct Investment.It won the European Cities andRegions of the Futures 2004/05award, presented in Hong Kong,beating off Frankfurt, Paris, Glasgow,Dublin, Budapest and Milan. Lowtelecom charges and 100%broadband coverage impressed thejudges.

With 140 applications from Baku toBelfast, the magazine sent 15,000emails and 250 letters, and madesome 1,000 telephone calls to judgewho was the global best. Competingcities were ranked by 33 criteria in 11categories, based on their economicpotential, cost effectiveness, humanresources, telecommunications and ITinfrastructure, quality of life forexpatriates, transport, security andforeign investment promotion strategy.

Another compelling reason to come toMerseyside.

www.fdimagazine.com

LIVERPOOL TOP OF WORLDLEAGUE, ACCORDING TOTHE PAPERS

11

MANDATORY TO ALL PCS

• Anti-virus software - regularly updated

• A firewall regulating who can passinformation and data types

• PC password control (not a telephonenumber, a pet’s name, or anything thatcan be traced in the public domain)

OPTIONAL

• Encryption – vital in financial transactions

• Password management - in anyenvironment where sensitive data istransmitted across open networks

Mersyside ICT strongly recommendsseeking advice from a professionalorganisation for any connectedenvironment that requires some, or all, ofthe above. All major resellers, representingIBM, Microsoft, Cisco, etc, have the skills tomeet most business requirements.

FIREWALLS AND BAD WORDS

For protecting data itself from unwantedintrusion, virus damage or interference,‘firewalls’ are a must. A firewall is ahardware device through which allincoming and outgoing data is routed.Software embedded in the firewall verifiesthe data source, scrutinises it and onlyallows into the network data acceptable tothe organisation. Firewalls similarly treatdata requests leaving a network, enablingthe administrator to identify and excludetypes of data, content, specific users orsources, swear words and pornographicmaterial. Through customisation, a firewallbecomes a network's frontline protectionagainst the outside world and potentialharm, being as restrictive or as relaxed asthe user deems appropriate.

FIX THE GOALS AND USE THE TOOLS

The rule is to establish what needsprotecting and then incorporate tools,devices and software appropriate for thetask. The following is a brief guide ofelements to have in place:-

SIMPLE STEPS TO ONLINE SECURITYIn the ever-connected world,people rightly perceive protecting data from unwantedthird party intruders as a serious issue. A variety of ever more sophisticated securitylayers are the counter-measure.Data passing between PCs is vulnerable,encryptiontechniques being the response. As an example,passing credit card informationrequires particularly heavy encryption and authentication.But more cunningtechnologies are emerging too.

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Broadband opens up opportunities andresponsibilities for the wise user. In thecase of access, validation andauthentication – that is, identifying andverifying the user – is still a strong meansof security, with simple password controlsoften the answer. However, humans forgetpasswords! Especially complex ones.

To solve this, IBM has led the way withfingerprint scanners on some laptops andPCs. To log on, you simply bring yourfinger with you! Just in case someone elsebrings your finger, the system doesn’t workunless a pulse is detected! For extrasecurity, PC hardware and biometricstogether can create a unique personalidentity that is almost unbreakable.

MASTER KEYS AND ROAMINGCREDENTIALS

Software exists to help corporations andlarge organisations manage banks ofpassword information centrally to swiftlyrestore access for absent-mindedindividuals without compromisingproductivity. The software can storemultiple-password and access controls,allowing users to combine all theirpasswords in a single master key. Forsmaller organisations and individuals, thiscan be distributed, while ‘roamingcredentials’ can be managed for individualsneeding access to multiple PCs andworkstations.

Telling people what you do isimportant. The Mando Group isworking closely with the sector tobroadcast the Merseyside ICTmessage far and wide. As well asspecialising in high-level websitedevelopment,Mando Group’s eShotis now putting in company hands theability to pinpoint thousands ofcustomers with powerful email ande-newsletters - instead of taking ashot in the dark.

Presentation is important, yet it is not the coreskill of many small companies. Available asan ASPvia broadband, eShot is designed tomake reaching out to potential customersand tracking progress easy.

As a web-based application, it provides aready-made solution needing no software,only a broadband connection. Becauseeffective marketing and communicationsare important in the growth plans ofbuoyant companies, eShot is one of thepilot programmes rolled out to businessthrough MerseyBroadband. It not onlypersonalises html or text-only marketingemails – and e-newsletters – but alsotracks what happens to them once theyhave gone into the ether.

Even with thousands of addressees, thesystem reports back how many times aparticular email is opened, the number ofclicks made on a body text link leadingback to the company’s own website and

the recipient’s software platform. Usersreceive a system licence, training, abranded eShot template – and a username and password for security.

www.mandogroup.com

BROADBAND ADDS COMMUNICATION POWER

Continued from page 2

‘Fujitsu have set up their own data centreand are sub-hiring the system from us andrunning it themselves. They areestablishing a help desk, service and salesprocess. Our input is 4th-line support –software,’ says Ian, adding, ‘We hope thatthis is a further boost to Merseyside’sreputation as a centre of IT excellence.’

Crucial to success in St Helens has beenthe financial support afforded to apromising young enterprise like Cybertill bythe Merseyside Special Investment Fund’s(MSIF) Venture Fund. Its backing has keptpace with Cybertill’s growth and now totals£900,000 of the company’s total £1.3million funding. MSIF involvement, saysIan, has been pivotal in Cybertill’sexpansion.

No less a factor has been the staff calibre,commuting in from urban and rural beltsaround St Helens and Merseyside.

‘The people are what has driven thebusiness forward,’ says Ian. ‘I have tried toengender an entrepreneurial culture withinthe company to empower Cybertill’s staff to

reach their potential. The company’sinvestment in training has equallycontributed to the team’s success.’

In five years time, the company will havemoved on. ‘We will be listed on the StockExchange and operating internationally,probably further up the retail chain,’predicts Ian.

His vision for the future? ‘Expect to see anASP-base accountancy model, as well asan ASP merchandising and 3D spaceplanning application. Something that givesa great deal of information about all thefactors that relate to a sale. RFID (radiofrequency identification) will have replacedbar-codes. There is even talk of intelligentprice labels controlled by the lights! Justimagine what the innovation build-up tothat will involve.’

www.cybertill.co.uk

SSMMAALLLL BBUUSSIINNEESSSSEESSCCHHOOOOSSEE BBRROOAADDBBAANNDD

Broadband is the connection of choicefor small UK businesses, according tolatest Office for National Statistics (ONS)figures, showing one-in-four firms goonline via broadband - up from one-in-seven in 2002. The report also notessmall businesses catching up with largerrivals. Businesses with 10 to 49 staffshowed 8% growth; connections fromfirms with fewer than 10 grew by 3%.Worryingly, some 40% of the smallestbusinesses still do not have Internetaccess, while nearly all those employingmore than 50 people do.

13

The lure of America is its healthyentrepreneurial environment and thechallenge of pinpointing thetransferable factors that can beimported to the UK and Merseyside.Boston and New York are now loci ofthe US’s finest east coast ICTdevelopment models, founded on anactive venture funding culture driven bya pragmatic global vision. There areclear trends at the cutting edge – globalleaders are pouring major resourcesinto open-source technologydevelopment. At the same time,Merseyside’s expanding ICT base is anincreasingly attractive option for bothUS, and their UK counterparts, todevelop reseller opportunities.

As Merseyside ICT’s first US Study Tour of2005, a team of 22 recently went toAmerica to explore the opportunities.

The touring party included business people- representing both the region’s vigorousSME ICT innovators and heavyweightcorporations who rely upon modern ITsolutions to drive the local economy - andgovernment personnel supportingimaginative regional regeneration.During two days in Boston and three inNew York, global leaders IBM, Cisco andNovell were extremely open in discussing

the core of their success plans. TheMerseyside party also benefited frommeeting successful US principals currentlyless known in the UK, such as Corvil,Vonage and Akamai, while exchangingviews with Fortune Magazine,PricewaterhouseCooper and MIT MediaLabs.

‘It is difficult to over emphasise the benefitsof meeting international colleagues at first-hand,’ says Merseyside ICT Director, SteveSmith. ‘Our over-riding aim is to increaseMerseyside’s potential for creating wealth,skills and sustainable growth by makingnetwork connections at many levels.

‘The study tour - the first of an extendedseries that we are planning - madeconnections between Merseyside’s veryrobust and enterprising ICT SMEcommunity, major corporate solution usersin the sub-region and world leaders inAmerica.

‘The balancing act is for Merseyside grass-roots companies and start-ups to gain fromcontact with US champions, while makingour international colours clear to inward

investors encouraged by evidence of avariety of commercially-reassuringstrengths.’

Early results of the tour include a definitivereturn visit to Merseyside by IBM GlobalGovernment Industry ProgrammesDirector, Brad Westpfahl, a Corvilsponsored sales trip to Dublin, a strongbuy-in by corporate bodies and SMEs onMerseyside to create an ‘On-Demand’ ICTproject, substantial reinforcement of anenterprising Merseyside ICT brand, thelikelihood of more pivotal Merseyside VIPvisits, and – excitingly – opportunities toremarket US products through the UK andbeyond.

"Initially, I wondered why we had beenasked to participate… by the end of thetour it was apparent that there is a vibrantICT sector on Merseyside and that wecould and should contribute either byplacing business with local companies orusing our corporate name to assist withlocal initiatives."

Colin Watt,IT Manager, Jaguar - Halewood

HOW TO DEVELOP STRONG MUTUAL ICT FRIENDSHIPS ON AMERICA’SPOWERFUL EASTERN SEABOARD … AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE.

Working with the Americans is good in every respect - meeting principal ITindustry influencers,understanding US ‘blue sky’ thinking and promotingMerseyside as an obvious opportunity for partnering, alliances and inwardinvestment.For these,and many other reasons,Merseyside ICT recently tookregional ICT companies,Northwest corporations and senior government officialson the sector’s first high-level US ICT study tour to Boston and New York.

A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

Networking American style - Merseyside ICT willbe running a regular series of twice-yearly studytours to Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas.

14

UNITED WE STAND

Our strength is our members – their ideas, skills, initiative, adaptability and ambitions.

Members are invited to play an active role in a series of district-level events, seminars and co-operative ventures that are organised through the year.

KEY ORGANISATIONS WHO SUPPORT MERSEYSIDE ICT

15

Sefton ICT Cluster

Chair - Ed Horwich

Pacificstream.com

Tel 08456 444 345

support@pacificstream.com

Wirral ICT Cluster

Chair - David Roberts

Amatica Limited

Tel 0151 650 6991

david.roberts@amatica.com

Knowsley ICT Cluster

Chair - Eric Menzies

BEC Systems Limited

Tel 0151 290 1111

eric@becsystems.com

Liverpool ICT Cluster

Chair - Johnny Read

Village Software Engineering Ltd

Tel 0151 709 7728

read@villagesoftware.co.uk

St Helens High Technology Group

Chair - Kevin Cliffe

Lake Technologies Limited

Tel 01744 622304

kcliffe@laketechnologies.co.uk

MAKING CONTACT

We would like to discuss how we can help you

to make a success of ICT-based projects on

Merseyside.

In particular, we would like to show you the

special strengths, skills, financial advantages

and support that Merseyside offers. However,

we appreciate that any decisions you make

must be based on reliable information. If you

would like more detail, or to talk to us in

confidence, please contact: -

Steve Smith

ICT Industry Sector Director

Merseyside ICT

steve.smith@merseysideict.org.uk

t:+44 (0)151 221 3529

f:+44 (0)151 220 5715

1 Faraday Road

Wavertree Technology Park

Liverpool L13 1EH

The Merseyside ICT Sector represents a series of geographically defined district clusters in which ICT

companies co-operate rather than compete, join in collaborative ventures, provide a voice in local

decision-making and exchange technical and commercial ideas. To talk to the clusters directly, please

contact: -

Conceived & produced by

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