Small firms miss out on key technology
Report says one in four firms find it difficult to keep pace with new advances.
Small firms 'slow to wake up to opportunities'.
Small firms 'slow to wake up to opportunities'.
A survey discovered that one in ten smaller companies do not use email. A third do not have access to the internet. A poll conducted by Lloyds TSB indicated that only half believed technology had improved their working life.
Stephen Pegge, head of communications, said: 'Small firms have tended to limit their use of technology to communicate and organise information, but have been slower to wake up to the opportunities these tools might present for purchasing, production and distribution.'
Only one-tenth of businesses said that their staff had an excellent understanding of technology, while six percent believed IT skills were not required in their business.
Half of those surveyed said they spent less than £5000 on computers or internet connections in 2005.
Stephen Pegge, head of communications, said: 'Small firms have tended to limit their use of technology to communicate and organise information, but have been slower to wake up to the opportunities these tools might present for purchasing, production and distribution.'
Only one-tenth of businesses said that their staff had an excellent understanding of technology, while six percent believed IT skills were not required in their business.
Half of those surveyed said they spent less than £5000 on computers or internet connections in 2005.