A View of the Impact of the Internet on Business

The internet offers any business the opportunity to present a commercial image independent of the organisation’s size and location. Small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) across the UK have exploited the internet as it has evolved from an interesting medium for the technology-aware to an essential commercial platform. With this increasing importance, and the internet’s ability to extend the reach of a business, it is valuable to realise precisely what different internet service providers (ISPs) offer before buying. This includes evaluating service level and support capabilities and understanding how these vary throughout the UK.

Widely accepted as a fundamental business tool, the internet has moved far from its academic roots. While many companies in some of the more traditionally industrialised regions have gone online more recently, other regions with more rural expanses show a significant strategic commitment to the internet.

Internet communications not only extend the reach for remote areas, many new applications also permit those based in locations where transport routes are congested to switch from physical travel to digital. This includes web and video conferencing, but also the use of e-commerce platforms to interact with suppliers, customers and partners.

 

While around a quarter of companies in most regions could cope for no more than an hour with no internet connection, there are a couple of regions where many companies still believe they can manage for over a day without it. Companies in most areas expect good service levels and look to providers with reliable reputations and business level support, but a significant number report connection performance dropping below what they would expect.

 

 

Companies across the UK are noticing personal internet usage by employees, often for domestic chores and general access, but also for social networking and instant messaging. In the main, a pragmatic view is taken with policies that allow use during lunchtime and outside working hours, but many have put in place access control and site/content monitoring technologies to keep personal internet use in check.

Home working provides business as well as personal flexibility and seems to be more pronounced in areas where transport links are congested, and competition for staff is highest. Mobile phones and laptops are the main tools provided to support home workers, although in some regions employees are supplied with broadband connections and data cards paid for by the business.

 

Knowledge about the differences in the range of options from ISPs is patchy. Despite companies in some regions suggesting there is no problem with the level of jargon in the industry, many in these same places struggle with their comprehension of internet service-related technical terms. This lack of understanding will have a business impact and affects the commercial relationship between ISP and SMB.

 

CONCLUSION: Now British SMBs have embraced the internet and rely upon it for increasingly sophisticated services, it becomes even more important to understand the different offers from providers and look beyond price to added value and regional support. This also places an onus on the ISPs themselves to differentiate their product options to demonstrate most clearly the benefits and business impact of their services, and how they intend to support customers across the UK.