The Logon.ni team attended the Balmoral Show in Belfast for a second successive year and met with many businesses keen to take advantage of the free help and advice on offer. As well as speaking with farmers about products and services available online, a variety of business types visited the stand for advice on developing ICT processes to assist their business to operate more efficiently.

 

Farmers were particularly interested to explore the online DARD and APHIS services available to them and many also enquired about the processes involved in registering their business to be able to submit online VAT returns and payments. Following these initial enquiries, Logon.ni advisers will provide information and demonstrations to enable farmers to benefit from these time saving online processes.

 

Throughout the three day event Logon.ni advisers provided advice and guidance on many subjects including how to obtain a broadband service, especially to those who live in areas where traditional broadband services are not available. Other common enquiries came from businesses wishing to develop a website or other online web presence, companies wanting to use online procurement websites to be informed about new business opportunities and those interested in using some of the newer technologies available such as smartphones to be able to access the internet and e-mails whilst away from the business premises.

 

Businesses are realising that using the internet to access online services and processes saves time, reduces costs and increases the profile of the business to a larger number of potential customers. With the help and advice provided by Logon.ni, many businesses are now benefitting from increased sales and lower costs by adopting online services.