WITH fewer than 500 working days to go to the dawn of the new millennium, now is the time for businesses to start getting their computer hardware and software in order.
''It is these two specific elements of an organisation's IT infrastructure which could lead to failure in the next century,'' warned Chris Anderson, MD of American Facilities Management Limited, and the brains behind the Scottish Business IT Show which aims to address such concerns when it opens in the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh this week.
Said Anderson: ''The show will act as a one-stop shop for all businesses, featuring the latest hardware, software, Internet, networking, recruitment and training.''
This is the ideal chance for businesses to acquaint themselves with IT for the future. Explained Anderson: ''A current problem facing IT staff is the compliance of equipment in the year 2000 (Y2K). Y2K compliance is the industry buzz word, which denotes that hardware and software is ready for the next millennium. At the show, we aim to advise visitors how to prepare for the year 2000. Entrance to the event is free and exclusive to all members of the business community.''
The event will take place later this week, May 20 and 21 in the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh.
Dr Anne Thom, information systems director of ScottishTelecom, will open the show. ScottishTelecom will be supporting the show as well as displaying information on products and services. Also supporting the show are the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise and Scottish Computer Headline.
Around 30 companies will be exhibiting at the two-day event, with information available on: PCs, networking, IT security, Internet development, Intranet, software development, IT training, hardware, software and multimedia.
Local companies exhibiting include ScottishTelecom, Scotland On Line, Amethyst Training, Data General, Datavolt plc, Edinburgh Computer Services and ABC
Systems.
Companies exhibiting from further afield include ABC Workstations, Computer Micro Rentals, Browns Operating Systems Services and BATT Networks.
Said Anderson: ''There will be something for everyone at the show from the first-time business user looking for start-up packages and advice to corporations wanting to upgrade or install large networks and communications.
''The show will bring together a whole wealth of IT experts under the same roof so visitors will be able to discuss any concerns they may have.''
A number of product launches and seminars will be running in conjunction with the show throughout the two-day event. On day one Amethyst Group Limited, will launch their Platinum Financial accounting software - a
package that is year 2000 compliant, multi-currency, Euro enabled and easily tailored to fit most organisations.
The first seminar of the event will concentrate on Novell in the market-place, NetWare 5 and the year 2000. On day two the seminar will highlight Pegasus Business Software and management solutions for the millennium, whilst Browns Operating Systems Services Limited will present their Secure Remote Access solutions, aimed at companies who have a requirement to connect remote users to a central site, securely and efficiently over various networks.
This is the first time Anderson and his AFM team have brought their unique style of show to
Scotland. Previously they have concentrated their expertise on the Northern Ireland market, where the company is based.
They bring with them an extensive knowledge of exhibitions, which includes the Northern Ireland Business to Business show and their showcase Northern Ireland Business IT show.
Exhibitors at AFM's shows have included: Cable and Wireless, Cable Tel, Xerox, OKI and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.
Free tickets for the Scottish Business IT Show will be available from the registration area in the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh.
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