smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

IT can help businesses source, operate and sell globally, as well as just ensuring services run more efficiently, says an industry body.

The British Computer Society (BCS) states that it is becoming harder to do business without IT, while if this side of a business is handled correctly it can afford an SME a market advantage.

David Evans, BCS government relations manager says: 'Whether it is in terms of subcontracting, manufacturing, operations, customer relationships or marketing, IT can help drive a business.'

He adds: 'What it boils down to is whether small businesses want to be in control of their IT, or at its mercy.'

IT mistakes can have serious repercussions within a business says the BCS. As a result they believe it is important to hire practitioners who have been attained industry standards such as Chartered IT professionals (CITP).

The BCS was established in 1957 and is the leading body for those working in IT. It has a world-wide membership of 60,000 members in over 100 countries.