SMALL and medium- sized enterprises are embracing technology with open arms with more than 80 per cent now having access to the internet and broadband technology.

According to a recent survey, the number of firms able to transact online has more than doubled in the last two years and a staggering 81 per cent also own a company website.

Broadband access is still an issue, however, with a third of those who don't have high-speed internet access, citing lack of availability as the key factor.

On the flip side, more than two-thirds who have broadband claim it has improved their company's performance "a lot".

This increasing use of the internet is not all 'sweetness and light' given the exposure to dangers such as security breaches and viruses.

Almost 40 per cent have experienced a virus infection or security breach, but 25 per cent admit they don't understand enough about security.

Video by customer demand

Video

A REGION-by-region roll-out of video-on- demand (VoD) is set to begin in earnest early next year.

NTL has bowed to customer pressure after revealing that more than half of its customers said that they wanted VoD.

BT also confirmed that it was trying TV/video- on-demand over broadband among some of its employees in anticipation of the 'BT Freeview Plus'.

BT will be hooking up with the UK's digital TV service which provides up to 30 free digital TV channels and more than 20 digital radio stations, enabling subscribers to watch programmes through their broadband connection.