Craig Bellamy is managing director of the IT training firm, Prodigy. Prodigy is the Master Distributor for the IC3 and the Microsoft Office Specialist Programs in Ireland.
What was your first encounter with technology?
During my college days in UCG in Galway and trying to figure out how to send my pals an e-mail!
How fond are you of technology?
I am not technical at all. However, I am very fond of technology. I think that everybody, no matter what job they are doing, needs some understanding of technology, particularly computers. I see that more and more through the Microsoft Office Specialist and IC3 computer qualifications that I am involved with.
Interestingly, on a recent visit to Microsoft in Seattle, US, I was showed an ‘eHome’, which is Microsoft’s vision of daily life for the average household in five years time. This vision was all encompassing of technology, i.e. we would be using voice recognition to turn on the TV, eye scanners to open the front door and even computers to help cook our dinner!
Is there any particular technology that you find indispensable in your working life?
I know it is not original but I can’t think how I would do my job without e-mail and my mobile phone. Unfortunately, I think there can be a lot of unproductive time spent on e-mail but I am trying to use it as best as possible. However, I am also conscious of the merits of talking to people and meeting people rather than sometimes hiding behind e-mails.
Have Irish companies been slow to embrace technology?
No, not at all. Quite the contrary, I think that in general there is a high aptitude for technology in Ireland. I think the Government ten years ago encouraged large technology companies to Ireland and this has helped not only increase employment but also competencies for technology within industry.
Is ebusiness the way forward?
I think that ebusiness is the way forward for some companies but not others. About five years ago, everybody thought that everything would be done on the Internet and subsequently invested very heavily in this area. However, the reality is that people will not buy certain products over the Internet, while it is the perfect tool to sell other products, e.g. airline tickets.
What are the main hindrances to conducting business online?
Obviously the threat of ‘hackers’ and secure purchasing is a big factor that still puts people off buying online. However, I think more and more people are buying certain products online. In many cases, the biggest hindrance is a ‘user unfriendly’ website, i.e. one that nobody can understand or find their way around. I think that many companies feel the need for flash animation over simple structure!
Will broadband change the way we conduct business in the future?
Due to the fact that more and more jobs require us to use the Internet more and more, yes, broadband will change the way business is conducted in the future because it will allow us to do more of our business online by making access to the Internet much easier and quicker.
An example of this is the recent initiative by Microsoft Ireland, by giving broadband access to their employees at home on the basis that this will enable their staff to work from home when appropriate and significantly increase employee productivity through quick and easy access of the Internet.
However, Ireland is not competitive for broadband. Although this is changing slowly, broadband is not available throughout Ireland and it is still too expensive. If you compare what the price of broadband in the UK to Ireland, we are much dearer. If the price comes down and the coverage increases, then you will find broadband will be widely adopted and it will greatly reduce the downtime waiting for slow Internet connections.
What do you think will be the ‘next big thing’?
Wireless technology. Although it is currently available only the ‘early adopters’ of technology are embracing it. I think that when it is more affordable and more accessible, wireless technology will enable us all to access the Internet from almost anywhere, which would have endless possibilities for helping with work or daily life.
What are your favourite websites?
Besides www.prodigy.ie I would have to say as a big rugby fan, I like www.irishrugby.ie and www.planetrugby.com.
What do you think are the main benefits of technology for SMEs?
The main benefit of technology to SMEs is the ability to manipulate technology to help you do better. For example: Very effective software accounting packages that save money on expensive bills from accountants; using the Internet effectively so that it can not only inform people about your products or services, but you also ensure that your products and services can be bought online also; banking online enables companies to see current bank statements and make payments, see payments coming in and going out etc; and software packages that keep good customer records and help provide valuable information to SME e.g. for direct mail purposes, accounts purposes, support purposes, etc.
24/11/2003
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