Despatches news - Focus on Business

First Reviews released -

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The first Hampton Implementation Reviews, which aim to put an end to the one-size-fits-all approach to business regulation, have been released. The reviews show that regulators are focusing more on businesses that break the law, rather than on businesses which comply with red tape. The Reviews aim to assess how regulators implement their principles and work with businesses. The regulators being assessed include the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Self-employed at risk of entry -

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs is to gain new powers under the Finance Bill 2008 which will grant its inspectors automatic access to the homes of self-employed individuals if part of their home is used for business. The bill is set to waive the need for HMRC to give 24 hours’ notice to a self-employed individual it decides to inspect. Critics of the new law are concerned about how HMRC advisers will act within the law, given that they cannot access all areas of a person’s property; they can only access the parts of a residence which are used for business purposes.

Credit crunch threatens start-ups -

The international financial crisis is already being blamed for declines in consumer spending, growing numbers of corporate liquidations and rising cases of commercial fraud. Leading credit management agency Graydon believes, however, that it is the business sector, and particularly the fast growing new business community in Britain, that is the most likely to be adversely affected by the economic downturn in 2008.

Quick ICT Summary -

Thinking of changing or upgrading? This may help:
PDAs -
PDAs are versatile, hand-held computers that synchronise data with a computer. They use touch-screen technology and are normally synchronised to give the owner access to information such as e-mail accounts, diaries, calendars, phone and address books and voicemail. This functionality - the ability to organise data and share it with a computer - has led them to be known as hand-held or pocket PCs or smart phones. There are many computing magazines offering reviews on the latest PDAs. See www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/160/smartphones/products.html as an example.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) -
VoIP telephone systems allow business owners to communicate cheaply with clients and staff. It is particularly useful for communicating with staff or clients who are based abroad. Put simply, VoIP technology transmits voice calls over a data network, which means that people can talk over the Internet. Skype (www.skype.com) is an example of a VoIP package provider that not only enables phone calls but also facilitates SMS text messaging, from computer to mobile phone.

Virtual Private Network (VPN) -
VPNs use the Internet to connect remote sites or users. They are useful for providing small business owners and staff with access to the office network while working from home or a location other than the office. VPN software needs to be installed on each laptop or PC that needs to access the office network. VPNs are particularly useful in helping to facilitate flexible working solutions for staff so they can work from home, but are also useful when either you or your staff cannot get to the office because of unforeseen circumstances.

3G cards -
3G cards are plug-in devices enabling laptops and PCs to access the Internet using mobile phone networks. The speed and availability of 3G access is largely dependent on mobile phone network coverage, so this type of technology may be more suited to densely populated areas, such as towns and cities, than to rural areas where coverage may be limited.