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The Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau, the Information Technology Services Department and the Hong Kong Computer Society have joined hands to launch "IT Easy Link for Businesses", providing free IT help-desk and face-to-face advisory services for companies.
This new service, which aims to enhance efficiency and productivity through information technology, is an extension of the popular IT Easy Link service, which is intended for the public at large.
At the launch ceremony today (July 8), the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang, said the Government was committed to encouraging small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to make full use of IT to enhance their operational efficiency and competitiveness.
"The Government, in collaboration with industry support bodies, has organised a wide range of programmes, including support centres and provision of financial assistance and training courses, to promote wider application of IT in the business sector," he said.
"The recent 'DO IT! Small Enterprises Support Scheme', which offered a personal computer and software to 2,100 small enterprises at a minimal price of $888, met with an overwhelming response. More than 5,000 applications were received.
"All these initiatives, together with the new IT Easy Link for Businesses service, will help lower the entry barriers and initial capital outlays of SMEs that embark on the use of IT in their operations and solve their difficulties in the application of IT," Mr Tang said.
IT Easy Link for Businesses features a dedicated help-desk hotline (2111 3328) for resolving general problems in the application of IT, including server-based database management systems, systems administration, network administration and systems security.
Face-to-face advice will be available to SMEs that plan to adopt IT or have run into difficulties in IT application during the early stages of adoption.
The IT Easy Link service for the general public, launched in June last year, is funded by the Government and operated by the Hong Kong Computer Society. The service has been well received, with more than 118,000 enquiries received. In view of its popularity, the Government will extend the service for another year and expand the scope to cover such topics as Chinese processing, database management and basic multimedia tools.
At the ceremony today, two renowned musicians and SME owners, Mr Albert Au and Mr Lo Kwun-ting, shared with the guests their experiences in the application of IT. Both said that IT had become an indispensable part of their lives, widening their exposure and enhancing their efficiency.
The IT Easy Link for Businesses hotline operates from 9.30am to 5.30pm from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Service details can be obtained from the website www.iteasylink.org.hk.
End/Tuesday, July 8, 2003
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