NBN opportunities for small business on show at Bacchus Marsh forum
The benefits of establishing an effective online presence under the National Broadband Network (NBN) were under the spotlight today at a small business forum in Bacchus Marsh.
The forum, hosted in partnership with Moorabool Shire Council, Central Business Bacchus Marsh, the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and NBN Co, featured presentations on how high-speed broadband under the NBN can help improve local businesses.
As one of the first sites in Australia to receive the NBN, Bacchus Marsh will be in an ideal position to take advantage of new high-speed broadband opportunities.
National broadband champion and CEO of Autech Software and Design, Darren Alexander, spoke at the forum and said the NBN was the most critical piece of infrastructure to be built in Australia.
"I’m an Australian small businessman who is passionate about small business and I believe that high-speed broadband will be a real game changer for small business operators in Australia," Mr Alexander said.
"The NBN will not only give small to medium operators the right tools to work and compete in the 21st century but give them a decisive advantage."
"Greater use of online opportunities will enable businesses to run their existing business more efficiently to maximise their overall competitiveness, grow revenues and increase productivity."
As well as an update from NBN Co on the progress of the NBN rollout in Victoria and its future timetable across the country, the forum heard from another broadband champion, Dr Helen Thompson, Director at the Centre for eCommerce and Communications, University of Ballarat.
"Overcoming broadband access issues will contribute to greater economic prosperity, health and well-being of communities as well as retention of commerce and industry," Dr Thompson said.
"There are already some great examples of local Moorabool Shire companies adopting technological innovation to improve their businesses and so much more will be possible with the next generation of broadband."
"BM Fresh for example are using sophisticated technologies to track premium lettuce products from seed to delivery."
"Djerriwarra Health is generating time and financial savings through the use of VoIP and video-conferencing," Dr Thompson said.
"Colour Vision Systems' (CVS) ICT network configures, monitors and repairs fruit sorting and packing equipment remotely, 90 per cent of which is a plane ride away."
The Digital Enterprise program will provide advice to small- and medium-size businesses and not-for-profit organisations on how to take advantage of the NBN.
This Australian government program will help local businesses build the skills to take advantage of online opportunities by improving their online presence, transacting online, expanding their market and reach into the community and better servicing customers.
Applications to deliver the Digital Enterprise program in Bacchus Marsh are expected to be called in late 2011.
Contact: Darren Alexander, Broadband champion - 0419 382 246
DBCDE Media - media@dbcde.gov.au
