Information technology and business inextricably interwoven (From This is Hampshire)

Information technology and business inextricably interwoven

11:27am Tuesday 28th October 2008 in

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Information technology and business are becoming inextricably interwoven. I don’t think anybody can talk meaningfully about one without talking about the other.
Bill Gates – Microsoft

The above quote from the founder of software giant Microsoft illustrates the powerful role of the internet today. His comment is not only true for most businesses; it is also true of so many other areas of everyday life.

With the Internet now becoming ever more widely available, and with faster broadband connections on offer, it has become one of the main sources of information and communication for millions of people all around the world.

The Internet contains a wealth of information, and because much of it is neither useful nor relevant, it is easy to get lost on the information superhighway.

This is why it is important for organisations to have a first-rate website that is easy to find and simple to navigate.

Studies show that internet users do not spend much time on individual web pages, preferring to get to their desired destination as quickly and easily as possible.

If navigating a site is difficult or confusing in any way, users can quickly go elsewhere with a simple click of the mouse.

If an organisation wishes to communicate effectively with people via the Internet a great website is a must.

Hampshire County Council launched its Hantsweb Awards in 2002 to recognise the organisations in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that make a special effort to create good quality, user-friendly sites that delivered exactly what people needed. All the websites that are nominated for a Hantsweb Award have proved to their users that they can deliver what is needed quickly and efficiently.

The winners are selected by a panel of judges, who come from a wide range of backgrounds, with either extensive experience in IT or a field related to a specific award category.

The awards are open to anyone, from schools and voluntary organisations to businesses, both large and small, and special interest groups.

The one thing they must all have in common is an excellent website – one that delivers exactly what the user is looking for.

There are 12 categories and, for the first time, the County Council this year invited nominations for two new categories – Best Sport Website, to encourage local teams, clubs and societies to take part in this year’s competition, and Best Silver Surfer Website, highlighting those sites that meet the needs of older people.