Port Louis — Business can hardly be done without information technology today. Companies - even SMEs - have to devote funds to hardware and software if they want to remain competitive.

Computers and software are designed to last at the most five years and replacement time comes fast.

"Computers could last more before. They were also less quick. Now when processor capacity is increased, it is at least multiplied by two." As managing director of iChoc, a company specialized in e-commerce and information systems, Krishna Thirapathi is a good witness of IT trends. In a faster and more demanding world, computers are scheduled to work only a few years, during which maintenance is crucial for optimised results. And time comes fast for replacement. This implies costs that not everyone can afford.

According to Krishna Thirapathi, small and medium enterprises are the most vulnerable to computer obsolescence. To replace a whole system is not always viable. Yet the importance of IT equipment in a firm's productivity cannot be underestimated.

In neighbouring South Africa, studies like the SME Survey 2003 by World Wide Worx have pinpointed the invaluable impact of investment in IT. Among the key findings of the survey was that successful SMEs were spending a higher proportion of their turnover on IT each year.

IT investment first involves software. First for protection. "Software remain essential when using Internet. If you don't buy any software to protect your system, you can't expect longevity." A worrying document -2007 Malware Report edited by Computer Economics - just released on the impact of malware damages (destructive viruses, spyware, adware, botnet code, and hacker tools) on the productivity of firms, stresses the urgent need of anti-virus investments.

Software equipment is also crucial in the context of the growing place of the web. With faster Internet, providers follow by inventing new software. "You can't expect a computer to work so well at the age of Internet Explorer 7.0 when only equipped with a Windows 98 as operating system", indicates Rina Dyall-Nathoo, technical director of Infokeens, a software and service provider.

But what is the use of shifting to a new system when performing the same basic operations. "IE 7.0 is not a mere gadget. It enhances productivity in the ways it eases search for example." In the same way, with tools like Office 2007, one can perform in a matter of seconds tasks like drawing tables, framing figures that formerly needed half an hour and with the help of an IT officer.

Investment is necessary. It can be done without wrecking the small enterprise's accounts. Upgrading a system can be envisaged after three or four years. "One way to increase productivity of computers is to implement more flexible operating system. It happens that old versions of Windows don't work after some years. Systems like Linux can replace them and give a span of life to the system." But this can only work if the staff is trained.

Yet if, in three years, one can upgrade the computers, after 5 years it is really time to change. This happens because damaged accessories cannot be replaced. "SDA random access memory or Pentium III motherboards are really hard to find. And the IT provider can't afford to stock components for years, with a stock value of Rs 500,000 weighing over a business that relies on quick adaptation", comments Rina Dyall-Nathoo.

The market demands are focused on performance. "Stocking becomes only viable with high hand PCs, like those designed for games", explains Djoaneid, sales executive at Task, in Port-Louis. High hand computers are very powerful and their cost approximates Rs 100,000. But then the amount of money needed to buy brand basic computers has sensibly diminished. "A computer that would have performed common tasks would have cost Rs 25 000 a few years back. Now a more efficient model is available for Rs 15,000", adds the sales executive.

What remains important is what can be tailor-made for a company's needs. "Too many managers are not even able to understand what they are being offered when acquiring a network of computers." This will become possible only with a continuous spread of IT culture.