A Skye-based IT company, which started as a one-man operation but now employs 14 staff specialising in the internet, web design and e-commerce, is set to expand further creating nine new jobs. Gael.net Limited are embarking on the development and marketing of powerful new internet software applications.

Gael.net was established by Campbell Grant in 1995 to create a local web site to promote Skye and Lochalsh. Since then the company has grown rapidly and now boasts an impressive customer portfolio from throughout the Highlands and Islands and beyond. The company's main office is in Portree and in September this year they opened a satellite office at The Green House in Inverness to support the expansion of the business.

Gael.net is set to increase the marketing of products which are already proving successful such as 'Shoperate', which allows businesses to carry out secure e-commerce on the internet. The move is being backed by Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise (SALE) with an investment package worth £25,000 and innovation support from the Scottish Executive.

The funding will also allow Gael.net to further develop their latest prototype software. This is another e-commerce application and will be promoted to existing and potential customers as a 'virtual shop assistant'. Using this system, which is believed to be a world first, the website provider can monitor how the customer moves around the website and it will allow the 'shop keeper' to communicate live with the customer via their web browser. The 'virtual shop keeper' could offer assistance, inform the customer the item they just looked at is on special offer, or even respond to or answer questions for further information.

The tracking system can supply the web provider with detailed information on how people use the site, such as where they spend the most time and at what point they exit the website. If used correctly, this information could help the web provider make adjustments to ease navigation through the site. This could encourage greater spend, in the same way a traditional shopkeeper changes displays or the shop layout.

In its five years, Gael.net has developed a variety of websites from simple one-page sites for local bed and breakfast businesses to a 3,000-page website for the Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board. The company has been involved in a number of highly regarded projects, including the 'www.800Hampers.com' website which was runner-up in the ISI/Interforum E-Commerce Award category at the Scottish Enterprise Winners at the Web 2000 Awards ceremony. Furthermore, the website they designed for ferry company, Caledonian MacBrayne was commended in two award categories. The awards ceremony was a coup for Gael.net as they were the only Scottish web design company to make such an impact on the judges.

Managing director of Gael.net, Campbell Grant said: "We have been fortunate to have attracted some of the best internet programmers and designers in Scotland, despite or maybe because of, our location.

"For the past two years the team has been quietly developing several powerful e-commerce products and with this assistance, we can now complete the development phase and launch the products on a global stage at the giant Cebit IT show in Germany during March 2001, targeting the English speaking world market."

Business development manager at SALE, Graham Campbell said: "Growing businesses is a key priority for SALE and with advances in the telecommunications infrastructure we are well placed to encourage growth within the knowledge and information technology sector. By promoting innovation and supporting the development of new products we can improve business competitiveness and this is the method we adopted with Gael.net.

"This is an exciting project not only because it will create high quality employment but also because it will help a local company to compete at a national level."