State-of-the-art communications equipment is set to revolutionise how companies in Ross and Cromarty do business in the 21st century.

New high-tech video conferencing equipment has been purchased by the local Business Information Source (BIS), based at Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE) in Invergordon, to show local businesses and organisations how video conferencing can overcome the problems of trading and communicating over long distances.

Video conferencing provides instant audio, visual and IT connections between people working anywhere in the world, bringing businesses face to face with suppliers and customers in another town or another country. Its uses include training where staff can learn from specialist trainers without leaving the workplace or business meetings where colleagues can discuss issues with advisors or technical experts, exchanging files and documents when required.

Two different units are available for free demonstrations, one system is more suitable for group and multi site conferencing, while the other is more suitable for one to one conferencing and data sharing.

The equipment has been purchased with financial assistance from RACE, the European-funded Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME) programme and the Information Society Initiative Programme for Business.

Shona Fraser, the Business Information Source manager at RACE said: "The equipment allows people to participate and be part of meetings without having to leave their own office or home. Video conferencing allows people to travel less and this has obvious cost savings. Distance and poor transport links can also cease to become barriers for those living and working in rural areas."

For a free demonstration to any UK location or for more information on video conferencing contact Shona Fraser at Business Information Source, Ross and Cromarty Enterprise, 69-71 High Street, Invergordon, IV18 0AA or tel: 01349 853666, E-mail: shona@bis.uk.com, Web: http://www.bis.uk.com/RACE/index.htm