A cash injection has helped a Skye business at the forefront of fish vaccination to invest in new technology to improve efficiency.

With the advice and financial assistance from local enterprise company, Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise's (SALE) E-Business Support Programme, Aqualife Services is installing new software and a specially designed database to improve their existing computer network.

The new technology, which includes an internet virtual office system, will allow the firm - which vaccinates 45million juvenile fish a year - to exploit global markets and manage its operations more efficiently.

Managing director Gordon Jeffrey explained: "Our business is very diverse in that we have teams operating all over Scotland, as well as the length and breadth of Norway.

"The system being introduced can keep all the teams in touch via the internet on their laptops.

"It is like having a virtual office where we can keep in daily contact. It will be a fantastic benefit in the transfer of information between team leaders and head office and the collation of statistics.

"It also allows us to get information in real time. You could have statistics taking three days to be processed if coming from a team near the Arctic Circle. But the new system allows information to be processed at a touch of a button on the same day.

"I will be able to tell on a day-to-day basis how the company is doing in terms of production targets, which will be of enormous benefit."

The total cost of implementing the e-business systems and processes is £6,000, with £1,680 coming from SALE, £1,320 from the European Regional Development Fund, and the remaining 50% from private funding.

Aqualife Services, based at Torvaig in Sleat, plays a major role in growth of the fish farming industry and has built itself into a leader in the vaccination market, becoming the second largest such firm in not only Europe but the world.

The company was formed in 1996 when Mr Jeffrey spotted the growing demand for contract vaccination of salmon pre-smolts.

In its first year the firm treated three million juvenile fish. They now individually hand vaccinate 45 million salmon, trout and cod juveniles annually.

Aqualife vaccinate most of Scotland's smolt production and expanded into the Norwegian market, opening an office there in 2001.

They have a core staff of 10, but that grows to 35 full-time employees during the peak season.

Calum MacPherson, SALE's Head of  Development, said: "The importance of  e-business to a company like Aqualife is very significant considering the distances involved in their operations.

"Gordon and his team have worked extremely hard to get where they are, and wish them every success for the future."