Business winners to represent NI at UK awards

Four Northern Ireland firm's are set to represent the province at next month's UK Online for Business/InterForum E-Commerce Awards.

The companies, Fusion Antibodies; Segue Software; BlackStar and FOSEC (Foyle Skills and Education Cluster), were regional winners at a recent award's ceremony in Belfast's Waterfront Hall.

The awards, sponsored by Invest NI, aim to encourage greater use of e-business by recognising organisations that have demonstrated tangible business benefits through their use of Internet and information and communications technologies.

Speaking at the awards ceremony Invest NI chief executive, Leslie Morrison said: “This year we have had more entries than ever before, and from a wide range of sectors, demonstrating that e-business is applicable and beneficial to everyone from dentists to software houses.

“Today’s winners have all made genuine improvements to their operations through the application of e-business. Whether this is to increase productivity, enhance customer service or improve supply chain management, the overall result is more efficient and profitable organisations.”

The winners will go on to compete for the £8,000 national category winner prize at the national final on 8 October. Following this the final four national category winners will go head to head for the title of E-Commerce Awards Champion 2003 and the top prize of £30,000.

They can also win an £8,000 cash prize in the new National Innovation Awards which reward business excellence in the following: use of mobile and wireless technology, use of broadband technology, advanced supply chain integration, and best application of Technology Means Business (TMB) accredited advice.

(MB)