access for all

Personal computers, once standalone islands of data, have first become linked across workgroups followed by the introduction of company wide networks. As a result, access is available for approved users to electronic documents of all types including drawings, specifications, and contracts throughout the organisation.

Acquisitions, mergers, alliances have further enhanced the need to share information across the whole enterprise, however widely dispersed geographically.

The internet provides the "ultimate" network resource where anyone with a simple PC can access information (made available to them), anywhere on the globe.

The commercial opportunities and more significantly the threats posed by the Internet revolution are unprecedented.