Instant Search


Broadband provides a major boost to Instant Search's market competitiveness
The Business Information and Research company Instant Search provides services such as company information and credit checks, property and land searches and credit reports on individuals for a range of business and individual clients.  


Best practice in: 	Broadband
Sector:			Business Information
Size of firm:		6 employees
Location:		      Whalley, Lancashire
Website:		www.instant-search.com




Objectives: 

Fast and reliable access to sources of data and other information is critical for the company's success, as is fast reliable communications channels with their customers.  The recent improvement in quality and availability of broadband combined with other ICT technologies is therefore a potential major benefit to companies such as Instant Search.  Managing Director Anthony Capstick recognised that he needed to introduce broadband technology to his business in order to continue to compete effectively in the marketplace.  



Solution: 

Instant Search's initial broadband connection was provided via a fixed wireless broadband service providing a 4mbit connection with 2 mbits each way.  They have the ability to upgrade to 10 Mbit if required and up to 200 Mbit if they change their routing equipment. This is provided by elancs.net, a local government funded organisation assisting the development of a broadband network in the area.  The technology involves a combination of wireless connections, microwave transmitters and DSL modems to deliver the service to individual customer sites such as Instant Search.

In October 2003, ADSL Became available in the region and Instant Search now uses an ADSL connection provided by BT for the core Instant Search business.  The fixed wireless broadband service has been retained and now provides the network for a new Broadband eLaboratory business run by Instant Search.  



Results: 

The implementation of broadband had immediate benefits for the business.  As a result of broadband they are able to respond instantly to incoming requests from customers and they are able to undertake their research more efficiently as a result of the faster access speeds.  They no longer have concerns about being able to provide a competitive service to their customers in the future and thoughts of relocation are now redundant.

Anthony's aim for his current business is to continue to increase the effectiveness of the running of the business by continually adopting new technology as appropriate.  He has also taken the opportunity to use the technology as a springboard to implement new ideas.

 "As a result of this broadband service, I am now able to develop other business ideas for my company.  As soon as I knew we were to have broadband our plans changed radically.  We are excited for the future."

For example Anthony has since set up the Northern Research Centre, providing research and high level interpretation, using Instant Search technology and broadband access.  

He has also obtained funding from the Northwest Development Agency for an e-laboratory for the development, demonstration and design of business broadband applications.  The aim is to demonstrate the commercial advantages of this technology to small and medium sized businesses in the area.  Formally launched by Energy Minister, Stephen Timms, the laboratory is able to demonstrate ADSL, cable, wireless and satellite broadband connections.


Challenges: 

Whilst in 2002 access to broadband technology was available in most urban areas the technology was not as readily available in a number of more rural locations, including Whalley in Lancashire where Instant Search is based.  There was therefore a risk that this could result in Instant Search being at a competitive disadvantage to a number of its competitors in the future if it continued to be based in Whalley, as dial-up connections would not provide the fast and reliable access and communications available to many of its competitors able to obtain broadband. The challenge facing Instant Search therefore was to access appropriate broadband technology in their regional location.

In the summer of 2002 Instant Search commenced a trial for a fixed wireless broadband service providing a 4mbit connection, with 2 mbits each way with elancs.net, a local government funded organisation.  . The trial was successful and Instant Search therefore achieved its aim of obtaining a broadband solution that more than met the company's requirements and was also scalable to meet future requirements.  This service now provides the network for Instant Search's Broadband eLaboratory.


The last word: 

Anthony has strong views on the potential importance of broadband for small companies such as Instant Search.  "Broadband has the potential to turn the conventional on its head.  Small businesses are now able to operate and communicate as if they were large companies, and it is all due to connectivity."