The number of Northern Ireland companies using the Internet in their day-to-day business has grown by 84 per cent over the past two years, according to new research by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
Mr Hugh Crossey, management consulting partner with PwC, said 43 per cent of firms in the North said they used the Internet for business in 1999 compared with today's figure of 79 per cent.
He believes there will be further rapid integration of the Internet into business. He warned that this could pose a threat to any firm that had not embraced the technology.
"As Internet devices become completely wireless and truly mobile, the traditional PC will be sidelined by high-powered, mobile devices delivering new business applications.
"Companies in Northern Ireland will have to re-engineer their processes if they are to maximise the opportunities this new technology will offer," Mr Crossey said.
According to PricewaterhouseCoopers' Technology Forecast 2001-2003 report, logging on to the Internet via a mobile phone will be more common than logging on through a PC within 18 months.
The report predicts customers will be able to check bank balances, transfer funds instantly or access travel information at speeds faster than today's average PC. The report also suggests that the mobile Internet will provide an important channel for businesses to interact not only with customers, but also with employees and business partners.
"This will transform working practices as well as communications and data management," according to the authors. The report says that businesses will use the mobile Internet to reach consumers as part of a multi-channel delivery strategy. "This will combine the wireless world with the conventional Web, e-mail, `bricks and mortar' retail storefronts and call centres," said PwC.
According to Mr Crossey, this could pose challenges to Northern Ireland businesses.
"More people own mobile handsets than own PCs and that gap will widen dramatically. Mobile devices will dominate and transform the way we do business. Northern Ireland businesses must anticipate and react to these changes to remain competitive."
