BT offers IT to SMEs for £50 per month

BT has partnered with Microsoft to offer small businesses an IT package that includes broadband Web access, a domain name, virus and spam protection, Microsoft Office applications and access to a helpdesk for £50 per user per month.

Duncan Ingram, managing director of BT Openworld, said BT Connected & Complete is a "one–stop shop" for small companies that are struggling to take advantage of IT: "It will provide much-needed peace of mind with an affordable, predictable monthly charge for a more robust, secure IT infrastructure," he said.

According to BT, SMEs can either order their services online or use a local IT consultant to install and configure their system. The broadband connection includes a firewall and antivirus product that is automatically updated on a daily basis, which means companies will not have to worry about basic security issues.

In December, BT partnered with Siebel to offer small companies with a hosted CRM solution. The latest announcement is a continuation of BT's policy to tap into the SME market: "This will help to build on the successes we've already achieved in the small business arena. For example, nearly half of all our broadband sales now generate additional sales of value added services such as admin and security software," said Ingram.