Local businesses could use new technology to their advantage if the maxim ‘knowledge is power' is anything to go by.

Using a customised Business Intelligence (BI) system companies can now have fast access to key business information.

Business Intelligence may sound complex but the idea is a simple one - access to information to enable faster and more informed business decisions.

And on the ground to provide that service is local IT firm Bespoke Software.

Bespoke senior consultant Paul McLeod said despite a “huge ground swell” of companies using BI solutions in the US, there had been no one pushing BI solutions locally.

Although building a BI system has typically been a cost prohibitive exercise, Mr. McLeod said software developments of building a custom BI system down to earth.

Mr. McLeod added that until recently only large operations, for example mega-chain stores like WalMart, were able to deploy the once high-end systems.

But through a partnership with a US software firm and in using Microsoft database software, Mr. McLeod said Bespoke is now able to build BI systems at a fraction of the time and cost once required.

Bespoke is the Bermuda business partner for ProClarity Systems, an Idaho-based company that offers software products for BI systems. In tandem with ProClarity softwarMcLeod e, Mr. said MS SQL Server 2000 software is used to enable delivery of complete BI system to clients.

Mr. McLeod said: “We believe that information technology should be an enabling tool and strive in our applications to build usable systems that present the user with easy access to the information they need.

“Our complete BI solutions extract data from computer and paper based systems and turn them into information you need to effectively manage your business,” he said.

Mr. McLeod said ultimately he saw “amazing potential” in Bermuda for Business Intelligence solutions.