A NEW IT system is helping to keep one of the region's largest business centres connected.

The North-East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), which provides office space and support to small and medium-sized businesses, has invested in an integrated package of IT services from Nexent Communications.

Nexent, a division of Knowledge IT, has provided BIC with a single communications infrastructure, which connects all its businesses and stores their data, Internet, telephone and e-mail details.

With an IT department supporting 160 tenant companies alongside numerous external clients, the system saves time and additional costs for the company.

Colin Turnbull, BIC IT manager, said: "This is the first system of its kind in the region as it combines all elements of communications within a business.

"This is ideal for a site like the BIC, which incorporates so many companies, as it cuts out the need for multiple suppliers, maintenance contracts and billing systems.

"We have worked with Knowledge for over ten years and it is great for us to be able to use a company we know so well for services, including e-mail, Internet, hardware, maintenance and support."

George Sanger, sales director at Knowledge IT, based in Washington, Wearside, said: "Organisations throughout the region can now gain competitive advantage with a single, integrated and seamless business communications infra- structure, which drives down cost, improves employee productivity and delivers significant operational and service management improvements."