A Moray IT business that has been helping the region adapt to ever-changing computing needs for the last 35 years believes the coronavirus lockdown could usher in a new revolution.
Cullen-based A P Systems was formed in 1985 with the aim of showing companies how revolutionary computers could speed up accounting and book-keeping.
Today chief executive David Anderson believes some smaller firms have been caught out by the sudden need to switch to home working.
And he suspects it may be a change that some companies in the north-east will never go back from once they have adapted.
He said: “During the remainder of the lockdown people will have to continue to adapt to working from home.
“However, I have heard a school of thought that once this is over there will be some who have begun working from home will not go back.
“I don’t know to what extent that will happen but changes like that will require a certain amount of infrastructure to make that possible, which some small or medium-sized businesses may struggle with if they don’t have an IT specialist.”
The company, which also has bases in Aberdeen and Glasgow, has specialised in sourcing technology as well as resolving IT issues for small and medium-sized firms with a team of technicians.
However, Mr Anderson has offered the services of his company to local businesses at no cost to help them make the change to homeworking.
The offer includes three hours of service as well as supplying up to 10 laptops and five printers at cost price.
Mr Anderson added: “We felt we needed to do something to play our part, and with the technology existing to enable a number of job functions to be performed from home and thus reducing workplace contact, this is the ideal way for us to help make a difference.”