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AgriTech
Acquiring wide -band connections
By Janice Becker
A future ‘.%ith e-commerce as the
most vital link for businesses has
long been promoted as the key to
global competitiveness, particularly,
for operations located in more remote
area4 of the world.
In this respect, rural Ontario has
been handicapped by archaic phone
systems or inaccessibility to high-
speed lines which would allow rapid
connection to both suppliers and
potential customers.
Not only does a link to the rest of
the world by wire offer business own-
ers an opportunity to stay in touch
with far-flung divisions of their com-
pany, but it also provides a connec-
tion to prospective buyers who may
be unreachable by conventional
methods of contact.
Huron Business Development
Corporation IT consultant Chris Lee
says'the inaccessibility of high-speed
lines is like knowing the 401 is out
there, but having to drive 60 miles of
gravel road to get to it.
Beyond the realm of business,
upgraded connections can equip
health care providers with a reliable,
private source for the exchange of
data, teleconferencing for schools,
and institutions can increase accessi-
bility to information and emergency
services can communicate more
effectively.
As the connectivity of the world
races forward in the new millennium,
it is time for rural communities to
become involved.
In an effort to develop those facili-
ties for 270 rural and small communi-
ties in southern Ontario, a partnership
of public and private groups was
formed to create the Data Services
Improvement Program (DSIP):
Connecting Rural Ontario. The focus
of the work was in the 519, 905, 613
and the southern portion of the 705
calling areas. Independent telecom-
munication companies were included
along with Bell Canada exchanges.
With a $13 million budget, the
Ministry of Energy, Science and
Technology, Bell Canada, the Ontario
Telephone Association, Regional
Networks for Ontario and the Ontario
Rural Council began working to
improve systems as well as make
communities aware of the possibili-
50 THE RURAL VOICE •
ties.
Commercial customers will be able
to make use of dedicated private lines
and wide -band capabilities which are
standard in larger urban centres.
More than 20 workshops were
scheduled, beginning last fall, to
inform participants about the pro-
gram. While some people were
unaware of the potential, representa-
tives from facilities such as hospitals
already had plans in place for future
use, said Lee.
Though many of the workshops
have been completed, sessions are
planned for Orangeville, June 13;
Muskoka, June 15, Simcoe, June 19;
Burford, June 20 and Niagara, June
22. For confirmation of events and
agenda material, contact Doug
Maddock of the Ontario Rural
Council at 613-339-1801, email him
at dmaddock.dsip@mwdesign.net or
check out the DSIP website through
www.huronexports.on.ca.
The site, Helping Huron Take on
the World, provides a link to DSIP
updates. The calendar of events fur-
nishes further details.
While at the site, an abundance of
material can be found through the
info tech and e-commerce pages.
There are resources on education,
agriculture, infrastructure and retailer
and wholesaler benefits, data on gov-
ernment programs and initiatives as
well as associations and studies relat-
ed to e-commerce.
For those interested in setting up a
workshop locally to encourage the
business community to take advan-
tage of the latest innovation, the site
offers a toolbox of tips for work-
shops, including sources for guest
speakers..
Another link to DSIP can be made
through the Ontario Rural Council
site at www.ruralonline.on.ca/DSIP.
I would like to speak with anyone
who makes use of OMAFRA's nutri-
ent management computer software.
If you can show me how the system
works, contact me via e-mail at beck-
er@ wcl.on.ca.
Janice Becker is a computer enthusi-
ast and journalist living near Walton,
ON.