A SURVEY has shown that almost half of Blackburn firms want IT systems that allow employees to work flexibly over investments such as faster internet or improved email capacity.

The study by TalkTalk Business showed 48 per cent of firms in the town cited it as the technological investment that would have the most positive impact on company performance.

Nationwide, 42 per cent of firms believe their business would be most disrupted without access to the internet and data services, according to the survey of more than 500 company owners and senior directors across the UK.

Almost half – 49 per cent – of Blackburn companies surveyed did not think they needed to invest in their information technology and technology systems in order to ensure their business continues to perform in the future.

And almost 80 per cent acknowledged that rivals who do choose to invest in technology are believed to have a firm advantage over those who prioritise other areas of the business, such as marketing and human resources.