Russums are a long established family business manufacturing and distributing catering clothing, knives, equipment and books predominantly by mail order. Russums recently utilised REACT to help them install a computer network running Access Accounts to allow better accounting, sales and purchasing monitoring. The decision was made to introduce a new member of staff under the TII (Technicians into Industry) scheme to help with the organisation's marketing strategy and to continue to support the new computer network. A marketing database was required which established exactly who the best customers were and determined customer groups and purchasing patterns. The piece of mind attained by both grant funding assistance and the expertise offered by the REACT support umbrella was also a major deciding factor for using REACT's services. As a result of the project, the organisation has established some practice in marketing that they can now use in the future on an ongoing basis. Research can be done through an ODBC database link established between the computer network, installed previously by REACT, and a Microsoft Access database developed by the recent technician. This allows a much speedier production of more targeted information on buyer behaviour to establish future targeted marketing communications. "We are very pleased with our close working relationship with REACT. They have helped us develop by bringing technical expertise and then actually working with us rather than simply dictating what to do and leaving us to it."

ENS Precision Engineering are a company specialising in the area of sub-contract machining and CNC machine tools. With company director Kay Atwell wanting to step back from her administrative position before too long They approached REACT for assistance in the introduction of a, school-leaver Nicola Foster. Nicola has taken over many of the IT and administrative functions producing data sheets, accounts reports, refining the use of the computer system and setting up e-mail accounts.

Nicola (18), who left Wales High School in the summer with a GNVQ in Advanced Business Studies, secured the position after a representative from REACT visited the school and explained the new scheme, which provides IT and specialist technology training alongside a subsidy to the employer to reduce initial employment costs. In addition, technical consultants are also available to the company to assist with projects on which the placement is working. "I am continuing with my IT training" explained Nicola, "The experience I am gaining will help me to play an important role within the firm. I would like to think I will be able to take charge of the administration department in a few years time."

REACT Operations Manager Geoff Armitage added, "This scheme is a winner. Anyone securing a job placement will have access to state of the art technology to help them develop their design, manufacturing and other business-related skills. For the businesses in South Yorkshire it means more trained and talented people in the jobs pool."