Western Bureau: In less than two years after opening its doors at the Centre Point Plaza in Montego Bay, Inter Connect has expanded its technology service offerings to the public. And with that expansion, has come a new name, E-ssential Business.

The young company was launched in the city last week, heralding the start of bigger and better service offerings.

Commerce, Industry and Technology minister, Phillip Paulwell, who spoke at the launch, expressed his support for the venture.

“I believe that there is an innate entrepreneurial spirit in us Jamaicans. And I really want as we try now to expand our drive to get smaller micro-businesses going, to say to companies like E-ssential Business, that we are fully behind you. We are supporting you,” he said.

The minister added that there were too few local companies involved in the Information Technology (IT) sector and said that more Jamaicans needed to get involved.

“I must express some regret that as we look around, we are still not seeing enough Jamaican businesses involved in Information Technology (IT),” he said.

“As we expand our reach in the IT industry, I am seeing many foreign companies coming forward. I’m not seeing enough local companies, and while we appreciate Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and for the last two years we have achieved record levels in FDI, I do want to see Jamaican businesses being a part of the process…”

Last February E-ssential opened its doors under the name Inter Connect, with a staff complement of three people. Today, that number has grown to eight to meet the growing demand of an increased number of clients. The members of staff include three managers, a graphic artist and an administrator.

“I’m trying to make this store become more technology focused because I believe it is the best way to go at this moment. I believe in integrating technology in the lives of everyday Jamaican people (and) making it accessible, both financially and as well as being in the location convenient for people,” managing director for the company, Sarah Bayliss, said.

“Technology has never been something that I grew up wanting to be in. And then I came on holiday in Jamaica and suddenly I became interested in technology. And I think (that is) because I realised how important technology is to every day life,” she added.

The range of services now offered at E-ssential Business includes graphic design, copy writing, digital colour printing, laminating, corporate publicity, the design of logos, brochures, leaflets, cards and labels. They offer pay-per-use Internet access and personal computer stations, IT training in customs corporate programs, short adult courses and interactive kids clubs. In addition, they do PC repair and maintainance and digital transfer and imaging services. They also operate as a call centre, provide secretarial services, do spiral binding, as well as offer local and international fax service.

And only recently, Bayliss launched a website, “easy to send.com”, which facilitates the purchasing of a variety of gifts and services on line.

“You can buy a variety of gifts and services on line and it will be delivered within 48-hours,” she stated.