A major part of SurfLink’s business strategy is the development of integrated enterprises. Having identified information services as an area of potential growth, SurfLink set about building a corporate base in interlinked, technologically advanced industries.
Apart from Net Press, SurfLink also owns Net Express, an Internet provider service; and Touchlink, a booth style information service that can market local services. All three services have integrated application boosting each other’s individual markets. They each provide valuable services, particularly for rural areas where remote communities can benefit from the application of new technologies.
SurfLink resurrected Net Express, a company which had been operating in the nearby regional centre of Geelong. Since SurfLink has been operating it, business has been growing between 10-15 percent per month. Customers include over 60 local schools, a number of major companies, small business and private individuals. Net Express files can also be instantly relayed to Net Press for printing.
Council is hopeful of using Net Express to establish a network of Internet access points at its various community houses. This will provide Internet access for farmers, small businesses and socially disadvantaged residents. A different form of information provision comes with Touchlink. This provides low cost, attractive booths for touchscreen information access.
Councils can recoup costs in developing such a system through the sale of marketing opportunities to local retailers. Tourism operators, real estate agents and other groups can benefit from using this form of marketing. Already providing 28 new jobs for Surf Coast residents, as these businesses expand, it is expected they will continue to create highly skilled job opportunities, as well as provide a valuable service for local residents and businesses.
