Technology is essential to modern small businesses but it can become a technical headache for time-pressed owner-managers, as well as being very expensive.

It is often not practical to employ an IT expert full time to service just a few machines and a website, but finding decent outside help can be tricky.

Large companies and organisations, such as Government departments, are able to use an Internet-based system which allows staff to tap into a centralised file storage system, without the need for complex software, or separate servers.

Now such a system is available to small firms through Oxfordshire company Extrinsica.

It has developed Office Anywhere, which allows access to a range of software services, such as Microsoft Office, through the web, removing the need to install and licence the product to individuals.

Secure access means staff can get into files from anywhere in the world, giving a new dimension to home working, with a whole office system available at the click of a mouse. Other applications, such as Microsoft Exchange, which allows lists and calendars to be accessed by a variety of users, are also available.

Bicester-based managing director Simon Smith said: "We use the same sort of technical security measures as those behind Internet banking, which means you can use a basic laptop with Internet access and not have to download anything.

"It means that even if you have your laptop stolen, you will not lose any valuable files or applications, because they are accessed remotely."

In fact the system can be used from any computer using a USB stick so, for example, information can be accessed quickly if needed just by popping into an Internet cafe.

Three levels of service have been developed by Extrinsica, supplying microbusinesses, small firms and larger corporates. The main differences are storage space, with up to 25 gigabytes available at the top end, down to one gigabyte.

Costs vary from about £45 per month and depend on the individual user. Considering the cost of software installation and licensing, it could be also be a cheaper solution, especially as the latest versions of software applications will be available, taking out the expense of upgrading.

Mr Smith added: "It is a completely transparent, predictable IT cost spread across the year."

Extrinsica practices what it preaches and is operated from the homes of its 15 directors and staff around the country. Set up six years ago, its core business is the provision of interim staff to Government departments to help run IT projects, and it has a turnover of £850,000 a year.

Contact: Simon Smith 07917 352186 or visit www.officeanywhere.org.uk or www.extrinsica-es.com