SMALL local businesses are missing out on potential cost savings and efficiency simply because they don't realise how their office technology can be used for making phone calls.

According to new research by BT, many businesses still believe their expensive IT investment is only there for e-mails, internet and other data communications.

A report shows that only 37 per cent of small and medium-size businesses in Worcestershire cottoned-on to the benefits of converged voice-data communications in exploiting their IT investment to the full, a figure which matched the national average.

Of those that have, 68 per cent say they have already achieved important productivity gains - ahead of the national average of 52 per cent - and 63 per cent are reaping the rewards of lower communications spending.

When asked their motivation for migrating to a converged network, 63 per cent wanted to reduce infrastructure costs and 49 per cent wanted to improve the speed with which they could transfer data.

Frank Mills, BT's West Midlands regional director, said: "Modern office technology provides businesses of all sizes with virtually unlimited opportunities.

"While our research shows that cost reduction remains a major focus for smaller businesses, there are many more benefits to be achieved. The findings also show smaller businesses need guidance to make such important changes."

that are important to themselves. BT can provide that help."