By Kyle Moore
	Technology and communictation is what Kyle is all about, being the CIR for Shimane's Information Center, in the flash new Techno-Arc located in the hills north of Matsue. Kyle has a degree in computer science, and was formally an IT Consultant in Chicago before coming to Japan on the JET programme.

Over any other, it is clear that the Internet is the most under-utilized tool available to Shimane companies. In fact, it is a fantastic medium for long-distance business collaboration and rapid dissemination of information to any number of potential viewers. Specifically, Japanese businesses can benefit most from contact management and paperless office solutions. Contact management is a blanket term combining company-wide email, address books and calendar/scheduling systems. Users register their appointments online where they are visible to coworkers. Phone numbers, addresses and statuses are never more than a click or two away. In addition, proper increased use of email will contribute to the gradual diminishing of the mountains of outdated and unnecessary paperwork stored by many offices. With proper planning, digitally archived office documents will improve security, allow instantaneous searching, permanently preserve information and reduce, if not eliminate, storage space and costs. Not only this, but the Internet can be leveraged to produce online content at a fraction of the cost of printed matter. Publications not unlike this one can reach a broader audience at near zero additional burden to the publisher. Digital content also provides for new mediums of creativity and artistic expression.

However, no technology is without drawbacks or trade-offs, and the Internet is certainly a double-edged sword. Despite its tremendous ability to contribute value to organizations, the Internet can also be a liability by posing security risks and providing distractions that decrease worker productivity. Furthermore, implementing high-tech solutions requires acceptance and adaptation from the targeted users. This is not an easy task in an age where many users feel intimidated by computers. The lack of affordable high-speed internet connections is also a barrier for small businesses and home users. Finally, technology cannot be a complete solution. It is doubtful email will ever replace the telephone, and practical methods to electronically represent a signature or hanko are difficult to implement and even harder for users to accept, not to mention the legal issues.
Even with these small limitations, there is no doubt that these processes can save tremendous amounts of time and money when planned and implemented correctly. Everyone from the local business community all the way down to the single home user benefits, and Shimane will serve as a technological how-to example for the rest of the Japanese information technology community.