BT launched an extensive internal communications campaign to support the launch of the HCI scheme, including promoting the initiative in BT’s online newspaper, mailings to employees and an announcement by the Chief Executive. Caroline Waters comments, “We even had computers set up in the staff restaurants. We kept the messaging to employees simple and compelling, highlighting the fact that you could save up to 50% on a new computer.” In the first year of operation alone, 6,500 eligible employees signed up for the scheme, with adoption rates rising by 100-200 per month as benefits were conveyed by word-of-mouth.

For this reason BT decided to run the scheme continuously with the support of BT Home Computing, a subsidiary specializing in setting up and deploying, servicing and maintaining HCI schemes. By providing exceptional technical support to employees not usually available to home users, BT gains employee buy-in as well as an understanding of the impact the scheme has in improving basic skills and IT literacy levels.

By providing the option to acquire high value computers at almost half the price, employees can select equipment to suit their lifestyle. Whether people use computers to shop online, play games or DVDs, download music or manage digital pictures, they benefit from high performance systems that support all of their favourite applications. Skills can be shared with family members, for example, encouraging children to benefit from incorporating Internet use to support their homework efforts. For those who travel frequently the option to obtain thin, lightweight Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology-based notebooks is proving popular, enabling people to access information and communicate wherever they are via wireless connection for the truly on-the-go computing lifestyle.

In addition to improving employee productivity, BT has realized an operational cost saving in excess of £1 million by reducing the amount of payroll subject to National Insurance Contributions. BT is also able to promote upgrades to broadband packages when employees join the HCI scheme, providing even faster connectivity for employees and an additional revenue stream for BT.