A Barnsley firm has developed a new tool to protect firms from that ultimate business nightmare - all the computers going down.

Praxsoft Ltd provides complete IT support to over 50 firms including Barnsley Football Club, Lavender International, Fosters Bakery, Spin Print, Lloyds Catering and Cannon Hall Farm.

Rather than waiting for a call from a customer when things have broken down, the firm uses its own bespoke 'External Systems Monitoring' (ESM) software to remotely monitor every aspect of their customers' essential operating systems 24 hours a day seven days a week. ESM sends Praxsoft an alert every time an issue arises - and crucially before it has a chance to cause a real operational problem.

Now, the innovative IT firm has developed a new application to link their office-based monitoring screen to their mobile phones. This means Praxsoft engineers can keep a watchful eye on their customers' critical systems even while on the move.

Director of Praxsoft Ltd Andrew Chesterton said: "Our aim is to keep businesses on the go and avoid any downtime. We designed our own monitoring system to keep a constant eye on internet gateways, servers, networks and essential IT equipment. It allows us to spot threats to their business operation straight away and basically 'fix it before it breaks.'

 "The speed of our response is crucial. We contact our customer before they know they have a problem. That's why we've now developed an app. for smart-phones to ensure we can pick up on alerts even when we are on the road. Our customers can have the app. on their phones too so they can also have peace of mind."

The External Systems Monitoring software works by automatically scanning systems every fifteen minutes and alerting Praxsoft engineers to any sudden changes in a customer's IT such as a dramatic reduction in disk space, an un-plugged electrical lead, an urgent need to back-up data or any kind of technical fault.

One customer, co-managing Director of Lavender International, Stephen Lavender, said: "We are a busy company and Praxsoft's protection means we can get on with our work rest assured that our critical computer systems are not going to let us down. It gives us tremendous peace of mind."

Praxsoft Ltd, based in Mapplewell, is a family run firm employing eight people and has been in business for fifteen years. The company is currently receiving support from Enterprising Barnsley to develop a new website and market its advanced IT support services to new customers.

Enterprising Barnsley Business Development Manager John Heckingbottom said: "In the 21^st century we all know how much we rely on computers for every aspect of our business. It is great to see a Barnsley firm designing, developing and using its own products to spot risks before they get a chance to cause a problem. Praxsoft helps to keep other local businesses up and running instead of brought to a halt by digital disasters."

The Enterprising Barnsley programme offers business support to Barnsley businesses with growth potential and has helped create more than 600 jobs. Enterprising Barnsley has attracted £2.89m investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe's support for the region's economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme.