Computeraid Services is a new company set up by Thorn EMI Information Technology to provide third party maintenance services for micro users and suppliers. The service is intended mainly for retail outlets and firms with a number of micros on the premises, but Computeraid is also willing to take the single-micro small business onto its books.

Launching the new service, Computeraid general manager Maurice O'Brien pointed out that there was a tendency among micro users to think in terms of insuring their hardware and software, but that this wasn't always the logical solution. He felt it was important that business users should deal with a company that knows how important it is to have fast service, and understands that getting the hardware up and running again may well be a secondary consideration to recovering vital data.

He also stressed the importance of getting a maintenance contract before your micro starts to malfunction, rather than after. Computeraid is on Farnborough (0252) 548888.