Technology and the euro

1 January 1999 marked a watershed in the economic landscape of Europe — the introduction of European Monetary Union (EMU). There is no doubt that EMU will impact on all companies which trade in an EMU participating state (Euroland) irrespective of whether or not individual countries decide to join. This, of course, includes British companies as the euro will be the currency of our biggest single export market. So far, the high-level political and economic debate surrounding EMU has tended to obscure other aspects. However, the practical consequences of EMU are vital, not least the ability of IT systems to accomodate the euro.