A Sussex company is behind the latest multimedia technology that is transforming the call centre industry.

Ascot Systems, a developer of screen-to-screen communications, has reported an upsurge in interest in its multimedia systems from call centres across the world.

The new technology, increasing the range of information that can be provided for staff and making it easier to see, has been welcomed by the growing call centre industry, which has come under fire in recent months for stressful working conditions.

Margaret Mayhead, head of sales at the Worthing-based firm, said: "Dot-Matrix wallboards have dominated most call centres as a means of providing team information but they are limited in what they can display, can seem unfriendly in a Big Brother way and are just not versatile enough to make use of modern multimedia technology "The information display system developed here means call centres can keep their teams informed in a far more effective, appealing and user-friendly way."

Multimedia displays on team or individual monitors can display a relevant, eye-catching mix of products or activity information, company messages, internal or external news and special offers, all with high-definition text, graphics, photographs or video.

Having a web-based infrastructure means the systems can be run across multiple sites anywhere in the world with predetermined levels of control at national, regional and local level.

Ms Mayhead said: "The positive feedback we are getting from customers indicates multimedia information display will transform information traffic with call centres and similar establishments where team communication is important."

The original technology dealt with video-switching but, in response to a request from IBM, Ascot developed its training delivery system.

The company was founded in 1977 by Phil North, now managing director. It employs 20 people at Wood Way, Worthing.