The day the Government announced those who can should be working from home will be etched in the minds of IT support team as a watershed moment.

Since that date earlier this week the companies like SSL (Severnside Software Ltd) in Gloucester have been working flat-out to serve existing customers and set up home-working on a scale never before seen in the UK.

Requests have poured in ranging from basic help with passwords to sourcing licences for software, from acquiring lap tops to major concerns about company data suddely being exposed to cyber criminals.

"Since the Government announcement at 4.50pm on Monday about everyone homeworking whereever possible it kicked off," said Roger White, the boss of SSL, which suddenly found himself in the eye of a major storm.

"For us this is all about helping our existing customers to keep their businesses functioning - doingwhatever we can to make sure we remove as much stress from and already very stressful situation for them."

Pre-crisis, sourcing laptops for customers was easy. The last few days it has all changed beyond recognition, drawing comparisons with the essential item that has become something of a symbol of our shopping needs since the arrival of the coronavirus Covid 19 in the UK.

"Before the crisis it was easy for us to pick up a lap top, whatever the spec. Now they have become the 'new toilet roll'. Everyone wants one.

"What is happening is the £400 to £600 machines are all being bought up. Even the higher end machines are now being taken."

Fear not, SSL has solutions for those already having to arrange to work from desk tops and anyone in need of remote access software.

"There is panic out there. There is stress. The pressure is on. But we are here to help. Next week, when most of our customers are bedded in we expect the calls to keep coming and we will continue to work hard to ensure whoever calls us has any issues revolved or gets any advice they need. We are here to see business through these difficult times," said Mr White.