Increasingly, administrators and vendors alike are seeking an alternative to the telephone support bottleneck: the public access database services that are available to anyone with a computer and a modem.

As computers and operating systems have become more powerful, vendors have sought to provide users with a single application platform that can meet all needs.

On the other hand, the vendor should seek to restrict the number of exemptions.

Instead, the vendor will normally seek undertakings from the purchaser only to operate the business in the same or a similar manner to the way it was operated before the sale.

The vendor will seek to reduce the risk by making disclosures and limiting its liability for breach of warranty.

Clearly, the vendor will seek as large a consideration as possible, with as few contingent liabilities as possible.

By the deadline, in June, 32 vendors sought the skills-assessment work and 41 applied for the job-placement contracts, Ms. Sproles said.

They can even advise on major renovation works if the vendor seeks to attract maximum interest from a potential buyer.

The vendor will seek to refer to all excess provisions rather than merely the one that relates to the items under dispute.

The vendors are seeking a cash deal and, hence, will not accept consideration in the form of shares, loan notes or other securities.