Results of the ICTs for SMEs project

The main tasks, e.g. surveys, interviews, deeper audits, training measures, technical installations were performed in all regions although differences in the way of their realisation exist. To find a common understanding the tasks were planned together with all partners during the preparation phase and the first phase of the running project, and the results were collected and discussed during partner meet-ings. The first task was stock-taking and analysis of the needs and problems of SMEs concerning ICT-usage (about 100 Interviews per region), followed by a central and individual analysis of all regions.

Overall results were presented, stating for example that “the basic premise for interventions is okay on average”, and based on the results local strategy papers and audit schemes were set up in all regions. Extensive consultation and support for the SMEs was solved differently in the regions, by in-depth-audits and “qualification audits”. Support structures were installed in all regions including web-based offers. Training measures for SMEs were discussed and offered, and there was good participation in some regions.

In total the project is seen by the partners to have helped the companies to better understand and make more intense use of IC-technologies and to have helped to open new business fields and sup-port the creation of new jobs which are the central goals of the project.

The activities were carried out in three modules:

Module 1 "Strategy Development"

Module 2 "Regional Support Structure"

Module 3 "Web Platform"