Needs of small companies for eGovernment and eCommerce solutions Heli Salmi, M. Sc. (Econ.) Coordinator, Expert Services

Statistics in Finland - Companies

Special needs for small companies - in general Lack of resources (time, personnel, funds, skills) Maybe fear for new techniques Typically faced by the same accounting rules and reporting requirements as big companies But also, flexible and rapid in changes

Special needs for small companies - in general Solutions offered to SMEs must be Cost effective Easy to use Secure Offered through trusted and commonly known parties

Virtual Accounting Small companies can use modern techniques / accounting through modern Service Providers Virtual accounting firms as ASPs (Application Service Provider) Can be Pan-European services SMEs Elma Authority/Company/Consumer Conversions, visualisation, transmission and control of data Data Accounting ASP-service

Need for eGovernment in B2B Many public authorities and organizations collect different reports or filled in paperforms Several authorities collect the same data (e.g. financial statements) or almost the same data. Filling in the same information is rather frustrating and time consuming. Forms keep on changing often and with a short notice. Correct paper forms are never there when you need them. Companies have to report refined data -> excess work for companies

Case 1: TYVI Data Collection from Companies to Public Authorities since 1997

TYVI - Data Collection from companies to Public Authorities Companies Operator Accounting Services Tax Admistration Statistics Finland LEL Employment Pension Fund TEL Employment Pension Fund Trade Unions Customs Authorities

Without Cooperation and Service Providers Companies Tax Admistration Statistics Finland LEL Employment Pension Fund TEL Employment Pension Fund Trade Unions Customs Authorities

VAT

Electronic forms for citizens Initiated by Ministry of the Interior Intelligent electronic forms for citizens on the Internet 17 authorities offering the services (in the start) 50 most frequently used forms Electronic signature for the forms, when needed Full service autumn 2002

Case 2: PTMJ Small Employers Payment System

PTMJ - Small Employers Payment System Initiated by the parliament Fully automated system for small employers wages and salaries including automated payments to banks and reports to authorities Fully automated = knows the different payments and computation rules for different wages and salaries, sends the reports automatically without human interference etc. Internet based service The definition phase, offers during the fall

Case 3: eInvoice Electronic Invoicing

PRESS RELEASE June 10, 2002 The State Treasury and Elma Pilot Electronic Invoicing The Finnish State goes over to electronic invoicing The States 118 offices, ministries, research institutes and universities are transferring to electronic invoicing. Some 20 organisations are already launching development projects for this in Finland is the first European country to progress this far with electronic State financial administration.

What is the eInvoice? Modern, reliable and paperless way of invoicing Invoice data from invoicers system to invoicees system Based on Internet techniques The invoice is visualized for electronic handling (checking and possible approvals) processes Covers both B-to-B and B-to-C invoicing

Co-operation and interconnection Today 4 SPs and 3 Banks have agreed upon a common standard that enables e-invoices to be sent and received reliably in a common network.

Conprehensive eInvoice solution

Summary Electronic reports/forms for companies and citizens - the infrastructure and technique is usable throughout Europe Suggestion: one service for Pan-European forms? Electronic invoicing cross border - no technical hindrances Council Directive 2001/115/EC supports a common European invoice data content, but unfortunately caused big confusion by suggesting electronic signatures