1. Background Picture EBusiness Programme VeRDI  Limited knowledge among SMEs and SME advisers on internet used to improve business performance.  Workshops to map eMaturity among SME confirmed the background picture  Pilot projects confirmed gap between competence needed and training offered. SMEs showed little help yourself capability VeRDI-programme Strategy 2001  Increase awareness  Enable eStrategy planning  Promote and distribute knowledge  Facilitate networks and meeting-places

2. Framework and Strategy 2003  Reduced funding facilities in 2003 due to new R&D tax reduction schemes  Continue awareness raising and eStrategy planning  but more focus on new business models and business results  eCollaboration in value chains preferred projects  Proactive distribution through 18 regional SND-offices  Cross national co-operation on development of tools and concepts

3. VeRDI Results  Estrategy planning processes in more than 400 SMEs over 2 years  Reference projects with major players in important industry sectors (fish, oil/gas supply industry, furniture manufacture, shipbuilding)  Improved eBusiness development tools and new business-cases available on the net  Approx. 40 eBusiness consultants include the tools in their own SME approach concept  Engagement and competence built up within SND Regional Offices (as programme distribution system)

4. The BIT programme- main objective and model  Funds and facilitates co-operative development of ICT and eBusiness solutions tailor made for SME  Bringing together companies belonging -to the same industry sector and let them network on ICT needs and competencies -to the same supply chain system  Industry and trade sector organisations are important partners providing knowledge sharing and distribution of experiences  The solutions are available on the market to commercial conditions

5. The BIT programme Results  ICT business solutions have been developed in over 20 industry and service sectors  Makes the SME segment attractive for software developers  The solutions have been implemented in some 3000 SMEs on commercial conditions  Reference and pilot projects have delivered valuable knowledge, tools and best practice to the SME arena -Schematics for ICT system specification -Agreements on contracting and support -Implementation tools and manuals -Continued improvements of solutions

6. VeRDI-BIT-programme Synergies Results Experiences  Joint eStrategy planning within a sector, a cluster or a value chain rises awareness and motivation due to expected business improvements  eBusiness development in value chains often suffers from lack of standards and low compatibility between ICT systems  BIT eBusiness solutions enhance standardising business processes and integration  BIT work-model reduce the risk of each individual company through piloting in genuine SMEs, providing performance and quality control

7. Lessons learned and concluding remarks  A team of highly skilled and commercially independent advisers must be available on a regional basis. Reorganising business and change management are vital skills  Arenas for networking, which give SMEs access to knowledge and experiences must not be defined too narrowly  Focus on business processes and not technology may not be repeated too often  All support schemes must respect the step by step principle to achieve SME confidence