Workshop 1 «
How can the Internet demand of SMEs be developed ? » SPEAKER : Mr.
Chris SULLIVAN
Organism : The University of
Sheffield
Department of Computer Science
Country : UNITED KINGDOM
Postal Address : Regent Court
211 Portobello Street
S1 4DP SHEFFIELD
Phone :44 114 222 3310
Summary
Our objective is it encourage
the adoption of appropriate information and communication technologies
by SMEs. We help SMEs (in the Medical Technology, Environmental technology
and Print and Design sectors) identify which business processes may benefit
from ICT and help them draw up an Action Plan to achieve this.
The service we offer is impartial
and independent and is backed up by international research expertise from
the University's Communication and Distributes systems group. We can offer
practical advice about 'off-the-shelf' solutions that are available to
business, or help them with bespoke development of leading edge applications
and services.
We are also very active in the
development of web based support services for SMEs, and have deployed information
brokerage architectures that help SMEs find the right information at the
right time with the minimum of fuss. (is quality controlled relevant and
current information that is quicker, cheaper, better and easier to access.
this service is branded Vantage Points.
Our strategy has been to :
1. raise awareness via 'business
sector specific' case studies and news ( ie. case studies about how medical
technology companies have benefited from the use of the Internet - directly
mailed to other medical technology companies - the purpose of this is to
exploit the competitive peer pressure that exists between companies in
a similar market)
2. Offer expert and impartial
advice to companies who wish to explore how ICT can help maximise their
business processes.
3. Provide a state-of-the-art
demonstration facility that provides hands-on experience for companies
unfamiliar with new technology. This centre is a part of the UK DTI's National
network of ISI centres and is also a part of an advanced high performance
multimedia testbed and transmission media test facility.
4. Provide a intelligent web
based information brokerage system that is 'business sector specific'.
(i.e. a service that is specifically tailored and designed for sector s
of business that were supported by Telerise. Therefore such new users to
the WWW or existing users have a resource that has been specifically developed
for them and so they immediately get value from using the Internet and
WWW)
