eSMEs' origin

The CEN Focus Group eSMEs aims to help SMEs integrate eBusiness standards and procedures into their daily work.

The Focus Group has collected and disseminated practical knowledge, information and experiences as well as guidelines concerning the use of eBusiness and eBusiness standards.

The Focus Group has also provided courses and tutorials targeted specifically to small and medium companies.

This baseline describes the current situation regarding adoption of e-business standards by European SMEs.

Alongside this baseline, a blueprint is developed to articulate the desirable structure and features of the support system that must accelerate e-business adoption by European SMEs. This blueprint is under construction.

Full details and contact persons on the FG/eSMEs initiative are at: http://www.cen.eu/go/FGeSMEs

Multiple SME support initiatives

European SMEs are the target of a wide range of support initiatives, and an even larger range of commercial offers to invest in or purchase e-business services.

Yet, in spite of all possibilities, the European Parliament, in its resolution of 10 March 2009 observed¹: …there has been little or no tangible improvement in the business environment for SMEs since 2000.

The further justification for a baseline that can be shared across a number of SME-focussed initiatives is explained at: http://www.pragmetaknowledgeclout.be/kc:initiative-atlas

This Baseline Wiki

Mission statement	Connecting eSME targeted services for accelerated eBusiness adoption by European SMEs.

Service proposition	A baseline that describes the current situation regarding support services, and serves as a resource for gap-analysis and collaborative planning to achieve synergy.

YOU and this baseline?

The possible interactions with a baseline wiki are explained at http://baselinenode.wikidot.com/start

If you want to contribute significant facts, critical questions or clarifying answers to this baseline, then consider to join: Join the team and this wiki.

The current members are listed here: Member page.

The open Linkedin group eSMEs ( http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/2896016/ ) has been created to support the community building around this multi-language wiki.