Promoting E-Business among SMEs Mr. Thomas Ita Project Manager Internet/Multimedia MFG Baden-Württemberg - Agency for Media, IT and Film

Baden-Württemberg at a glance Unchallenged business opportunities ­Large market ­Strong partners ­Excellent workforce ­Active IT and media community and One of the best places to live and work in Europe ­Rich cultural life ­World-class education ­Fascinating geography: Heidelberg, Black Forest, Lake Constance

Large market: “In the middle of it“ Home of global players, brand leaders and innovative medium sized enterprises 8 billion Euro R&D investments each year (3.9 % of GDP) - more than every other German state, No. 1 among G7 countries More patent applications than any other European region: 790 applications per 1 Mio. inhabitants, compared to an average of 152 in Europe Stuttgart/Karlsruhe

Large market: “Be where your consumers are“ High standard of living and spending International population: 25% of the Stuttgart population are non-German No. 2 in internet usage in Germany 59 % 32 % August 2000October 2002 Internet usage (in % of population)

Strong partners: “Where innovation grows“ 61,5 billion Euro annual turnover in the IT and media industry sector companies in the IT and media industry sector About 6% of total workforce employed in the sector of software and IT services in % world-wide share in the market for corporate software, second only to Silicon Valley, Ca.

Active community: “Working together“ doIT : IT and Media offensive Baden-Württemberg ­About 430 million Euro investment by the state government until 2006 ­Projects focussing on creativity, education, medium-sized enterprises ­Advised by expert council “bits baden-württemberg“ ­Office: MFG Baden-Württemberg Agency for IT and Media Development ­Activities: –ebigo.de: linking old and new economy –E-Government: improving public services for people and companies –Networking/Training: workshops and sector events (Learntec)

Active community: “Sharing visions“ Baden-Württemberg: Connected ­Leading regional IT-business initiative in Europe for the promotion of information technology, software applications and digital content ­Connecting more than 350 high-tech and industrial companies (i.e. SAP, Porsche, DaimlerChrysler Venture, HP Germany and IBM Germany) as well as service providers ­Community consisting of about experts ­Supporting young entrepreneurs and working together with universities and their incubators throughout Baden-Württemberg

bwcon cluster: “Corporate software and services“ Goals ­Strengthen and advance networks ­Facilitate transfer of technology research ­Support of sales potentials ­Improvement of transparency of the market Methods ­Rating service for business companies ­Research network ­Research award and congress

Promoting E-Business among SMEs: “ebigo.de” Initial situation ­ SMEs in Baden-Württemberg ­E-Business offers SMEs great possibilities (creation of value, ability to compete) ­Lack of Know-how concerning special IT and E-Business subjects Goals ­Transfer of specific IT and E-Business Know-how ­Facilitate decisions concerning investments ­Connecting supply and demand ­Creation of a strong network (state government, trade associations, CCIs, etc.)

ebigo.de: “Services for SMEs and providers“ Services for Customers Content orientated at companies processes Daily news for SMEs Best practice examples Checklists, product tests Search for service providers Presentation of requests on blackboard Examples for contracts Event calendar Information on consulting services nearby -Newsletter Services for service providers Service providers database Search for requests Presentation of profile and references -Newsletter

Partners for your success in Baden-Württemberg: MFG and bwcon Identification of co-operation partners Organising information visits Supporting contacts to authorities MFG Baden-Württemberg Agency for Media and IT Development Managing Director: Klaus Haasis Contact: Dr. Ansgar Zerfaß Breitscheidstrasse Stuttgart Germany Phone:+49/711/ Fax:+49/711/ and Connecting enterprises and experts Knowledge transfer Start-up support Baden-Württemberg: Connected Business Association Managing Director: Klaus Haasis Contact: Verena Wiedmann Breitscheidstrasse Stuttgart Germany Phone:+49/711/ Fax:+49/711/