INNOVATIVE ACTIONS UNDER THE ERDF REGIONAL PROGRAMME OF INNOVATIVE ACTIONS ENtrepreneurship Through Innovation in Epirus “ENTI”

Action 7.4: e-commerce & Information Management “ENTI” Responsible Partner: University of Ioannina University of Ioannina Computer Science Department Unit of Medical Technology & Intelligent Information Systems Intelligent Information Systems

Action 7.4: e-commerce & Information Management Sub - actions Design and selection of e-commerce and information exchange patterns for the region –Documentation of e-commerce services and sources of support available in the region –Selection of enterprises –Analysis of enterprises needs and capacity to take-up e-commerce –Development of the e-commerce Portal facility and related services

e-commerce & Information Management Sub - actions Development of an awareness raising and training package for the implementation of e-commerce with the participation of enterprises and further diffusion. On going support –Dissemination & Related Activities –Usage Training and Technical Support for the participating SMEs

e-commerce services support available in the Epirus Greece is one of the less developed countries regarding e-commerce, although a significant change is observed: the percentage of Internet access has raised from 40% (1999) to 70% (2001) SMEs confront a lot of obstacles in the process of e-commerce incorporation, mainly due to lack of knowledge and the application of improper business action plans

e-commerce services support available in the Epirus The regional economic development indices remains lower than the respective national indices. Main problems contributing to this situation are: Population shrinkage and increase of average population age (non-productive population) Population shrinkage and increase of average population age (non-productive population) Incomplete physical resources exploitation Incomplete physical resources exploitation Low development level in relation to other regions in Greece Low development level in relation to other regions in Greece Transportation Network lagging Transportation Network lagging

e-commerce services support available in the Epirus Percentage of SMEs with Internet Access Epirus 33.1% Greece 43.7% Ε.U. 70% Percentage of SMEs maintaining an Internet Site Epirus 23.8 % Greece 28.1% Ε.U %

e-commerce services support available in the Epirus Obstacles High Initial Deployment Costs High Initial Deployment Costs Security Security Technology and time-costly data transfer rates Technology and time-costly data transfer rates Lack of experienced personnel Lack of experienced personnel Lack of interest Lack of interest

Selection of enterprises Sellection Criteria Up to 10 personnel Up to 10 personnel Suitable equipment (computer with modem) Suitable equipment (computer with modem) To have an internet connection with an ISP To have an internet connection with an ISP The enterprise must use communication with costumers The enterprise must use communication with costumers Enterprise web page Enterprise web page

Selection of enterprises Only nine enterprises participate at the e-commerce Portal. Only nine enterprises participate at the e-commerce Portal. This was expected from the e-commerce study for the region of Epirus This was expected from the e-commerce study for the region of Epirus However more enterprises are expected to take part as the project proceeds However more enterprises are expected to take part as the project proceeds

Analysis of enterprises needs With the coordination of the enterprises the functional specifications have been set: Transform the initial user requirements into detailed software and hardware specifications Transform the initial user requirements into detailed software and hardware specifications Define modules and components Define modules and components Specify in more details the functionality of each part Specify in more details the functionality of each part

Development of the e-commerce Portal System Architecture Db E-Commerce Portal System Administration Internet Costumer SME End user application SME application Account Management Application LAN

Development of the e-commerce Portal The e-commerce Portal is constituted by three applications SME application SME application Consumer Application Consumer Application System Administration System Administration

Development of the e-commerce Portal Portal Information Flow The Enterprise Updates portal information concerning product details, product availability, costs, etc. Updates portal information concerning product details, product availability, costs, etc. Access portal information on costumer communication, product orders, etc. Access portal information on costumer communication, product orders, etc. The consumer Access product and cost information Access product and cost information Communicates with the enterprise Communicates with the enterprise Shops on-line and accesses delivery information Shops on-line and accesses delivery information

Development of the e-commerce Portal