HELPING SMALL BUSINESS GROW WITH E-CATALOGUES

5 May 2004
56/04

Today I launched a new guide for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) designed to reduce the complexity and cost of publishing an electronic catalogue.

E-catalogues are one way of promoting small business to a wider range of customers and encouraging greater use and acceptance of e-business.

The guide contains valuable information on how an SME can integrate their
e-catalogue with the purchasing systems used by their customers.

From Paper to Procurement: Effective Catalogue Creation and Management for Engaging Buyers and Suppliers demonstrates how an SME can develop an
e-catalogue which can be read by different buyers on different technology platforms.

The guide is the product of a joint industry-government initiative that was funded through the Information Technology Online (ITOL) Program.

The project was led by the Australian Retailers Association. Project partners included Acumen Alliance, Cyberlynx Procurement Services, Commonwealth Bank, LogicaCGM, Smartbuy, Sensis, NSW Department of Commerce, South Australia Department for Administrative and Information Services, and the South Australia Science, Technology and Innovation Directorate.

E-business provides opportunities for business to improve the efficiency of their operations and helps to foster greater innovation.

Approximately 500,000 SMEs are online and substantial productivity benefits will flow when their online activities - such as publishing an e-catalogue - become fully integrated with their business applications and those of their trading partners.

The guide provides case studies of SMEs who have benefited through the use of
e-catalogues. One SME featured in the guide found the e-catalogue generated savings through ease of updating price and product information, and through facilitating the use of electronic orders from buyers.

The ITOL Program aims to accelerate the adoption of business-to-business
e-commerce, especially among SMEs. Since 1996, the Government has supported 103 projects through ITOL.

The guide can be accessed at www.e-businessguide.gov.au.

Information about the ITOL Program can be found on the Information Economy home page at www.dcita.gov.au.

Media Contact: Carina Tan-Van Baren (02) 6277 7480 or 0439 425 373