SMEs must embrace Web

A new report has warned that small firms in the UK risk losing business and falling behind their European counterparts because of a failure to understand the benefits of the Internet, reports Vnunet.

The Institute of Directors and broadband provider UK Online have produced a guide entitled Your Business and the Internet, designed to help SMEs better understand the power of the Web.

The guide offers a step-by-step introduction to doing business online, offering explanations and examples of Internet-related functions such as setting up a Web site and making VOIP phone calls and conferences.

IBM India has revealed it set up shop in Surat, to cater to the increasing demand from SMEs that are adopting IT solutions in hardware, software, security and communications, reports Business-Standard.

IBM considers the SME segment to be the fastest growing sector in India. SMEs make up close to 50% of its total revenue from the country.

At Surat, IBM is looking to establish its presence in the financial services, jewellery and diamonds segments.

Siemens Communications is offering a bundle of communications applications for SMEs, reports The Register.

HiPath OpenOffice ME is for companies with between 20 and 150 staff members. It includes presence awareness for routing calls to desk or mobile phones.

Other features include conferencing, an Outlook plug-in, call journal, voice and fax boxes, and live call recording.