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SMEs are doing it online

A growing number of SMEs are counting ebusiness as core to their profit-making activities, confident that investment in IT will pay off.

By editorial@silicon.com

Published: 10 April 2001 16:28 BST

The most recent survey commissioned by IBM Germany, in which 1,000 SMEs participated, found that 85 per cent of SMEs believe the web will contribute to their profitability within the coming two years. The survey also found that 96 per cent of SMEs have an internet connection, 70 per cent have their own websites, 21 per cent are already actively seeking revenue gains from their web presence and a further 44 per cent intend to do so in the immediate future.

However, those businesses that remain sceptical towards ebusiness do not intend to alter their position in the foreseeable future and many believe that ebusiness is unsuitable for the company. Reasons for avoiding entry into ecommerce ranged from a fear of converting customers to the high costs related with entry into the high-tech world.

By Irene Binal, reporter, silicon.de

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