SME Software Support

A summary of the project - COPERNICUS CP - 94 - 0636:

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Software Support for Bulgaria and Lithuania

Dr Todorka Damianova, Technical University Sofia and Richard Millwood, ULTRALAB, Anglia Polytechnic University.

‘SME Software Support’ is a three year project carried out within the framework of the European Community's Copernicus programme for Cooperation in Science and Technology with Central and Eastern European Countries and New Independent States of former Soviet Union.

The project is being developed by an international team of researchers and software professionals from eight institutions located in five European countries:

ORFEUS - the leading company for development and dissemination of educational and training software in Denmark (Coordinator);

ULTRALAB - innovative learning technology research centre for design and development of multimedia software at Anglia Polytechnic University, UK;

Technical University of Sofia - the biggest technological institute of higher education in Bulgaria;

University of Klaipeda - modern higher educational institution in Lithuania;

INTERPROGRAMMA - a long established company for localization and distribution of software in Bulgaria;

VANDEM - a company for development of special purpose software systems in Bulgaria;

TEV - an electronic publishing company in Lithuania;

NWZ-ZG - a newspaper distribution company from Germany.

The project concerns information technology-based support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a particular emphasis on the localisation and development of software applications for administrative, training and professional problems. The main aim of the project is to promote the provision of relevant software tools and vocational skills for businessmen establishing SMEs by means of opening access to the available modern information technologies and applications. The main objective is the establishment of two support units in Bulgaria and Lithuania acting on three tasks:

Task 1: Delivering software - Localisation and development of up-to-date interactive multimedia software technologies, tools and applications for small and medium-sized business administration and maintaining;

Task 2: Training - Establishment of open learning training and retraining courses addressing the principle needs of small and medium-sized enterprises and unemployed people;

Task 3: Information dissemination - Transfer and dissemination of information technology materials to contribute to the rehabilitation of business in both Eastern European countries.

The main activities and results are shown in this figure:

[Figure 1]

Both Bulgaria and Lithuania have historically determined problems in the implementation of Information Technology. There is an inconsistency between the size, power and functionality of existing computer systems and an increase in the number of consumers with an awareness of information services. In addition many companies which are well equipped with computers need competent advice in choosing appropriate software, and local language user interfaces and supporting materials.

A 1994/95 survey conducted by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu International/IDOM consultants reports:

“[SMEs] now require ongoing support and maintenance, and they want it within a reasonable time (not flown in from abroad) from people who speak the language and understand local needs”

The data reported from the survey ‚can be interpreted that the more advanced Central and Eastern economies increasingly require localised software, suggesting that as Information Technology is adopted more widely in less advanced economies, demand there will increase.

This imposes an emphasis on the research of the project to be on the problems of inter-lingual and inter-cultural adaptation of software materials addressed to users who do not have special informatics or language preparation.

The benefits of the project will reflect mainly on the activities of small and medium-sized enterprises and on the development of the economy in both Eastern-European countries as a whole.

The project team invites interested parties to contact us particularly with regard to software localisation. For further information, contact the project coordinator,

Leo Højsholt-Poulsen

Managing Director, Orfeus

Skæring Skolevej 202

Egaa, Aarhus

DK-8250

DENMARK