CeBIT 2003 is launching its own SME offensive. For the first time ever, Hannover-based show organizers Deutsche Messe AG will be offering a special programme geared to this key economic target group. On the weekend of 15 and 16 Mar., midway through the show, the Hannover Exhibition Centre will put the spotlight on IT providers, who will be offering special presentations, forum-based events and talks to present their products and services targeted to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).CeBIT 2003 will run from 12-19 Mar.
The highlight of these so-called Focus Days for SMEs will be a stellar panel discussion on CeBIT Saturday, running under the motto of Using IT to Meet Your Business Targets. The keynote speaker will be Wolfgang Clement, German federal minister for Economics and Labour.This special interest demonstrated by CeBIT organisers and exhibitors didnt come out of the blue. According to BITKOM, the German Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media, 60 per cent of the German economy directly depends on the mood among that countrys SMEs, including its job market, export share and tax revenues let alone the role of SMEs in Germanys web-based economy.
The Focus Days for SMEs will be kicked off by a forum at 11:00 on CeBIT Saturday. Speakers will include German super-minister Wolfgang Clement, Stefan Bürkli, director of small and medium business at Munich-based IBM Deutschland, Heinz Paul Bonn, the member of the BITKOM board responsible for SME-related matters and CEO of the Cologne-based GUS Group, Jürgen Gallmann, managing director of Munich-based Microsoft Deutschland, and Elisabeth Slapio, managing director of the Cologne Chamber of Commerce responsible for IT and communications technology. Their common theme: The use and role of, as well as future prospects for IT solutions amongst small and medium enterprises.
Numerous exhibitors, campaigns and associations will take an active part in the two Focus Days. In around 80 talks, forums and individual presentations taking place at their own stands or in the Convention Centre, they will inform the visiting public about the current state of IT offerings for SMEs. Topics include E-Commerce for SMEs, Data Networks for SMEs, IT Financing for SMEs and Progressive Skilled Trades Enterprises.
In addition, participating exhibitors will present ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and e-business solutions, also delving into such areas as logistics, materials handling, production and distribution techniques to match the requirements of SMEs. Two events are expected to be of particular interest: Basle 2 -Financing Options for SMEs and Protecting Yourself from Typical Attacks on Company Networks.
2002-02-03
Em Foco – Projecto