Technology sparks innovation: survey

Fifty-eight percent of Irish senior managers appreciate the link between bringing new or better services or products to market and the implementation of ICT, according to a new survey. This compares with just 38 percent of English companies and 17 percent of Scottish companies. Undertaken by Oracle, the survey revealed that a quarter of Irish companies viewed inability to change as being the single biggest threat to their business. "It's certainly encouraging to hear that such a high number of Irish companies now recognise the impact that technology can have on their businesses," said Nicky Sheridan, a vice president and managing director of Oracle Ireland. "It's indicative of how Irish businesses in recent years have recognised the value and return that technology can bring to their business growth." The survey was based on a poll of 50 Irish companies with 250 staff or more. For more information visit ENN.

Broadband dearth hurts Ireland-US trade

The lack of broadband in Ireland is hurting the nation's ability to engage in more trade with the United States. That's according to speakers at the Irish Exporters Association's "presidents luncheon," where Phillip W. Byrd, director general of the American Importers Association, said e-business is becoming the norm for American importers. According to Byrd, some 87 percent of American importers have a positive opinion of Irish goods, and the stunning growth of Irish exports to the US -- which are up 22 percent on last year during the first four months of 2004 -- is evidence of this. But Byrd also issued a warning. "More and more American importers want to do business over the Internet and this could be the key to customer retention," he said. For more information visit the Irish Exporters Association, and see also Byrd's comments on website usability and e-marketing in this issue's eBusiness in Focus.

Report highlights strengths and weaknesses of Irish economy

Ireland "must adapt and develop our strengths if we are to succeed in tomorrow's knowledge economy", according to Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney. The Tanaiste was speaking at the launch of a report from the Enterprise Strategy Group, Ahead of the Curve, Ireland's Place in the Global Economy, which cites both the strengths and weaknesses of the Irish economy. One of the key changes in the external environment which Ireland inc must address, is the globalisation of services, driven partly by advances in communications technology. The report identifies five areas where Ireland must establish sustainable competitive advantage, such as international markets; research and innovation capability; commitment to education and training; a competitive tax environment; and flexible Government that can identify policies required to facilitate change and implement those policies. The full report can be viewed here (pdf 3.3MB) or in abbreviated form here.

Online shopping increases

Online shopping grew strongly in popularity in the UK last year, according to a new report from the Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS). The report, 'The Way We Pay,' found that the number of online transactions grew 50 percent to 200 million in 2003. That figure is set to grow as Internet security improves and online shoppers feel more confident in ecommerce systems. The report also highlighted the fact that shoppers are conducting more transactions via credit cards, rather than cash. The total number of payment cards in use rose by 9 percent to 160.6 million, accounting for STG243.9 billion of spending. For more information see the APACS press release (pdf).

Exporters urged to ensure website usability

Enterprise Ireland hosts open source event

When spam filters stop the message getting through

Online services for SMEs

Case study: Conveyors and Packaging Systems

Make your IT investment go further

21 July, 8am - 10:30am, Berkeley Court Hotel, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4
This Wireless Wednesday event will examine the prospects for 3G and other future wireless technologies. Presentations will be given by Denis Murphy, co-founder and executive chairman of Mobile Cohesion, and Martin Bradley, managing director, Axis Three. Price: EUR40

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