Portugal Telecom in partnership with Cisco will support the e-SME project, promoted by the Portuguese Industry Association – Enterprise Confederation (AIP-CE) in articulation with IPAMEI Institute. From 2009 to 2011, one thousand Small and Medium Enterprises will benefit from support for the modernisation of their technological infrastructure and from enhancement to their sales and marketing processes, enabling these companies to have an active presence in the digital economy.

e-SME is an innovative solution for SMEs with growth potential, from the North, Centre and Alentejo regions that aim to reposition their business. It comprehends communication products and services, consultancy, training, logistics and management support. This way, Portuguese SMEs will be able to make known and sell their products and services worldwide through the internet.

In such a strategic moment for PT in relation to the SME segment, Rui Gonçalves Pereira, Board Member of PT, stresses that this offer is the right opportunity for companies to leap forward in qualitative terms, both on the national and international markets.

But advantages are not restricted to the performance in international markets, also comprehending the possibilities of technological modernisation, stresses PT’s Board Member. And he adds that both cost reduction and internet presence will enable the said international prominence.

In the scope of this project, PT and Cisco have joined efforts due to “a convergence of interests in a strategic segment – Small and Medium Enterprises – which resulted into the democratisation of a solution traditionally used for large enterprises, now also available for SMEs”, added Rui Gonçalves Pereira. The e-SME offer is therefore an evolution of the Office Box solution, as part of the portfolio of PT Business, combined with services such as webification or consultancy, implemented in a customisation context.

Another advantage identified by PT’s Board Member was the possibility of financing the solution, as companies may apply to these funds through the QREN program, which has Euro 15 million available for this project. A line of credit from Caixa Geral de Depósitos bank is an alternative financing option available.

Carlos Brazão, general director of Cisco in Portugal, highlighted the differentiation and innovation of this unique offer, already a reference internationally. He added that this offer, jointly developed by PT and Cisco, will be studied and analysed by Cisco’s Iberian SME Department, taking into consideration its innovative nature and the fact that it is a converged, integrated offer.

Technology, people and markets

Modernisation is the keyword in the e-SME offer. Supported on a technological platform, companies will enjoy enhanced flexibility in their operations and improved evolution capacity to adopt new services and technologies. Convergence of services, voice + data, or fixed + mobile is the starting point for this offer. Latest-generation equipment from Cisco, smartphones, mobile broadband boards enable mobility and information-sharing anywhere.

Using the digital economy stands for using the internet to enter new markets, set up a virtual store, make available innovative solutions such as secure electronic means of payment on the internet, access to distribution networks, referentiation in portals with search engines, namely the  SAPO portal, together with training and consultancy services in areas such as information technologies, digital economy, sales and marketing.

The focus on people and on business is another competitive advantage of the e-SME solution. To have a single interlocutor and a helpdesk available allows total concentration on the core business. Cost control, together with the aforementioned training and consultancy, constitute another opportunity for businessmen to take advantage of. Business support is also reflected on the access to an online application that allows the digitisation and viewing of all kinds of documents and financial information.

Manuel Pilo, manager at Cisco who presented the e-SME project at the contract signature ceremony, summarises the solution presented in the following words: “innovation, convergence, competent partners and integration of technology, people and processes”.

Convergence in terms of platform and opinions

According to Fernando Teixeira dos Santos, Minister of Economy and Innovation, this support for SMEs represents an opportunity for the take-up of the economy, giving prominence to various sectors, especially export-related ones.

The Minister stressed the role of this offer in terms of productivity improvement, through the use of new Technologies. The new partnerships established are also important: in terms of technology, between PT and Cisco, as well as all the others, between AIP-CE association, QREN program and IPMEI institute, said the Minister. He also highlighted the importance of this platform to boost the prominence of Portuguese SMEs internationally by promoting market diversification and the export base increase.

Nelson de Sousa, manager of COMPETE, is convinced that this project will contribute to the dissemination of good practices in Portugal’s enterprise tissue.