An Open Distance Learning e-system to support SMEs e- enterprising

SMEs have gradually recognized the positive impact that ICTs and their applications can have on their business. Most SMEs according to EURO watch, particularly those which have fewer than ten employees, today have computer infrastructures and access to Internet. Many types of business software can improve information and knowledge management within the firm, leading to more efficient business processes and better firm performance. This paper presents an e-application for training SMEs in the usage of new technologies as well as in e-activities such as ebusiness, e-commerce, e-management, e-advertisement etc, in order that competitiveness and e-enterprising in the area of SMEs, is increased. Our work is based on the modularity and adaptability achieved via the ICT and Internet tools that provide authoring services of e-content (i.e. examples, exercises, glossary, references, e-library, announcements, web links) and asynchronous communication (i.e. discussion forums, message box). The distributed, interoperable and user-friendly architecture implemented, allows the existence and operation of different user levels according to their roles.