Government agency UK Online for Business has launched a
web-based benchmarking tool for small and medium-sized companies to
measure their e-business progress on a regional, national and
industry sector basis.
The service, announced last week, requires a company to answer 25
e-business-related questions. An online report is then produced
indicating the areas where a business is strong on its e-business
activity and where it can improve.
The report benchmarks companies against annually refreshed data in
areas covering adoption of IT, sophistication of sales systems, use
of technology with suppliers and internally, as well as a firm's
strategic approach to IT.
Liz Grant, director of e-policy and delivery at the Department of
Trade & Industry, said, "This tool gives companies the chance
to find out exactly where they stand in terms of e-business.
"Not only does it offer vital information looking at how your
business is faring against other companies from a sector or region,
but it also provides links to appropriate areas of the UK Online
website to help you improve areas of IT use identified through the
tool."
www.ukonlineforbusiness.gov.uk/benchmarking