New IT report and free workshop for Western Sydney businesses, 30 November, 2004

NSW Department of State & Regional Development, Church St., Parramatta

Workshop held at the NSW Department of State and Regional Development has once again proven that AeIMS research team has been doing well in helping businesses react to the changing environment and adapting to the new circumstances. In addition, it has also highlighted that UWS researchers are concentrating not only on theory but also assuring that their work is put into practice.

Two case study presenters Mr. Greg Keet from i-Design Office Furniture and Mr. Jim Ley from Plantheven Orchid Nursery shared their experiences with the audience at the DSRD Forum.

Mr Keet pointed out that small business owners wear a number of hats and that for them it is crucial to know and be aware of the available technology. He said he has made use of IT and has designed online catalogue which can directly be uploaded to the company’s website. Furthermore, he pointed out that i-Design also uses available software to improve its customer relationship management, and assure smooth and quick response.

Mr. Jim Ley, the owner of Plantheven Orchid Nursery came on board the eTransformation programme run by AeIMS research group in 2000 after answering AeIMS ICT 2000 survey. He stated that for him this was like winning a lottery which prompted him to proceed with the eTransformation plan. Today, his company has customer centred approach and is trying to give customers that little bit extra. Planthaven offers customer a helpline. All the plants are labelled. Each label has a website and contact details printed so that no matter where a customer has got the plant from, the customer can always contact Planthaven directly. Mr. Ley highlighted that today it is necessary to learn, understand and predict customers’ demands and search for new ways of how to do business. He stressed that “The most important thing is not to stop. If you stop learning and searching for the next steps you are gone”. Moreover, he said that “… [SMEs] are all going the same way. We have been driven there by necessity and if people want to stay in business they have to follow this path”.

In addition, Mr Ley mentioned that “What UWS [AeIMS staff has] done for [him] is quite remarkable”. He said: “I really related to [eReadiness 2003 survey results] because everything that went up there on the board has actually happened to me. The transformation which is only partly completed as far as I am concerned has included all those changes that we have seen from recent surveys and that happened to me automatically as a matter of course and development that I have been carrying out”. Mr. Ley concluded by saying that “Earlier I used to run a business, whereas now I manage it”. He wants to continue the process of total transformation and become fully IT enabled.

Some pictures from the workshop: