Geneva, February 2005

While the end of the last century was characterised by productivity gains provided by personal computers, similar developments are arising by means of Information Technologies (IT). Due to its ability to process a huge amount of information and complex relationships while simplifying applications, Internet is on the way to changing many aspects of our society. Across the world, it allows access to information and the connection of an unprecedented number of people.

In the field of sustainable management, Internet sets up so called Win-Win-relationships, because beyond technical and economic benefits, it also provides innovations on social and ecological levels. IT is par excellence not only a tool to set up links between sectors of sustainable management, but also to stimulate their interaction with almost all spheres of our society.

In spite of the rapid progress of Internet use and specifically of electronic commerce, its veritable break-through in companies and specifically SME's (small and middle size enterprises) has yet to be achieved. Major barriers are the implementation cost, lack of information and flexibility, and also the complexity of software. In the future it is necessary to provide simpler and cheaper solutions while increasing the collaboration between the IT-sector and SME's. The challenges and potential chances ahead are obvious. For the IT-sector, sustainable management is a new market. For companies facing globalisation, it is of vital importance to fully exploit the potentials of sustainable management via IT, enabling them to mobilise their resources and competencies efficiently.

A major objective of SMIA05 is to offer an overview of applications and benefits provided by Information Technologies in favour of sustainable management. With this aim, the congress will set up the workshop e-Innovation. To producers of software it will show an outlook to future trends. To companies and specifically SME's, it will present examples of applications while demonstrating the benefits of theses technologies on the economic, ecological and social levels summarised hereafter.
The innovation fair will bring together leading suppliers of software, equipment and services.

Scope of participants and visitors: Producers and suppliers of software, equipment, and services of IT-technologies, enterprises and specifically SME's, research institutes and education, experts, consultants.

Sustainable e-business:
Increased added value provided via Internet to customers: display of products and services, communication, real-time survey of shipment, financing, payment, advice and after sales.
Market transparency and real time marketing.
Interactive platforms for procurement, enabling classification and real time management of suppliers according to sustainability requirements.
Accelerated and cheaper market introduction of sustainable products and services.
More direct relationship with customers via CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and co-creation.
Opening of new market segments.

A major objective of SMIA05 is to offer an overview of applications and benefits provided by Information Technologies in favour of sustainable management. For this aim, the congress will set up the workshop e-Innovation. To producers of software, it will show an outlook to future trends. To companies and specifically SME's (small and middle size enterprises), it will present examples of applications while demonstrating the benefits of theses technologies on economic, ecological and social levels.
The innovation fair will bring together leading suppliers of software, equipment and services.