This section of the directory lists projects and organisations that provide support and advice on how technology can assist in improving business administration.
The Business IT Guide (the Guide) is an online tool designed to help smaller businesses in using ICT to improve efficiency and productivity. Guides are available for a range of business administration functions including finance and accounting; human resources; hardware procurement; and data security
The Ignite Programme is aimed at start-up and established businesses. It provides mentoring support designed to identify and address the immediate issues faced by a company through to developing a 3-5 year view of the company direction, objectives and an action plan needed to realise those.
The Minerva Programme raises finance from suitable banks, venture capital funds and UWSP's own Minerva Business Angel Network. This is for established businesses to raise investment for expansion, and emerging businesses to find funding for start-up and growth and often combines capital from two or more funding sources to leverage our angels' investment and create a package that best meets the company's needs.
e-Business Adoption helps small and medium-sized businesses from the tourism, leisure and hospitality industries (as well as their supply chains) adopt internet technologies. It provides expert independent advice, training and consultancy to help your business take simple steps to implement e-business solutions to help new start-ups and existing businesses from across the West Midlands make better use of internet technologies and in the process, further develop your businesses.To be eligible for support businesses must be from the tourism and leisure industries, employ less than 250 employees and be based within the West Midlands.
The National B2B Centre can assist in supply chain solutions, using e-business to work faster and cheaper with your customers and suppliers, benefiting both. Typically it will mean receiving orders or data from your customer via the internet, or it might mean doing the same with your own suppliers.
Working with colleagues, suppliers and partners is an everyday activity for many small businesses. The National B2B Centre can advise on making the communication processes more effective and save yourself time and money.
Provides guidelines and advice to business on all aspects of e-business including customer relationship management, procurement and back-office applications.
Provides a full range of support to businesses. Offers consultation, tools and a range of informative resources to assist businesses adopting e-business technologies including website development, e-commerce and e-marketing.
Educates and assists SMEs in all aspects of Open Source software offering a complete range of services from an introduction to open source software to helping clients develop their own bespoke and niche solutions. Provides a Centre of Excellence in open source software which can assist businesses adopt Open Source solutions to support customer relationship management, VOIP and other technologies.
Allows you to collaborate and communicate with your partners and customers using free, secure online project spaces.
Access to on-line information and one-to-one access to specialist business advisers. The help offered covers all aspects of business, including business administration activities. Support is aimed at young entrepreneurs aged 16-30.