UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN PROJECT WINS IBM FACULTY AWARD

Professor Jean-Paul van Belle of Cape Town University’s Faculty of Commerce has won an international IBM Faculty award for developing an innovative toolkit to enable small businesses to break into e-commerce.

The project is designed for small organisations that want to add an e-commerce component to their operations. The system is cost-effective and simple to use, and will encourage more small businesses to take the leap into the world of online transacting.

Professor Van Belle, head of the Information Systems department within the Commerce Faculty, has already developed a prototype of his information and communication technology (ICT) toolkit. The toolkit helps small enterprises, especially in Africa, set up their e-commerce venture through step-by-step guidance and exposure to IBM programmes.

Companies start with a self-assessment test to determine their readiness, which also allows them to decide which ICT areas to focus on. The toolkit provides a self-assessment test and resources to help small companies implement their strategy, with checklists, how-to guides, and other material customized for African conditions.

The toolkit will be available online, and on CD and DVD as well, all at no charge.

Edited from: www.sagoodnews.co.za, 2010/01/25

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