Access to international markets.
E-Commerce is an opportunity for many smaller companies to do expand their market area. In order to exploit what can be a very rewarding opportunity; SMEs need to invest in planning, ICT systems, training and implementation of standards.
ICT usage facilitates cooperation.
SMEs need to cooperate, for example by building networks. ICT usage facilitates cooperation in many ways (e.g. through project management tools, or online collaboration tools for design).
Affordable ICT solutions.
ICT vendors and user communities have developed more and better solutions which are targeted to the needs of SMEs in recent years, for example smaller-sized ERP and CRM software packages and free to use or GNU license enterprise software packages. Costs are no longer the main barrier.
Support from large firms.
The economic impact of any communication technology depends critically on the number of users connected. Large companies therefore have a strong incentive to connect with their smaller trading partners in order to reap the full benefits of e-business.