CWE from an SME perspectiveCWE from an SME perspective

John Lindström and Anders John Lindström and Anders LundkvistLundkvist

AgendaAgenda

Introduction Methodology CWE practice for SMEs over the last 20 years Barriers for results from CWE research to become

SME practice

Summary

IntroductionIntroduction High tech SMEs often early adopter of new/innovative tools –

improve operations, speed, quality, ability to co-operate…

Collaborative Working Environment (CWE) tools – accepted as common tools

Definition of CWE integrated and connected resources providing shared access to contents

and allowing distributed actors to seamlessly work together towards common goals

Examples (and evolution) of CWE-tools Telephone, fax, cellphone, SMS, e-mail, web Conference tools, VoIP, Instant Messaging (IM) like ICQ and Skype,

Internet based project management tools, web based office suites with shared work spaces

Introduction, cnt’dIntroduction, cnt’d

This paper discusses: CWE-tools and enabling infrastructures from a high tech SME

perspective during the last 20 years in Europe Barriers for results from CWE research and development to not become

SME practice

MethodologyMethodology Arctic Group AB – high tech consulting company, SME, developing

IT-systems for public and private sector customers Analyzed restrictions for use of CWE tools during development and

research projects where worked with customers and partners 105 projects (Sweden, Europe, Asia) during last 4 years

Categorized every worked day into type of CWE tool limitations (project type A-C) and small – large customers

Type A projects – no limitations Type B projects – some limitations Type C projects – strong limitations

Methodology cnt´dMethodology cnt´dProject type 2003 2004 2005 2006

A 12% 22% 27% 24%

B 53% 52% 53% 42%

C 34% 26% 21% 34%

Customer type 2003 2004 2005 2006

Public 79% 80% 64% 82%

Private 21% 20% 36% 18%

Stable sample - except for 2005

Methodology cnt´dMethodology cnt´d

Total 2003-2006 Type A Type B Type C Sum

Small customer 15% 0% 0% 15%

Medium customer 3% 0% 0% 3%

Large customer 6% 49% 28% 83%

Sum 23% 49% 28% 100%

1 < Small < 50

50 < Medium < 250

250 < Large

CWE practice for SMEs over the CWE practice for SMEs over the last 20 yearslast 20 years Telephone and fax Cellphone and SMS E-mail Web CWE tools (conference tools, VoIP, IM, Internet based project tools, wikis,

web based office suites with shared work spaces…)

Characteristics of SME uptake of new technology (CWE tools) High tech SMEs – often early adopters Low tech SMEs – slower (IT knowledge) Communications infrastructure (bandwidth)

Barriers for results from CWE Barriers for results from CWE research to become SME practiceresearch to become SME practice

Observations from 105 projects

Barriers Large organizations´IT- and information security policies

Employees tries to find ways around… Separate ICT infrastructures… Use security tools…

Sarbanes-Oxley act (US SEC) – paper trail of e-mail and IM-traffic Security issues – browser problems, http, web mail, IM-tool flaws, unsecure VoIP,

H.323 and SIP protocol vulnerabilities. Hinders widely accepted use!

Barriers cnt’dBarriers cnt’d

Questions What CWE-tools to allow from an efficiency perspective – is there a trade off or

not? How should high tech SMEs collaborate with large organizations? Efficiency and

cut costs.

If CWE-tools are not addressed by an organization’s IT- and information security policies and how to use them in a secure manner – that needs to be looked at!

SummarySummary

Methodology

CWE practice for SMEs over the last 20 years

Barriers for results from CWE research to become SME practice

John Lindström, Luleå Univ.Anders Lundkvist, Arctic Group ABSr Project Mgr CEOjlm@cdt.ltu.se anders.lundkvist@arcticgroup.se+46 70 674 5859 +46 70 674 5858

Questions ?Questions ?