Find the most recent information on EU Funding activities in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by visiting our ICT in FP7 website, which covers ICT in the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) 2007 - 2013.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
High technology SMEs in all domains, but particularly those engaged in the embedded systems (ES) tool development area, serve as new technology validators, co-developers, inventors and innovators, given their technical agility, and market focus. Embedded systems offer SMEs a wide range of opportunities - and challenges - both in take up of new technologies to increase competitiveness and value added of products and services, as well as in designing and producing such systems.
A workshop in Brussels in May 2004 brought together more than 30 SME tool developers and experts in related fields. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the critical issues for the competitiveness of embedded systems tool vendors, their business models and to explore opportunities for joint activities within the European Commission's IST Programme and beyond (for example for tool integration). Participants identified key issues confronting SMEs, including interoperability, complementarities of tools, standardisation, coping with requirements of large companies, supply chain issues and sectoral vs. cross-sectoral tools.
By working in consortiums and/or through Technology Transfer Centers, SMEs can benefit from value-added RTD and through collaboration, maximise their results and take positive steps towards participating in the expending market for embedded technologies. In this way, they also reduce their vulnerability in an accelerating market that is constantly changing.
In this framework the ARTEMIS technology platform will provide basics for software and design tools that will allow SMEs to develop applications and to create the middleware "glue" for embedded systems. This will offer the SMEs additional competitiveness in the fast developing markets.
Projects
- EMTECH
Its major objective is to promote SME development and take-up of Embedded Systems technology. This implies to further the participation of SMEs in Embedded Systems Research and Development (R&D) projects at EU level by increasing our understanding of SME potential and capabilities and also by performing individual training of SMEs and offering information tailored to their needs. As sub-goals of this overall aim, EMTECH will need to perform case studies, assess SME capabilities and analyse opportunities and threats of current embedded systems trends for SMEs.
Please let us know about your SME by filling out this short questionnaire. Your input is important for determining future activities.