The reports on e-Business trends are selected to expose current and emerging changes in the e-Business landscape, and to offer some basic guidelines. They can be used by business advisors and regional developers as briefings on key themes which may affect future e-Business development.

• Current and future barriers to SMe-volution
  This briefing examines the barriers to SME (small and medium sized enterprise) e-volution into e-Business. Barriers are grouped in categories for clarity. The aim is to provide a listing and detailing of common barriers for consideration.
• A European Regional Perspective
  An investigation of the practices of Regional Development Associations (RDA's) has been carried out by EURADA to detail their current status, their current line of action with regard to E-business, and their future plans. The study is based on a questionnaire circulated through 150 European RDA's - 20 examples are illustrated and one is further detailed to expose a clear example of good practice.
• e-business opportunities and fall off areas
  This study of growth and fall off concentrates on Retail, Business Services, and Transportation. Each is examined in terms of growth or fall off, and discussion is provided concerning e-commerce possiblities and the impact of e-commerce on internal and external aspects of a business. The stimuli and barriers are defined, providing a list of key issues and likely developments to consider when implenting e-commerce in these areas.
• Current and future technological and business trends.
  The future of e-business technologies is considered in terms of the extent to which benefits can be derived by integrating business processes through e-business technologies. Emerging technologies are considered in terms of how they might change the way customers access online services and push out the limits of what is possible with e-business. Many are widely available but not being utilised by SMEs, while others are newly developed and will impact the future of e-business implementation by SMEs. Some consideration is given to essential management and business factors affecting e-business developments.
• Legal aspects of e-Business
  The current regulatory framework is examined and key directives and emerging legal nstruments are examined. Consideration is given to the implications of new regulatory measures for SME adoptin of e-Business practices, and practical tips are presented to help minimise risks for SMEs.
• Current and future security factors
  The report examines key themes for consideration by SMEs when planning for e-Business security. Identification of information requiring protection - risks and likely threats - strengths and limitations of available security options - requirements for security (hardware and software) - training of employees in secure e-business practice. Clear advice is provided against each key theme.