I would like to demonstrate that a union between ICTs and SMEs is possible, and that this union is also useful. The consequences of this union, given time, will bring certain competitive advantages. Unfortunately there are not yet any clear and obvious empirical data to justify this statement, and this is partly due to the relatively short period these technologies have been in use since they were available. It is clear that the European SMEs already possess the know-how and the technical qualifications necessary for the use of the Information Society, but until the present moment entrepreneurs still do not trust these technologies and they do not feel skilful enough to use them. From certain surveys, especially those done in Italy, it is clear that the SMEs do not completely understand the potential within their means; it is something they comprehend only after a certain amount of time through the process of learning by using. Apparently, among the firms that are connected to the Internet, only among the largest has there been benefits. Usually for the smaller firms these benefits are still limited and the firms are highly dependent on the sector in which they work. 

        We should expect that with the idea of the optimisation within firms each firm would exactly know which instrument is required for its needs, and thus whether it is necessary to have an Internet account or not. Unfortunately, due to the common lack of culture and information, the small enterprises which have done a correct and complete costs/benefits analysis are really few. Very often the potential of the instruments the small enterprises possess is not exploited, and they do not know what can be expect from an Internet connection. While these firms use well-known technologies like the fax machine there are no problems; it is only when they have to use VANS that difficulties arise. Because the concept of int*net (which means both Internet and Intranet) as applied to firms is in its youth, very few of them have demonstrated knowledge of the problems and skills involved. The latter data must be held with caution when applied to different production sectors. It is obvious that the SMEs that work in the high tech sectors pay more attention to the news suggested by Information Technology, than the others. 

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