The survey questioned over 700 SMEs on issues including: hardware and software in current use; Internet applications; perception of the role of e-business and the impact upon their business; obstacles to e-business; and expenditure on information and communication technology.

The survey, commissioned by the CCI and supported by Newsconnected and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, discovered that under a third of businesses with a turnover of less than £5 million had an Internet strategy. In fact, only 46 per cent of the 726 companies surveyed had an online presence at all.

Heading the campaign is Seán Lynam who explained that the campaign will involve an e-business training programme for SMEs which will target the south-east region where businesses came out worst in the survey. The programme will help businesses gain more knowledge and awareness of e-business technology, strategy and applications.

Mr Lynam said: 'One concern that people often express is how to apply the theory to a practical application in their business. Each participant in this programme will develop an e-business action plan as part of the course. The key is to apply what they have learned on the course to the very real environment of their own business.'