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Maine Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Using Technology to Improve Small Business Resources

Economic and Technology Policy Studies The Maine Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) is creating a portal that will allow counselors and clients throughout the state to collaborate securely through virtual workspaces.

Contact: Erin Lee NGA Center for Best Practices

This is a significant change from the current environment in which users have to meet face-to-face to exchange information. The SBDC is using Computer Associates International Inc.’s CleverPath Portal to provide the structure for information exchange and dissemination.

The SBDC (which is financially supported by the state, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the University of Southern Maine) has 19 staff members who exchange information primarily when they meet face-to-face on a quarterly basis. The portal will serve as a communications vehicle for counselors in their service centers, providing them with more resources throughout the year.

The portal will also provide SBDC with greater participation in several programs and share confidential documents securely around-the-clock. When the portal is developed, users will be able to log in, open up a screen, and use a "library" to access information that can be added to their customizable workspace. The library could index links and information of interest to businesses and counselors. In addition, videoconferencing might be added to assist users even further.
Related Links:

* Maine Small Business Development Centers http://www.mainesbdc.org/

http://www.nga.org/center/frontAndCenter/1,1188,C_FRONT_CENTER%5ED_5592,00.html

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