Potocnik calls on industry to help identify market needs
European industrial leaders met members of the European Commission on 5 July to discuss the future of the European Technology Platform initiatives. Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik outlined the value that the Commission places on these large-scale initiatives, but asked for leaders to search the road ahead and try to anticipate market needs.
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Monitoring the rise of e-business in Europe
This is the fourth annual edition of e-Business W@tch which, since 2001, has been monitoring the adoption, development and impact of electronic business practice in different sectors in the European economy. This edition charts the dynamic rise of e-business practices in most sectors of the European economy but throws up some warnings about disparities in ICT take up and usage between EU countries.
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Tackling breast cancer on the road
The fully digital mammography system Mammomat Novation by Siemens Medical Solutions has now been approved for mobile screening. For the first time, breast cancer screenings are performed with digital systems built into trailer trucks. The trailers are connected to a stationary screening center where the final diagnosis is made. This type of mobile digital breast cancer screening is especially suitable for women living in rural communities or those who are more homebound than before. In Germany, women between 50 and 69 years of age are entitled to free mammography examinations every other year.
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Fostering the competitiveness of Europe's ICT industry: Commission launches Task Force
The information and communication technology (ICT) sector is a key contributor to growth in the EU. Meeting for the first time yesterday, the new Task Force â launched by the European Commission â will tackle barriers to competition and the competitiveness of the ICT sector. The ICT Task Force is composed of high-level representatives of the ICT industry and of civil society. This is one of several Commission initiatives that aim to help create a more favourable environment for business in the EU.
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Agreement on new 3.6 billion "competitiveness and innovation programme"
The European Parliament has adopted the first "Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme" (CIP). Between 2007 and 2013, some 350,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will receive 3.6 billion in EU support to invest in all forms of innovation and growth. The new programme will support actions to help enterprises and industry to innovate. It will also boost energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, environmental technologies and a better use of information and communication technology (ICT). The final adoption in Council will follow in the coming weeks.
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Commission seeks to improve network and information security in Europe
Businesses, individuals and public administrations in Europe still underestimate the risks of insufficiently protecting networks and information. Security presently represents only around 5-13% of IT expenditure, which is alarmingly low. The Commission is therefore promoting greater awareness, in a policy document adopted today, through an open and inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue on a new IT Security Strategy for Europe. A partnership amongst Member States, involving the IT industry and users as well as the European network security agency ENISA should lead to more trustworthy, secure and reliable information and communication technologies. People and organisations must be empowered to look after their own interests and responsibilities.
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The telecare challenge
The growing interest and investment in telecare is welcome for the delivery of efficient social and health care, particularly for clients in the comfort of their own homes. Government plans the availability of a wide range and number of monitoring devices to be made available for improved services to a greatly increased number of citizens. BroadCare provides the management platform for effective operational management of these services.
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This is the fourth annual edition of e-Business W@tch which, since 2001, has been monitoring the adoption, development and impact of electronic business practice in different sectors in the European economy. This edition charts the dynamic rise of e-business practices in most sectors of the European economy but throws up some warnings about disparities in ICT take up and usage between EU countries. 
The fully digital mammography system Mammomat Novation by Siemens Medical Solutions has now been approved for mobile screening. For the first time, breast cancer screenings are performed with digital systems built into trailer trucks. The trailers are connected to a stationary screening center where the final diagnosis is made. This type of mobile digital breast cancer screening is especially suitable for women living in rural communities or those who are more homebound than before. In Germany, women between 50 and 69 years of age are entitled to free mammography examinations every other year. 
The growing interest and investment in telecare is welcome for the delivery of efficient social and health care, particularly for clients in the comfort of their own homes. Government plans the availability of a wide range and number of monitoring devices to be made available for improved services to a greatly increased number of citizens. BroadCare provides the management platform for effective operational management of these services.