Presenting the salient details, compiled through direct interviews and over mail, Patwardhan pointed out that SMEs are aware of the need for IT to boost their toplines and to address new markets. The utility of the Internet for competitive advantage is also appreciated. He outlined the new possibilities already emerging in areas like IT resource sharing and scalable and cost-effective modules of ERP packages. In the next phase of the study, extensive interactions will be held with three focus groups of SMEs at Mumbai, Pune and Nasik. Zensars CEO Ganesh Natarajan said: It will create a common meeting ground for SMEs in need of IT and software developers who have to understand the context to provide relevant solutions. Pratima Kirloskar of the Kirloskar group assured the gathering that TiE will extend support to SMEs to gain a competitive advantage through IT. It will also provide a platform to bring them and IT vendors together. Participating in the discussion, Iopsis Software CEO S D Pradhan said: SMEs need specific solutions that address their areas of concern; they are not looking for elaborate and expensive packages that may remain underutilised. Bajaj Auto CIO A Khopkar, outlining the IT relationships of larger corporates with SMEs working with them, said: In future, SMEs will need a direct access to the systems of the big corporates they work for - and not just small packages at their end. CIOs of Thermax, Garware and several other Pune-based companies also actively took part in the discussion.