ConnectFirms is a Global Business Networking and B2B portal for business community to connect, promote and sell their products/services.

1. Barriers in adoption of Global B2B Portals and B2B Marketplacesby SMEs
SMEs in developing countries can gain significant benefits by using internet,B2B
Marketplaces and Global B2B Portals. While the number of MSMEs registered with B2B
marketplaces/ Global B2B portals is significant in Asian Countries like India.
Global B2B Portals and B2B Marketplaces provide several benefits to MSMEs such as:
 Access to wide range of markets and greater potential for partnerships
 flexibility in administration and communication and convenience in interaction with
partners who have different time zones
 greater access to information at a single source and also ease and cost efficiency in
updating product information
 lower search and transaction costs and ability to entersupply chains for large companies
Although Global B2B PortalsandB2B Marketplaces solutions are claimed to create value for
firms, the record shows that firms have been slow in adopting these solutions.
Here are Barriers to adopt and use of Global B2B Portalsand B2BMarketplaces by MSMEs:
 MSMEs perceived that B2B Portals service providers did not understand theirproduct,
industry requirements and needs of the firm.
 MSMEs that exported had already established traditional channels and intermediaries and
are dependent on them.
 Business partners in the supply chain of SMEs are not ready for online transactions.
 Not suitable for their product as they have to be customized.
 Lack of trust between buyer and supplier.
 Lack of Technology standards.

2. Solutions to increase adoption of Global B2B portals and Marketplaces:
 B2B Portal service providers that cater to different sectors have to develop their separate
sales team for each sector. Thesales teams have to be trained in the specifics of that
industry so that they can be wellversed with the needs of the MSMEs of the sector.
 As the needs of MSMEs may varyfrom one sector to another, it is necessary that tailor
made packages andrecommendations be provided.
 Trust must be developed between buyer and suppliers by verifying supplier background
and online transactions must be in secured way.
 Service Provider must make sure registered Buyers and Suppliers on B2B Portals are
active and participate in communicate and are very responsive to all the enquires.
 Technology Adoption must be on power with the latest trends in market so that
networking, communication, collaboration and transactions happen very fast and secured
way.
Reference Site:
http://connectfirms.com/