The main objective of the ProSME project is to develop a new methodology for the introduction and maintenance of IT supported methods and tools to improve key Quality Management subjects in manufacturing SMEs. Therefore, the ProSME research and development activities are aiming at the realisation of the following:

1. Methods and tools for the introduction of an effective quality management system. (QM)

2. Methods and tools to handle operational quality information. (OQIM)

3. Methods and simulation tools to familiarise company staff with innovative production planning and control approaches. (TRAINSME)

4. Methods and tools for the definition and introduction of useful automation. (AU)

However, these methods and tools were developed to provide, generally speaking, an overall coaching concept to support the innovation process in SMEs based on several underlying objectives as presented in the following:

• Innovation competence of SMEs needs to be strengthened enabling them to implement innovations independently in their companies (minimising required external support).
• ProSME products/services are aiming at creating a "Coaching-Concept", an alternative consulting approach, where SMEs are trained on how to plan and run quality related improvement processes in their company, enabling them to decide "what to do and how".
• ProSME products/services shall support SMEs along the process of the identification, selection of required improvement aspects (quality management, information systems, automation technologies etc.) in their companies, whereby the implementation of the specific technologies is done e.g. by the technology vendor.
• The ProSME results (coaching approach) shall close the gap between what consulting companies and vendors offer and identifying what SMEs really need/can pay for (level affordable by SMEs) and further what is improving their competitiveness best in reference to the stated business objectives.
• Verification of the developed methods and tools at a pilot SME type company (Globo Inox) involved in the ProSME project.
• To create coaching competence in Argentina and Brazil by transferring the ProSME methods and tools to multiplier organisations in these countries.

To achieve these objectives, the project activities are structured in reference to the following workpackages:

The project started with a thorough analysis of the needs of manufacturing SMEs in Latin America as well as in Europe. Based on this analysis, the requirements for an alternative "Innovation Coaching Concept" were specified to develop and/or adopt already existing methods and support tools to the specific user needs of SMEs in Developing Countries.

Based on these requirements, the specification of the required methods and supporting SW tools is carried out, including the specification of required procedures to be applied guaranteeing an efficient improvement approach w.r.t. quality related process aspects in SMEs.

In the third phase of the project, the specified methods and tools will be implemented and tested by applying them at the industrial company of the project partner Globo Inox. This approach of applying the developed methods and tools within the pilot company delivers sound proof of the validity of the methods and tools and a perfect reference for other SMEs in Latin America.