On April 30th 2009, B&D Eolas, gained the support of AchatVille’s management team, to partner with the French Chamber of Commerce in their web commerce initiatives for a period of three years starting in July 9^th 2009. B&D Eolas’ proposal was selected based on its functional, technical and financial strengths, after a thorough competitive tender process.

AchatVille was labelled ‘Best European Practice’ in 2002, and in 2006 was cited as one of the “10 most innovative and interesting regional or national policy actions to promote e-business for SME”, in Europe by the eBSN Steering Group.

AchatVille is a business portal that aims:

·         To assist businesses: increase awareness, train and encourage traders. This involves education on how to optimise use of the internet as a vital mode of communication, as well as demonstrating the importance of web marketing to boost business.

·         To develop e-business: offer web marketing services and cloud computing, enabling traders (from internet beginners to those already web-proficient) to make the most of the advantages offered by the portal.

·         To encourage co-operation: prioritise networking and promote business opportunities available via the internet, such as:

§         improving business performance through networks, knowledge sharing and collaboration

§         regional portals to promote local business endeavours  

Business & Decision Eolas reaffirms its role as an online service provider: “Online solutions” combining the management of dedicated support centres, the development of web applications, web marketing and hosting.

The portal will be developed with a combination of SaaS (Software As A Service), cloud computing and e-territory concepts. Business & Decision Eolas will guide AchatVille in how to maximise its recent environmental incentive, the “green ethiquette” programme, and in the implementation of a Data Centres’ Energy Efficiency Code of Conduct.

Business & Decision Eolas’ proposal was supported by three of its strategic partners – Intel, Caisse d’Epargne and Le Dauphiné Libéré – who will be working with the Group to promote the portal.

AchatVille, a system which is already used by 26 Chambers of Commerce and Industry in France, will be adopted by an additional 20 CCIs in the country. Most recently in July, an additional four regional platforms were launched: www.achat-cantal.com, www.achat-jura.com, www.achat-martinique.com and www.achat-littoral-normand-picard.com. From October 2009, www.achat-landes.com and www.achat–haute-marne.com will go live, showcasing more than 2,500 traders online.

AchatVille’s main aim is to act as a platform for local and national trade. A number of changes have been implemented since July 9^th. One of the main developments has been the implementation of a free referral service for traders, that has already proved very successful. Numerous other enhancements are scheduled to take place during the remainder of the year.

The objective is to increase the number of users of AchatVille each month from 1 to 5 million.

“Thanks to the total commitment of the CCIs and our partners Intel, Caisse d’Epargne, Le Dauphiné Libéré, as well as other future partners, we believe that AchatVille is a highly valuable platform for regional trade. We hope to enable both internet and mobile users to benefit from the numerous opportunities available via the internet”, comments Agnès Simonnet, Co-manager of the AchatVille project alongside Gérald Dulac of Business & Decision Eolas.

About Business & Decision Eolas

Business & Decision Eolas is a subsidiary of the Business & Decision Group.  B&D Eolas specialises in high quality hosting and online managed services for e-commerce, e-business and e-administration in the following domains: application development, web marketing, hosting and dedicated service centres.