All eurozone based, or trading, companies are, without exception, affected by the conversion of currency. This project is running to a tight schedule. Only a few weekends remain for conversion before the euro is introduced. The time slot for the introduction of e-business is equally narrow. The speed of growth and development of the Internet is unrivalled.
Most companies have a historically grown IT-scenario.
Technical adaptation is clearly essential, but in addition the employees both in these departments and in the field, providing services, have to be included in the process and trained. All business partners of a company should be involved in the planning. The scope of the areas to be involved and coordinated make it obvious that the introduction of the euro is not a process that can be left to happen in too decentralised a way within a company. The effects on the various departments differ, however. For purchasing and distribution, for instance, the effects of the EMU lie in a closer integration of the European market.