THERE is still time to enter this year's e-commerce awards, which have a top prize of £40,000 and were launched by the department of trade and industry in April.

All entries must be submitted online by July 30 through the awards website www. ecommerce-awards.co.uk

Started in 1999, the awards recognise the achievement and contribution made to the digital economy by small and medium sized enterprises - classified as those with fewer than 250 employees.

The south west regional competition is sponsored by the South West Regional Development Agency and with cash prizes available in five categories, it is expecting a significant increase on the 230 entries the region produced last year.

Regional winners in each category - e-business start-up, e-business, e-trading, best use of broadband and best use of technology - will receive £2,000 at a prize-giving event in September, before going forward to the national contest.

Category winners at national level win a further £8,000, then one overall national winner receives another £30,000, making a total of £40,000 for one successful UK entrant.

The awards give businesses the opportunity to show how they are transforming themselves through the use of information and communication technology.

Particular criteria for success in this year's awards will be demonstration of the use of best practice, and of business improvement.

Businesses in south Wiltshire are being urged to get connected to broadband to avoid being left behind by their competitors.

The Wiltshire and Swindon Smartplace Partnership says success in business is determined by "working smarter, not just harder, employing a team of skilled and motivated individuals, managing vital supply lines to achieve the most productive and cost-effective operating systems, and by enhancing customer relationships based on information and service".

Broadband can dramatically improve all these areas, it says.

The partnership comprises a number of organisations including Wiltshire county council, Salisbury and Kennet district councils, the South West Regional Development Agency, Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire, and the Learning and Skills Council.

eWiltshire, which is funded by the partnership, provides a range of broadband-related services, including e-learning pods (broadband-enabled online training resources) with instant online training, free advice clinics with e-business advisers from Business Link, and buy-one-get-one-free offers on learndirect business courses.

For more information about broadband and how eWiltshire can help, call 0845 600 3331 or e-mail enquiries@ewiltshire.com