A million-dollar e-commerce training centre initiated by the NSW government in partnership with industry players is expected to open its doors by the end this month, or in early July.

Detailed yesterday by the NSW minister for information technology, Kim Yeadon, the centre will provide consulting and business services to local companies wanting to get online. Additionally, it will assist universities and TAFE organisations design e-business related courses and provide post graduate studies.

The NSW E-Commerce Centre of Excellence will be located in Parramatta and is an alliance between the NSW Government, Unisys, University of Western Sydney and TAFE NSW.

"The centre will serve as a hothouse for innovative ideas and e-commerce solutions with development and training for business," Yeadon said.

"Ecommerce experts will be fostered at the centre to provide consulting and other business services to Australian companies who want to embrace e-commerce."

Under the alliance, the NSW Government has provided a two-year lease for the site, as well as set-up and initial running costs. IT equipment, including an ES7000 e-@ction server, e-business software development tools and network management services will be provided by Unisys.

According to Yeadon, IT organisations, including Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, AuseNet, EMC, Bullant, IT&C Services, Krone, Syrinx Systems and StorageTec have already joined the initiative as partners.