The general level of maturity within Småland and the islands regarding digitalization is low, while there are major challenges in the creation of digital infrastructure. This leads to difficulties for individual actors and organisations to access digital services. In order to strengthen several sectors in the counties, there is a clear need to increase efficiency and automation, including the use of open data - information in a digital format, freely available to use, reuse and share. The goal of the pre-study is to, through a needs mapping and knowledge strengthening communication efforts aimed at small and medium-sized companies in Småland and the islands, create an overall picture of the need and conditions for open data. To get a clear overview of Småland and the islands' challenges regarding open data is a prerequisite for future development and that strengthening in digitization shall take place in adequate and favorable areas.