ABSTRACT • Introduction We present the results of an investigation undertaken to improve the ef?ciency in the administrative permits management system for new economical activities in the Spanish municipalities, caused by the changes in the Spanish law emerged after the Services Directive Material and methods. After comparing the Directive fulfilment in a sample of the ten most populated municipalities of Andalusia, the council of Seville is used as study case, analysing its procedures and information flows, and identifying problems and deficiencies. Results Such as is required by the Directive, new e-government procedures, organizational improvements and innovations in the current municipal management system are proposed, including a knowledge based system prototype for supporting technical consultations prior to the implementation of activities. Discussion. The results are useful for more than eight thousand Spanish municipalities