This paper presents the first results of a quantitative study that aimed to discover the way French SMEs in the northern part of the country perceive the Business intelligence process and their relation to the information-seeking and use process. The study has been conducted in close cooperation with the ARIST (Technological and Strategic Information Regional Agency) from the Regional Chamber of Commerce of the Nord Pas-de-Calais, France, from November 24 to December 18, 2009, on a sample of 3721 SMEs. Key findings refer to the perception SMEs have of their competitive environment, the importance given to information sources, the use SMEs make of information, and the implementation of Business intelligence structure.