Digitalisation Business Funding
What is it?
The goal of the Digitalisation Voucher is to help companies prepare a plan for the adoption of digital tools and techniques across the operations of the business. The OECD highlights that digital firms perform better and are more dynamic: they have higher labour productivity, grow faster and have better management practices. Process Optimisation, Digital Customer Experience and Data Management will be essential in order to remain competitive post Covid-19.
The voucher is available to eligible companies to access independent technical or advisory support services, related to the current and future operations of the business.
Questions to ask about your business
- How can thinking digital first create new value and revenue streams for my Business?
- Is my business utilising the power of the data it holds?
- What are the pain points for your customers’ digital experience?
Is my company eligible?
The Voucher is open to companies that operate within the manufacturing or internationally traded service sectors, as noted by Enterprise Ireland, who employed 10 or more full time people on their payroll on the 29th of February 2020, or employ 10 full time staff members at the time the application is submitted.
What costs does it cover?
The voucher covers technical or advisory services related to the operations of the business up to a value of €9,000. A service provider will provide technical advice and guidance to the company’s digital project team on one or more of the following activities.
Internal process optimisation (Lean-Digital-Automation)
An Internal process optimisation is a review of current operational processes and systems to identify improvement opportunities. Some processes examples are sales, finance, production, logistics and product development. The focus should be on eliminating waste by introducing easier, faster processes backed up by automation and/or cloud based digital systems. The analysis should include a review of cyber security risks and recommendations to reduce risk, including working towards international security standards that are becoming a requirement to operate internationally.
Enhancing Customer Digital experience
(Product, Service, Route to Market, Channels)
The enhancement of a customer’s digital experience is a review of current products, services, & channels and the potential to create a high-quality digital experience for new or existing customers.
This is one through a review of the customer journey(s), all the customer touchpoints, from sales, digital marketing, customer service, delivery, and so on. This also should include a review of cyber security risks and recommendations to reduce risk, including working towards international security standards that are becoming a requirement to operate internationally.
Becoming a Data-Driven Business
To become a data driven business a review of current performance data is used to identify gaps and improvement opportunities. The output of this work can include a plan for the company to improve data definition, collection, visualisation and analysis using a combination of people, process, and technology investment (including robotics, sensors & software). It can also include the enhancement of a customer experience by aggregating data in all of its forms across the business.
Data-Driven transformation can include:
- Identification of data sources and potential untapped value of business data.
- Identification of gaps in the business or production data and suggestions on ways to improve.
- Identification of security risks and mitigation strategies.
- Identification of potential new data gathering tools like a CRM, Business Intelligence, and ERP [enterprise resource planning].
What is the application deadline?
The voucher application is available up to the end of 2021.
How do I apply?
You can apply via the Enterprise Ireland Online Application System
Should you requires mentoring during the application process please contact us
Things to keep in mind:
- As part of the application you will need your CRO number, and you will need to supply a completed digital scorecard.
- The voucher is only valid for costs incurred after your application is approved.
- The support would be provided over a relatively short period but can be spread out over a maximum of 6 weeks.
Where can I get more information?
More information can be found at this link or by visiting enterprise-ireland.com
Would you like to know more?
Please feel free to contact us anytime if you require any further information, we are always available to chat. If you wish to schedule a meeting to discuss your project, please let us know, we will be more than happy to accommodate you.
