SMEs Go Digital

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last updated 24 July 2017

“SMEs Go Digital” programme announced at Budget 2017 to help SMEs use digital technologies to build strong capabilities in tech and participate in the Digital Economy.

SMEs Go Digital is announced at Budget 2017 to help SMEs build stronger digital capabilities. Building on the foundation of Enhanced iSPRINT, SMEs Go Digital takes on a more structured and inclusive approach towards the adoption of digital technologies by SMEs. The programme will also help SMEs build their digital capabilities to seize the opportunities for growth in the digital economy.

In addition to productivity tools such as digital ordering and payment, and fleet management, new digital capabilities such as cybersecurity, data protection, and data analytics will also be included under the SMEs Go Digital.

SMEs can participate in the programme from 1 April 2017 onwards by contacting the SME Centres. Click here to locate your nearest SME Centre.

SMEs Digital Journey

From basic needs such as accounting software and CRM tools to more advanced needs such as data analytics and cybersecurity, SMEs Go Digital will provide a more focused and structured support for SMEs.

Click here to find out how you can get started on your digital journey!

What does it cover

The SMEs Go Digital Programme will help SMEs in the following areas:

Supply pre-approved technology solutions

Provide specialist technology advice via new SME Digital Tech Hub

Support innovative emerging technology solutions

SMEs can access a resilient supply of easy-to-use proven Infocomm Media (ICM) solutions that are pre-approved by IMDA and supported by government grants.

Examples of proven ICM solutions are: digital ordering and payment, supply chain optimization and resource and billing management.

This will be further enhanced with the development of the Industry Digital Plans that will be available end 2017.

The SME Digital Tech Hub is a dedicated hub to complement the SME Centres and provide specialised advice on areas such as data analytics, data protection, cybersecurity and internet-of-things (IOT).

For progressive SMEs seeking to transform their business with sophisticated technologies, experts at the SME Digital Tech Hub will guide them on the advanced solutions and changes that can help them take full advantage of the technologies. SMEs can also build their digital capabilities by participating in workshops and seminars conducted at the SME Digital Tech Hub.

The SME Digital Tech Hub is slated to be launched by the end third quarter of 2017.

SMEs can visit any of the SME Centres to get started. Advisors at the SME Centres will provide basic advice on IMDA-approved proven solutions and refer them to the SME Digital Tech Hub for assistance on their more advanced needs.

Progressive SMEs who are ready to progress to more advanced tech can partner IMDA and a solutions provider to apply new and emerging solutions such as smart sensors and autonomous systems with the potential for mass adoption to benefit whole sectors.

IMDA will also partner Industry Leaders who have an influence over a considerable number of SMEs due to business relations to pilot solutions with the potential to scale.

In addition, IMDA will collaborate with large corporations such as telecommunications companies, banks and professional firms to put together comprehensive digital solution packages for SMEs. This brings greater convenience to SMEs to adopt more complex digital solutions, reducing the hassle of having to manage multiple solution providers at the same time.

Guide technology deployment through Industry Digital Plans

Industry Digital Plans (IDP) are sector-specific plans that are aligned to the respective sector Industry Transformation Maps (ITM). The plans help SMEs to identify and pre-qualify Infocomm Media (ICM) solutions that are mapped to the different sectors’ business requirements. SMEs can use these plans as guides and implement the ICM solutions that are suitable for different stages of their growth.

For a start, the Industry Digital Plans will be developed for the focus sectors where the ITMs are already published. These will include the Retail, Food Services, Wholesale Trade, Logistics, Cleaning and Security sectors. The first Industry Digital Plan will be available towards the end of 2017.

List of Pre-approved Solutions

For the list of pre-approved solutions under the SMEs Go Digital programme, click here.

How can I participate?

i) If you are a SME:

The SMEs Go Digital programme is designed to assist SMEs build stronger digital capabilities and deploy digital technologies based on the SME’s level of digital readiness.

For a start, SMEs can approach any SME Centre for basic Infocomm advice

Level of Digital Readiness	Support available under SMEs Go Digital
Basic	SME Centres will provide advice on IMDA pre-qualified off-the-shelf ICM solutions supported by government grants SMEs may also refer to the pre-approved list of proven ICM solutions and contact the identified solutions provider directly Should the SMEs require more advanced advice, SME Centres will refer the SMEs to the SME Digital Tech Hub for more tailored support
Advanced	SME Digital Tech Hub will provide SMEs with more advanced advice in areas such as data analytics, cybersecurity and business transformation IMDA will also work closely with SMEs who are paving the way for their peers in deploying emerging Infocomm technologies such as smart sensors and autonomous systems in their sectors

ii) If you are a Solution Provider:

ICM solutions providers play a key role in SMEs Go Digital.

Proven Solutions
Do you have a ready ICM solution that is proven to deliver productivity gains and growth impact to SMEs in a particular sector? Are you looking to mass deploy the ICM solution to SMEs in those sectors?

Emerging Tech Solutions
Are you keen on piloting new or emerging technology solution that looks to transform and redefine a particular sector for SMEs? Does your ICM solution have what it takes to bring SMEs to the next level?

iii) If you are an Industry Leader:

Are you keen to take on a leadership role to help digitalise the SMEs you work with and uplift your entire sector? Do you want to be the key driver to push the mass adoption of impactful technology solutions to SMEs?

Email us at info@imda.gov.sg to find out how you can pre-qualify your solution and/or collaborate with IMDA today!

FAQs

What are the objectives of the SMEs Go Digital?
SMEs Go Digital seeks to help SMEs in the following ways:
- Raise the digital readiness/capabilities of SMEs
- Improve productivity of SMEs
- Increase revenue of SMEs
Why is there a need for SMEs Go Digital?
The evolving digital landscape is redefining the way we live, work and play. While rapid digitisation has ushered in disruptions to traditional businesses and value chains, it also brings forth much opportunities to SMEs. For example, digital technologies can be used to improve business processes, reduce operational costs and open up new markets, leading to new business opportunities.

With the increasing sophistication of ICM solutions, and rapid pace of change, it is timely for a bigger push to help SMEs transform digitally. The SME Go Digital programme serves to enable SMEs with the adequate digital capabilities to achieve internal efficiencies, cost reductions, and better service offerings for sustained growth in the digital economy.

SME-Specific Questions

I am a SME. Where can I receive assistance on the appropriate ICM solutions to adopt for my business? How can I benefit from the SMEs Go Digital?
SMEs can visit any of the SME Centres to get started. Advisors at the SME Centres will provide basic advice on IMDA-approved proven solutions and refer them to the SME Digital Tech Hub for assistance on their more advanced needs.

The SME Digital Tech Hub is a dedicated hub to complement the SME Centres and provide specialised advice on areas such as data analytics, data protection, cybersecurity and internet-of-things (IOT).

As the solutions recommended by the SME Centres and SME Digital Tech Hub are pre-qualified by IMDA, SMEs can be assured of the solutions’ capability and vendors’ reliability.

For the progressive SMEs experimenting with new and emerging technologies, they can work with IMDA on pilot projects.

Vendor-Specific Questions

I am a vendor. How do I apply for my solution to be prequalified by IMDA? What is the criteria for my solution to be successfully pre-qualified?
ICM solution providers are important partners in the SMEs Go Digital. ICM solution providers can choose to participate in either the sector emerging solution project or the proven sector solution project.

Interested vendors can email us at info@imda.gov.sg to find out how you can pre-qualify your solution.