The OECD highlights that Digital firms perform better and are more dynamic: they have higher labour productivity, grow faster and have better management practices.
The objective of the Digitalisation Voucher is to help companies prepare a plan for the adoption of digital tools and techniques across the business. Process Optimisation, Digital Customer Experience and Data Management will be essential in order to remain competitive post Covid-19. With that, the risks associated should always be considered, ensuring that Cyber Security is at the forefront of any digital plan.
Potential questions to ask about your business
- How can thinking digital first create new value and revenue streams for your Business?
- Is your Business utilising the power of the data it holds?
- What are the pain points for your customers digital experience?
The Digitalisation Voucher is available to eligible companies to access independent technical or advisory services support related to the current and future operations of their business. The voucher may be used to obtain services from approved providers (.xlsx).
It is expected that outcomes of this short assignment will lead to further training/technical feasibility/innovation/capital projects, i.e. it will start companies on a journey of activities.
Am I eligible?
The Digitalisation Voucher is open to companies that operate within the manufacturing or internationally traded service sectors who employed 10 or more full time people on their payroll on the 29th of February 2020 OR employed 10 fulltime staff at the time of application.
What costs are eligible?
The voucher covers either technical or advisory services related to the Operations of the business from an approved service provider up to a value of €9,000. A maximum daily rate of €900 per day shall apply. It is expected that the support would be provided over a relatively short period but can be spread out over a maximum of 6 weeks.
Eligible Projects must include one or more of the following activities.
- Internal Process Optimisation (Lean-Digital-Automation)
- Enhancing Customer Digital Experience (Product, Service, Route to Market, Channels)
- Becoming a Data-Driven Business
A service provider will provide technical advice and guidance to the company digital project team on one or more activities as outlined in the table below.
Internal process optimisation (Lean-Digital-Automation)
Review of current operational processes and systems to identify improvement opportunities. The focus should be on eliminating waste by introducing easier, faster processes backed up by automation and/or cloud based digital systems where appropriate.
Processes covered can include any or all business functions from sales, finance, to production, logistics and product development.
Ideally the review will be based on a Lean approach in combination with the adoption of digital technologies.
Part of 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.
The output is expected to include a plan for the company to improve business processes using a combination of people skills development, process development and technology investment (including robotics, sensors & software).
Enhancing Customer Digital experience
(Product, Service, Route to Market, Channels)
Review of current products & services & channels and potential to create a high-quality digital experience for customers.
This can include a review of the customer journey(s) including all customer touchpoints from sales, digital marketing strategy, customer service, delivery, channels, life cycle, competitor analysis relation to digital approach.
Part of 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.
The output is expected to include a plan for the company to improve the customer experience by implementing enhanced services, products, and/or channels including identification of required skills development needs.
Becoming a Data-Driven Business
Review of current key performance data that is used to drive the business and identify gaps and improvement opportunities. Enhancing customer experience by aggerating data in all of it forms across the business.
This should include:
- Identification of data sources and potential untapped business value of data.
- Identification of gaps in business or production data and suggestions on ways to improve.
- Identification of security risks and mitigation strategies.
- Identification of potential new tools e.g., CRM, Business Intelligence, ERP, Robotics.
The output is expected to include a plan for the company to improve data definition, collection, visualisation and analysis using a combination of people skills development, process development and technology investment (including robotics, sensors & software).
Eligible activities do not include general consultancy, design, installation or commissioning, or project implementation.
The project scope will be developed between the company and the service provider.
Output – A plan and strategy to tackle the issues identified within the business.
Full details of the grant can be found in the associated Digitalisation Voucher Reference Document.
Closing date for Applications
This is subject to budget availability under temporary framework up to end of 2021.
How do I apply?
You should contact your agency advisor in advance of submission as they will be required to approve the application.
You can apply via the Enterprise Ireland Online Application System
Notes:
- As part of the application you will need your CRO number.
- As part of the application you will need to supply a completed digital scorecard.
- The voucher is only valid for costs incurred after your application is approved.
- It is expected that the support would be provided over a relatively short period but can be spread out over a maximum of 6 weeks.
Where can I find a suitable service provider?
To help aid companies in finding a service provider, we are compiling a list of providers who have expressed an interest in aiding companies on their digital journey. This list is available here. You may use a digital service provider who is not listed, but they must be qualified to carry out the proposed work and have had previously carried out similar assignments satisfactorily. If your service provider is not on the list, please ask them to complete the following Digitalisation Advisor Form
Note that any provider delivering services under this scheme must not be a direct or indirect employee or director of the recipient company.
Enterprise Ireland does not give any warranty, either express or implied, as to the qualifications or suitability of any of the persons on the list of service providers and Enterprise Ireland will not be liable for any loss and/or damage caused by a company’s decision to retain the services of such a service provider.
Claims Process
Once all work in the application is completed, you can submit one claim for the full amount. Full details on the Claims process are available here
Where can I get more information?
• Download Digitalisation Voucher Reference Doc (PDF)
• For more information, contact your agency advisor or email the Client Digitalisation Unit at digitalisation@enterprise-ireland.com
