200 SMEs take up IMDA’s digital solutions

SINGAPORE— Close to 200 SMEs have adopted digital technology using 30 out of the 56 pre-approved solutions by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). The IMDA launched its Go Digital programme that provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) with digital remedies for their businesses four months ago.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 19th annual SME conference and 20th infocomm commerce conference and SME expo 2017 yesterday, Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said the response rate by the SMEs was “very encouraging”.

Citing an example of an SME that has adopted the programme — PICO Guards — the minister said the company has since improved its operational efficiency. The provider of physical security services, which was previously facing challenges in its operational systems, adopted the iREP security system, a pre-approved solution under the IMDA programme.

PICO Guards’ deputy managing director Pierce Ang said the adoption of the digital solution by IMDA has helped the company reduce its manpower reliance by 5 to 10 per cent. Previously, officers had to take around 20 to 30 minutes to prepare an incident report.

For instance, in the case of a commotion or illegal parking, the security guards would have to call and wait for the supervisor to make his or her way to the scene before preparing a handwritten report and statement.

With the implementation of the digital solution, the officers can now submit information almost instantly to the superviser at the command centre, Mr Ang said. An incident report can now be completed within five to 10 minutes.

“There are many digital solutions out there and this is one that we have leveraged upon. We will go about seeking more of these solutions going forward. It is important for us to address opportunities in this digital economy. If we don’t do that, we may end up being disrupted and may not stay relevant,” Mr Ang said.

Not all local companies are convinced of the benefits, however, as they may have their own in-house systems in place.

English-language school Ascend Education Centre is one SME that has not come on board IMDA’s SMEs Go Digital programme.

“We feel that our numbers are quite small. With simple technology, basic technology, it is good enough for our day-to-day activities,” said company CEO David Doyle.

Mr Doyle said his business has a customer relationship management system in place. However, the CEO did not rule out considering the programme and taking a look at the offerings, to see if they can help with the company’s specific needs.

Announced during the Budget this year, the SMEs Go Digital programme helps SMEs build digital capabilities by offering off-the-shelf solutions, tech advisory services and funding support. Some digital solutions include 3D modelling/simulation software, solutions for car workshops, menu ordering, as well as for security systems, workforce management, healthcare management and resource management for education.

According to an IMDA spokesperson, the statutory board does not have a fixed set of numbers or target and “will continue to help as many SMEs as possible use digital tech”.

“Thus far, IMDA has received good feedback from local digital tech providers and SMEs with regard to the SMEs Go Digital programme. Since the launch, IMDA has conducted two industry briefings to help increase the digital readiness of digital tech solutions for SMEs,” the spokesperson said.

Responding to a query from TODAY on why only 30 solutions were used out of the total pool, he said: “We encourage more SMEs using digital tech. However, this depends on the need of the SMEs, and this varies from sector to sector.”

The IMDA spokesperson added that the list of 56 solutions are not exhaustive, and is an “ongoing list” of pre-approved digital solutions.

“Of course, the list will continue to expand in our efforts to help SMEs,” the spokesperson said.

Separately, at a science forum yesterday organised by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat noted that business expenditure on research and development by SMEs has grown 7 per cent annually between 2010 and 2015, up from the 3 per cent growth rate in the five-year period before that.