Am I eligible for the Digital Discovery Fund?
Congratulations! Hopefully you have made it through the first phase and completed your digital scorecard (available here). You should have received a pdf with your results and now have a better insight into the digital readiness of your business.
This is probably a good time to call your team together to discuss the results and brainstorm what you think your business priorities are and what digital tools can help you to get there.
Luckily you don’t have to do it all alone. The digital discovery fund was created to allow companies to bring in outside consultants to advise them through their self assessment, exploration of solutions and the creation of a digital road-map for how that could be achieved.
Enterprise Ireland no longer has a recommended list of consultants but many can be found online and are often industry or task specific.
Once you have engaged a consultant, you can apply for the digital discovery funding through their Local Enterprise Offices, Údarás na Gaeltachta or IDA Ireland advisors. Companies who are not a member of these organisations, have 10 or more staff and export products can also avail of this grant.
An overview of what can be accomplished by the Digital Discovery Fund
Engagement with Advisors is necessary at this point not only to secure funding at this level, but to see if your business is eligible to apply for further funding through the Digital Process Innovation fund as further discussed in our post below:
Digitalisation Funding - am I eligible to apply for upto €150K in funding?
If you have discovered through the process to this stage that your business could likely benefit from a Business Management / ERP system, why not get in touch with our Herbst Specialists?
Herbst Software has an experienced team of accredited ERP consultants, project managers, accountants, business coaches, technical report writers and data analysts who will create a road-map for the digital transformation of your business.
We offer fully integrated digital business management solutions that will transform your business to a paperless environment, make your organisation as efficient and profitable as possible and provide the business intelligence you need to make the big decisions with confidence.
Herbst Software:
· Simplifies business management processes
· Streamlines & integrates systems
· Removes waste
· Provides real-time info that is efficient and effective
· Automates credit control
Check out our business management solutions in the video below:
Contact us today on:
Or CLICK HERE to fill in the form and one of our specialists will be in touch as soon as possible.
What is available and how to get it?
This blog is intended to give a brief overview of the digitalisation funding available to Irish Business to drive the digital transformation of their company. This is by no means an exhaustive list and merely aims to direct businesses towards resources.
Why your Business needs a Digital Road Map
Digitalisation is at the forefront of Irish Business and Governmental priorities in 2022.
To date, we have seen a relatively low adoption of integrated digital solutions across Irish SMEs in comparison to our European counterparts, check out THIS article in the Irish Times explaining Ireland’s digital shortfall.
This is of course worrying for Ireland’s economic outlook and the competitiveness of Irish business, even if you do not export your goods the fact is you are competing with imports.
The government has taken a multipronged approach to solving this issue, from up-skilling the workforce to offering direct investment in companies to aid in their digital journey. Just look at the multitude of free courses being provided by the Irish Government Here.
69 courses containing the word “digital”, ranging from Masters to Certificate level across Analytics, Marketing, transformation and more. Many companies are finding it impossible to find staff as they took the opportunity to up-skill during the pandemic. Industries now need to catch up and provide jobs for these new digital workers.
The upward trend in automation is not slowing down and to remain competitive, companies must invest in their digital strategies and embrace these up-skilled workers who can create added value.
Phase 1 : The Digital ScoreCard
Many Irish SMEs know that they are not where they need to be when it comes to their progress in digital implementation. Like so many things in life, is the question where to begin? The choices seem daunting and foreign, ‘who do I need to talk to’? ‘How long is it going to take’? ‘Should I just go out and buy a load of new software’???
We understand that it is a daunting prospect, undoubtedly your business has got to this point based on you and your team’s expertise in a chosen field, but Digital transformation is a new wave crashing over every business and the good news is, there is lots of help available to get you up and running.
The Digital scorecard is ground zero for your digital journey. The saying ”you have to know where you are, to know where you are going” rings true. The digital scorecard looks at work business over 6 key areas and offers recommendations and advice of where to go next.
To further you on your journey, you must complete the digital scorecard to gain an understanding of where your digital skills, strengths and gaps lie. After you have completed the scorecard, you can continue to the next step and see if your company is eligible for any digitalisation funding.
The digital scorecard is FREE to complete and available to all Irish companies. Click here to see your digital ranking.
Sample of scorecard above: Easy to read and not overly technical
Once you have completed the score card you will receive a pdf of your results and recommendations of what to do next!
Phase 2 : The Digital Discovery Grant
At last, the big G, g-g-g-g-g no, not Galway… Grants!
Once you have completed your digital scorecard and have identified your areas of weakness, you can now begin to look for external advice on digitalisation funding.
Members of Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Office, Udaras na Gaeilge and the IDA can take advantage of digitalisation funding of up to 80% of a digital discovery project up to €6,300.
So what is a Digital Discovery Project? This is essentially a deep dive into the results of a digital scorecard with the aid of external consultants. The grant allows for the employment of consultants to further scrutinise your existing business process, to explore possible solutions and digital implementations and finally, to create a digital road map of how this could be implemented.
For further information on the discovery digitalisation funding, check out our post below:
Phase 3: Digital Process Innovation Fund
At this stage, there are 3 ways to claim or partially claim this digitalisation funding, with some elements only being accessible to Enerprise Ireland and Udaras na Gaeilge members.
As this portion of the funding is backed by the European Recovery Fund, you can expect a little bit more paperwork and will have to engage with the relevant parties and advisors.
The Digital Process Innovation fund is entwined in the 3 types of Grants explained below.
Option 3.1 : Operational Excellence Offer
The Digital Process Innovation project may be combined with Training support and/or Capital Investment support of the Operational Excellence Offer.
For Phase 3.1, this level of funding is only open to Enterprise Ireland and Uduras Na Gaeilge Clients.
The Operational excellence grant is offered to support 3 project types:
- Digital process Innovation: The implementation of new and innovative production, delivery or organisational methods
- Capital Equipment, including investment in digitalisation
- Capability building through training in Lean, leadership, Innovation and Digitalisation
Depending on your company size, you can avail of varying degrees of funding across Capital expenditure, Business Innovation and Training as set out below.
Here are some examples of the projects covered under the Operational Excellence Offer
Note: The minimum expenditure level expected is €100K to truly have a transformative effect on the company.
For more information visit the E.I websites Operational Excellence Grant page
Or download the Operational Excellence PDF
Option 3.2 : The Agile Innovation Fund
The digital process innovation can be applied for as part of the Agile innovation project. This fund is open to all registered companies that are trading with positive EBITDA
It Is designed for companies who are:
- New to R&D
- Operating in short product life cycles
- Undertaking short projects
Because of the nature of the business it is dealing with, this digitalisation funding has a fast track funding page through Enterprise Ireland.
Note: To qualify for funding there must be a clearly defined technical challenge, uncertainty or risk associated with the project. All applications must demonstrate the ability to be exported.
For more data on this fund and the process of applying, visit the Enterprise Ireland website Agile Innovation Fund page.
Option 3.3 : RD&I Project
The Digital Process Innovation grant can be applied for as part of the RD&I project; this fund is open to all registered companies that are trading with positive EBITDA.
The RD&I Fund supports the development of new or substantially improved products, services or processes which will have a competitive advantage in a company’s target market.
The development must involve;
the resolution of some technical challenges,
- be non-routine and;
- represent a ‘step-up’ for the company in terms of the level of RD&I capability.
Herbst Software & Digital Transformation
With over 40 years of experience across a variety of different industries, we understand the challenges that you face, and we know how to build software to meet those challenges head-on. Our fully integrated ERP solutions specialise in the optimisation of business to business processes.
Too busy to change is often the precise reason for change, when wanting to reduce growing pains and remain competitive. Using coheratate efficient and phased implementation methodology which work from the top down.
Delegate with control whilst simplifying staff operations. Applying efficiencies throughout immediately improves customer interaction and so, digitisation is fact not only about saving money but also about making more money… and certainly it’s all about making life easier for all people concerned. Simple is smart and digitisation can help you with this. Herbst Software make business simple.
Check out our video below!
Some other posts you may be interested in:
READ THIS before buying an ERP System 3 ways an integrated software solution can help you simplify your business processes Connecting Your Business – A Fully Integrated Software Solution
The Digital scorecard is an important first step towards taking your company on it’s journey towards digital transformation. The Digital Scorecard will take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and you will gain an understanding of where your digital skills, strengths and gaps lie.
It is free for all Irish companies to use, so check out your digital scorecard rating Here
How Herbst Software can have an Impact on your Digital Score
At Herbst Software, our aim is to bring companies into the Digital Age with a bang!
An Irish company that makes software specialised for the Irish Market, we offer one system which is fully integrated to meet all of your digital needs. We can bring you through your digital journey with minimal interruption to your business and without having to deal with too many companies.
Herbst offer a ‘one stop’ digital transformation!
The Digital Scorecard will help you understand the need for digitising your company and Herbst can help you on your journey by integrating all your business processes and improving efficiencies of your site operations.
Find out how Herbst integrated software can help simplify your business processes and increase efficiency across all departments in our video below:
Developing a Digital Culture
Once you have found your results from the digital scorecard, you can start to understand how a digital culture within the workplace will help you within your business!
At Herbst Software we offer a fully integrated business management solution. There are no information silos, each and every element of the business is connected, transforming the company’s culture and digital attributes in one step. This drives the profitability and resilience of the company while minimising wasteful repetitive practices.
Workforce and Skills
This all-inclusive digital shift will encompass the entire workforce; the level of skill change will be tiered across the organisation. Herbst Software solutions are designed to be as easy to use as possible, catering to non-English speakers at the factory/ production floor level. Intuitive and well designed views allow for production managers, accounts and others to seamlessly run their tasks with minimal training. Tiered access levels ensure employees only have access to what they need, streamlining responsibilities.
Management and Operations
Imagine digitising all of these documents… for them to be automatically and instantly shared with the relevant parties under the gaze full watch of our credit control! What more could we ask for?
The biggest change will come in the free flow of information across Management and Operations. Automate the flow of information, no more counting and recounting, passing papers, excel sheets, ticking boxes etc etc…… all of these activities can be automated within one System. All information is available to the right person at the right time, updating each element automatically as it occurs.
Product & Service and Development and Delivery
As every piece of inventory, information and product is tracked across the whole of the organisation, this allows for the perfect service every time. There is no chance for substandard goods to slip through the net, our sales and delivery apps ensure the products and services are delivered in top class condition, on time and with accountability built in along the supply chain. In the event of a recall, our batching feature allows for minimum disruption and detailed analysis.
Sales and Marketing
As all systems are now interlinked, your sales and marketing teams can see the information they need to drive sales and create the campaigns that will drive profitability for your company. Sales reps can deal with OOS on the road, they can cross or upsell to meet an OSS, no more wasted sales calls or opportunities . Our CRM will let you can see that a customer has not bought ‘product X’ in a while, marketing can target them with a new campaign based on gaps to ensure you are retaining and growing your business. We also offer a web portal that not only lets your customers buy 24/7 with no interaction with staff, but it is a full account management tool where they can pay, view their deliveries, order history and much more.
Regulations and compliance
Digitisation of your business with Herbst software enforces best business practice across the board. Enforced accountability and checks wherever required are put in place to meet legislative and company standards. Your information is safe and secure with Herbst Software’s stringent security protocols.
Bottom Line
If you have completed the digital scorecard and results are indicating that digitising your company will help improve your operations, Herbst Software can bring your company up to date with the software you need to make your organisation as efficient and profitable as possible. We can provide the business intelligence you need to make the big decisions with confidence and continuously improve your operation and you now have the data to do it.
Sample business process and integration of applications above.
Some other posts you may be interested in:
READ THIS before buying an ERP System 3 ways an integrated software solution can help you simplify your business processes Connecting Your Business – A Fully Integrated Software Solution
This version includes the new Revenue’s report “List of Employees” with the facility to export it to a ROS XML file.
Before you use it, please familiarize yourself with information in this regard which is available in the Release Notes.
You can visit Herbst Software Support Center to download the latest version.
Tax Year 2018 Update!
The first version for the tax year 2018 incorporates the changes in the statutory
requirements for payroll coming into effect from the 1st January 2018.
Visit Herbst Software Support Center to download the latest version.
Please note that if you haven’t given in your order for 2018, please send in your HRM
order to support@herbst.ie and we can make sure you are set up for the upgrade.
The 2017 Year End Update includes new versions of Forms P35 and P60.
Note that this is NOT the Tax Year 2018 Update yet!
Visit Herbst Software Support Center to download the latest version.
This is a minor maintenance update fixing some recently found bugs.
Visit Herbst Software Support Center to download the latest version.
This is a mandatory update supporting the new ROS Tax Credit Certificate (P2C) file format effective from 25th November 2017.
Visit Herbst Software Support Center to download the latest version.
Please note that if you haven’t given in your order for 2017, please send in your HRM order to support@herbst.ie and we can make sure you are set up for the upgrade
Tax Year 2017 Update!
The first version for the tax year 2017 incorporates the changes in the statutory requirements for USC and PRD coming into effect from the 1st January 2017. There are no changes in PAYE, PRSI, and LPT.
Visit Herbst Software Support Center to download the latest version.