Technology advancements have always been rapid. But the spread of Covid-19 accelerated the adoption of technology in many businesses. Consumers have also embraced technology; from the way we stay connected with loved ones, to how we play and work, to how we purchase things.
Consumer’s shopping habits have change largely due to the convenience that technology have provided. This is why it’s important for businesses to leverage on digital technology to capture the market, improve productivity and position the business for growth and resilience.
Under the Go Digital programme, the Start Digital Pack was launched in January 2019 to help newly-incorporated Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) start their business with digital solutions. SMEs that are new to digital technology can also apply for the Start Digital pack. This e
Since its launch, 37,000 SMEs have benefited from this scheme. To encourage more SMEs to go digital, the Start Digital initiative will be extended for 3 years through 2025, with simplified solution categories, to provide foundational digial solutions.
What Is Start Digital Pack
The Start Digital solutions offer collaboration tools that enable remote working, digital marketing through social media and integrated digital utilities like e-invoicing and e-payment. These solutions are offered by partners – DBS, Maybank, OCBC, Singtel and UOB. They are partnered with service providers such as Xero, Talenox, Google Workspace, to create comprehensive solution packages.
Currently, the Start Digital Pack includes solutions for Accounting, Human Resource Management System & Payroll, Digital Marketing, Digital Transactions, Cybersecurity solutions and Digital Collaboration solutions. Some of the apps one can sign up for include Financio and Xero under the Accounting category, Payboy and Talenox for Human Resource Management System & Payroll category, Skale under Digital Marketing, OCBC Velocity (InvoiceNow) under Digital Transactions, Broadband Protect and Mobile Threat Prevention under Cybersecurity, and Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 under Digital Collaboration.
More enhancements and new categories are being added as Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Enterprise Singapore (ESG) continue to take user feedback into account.
What Are The Digital Solutions Available?
All Start Digital Partners have digital solutions for each of the six categories – Accounting, Human Resource Management System & Payroll, Digital Marketing, Digital Transactions, Cybersecurity solutions and Digital Collaboration solutions. Businesses can also browse the digital solutions available on IMDA’s website.
As some of the partners offer the option of creating your own bundles, it is best to visit each of the Start Digital partner’s websites for more information.
Some of the popular solutions that you can sign up for include Microsoft 365, Xero, QuickBooks, Talenox and Google Workspace.
The apps in each category provide similar solutions. Businesses should pick two solutions from different categories under the Start Digital Pack to optimise digitalising other aspects of their business. Picking two apps from within the same category would overlap the solutions unless your goal is to have a feel for which app works the best for your business. But this would be costly as you would need to commit for 18 months to the plans.
How You Can Apply For It
The Start Digital Pack is available from any of the six Start Digital Partners. Business entities such as Sole-Proprietorships, Partnership, Limited Partnership, etc, are eligible for Start Digital. They must be:
- Registered and incorporated in Singapore,
- Have at least 30% local shareholding,
- Have an annual revenue of less than $100 million or have fewer than 200 employees,
- Have not taken up solutions under Start Digital before.
- Have not used identical solutions before
Each eligible SME is entitled to one Start Digital Pack. SMEs can take up any two Start Digital solutions and enjoy at least six months of fee waivers provided they select a contract period of at least 18 months. After the fee waiver period, SMEs will have to pay for solutions at normal rates and contractual terms.
As a business owner, taking the leap into the digital world can be daunting and costly, which is why the Start Digital Pack does not require the business to fork out any money during the first 6 months of adopting the new technology. This 6-month fee waiver provides peace of mind from financial worries while ensuring enough time to train staff, streamline new processes and for the business to explore and get used to the apps.
To get started with the Start Digital Pack, all you need to do is to register your company with one of the Start Digital Partners. For more grants under IMDA SMEs Go Digital programme, check out the Productivity Solutions Grants and how it supports companies keen on adopting IT solutions and equipment to enhance business processes.
Read Also: Guide To Starting A Business In Singapore
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