D-Biz Programme for Service Providers Enrolment

On 2nd of May morning,  the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) held a Webinar. ITC announced the application details for IT Service Providers Reference List for the Distance Business (D-Biz) Programme for enrolment.

 

Overview and Objectives of D-Biz Programme

Remote working or service has become a new trend against the backdrop of the epidemic. Under the Anti-Epidemic Fund, ITC has launched D-Biz Programme to support enterprises to continue their business and services during the epidemic. B-Biz Programme provides funding support through fast-track processing for enterprises to adopt IT solutions for developing distance business. The Hong Kong Productivity Council is the Secretariat of the Programme.

 

Funding Amount

For each IT solution and the relevant training expenses for the employees, the funding ceiling is HK$100,000. (With funding for the relevant training expenses capped at 10 per cent of the IT solution cost). Each enterprise may receive total funding of up to HK$300,000 to undertake a project to be completed within 6 months.

 

After the approval of the application, an enterprise will receive 30% of the funding amount. Upon completion of the project, the enterprise needs to submit the supporting documents. When ITC accepted the document, the remaining funding amount will be disbursed to the enterprise.

 

Funding Scope

• The Programme covers 12 categories of IT solutions for distance business. With a view to supporting enterprises to continue business and services during the epidemic.
• IT solution(s) must only be implemented after approval is granted.

The list of distance business IT solutions cover:

1. Online business

• For the company to establish a web portal, mobile app or other online channels. With aims to promote its goods and services, by using either subscription-based or custom-built e-commerce platform, including development and management.
• Enable consumers to place orders over the Internet.
• Promote such online portal through search engine promotion, digital advertisement such as social media promotion, e-coupon, loyalty programme, etc.
• Excluding production of promotion materials, contents or assets (e.g. image, text and video etc. as part of the marketing and promotion materials)

2. Online order taking and delivery, and smart self-service systems

• For the company to establish a web portal, mobile app or other online channels. Or for consumers to place orders of goods or services, by using either subscription-based or custom-built e-commerce platform, including development and management.
• Such adoption of technologies should enable the company to perform end-to-end order placement and delivery to designated locations, by using e.g. smart self-servicing system, smart kiosk, smart vending machine, smart lockers, or with integration to e-logistics provider platform.
• Suitable but not limited to industries that are acquiring or promoting self-services, such as takeaway services in Food & Beverages industries.
• Promote such online portal through search engine promotion, digital advertisement such as social media promotion, e-coupon, loyalty programme, etc.
• Excluding production of promotion materials, contents or assets (e.g. image, text and video etc. as part of the marketing and promotion materials)

3. Online customer services and engagement

• For the company to enable order placements of services to take place over the Internet, such as reservations, appointment bookings, including development and management
• Such adoption of technologies can also include distance learning facilities
• Promote such online portal through search engine promotion, digital advertisement such as social media promotion, e-coupon, loyalty programme, etc.
• Excluding production of promotion materials, contents or assets (e.g. image, text and video etc. as part of the marketing and promotion materials)

4. Digital customer experience enhancement

For the company to improve customer service experience and engagement with use of various technologies, including but not limited to the following:

• Round-the-clock customer service support via Chatbot
• Uplift product or service experience with use of Augmented Reality (AR) / Virtual Reality (VR) or Mixed Reality (MR) technologies or Digital Twin technology
• Apply analytics to improve customer experience such as purchasing data

5. Digital payment / mobile point of sale

• Enable online / physical stores with multiple digital payment channels, e.g. payment gateway or mobile Point-of-Sales (POS)
• Including one-time setup and associated hardware / equipment
• Excluding the handling fee or equivalent of each payment transaction

6. Online / cloud-based financial management systems

Adopt computerised system to manage the financial related processes of the company, including but not limited to:

• Invoicing and bill collection, accounting and budget planning, asset and liabilities management, regulatory compliance, reporting
• System could be cloud-based or accessible remotely by staff with appropriate cybersecurity protections

7. Online / cloud-based human resources management systems

Adopt computerised system to manage the human resources related processes of the company, including but not limited to:

• Payroll and expense reimbursement, attendance and leave records, training, reporting
• System could be cloud-based or accessible remotely by staff with appropriate cybersecurity protections

8. Remote document management, cloud storage and remote access services

• Digitise hard copy document into electronic format and store on cloud storage
• Enable staff to access the company information, data and system remotely with solutions such as remote desktop control, Virtual Private Network (VPN), Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

9. Virtual meeting and conference tools

Adopt tools to allow groups of people to collaborate or meet virtually through the Internet with the following functions but not limited to:

• Support both audio and video communication, content sharing, manage appointments and registrations, meeting recordings, online polling and Q&A

10. Virtual team management and communications

Adopt tools to allow groups of people to collaborate or communicate virtually through the Internet with the following functions but not limited to:

• Instant messaging, video and voice calls, document sharing and co-authoring / concurrent editing, task assignment, progress monitoring and collaborative product development

11. Cybersecurity solutions

• Improve the cybersecurity of the companies by implementing software, hardware or services to defend against cyber attacks
• Solution examples include but not limited to data encryption, firewall, anti-virus / malware solutions

12. Other online / custom-built / cloud-based business support systems

• Other solutions, either off-the-shelf or custom-built, that support the programme objectives of enabling enterprises to conduct and continue business remotely but do not fit into the above categories
• Solution examples include but not limited to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), e-application form and approval workflow, Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

 

Eligibility 

To Enroll on the Reference List, a Service Provider should possess a valid Business Registration Certificate and relevant technical capability and experience.

 

Application Period

Starting on 4 May 2020 at 9 am

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: https://centreo.hk/distance-business-programme/