iSPRINT (Increase SME Productivity with Infocomm Adoption & Transformation), the anchor initiative of the Infocomm@SME programme, has received an S$85.5 million boost from the National Productivity Fund to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in their ICT implementation till March 2016.

The scheme has also been expanded to support a greater portion of qualifying project costs for first-time adopters of ICT, as well as specialised technologies used in specific industries that will boost productivity significantly.

Infocomm@SME is a programme by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) aimed at accelerating the adoption and innovative use of infocomm by SMEs. iSPRINT supports SMEs in their adoption of solutions ranging from simple IT systems that improve business operations to innovative uses of technology that transform a business or sector. About S$25 million was initially earmarked for the scheme when it was introduced in March 2010 by IDA, in collaboration with SPRING Singapore and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).

Speaking at the Committee of Supply 2011 debate on 10 March 2011, Minister of Information, Communications and the Arts Mr Lui Tuck Yew said more than 750 SMEs had been funded under iSPRINT as at January 2011, generating over S$7 million in ICT expenditure and a projected S$400 million in value-add over the next three years.

However, according to IDA’s 2010 survey on infocomm usage by businesses, only half of Singapore SMEs use at least one infocomm business solution, he noted. The increase in iSPRINT funding is aimed at addressing this. “With this extended scheme, we aim to help another 5,000 SMEs to adopt at least one infocomm business solution by March 2016,” he said.

iSPRINT enhancements from April 2011
Under iSPRINT enhancements which took effect from 1 April 2011, the support available to SMEs under the scheme will also be raised from 50 per cent to 70 per cent of qualifying project costs. This applies to SMEs that are currently totally manual in their operations and intend to implement ICT solutions for the first time. For other SMEs that already have some ICT deployments but intend to computerise another business function for the first time, iSPRINT will continue to support up to 50 per cent of the qualifying costs.

To help different sectors in Singapore boost their productivity through the advanced use of infocomm at their workplace, iSPRINT has also been enhanced to support purchases of specialised hardware or software used in specific industries that will enable large productivity gains in respective industries. Some examples are:

• Biometric identification systems to track attendance at construction sites;
• Wireless point-of-sale systems integrated with backend system at retail outlets;
• Tablet and handheld devices for wireless menu ordering at restaurants;
• Building Information Modelling (BIM) software for construction companies; and
• 3D rapid prototyping software for fashion and footwear design or manufacturing companies.

New services from SIRCs
Besides expanded support under iSPRINT, SMEs can also look forward to a wider range of services from SME Infocomm Resource Centres (SIRCs) to help them in their infocomm adoption. The SIRCs, which are located at the Singapore Polytechnic and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, were set up to serve as one-stop centres for SMEs to learn more about infocomm technologies.

New services which have been introduced by the SIRCs include:

• Pre-project consultancy services such as gap analysis, IT readiness assessment, feasibility studies, requirement studies and recommendation of suitable solutions or vendors;
• Project and/or vendor management services;
• Guidelines and advisories on ICT contracts management and user rights; and
• ICT Resource Advisory Panel services where industry veterans help address queries from SMEs.

Moving ahead, IDA will continue to collaborate with other government agencies such as SPRING and IRAS, and deepen the relationship with trade associations to leverage their extensive and trusted SME networks in government outreach efforts. IDA will also work in partnership with industry champions to understand the ICT needs in respective sectors and map the relevant infocomm solutions to help SMEs.