InfoLab21

ISIS-Transformational ICT for Northwest SMEs

InfoLab21 has been successful in securing funding for ISIS through the European Regional Development Fund to provide free bespoke ICT advice, guidance and solutions that will transform Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) throughout the Northwest.

What ISIS offers your clients

ISIS will provide free expertise for SMEs that can identify a significant opportunity to develop and transform their businesses through ICT in the following areas:

• Prototype Development
• Mobile & Wireless Technologies
• Software Development
• ICT Strategies, Audits & Infrastructure Development
• Research Into New Technologies
• e-Ccommerce
• Web Applications

ISIS is the first project of its kind in the UK and is delivered under the “Transformational ICT” product, part of the Government’s Solutions for Business portfolio, a highly targeted, publically funded suit of products and services offering solutions to real business needs.

Eligibility

SME Location: Postcode restrictions no longer apply, ISIS can assist SMEs based in the Northwest of England- ie anywhere within Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire & Warrington, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

SME Size
Predominantly 10 employees or over, up to 250, 5-9 considered on a case by case basis.

SME Sectors: Most sectors are eligible excluding  the retail sector but the project has a specific focus on the High Growth sectors ie Biochemicals, Food and Drink, Energy & Environmental Technology, Advanced Engineering, Financial and Professional Services, Digital & Creative Industries Companies must demonstrate that the support will result in increased jobs/job safeguarded and increased GVA.

SMEs that can show clear business advantage from implementing new technology in their business through increased jobs and GVA.  The ICT support must be clearly transformational in the impact it has on the business.  Basic ICT solutions such as CRMs and brochure websites will not be supported.

Client Needs

We are looking to work with SMEs that fit the eligibility requirements above and have one of the following business needs:

1. Prototype Development
   Businesses that have indentified market opportunities through new product development but do not have the time or resources to invest in taking their ideas forward.
   
2. Mobile & Wireless Technologies Business that lack up-to-date, specialist expertise on mobile and wireless technologies such as RFID, Bluetooth, 3G, WIFI, WIMAX and GPS but want to use these technologies or develop new solutions for mobile devices, or for utilising wireless technologies to introduce new client services, or new ways of working within the business environment.
   
3. Software Development Businesses which are unable to find the right software solution for their business, due to off- the-shelf software being too generic and not able to meet their individual business requirements, whilst bespoke software is beyond their resource capabilities.
   
4. IT Strategies, Audits & Infrastructure Development Businesses that may lack ICT expertise in house, or would like a fresh view on their ICT capabilities, are not sure which new technologies to invest in and would like impartial advice and guidance on how technology is and could be used within the business to facilitate growth and future investment in ICT.
   
5. Research Into New Technologies Businesses that require ICT expertise on a particular kind of new technology which they anticipate may be worth investing in to help solve a particular problem or business requirement, but it is beyond their resource capabilities to investigate further.
   
6. Ecommerce Businesses who would like a full e-commerce website with content management system to support new ways of expanding customer markets and enable a business to increase market share.
   
7. Web Applications Businesses who want to change paper-based or off-line business systems to web-based business systems, businesses who want web applications developing that will help create new services for clients or improve access to information for staff and/or clients.

What To Do Next

Some of the above features are still in development but if you want to find out more please contact one of InfoLab21’s Business Development Officers:

Nick King
tel: +44 (0)1524 510447
mob: +44 (0)7772 175777
n.king@lancaster.ac.uk

Colin McLaughlin
tel: +44 (0)01524 510443
mob: +44 (0)7810 768265
c.i.mclaughlin@lancaster.ac.uk

Factsheet