A pilot IT audit program designed for small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong was launched by the government last month to enhance their competitiveness with the adoption of e-business practices, according to officials.
Jointly organized by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the Information Technology Broadcasting Bureau (ITBB), the IT audit program will initially provide 400 local SMEs from six industry sectors with IT audit and counsel services to facilitate IT adoption at the price of HK$800 per company, according to Charles Chow, general manager for e-enterprise solution at HKPC.
Services to be provided include an assessment of the IT resources and infrastructure of participating SMEs, evaluation of existing business processes and applications as well as recommendations for IT strategies for individual companies.
The industry sectors invited to participate in the program include manufacturing, import and export, wholesale and retail, business services, financial services, insurance as well as travel, catering and hospitality.
According to Chow, the program is a response to the challenges local SMEs face in embracing IT.
"Our surveys revealed that many local companies are willing to adopt IT, but the difficulties they face are mainly a lack of expertise, capital and technical know-how. This program will provide them with the necessary support," he said.
Upon completion of the IT audit, HKPC will offer advice on applications for government funding to assist SMEs on implementing the recommendations, Chow noted. SME Business Installations and Equipment Loan Guarantee, SME Development Fund, SME Training Fund and SME Export Marketing Fund are among the government schemes created to assist these companies.
"Through this program, participating companies will be able to identify their problems and needs in the areas of computer infrastructure, business processes and IT governance. [They can also] understand their existing IT level through benchmarking against the industry's best practices and standards and identify areas for improvement," Chow said.
In addition, to provide a user-friendly channel for SMEs to source the IT products and services that fit their needs, HKPC is planning to compile an IT directory for SMEs in collaboration with industry associations.
Based on the results of this pilot program, HKPC will also develop guidelines on IT adoption, self-assessment tools and case studies for IT implementation for the general SME community in Hong Kong, Chow said.
