DIY Data Management Programme Helps SMEs Upgrade IT Capabilities

The Hong Kong Chamber of Small and Medium Business (HKCSMB) and Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today (10 November 2004) launched a “DIY Consolidated Data Management” Programme to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) upgrade their IT capabilities and enhance business workflow.

Developed by the HKCSMB and HKPC with funding from the SME Development Fund of the Trade and Industry Department of the HKSAR Government, and with software sponsored by Microsoft Corporation, the “DIY Consolidated Data Management” Programme provides a variety of free practical do-it-yourself IT application tools and resources on database consolidation and management.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mr K.T. Yung, General Manager, IT Industry Development Division, HKPC said, “According to the results of a survey conducted by HKPC to assess the level of IT adoption by SMEs, of the 400 enterprises interviewed, over 60% did not use computerized IT systems to perform core business operations, 15% handled all business processes manually and 46% used simple office software to manage daily business transactions.”

“Due to the lack of technical knowledge and professional expertise, many SMEs do not know how to begin computerizing their business operations and tend to use general office software resulting in fragmented computerized processes. The lack of standardization and centralization of data within a company often hinders future efforts to create a fully computerized system for consolidation and management of data within the workplace,” he said.

“Through the DIY Consolidated Data Management Programme's website, we can assist SMEs to adopt common office software as a platform for consolidated data management, thereby improving their operational workflow and business efficiency,” Mr Yung said.

The Programme's website (www.diydata.org) will provide SMEs with a “DIY Data Management Template” to construct, centralize as well as share corporate data in a standardized Excel format, focusing on daily business operations such as client account management, supply management, recording of sales and purchases, and invoicing, etc. The website also provides a free on-line self-assessment service for SMEs to assess their current needs for IT adoption and plan for necessary improvements. Practical information on the latest IT systems available for enterprises and case studies on companies that have successfully implemented IT solutions with improved business workflow are also available free of charge from the site.

Other officiating guests at the launch ceremony included Mr Felix Chan, President, HKSCMB; Mr. Jos Yam, Senior Administrative Officer, Trade and Industry Department, HKSAR Government; and Mr Alexander Huang, Regional Director, Greater China Region, Microsoft Corporation.

A seminar and workshop on “Consolidated Data Management for SMEs” was also held immediately after the launch ceremony, with speakers including Mr Terence Lee, Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft Hong Kong Limited and Mr C.K. Lee, Senior Consultant, Information Technology Industry Development Division, HKPC.

For media queries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
HKPC
Tel: (852) 2788 6202
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
E-mail: annabell@hkpc.org

HKPC
10 November 2004