European Commission

The original article can be found on the EASME website.

Digitalisation is amongst the various challenges that European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must face in today’s climate. SMEs need to keep pace with current digital transformation and digitalisation in order to provide digital solutions and thus, keep up and keep their place in their respective markets.

One aspect of digitalisation for all companies big and small, is the skills that are needed to implement the new digital solutions, and how to acquire them. In order to respond to this need, the COSME “Skills for SMEs” project, which aims to research and support how SMEs can obtain the key skills needed in the fields of big data, internet of things (IoT) and cybersecurity, is helping SMEs to acquire those skills and not fall behind.

Digital transformation is important for SMEs as it can present unique opportunities. However in order to fully exploit those opportunities, SMEs must invest in training themselves and developing their digital skills in order to overcome existing skills gaps and mismatches.

The “Skills for SMEs” project worked with key experts and other stakeholders to collect information and identify ways to facilitate digital skills development for SMEs. One of the conclusions was that “ambitious skills policies and well-targeted supporting measures at EU and national level are of utmost importance to facilitate the access of SMEs to a larger European talent pool”.

To find out more about this project consult the brochure and for more detailed information have a look at the final report.

The Digital Assembly 2017 will take place on 15 and 16 June in Valletta, Malta. It is an event co-organised by the European Commission and the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Digital Assembly 2017, is an opportunity for stakeholders to debate, take stock and look ahead at how Europe and how its partners around the world are preparing for this digital transformation. It will also be an opportunity to have dialogue on the benefits of the Digital Union for citizens with a special focus on younger generations.

The Assembly will kick off on 15 June with a networking lunch, followed by a high-level opening ceremony and international panel discussions.

On Friday 16 June, four thematic working sessions will focus on the key priorities:

• Data economy
• New digital opportunities
• Cybersecurity and Internet of Things
• Digital transformation

The Digital Assembly 2017 will end with a panel of young people discussing expectations and ideas for the digital economy and society, before a closing ceremony.

Read the programme here.

Be sure to follow the event on Twitter with the hashtag: #da17eu and live web streaming of the event!

For more information: https://ec.europa.eu

Digital innovation, one of the themes of the SME Assembly 2017, is by far the biggest influencer, changing the way we do just about everything, from shopping to communication to running a business. Recently Gartner, Inc., revealed its top predictions for IT organisations and users for 2017 and beyond, focusing on three fundamental effects of continued digital innovation: experience and engagement, business innovation, and the secondary effects that result from increased digital capabilities.

• Augmented Reality
  • By 2020, 100 million consumers will shop in augmented reality.

• Web Browsing
  • By 2020, 30 percent of web browsing sessions will be done without a screen.

• Mobile App Abandonment
  • By 2019, 20 percent of brands will abandon their mobile apps.

• Knowledge Algorithms
  • By 2020, algorithms will positively alter the behavior of more than 1 billion global workers.

• Blockchain Technology
  • By 2022, a blockchain-based business will be worth $10 billion.

• Digital Giants
  • By 2021, 20 percent of all activities an individual engages in will involve at least one of the top-seven digital giants.

• Digital Innovation Costs
  • Through 2019, every $1 enterprises invest in innovation will require an additional $7 in core execution.

• Internet of Things Data Demands
  • Through 2020, Internet of Things will increase data center storage demand by less than 3 percent.

• Internet of Things Savings
  • By 2022, Internet of Things will save consumers and businesses $1 trillion a year in maintenance, services and consumables.

• Health Care Costs
  • By 2020, 40 percent of employees can cut their health care costs by wearing a fitness tracker.

Interested in Digital Innovation? Curious about what lies in store for 2017 and beyond? Find out more about the predictions and where digital innovation is set to take us in 2017…

Source: www.itbusinessedge.com