The future will be digital or it will not be. We have heard this mantra a thousand times, but when it comes to starting it up in the company, we tend to think that it is only for large corporations. Those with hundreds or thousands of employees, many locations and billings of billions of euros. It is not like this. Digitization improves the scope and management in any type of company, from the largest to SMEs and the self-employed. But it must be done properly and, above all, by monitoring the security of the company's own data and that of customers and suppliers.
The European funds Next Generation EU contemplate an item of 3,000 million euros of non-reimbursable aid for SMEs and the self-employed to acquire digital tools for their businesses. It is the famous Digital Kit, which includes grants of up to 12,000 euros for companies with 10 to 49 workers, up to 6,000 euros for freelancers and companies with 3 to 9 workers, and up to 2,000 euros for freelancers or companies with up to two employees.
The first phase (from 10 to 49 employees) is already underway and in July the call for the second (from 3 to 9 employees) is expected.
The day-to-day life of an SME barely leaves time to sit down and weigh issues that go beyond questions of customers and suppliers, invoices or payroll. Digitizing is seen as something that would be good, but for which there is no time or budget. Something similar happens with applying for aid. The ghost of paperwork ends up dissuading many small entrepreneurs from requesting something that would end up improving their income and making many of their daily processes easier.
Orange is one of the Digitizing Agents authorized by the government to offer digital solutions subsidized in the Digital Kit, as well as to help and advise the self-employed and SMEs in all procedures. Catalunya Auxiliars, a company with 30 employees that provides concierge services, access control and cleaning services to more than 250 clients, is one of the SMEs that has gone digital thanks to Orange. Its manager, Joan López Roura, sums up the entire process as follows: "It has been very easy and we have been able to do everything electronically, without leaving the office". Companies need little more.
Each company has different characteristics. Also, different needs when incorporating solutions within these digitization bonds. They can be related to digital marketing, cloud services, cybersecurity or digital accounting and process management tools, among others.
The experience of Catalunya Auxiliars with the whole process could not be more positive. “I would tell anyone who is in our situation to ‘go ahead’, to ask for information, to ask all the doubts that he may have and to do it all. It is an opportunity that they should seize,” she notes.
Where before there were dozens of account books, mailboxes and padlocks, there are now digital systems and fine security that is proof against cyber attacks in that virtual environment. Incorporating digital management tools improves the competitiveness of companies. In other words, it allows them to open doors to new customers and gain market share. And all in a much more agile, automated and fully secure way. All small businesses, micro-businesses or the self-employed in a registered situation and up to date with their obligations with the Treasury and Social Security can access this aid.
The services will be subsidized for the first 12 months, taxes excluded, since taxes are not eligible. To facilitate the procedures, Orange makes several options available to freelancers and companies: through its website Orange.es/empresas/kit-digital or on 900 900 495. Once the solution or solutions have been purchased, the implementation is carried out carried out in 3 months maximum.
