From insight to action: discovering your company's digital potential

In the modern economy, digitalization for companies is no longer a question of "if," but of "how fast. This is also true for SMEs in the Northern Netherlands, who find themselves just as much in a rapidly changing landscape. The biggest challenge in this is choosing the right technologies and implementing them effectively. Every business is different, the technological possibilities are vast and that can be overwhelming. And without a clear direction, it can quickly become a maze full of obstacles. EDIH NN helps entrepreneurial Northern Netherlands with these issues.

One way we do this is by offering four different assessment tools. These free tools are designed to give SMEs very concrete tools to improve and strengthen their digitization processes. So you know exactly where you stand now, where the opportunities for your company lie and what steps are needed.

The first step, of course, is to know where you as a company currently stand. And that can be done very easily with the Digital Maturity Assessment tool. 'This is an online tool that you fill out together with an EDIH NN Theme Specialist. This is someone from the first-line organization, such as Ynbusiness, GroBusiness and Ik Ben Drents Ondernemer,' says Tabe Bruinsma of Ynbusiness, who has further developed this European tool for Dutch companies. 'With it you get instant insight into how digitally mature your company currently is and how that compares to the average of other companies in the North. We also provide you with a list of recommendations for improvements to make the company more future-proof and, if desired, a list of companies or experts who can help you take steps.

'We have compiled a national database, which includes experts and solution providers that we can refer by expertise through a search function. 'Our goal is to show in a very practical and concrete way what is possible for SMEs,' says Bruinsma. 'And to help them take steps in the field of digitalization and autonomous systems. For example, by connecting them to students, experts, other entrepreneurs or putting them in touch with training programs or commercial companies that can help them along the way.'

Contact one of the EDIH NN Theme Specialists for more information and to request the DMA assessment.

Customer data on the street, the company is down for a while or no longer able to access important data and systems. These are just a few examples of the damage a targeted cyber attack or hack can cause. That is why we offer a free and non-binding scan, with which you can take immediate steps towards better security.

'The light scan gives a picture of your company's security, especially from the outside, 'explains Marike. 'Compare it to walking through a neighborhood. You walk past the houses and see that your neighbor's sliding door is ajar, or that the other neighbors have left the key in the front door. Such things wouldn't happen at your business, would they? Well, to get an idea of how things are, we at EDIH went through the "digital neighborhood. We scanned over 120 companies, and not a single one had all the digital doors and windows shut.'

At all the companies we surveyed, there were areas for improvement when it came to information security. No company achieved a 100 percent score. That means there are always vulnerabilities, even in companies that think they are well secured. That is exactly why the light scan is so valuable; it gives entrepreneurs insight into where they stand and where they still need to take steps.

'Companies can easily sign up for our free light scan,' says Marike. 'The great thing is that there are no obligations attached. We scan your company and show you where the vulnerabilities are. We present the results in a report, which companies can then pick up at our EDIH NN 'Future Ready Event' on Oct. 22. There they can also meet with a security consultant to discuss further steps, such as an in-depth scan or customized advice, with an official security certificate upon completion.

For more information or to request a scan, please feel free to contact us.

In recent years, artificial intelligence has gained tremendous momentum. More and more companies are applying machine learning and generative AI in their business processes. Consider, for example, the automation of complex systems, predictive maintenance, product improvement or the development of new market strategies. We have therefore developed an AI scan especially for Northern Dutch SMEs, which provides insight into all the possibilities and applications in a very concrete way.

Based on a questionnaire and a no-obligation follow-up meeting with an Innovation Broker or Theme Specialist, we'll give you a clear report with recommendations and opportunities for AI integration. For example, we look at what useful data your company generates and collects daily from different sources such as transactions, customer interactions and operational processes. We also offer further development and implementation of AI solutions.

Whether it is the important transitions in energy supply, agrifood, healthcare, construction, infrastructure or industry, more autonomous (humanless, self-directed) solutions are being sought everywhere. This offers interesting opportunities for technology suppliers, such as machine builders or system integrators. 'However, the transition from a classic machine builder to a supplier of autonomous solutions is complex and time-consuming,' says EDIH NN Business Developer Hans Praat.

'That is why we have developed a scan to help (potential) suppliers of autonomous(er) products get started,' Praat continues. 'This scan identifies the possibilities and together we determine the ambition of the company, taking into account all aspects of market and technology as well as financing and revenue model. From there we draw up a plan on how we can support the company from the Northern ecosystem'.

The scan is preferably conducted in a strategy session with the entire management team. Contact EDIH NN Business Developer Hans Praat for more information and to request the scan.