SME Infocomm Resource Centre
Encyclopedia
Established on June 16, 2007, the SME Infocomm Resource Centre (Abbreviation
Abbreviation
An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Usually, but not always, it consists of a letter or group of letters taken from the word or phrase...

: SIRC), is a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to help Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in Singapore to advance their use of Info-Communications Technology (ICT).

Launched in 2007 by then MICA minister Dr Lee Boon Yang
Lee Boon Yang
Dr. Lee Boon Yang is a former politician from Singapore. A member of the governing People's Action Party , he served in the Cabinet from July 1991 to April 2009 in various portfolios including Minister for Defence, Minister for Manpower, and Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts...

, the vision behind SIRC was for Singapore SMEs to become active users of ICT technologies, and to help them to use the Intenet to improve their operations and market their companies at home and abroad.. The first SIRC (SIRC@SP) at Singapore Polytechnic
Singapore Polytechnic
Singapore Polytechnic , the first polytechnic established in Singapore, was founded in 1954. The former campus was originally located at Prince Edward Road...

 is jointly created by IDA
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore is a statutory board of the Singapore Government, under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts .-History:...

 and Singapore Polytechnic
Singapore Polytechnic
Singapore Polytechnic , the first polytechnic established in Singapore, was founded in 1954. The former campus was originally located at Prince Edward Road...

.

The SME Infocomm Resource Centre is modelled after organizations such as the MIRC, APEC Center for Technology Exchange and Training for SMEs and APEC SME Innovation Centre

SIRC seeks to reach out to existing SMEs and new Start-up SMEs in Singapore through a series public workshop programmes. In addition, the SIRC assists SMEs by providing technical resources to companies embarking on innovative and prototype ICT applications. Local industries have been encouraged in several minister speeches to take advantage of the services by the SIRC and other government assistance schemes.

Key Programmes

The SIRC@SP is involved in several key initiatives under the Infocomm@SME programme by the [Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore]. A recent IDA survey (circa 2006) showed that more could be done to help Singapore ’s small & medium enterprises, or SMEs, tap the power of infocomm technology. IDA had launched a new Infocomm@SME programme. This programme is not just to equip SMEs with basic ICT know-how. Infocomm@SME is aimed at helping SMEs to explore the latest ICT technologies and solutions to transform and enhance their businesses.

SIRC Workshops

The SIRC Workshops are an important means to achieving the mission of the SIRC. The workshops are conducted by industry experts in various fields. The topics of the workshops include:
  • Creating business value using Web 2.0
  • Infocomm Security
  • E-Commerce and E-Payment
  • Improving Business Operations through Accounting Software.
  • Search Engine Marketing

SIRC Application Jumpstart

IDA’s survey of SMEs found that many local SMEs faced difficulties in starting innovative projects because of the high cost of manpower in Singapore. Many SMEs also face difficulties in recruiting and keeping talented technical staff. The SIRC helps to bridge the gap by providing technical expertise to help in project implementations. Funding for such projects can come from SPRING Singapore. Government assistance includes funding from SPRING Singapore under the LETAS and TIP programmes.

See also

  • Interactive & Digital Media Centre
    Interactive & Digital Media Centre
    Established on April 1, 2007, the Interactive & Digital Media Centre , is an organization in Singapore Polytechnic that seeks to help Singapore enterprises to advance their use of Interactive & Digital Media...

  • Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
    Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
    The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore is a statutory board of the Singapore Government, under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts .-History:...

  • Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (Singapore)
  • SPRING Singapore.
  • Government of Singapore
    Government of Singapore
    The Government of Singapore is defined by the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore to mean the Executive branch of government, which is made up of the President and the Cabinet of Singapore. Although the President acts in his personal discretion in the exercise of certain functions as a check...

  • Economy of Singapore
    Economy of Singapore
    Singapore has a highly developed state capitalist mixed economy; the state owns stakes in firms that comprise perhaps 60% of the GDP through entities such as the sovereign wealth fund Temasek...


External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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