Scope of Technology Voucher Program Consultancy Services
- Project Assessment: Assist businesses in evaluating the feasibility and estimation of Technology Voucher Program applications, providing professional opinions and recommendations.
- Application Preparation: Assist businesses in preparing the necessary documents for the application, including business registration proof, technical proposals, market analysis reports, business plans, etc.
- Application Submission: Assist businesses in filling out the application forms on the Technology Voucher System, uploading relevant documents, ensuring that the submitted information is complete, accurate, and meets the requirements.
- Application Follow-up: Assist businesses in monitoring the progress of the application and provide the necessary supplementary information to the Innovation and Technology Bureau to ensure the smooth application and approval of the project.
- Project Closure: Assist businesses in preparing the final project report, including the evaluation of project outcomes and benefits, reports on fund utilization, project returns, etc. Also, assist in project audits to ensure compliance with the relevant requirements and standards of the Technology Voucher.
- Consultancy Services: Provide professional consulting services related to Technology Voucher applications and project implementation. This includes issues and challenges in project planning and management, technology vendor selection and management, fund utilization, and reporting.
Why Choose a Technology Voucher Consultant?
The Technology Voucher Program (TVP) was launched in a pilot form in November 2016, aimed at funding local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to use technology services and solutions to enhance productivity or upgrade and transform. Why choose a professional Technology Voucher consultant to help you apply for the Technology Voucher? Because a Technology Voucher consultant can help you navigate through the complex processes and challenges of applying for the Technology Voucher. The Technology Voucher Program is one of the most popular government funding programs, and there are specific criteria during the approval process to ensure that public funds are used effectively. Therefore, the entire process, from submitting the application documents to successfully receiving the funding amount, is rigorous and not easy to apply for.
Attempting to apply for the Technology Voucher on your own may encounter the following challenges:
- Unclear Eligibility Requirements: The eligibility requirements for Technology Voucher applications may be complex for ordinary businesses, leading to questions or misunderstandings.
- Inappropriate Completion of Application Form: Improper completion of the application form due to a lack of understanding of the requirements may lead to an unsuccessful application.
- Inadequate Technical Proposal: The Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) application requires the submission of a detailed technical proposal. If a company's technical proposal is insufficient or does not meet the requirements, the application may be rejected.
- Inappropriate Budget Planning: The Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) application requires the submission of a detailed project budget. If a company's budget planning is inappropriate or does not meet the requirements, the application may be rejected.
- Unfamiliarity with the Application Process: The Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) application requires adherence to a specific process and procedures. If a company is not familiar with the application process, it may lead to delays or unsuccessful applications.
- Inadequate Document Preparation: Applying for the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) requires the preparation of various documents. If a company's document preparation is inadequate or does not meet the requirements, the application may be rejected.
The difference between professional technology voucher consultants and so-called technology voucher consultants in the market?
- Professionalism: Professional technology voucher consultants possess deeper technical knowledge and extensive experience, enabling them to provide more professional insights and advice, ensuring that the application projects align with technological requirements.
- Personalized Service: Professional technology voucher consultants can offer personalized services by tailoring the most suitable application plans based on the specific needs and requirements of different applicant companies. In contrast, regular technology voucher consultants typically provide standardized services and may not meet personalized needs.
- Resource Advantage: Professional technology voucher consultants possess abundant supplier resources and networks, allowing them to provide more opportunities and support for applicant companies. On the other hand, regular technology voucher consultants typically have relatively weaker resources and networks, making it challenging for them to offer the same level of support and assistance.
- Service Scope: The service scope and coverage of professional technology voucher consultants are typically broader, offering more diverse and comprehensive application support, including assistance in project planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation. In contrast, regular technology voucher consultants may only provide basic application consultation and document preparation support.
The three main challenges in applying for technology vouchers:
1. Requesting quotations from suppliers
Firstly, the applying company needs to approach 2 to 5 technology voucher suppliers to obtain quotations. When inviting suppliers to provide quotations, they should also have the suppliers sign the “Integrity Clause” and “Anti-collusion Clause.” This part is the most challenging. When service providers realize that you are a technology voucher applicant, they are eager to know if they are the winning supplier. If the chance of getting the business is low, they may be unwilling to provide a quotation along with the “Integrity Clause” and “Anti-collusion Clause.” This poses a significant challenge for many applicants.
2. The article on completing the application form
When filling out the application form, applicants need to provide company documents such as receipts, proof of expenditures, and other relevant files. In addition, the government will require applicants to write a detailed report to the Innovation and Technology Bureau, explaining any technological challenges their company faces in operations and how implementing technological systems can improve their business. These explanations need to be logical, well-founded, and persuasive. The article should highlight the benefits of applying technological systems. This narrative significantly enhances persuasiveness and is a key factor in a successful application.
3. Dealing with the Government (Responding to Government Inquiries)
This can be considered a crucial key to success. After submitting the application form, don’t think of it as the end of the story. In reality, it’s just the beginning of the challenges. From the submission of the application to eventual success, officers from the Innovation and Technology Bureau may pose 2 to 5 rounds of questions, and applicants need to respond within the given deadlines. The questions typically revolve around the technological solution, quotations, and company background. Due to a lack of experience in dealing with officers for many companies, they often struggle to know how to respond and may sometimes provide irrelevant or misleading answers, leading to both comical and serious consequences. This, at best, prolongs the application process, and at worst, results in application failure with serious repercussions.
Therefore, hiring an experienced consulting team can save the company time and effort, assisting the company in successfully completing the technology voucher application process.
Documents required for technology voucher application
Technology Voucher Audit
Common Technology Voucher Funding Projects
- Purchase, rent, or subscribe to necessary components, technology service solutions, software, or hardware that are customized according to the customer's requirements and are part of the project.
- If you need to purchase, rent, or subscribe to necessary components, technology service solutions, software, or hardware for the project, but they are "off-the-shelf," then their cost should not exceed 50% of the project's total cost.
- If the approved project exceeds $50,000, the audit fees for the project under the technology voucher can also be subsidized, with a maximum limit of $2,000.
- Technology voucher funds are allocated based on projects and do not cover day-to-day operational expenses.
Winning Strategy for Technology Voucher Application
Choosing the Right Technology Supplier
When applying for a technology voucher, selecting the right technology supplier is crucial. This not only ensures that you receive high-quality technical services but also minimizes unnecessary hassles. Choosing a reliable technology supplier increases the chances of a successful application and ensures the project's successful implementation.
Choosing a Technology Project that Meets the Requirements
When applying for a technology voucher, it is essential to choose a technology project that meets the requirements to increase the chances of a successful application. When selecting a technology project, factors such as the cost of the application, the feasibility of the project, and its business value should be taken into consideration.
Prepare the necessary documents
When applying for a technology voucher, it is necessary to provide some essential documents, such as business registration proof, tax certificates, patent certificates, trademark certificates, etc. Adequate preparation of these documents is essential to ensure a smooth application process.
Choose a high-quality technology voucher consultant.
If you lack the relevant professional knowledge, it is recommended to collaborate with a technology voucher consultant. Technology voucher consultants can provide professional advice and recommendations, assist businesses in understanding relevant policies and regulations, and help identify the most suitable technology suppliers, thereby increasing the chances of a successful application.
Technological systems eligible for the Technology Voucher
E-commerce System
An e-commerce system encompasses an online store content management system (CMS), customer and management applications, online payment, online marketing systems, inventory management, and automated data collection systems to facilitate customer transactions and enhance customer loyalty.
Point of Sale (POS) Management System
Handles various store sales scenarios, including cross-store management, member consumption records and management, online-to-offline (O2O) integration, and other retail business requirements, improving operational efficiency.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) enables companies to centrally manage detailed information about all customers, understand the needs of existing and potential customers, provide data for marketing analysis, and increase sales.
Electronic Appointment System
Whether it's venue management, equipment rentals, business centers, clinics, etc., an appointment system can assist users in one-stop scheduling and provide report analysis to enhance overall operations.
Big Data and Cloud Analytics Solutions
Placing traditional systems on cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) contributes to the overall sustainability of IT systems, reduces costs and risks, and enables real-time big data collection and analysis.
Information Sharing Platform
Through the information sharing platform, customers and users can exchange information, reduce information and communication costs, and facilitate transactions and trading volume.
Technology Voucher: Three Tips to Expedite Your Application
Submit Technology Voucher Application
Prepare all necessary documents, including identification, employee proof, business registration copy, proof of substantial business operations, expense quotations, etc. It's advisable to seek advice from experienced technology voucher application consultants to avoid unnecessary complications.
Clearly outline the details of the project implementation
The project must be highly relevant to the business of the applying company. The project specifications must be clear, the budget needs to be reasonable, and the implementation time must be less than 12 months. The track record of both the technology consultant and the supplier for the technology voucher project must be good.
Clearly understand how the technology voucher funding is disbursed.
Submit documents within two months after project completion: the final project report, original or copy of payment receipts for each expenditure item. If the approved funding amount is HKD 50,000 or below, the applying company must submit the final expenditure statement and declaration.
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