Month: September 2023

Google-led initiative to support Irish SMEs returns for second year

Google, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices are renewing their partnership to help upskill Irish SMEs by launching the 2023 You’re The Business competition. This initiative will reward businesses across Ireland that have demonstrated a commitment to digital at different stages of their journey, from those who have launched a website through to those who are just starting to export.

SMEs will be invited to submit a video no longer than two minutes in duration detailing what their business means to them as well as an example of how they have used digital to enhance their business. Entries are open now until October 31st 2023.

The successful SMEs selected by a panel of established judges, will receive a digital support package from Google which includes a €1,000 Google ads package as well as expert mentorship across a range of technical areas that will help them to develop their business. An additional prize of a video creation kit will also be awarded to one SME that has demonstrated great efforts in promoting their business online.

Cera Ward, Managing Director at Google Ireland  said: “Google is committed to supporting Irish SMEs upskill. We were so inspired by last year’s entries that really showed how SMEs strived to get their business online and how being online has helped them to succeed and grow, both domestically and further afield. We are excited to launch this year’s competition and look forward to learning about more SMEs, their challenges, and digital ambitions. Google wants to support these companies as they take the next steps on their digital journey.”

John Magee, Chair of Local Enterprise Office Network said: “The digital transformation of Irish businesses is essential for their future success and the Local Enterprise Offices have been to the fore with a range of supports to enable businesses get online and maximise their online presence with the likes of the Trading Online Voucher and our Digital Start programme. We are committed to helping Irish businesses thrive in a digital world, and this initiative in partnership with Google is just one of the many ways we continue to support our clients on their digital journey.”

Speaking at the launch announcement, Caryna Camerino of Camerino Bakery said:  “Our website was designed to be our virtual shop window, allowing customers to customise their ideal celebration cake. Going digital meant that our online sales could continue smoothly while we grew the business and opened our new cafe in the Irish Museum of Modern Art. With Google’s help, we are now looking to reach new customers via online marketing, newsletters, and email campaigns”.

Entries are open now with further information on the You’re the Business competition available at: g.co/yourethebusiness

Deadline

Entries are open until October 31st 2023.

How to enter

SMEs to outline how digital has helped their business so far by answering these questions in a short video (two minutes or less):

  • What does your business mean to you?

  • What one change have you made to grow your business online?

  • What opportunities could growing online create for you?

SMEs will be asked to upload the video to YouTube – details on how to upload are here. All videos must be original content only (including use of music), and should be a maximum of two minutes in duration.

Evaluation

Judges will appoint winners based on the following criteria:

  1. Demonstrate how digital skills have helped their business to grow and succeed.

  2. Have an inspirational story about how getting their business online has helped them to succeed.

Five worthwhile 3D printer projects

When you’re stuck at home and boredom sets in, it might be time to put your 3D printer to some use. In fact, many people opt for that exact creative option and search for a number of intriguing 3D printing ideas. Given the wealth of options available through this technology, though, it can be a tad overwhelming. 

There are certainly many routes you can go down when assessing the different types of printer projects many 3D printers tend to opt for. For example, sports fans might aim to replicate the ball in their particular sport or even try to recreate their beloved teams’ badge. Additionally, gaming fans might try to produce a Pokemon-themed print or a character from their favourite Playtech casino games. Then, for other people, a food-themed print might be a preference, alongside something work-related. Essentially, the options are endless; it’s just about finding a way to make this innovative technology work for you. 

One thing that is for certain, though, is that you shouldn’t be afraid to get creative with a 3D printer project. People are creating works of art on a regular basis, perhaps in order to spruce up their home with the addition of some 3D-themed sculptures or to provide a cute toy for a loved one. Whatever your preference is, below is a look at five worthwhile 3D printer projects to dive into. 

Exercise dumbbell 

If you occasionally work out at home, then adding to your gym with your very own exercise dumbbell surely appeals, right? A tin can dumbbell, for example, is easy to make and will help you feel the burn in the process. There are many STL files you can download to create a dumbbell base, although a design by the Samuel Bernier Project is a favoured option for many.

 

Business cards 

If you run your own business or you’re in need of some business cards for a particular reason, then creating your own with a 3D printer is an option worth exploring. Not only will people appreciate a personal touch but, similar to these bike business cards, they can look great, too. Creating a business card is fairly straightforward, it can enable your business to stand out from the crowd, and obviously help you spread the word. 

Book accessories 

If you’re partial to the odd good book then investing some time into a few handy accessories might appeal to you. From bookmarks to book holders, these fun and easy projects don’t take long but they’ll last a while. You might even be able to make a paperweight to hold down any magazines or any documents, too. The options are certainly extensive. 

Wheelchair ramp 

A fairly niche but hugely important product on the whole, particularly if you or any of your relatives are in a wheelchair, creating a small and portable wheelchair ramp is fairly straightforward and can come in extremely handy for people. All you need to do is download STL files of a simple ramp, then most solid 3D printers will be able to deliver the final product with ease. Once completed, a step in front of the shops or near your home can be easily navigated. 

Shoe insole

Many people with foot issues or walkers who simply want to add more comfort ahead of a long hike opt for shoe insoles. Not only can they add an additional layer of comfort, but they also protect your feet and help assist you with your everyday adventures. You’ll need flexible material and it can take a while to nail your final design, but it’s certainly worthwhile. 

 

Almost two-thirds of digital leaders say AI and cloud investment can increase performance and profitability

Digital leaders are confident that embracing technology across all facets of their business is bringing productivity gains, with nearly two-thirds (63%) surveyed reporting an increase in their profitability or performance by using XaaS in the past 24 months according to the KPMG global tech report. This new report, which surveyed more than 2,100 technology executives, explores the technology strategies employed by organisations across the globe as they embark on the next stage of their digital transformation journeys. It also examines the opportunity presented by emerging technology to drive value and gain a competitive edge during a sustained period of unprecedented market volatility.

Profit, performance and leadership

Respondents see technology investment driving profit or performance improvements of more than 10 percent, up from last year’s most common rate of improvement of around 2.5 percent. Buy-in across leadership for deploying emerging tools and technologies has more than tripled, with the top three areas of investment being artificial intelligence, data and analytics and Xaas.

“The survey results about AI echo the anecdotal sentiment among our client base. The biggest threat to many organisations’ digital transformation ambition is linked to poor collaboration across teams, so leadership and management style can also play a key role,” said Liam Cotter, Technology Practice Lead, KPMG in Ireland.

Advancing ESG priorities

Almost half of respondents (48 percent) agree that advancing their ESG priorities will be a primary innovation goal for their technology functions over the next two years; this is consistent regionally with 53 percent in ASPAC, 46 percent in the Americas and 47 percent in EMA.

Achieving short-term goals

Among those leading businesses where investment in technology is driving confidence and profitability most quickly, AI and machine learning are even bigger priorities. More than two-thirds (68 percent) say these technologies will be vital in helping them to achieve their short-term business goals, compared with 57 percent of the total sample.

The biggest threat to many organisations’ digital transformation ambition is linked to poor collaboration across teams – often due to negative work culture and poor communication. Nine in ten respondents think collaboration with the wider business would be stronger if their tech function were more diverse.

Exploring emerging technologies’ potential

This year, 96 percent of the leaders (the top 15 percent of those surveyed) say their technology function can help the enterprise confidently explore emerging technologies’ potential, compared with 81 percent of businesses overall. Two-thirds of these leaders have reached at least the implementation stage on projects connected to emerging technologies, XaaS, data and analytics, AI, and automation, compared with less than half of the total respondent base.

With 72 percent of digital leaders recording improvements in employee productivity from digital transformation, compared with only 48 percent of the other businesses, the potential benefits are huge. Seventy-one percent say they have enhanced customer engagement, compared with 49 percent.

For more information, visit our website: www.kpmg.ie/techreport2023

Microsoft Ireland pedals past €1 million milestone for LauraLynn in decade-long cycling challenge

Microsoft Ireland employees celebrated a key milestone in their decade-long fundraising challenge for LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice, as they pedalled past the €1million fundraising milestone this month. In total, Microsoft’s annual employee charity cycle has raised over €1,134,000 for LauraLynn, which includes more than €291,000 that was raised by way of its most recent cycle earlier this month.

The annual fundraising challenge has seen Microsoft Ireland employees cycle in excess of 4,000 kilometres since 2014, raising vital funds to support LauraLynn’s work in providing palliative care and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families. This includes therapies such as music therapy, play therapy and bereavement support, as well as vital short stays at the hospice for families in need of respite or crisis care.

This year’s charity cycle took place along the Wild Atlantic Way. Over the course of three days in September, a group of 100 Microsoft Ireland cyclists and support crew travelled 400km along the western seaboard from Clifden, Co. Galway, to Ballina, Co. Mayo.

James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Lead and Vice President for Microsoft Global Operations Service Center, said: “We are incredibly proud of all the Microsoft Ireland team who have gone the extra mile for LauraLynn this year, helping to raise a staggering €291,000 by way of the annual cycle and, in doing so, breaking the €1 million fundraising milestone for the charity over the past decade. It is testament to the dedication and commitment of our employees and supporters that we have been able to achieve this.

“Since the first cycle back in 2014, our teams have been inspired by LauraLynn and the vital care they provide on a daily basis to children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Through the additional €291,000 raised this year, LauraLynn will continue to support increasing numbers of children across the country who are most in need of their help.”

Ray Snowdon, a member of the cycling team and Director of Microsoft Business Operations Fusion Development said: “Having grown from just 10 cyclists in 2014 to a team of over 100 this year, the charity cycle in aid of LauraLynn has brought the Microsoft community together and helped to generate much needed funds for Ireland’s only children’s hospice. We’re incredibly proud of breaking the €1m fundraising milestone this year, something we could not have achieved without the generosity of our families and supporters who have helped to propel us on the road to a million. Our collective efforts are helping LauraLynn to meet the vital needs of children in their care.”

Kerry McLaverty, CEO of LauraLynn, said: “This is an extraordinary achievement by Microsoft Ireland and its employees who have become long-term partners of LauraLynn. It is the tenth year that the team have come out in force to fundraise for LauraLynn and each year they have raised the fundraising bar to new heights. The generosity shown by the Microsoft Ireland team has made a real difference to the lives of children with life-limiting conditions and their families who rely on the care and support of LauraLynn. Partners like Microsoft are vital for us to continue to grow and provide our services. LauraLynn are now supporting more children and families than ever before, alongside our Hospice in Leopardstown the community team operating from Mallow since last year provide care to Cork, Kerry and Limerick families. We have also recently announced our community team expansion brining care into the homes of children and families in the Midlands, West & Northwest of the country.”

The Microsoft Ireland fundraising cycle is just one of the ways in which the company supports LauraLynn. Microsoft has also donated software and provided training to the charity, and Microsoft employees regularly volunteer their time to help at LauraLynn House.

To find out more about the LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, please visit https://lauralynn.ie/.

Dublin city shortlisted for 2024 European Capital of Smart Tourism award

Dublin City Council is delighted to announce that Dublin City has been shortlisted for the 2024 European Capital of Smart Tourism award. It is the second time Dublin has been shortlisted for the designation. Last year Dublin City Council also won the prestigious Tourism Innovation Award in Seville.

The shortlist was announced this morning by the European Commission.

From a pool of 30 candidates spanning 17 countries, the selected finalists for the European Capital of Smart Tourism are in alphabetical order, Bremerhaven (Germany), Cork (Ireland), Dublin (Ireland), Genoa (Italy), Helsingborg (Sweden), and San Sebastián (Spain). 

The European Capital of Smart Tourism recognises best practice and innovative tourism practices in European cities.  Dublin is one of the first European cities to prioritise a specific Smart Tourism programme.  Since 2020, Dublin City Council, Smart Dublin and Dublin City Council Culture Company have been working in partnership on Dublin’s first Smart Tourism Programme, with the aim of making the city a smart tourism destination, using the city’s expertise in technology to deliver a superior tourism experience.

Head of Dublin City’s Tourism Unit, Barry Rogers said:  “This shortlisting is a real recognition of many years of consistent collaboration and work across Dublin City Council, Smart Dublin and Dublin City Council Culture Company. This designation specifically recognises cities who are striving to be more digitally advanced, sustainable, accessible and more equitable for locals.   Dublin being shortlisted amongst these other leading destinations is a welcome benchmark of our own progress to date and provides many more opportunities for innovation and collaboration going forward. We very much look forward to representing Dublin in Brussels in our bid to become the 2024 European Capital of Smart Tourism”

Dublin’s Smart Tourism Initiative is a Dublin City Council programme, made in partnership with Smart Dublin and Dublin City Council Culture Company. The programme is led and governed by the Dublin City Tourism Unit and is underpinned by the Innovation pillar of the new Dublin City Council Tourism Strategy 2023-2028 which states: We recognise the enormous opportunity to blend our expertise in technology, culture and tourism to build a more future facing offer in Dublin. We will be a test-bed for innovation within the tourism industry in Dublin, ultimately creating more and better experiences for visitors.  

The goal of the Smart Tourism programme is to establish Dublin as a world-leading ‘Smart Destination’ through innovation, research and partnerships. The programme is responsible for the development of cutting edge visitor experiences such as the new Dublin Discovery Trails App. Last year Dublin City Council received the Digital and Innovation award at the Tourism Innovation Summit in Seville for its development of the Smart Tourism programme.

You can access a brief profile of each of the shortlisted cities here.

The European Capital of Smart Tourism award will be granted to the city that demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to shaping the future of sustainable and innovative tourism. The award also aims to foster networking and the fortification of destinations while facilitating the exchange of best practices in this field.

Following this stage, the finalists will be invited to present their proposals to a European Jury, tasked with selecting the 2024 European Capital of Smart Tourism. The chosen city will receive extensive support in communication and branding. This includes the creation of a promotional video, installation of a hashtag sculpture for public exhibition in the city, and the implementation of tailored promotional campaigns aimed at boosting visibility at both the EU and global levels, ultimately resulting in an increase in the number of visitors.

The competition welcomed participation from cities within the European Union and non-EU countries that are eligible to the Single Market programme. An impartial panel of experts conducted a thorough evaluation of the applications, and those applicants who achieved the highest cumulative score across all categories successfully advanced.

Connected health: Online consultations would make half of adults more likely to take concerns to GP

Pure Telecom, Ireland’s high-speed broadband and telecoms provider, today announces the latest results from its inaugural Connected Lives survey, which show a strong appetite among Ireland’s adult population for more accessible online healthcare. The research found that nearly half (49%) of the population said they would be more likely to bring a health concern to their GP if they offered online consultations, yet just 29% said that this is a service their GP currently offers.

The nationally representative survey of 1,004 adults in Ireland was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Pure Telecom. It explored public sentiments about connected healthcare, which is expected to become an integral part of healthcare systems around the world in the coming years.

Pure Telecom’s research shows that 64% of adults would be willing to have online consultations with all types of healthcare providers, where appropriate, if it meant they could help to reduce waiting times. Recent research from McKinsey shows that online consultations reduce hospital wait times by unlocking bed capacity. Moreover, the Government highlights in its 2023 Waiting List Action Plan that virtual patient engagement can be an effective tool in helping to reduce waiting times.

Showing the potential benefits of connected healthcare, more than half of adults believe that it could improve the accessibility (57%) and quality (55%) of healthcare available to them. People living in Louth were the most likely to say that connected healthcare would improve the accessibility of healthcare to them (73%), followed by those in Carlow (71%) and Kilkenny and Kerry (65%).

Not everyone is convinced by the benefits of connected healthcare, however, with almost a third (32%) saying they do not have faith that telemedicine and online consultations enable accurate diagnoses.

Often, early detection can be a deciding factor in the outcome of health issues. Pure Telecom’s research found that 58% of adults would be willing to have their health tracking device’s data monitored and shared to catch potential health issues. Over half of the population (52%) used a mobile app to manage their health symptoms or appointments in the last 12 months.

Paul Connell, CEO, Pure Telecom, said: “Often, it is important that we see a healthcare professional in-person to receive the appropriate care or treatment. There are other times when healthcare visits feel like they could have been more time-efficient – both for the patient and health professional – by being done online.

“Our research shows that there is an appetite among adults in Ireland for our healthcare providers to embrace connected medicine where it is appropriate. We found that a significant proportion of the adult population – 63% – have had an online consultation with a healthcare professional in the last 12 months, rising to 71% for those aged 34 and under, and falling to 53% for those aged 35 and over. On average, 36% of adults have had online consultations with a GP. Interestingly, however, only 29% of respondents reported that their own GP offers online consultations. This suggests that people may be actively searching for GPs, other than their own, who will give them online appointments as an alternative to going in-person.

“Judging from the proportion of people who are managing aspects of their health using mobile apps, and those who are willing to have their health tracking device’s data shared with their healthcare provider, we can also see that Irish adults are taking charge of their healthcare and putting more faith in technology.

“Whether it’s via an app or an online consultation, connectivity is everything when it comes to remote healthcare. Patients and medical professionals need to be able to connect as seamlessly as possible and Pure Telecom is playing a role in facilitating this through reliable, high-speed broadband. We are committed to ensuring that as connected healthcare grows, our customers can access the services they need at all times.”

HCS to increase revenues by €2.5 million through Fortinet partnership

HCS, a leading IT services, cybersecurity and digital transformation company, is today announcing that it expects to increase revenues by €2.5 million in the next two years through its enhanced partnership with Fortinet, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions and services. HCS has been awarded Expert level partnership with Fortinet, one of only a handful of Irish companies to achieve this status.

HCS was recognised as its Fortinet team has achieved the highest level of technical certification and has a proven track record in delivering innovative Fortinet security solutions to customers through professional and managed services. To support the expected growth in demand for these services, HCS will create 15 jobs across its security managed and professional services teams.

As a Fortinet Expert partner, HCS will provide specialist managed offerings to customers across cloud security, network security, firewalls, security fabric, Zero Trust network access, and SD-WAN. The company expects to see the biggest growth in SOCaaS (security operations centre as-a-service) and SASE (secure access service edge) over the next 12 months. The enhanced Fortinet partnership will enable HCS to add endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities to its managed services portfolio.

The partnership is also enabling HCS to expand its customer base into the financial and government sectors. Customers will have increased access to cybersecurity skills and resources, enabling them to maximise their business performance.

Dan Hegarty, Head of Sales, HCS: “We are delighted to have achieved Expert level partnership with Fortinet. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team and a strong validation of our Fortinet offering. It cements our position in the security solutions and services marketplace and will enable us to provide an enhanced offering to our customers.

“We build security into every solution we manage. Customers’ security needs are evolving and implementations based on standards such as the Public Sector Cybersecurity Baseline Standards and those required by cybersecurity insurance companies are gathering pace. We look forward to working with both new and existing customers to build out their security architectures and further developing our strong relationship with Fortinet.”

Paul Donegan, Country Manager Ireland, Fortinet: “We are thrilled to name HCS as a Fortinet Expert partner. The team has a depth of expertise in cybersecurity and providing innovative and transformative Fortinet security solutions to customers. With this achievement HCS now join a select number of Irish companies to have reached this partnership level which cements their position and recognises the ongoing commitment and investment across the business. We are excited to continue to work closely with HCS and build on our valued partnership.”

Tech Review – Benks MagClap ArmorPro Case built with Kevlar 600D for iPhone 15 Pro

The Benks MagClap ArmorPro Case is one that not only looks good, it feels good with a soft finish on the sides and rear giving it additional grip, Made with 600D DuPont and Kevlar fiber, Benks ArmorPro Case offers robust protection and minimalistic style for your iPhone 15 Pro.

The case is full MagSafe compatible and has a raised metal camera protection on the rear with a small lip on the front giving the device plenty of protection and allowing you to place it face down.

The ArmorPro case is made with aerospace-grade 600D Dupont Kevlar fiber, with 5 times the strength of steel based on an equal weight basis. The case is Equipped with Neodymium magnets that are strategically placed to optimize MagSafe functionality. The ArmorPro case provides 3X military standard (certified MIL-STD-810H) protection.

Check out the video review below for a closer look.

 

  • MagSafe Compatible
  • Ultra-Slim, Minimalist Design
  • Easily Detachable
  • Durable and Robust
  • Minimalist Style

BUY 

Video Review

Tech Review – Benks MagClap Mist Phone Case for iPhone 15 Pro

Benks is a brand that has plenty of tech accessories for your iPhone and much more which we have reviewed over the last few years and now we have some cases in for the all new iPhone 15 pro which we are now checking out along with the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

The Mist phone cases is one of the cases now in and a nice one too offering great protection for your device all round with MagClap and works with compatible wireless charging, the case gives additional grip  and has metal buttons giving it a premium look. These buttons are tactile and work well and are comfortable on the fingers and also comes in three different colours. The raising lens bezel design acts as a vigilant guard, ready to shield the lens from the unforeseen accidents of daily life and there is a lip on the front of the case allowing you to place it face down.

Check out the video review below for a closer look.

 

Features 

  • Fully MagSafe® Compatible
  • Slim Profile & Fit Perfectly
  • Full Body Protection
  • Clicky Metal Button
  • Sleek Design
  • Free Replacement Guaranteed if Not Compatible

BUY 

Video Review