Tag: #SMEs

An Post’s ‘UK Direct’ opens door to Britain for Irish SMEs

An Post has announced UK Direct, a groundbreaking new end-to-end parcel delivery and returns service which overcomes post-Brexit barriers to trade and unlocks Britain’s 69 million-strong consumer market for Irish SMEs.
UK Direct gives Irish SMEs a seamless route to the UK market through:
  • Innovative technology which bridges the trade gap and accelerates growth by overcoming the obstacles to sending parcels from Ireland to the UK post-Brexit
  • Pre-cleared UK customs and three-day e-commerce parcel delivery to the UK via Dublin Port
  • End-to-end tracking and an integrated customer-friendly returns service
As Irish small and medium-sized businesses continue to face complexity, cost and considerable delays when shipping to Britain, UK Direct provides seamless innovation to firms wishing to sell, ship and scale up into Britain’s 69 million-strong consumer market. Firms simply register to integrate with the new UK Direct service, a full turn-key solution including advance customs payments, 3-day delivery with end-to-end tracking.
Between customs charges and the exacting compliance demands of Brexit, selling into Britain has become increasingly difficult for Irish small and medium-sized firms. Despite all the red tape, however, Enterprise Ireland1 forecasts that 97% of Irish companies want to expand into new markets over the next 12 months and in their recent pilot programme for potential new exporters, circa two-thirds of participants prioritised the UK as their target market.
An Post worked closely with Irish SMEs to understand the full extent of their difficulties in trying to expand their trade with the UK. In designing the new service, and partnering with Royal Mail, An Post is providing SMEs with a bridge directly into the vast UK market, a seamless shopping experience for UK consumers, and a simple, secure system for returns and refunds.
Launching UK Direct, An Post CEO David McRedmond said:
“UK-Irish trade is central to Ireland’s economy. This new UK Direct solution reopens that market for businesses facing the challenges posed by Brexit. Ireland’s 400,000+ SMEs are the backbone of this economy, and in building new infrastructure for Ireland, An Post is opening doors to new trade with the UK through a full end-to-end service from one of Ireland’s most trusted companies.
UK Direct removes barriers to trade, providing Irish SMEs with access to over 69 million new customers. Instead of being tied up in the complexities of customs fees or other red tape, they can focus on huge growth opportunities and ensuring a top-quality retail experience for their new UK customers”, David added.
 
Welcoming the announcement, Kara Owen, British Ambassador to Ireland, added:
“I’m delighted to see this new service come to life through such strong cooperation between An Post and Royal Mail. Businesses on both sides of the Irish Sea want simple, dependable ways to reach their customers, and UK Direct delivers exactly that. What matters most is giving firms the confidence to trade and grow — and that comes from practical, workable solutions like this. By making everyday commerce easier, we are strengthening our 2€ billion a week trading relationship, the economic ties that sustain the UK–Ireland relationship and support to communities and customers across both our countries.”
 
Fiona Fitzsimons, CEO of contemporary Irish jewellery company, Betty and Biddy, said
“This UK Direct service is a total game-changer for us. We get enquiries from the UK all the time, but right now, trying to navigate initial customs charges and reliable delivery in the UK, never mind customer returns, is a total nightmare. An Post currently handles our national parcels, and this new UK service will help take our business to the next level, something we’ve been working towards for a long time.”
Simon McKeever, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association, commented:
“The Irish Exporters Association supports Irish businesses to expand their market into the UK. Today’s announcement marks a positive shift in how Ireland can do business with our nearest neighbour. There’s a massive market ready and waiting for quality Irish products, and it’s now within the grasp of Irish SMEs, thanks to this practical and highly innovative UK Direct service.”
As Ireland’s leading logistics expert, An Post’s new UK Direct solution is set to accelerate trade from Ireland into the UK, fuelling critical economic growth.
To learn more about UK Direct, businesses can email:  ukdirect@anpost.ie
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Enterprise Ireland launches Propel Ireland to accelerate offshore wind innovation and supply chain development

Enterprise Ireland has today announced the launch of Propel Ireland, a new innovation centre designed to drive collaboration, innovation and supply chain development across Ireland’s offshore wind sector.

Propel Ireland represents a key action under Powering Prosperity: Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, supporting the development of a globally competitive offshore wind industry and positioning Irish companies to capitalise on significant domestic and international opportunities.

Offshore wind is central to Ireland’s energy future and economic growth, with national targets of up to 37GW of offshore renewable energy capacity by 2050 – creating a significant opportunity for enterprise development, job creation and export growth.

Propel Ireland will bring together developers, SMEs, researchers and Government stakeholders to strengthen collaboration across the offshore wind ecosystem and accelerate innovation.

Propel Ireland will:

•    Connect Ireland’s offshore wind industry and support collaboration across enterprise, research and Government

•    Enable companies to address shared technical and commercial challenges

•    Support the development of a competitive Irish supply chain for domestic projects and global export

•    Accelerate the commercial deployment of later-stage technologies

The initiative will be supported by a cross-sectoral steering group, including representatives from Government Departments and agencies, industry and the research community, ensuring alignment with national policy and industry needs.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, said: “Developing a strong offshore wind industry is a key priority for Government, supporting enterprise growth, innovation and job creation. Propel Ireland will play an important role in strengthening Ireland’s supply chain and supporting companies to seize the opportunities in this rapidly growing global sector.”

Minister at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley TD, said: “Offshore wind will play a central role in delivering Ireland’s climate and energy ambitions. Initiatives such as Propel Ireland are important in supporting innovation, building capability and ensuring we maximise the economic benefits of the transition to renewable energy.”

Minister of State with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin TD said: “Collaboration between industry, research and Government is critical to delivering innovation in emerging sectors such as offshore wind. Propel Ireland will support the development of knowledge, skills and research capability needed to underpin Ireland’s long-term success in this area.”

Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Offshore wind presents a significant opportunity for Ireland to build a new, globally competitive sector. Propel Ireland will support Irish companies to collaborate, innovate and scale, enabling them to compete internationally while contributing to the development of Ireland’s offshore wind capability.”

The launch of Propel Ireland reflects a coordinated, cross-Government approach to developing Ireland’s offshore wind sector, aligned with national climate, energy and enterprise policy.

Ireland’s strong research base, growing enterprise capability and natural resources position the country to become a leading location for offshore wind innovation and supply chain development. Propel Ireland will support this ambition by providing a platform for collaboration, innovation and commercialisation.

Enterprise Ireland will now engage with industry partners to support participation in Propel Ireland and to ensure that Irish companies are well positioned to benefit from opportunities in offshore wind, both domestically and internationally.

80% of SMEs Say AI Can Transform Their Business, But Lack of Skills Keeps Adoption Rates Low

Irish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) overwhelmingly believe artificial intelligence (AI) can benefit their business, yet most are still struggling to translate that opportunity into action, according to new research released today. The study, commissioned by Google in partnership with Amárach Research and based on a survey of 400 Irish SMEs, shows that while 80% believe AI can positively impact their business and 65% expect it to drive growth in 2026, adoption remains limited.

The findings indicate a significant confidence and capability gap. The main barriers preventing greater AI adoption include fear of making mistakes (30%), lack of skills (27%) and cost (24%), with many business leaders unsure of where to start (16%). More than half (57%) believe they are behind competitors in adopting AI, while 50% are concerned their business could be left behind without it. The research also highlights that micro-businesses, longer established  firms and non-exporters are most at risk of falling behind, underscoring the need for targeted, practical support that meet SMEs’ varying needs.

The research is being launched today at an event hosted by Google Ireland at The Foundry as part of Local Enterprise Week.  In partnership with the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) network, Google also announced the launch of AI Works for Ireland, a series of complimentary, face-to-face regional events aimed at equipping SMEs with practical AI skills for business. The series begins today in Dublin, followed by events in Galway (April 30th), Cork (14th May) and Monaghan (28th May). Each event will feature insights from Google AI experts on how SMEs can use AI to drive growth, creativity and efficiency, alongside dedicated AI workshops offering support for founders and business leaders.

As part of the initiative, Google and the Local Enterprise Office network are providing up to 10,000 AI scholarships to workers across Ireland. Delivered through Coursera, the Google AI Professional Certificate offers practical training across more than 20 real-world AI business use cases, from data analysis and content creation to customer communications.

This research and initiative follows the release of the government’s National Digital and AI strategy, which includes key pillars to empower people, workers and businesses to develop cutting edge skills and fostering digital and AI literacy, alongside growing a digital innovative and competitive enterprise sector within Ireland.

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth,  TD said:

“AI has the potential to boost productivity and enhance competitiveness across Ireland’s SME Sector. As we advance the ambitions of the recently published National Digital and AI Strategy, a key priority of my department is to fast‑track enterprise adoption digital and AI technologies. Initiatives like this one, delivered in partnership with Google and the Local Enterprise Offices, are vital in ensuring that businesses of all sizes, in every region, have the skills and confidence they need to adopt AI at pace.”

Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland, said:

“Irish SMEs are clear about the opportunity AI presents, but this research shows many are being held back by uncertainty rather than ambition. AI Works for Ireland is about closing that gap – providing practical, trusted support that helps businesses move from awareness to action, and from experimentation to real impact. At Google, we are committed to helping people and businesses across Ireland build the skills they need to succeed in an AI-powered economy. Through initiatives like this, we want to ensure SMEs have access to high-quality training, tools and expertise that empower them to grow, innovate and compete with confidence.”

Kieran Comerford, Chair of the Local Enterprise Offices, said:

“Local Enterprise Week is all about helping businesses and entrepreneurs improve and showing them the resources available to them.  This new initiative with Google will bring accessible and hands on support in the area of AI which can benefit every small business.  In a business eco system full of AI noise they need trusted advice to get started and AI Works for Ireland will deliver that support locally, where it can make the greatest difference.”

Anne Lanigan,  Divisional Manager Local Enterprise & Regions, Enterprise Ireland said:

“ Empowering Irish companies of all sizes to adopt and deploy AI is a key objective of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy, and this is further endorsed by the Government’s updated National Digital & AI Strategy, Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future. We look forward to supporting the Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Europe Network in partnering with Google to deliver this important nationwide initiative to strengthen the digital capabilities of Irish companies.”

Gerard O’Neill, Chairman of Amárach Research, said:

“What stands out in this research is the gap between belief and behaviour. Irish SMEs recognise the value of AI, yet many lack the confidence, skills or reassurance to embed it in their day-to-day operations. Addressing these human barriers will be just as important as the technology itself if Ireland is to fully realise the benefits of AI.”

Further information on AI Works for Ireland and how to register for upcoming events is available at goo.gle/aiworksireland 

To register for Google’s AI Professional Certificate please visit here. To apply for one of the 10,000 scholarships please contact your Local Enterprise Office.

Ireland’s Ekco acquires UK’s Solsoft in latest rapid growth move

Ekco, one of Europe’s leading security-first managed service providers (MSPs), announced the acquisition of UK-based Solsoft Group Limited. Ekco, founded and headquartered in Dublin, is on an aggresive acquisition trail, with Solsoft marking its third acquisition this year.

Solsoft is a Bristol-headquartered MSP with over 26 years of experience delivering proactive IT services to small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and not-for-profit organisations across the South and Southwest of the UK. Key sectors include legal services, construction, engineering, energy, health, and social care. The company’s 16-strong team will join Ekco’s workforce of more than 1,000 people globally across Ireland, UK, Netherlands, Malaysia, and South Africa.

Solsoft will form part of the Ekco MSP Division and expand Ekco’s capabilities in the UK market under the leadership of Cian Prendergast. The latest deal in Ekco’s ambitious growth strategy, Solsoft is the seventh company to be acquired by Ekco in the last two years. This acquisition follows the purchases of MSPs Radius and Adapt IT, marking another milestone in Ekco’s strategy to build a unified MSP platform across Europe.

Solsoft is led by Managing Director Neil Farnworth and Operations Director Ilona Clark, who together bring over 40 years of industry experience to the business.

Paul Nannetti, Chair of Ekco, said: “Solsoft is a fantastic addition to the Ekco MSP Division as we accelerate our expansion strategy and continue to grow our footprint and capabilities in key markets. Their long-standing commitment to proactive service and their alignment with industry best practices give us real confidence in a fast, effective integration and a stronger UK presence—delivered with the discipline and consistency our customers expect.”

Cian Prendergast, CEO of the Ekco MSP Division, said: “Having known Solsoft very well for many years, we have always admired their rock solid, client focused, proactive service in the UK. With Ekco’s world class expertise in security-first managed services and cutting-edge technology, this partnership is a perfect match – and we are looking forward to growing and learning together.”

Neil Farnworth, Managing Director of Solsoft, added: “Joining Ekco lets us bring more capability and resilience to our customers, backed by Ekco’s scale—while maintaining the responsiveness they value. Our aligned ways of working and approaches to service delivery means we can really hit the ground running.”

Over 6,500 Irish SMEs directly helped by National Enterprise Hub in its first 12 months

Over 6,500 SMEs have been directly supported by the all-of-Government National Enterprise Hub (NEH) in the first 12 months since its launch.

The top grants availed of by businesses ranged in value from €3,000 to €7,000 and  focused on supporting businesses with cashflow, expansion and productivity to help them deal with concerns around rising costs, and competitiveness.

The National Enterprise Hub has attracted over 220,000 active online users to its website over the last 12 months and also offers a full-time dedicated phone line, connecting business owners with specialist advisors who can discuss potential grant options over the phone.

The National Enterprise Hub, an initiative of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Enterprise Ireland, brings together information and resources on over 250 Government supports from 30 different Departments and State Agencies. Looking ahead, there will be a continued and renewed focus on simplifying business grant applications for SMEs engaging with the National Enterprise Hub.

The businesses are from a range of industries however the majority fall within Tourism & Hospitality, retail & consumer products, food, health & beauty, professional services and the construction sector. This free service makes it easier and more efficient for businesses to access and avail of supports such as grants, funding, loans and expert advice across a range of sectors.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said “With over 6,500 companies engaging in its first 12 months, the National Enterprise Hub has proven effective in streamlining and simplifying access for SMEs to government supports, equipping them with vital digital and sustainability resources to navigate rising costs and stay competitive.

Research from my Department shows that four in five businesses believe sustainability is important. An awareness campaign is currently underway showcasing how the NEH can support businesses in cutting costs through grants such as the LEO’s Energy Efficiency Grant and SEAI’s Business Energy Upgrade Scheme.

My focus now with the NEH is on reducing administrative burdens and red tape for businesses by consolidating multiple grant applications into a single, simplified process. We must redouble our efforts to simplify processes for businesses and make sure that we think about small businesses first. I look forward to its continued growth and positive impact on Irish SMEs.”

Conor O’Donovan, Head of Start-Ups and the National Enterprise Hub, said: “SME engagement with the National Enterprise Hub has met and exceeded our targets to date, supporting 6,500 businesses within our first year of operation. One of the main aims of the Hub was to engage with businesses who haven’t availed of government supports to date and to make the process of availing of government supports faster and easier.”

“We know that Irish SMEs are operating in a complex environment and being able to access grants and supports is more important than ever. Small businesses who are engaging with the National Enterprise Hub are concerned about rising cost of business and competitiveness – that is why a single source of government supports for businesses is important to ensure that accessing the right information is made easier.

The National Enterprise Hub has a team of dedicated advisors who are directing SMEs to the right support that will help them. It’s for every business in the country and we’d encourage every business to go online to neh.gov.ie or pick up the phone and start the conversation around your business needs today.”

Audrey Hughes, CEO ofPrinciple HR said: “Like so many Irish SMEs, we are focused on providing the highest quality of service delivery to our customers, while remaining competitive. Accessing government supports to assist can feel daunting but the National Enterprise Hub made the process so much easier by putting us in contact with the right agency whose support and expertise fitted our needs. Through our initial engagement with the National Enterprise Hub, Principle HR is now an Enterprise Ireland client and in a short period of time our business has been helped through the strategic marketing review support and engagement with their overseas market advisors. With the business environment constantly changing, I’d encourage all SMEs no matter what stage they are on their growth journey to contact the NEH today to learn about what supports could be available to them.”

 

Top Supports Availed of by SMEs through National Enterprise Hub:

•    Dept of Social Protection: Wage Subsidy Scheme

•    Dept of Social Protection: Jobs Plus Subsidy

•    Enterprise Ireland: Pre-Seed Start Fund

•    Enterprise Ireland: New Frontiers Programme

•    Enterprise Ireland/LEO: Innovation Vouchers

•    LEO: Energy Efficiency Grant

•    LEO: Mentoring

•    LEO: Start Your Own Business Programme

•    LEO: Grow Digital Voucher

•    MicroFinance Ireland: Start-up Loan

•    Revenue: Start-Up Relief for Entrepreneurs SURE

•    SBCI: Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme

•    SBCI: Leasing and Hire Purchase

•    SEAI: Exceed Grant Scheme

•    Skillnet Ireland: Skillnet Business Networks

•    Skillnet: Mentoring

•    Solas: SOLAS Micro-Qualifications

 

The Hub team can be contacted through the website (www.neh.gov.ie), email enquiry@neh.gov.ie  or by phone (01 727 2100), where users can engage directly with an advisor.

One in 10 admit to pirating content on their work devices

IT.ie, a leading Irish IT managed services company, is today urging SMEs to strengthen their cybersecurity defences as the deadline for the EU’s NIS2 directive approaches. The need for businesses to reinforce their cybersecurity measures is highlighted in research carried out by IT.ie and SonicWall, which found that one in 10 office workers have pirated content on a work device in the last year.

The research of 1,000 office workers based in Ireland was carried out by Censuswide on behalf of IT.ie and SonicWall, a global leader in cybersecurity innovation. The research emphasises the human role in cybersecurity breaches, as well as a discrepancy between vigilance at home versus in the office.

The majority (65%) of office-based employees said they used a work device for personal tasks in the last 12 months. Of these, 32% have used it for online shopping, 24% for accessing a personal social media account, and 17% for streaming movies and TV shows. Additionally, 9% have used it for gaming and 7% for gambling. Many of these figures are significantly higher for office workers aged 18 to 24. Of this age group, in the last 12 months, 36% checked their social media on a work device, 24% gamed and 17% pirated TV shows or movies.

The survey suggests that these extracurricular activities are more likely to happen when employees are working from home, with 53% saying they are more inclined to use websites and apps that are not approved by their employer when they work remotely. Furthermore, 64% said being in the office makes them more vigilant about cybersecurity. This may explain why 58% feel more exposed to cyberattacks when working remotely.

Despite this, 28% of office workers said they do not use a company-provided VPN (virtual private network) when accessing work systems remotely. In fact, 23% say their employer doesn’t have specific remote working cybersecurity policies at all.

The research comes as the latest NIS2 Directive deadline approaches, requiring EU member states to provide a list of organisations that will fall under it. It is expected that compliance will be costly, highlighting the financial burden of adequate cybersecurity for SMEs. To address this, IT.ie is launching CyberProtect, a multifaceted solution designed to make cybersecurity more accessible to SMEs.

Eamon Gallagher, founder and managing director, IT.ie, said: “As the EU-wide NIS2 Directive approaches, businesses are now facing the ever-present risk of cybersecurity attacks, along with the new risk of non-compliance with the Directive. Our research shows that human error – and simple human nature – remain significant risks to businesses. For example, we found that 46% of employees have viewed confidential work documentation in a public place in the last 12 months.

“Such practices should be addressed – and hopefully eliminated – with frequent cybersecurity training. But that must be backed up by combined measures that can help to protect a business if, and when, an employee does make an error. Employees are not acting maliciously, but they do make mistakes. This needs to be countered by simply making it impossible for employees to access pirate websites, gambling sites and many others using their work devices.

“Many SMEs struggle to implement comprehensive security measures due to financial constraints and poor availability of options. CyberProtect recognises this urgent need by making cybersecurity more accessible to businesses, regardless of their size. It is a comprehensive security stack that eliminates the need to deal with multiple vendors. With SMEs accounting for 99.8% of businesses here, we must ensure we do everything we can to protect them – and our economy.”

Stuart Taylor, Regional Director for Northern Europe, Sonicwall, said:

“These office behaviours, especially in hybrid or remote environments, highlight the importance of a layered security approach – one that extends beyond traditional perimeter defences. Solutions like SonicWall’s layered security architecture integrate advanced threat protection, cloud secure edge, zero-trust access, endpoint control, and secure mobile connectivity can help organizations protect every access point, whether in-office or remote.”

New LeanBPI report highlights appetite for digital transformation among small businesses

 LeanBPI, the Irish digital growth consultancy for SMEs and microenterprises, today announces the launch of a new report aimed at supporting the essential digital transformation of small businesses in Ireland. The report, “Exploring Technology Readiness of Irish Small Businesses”, was launched in the presence of Minister of State for Digital Transformation Dara Calleary T.D. It found a strong appetite amongst this cohort for digital transformation while also identifying challenges to its adoption.

Conducted in partnership with the LEO Network, LeanBPI surveyed owner-managers of microenterprises and small businesses across the country to determine their digital fitness level and identify their technology readiness profile, ranging from Avoiders to Explorers. This profile is then used to prescribe the best course of action in driving digital adoption for that business.

According to CSO data, there are nearly 350,000 businesses* of this size in Ireland, yet they risk being left behind as they often lack the in-house skills and budgets required for digital transformation. The report identified the need for tailored strategies to support them at various stages of readiness, focusing on customised training, promoting a culture of innovation to meet specific needs, and addressing barriers to technology adoption.

Highlighting the potential benefits of adoption, 87% of those surveyed said the digital technology that they used significantly enhanced their productivity. However, the need for support to maximise these benefits was clear as just 60% said they were satisfied with the digital tools they were currently using. Showing respondents’ desire to move with the times, nearly two-thirds (63%) cited relationships with customers, employers and peers as the main reason for adopting digital technology.

The report recognised the role of existing Government supports for driving digital transformation in small businesses. These include the Digital for Business initiative, as well as the Grow Digital vouchers, which provide grants of up to €5,000 for software subscriptions, training and configuration. Expanding on these, it recommended an adaptive policy framework to annually assess the effectiveness of current policies, as well as targeted data collection to inform future policies and tailored interventions that address sector-specific needs.

Co-written by LeanBPI managing director John O’Shanahan and Professor Anuragini Shirish, Institute Mines-Télécom Business School, France, the report was launched at Breaffy House Hotel, Co. Mayo by Minister of State for Digital Transformation Dara Calleary, TD, and John Magee, Chairperson, Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Network.

Commenting on the research, Minister Dara Calleary said, “Small businesses and microenterprises are of huge significance to the Irish business sector. As Minister of State for Digital Transformation, it is very encouraging to see the enthusiasm that these organisations have for adopting digital tools, driven by Government supports. Knowing that through them, even businesses with only a handful of employees see digital transformation projects as realistic goals gives us confidence that the sector is ready to embrace the future.”   

John Magee, Chairperson, LEO Network, “LEOs are working daily with small businesses to support their digital journey, which enhances their productivity and competitiveness, builds resilience and drives innovation. This report highlights that there is a genuine appetite among small businesses for digital transformation and emphasises the value of our Digital for Business and Grow Digital supports. While small businesses face constant challenges, there is relevant and practical support available from their Local Enterprise Office”.

John O’Shanahan, managing director, LeanBPI, commented, “What we see in this sector is a strong desire to transition into the digital world and seize the opportunities it brings. By collaborating strategically with all stakeholders and building on existing supports, we can help Irish entrepreneurs realise their businesses’ full potential. Together, we aim to make a meaningful impact at the local level, fostering innovation, resilience, and lasting benefits for communities while positioning Ireland as a global leader in small business digitalisation.”

ISME Partners with Fexco to simplify Cross-Border payments for Irish SMEs

ISME has announced a partnership with Fexco International Payments, a leading provider of cross-border payment solutions. This collaboration aims to help Irish businesses compete globally, by offering innovative payment services that avoid the high costs and complexities of traditional banking providers.

Neil Mc Donnell, CEO of ISME, commented on the partnership: “As an Irish business headquartered in Killorglin, Co Kerry, Fexco understands the unique challenges faced by Irish SMEs when trading internationally. Its tailored solutions are designed to make cross-border payments simpler, faster, and more cost-effective for our members compared to traditional banks.”

Sean Crowe, CEO, Fexco Financial Services, expressed his excitement: “With over 40 years of experience in delivering payment solutions to companies of all sizes, we understand the crucial role that SMEs play in Ireland’s economy. We are thrilled to announce this partnership. Fexco is uniquely positioned to offer competitive exchange rates, low fees, and a seamless user experience backed by award-winning service and support to SMEs who send, receive, or make international payments.”

 He continued, “together with ISME, we are committed to driving growth and supporting the international ambitions of Irish businesses.”

For more information on the partnership or on how Fexco International Payments can support your business, contact John Barry at jobarry@fexco.com or visit us on https://internationalpayments.fexco.com/isme/

Ireland’s Digital Readiness Monitor Launched

.ie, the trusted national registry for over 330,000 domain names, has launched Ireland’s Digital Readiness Monitor, which analyses the level of digital sophistication of websites in Ireland, and has revealed that 36% of websites in Ireland have a low or very low level of sophistication.

Ireland’s Digital Readiness Monitor which includes websites using the .ie domain, as well as those using .com, .co.uk or any other extension, presents a comprehensive picture of Ireland’s digital readiness with research conducted by .ie in partnership with the Irish Institute of Digital Business, DCU and the JE Cairnes School of Business and Economics at University of Galway.

The Digital Readiness Monitor introduces a new national measure of digital readiness – the Web Technology Intensity Score (WTIS). The WTIS is comprised of eleven indicators that measure the digital readiness of organisations in Ireland including basic website; website with sophisticated functionality; websites with evidence of basic analytics, sophisticated analytics, social media integration, mobile optimisation, online advertising, sophisticated online advertising, internationalisation, selling online and cloud computing.

The Government’s digital strategy, Harnessing Digital: The Digital Ireland Framework, aims to position Ireland as a European and global digital leader. SMEs make up the majority of Irish businesses and the ability of Irish SMEs to adopt sophisticated digital technologies will be fundamental to increasing Ireland’s digital competitiveness.

The report reveals that 36% of websites in Ireland have a low or very low level of sophistication despite various Government grants and programmes to support digital advancement. A website and associated technologies are a proxy for an organisation’s degree of digitalisation, so this statistic demonstrates that SMEs’ websites are under-developed.

At the other end of the spectrum, one in four websites (27%) have a high or very high level of sophistication, showing there is considerable room for improvement.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke said “Ireland has outlined its ambition to be a digital leader, reflecting the key role that digital technology does and will continue to play in shaping our competitiveness and driving productivity. The findings of this report demonstrates that we must continue to drive the digital agenda, ensuring digitalisation and technology remains a priority across all facets of Irish enterprise. My department has implemented a number of grants to support SMEs on their digital transformation – the Digital Transition Fund which will continue to be rolled out to 2026 is particularly supportive of SMEs while the Grow Digital portal is up and running to help businesses assess their digital needs. Together with my colleagues in Government, we remain committed to supporting enterprise in Ireland.”

Speaking on the report findings, David Curtin, Chief Executive at .ie said “The development of the WTIS measure marks a significant step forward in understanding the levels of sophistication of websites in Ireland. Despite the many Government supports in place, it is dispiriting to see that 36% of websites in Ireland have a low or very low Web Technology Intensity Score. For Irish SMEs, digital technologies present the potential of the ‘death of distance’, overcoming the limitations of location for Irish rural and urban businesses. However, there is evidence of a digital divide based on location, sector and size. In order to drive increased adoption of digital technologies by all businesses, but specifically micro SMEs with less than 10 employees, a supportive digital ecosystem optimised for SMEs is going to be required and we need the financial support of Government and key stakeholders to help make that happen.

 Ireland’s Digital Readiness Monitor – Key Findings

 Online Advertising

  • Less than 1% of websites in Ireland make use of sophisticated online advertising tools which utilise targeting techniques to reach specific audience segments
  • The WTIS measured both basic and more sophisticated forms of online advertising being utilised by websites in Ireland

Social Media and Mobile Friendliness

  • The vast majority of websites in Ireland made use of social media integration on their websites
  • Facebook integrated into over 86% of websites analysed in 2021 and 74% in 2022 followed by Twitter (avg. 33%), Instagram (avg. 22%), LinkedIn (15%), and YouTube (13%)
  • Integrating social media into websites acts as a form of social proof, where users can see real-time interactions with the organisation. The motivation for more sophisticated use of social technologies includes increased access and reach to markets, cost reduction and process optimisation
  • It was also reassuring to see that Irish businesses recognise the value of mobile optimisation as part of their offering. While the percentage of domains optimised for mobile has dropped from 68% to 63%, the raw number of mobile-friendly domains has increased suggesting that Irish firms recognise the importance of mobile readiness. Google reports that for many advertisers, a substantial volume of website traffic comes from people on their mobile phones and visitors are five times more likely to leave a website that is not mobile-friendly

 Internationalisation

  • The WTIS measures foreign language support and foreign currency support as signals for internationalisation.
  • These factors indicate an organisation’s commitment to expanding its presence in the global market along with an ambition to move beyond local or regional markets
  • The Digital Readiness Monitor found that less than 10% of websites demonstrate evidence of international activity

Associate Dean of Research, DCU Business School, Professor Theo Lynn said “The Digital Readiness Monitor is a critical methodology and tool for understanding the digital landscape in Ireland. By establishing the Web Technology Intensity Score (WTIS), we can now quantitatively assess and track the digital sophistication and evolution of organisations across the country and compare it with other countries. This study not only highlights the gaps in digital adoption but also provides a roadmap for improvement. In a rapidly evolving digital economy, such insights are essential for guiding SMEs and other businesses in leveraging technology to enhance their competitiveness, both locally and on the global stage.”

Ireland’s Digital Readiness Monitor can be viewed here.