Project description
Tools and technologies to solve the innovation challenges of manufacturing SMEs
Tech suppliers and public bodies face a number of challenges when attempting to accelerate digital uptake by European manufacturing SMEs and mid-caps. The EU-funded I4MS4Ts project aims to address these challenges by contributing to the ICT Innovation for Manufacturing SMEs (I4MS) ecosystem's structure and visibility. It will therefore provide I4MS actions and digital innovation hubs (DIHs) with tools to convey their value proposition and attract manufacturing SMEs and mid-caps. It will put together and share I4MS DIH demonstrators, services and training programmes. It will also provide the I4MS with a strong communication and dissemination platform. The project’s work will help to solve I4MS challenges and encourage national and regional financing entities to dedicate resources to supporting promising applications.
Objective
I4MS Tools and Technologies for Transformation (I4MS4Ts) contributes to I4MS ecosystem structuration and visibility. It collaborates with Innovation Actions, Digital Innovation Hubs and other related networks (SAE, EFFRA, EIT Manufacturing, Blueprint for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills: etc.) to solve the challenges faced by tech suppliers and public bodies (innovation support/economic development agencies) when trying to accelerate digital take up by manufacturing SMEs and midcaps in Europe. While sustaining and enhancing the work done in previous I4MS Phases, I4MS4Ts will contribute to a more efficient, collaborative and clustered ecosystem structure and will make use of best practises from early adopters to reach the late majority of manufacturing SMEs. The CSA will: (1) provide I4MS Innovation Actions and network of DIHs with tools (raise awareness materials, brokering support, community engagement activities) to convey their value proposition and attract manufacturing SMEs/midcaps, particularly those from underrepresented regions and/or sectors; (2) put together I4MS offering (IA/DIHs demonstrators, tech & business services, trainings) and share it under an evidence-based approach (impact in competitiveness, best practises); (3) maintain and enlarge an engaged community and provide I4MS with a strong communication and dissemination platform under a joint brand. This work will contribute to solve I4MS challenges, increasing sectoral and regional coverage of the initiative and encouraging national/regional financing entities to dedicate resources to support most promising Application Experiments and to consolidate I4MS work locally. A lean consortium of 3 expert entities (FBA, MWCapital, TEC) will guarantee a smooth connection with previous Phases of I4MS and other initiatives and networks, a clear vision and high-quality community engagement, identification and characterisation of I4MS assets and best practises, targeted upskilling, brokering and communication.
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
CSA - Coordination and support actionCoordinator
02-676 Warszawa
Poland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.