SMEs are increasingly interested in digitalization and in accessing digital solutions, such as accounting, payroll, or ERP software, through European funds, but Romanian companies cannot equip themselves with digitalization solutions, being affected by the delay in grants to the state, according to NextUp Solutions, one of the largest business software solutions companies in Romania.
The official calendar for the awarding of grants intended for the digitalization of SMEs, from European funds, through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), shows that the submission of the projects is estimated for the beginning of July.
However, companies that are interested in these funds still have months to wait, given that the evaluation of the projects is expected to end next year.
Through this program, addressed to partnerships between non-IT companies and IT companies, Romanian SMEs have the chance to access European money for digitalization, through grants of 500,000 euros – 3,000,000 euros. Another program, through which non-IT companies can obtain grants of up to 100,000 euros, is in the project submission stage.
In these conditions, NextUp Solutions specialists say that waiting means lost money and missed business opportunities. While waiting for European money, businesses do not stand still, so investment in digitalization should not wait either.
“We need to encourage entrepreneurs to go digital, whether they access funds or not, because this is the future, and the transition to a digital world brings them advantages, both financially and in terms of time and resource consumption in general. For example, you can invest between 4,000 and 8,000 euros for a 50% gain in productivity. Through the solutions we provide, we want to ensure that our users are legally secure with minimal effort from their teams. And this is where that competitive advantage can be obtained, given that those who digitize, without waiting any longer, will leave behind their competitors who have not yet taken steps in this direction”, says Roxana Epure, Managing Partner of NextUp Solutions.
So far, 150 companies have shown their interest in running projects through European funds. Among the most requested services are those of implementation adapted to the specifics of the production, distribution and service industries.
“A suitable software must increase the productivity of the administrative team by at least 30%. In the NextUp community, productivity also increased by 50% for some of the team. A suitable software, with many automations, means time saved, fewer errors and, ultimately, a more efficient management of resources and increased profit”, adds Roxana Epure.
Companies that accelerate their transition to the digital world will benefit, considering that by 2030, at the level of the European Union, an integration of digital technologies of more than 90% among small and medium-sized enterprises is desired. Unfortunately, Romania, along with Bulgaria and Hungary, is among the laggards in the digitalization of SMEs, according to the latest DESI report (Digital Economy and Society Index).
According to DESI, in Romania, among the companies that store their data, only 14% analyze it daily, 19% monthly, 29% quarterly or annually and 36% never. Through such software implemented in companies, entrepreneurs can have total control and access to information, realistic data (business intelligence) and financial reports, which provide them with real-time information and the opportunity to make correct decisions. This leads to an increase in business predictability.
NextUp Solutions currently has more than 5,500 companies in its client portfolio, and amid strong interest in digitalization, will attract 250 new clients. This year, NextUp Solutions is counting on a growth similar to that of 2022, i.e. 50%, reaching a turnover of 15 million lei.
