ICT for the Food & Drink SectorJulie Harris, Chief Executive, COSMIC

Project

• Organised by Devon County Council

• Development and support for Food & Drink sector across Devon

• Findings from research at DCC - need to improve use of ICT - access to new markets, product development, distribution, new contracts

• Funding from Devon Renaissance

Project Stages

• Events and case studies - demonstrate the value of ICT

• Identify training needs and develop training courses

• Training delivery - workshops, courses, 1-to-1

• Research appropriate software and provide subsidies for software if training undertaken

Source : Step Ahead Research May 2008

ICT in Devon SMEs

Source : Step Ahead Research May 2008

ICT in Devon SME Sectors

Source : Step Ahead Research May 2008

ICT and You• Computer or laptop

• Mobile phone

• Spreadsheets

• Databases

• Email

• Website

• Blog? Twitter? Second Life? .......

ICT what is it?• Information and Communication Technology

• Computers, phones, digital TV, websites, email, e-commerce, databases, spreadsheets, etc...

• More importantly - its all about how you use it

ICT - your business ‘tool cupboard’

Filing Marketing

Finances

HR

Sales

Orders

ReportingTracking

Your Website

Your Gateway for the World

WelcomeFind out more

Have a look aroundContacts

Buy!

Websites

• Useful - updated, tracking visits

• Effective - ease of use, doing the business

• Interactive - get people doing things

• Adding value - to your business

Switched On• Connections - broadband,

email, VOIP, phones, VPN

• Content - web, e-commerce, blogs, newsletters, podcasts, video

• Capability - staff skills, e-learning, technical support

• Computers - hardware, software, networks, peripherals, servers

•Questions ?

Case Study - Rod & Bens

Computer Skills Check

• Time for a Break

Success with ICT• Planning ICT for your business

• Fit for purpose - does the job

• Know what you need - specifications

• Research and seek advice

• Use email properly (don’t let it take control!)

• Get good quality training and support

Computers and Software

• Beware - salesmen at work!

• Plan for the future - not for now

• Sector specific software - traceability, accounts, e-commerce

• Ask for recommendations

Websites and E-commerce

• Design and construction

• Maintenance and updating

• Accessibility

• E-marketing plan

• Links

• Moving on - interactivity, feedback, ordering, consultation

E-commerce• 22 million people shop

online in the UK

• Average spend = £647

• By 2011 32 million people will shop online

• By 2011 total value online sales = £52bn

• Source : BMRB August 2007

Risks of not having ICT

• Competition - being left behind

• Business - fit for purpose

• Traceability - legal implications

• Business expansion - growth

New ways with ICT• Blogging and online news

• Sat Nav for your deliveries

• Social networking for marketing

• Podcasts and video on the web

• Virtual shops?

•Questions ?

Case Study

DevonVale

• Julie Harris

• COSMIC

• julie@cosmic.org.uk

• 01404 813226

• www.cosmic.org.uk

• John Baker

• D.C.C

• john.x.baker@devon.gov.uk

• 01392 382837

• www.devon.gov.uk

Thank you!