Objectives:

The main objective of this project is to identify the best way of enabling SMEs to get access to mobile new media applications and take advantage from the new channels that these applications offer. DIG plans to conduct 4 Validation Case Studies of how SMEs from 4 European Countries can take most advantage from DIG applications and methodologies. Through Validation Pilots we plan to identify and prototype the customization and adaptations which will be necessary to facilitate the adoption and the effective deployment of the DIG system in the targeted countries. We also plan to identify the best way of positioning DIG in the tourism/retail market and in different European countries, preparing for deployment first in the target segments and countries in which Validation has been conducted, and then progressively to the other European countries.   By the end of the project we aim at having validated our service in 4 different countries and in a number of sectors that SMEs are operating, through the involvement with a large number of representative SMEs and personnel involved.

The project will develop a technical solution to problems common to a large number of SMEs in the specific tourism and retail sectors through research by developing a platform conforming European norms and standards, and that meets legal regulatory requirements related to consumer protection and privacy. The expected outcome should demonstrate a clear economic impact for the SME members through increased visibility and sales but also to the Associations by allowing them to offer a better service and increase their membership revenues.  The project will contribute in addressing EU societal objectives including employment, environment and contribution to standards given that it will increase tourist-related employment, reduce carbon footprint through the use of information technologies instead of alternative paper-based support systems and also foster new Europe-wide standards related to location-based services. The project will increase transnational technological cooperation amongst SME-AGs and between SME-AGs and research organisations given that it will provide a bottom-up approach to innovation – very much like the world wide web was a European invention.