SMEs Enhance Competitiveness Through Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme
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The Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme (DTSPP), administrated by Cyberport with HK$500 million in funding from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, is now open for applications from local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food and beverage (F&B) as well as retail industries. Funding support will be provided to eligible SMEs, covering up to 50% of the total project cost or a maximum of HK$50,000, whichever is lower. Some F&B and retail SMEs have already successfully made use of the DTSPP to enhance their operational efficiency and strengthen online promotion. Remarkably, traditional F&B businesses can be rejuvenated by digital solutions, allowing them to capture more customers in the long run.
Sun Hup Shing Siu Mei, a 40-year-old restaurant specialising in BBQ pork and roasted pork in Jordon, participated in the DTSPP to adopt digital payment, shopfront sales as well as online promotion solutions. The restaurant applied for the digital solutions offered by Bihive Limited under the programme. Dove Wong, co-owner of the restaurant, said operational efficiency is crucial for customer experience, especially during peak lunch and dinner hours. He indicated that this new self-service ordering system significantly reduces workload and human errors. It can also generate reports based on sales data, providing clear insight into the performance of individual menu items, and allowing the restaurant to conduct business analysis and implement appropriate promotions.
Located near the High Speed Rail – Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, Sun Hup Shing Siu Mei is a popular dining outlet among Mainland Chinese and foreign tourists. Wai Gor, Sun Hup Shing’s Executive Chef and co-owner, expressed that the new electronic menu effectively showcases the restaurant’s dishes through a combination of text and pictures in multiple languages, including simplified and traditional Chinese, English, Thai and Japanese. The menu offers various payment options, including WeChat Pay, Alipay, Visa and PayMe. “By implementing the new system, we can overcome cultural and language barriers, facilitating tourists’ decision-making and enhancing their overall dining experience,” he added. In addition to the point-of-sales (POS) system, Bihive Limited has also helped the restaurant promote its offerings on Xiaohongshu. Dove Wong revealed that sales have increased by 30% compared with the beginning of the year since adopting the digital solutions.
Jacky Li, co-founder of Bihive Limited, mentioned that insufficient knowledge of employees in using technology are the major obstacles to digital transformation of traditional restaurants. The Government’s subsidy through DTSPP is motivating SMEs to adopt digital solutions and has encouraged SMEs to take the first step towards digitalisation. Bihive Limited not only provides digital solutions but also offers training and real-time consultation to help the staff of SMEs learn and adapt to the new technologies. This hands-on support effectively addresses the challenges faced by SME owners and employees during the digital transformation process.
