www.professia.fi

Professia Ltd. - Part of the regional development network

27.3. 2006Vesa Keinonen

Project ManagerProfessia Ltd.

www.professia.fi

Agenda

Professia Ltd.(facts, activities, projects, TIBO)

Information Society in Tampere Region:

- Case 1: eTupa – eHelp Desk for Citizens

- Case 2: eTampere –programme

Questions?

www.professia.fi

Background - Business Development Network in Tampere (Main Regional Players)

Hermia Techology Park Ltd Hermia Business Development Ltd Finnmedi Research Ltd Media Tampere Ltd. (1999 – 03/2006) Professia Ltd Tampere Science Park Ltd

www.professia.fi

Professia Ltd. – Some facts

Consultancy and development company specialised in knowledge intensive business services (KIBS)

Established 2000 (fusion with Media Tampere Ltd. 15th of March 2006)

Personnel 17

CEO Dr. Kari Kankaala

Owned by Nokia Ltd, City of Tampere, University of Tampere, Finnvera Ltd, Sentica Partners Ltd, Fujitsu Ltd, Elisa Ltd, Alma Media Ltd

www.professia.fi

Professia Ltd. – Main activities

Three main operational fields (3/2006)

1. Innovation activities (Innovation and Business Development Services)

2. IT services (Regional Service Solutions)

3. Expertise marketing (Tampere International Business Office, TIBO)

www.professia.fi

Innovation and Business Development Services

Pre-Incubator services For the local Polytechnics and University of Tampere Emphasis on knowledge intensive business services Promotion of entrepreneurship

Incubator services Development, training and consultancy services for

incubator companies Emphasis on knowledge intensive business service

companies Business development services

Business development projects and consultancy Studies related to innovation and business development

www.professia.fi

Business Development Services – eSME Service

More business for SMEs using e-business technologies and tools based on the real needs of the enterprise

More business for local service providers

Finds and speaks the fluent and common language between business and technology. Human touch by experience

Funded by public bodies, e.g. City of Tampere

Open and free for all the SMEs in the Tampere region

www.professia.fi

eSME service

2004-2005 600 SMEs used the service 210 Service providers in the network 13 Consultants offering the service

2006 eSME service is provided by the local entrepreneurs’

association Concept will be further developed

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Training Programme to Companies – Ad-Mobi Mobile marketing and new media training

programme targetted to advertising and communication service firms

Training modules and seminars covering wide range of different themes: New tools and technologies Mobile Marketing Contracts and cooperation in mobile business Digital television in marketing communication International mobile communication markets

About 50 active companies involved; total network covering over 200 companies

Funding: European Social Fund

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IT Caretaker Service (1)

Three Finnish regions involved: Tampere region, Kymenlaakso/Kouvola and Lahti region.

Funding from EU (Equal) and the companies

Target group: micro companies

The problem: Small companies do not have their own IT departments nor the resources or knowledge to handle the rapidly changing IT issues in their companies

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IT caretaker service (2) The goal is to enhance the microfirms’ use of IT support

services

This service promotes the use of these services and supports financially the beginning of the use

The purpose is that the companies would learn to use IT support services and make contracts for constant support. For example the IT caretaker could come once a week or once a month depending on the needs

Services: helping with acute problems, internet connections and networks, servers and work stations, data security, basic software and equipment, updates, Prices fo the micro companies:

½ day: 100 euros 1 day: 200 euros 2 days: 400 euros

www.professia.fi

TIBO - Tampere International Business Office (www.investintampere.fi) Part of Professia

Main activities of TIBO: Attract and assist foreign direct investments (FDI)

to locate new business operations, production and research and development units in the Tampere Region

Rouse existing companies to invest more in operations in the Tampere Region

Strengthens the business environment, expertise and the already existing clusters

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TIBOs Services:

Information and advisory services Assistance with company registration,

dealing with authorities, premises, etc. Contact with and access to local business

development services, the R&D community and key customers

Assistance with launching a business locally

TIBO’s services are offered free of charge

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Information Society in Tampere Region

Case 1: eTupa - eHelp Desk for Citizens

Case 2: eTampere programme (01/2001 – 12/2005)

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Case 1: eTupa – eHelp Desk for Citizens Launched at the end of 2004 Initiative came from the eTampere

programme and the network of local educational organisations

The main objective is to provide technical support for the citizens of Tampere

eTupa gives guidance in the acquiring of technology use of computers and the Internet

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eTupa – Information center

eTupa office is an information center or contact center, we don't do everything ourselves

Services are provided by- telephone- Internet and e-mail- personally either in customers - home or in eTupa office

House calls are mostly handled by students. (Prices: 1 hour: 30 € / 1,5 hrs: 40 € / 2 hrs: 50 €)

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eTupa - From idea to practise

In order to achieve these goals a new small business, eTupa, was established in March 2005

The financial support from the City of Tampere was crucial

Core business is personal guidance at consumer’s home

Customer oriented approach is essential Success is based on networking and co-operating Co-operation in the field of ICT with

– the educational organizations (public, private and third sector)

– the local businesses (retailers of computers and Internet connections etc.)

– the City of Tampere (PPP)

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eTupa – (Good) Feedback from the customers First 100 house calls have proved that

service like this is needed and long hoped for People are also willing to pay for it.

So far the interest of the users has mainly been in information and data security check-ups (anti-virus, anti-spyware and fire walls) and help with the buying of a new computer

Other themes have been Internet-connections connections between the computer and its accessories updates settings (operating systems and programs) Internet services (such as webmail or netbank)

www.professia.fi

Thank You - and Questions?

Vesa KeinonenProject ManagerMobile +358 (0)40 579 2170vesa.keinonen@professia.fi

Professia Ltd.Satakunnankatu 18

AFI-33210 Tampere,

FINLANDwww.professia.fi