A glimps e at manufa cturing in Apulia
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROMOTION INITIATIVES OF THE APULIA REGIONAL GOVERNMENT Puglia Sviluppo S.p.A. SPRINT Apulia REGIONAL DESK FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROMOTION
A glimpse at manufacturing in Apulia
Via delle Dalie, angolo Via delle Petunie Zona Industriale – 70026 Modugno (BA) Italy Ph. +39 080 5498811 sprint@regione.puglia.it
FOR INFORMATION ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ICT PRODUCTIVE BUSINESS CLUSTER Via Amendola, 172/5 70126 Bari Italy Ph. +39 080 5467729-11 segreteria@distrettoinformatica.it www.distrettoinformatica.it
The Information and Communications Technology Sector 10
The ICT revolution
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Apulia, pioneering Italy’s ICT
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Connecting Apulia
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The ICT sector
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Main specializations
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The geographic distribution of businesses in the ICT sector
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The strength of the Business Clusters
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Apulia’s ICT businesses
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Puglia Smart 2020
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Apulian Living Labs
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Open government
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Information technology that makes connections
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Investing in Apulia
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Apulia’s strengths
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The infrastructure in place
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The entrepreneurial network and exports
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Universities and research centers
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Incentives for development
A glimpse at manufacturing in Apulia
The Information and Communications Technology Sector This short publication has been produced to enable the Apulia Region to present its ICT sector to others working in the same field in Italy and abroad. It is an extremely dynamic sector, comprising businesses well-established in Apulia’s social and economic culture. A long history of research and socioeconomics has led the region’s almost 5,000 businesses in this sector to believe in the digital economy and its capacity to innovate the processes of transformation and social interaction, to the benefit of all other economic sectors too. t is in this context that policies put into effect by the regional government are aimed at invigorating the capacity of businesses to innovate and enable them to increase their competitiveness, especially on international markets, favouring both profits and employment. These policies are particularly geared to foster the dissemination of ICT technologies and to experiment with new approaches such as encouraging the use of technologies to facilitate innovative processes and bring about new products and services, or advance research into knowledge and skills that will enable small and medium sized concerns to introduce innovative processes into their businesses. 4
One concept set in motion for that very purpose is Living Labs, an open eco-system for innovation driven by ordinary people and consumers. The regional government has also backed research and development activities in design and the production and testing of value-driven prototype products and services. Businesses in Apulia’s ICT sector can count on a network of research and educational institutes that are true centres of excellence. There are a significant and widespread number of universities and public research institutes working to transfer technology to businesses as well as a sizeable number of graduates in scientific subjects who boost the synergy between businesses and universities. The regional government’s 2007-2013 plan earmarked more than 287 million Euros to establish various important measures for innovation that have proved highly successful in terms of the investments and synergy created between public administrations, research centres and businesses. Today, Apulia is able to present itself to international markets and institutions as a reliable partner thanks to the centres of excellence within the productive infrastructure and because of the important role attributed to ICT businesses as the driving force behind innovation technology and social transformation. 5
Educational software for e-learning is produced in Apulia - Lecce
THE
It is a fact that unless businesses invest in digital technologies they cannot expand. They are also essential to promoting economic growth and jobs. In Apulia, the use of ICT as a tool for sustainable growth, inclusion and development is where it all begins.
Information
ANDCommunicationS Today, ICT is one of the sectors that drive the economy. The use of information and communications technology has revolutionised and simplified all our lives. Whether it is with regard to our health, our work or our free time, life becomes more technological and connected every day. It is in the productive sector however, that ICT is becoming fundamental to growth.
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Technology REVOLUTION
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Optics, cables and software used to test tyres.
APULIA, ITALY’S Work to advance information and communications technology has been going on for more than 40 years; a degree course in Information Science was introduced in the University of Bari in the 70s. Aware of the important role played by ICT in making businesses in all sectors competitive and in the smooth running of public administrations at all levels, Apulia’s regional government continues to spearhead advancement in this sector. 14
Significant investments have been made and actions effected to strengthen digital infrastructures, disseminate ICT amongst the region’s businesses, develop “smart” public services and foster collaboration between businesses and research bodies. Apulia can be proud of the record numbers it has achieved in the dissemination of broad band, which now covers some 94% of the region and is accessible by 99.2% of the population. It is also the leading region in Italy with regards to the provision of ICT technology in its schools.
ICT
PIONEER 15
Of the software that analyses the different phases of a soccer match, one made in Puglia is amongst those most highly rated - Bari
Good broadband coverage is one factor that has contributed to the growth of the ICT sector in Apulia.
Key to the success of Apulia’s ICT sector, and the reason it has travelled beyond Italy’s borders and is competing with the world’s giants, is because collaboration between businesses is synergetic, complimentary offers are more attractive and it makes sense to eliminate superfluous productivity and research international market niches.
Connecting Information and communications technology plays a leading role in making businesses more competitive, improving services offered by public administrations and the way they, and productive sectors are run. The chemical, new materials, mechanical engineering –particularly mechatronics – and financial and insurance services are the main sectors involved. The agrifood, logistics, construction, home, fashion and tourism sectors also use ICT as a tool for expansion and development.
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APULIA
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THE ICT SECTOR 4,900 * Number of workers: 14,772 * ExportS: 50,186 million Euros ** Number of businesses:
MAIN
SPECIALIZATIONS l
Business Consulting
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System Integration
l
Ad hoc Solutions
l
Proprietary Solutions
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Application Management
l
Unified Communication Services (services to optimise communications and processes within a business, overcome the separation between infrastructure and hardware).
* source: CCIAA (Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts) Bari – 2013 ** Source: ICE (Italian Inst. For Foreign Trade) on data from ISTAT (National Inst. for Statistics) - 2013 22
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Internet service providers are also part of Apuliaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ICT sector â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lecce.
THE STRENGTH
OF THE
As a tool for innovation and growth, the technological and productive business clusters are at the service of all Apulia’s businesses and its economic system. Its ICT Productive Business Cluster helps its constituent members to identify areas ripe for development and also pilots private investments. Key words in the 20132015 Development plan are: production for a mission / market, the coalition of systems and services, open source and open data and cloud computing. Working alongside this cluster, the DHITECH (The High Tech Business Cluster) is involved in the development of applied research, the transfer of technology and advanced training / education.
Daisy-Net (Driving Advances of ICT in South Italy-Net) is the ICT nerve centre set up by the universities of Bari, Foggia and Salento together with Bari Polytechnic and more than 30 private businesses. Its primary objective is to develop a network of superior expertise and professionalism in a sector that is increasingly important for economic growth.
BUSINESS CLUSTERS Apulia’s Productive ICT Business Cluster
89 businesses 7 universities and research centres 7 sectorial trade union associations
Source: Apulia’s Productive ICT Business Cluster - 2014
The High Tech Business Cluster
11 businesses 5 universities and research centres 2 authorities and associations 1 Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalisation and Health Care Source: The High Tech Business Cluster - 2014
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The development of new ICT technologies is a tool for growth in all Apuliaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic sectors.
ICT
Apulian businesses are also working to find solutions to managing human resources, producing telematic systems for diagnostic purposes, designing applications for the health and local public administration sectors, creating inclusive platforms for intelligent multichannel virtual assistants and the creation of ICT systems for supply chains.
BUSINESSES The products created by Apulian businesses can be adapted to suit all the productive sectors and are at the disposal of the entire productive and administrative cycle. The businesses in the sector are, in fact, concentrating on the creation of systems that support the entire high-value chain and expand its technological base: ERP, Business Intelligence, CRM, Mobile & Wireless applications, applications for Intranet and Extranet, integrated management systems, electronic invoicing and information security.
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IN APULIA 33
There are businesses in Apulia that lead the way in the production of hardware components that provide important support in the development of software â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Modugno (province of Bari).
Systems for the remote control of computers that mean production processes do not have to be interrupted â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Putignano (province of Bari).
Using information technology for economic and social development is the challenge faced by the regional government which, pursuant to the objectives of the Digital Agenda for Europe, is working to achieve sustainable, inclusive and intelligent growth in the region. In Apulia, new technologies represent a tool to improve the quality of life and health of its citizens, help its businesses grow, increase employment and take the made in Puglia brand to the rest of the world.
To cite just one example, the Puglia Digitale 2.0 project was set up thanks to a programme contract between the regional government and seven companies from Apulia’s Productive Business Cluster for Computer Science with the involvement of the region’s universities too. Its ultimate aim is to establish a production chain run by digital services.
P U G L I A SMART 2020 Regional policies are active on various fronts but in particular on technological infrastructures, engaging businesses and local people, open data and the computerization of the public administration and businesses. The regional government’s commitment has led to Apulia becoming one of Italy’s most virtuous regions in terms of the policies and funding that foster the dissemination of information and communications technology.
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In other words, the plan is to create a bona fide “multi-business” digital catalogue of software services that not only features individual products, but also how they correlate to each other in order to resolve any application problems. The catalogue and platform will be a tool for innovation and growth for public administration as well as the region’s businesses and the entire population. E-government, telemedicine, mobile-banking are all aspects of the project that represent a new business model that benefits the whole community.
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Apulian software is used by the mechanical engineering sector to create highly technological products.
APULIAN Living Labs The regional government has made use of new technologies to create an inter-active model designed to map out the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs and thereafter define its funding objectives for developing innovative processes in various economic sectors including: the environment, territorial safety and protection, cultural heritage and tourism, electronic government for public administration, health, well-being and socio-cultural dynamics, renewable and competitive energy, sustainable transport and mobility and creative digital economy.
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Living Labs is the focal point of the project - an online space where citizens and businessmen, exponents of the public administration and other regional players work together to research and try out innovative solutions. The regional government is using Apulian Living Labs to make some 24 million Euros available to co-finance authorized projects. To date, more than 9 million Euros have been assigned to projects that will develop activities worth more than 15 million Euros. The participatory aspect of Living Labs is the first step towards defining aâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Smart Specialization Strategyâ&#x20AC;?, a new model for economic development that is responsible, inclusive and sustainable.
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Software developed in Apulia can also be used in the sports world.
OPEN An intelligent region is one that can advance and simplify the flow of information between administrative bodies, businesses and ordinary citizens. The regional government has been working to this end by supporting many projects of excellence, one of which is RUPAR (the unifying network of the Public Administration) that brings together all the various public organizations and fosters dialogue and co-operation. The project is helping to speed up procedures to the benefit of citizens and businesses alike, both in terms of waiting times and the quality of the service provided.
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government Another project that the regional government was keen to get underway is “Edotto” –the new information system for Apulia’s health service. The purpose of the system, which connects all those working in the health service to with each other, is to improve and monitor the health service itself. Some of the computerized aspects of the service are of such high quality that they stand apart. The local health authority in Taranto, for example, has new award-winning software that produces an automatic patient recall list that makes a significant contribution to reducing waiting lists.
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ICT encourages the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s businesses to work together to innovate.
information technology The Apulian regional government has always been committed to improving the well-being of all who live there, which is why technological development in Apulia also means social inclusion. In line with Europe’s Horizon 2020 strategy, the regional government is working to establish a state-of-the-art technological industry that will be able to solve the territory’s significant social challenges that range from the health issues and support for the disabled. Robin is one of many projects that have got underway thanks to Apulian Living Labs. It is a human-looking robot that uses play to help dyslectic children overcome barriers to communication and helps them develop a personal learning path.
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... or in other words new technologies are being developed and put forward to help the disabled be self-sufficient in their own homes. Another technological development with social implications is the “Spazio Sociale ICT Point”, a project financed by the regional government as part of its effort to advance ICT in order to improve social inclusion. Its objective is to establish a multi-medial centre for the disabled and their families, thereby providing the region with yet another welfare service, one that will enable these families to form self-help groups, create a regional collaborative network amongst those working with the disabled and become a point of reference for all those who have to face the difficulties that disability can incur on a daily basis.
THAT MAKES CONNECTIONS
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The software that animates and controls the activities of Robin - the robot - is Apulian.
As a tool for inclusion, Apulian ICT is used in social domotics â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Conversano (province of Bari).
Apulia is one of Southern Italy’s most dynamic regions. The development model to promote new synergies between businesses and research to improve infrastructure and the availability of a qualified workforce has proved to be a winning strategy for all manufacturing sectors.
The regional government ensures high standards in the management of international relations, as well as support for new foreign operations arriving in the territory.
INV E S TIN G I N A P U L I A The great strength of the “Apulian model” is the guarantee of clear guidelines for economic operators, including the creation of incentive packages for all types of Apulian businesses that are dynamic, proactive leaders in their respective sectors, operating at an international level, open to experimentation, but also custodians of a heritage of rich artisanal traditions.
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Apulia’s strategic geographic position, its commitment to environmental sustainability, an avant-garde social welfare system, and the wealth of its social capital are also factors that make Apulia a region of beauty and also of interest, both for investment and as a place to live.
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There are major businesses in Apulia that develop software for remote sensing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bari.
A regional government attentive to the needs of companies that invest in local economic development. A positive business climate with a dynamic entrepreneurial system.
APULIA’S An excellent network of research centers and universities.
A high quality of life the “Apulian lifestyle”. 60
A strategic geographic position with optimal infrastructure systems.
A highly qualified labor force operating in an effective labor market.
STRENGTHS An ATTRACTIVE system of incentives, aimed both at new and foreign investment and at promoting the entrepreneurial development of the existing regional productive system.
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Apulian ICT can claim to be an excellence in the development for software for use in the medical field â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Modugno (province of Bari)
THE
INFRASTRUCTURE
INPLACE 12.000 km OF ROADS
entrepreneurial NETWORK AND
Exports
332,000 ACTIVE BUSINESSES *
1.528 km OF RAILWAY LINES
1 COMPANY FOR EVERY 12 CITIZENS **
2 International and 2 domestic airports
1.156 THOUSAND PEOPLE IN WORK ***
9 portS - COMMERCIAL AND PASSENGER 1 Interport 98% of THE POPULATION HAS access
7.9 BILLION EURO IN EXPORTS *** 3.4 billion euro in exports for the first half of 2014 **** ( over the same period in 2013)
+9.5%
to BROADband (Italian average: 96,5%) *
* SOURCE: Data from Invitalia, December 2013 64
* SOURCE: BARI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (CCIAA), 2013 ** SOURCES: BARI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND ISTAT, 2013 *** SOURCE: ISTAT, 2013 **** SOURCE: ISTAT, 2014 65
UNIVERSITIES ANDRESEARCH
CENTERS
4 Universities (3 public, 1 private) 1 Polytechnic institute 30 networks of public research laboratories 6
Technological clusters, recognized by the National Ministry for Research and Education
5 Public-private aggregations
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Both publicly and privately owned research centres contribute to the technological advancement of Apulian ICT.
Software for use in the chromatic analysis of food is being developed in Apulia.
Overall the Apulia Region Government has activated investments of over 3 billion euro in its own territories, which is triple the base funds accessed from the public sector, at 865 million euro. For the next program of ERDF funds the regional government will provide allocations to the productive system of more than 2.4 billion euro, representing 44.36% of the entire regional ERDF Programme budget.
INCENTIVES The strategic push towards synergies in the spheres of enterprise and production has created experimentation, innovation and transfers of knowledge and know-how. At the same time, the Regional Government has made available notable resources for the promotion and support of Apuliaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s different economic sectors. The resources originate in large part from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and are directed towards firms of different sizes, present in the various productive sectors active in Apulia.
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FOR
DEVELOPMENT
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Regional programme contracts for large enterprises 292 million euro were awarded to manufacturing firms for the development of activities and projects that have reinforced the competitiveness, the draw of investment and the development of employment in the region.
Regional programme contractS for the tourism sector With allocations of 50 million euro, this program has favored further growth in sustained off-peak tourism.
AID for medium-sized companies and consortia of small-to-medium sized businesses (Integrated Incentives Packages) 201 million euro were allocated for activities in manufacturing, service industries, agro-food processing and commercialization, to create employment, social stability and economic dynamism.
AID for medium and consortia of small-TO-medium enterprises active in tourism SECTOR (Integrated Incentives Packages for the Tourism Sector) Applying a budget of 54 million euro, this intervention has further raised the standards of quality and classification in the Apulian tourism offer.
Aid packages for micro & small business (Title II) Total allocations of 107 million euro have strengthened the economic activities of small and very small businesses, particularly through improved access to credit.
Aid packages for small Businesses for touristic sector (Title II â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tourism) This instrument provided 25 million euro in aid to small and medium enterprises active in the tourism and lodging sectors, in management of tourist port and beach services, and to small and medium businesses that undertook new tourism and hotel initiatives, including the restorationrenovation of architecturally significant and historical properties.
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Aid packages for innovative small businessES in early development This program, applying a total of 15 million euro, has stimulated the birth of micro and small enterprises based on productive applications of recent research results in the industrial sectors strategic to Apuliaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regional development (new materials, advanced logistics, advanced ICT manufacturing, energy conservation and environmental enhancement,
Aid packages for setting up or moving to SUBurban areas The Regional Government provided 10 million euro in support to business consortia and networks engaged in transferring their existing production systems away from cities with a population of over 40,000, towards extra-urban industrial areas and production parks.
public health, agro-food systems).
Call for proposals: Internationalization Aid packages for OPERATIVE innovative small businessES With a budget of 15 million euro, this initiative has supported the consolidation and growth of innovative micro and small enterprise active in the strategic industrial sectors identified by the Apulia Region Government (new materials, advanced logistics, advanced ICT manufacturing, energy conservation and environmental enhancement, public health, agro-food systems). The program supported investment projects proposed by businesses already in operation.
Integrated incentive packages for small businessES Over 49 million euro were allocated to the most dynamic of small Apulian businesses, for consolidation, innovative restructuring and expansion.
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The current call represents the first regional incentive program for business internationalization. With a budget of 20 million euro, the objective is to increase the number of exporters operating in Apulia.
New enterprise initiatives (NIDI) This initiative of the Apulia Region Government is directed at women, youth, the unemployed, persons subject to layoff, contract staff and the self-employed, who wish to begin a new business. The program provides 54 million euro in forgivable loans and mortgage financing, with investment insurance of up to 80% or 100%.
Regional technological clusters for innovation With a budget of 30 million euro, this instrument strengthens activities in industrial research, experimental development and innovation in micro, small, medium and large business, in the thematic sectors identified under the SmartPuglia2020 Strategy: Sustainable manufacturing; Environmental and personal health; Inclusive, creative and digital communities. 77
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROMOTION INITIATIVES OF THE APULIA REGIONAL GOVERNMENT Puglia Sviluppo S.p.A. SPRINT Apulia REGIONAL DESK FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROMOTION
glimpse at manufacturing in Apulia
Via delle Dalie, angolo Via delle Petunie Zona Industriale – 70026 Modugno (BA) Italy Ph. +39 080 5498811 sprint@regione.puglia.it
FOR INFORMATION ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ICT PRODUCTIVE BUSINESS CLUSTER Via Amendola, 172/5 70126 Bari Italy Ph. +39 080 5467729-11 segreteria@distrettoinformatica.it www.distrettoinformatica.it
© APULIA REGION Photography: Michele Stallo (except those on pages: 6, 18, 52, 70, 78) Printed January 2015 Stampa Sud S.p.A. - Mottola (TA)
EUROPEAN UNION
Project co-financed by the E.U., in accordance with the Operational Programme E.R.D.F. European Regional Development Fund Puglia 2007-2013 – Line 6.3., Action 6.3.2 “Initiatives in support of local business internationalisation”
APULIA REGION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EMPLOYMENT AND INNOVATION POLICY DEPARTMENT International Business Promotion Office Corso Sonnino 177 70121 Bari Italy Ph. +39 080 540 47 47 Fax +39 080 540 47 43 servizio.internazionalizzazione@regione.puglia.it www.internazionalizzazione.regione.puglia.it www.regione.puglia.it www.sistema.puglia.it