Free office administration solution launched for startups and small businesses
Swiss startups and small businesses will have access to a free solution for their entire office administration from spring 2018. A consortium of Swiss IT companies is making this possible. The newly founded organization Swiss21.org aims to make it easier for entrepreneurs to become self-employed and to help small businesses digitize their business processes.
Small and medium-sized enterprises face greater challenges when it comes to digitization. Day-to-day business suffers due to administrative work. There is a lack of time and knowledge to simplify the administrative work and digitize the business. The newly founded organization Swiss21.org has therefore set itself the goal of providing Swiss startups and small businesses with a free overall solution. It operates a cloud infrastructure in Switzerland and provides users with software for accounting, a CRM solution, an online store, simple time tracking and an online cash register including a solution for invoicing.
Sustainable free of charge for small businesses
For up to 2,100 invoices/year, 2,100 items in the store, 2,100 contacts and 21 users, the offer is free of charge for the entrepreneur. This ensures that no costs are incurred in a start-up phase or in the case of smaller organizations, even in the longer term. The software providers involved have committed themselves to maintaining the free use over the longer term. If a user exceeds these limits, CHF 21/month will be charged for up to 5,000 invoices/year, 5,000 articles or 5,000 contacts. A change to another system is possible at any time and the data can be exported.
Broadly supported by renowned partners
Several well-known companies are involved in Swiss21.org, such as Abacus Research AG, Fasoon AG, Glarotech GmbH and Orphis AG. More companies will be added to expand the offering, especially with industry-specific cloud solutions. The management was transferred to Fasoon AG in Appenzell. Swiss21.org is financed primarily through advertising: partners can use the platform for advertising purposes (banner ads). Data sovereignty always remains with the user. To ensure all requirements are met, those responsible are in contact with the Swiss Federal Data Protection Commissioner.
St. Galler Kantonalbank was the first financial institution to become a partner: "As the 'first bank' for SMEs, we support this innovative platform out of conviction. It promotes digitization among small businesses and stands for lean, efficient and end-to-end processes," says Albert Koller, Head of Private and Business Customers and member of the Executive Board.
Competitive advantage for Swiss companies
The Swiss21.org initiative sees its main task as supporting Swiss companies in digitizing their business processes. It is also widely accepted by business representatives, associations and government officials, according to the statement: "I welcome any initiative that relieves Swiss SMEs and startups of administrative work and supports them in digitization. This is how we strengthen Switzerland as a business location and secure jobs," says Federal Councilor Johann Schneider-Ammann, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER). The platform for small businesses and startups also receives support from the KMU Schweiz foundation. The president of the foundation's board of trustees, Hans-Ulrich Bigler, describes Swiss21.org as a "valuable contribution to promoting the digitalization of the SME economy. And Bruno Sauter, Head of the Office for Economy and Labor of the Canton of Zurich, sees great advantages for startups in particular with the launch of the free platform: "In the course of digitization, companies of all sizes must ensure their accessibility and efficient administration, but the cost consequences weigh heavier for startups and SMEs. I very much welcome the fact that the Swiss21.org initiative has recognized this fundamental need and wants to proactively meet it."
Start in spring 2018
The Swiss21.org service will be launched in spring 2018 and will then be available to all SMEs in German-speaking Switzerland. In 2019, the offer will be extended to French-speaking Switzerland, followed by Ticino in 2020. Walter Regli, CEO of Swiss21.org, says: "We are convinced that our non-profit offer will quickly gain broad acceptance and that by the end of 2020, around 10% of all Swiss small businesses will be using the free Swiss21.org solution."
