The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has launched a new initiative aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) demonstrate their digital transformation capabilities to potential customers.
The information and communication technology sector-focused association claims that the new Trust Mark accreditation provides a validation of the best practice systems and processes SMEs have developed.
It is hoped that the ACS Trust Mark will provide confidence to potential end clients of the capability of their tech partners.
ACS CEO Andrew Johnson claimed that Trust Mark recognition will give SMEs an edge in the market because customers will be aware of the standards providers have had to achieve in order to gain the recognition
Local partners Touchpoint and First Focus became the first IT providers to be granted the ACS Trust Mark at a ceremony held at the ACS Innovation Hub in Sydney on 7 June
For Touchpoint director Bill Freeman, the ACS initiative provides a tangible level of assurance to all existing and prospective clients that Touchpoint is able to maintain the highest quality standards.
“When we began to explore the ACS Trust Mark Scheme, it quickly became evident that this was an ideal fit for our business,” Freeman said. “We look forward to seeing more Australian technology businesses joining the scheme and raising the benchmark within our industry.”
According to First Focus head of client services Philip Barton, the The Trust Mark accreditation provides an important validation of the best practice systems and processes the company has developed.
“First Focus is excited to be leading the industry as the first managed service provider recipient of the ACS Trust Mark,” Barton said. “We have welcomed the opportunity to join with ACS in their drive to raise standards in the IT industry.
“We believe the Trust Mark will come to represent high quality organisations in our industry that Australian businesses can confidently partner with,” he said.
While it remains to be seen just how effective the scheme will be for local SMEs playing their wares and skills to local customers, ACS director of workforce planning and development Louise Smith appears to be confident of the initiative’s benefits for participating IT providers.
“Australia has some unique characteristics,” Smith said. “We are a large country with business spread wide and far, and for the most part, small in size.
“Our Trust Mark has adopted international best practice principles, and developed a scheme which is unique and fit for purpose in Australia,” she said.
