Technology audit

Angel Milev, Coordinator EEN-Bulgaria Applied Reserach and Comunications Fund

Technology/Business Audit
The audit is viewed as a systematic examination of the core technology/business assets of the company and its capabilities to innovate and cooperate or do business internationally.

Type of audits
-Technology audit/business review (TA/BR) using internal expertise the TA/BR is carried out by a member of the Consultants team and one or more representatives of the company with good insight to the production/business processes and problems. -During the TA/BR the technology/business problems, capacity and potential of the company are reviewed and discussed, and a report is elaborated, providing suggestions on how the company could benefit from the services of the Consultant.

Type of audits
-TA/BR using external expertise - if the technology/business problem is quite specific, external expertise might be needed to propose possible solutions. -The Consultant undertakes to find an external expert) and the TA/BR is carried out by three parties the external expert, the company and the Consultant. -The TA/BR ends up with the elaboration of recommendations for handling the reviewed problem.

Purposes 1. To collect information on the companys status with regards to technological level; 2. To understand in deep the companys needs and capabilities; 3. To prepare an action plan/recommendations; 4. To offer relevant services as a follow-up.

Stages of the audit 1. Preparatory stage 2. Implementation Stage 3. Follow-up

Stages of the audit 1. Preparatory stage

1. Collect information about the audited client:
website; Internet Search: publications, articles, public databases; Try to collect as much as possible preliminary information on companys needs; Collect information in general for the branch trends, opportunities, specific regulation, standards, etc. Gathering of information from partners/other clients. Ensure that the management is involved; Elaboration of customised questionnaire (usually template)

Stages of the audit 2. Implementation Stage

Thorough interview of the company representative at least middle management representative. Get through all the information needed. Get to know all the companys: Processes; Technological equipment; IPR; Products; Premises; Litter bins Remember: The audit starts from the door step!

Stages of the audit 3. Follow-up

- Prepare a report and consult it with the client; - Prepare an agreement for collaboration and commitment and sign it; - After consulting the report prepare an offer for services/improvement: processes/technologies/practices to be changed OR to be offered; - Depending on the conclusions:
Find an external expert; Find a technology; Offer a technology/process, adopted by the company.

Result
The final stage of the Audit should include a type of commitment on the part of the company as well as on the part of the Consultant. The involvement of the company, after having followed a thorough assessment by the expert and having defined the services the company will receive from the Consultant, is an essential part in order to reach a specific agreement with partners for potential collaboration. The Consultant should explicitly inform the company about the long term relationship sought between the consulting organisation and the company. This also underlines the need for continuous communication between the company and the expert.

Thank you for your attention!

Dipl. Eng. Angel Milev Coordinator Enterprise Europe Network - Bulgaria ARC Fund 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria 5, Alexander Zhendov Str. tel: +359 2 9733000/344 fax: +359 2 9733588 Mobile: +359 887 194318 angel.milev@online.bg www.enterprise-europe-network.bg