The core TiPS activity is to directly support firms in adopting technology. To access this support, firms must apply, and be selected. There is no charge for participation. Firms may also become part of the TiPS community and participate in other events and activities as the project develops. TiPS direct support is provided via three paths.
The aim is to help firms exploit the technology they already have, or can easily access – MS 365 tools such as Power Apps, Power Automate and Power BI – to enhance service delivery. This path is for firms with relatively little experience of using advanced digital technology in delivering their services. The objective is to achieve a successful application of a relevant technology in a particular practice area or process, within a few months.
TiPS will support firms in the initial adoption of sector-specific solutions for particular service processes and tasks. This path is aimed at firms ready to take on a technology that may be new to them and apply it to an important professional service or business task. The aim here is to achieve a successful application of a sector-specific technology in a particular practice area or process, over a period of 8-10 months.
TiPS will support firms already relatively experienced in technology adoption in projects to extend or deepen the use of the technology. They will extend over a period exceeding a year.
Many members of the team are specialists in the professions, especially accounting and law. We are also working with professional bodies such as the Law Society and ACCA, to assist in designing what we do and reaching the wider professional communities.
*TiPS is independent of any technology vendor, consultancy provider, or other commercial interest. It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Grant number ES/X014428/1.