European Digital Innovation Hubs: Accelerating digital adoption for traditional businesses

Digital transformation is already reshaping how businesses operate. While some companies are just starting their digital journey, more and more traditional businesses are showing interest in moving beyond the basics and adopting more advanced digital solutions.

To support this progress, government-backed initiatives like the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) play a key role. Ireland’s National Network of EDIHs is part of the European Commission’s Digital Europe Programme, with four hubs now operational: CeADAR at UCD, focused on AI; SustainSmart, which helps businesses adopt smart and sustainable digital practices; ENTIRL, based at Tyndall in Cork, covering IoT and smart sensors; and FactoryxChange, which connects SMEs with advanced digital tools and manufacturing expertise. The hubs act as one-stop-shops, offering free or subsidised access to digital technologies, expert advice and testing. The programme is managed by Enterprise Ireland on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

These hubs are particularly valuable for non-tech businesses, providing practical support to adopt and scale digital tools. Many SMEs already using digital are now turning to EDIHs to go further, with real results emerging across sectors like maintenance, retail and manufacturing.

One such business, Cork City-based Profix Maintenance Services, partnered with CeADAR — Ireland’s National Centre for AI — through the EDIH Test Before Invest service to automate their quotation process. The prototype integrates job and hours data from Google Sheets with their accounting system and, using Large Language Model technology, transforms raw job information into accurate, ready-to-send customer quotes. The result: processing times cut by 90%, with significant gains in efficiency and productivity across admin workflows. Stephen Hartnett, Managing Director of Profix, reflects: “Digital adoption keeps delivering new benefits. AI alone has helped us cut processing times by 90%, transforming efficiency and productivity across our admin workflows.”

Elsewhere in manufacturing, Advanced Technical Concepts in Shannon — which provides modular build, fabrication and engineering solutions — partnered with FactoryxChange to use real-time data to make faster decisions and improve flow between design, production and sales. Within six months, delayed production orders were cut by half, with visible improvements in performance and teamwork across the business.