Cantillon: On the road to Sepa survival

Irish business is seeped in Sepa problems it seems. Sepa – the new European wide banking system standard – comes into force from early next year, whether we like it or not, but the fact is that many of those who will require it have yet to be inspired by it.

It’s not just that Sepa (Single Euro Payments Area) is not universally installed in the software of smaller companies. In many cases people haven’t even heard of it or the potentially damaging effects not having it may provoke.

Between now and next February’s implementation date, companies must invest in reconfiguring software systems to deal with changes to credit transfers and direct debit payment systems.

So concerned is the small and medium enterprises lobby group Isme that it will today embark on a tour of the State to educate and enrol.

It hopes to engender an abundance of enthusiasm and information, just weeks after a survey it conducted showed that over two-thirds of its members are ill-prepared for the change, if prepared at all.

"Really, it's typical of SMEs . . . unless it's right up in front of them," explained Mark Fielding, Isme chief executive.

“I feel there has been a dearth of general information on the effects of Sepa and I think that ignorance is down to the fact that it just hasn’t been on the radar.”

There are costs involved in switching over – primarily with software systems – and smaller businesses with smaller amounts of direct debits will have to question whether or not it makes sense to continue that type of transactional business under the new system.

The free Isme briefing sessions are, as Fielding puts it, "to take that mystique away from it. It's quite a simple thing, especially for smaller businesses". Central Bank staff familiar with the introduction of the new Sepa protocol will be on hand during Isme's 10-stop briefing session.

If only everything in the world of SMEs was simple these days. The Small Firms Association (SFA) is also set to address pressing concerns today at its annual conference in Dublin. With Jobs Minister Richard Bruton and ESRI Professor John Fitzgerald on hand, it will focus in particular on alternative funding streams, technology and business development.