SMEs 4.0: How small and medium-sized enterprises succeed in digital transformation

Digital transformation has become the key to economic success in medium-sized companies. Successfully mastering this process of change is one of the core tasks and, at the same time, the greatest challenge facing almost all companies. Particularly in German SMEs, much of the potential has so far remained untapped. Find out how digital transformation succeeds, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Competitive security through the digitalization of processes

The increasing pressure to innovate in Germany is particularly evident in medium-sized companies. Large industrial enterprises are already taking action, while many small and medium-sized companies are lagging behind and the digital transformation is progressing only with difficulty. In this area, even small changes are enough to keep a company fit for the future.

In order to secure and expand their own position on the market, it is essential for small and medium-sized enterprises in particular to become active and gradually digitize their services, products and processes. Especially medium-sized companies are realizing that the digital transformation is having a significant impact on established processes and existing structures, presenting these companies with previously unknown challenges. It is a long-term change process that must take place throughout the entire company, which is why it is not just a matter of digitizing individual processes, but of integrating digital tools and technologies for sustainable change and future alignment of operations.

Given the complexity of the topic and partly also due to knowledge deficits, digital transformation in small and medium-sized enterprises often still lags behind. Without digitization along the value chain, however, SMEs will hardly be able to remain competitive in the long term. For this reason, it is important to identify potential for improvement and to adapt processes to changing customer requirements on the journey to digital transformation.

Data as the basis for successful digital transformation

The implementation of intelligent digital tools is a core prerequisite for the successful digital transformation and individualization of services and products. When standard processes are supported and digitized with the help of new technologies, more data-based, strategic decisions can be made. Companies first need a solid IT infrastructure, an effective data strategy and data infrastructure, and reliable data backup. It is equally important to securely record and analyze all processes in operations to gain an overview of how they are interrelated.

To ensure that the digital transformation in small and medium-sized enterprises ultimately succeeds, it is important to optimize these processes in such a way that both the company and its customers benefit from them in the best possible way. There is potential for this in almost all industries: ranging from the process industry to the mobility sector, the healthcare sector and the public sector. In each of these areas, there are special circumstances and challenges that require an individual digital solution.

Especially small and medium-sized companies are only making limited use of technologies such as the Internet of Things, Digital Twin, Material Flow Optimization or location-based services, which is why owner-managed companies in particular are coming under increasing competitive pressure.

Optimize plants and production in real time

How can your plant be operated under optimal conditions? The AdvFlow digital solution enables flexible and efficient production. With the AdvFlow Configurator, you can dynamically adjust the optimization targets during operation.

The first steps to your digital transformation

Do you want to take the first step towards the digital transformation of your company, but don’t know the best way to start? With the Industrial Connectivity Analysis, we support you step by step and show you initial measures as well as a possible roadmap for digitizing your machines, plants and components. Industrial connectivity enables smart connections via standard interfaces and IoT gateways and provides you with data volumes from which potential for optimization can be derived. This industrial connectivity service is possible regardless of the age and manufacturer of your plants, machines or components. During a workshop at your site, you and evosoft’s experts work out where your individual challenges and problems lie, define possible use cases for your digitization strategy, and carry out automation and integration checks. Afterwards, you will receive a transparent overview of the analysis results, recommendations for action, potential for optimization, and a solution concept for the data integration of your company.

Summary

To make sure that the digital transformation in small and medium-sized enterprises succeeds, it requires above all the courage to dare to try something new and to approach previously unknown areas and technologies. There is no single technology that is suitable for everyone and paves the way for digital transformation. This is precisely why personal consulting, analysis of individual needs and optimization potential, and implementation of the measures and options presented are essential. The specialists at evosoft GmbH will be happy to advise you in a free expert consultation.

4.0, Digital Twin, Digitale Transformation, Digitalisierung, Industrial Connectivity Analysis, OT-IT-Connectivity, Small and medium-sized companies, SME

Workshop:
Industrial Connectivity Analysis

Connectivity enables the digital transformation of new and old plants, machines or components. Find out about your individual opportunities for digitization as part of our workshop offer. Identify the optimization potential for your company.