The current situation is actually a paradox. Almost all studies dealing with digitization show that companies do not care less about the topic. On the contrary, the majority of companies say the digital transformation is at the top of their agenda and they feel well prepared.
On the other hand, the degree of digitization is still low or very low in 71 percent of medium-sized companies. This shows a survey by Deloitte. For example: 81 percent of companies are equipped with a homepage according to the craft study "Manufactum". But an online shop or a product configurator are still the exception.
Deloitte also noted that areas such as human resources, knowledge management and the legal department are not yet well prepared to transition from analog to digital as opposed to departments such as finance, IT and controlling.Island solutions are out
The challenge: The topic of digitization is too little tangible for many medium-sized companies. They say to each other, "For years, I've had a working ERP system. Why do I need something else? "Or" My employees are equipped with smartphones for mobile work - is not that enough? Not at all.
Businesses need to understand that digitization is not just part of their business. Instead, a fundamental change is taking place that ultimately turns them into fully networked organizations. Isolated solutions are so out.
It's all about communicating seamlessly with customers, partners and suppliers in the future and connecting them completely with each other. To do this, companies need to look at their processes and analyze where they need to catch up. And most importantly, most companies go into battle without strategy. That's not a good idea. Digitalisation must be well prepared and the strategy must run like a red thread through the company.
That means: All areas are important. In a completely digitized company, all processes interlock. Take the business management. With the help of big data solutions, she can counteract business fluctuations much faster, because she knows the facts earlier. Another example: IT organization. When the desktops are in the cloud , employees can access data from anywhere, speeding up processes and delivering results faster. Larger companies tend to optimize their spend and modernize their existing IT infrastructure. Smaller mid-sized companies often start with the conversion of simple processes, for example by wanting to work paperlessly in areas such as sales.
IP is the basis
The nuts and bolts of digitization are IP-based connectivity and scalable infrastructure. That's where appropriate cloud applications and services come in - from office software, ERP and CRM systems to the complete data center. Also important is the topic of security . This is what the companies indicate in all studies as a knock-out criterion for the decision in favor or against digitization or the cloud.
Telekom is switching its networks to IP by 2018. With this step, services such as telephone, Internet or e-mail are then only provided via a network. The communication between the services and systems then runs smoothly and new applications can be integrated quickly. In many cases, Telekom can also provide its customers with more bandwidth - especially when uploading data.
Change over step by step
Telekom supports medium-sized companies in gradually changing their processes from analog to digital. The central goal: to supplement the valuable knowledge of the companies with digital competence. So no company can fall out of the digital value chain. At Cebit, Telekom has put together its "economic miracle packages" to support SMEs in all important areas.
For example, we provide the basis for switching to IP with the "digitization package IP". The package includes an IP router that customers can use at the same time as a telephone system, an IP telephone and of course the connection. The latter includes an internet flat rate with speeds of up to 100 MBit / s in the download and a maximum of 40 MBit / s in the upload as well as a flat rate for calls to the German landline. In addition, Telekom guarantees interference suppression within a maximum of eight hours.
With the "Hotspot Plug'n'Play package" we support the companies with free guest Wi-Fi and thus help them to optimize their service. For this purpose, the existing Internet connection is securely shared. The belonging router hosts the telecom in the cloud. Customers pay once for the access point and monthly for the hotspot service.
For larger companies, the "Industry 4.0 Package" provides a solution for remotely controlling and monitoring machines and devices through a cloud platform . The data is collected, for example, via sensors attached directly to the machine and sent to the platform via the Telecom mobile network.
Basic applications for the digital office are available in the "digitization package Office". Four pieces of software are included, including TeamLike's 100 GB online hard drive and the TeamLike intranet solution. Telekom provides both applications from its German data centers. Also included are security software from Symantec and download versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint for up to five devices.
Suitable connections and tariffs are provided by Telekom with the "MagentaEINS Business Package". The companies combine an IP-based Telekom connection with a legitimate mobile phone tariff and benefit from further, business-specific advantages such as mobile Internet in LTE speed and a telephone flat rate in all German networks.
Event series for digitizers
There were all the economic miracle packages for testing and touching within the event series "mittelstand DIE MACHER", which stopped off in six German cities this year. Important goals of the events: To sensitize small and medium-sized companies to digitization and to give them specific tips to help them transform their business from analog to digital as quickly as possible. Topics included: How do I design my homepage to make it attractive and online, or how do I use social media channels to drive my business forward? In addition, there were internal topics, such as new ways to improve collaboration in teams.
About the author
Dirk Backofen is Head of Marketing Business Customers at Telekom Deutschland GmbH.