Digitization reaches small and medium-sized businesses

Small and medium-sized enterprises are embracing digitization and want to drive it forward successfully. Just under a third of the SMEs surveyed by Techconsult have already defined goals and are currently implementing concrete measures for digital transformation.

The IT department often cannot handle the tasks alone. 34 percent of those responsible seek the support of freelance IT experts to implement digitization projects. This is one of the findings of a recent study on the topic of "Digitization in SMEs - where do the experts come from?

There is no question that the digital transformation must be driven forward. But to be successful, it needs clear objectives that are anchored in a strategy.

Just under a third of the small and medium-sized companies surveyed are in the process of implementing an overarching digitization strategy.

Currently, 40 percent of the companies are working on the realization of various digitization projects, and another 41 percent are in the planning phase. The focus is primarily on departments that are in close contact with customers, contractors or suppliers.

Just under a third of SMEs are implementing digitization projects in sales, with customer relationship management processes being driven forward in particular.

In addition to sales, the companies surveyed also have digital projects in communications, accounting and administration. Larger companies are already one step further and are focusing on digital transformation in the purchasing and HR departments, among others.

Business development is also an important topic. Companies want to benefit from new innovative digital products, services and business models.