Process digitalization: Become master of your own data

In the next five years, companies must digitize and automate their processes—otherwise, AI or the Internet of Things won't be a success. Experts from chambers and associations are offering assistance.

This article is part of the special topic Digital Crafts

Three keys on many companies' computers are probably pretty worn out by now – Ctrl, C, and V. Data is copied from one program and pasted into another. There are many potential targets – a customer file, a spreadsheet, or the software for employee time tracking.This back and forth between different programs burns time that is not paid for", says Christoph Krause. The head of the Koblenz Competence Center for Digital Crafts and his two employees are experts in process digitization. They visit companies and look at where the problems lie. "Many things in the skilled trades are already digitized, but not automated. We often come across ten to twelve different isolated solutions that we need to integrate into a continuous chain as holistically as possible."

Christoph Krause is an expert in process digitalization. He heads the Koblenz Competence Center for Digital Crafts. Photo: © Stefan Veres

The consulting process involves three steps. First, all operational processes are captured using the international standard language Business Process Model and Notation. "BPMN makes it possible for entrepreneurs and IT experts to communicate with each other on a level." Krause places great importance on one thing as a second step: raising awareness among his small and medium-sized enterprise clients about process-oriented thinking. This not only saves money because automated processes make work more efficient, but also opens up additional revenue streams.When craftsmen see their own process model in front of them, most of them suddenly discover new business models." Finally, it is a matter of improving the IT infrastructure with affordable solutions.

Try out and understand digitalization

Crafts must become masters of data. However, this requires one thing: knowing how digitalization works. Christoph Krause has a simple recipe for this: do it yourself and understand it. The Koblenz Chamber of Crafts' competence center, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, houses state-of-the-art machinery. But nothing becomes outdated as quickly as technology. The key is to find your own business idea and capitalize on it. There's a lot of potential in the crafts sector. But implementation is lacking.

Barcamp: Presenting and developing ideas

Christoph Krause has recognized this problem. He brings together a balanced mix of digital experts and entrepreneurs at two-day barcamps and hackathons.
At a Barcamp, 200 to 300 people initially meet in a large room. Everyone with an idea presents it. "Everyone who's interested forms a group, retreats to another room, and develops the idea." The results are presented to the remaining participants at the end of the second day. Some groups have already spawned startups. One of the first success stories is the 3D configurator from the Kasper carpentry shop.

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Hackathon: Presenting and implementing ideas

The hackathon goes one step further. While all conceivable ideas for digital added value are thrown around, the focus is immediately on their technical implementation. Christoph Krause begins by highlighting a case study. "We connect a sensor that measures temperature, pressure, or humidity, for example, and transmits this data to a platform." Ideas emerge relatively quickly about what can be done with this. Like-minded people gather around a table. They receive support from the "help matrix," which consists of experts from the University of Koblenz and RWTH Aachen University. Their "coder boys" hop from table to table. Together with the craftspeople, they create an innovative product or new service. "There's an incredibly creative atmosphere. Some even work through the night." At the end of the second day, the groups present their business vision to everyone else.

Best practice examples in social media

Exchange of experiences: Digital thought leaders share their experiences on Facebook and Instagram. Dates for upcoming barcamps and hackathons are also listed there.Openness is key in everything."We share the knowledge so that everyone else can learn from it."The barcamps and hackathons, for example, will be broadcast live on the Facebook page Digitale Macher (Digital Makers). Companies advised by the competence center will also be encouraged to report on their experiences on social media. "Real craftspeople tell their stories and ours. In this way, we are pushing digitalization in the skilled trades."

Not the customer, but a digital platform decides

One thing is certain for Christoph Krause: "Those who do not address process digitalization in the next five years will not be able to take part in subsequent steps such as the Internet of Things, Building Information Modeling or Artificial Intelligence."The industry is already in the starting blocks. Christoph Krause detects a veritable gold rush. The lucrative target is, of all things, the skilled trades. "Those who want to get rich look at the process chains there, pick out a scalable element, digitize it, and offer a corresponding service." If the skilled trades don't pay attention and allow themselves to be pushed out of their own value chain, many companies face extinction."Soon, it will no longer be the customer who decides who repairs their car, their gutter, or their boiler, but a digital platform."

Contact for companies

The Competence Center for Digital Crafts consists of five so-called showcases. Each has its own focus.