Digitalization Master Class, a development program aimed at manufacturing companies
About this good practice
Companies often understand the need for digitalization, but they lack the knowledge. In this program companies can make things happen, using the help from experts.
The company must have enough resources so that 2-3 people can participate in the program, including CEO.
Each company receives a personal mentor with experience matching the profile of the company.
At the end of the program, each company completes a digitization action plan. The most successful participants apply for a prize fund of €10,000.
On the opening day, the companies specify the challenge they face and perform an initial self-check regarding their Industry 4.0 readiness.
Through the sessions of the program, business and IT architecture, modeling and streamlining of selected processes as well as data collection and analysis are dealt with. On the third session the project plan draft of the digitalization project of the participating company is completed and the first selection of potential IT service and product providers is made. On fourth session, each participant defines the metrics of the digitization solution and conducts a cost-effectiveness analysis based on data collected so far.
In between the session, there is cooperation with a mentor and lot of homework to do.
In the last workshop of the program, the digitization action plans will be presented to the panel of evaluators.
The duration of the program is 4 months.
Resources needed
The program is financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
The de minimis aid for participation in the service per company is 11 456 €.
The fee for the company to participate in the program is 1000 € plus VAT.
Evidence of success
The program started in 2020. Up to 20 companies can participate in the program each year. Food production companies as well as machine, plastic and wood industry companies where the number of employees has remained between 10 and 200 have participated in the program. Over 100 companies have participated so far.
Companies that participated in the program have got a clear understanding of what needs to be digitized in their company and what does not need to be digitized at this point in time.
Potential for learning or transfer
When it comes to digitization, it is a great help for companies to develop a common understanding in the team regarding what is reasonable to digitize at the given moment and what is expedient to deal with sometime in the future. For important projects related to digitalization, someone from the company's management must be included in the team.
Before starting digitalization, it is necessary to analyse the company's current situation, needs and capabilities, involving, if necessary, experts in the field from outside the company.
Similar projects are more effective if specific time frames are set and goals to be achieved within these frames, and the project is implemented at an intense pace. Trainers and mentors must be experienced practitioners in implementing digitization processes in companies.
Further information
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.