Workshop: SME digitalisation: how to make best practice a reality

Join us on November 10 for a lively discussion on good and best practices in digitalising European industry.

Digitalisation is among the key drivers of European industry’s competitiveness and growth. Yet, despite the opportunities brought by digital technologies, European companies still face challenges in adopting them. Whilst big companies are successfully reaping the benefits of digitalisation, smaller industrial players risk falling behind.

This workshop aims to present actionable best practices and advice that industrial SMEs and broader ecosystem players can apply to accelerate their digitalisation journeys. During the workshop, you will hear from the European Commission on how the new European Digital Innovation Hub initiative will support companies and foster digitalisation across Europe. In addition, industry experts will examine what the concept of ‘best practice’ in digitalisation means for SMEs and how these practices can be successfully adopted by companies. You can find more information on the agenda below.

The workshop takes place as part of the study on Smart Industrial Remoting in Europe. The study is focused on the digitalisation of industries in five different European countries: agrifood in Lithuania, automotive in Hungary, construction in Romania, retail in Poland, and textile in Portugal. As part of the study, we will propose recommendations supporting industry digitalisation in Europe. If you are interested in the topic of industry digitalisation, join us throughout the series of events, each focusing on a different part of our study.

9:30 – 9:45

Welcome & scene setting

9:45 – 10:05

Good and best practices – making the concept reflect reality
Presentation by prof. Julian Muller (Salzburg University of Applied Sciences) on what good and best practices mean for company digitalisation and how they can be applied in practice

10:05 – 10:35

What works? Principles for accelerating companies’ digitalisation journeys
Presentation by PPMI team on the practical principles that can help small companies to accelerate their digitalisation journeys

10:35 – 11:00

Collaborative session with workshop participants on useful principles for successful digitalisation

11:00 – 11:15

Break

11:15 – 11:55

Digitalisation in action – panel discussion
Expert and company discussion on what digitalisation means for small companies

11:55 – 12:20

Learning from and sharing company experiences – the view of the Commission
Presentation by Heidi Cigan (DG Connect) on the role of the newly established EDIH network

12:20 -12:30

Closing remarks & next steps