Ministry of Industry and InformationTechnology: 14 initiatives to help SMEs digital transformation

Recently, the Ministry of Industry andInformation Technology (MIIT) issued the "Digital Transformation Guide forSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises", which proposes 14 specificinitiatives for SMEs, digital transformation service providers and localauthorities at all levels to enhance the transformation capability ofenterprises, improve the level of transformation supply and increase the policysupport for transformation, in order to help SMEs' digital transformation andimprove the capability of providing digital products and services for SMEs.

The Guide proposes transformation paths infive aspects, including digital assessment, digital management, digitalbusiness, digital ecology, and optimization of digital practices, aiming tofully stimulate SMEs' own transformation momentum and carry out digitaltransformation scientifically and efficiently according to the logical closedloop of "assessment - planning - implementation - optimization". Thefirst is to carry out digital assessment.

First, digital assessment. SMEs need toconduct digital assessment in terms of digital foundation level, enterprisemanagement status and internal and external transformation resources, combinethe potential transformation value of business and management links, clarifythe digital transformation priority, and effectively improve the transformationefficiency.

Second, promote management digitization.The digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises needs to buildan organizational structure and management system suitable for thetransformation, strengthen the training of digital talents, deepencross-departmental communication and collaboration, improve the level ofenterprise management refinement, and optimize enterprise management decisions.

Third, carry out business digitization. Inthe process of digital transformation, SMEs should fully applysubscription-based services and lightweight products to reduce transformationcosts. Carry out the transformation of business links such as R&D design,manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, implement the whole life cyclemanagement of products, and develop value-added services based on digitalproducts.

Fourth, integrate into the digital ecology.Small and medium-sized enterprises should actively connect to the coreenterprises of the industrial chain supply chain, leading industry enterprises,parks/industrial clusters and other ecological resources, deepen collaborativesupport based on the industrial Internet platform, and carry out collaborativeinnovation using common technology platforms.

Fifth, optimize the digital practice. SMEsshould assess the effectiveness of digital transformation in terms of digitallevel and business management level, adjust digital transformation strategyaccording to the current stage of resource endowment and transformation status,choose corresponding digital products and services, and improve theadaptability of transformation strategy.