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 strategiesaccording to the current stage of resource endowment and transformation status,choose corresponding digital products and services, and improve theadaptability of transformation strategies.

The Guide aims to guide the suppliers tofocus on the characteristics and actual needs of SMEs and improve the level ofdigital transformation products and services for SMEs by enhancing the matchbetween supply and demand, carrying out whole-process services, developinglightweight applications and deepening ecological-level collaboration, etc.

First, to enhance the match between supplyand demand. The foundation of digital transformation of SMEs is uneven andtheir needs are very different. Internet platform enterprises, industrialInternet platform enterprises, large enterprises, digital transformationservice providers and other suppliers need to play their respective advantagesin infrastructure, digital technology, industry accumulation, etc., for thedifferentiated needs of SMEs, continue to enrich the transformation"toolbox" and improve the relevance of products and services.

Second, to carry out the whole process ofservice. SMEs usually face challenges such as lack of talents and weak capacityin digital transformation, and it is difficult to promote digitaltransformation solely by their own strength. The transformation supplier needsto provide a full range of accompanying services from assessment and planning,equipment transformation, system cloud, talent training and other aspects tohelp SMEs dock with product service ecological resources at differenttransformation stages and promote the transformation to deepen gradually.

Third, the development of lightweightapplications. Small and medium-sized enterprises have relatively meager profitsand limited resources to invest in digital transformation. Digital transformationservice providers should increase product, technology and model innovation,develop subscription-based services, and help SMEs realize low-cost andhigh-efficiency digital transformation.

Fourth, deepen ecological-levelcollaboration. The main supply side needs to deepen the collaboration ofenterprises upstream and downstream of the industrial chain supply chain tohelp SMEs achieve "chain" transformation. Large enterprises can applyor build industrial Internet platforms to drive the digital transformation ofSMEs. The development of new models of industrial financing based on theindustrial Internet to enhance the financing capacity of SMEs.

In terms of increasing policy support fortransformation, the "Guide" puts forward five work requirements tostrengthen transformation guidance, increase financial support, promote pilotapplications, improve supporting services, and optimize the developmentenvironment.