Every second craft business uses digital technologies
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2025 3:29 am
New study by Bitkom and ZDH: How digital is the craft industry in 2020
Cloud, drones, 3D: 53 percent rely on digital technologies and applications
Securing skilled workers is a challenge for about three quarters of companies
Roofers fly drones, opticians produce glasses frames with 3D printers, large workshops keep track of equipment and machines with the help of tracking systems: Digitalization is increasingly penetrating the trades - every second company in Germany (53 percent) already uses digital technologies or applications.
That is 8 percentage points more than in 2017, when 45 percent of companies used digital technologies and applications. This is the result of a current study commissioned by the digital association Bitkom and the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH), for which 502 craft businesses in Germany were surveyed representatively.
The most common is cloud computing, which 27 percent of companies use. One in eight craft businesses (13 percent) uses smart software that, for example, automatically divides working hours according to project status, and 12 percent use tracking systems that can be used to track machines or equipment.
One in ten companies (10 percent) uses predictive maintenance, which uses sensors and data analysis to detect impending system failures at an early stage. 3D technologies (7 percent), drones (5 percent) and robots (5 percent), on the other hand, are at a comparatively low level.
"There are now many positive examples of how digitization is being successfully implemented in the skilled trades," says ZDH Managing Director Karl-Sebastian Schulte. Bitkom Managing Director Niklas Veltkamp explains: "Digital technologies can make everyday work easier, save time and simplify processes in companies enormously. The opportunities are huge - everyone should seize them and leverage the potential of digitization for their company ."
Two thirds see digitalization primarily as an opportunity
Overall, two thirds (66 percent) of craft businesses see digitization as an opportunity america gambling data in principle. More than half of the businesses (54 percent) state that digitization helps to secure the existence of their own company. Nevertheless, digitization is a challenge for every second craft business in Germany (56 percent).
36 percent say they have problems managing digitization in their own company, and 13 percent even see it as a risk. "It is important that all companies deal with the issue of digitization in order to be able to survive on the market in the future. We must and will support our craft businesses even more in implementing digitization measures," says Schulte.
Only one in five craft businesses (19 percent) say that digitalization has influenced their business model. And only 21 percent offer new products and services.
"There is still great potential here. Digitization allows companies to offer their products and services in a completely new way. This not only makes them more service-oriented, but above all it allows them to remain competitive," emphasizes Schulte. "Every craft business must be aware of this today."
Cloud, drones, 3D: 53 percent rely on digital technologies and applications
Securing skilled workers is a challenge for about three quarters of companies
Roofers fly drones, opticians produce glasses frames with 3D printers, large workshops keep track of equipment and machines with the help of tracking systems: Digitalization is increasingly penetrating the trades - every second company in Germany (53 percent) already uses digital technologies or applications.
That is 8 percentage points more than in 2017, when 45 percent of companies used digital technologies and applications. This is the result of a current study commissioned by the digital association Bitkom and the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH), for which 502 craft businesses in Germany were surveyed representatively.
The most common is cloud computing, which 27 percent of companies use. One in eight craft businesses (13 percent) uses smart software that, for example, automatically divides working hours according to project status, and 12 percent use tracking systems that can be used to track machines or equipment.
One in ten companies (10 percent) uses predictive maintenance, which uses sensors and data analysis to detect impending system failures at an early stage. 3D technologies (7 percent), drones (5 percent) and robots (5 percent), on the other hand, are at a comparatively low level.
"There are now many positive examples of how digitization is being successfully implemented in the skilled trades," says ZDH Managing Director Karl-Sebastian Schulte. Bitkom Managing Director Niklas Veltkamp explains: "Digital technologies can make everyday work easier, save time and simplify processes in companies enormously. The opportunities are huge - everyone should seize them and leverage the potential of digitization for their company ."
Two thirds see digitalization primarily as an opportunity
Overall, two thirds (66 percent) of craft businesses see digitization as an opportunity america gambling data in principle. More than half of the businesses (54 percent) state that digitization helps to secure the existence of their own company. Nevertheless, digitization is a challenge for every second craft business in Germany (56 percent).
36 percent say they have problems managing digitization in their own company, and 13 percent even see it as a risk. "It is important that all companies deal with the issue of digitization in order to be able to survive on the market in the future. We must and will support our craft businesses even more in implementing digitization measures," says Schulte.
Only one in five craft businesses (19 percent) say that digitalization has influenced their business model. And only 21 percent offer new products and services.
"There is still great potential here. Digitization allows companies to offer their products and services in a completely new way. This not only makes them more service-oriented, but above all it allows them to remain competitive," emphasizes Schulte. "Every craft business must be aware of this today."