Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saarland face numerous economic and social challenges, which can be clearly addressed by supporting the digital transformation. The region's industry focus is on manufacturing and production-related industries, production-related services, information and communication technology (ICT) and other services (engineering offices, health, finance, etc.). While large companies have already put themselves in a good position with regard to the necessary digitalisation, small and medium-sized enterprises as well as production-related craft enterprises are threatened to be left behind unless the necessary support is provided by demand-oriented digitalisation.
Therefore, digital work perspectives must be created and qualification supported in order to sustainably establish the adaptability of companies to new business models and fields. There is therefore an increased need for SMEs in the region to support digitalisation in a holistic, strategic and human-centered manner.
To this end, the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Saarbrücken has been in existence since 1 September 2022 as part of the BMWE’s ‘Mittelstand-Digital’ funding initiative.