68 percent of all trade businesses in Germany use digital technologies. That's according to the latest study by Bitkom and the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH).1 In 2017, the figure was only 45 percent. 83 percent of trade businesses are open to digitization. But 37 percent also say: They have problems coping with digitization.
Let's take a look at what these are and what digitization can bring to the skilled trades.
This text is not about drones and robots. First and foremost, digitization in the skilled trades means structuring workflows and reducing paper chaos.
Are you constantly losing Job slips because they're floating around somewhere in your car?
Digital technologies help you avoid that. They bring you an overview and structure . They do not replace people or traditional ways of working. They relieve and take over or simplify tasks. And only when it makes sense to do so.
- Digital job documentation: Where is the delivery bill for the material? What did the employee do on the construction site? Digital platforms such as the Meisterwerk app ensure clear documentation. Information about the job, delivery bills, before and after pictures: Everything is stored digitally in one place. You can track the progress of the job at any time. Even weeks, months or years later.
- Searching for trainees: Young people predominantly use the Internet to find out about available apprenticeships. Your website ensures that your company is found on Google. A profile on social networks also increases your findability. In this way, you present yourself as a contemporary employer and show: There are good jobs here!
- Increase customer satisfaction: Your clientele is used to being able to contact you quickly and digitally. 97 percent expect a quick response from trade businesses. With accessibility via e-mail and video telephony, you improve the relationship with your clientele.
Digitization is a process. Things don't always run smoothly, and that's why - in addition to the many advantages - there are also a few disadvantages. Here you can see both at a glance:
As the table shows, digitization offers many opportunities for the skilled trades. But there are also challenges: According to the study, 81 percent of trade businesses feel digital apps are too huge or inappropriate for the business. This is where the Meisterwerk app comes in. We have developed it in such a way that it fits as many work processes of trade businesses as possible. We focus on the functions that really save time.
These are a few examples:
- Dispatching planning for project, object and maintenance
- Mobile time recording including digital time clock and export function
- Get forms signed digitally
- Job documentation and information exchange within an application #
We have designed the app clearly so that you can quickly find your way around. You only see what you need: The office has an overview of all jobs and appointments. The installer only sees his or her own appointments and the associated information (e.g. the address).
Whatever you face, you need to reduce skepticism within the business. Take a patient approach and involve your workforce in the selection of platforms and in the changeover. This reduces prejudices and motivates them to take a closer look at the digital solutions.
The initial effort is worth it. After all, digitization saves the trade time and money. The changeover ensures efficiency and stability in the long term. The companies surveyed in the study also say this: 55 percent agree with the statement that digitization secures their existence.
