5. very high 6. no information possible

No recommendation for action

5. very high (digital systems, fully networked) 6. No information possible

No recommendation for action

3. Partly applies 4. Rather applies

Recommendation: No specific need for action

5. Totally applies 6. no answer possible

No recommendation for action

BELVEDERE – Self Assessment: TECHNOLOGY

Subject Area 2: TECHNOLOGY

Instructions

Please answer the following questions by clicking on the most appropriate option. Option 1 corresponds to the Newcomer level, option 2 to the Explorer level, option 3 to the Integrator level and option 4 to the Expert level. If you choose option 5, the BELVEDERE project will not be able to give you any further recommendations as you are already very advanced in the process of digital transformation.

Please note: This website does not store any data about you, including your answers. We recommend that you print or save each page of the Readiness Check as soon as you have answered the questions, so that you have them available for future reference. Once you leave this page, all answers will be reset. (Click into the ! icon to hide this note from your printout)

Question 4:
How high is the proportion of your organisation’s workstations that are equipped with mobile devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets)?

1. Not present / very low
2. low

Recommendation: Assess the situation in your organisation: At which workstations could mobile devices (e.g. tablets) facilitate or improve task completion? What (new) tasks could be performed more effectively?

3. medium
4. high

Recommendation: Evaluate the benefits and problems of working with mobile devices. Define actions to address problems. Consider how the use of mobile devices can be further improved and in which areas of the company they could be used. Define a procedure for extending the use of mobile devices in the company.

5. very high
6. no information possible

No recommendation for action

Question 5:
To what extent are key business areas or resource-intensive processes, such as human resources or accounting, already digital?

1. very low (documentation mainly paper-based)
2. low (digital documentation, but processes are manual)

Recommendation: Consider which core processes or sub-processes are most suitable for digitalisation. Identify the first steps in making these processes digital, i.e. eliminating media breaks and reducing ‘manual’ sub-steps.

3. medium (numerous media breaks, very high manual effort for data transfer between systems)
4. high (digital systems, partially networked)

Recommendation: Find out how you can further digitalise your processes and which interfaces are required for an automated process flow and automatic data collection and transfer.

5. very high (digital systems, fully networked)
6. No information possible

No recommendation for action

Question 6:
How do you ensure the security of your IT systems and (client) data (e.g. through a cyber security strategy)?

1. no, currently no planning for this
2. standard security systems (e.g. firewall) in use

Recommendation: Plan and implement a minimum standard of security for your IT systems. Develop an IT security policy and seek expert assistance.

3. IT management system / concept for IT security implemented and data exchange is encrypted (e.g. SSL encryption)
4. IT security is accredited and data exchange is encrypted (e.g. SSL encryption) and employees are trained on the topic and systems are regularly updated (Digital Security Management)

Recommendation: Plan and implement a minimum standard for the security of your IT systems. Develop an IT security policy and seek expert assistance to review how you regularly ensure IT security and adapt it to technological developments. Develop a risk analysis approach and use the results of the risk analysis to develop ideas for improvement.

5. IT security is accredited and employees are trained on the subject and systems are regularly updated and subjected to a risk analysis, and improvement measures are implemented.
6. No information possible

No recommendation for action

Question 7:
The data transfer speeds of my regional provider at the main location of my company are absolutely sufficient for my current needs. And / Or: Mobile Internet access and data available at very good speeds at my various work locations.

1. Does not apply at all
2. Rather does not apply

Recommendation: Consider the terms and conditions of alternative providers and the timing of the switch to minimise disruption. After the service has been switched, check that the promised service levels have been met.

3. Partly applies
4. Rather applies

Recommendation: No specific need for action

5. Totally applies
6. no answer possible

No recommendation for action

Overview page

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References / Acknowledgements
The BELVEDERE Digital Readiness Check is based on work developed by the Institute for Technology and Work (in German: Institut für Technologie und Arbeit, ITA) as part of its collaboration with the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Kaiserslautern (i.e. an initiative that provides guidance to small and medium-sized enterprises and the skilled trades in their digital transformation), funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Online available at: https://digitalzentrum-kaiserslautern.de/unser-angebot/self-service/readiness-check (last accessed 19 April 2023) in German