Original Title: Notice from the Shandong Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology on Issuing the "Work Plan for the Digital Transformation of Provincial-Level Industrial Enterprises Above Designated Size (2024–2026)"
To thoroughly implement the guiding principles of the Provincial Conference on High-Quality Development of the Digital Economy, the Provincial Conference on Promoting New Industrialization, and other relevant meetings; to accelerate the implementation of the Action Plan for Upgrading the Digital Transformation of the Manufacturing Sector; to comprehensively promote the widespread adoption and enhancement of digital transformation among industrial enterprises; and to support the development of new industrialization, the following work plan has been formulated.
I. Current Development Status
A comprehensive survey and assessment show that in 2023, the digital transformation coverage rate among industrial enterprises above designated size in the province was 87.3%, making them the primary target group for transformation and upgrading, with a deep transformation rate of 42%; enterprises that have not yet implemented transformation accounted for 12.7%, constituting the main target group for the popularization of transformation.
II. General Requirements
Adhering to the work approach of “promoting both widespread adoption and advanced upgrading,” we will proceed from simple to complex tasks, implement categorized measures, adopt a rolling implementation strategy, and ensure comprehensive coverage. For enterprises that have not yet implemented transformation, we will promote the widespread application of digital technologies through a “one file per enterprise” approach; for those that have already implemented transformation, we will assist in achieving higher-level upgrades through a “one file per project” approach. We will accelerate the cultivation of “point benchmarks, online demonstrations, and regional models” to lead and drive a comprehensive improvement in the digital transformation levels of industrial enterprises.Through three years of concerted efforts, we aim to ensure that all industrial enterprises above designated size in the province are “fully informed,” “willing to transform,” and “capable of transforming.” The transformation coverage rate is expected to reach approximately 98%, with the rate of in-depth transformation exceeding 50%. The province’s indices for the integration of informatization and industrialization, as well as for the digital transformation of manufacturing, will continue to rank among the top in the country.
III. Implementation Pathway
We will strengthen and effectively utilize one center (the National Center for Promoting the Digital Transformation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises), build and optimize one working system (the “Seven-Step Work Method” comprising four lists—“a set of indicator systems, a database of enterprises awaiting transformation, a pool of service provider resources, and a set of transformation guidelines”—and three mechanisms—“consulting and diagnosis, application promotion, and annual assessment”), and establish one distinctive brand (“Industry Empowerment Shandong”),to promote the widespread adoption and enhancement of digital transformation in industrial enterprises in a multidimensional, comprehensive, and integrated manner.
(1) Establish the National SME Digital Transformation Promotion Center to High Standards
1. Strengthen and effectively utilize the Digital Transformation Promotion Center. Following the “123” framework (i.e., 1 market-oriented entity, 2 platforms—“online + offline,” and 3 forces—digital economy industrial parks, private non-enterprise units, and service provider alliances), accelerate the improvement of the “online” public service platform within the year, expedite the construction of offline innovation experience centers, gather approximately 500 high-quality service providers, and build an integrated service ecosystem encompassing scenario-based experiences, supply-demand matching, and talent training,By the end of March 2024, the offline innovation experience center will be ready for public access, with services provided to over 10,000 SMEs throughout the year. Within three years, we aim to bring together approximately 1,300 high-quality service providers, develop over 5,000 high-quality solutions, offer “one-stop” transformation services, and train more than 10,000 entrepreneurs.
(2) Deepening and Solidifying Integrated Digital Transformation Efforts
2. Develop and publish an indicator system. Drawing on the "SME Digitalization Level Assessment Indicators" issued by the SME Bureau of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the national standard "Digital Transformation Maturity Model and Assessment," we will formulate and release an indicator system for evaluating the digital transformation levels of industrial enterprises in our province, and establish an assessment platform to provide services to enterprises.By March 2024, we will complete the design of the indicator system and achieve mutual recognition with similar standards. The assessment will be open throughout the year, offering free diagnostic evaluations to industrial enterprises to help both companies and municipalities understand their current stage of development and regional development levels.
3. Establish a database of enterprises awaiting digital transformation. For enterprises that have not yet implemented digital transformation, implement a “one enterprise, one file” management system. Provide “one-on-one” guidance and services through online assessments, on-site diagnostics, entrepreneur training, service provider matching, and free trial experiences, striving to facilitate digital transformation for more than 1,000 enterprises annually.For enterprises that have already implemented digital transformation, we will further identify their needs for transformation and upgrading, implement “one file per project” management, expand the supply of various resources, and accelerate the implementation and effectiveness of projects. Those with notable achievements will be prioritized for inclusion in provincial and municipal benchmarking and demonstration programs and will receive support in accordance with regulations.
4. Establish a service provider resource pool. We will solicit high-quality digital transformation service providers nationwide, finalize the first batch of service provider directories by the end of February 2024, and continuously update them.Increase the openness of industrial enterprise scenarios, encourage high-quality service providers to offer free on-site diagnostic services, and explore a “first-try” mechanism for “small, fast, light, and precise” (compact, rapid, streamlined, and targeted) products and solutions. Regularly publish “try-before-you-buy” service lists by industry and category for targeted promotion.
5. Develop Digital Transformation Roadmaps. Organize national high-level think tanks to develop and publish roadmaps for enterprise transformation and upgrading at various stages. These roadmaps will guide enterprises at different stages in applying digital technologies to enhance digital capabilities in areas such as business management, production and manufacturing, R&D and design, supply chain management, and collaborative office operations. The focus will be on addressing the digital software that should be prioritized for adoption and the weak links in business capabilities that need to be addressed first, thereby providing targeted support to help enterprises take the “first step” and “critical steps” in their transformation and upgrading.By the end of April 2024, release Version 1.0 of the transformation and upgrading roadmap, with iterative updates to follow as appropriate.
6. Enhancing Targeted Coaching and Diagnosis. At the provincial level, organize approximately 10 events annually—such as scenario roadshows and on-site meetings—categorized by industry and industrial chain. Promote enterprise digital transformation through a coordinated “training + coaching” approach, with increased support for traditional industries such as light industry, textiles, and building materials;At the municipal level, under the “one enterprise, one file” and “one project, one file” management mechanisms, further leverage the role of the “10,000 Digital Specialists” to organize service providers to conduct free on-site diagnostics for enterprises. Actively promote the “try before you buy” model and support the implementation of digital transformation projects.
7. Promote applications across points, lines, and planes. For key enterprises, cultivate “Digital Pioneers,” smart factories, 5G factories, and Morning Star factories in a tiered manner to establish point-level benchmarks. Launch the “100 Scenarios of Industrial Empowerment” initiative; following the principle of “industries posing challenges, platforms providing solutions,” develop approximately 100 typical scenario-based solutions annually to create online demonstrations.Build more than 50 provincial-level “Industrial Brains” and foster approximately 50 “Digital Economy Headquarters.” Utilize digital technologies to provide services such as centralized procurement and unified sales, shared logistics and warehousing, and supply chain finance, thereby creating comprehensive models. Comprehensive use of funding incentives, financial services, and supply-demand matching will drive the implementation of pilot projects, establish benchmark demonstrations, and facilitate large-scale promotion.
8. Annual Assessment and Iterative Upgrades.Conduct an annual assessment of the digital transformation levels of all industrial enterprises above designated size across the province in October. Analyze data by region, industry, and industrial chain to identify current status and trends in digital transformation, understand the needs and challenges enterprises face during the process, and continuously refine and upgrade implementation measures. Regularly update the “Enterprise Database for Digital Transformation” and the project database to accurately identify the development stage of each enterprise, striving to increase the transformation coverage rate and the rate of in-depth transformation by 2–3 percentage points annually.
(III) Building the “Industry Empowerment Shandong” Brand
9. Leverage the leading role of “Industry Empowerment Shandong.” Continue implementing the Industrial Internet Platform Excellence Cultivation Project, fostering approximately 50 new provincial-level industrial internet platforms annually. Improve the tiered cultivation mechanism of “provincial-level platforms—national-level specialized platforms—national-level cross-industry and cross-domain platforms,” and encourage leading platforms to accelerate the enhancement of their industry influence.Adhering to a dual-drive approach of “building platforms and utilizing platforms,” and based on unified branding and organization, we will leverage the role of market-oriented entities such as “Industrial Empowerment Shandong” and “cross-industry, cross-domain” platforms to promote the integration of the industrial internet into enterprises, industrial parks, and across industries. Through brand development, we will support and empower the digital transformation of enterprises, thereby establishing an “Industrial Empowerment Shandong” model characterized by “open cooperation, shared benefits, and mutual success.”
IV. Support Measures
(1) Strengthen Organizational Implementation. Establish a three-tiered coordination mechanism at the provincial, municipal, and county (district, city) levels. The provincial level is responsible for overall coordination and advancement, maintaining a work log according to timelines, regularly monitoring and reporting progress, and coordinating the resolution of difficulties and issues. The municipal and county levels are responsible for implementation on the ground, encouraged to innovate work measures based on actual conditions, accelerate the improvement of digital transformation coverage and depth, and ensure the effective implementation of all tasks.
(2) Optimize Policy Support. Make full use of the provincial policy list for “Promoting Economic Consolidation and Improvement, and Accelerating Green, Low-Carbon, and High-Quality Development.” Provide subsidies and rewards for national-level benchmark demonstrations, scenario-based solutions, technological upgrades, industrial brains, and network infrastructure. Include digital transformation coverage rates in provincial inspection and incentive evaluations, as well as in the assessment criteria for the creation of new industrialization demonstration zones. Encourage cities to research and introduce policy measures supporting digital transformation.
(3) Enhance Digital Literacy. Comprehensively conduct digital transformation training for industrial enterprise leaders. Adopt a blended “online + offline” model: for leaders of enterprises that have not yet implemented transformation, focus on introductory training to address issues such as reluctance or unwillingness to transform; for leaders of enterprises at critical stages of transformation, focus on advanced training to address issues such as lack of knowledge or inability to implement transformation. Accelerate the achievement of full coverage of introductory and advanced training for all industrial enterprises above designated size.
(4) Foster Collaborative Efforts. Industrial and Information Technology departments at the provincial, municipal, and county (district, city) levels shall strengthen coordination. They shall regularly organize a series of activities, including scenario releases, promotional campaigns, on-site visits, and training exchanges, and organize enterprises to “observe and learn from best practices” by region and industry. The supportive role of high-level think tanks shall be fully leveraged to provide professional guidance and services for the digital transformation of industrial enterprises across the province.
This plan shall take effect on February 19, 2024, and remain valid until December 31, 2026.
