Why this matters. Process digitalisation is the systematic transfer of recurring flows into software-driven, measurable processes — and in Germany it has a concrete expiry date right now. The BMWK Mittelstand-Digital programme ends on 31 December 2026. A successor programme from 2027 is announced but not yet shaped — that single date moves the sequencing of your next initiatives.
When process digitalisation makes sense — and when it waits
Process digitalisation fits when:
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a documented target process exists — no variant zoo in people's heads;
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master-data quality for the relevant data has been checked;
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process ownership with decision authority is named.
Process digitalisation waits when:
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the organisation won't sign off on the target process — political clarification before technical clarification;
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the ERP platform will be replaced within twelve months — otherwise you digitalise on shifting sand;
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no budget exists for ongoing maintenance — digitalised processes are not a one-off investment.
The four steps to process digitalisation
Durable process digitalisation follows a repeatable logic. It is independent of any later tool — BPMS, workflow engine, ERP extension, or a lean no-code solution — and it interlocks with your ERP strategy.
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Step 1 — Process model: identify core processes, mark interfaces, allocate responsibility. Output: an enterprise-level process map.
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Step 2 — Maturity audit: apply the Bitkom Maturity Model 3.0, document weaknesses per dimension. Output: a prioritised action list.
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Step 3 — Tool decision: for each top process, decide — workflow engine, ERP extension, RPA or organisational change. Output: a documented technology choice.
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Step 4 — Two-speed architecture: stable ERP backbone, agile process-automation layer above it. Output: an architecture sketch with interface logic.
The funding window — and why it changes your sequence
A specialty services firm in North Rhine-Westphalia with around 90 employees planned to digitalise its order-handling process for Q3 2027. In the summer of 2026 it became clear that the relevant BMWK advisory funding would only run until 31 December 2026. Result: the concept phase was pulled forward, the implementation stayed in Q3 2027 — but the roughly €28,000 of advisory cost disappeared from the budget.
In practice this single date drives the sequence of the next twelve months. Anyone planning a larger digitalisation initiative should pull the concept phase before year-end — and pair it with complementary advisory work that taps the funding route. Implementation can follow later.
What to do next
If you want to sequence process digitalisation while the window is open:
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List the top five processes with measurable volume and a documented target concept.
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Check each process for funding eligibility through Mittelstand-Digital or "Digital Jetzt".
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Book the concept phase before Q4 2026 — implementation can run later.
If you want to walk through this sequencing for your portfolio, we will sit through the steps with you in twenty minutes — before the funding window closes.
FAQ
The systematic transfer of recurring flows into software-driven, measurable processes. It covers process model, maturity audit, tool decision and architecture — not just software selection. Process digitalisation is the operational delivery of digital transformation at the process level.
With the enterprise-level process map. Tool-related decisions only become worthwhile once the top five core processes are identified and ownership is assigned. Without the map, you digitalise islands that won't fit together later.
Digital transformation is strategic — it covers business model, customer relationship, value creation. Process digitalisation is operational — it transfers individual flows into software-driven processes. Transformation decides the What; process digitalisation delivers the How.