Very satisfied with what has been achieved and built up with DInO over the past three years: the team behind DInO. (Photo: THD)
Under the motto “Digital Together—Practice, Partners & Inspiration for Eastern Bavaria,” the university-industry transfer project “Digital Innovation Eastern Bavaria” (DInO)—in which the Cluster Mobility & Logistics was part of the project consortium—came to a close on June 30 at the Grandsberger Hof in Schwarzach. Around 60 representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises from a wide range of industries—from skilled trades to IT to retail—attended the event. The focus was on practical examples of digitalization, concrete support services, and networking with regional contacts.
Networking as a Key to Success
The event demonstrated one thing above all: Digitalization is not some abstract issue of the future for SMEs and the skilled trades, but can be successfully implemented through concrete, practical measures—step by step. The importance of regional networks became particularly clear. Many participants gained their first comprehensive overview of digitalization projects, innovation initiatives, skilled labor issues, and contacts for funding opportunities. Kathrin Zellner, Vice President of the Chamber of Crafts of Lower Bavaria/Upper Palatinate, summed it up: “Many businesses in Eastern Bavaria have long since proven just how much innovative potential lies within the skilled trades and the SME sector. When we connect these companies with the right digitalization offerings and networks, individual ideas give rise to genuine future viability for the region. The region’s strong and trusting networks make a valuable contribution to this.”
Concrete Help – Direct Benefits
Digitalization requires different approaches—technical, organizational, and communicative. And it doesn’t start with a grand undertaking, but often with small, realistic steps in everyday work. In various workshops in Schwarzach, participants were able to develop concrete measures for their own businesses and also take away ideas from others that could be implemented immediately. The same applies to suitable funding programs. Which ones are appropriate, and how can the typical hurdles in the application process be more easily overcome? A basic understanding of the fundamentals of funding is enough: this immediately creates better conditions for successfully implementing digitalization and innovation projects.
An Ongoing Process
The DInO network meeting encouraged participants to view digitalization as an ongoing development process that can be successfully shaped with the help of competent partners. This applies, for example, to traditional companies as well, as master distiller and fine spirits sommelier Stefan Penninger (Alte Hausbrennerei Penninger) aptly noted: “Being a company steeped in tradition must not be used as an argument against change. On the contrary: Precisely because we have a strong brand and history, we must use digital technologies to continue telling this story and inspire new target audiences.”
In conclusion, it is clear that stronger networking among companies, universities, and regional institutions will sustainably strengthen knowledge transfer, innovation, and competitiveness in Eastern Bavaria in many ways. A follow-up project to DInO is reportedly in the planning stages—with a greater focus on artificial intelligence, another driver of digitalization.
About DInO
DInO is the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) for Eastern Bavaria and supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), craft businesses, and public institutions in their digital transformation. The goal is to facilitate companies’ access to digitalization, strengthen their innovative capacity, and ensure the region’s long-term competitiveness. In addition to the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (lead partner), the consortium includes the East Bavarian University of Applied Sciences Regensburg, the Upper Palatinate Digital Startup Initiative, the Cluster Mobility & Logistics, and Baiosphere Agency. DInO is co-financed by the European Union as part of the Digital Europe Program and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Press Contact THD - Deggendorf University of Applied Sciences
Dr. Jörg Kunz
joerg.kunzth-deg.de
www.th-deg.de
Press Contact Cluster Mobility & Logistics
Maria Hirschberger
maria.hirschbergertechbase.de
https://www.mobilitylogistics.de/mobility/nachhaltige-mobilitaet/projekt-dino