Digitization in the trades
What does digitization in the trades mean?
Analog work steps are replaced by digital ones, without changing anything about the craft itself. Information is recorded once and is then available to everyone in the business – in the office, in the workshop and on site. Typical examples:
- Manage customers, enquiries and quotes digitally: CRM for trade businesses
- Record tools, machines and equipment by QR code: Resource management, Tool management
- Monitor inspection dates and maintenance automatically: Inspection & maintenance
- Keep track of material and stock levels: Articles & stock
- Plan jobs and appointments: Scheduling
- Store employee data and qualifications centrally: Digital personnel file
Getting started: why digitization pays off
- Why the trades should look into digitization – the main reasons at a glance.
- “I’m done with paper” – digital change in the trades – how to get out of the paperwork chaos.
- Why digitization in the trades depends on external impulses – and why a push from outside is often the right one.
- 7 reasons why Excel has had its day as an IT tool – when spreadsheets reach their limits.
- Managing equipment in Excel – when the list is enough and when software is better.
- DGUV inspection duties for work equipment – intervals, inspectors and records in Germany, as of 2026.
Cloud software: what tradespeople should know
- Cloud software: the right choice for the trades – advantages, concerns and personal experience from the trades.
- Cloud software for tradespeople: the better solution? – renting software instead of buying it, explained in brief.
- “Above the clouds…” – the cloud and its advantages
- Digital sovereignty for SMEs – why a server location in Germany matters.
Digitization against the skills shortage
- How can digitization help tradespeople with the skills shortage?
- Desperately seeking apprentices? How to make your business attractive to apprentices
- Generational change in a trade business
From practice
- Digitization in SMEs – advantages and proven approaches.
- Roofers show where the digital journey is heading
- Make the trades mobile
- Goodbye summer stress: digital job scheduling for tradespeople
Is there funding for digitization?
The well-known German programmes “Digital Jetzt” (federal, until the end of 2023) and the L-Bank “Digitalisierungsprämie Plus” (until mid-2025) no longer accept applications. You can find the programmes currently available to businesses in Germany in the German federal funding database; your chamber of crafts can also advise you. Outside Germany, ask your national or regional business development agency.
Digitization with Craftcloud
Craftcloud is cloud software for construction and trade businesses. You start with the module that brings you the most benefit and expand later: resource management, CRM, articles & stock, HR and scheduling – in the browser and as an app.
