In today’s knowledge economy, companies rely on efficient knowledge management systems.
Large language models (LLMs) offer an innovative solution for managing and utilizing internal knowledge.
This article examines various approaches to implementing LLMs in the corporate context as well as the opportunities and challenges they present.   A key problem for many companies is the shortage of skilled workers.
When experienced employees retire or leave the company, valuable knowledge is lost.
LLMs can help to document this knowledge and make it accessible to other employees.
A well thought-out knowledge management system can thus help to secure and promote the transfer of knowledge within the company.
Another important aspect when implementing LLMs is cyber security.
Comprehensive security measures must be taken to protect sensitive information.
These include the encryption of data during transmission and storage, strict access controls and regular security audits to identify and rectify vulnerabilities.
In addition, it must be clearly defined which data may be used.
Sensitive and personal data should only be used in accordance with the applicable data protection regulations.   The use of LLMs in knowledge management is still in its infancy, but the potential is enormous.
Future developments could include more powerful and efficient models as well as hybrid systems that combine the strengths of humans and AI.
In addition, LLMs could be used in more and more areas, from customer service to product development.

The usual suspects are there too, of course… Providers such as OpenAI, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud offer powerful LLM-based solutions that can be implemented quickly and easily.
These services are highly scalable and provide access to the latest models and technologies.
However, the use of external service providers also involves risks, particularly in the area of data security and compliance.
The transfer and storage of data outside your own infrastructure can present potential vulnerabilities.
In addition, the running costs for cloud services can be higher in the long term.  

Local hosting prevents the data from leaving the company’s infrastructure. One option is to operate LLMs on the company’s own infrastructure.
This method has the advantage that sensitive data does not leave the company network, which is particularly important in data-sensitive industries.
The data remains under the full control of the company, which makes it easier to comply with data protection guidelines.
Security can also be ensured through tailored measures and stricter access controls.
However, this approach also comes with significant challenges.
The cost of hardware and its maintenance is usually high.
In addition, the implementation and operation of such systems require special knowledge and resources that smaller companies in particular are often unable to provide.
Scalability can also be problematic, especially when the volume of data and the number of users increase.
One example of a local implementation is the use of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG).
This technique combines the strengths of retrieval systems and generative models by extracting relevant information from large data sets and integrating it into the generation of answers.  

If the data is only to remain in the country… Hosting the data on a cloud service in your own country can be a middle way.
This solution is particularly useful if the internal cyber security standards are not sufficient or the resources are lacking.
Hosting with a trustworthy provider in your own country offers a balance between security and practicability.
Professional providers often have better security measures in place and compliance with national data protection laws is easier to ensure.
However, there are also more and more innovative companies that offer all-in-one systems with interfaces to most common data sources and hosting in Germany.

What to do if employees don’t want to use the system? Another key to the success of a knowledge management system is employee commitment.
The best system is useless if employees do not use it.
It is therefore important to motivate and involve them.
Approaches such as gamification, where rewards and challenges encourage use, can be helpful here.
Regular training and workshops as well as the inclusion of employee feedback in the further development of the system also contribute to acceptance.  The right system and acceptance within the team determine success In summary, it can be said that LLMs offer a promising opportunity to revolutionize knowledge management in companies.
The choice between local and hosted solutions depends on individual requirements and circumstances.
Data security and data protection remain key challenges that need to be addressed carefully.
Against the backdrop of skills shortages and knowledge loss, LLMs offer a valuable solution for securing and sharing corporate knowledge.
Strategies such as gamification and user-friendly design promote long-term use by employees.
When it comes to implementation, professional advice is crucial to exploit the full potential of the technology while minimizing the risks.  Contact EDIH Saarland, we will support you Arrange an individual consultation appointment with our experts.
We will help you find your way through the jungle of solutions and define the right questions for your problem.