POSITION | DIGITALIZATION | INDUSTRY 4.0
German digital industry platforms Exploit their potential! Avoid unnecessary regulation!
Version: October 2018 German digital industry platforms – a snapshot 23. Oktober 2017 Whatvon do digitalen we meanIndustrieplattformen: by digital platforms? Arten
Types of digital industry platform:
platforms are intermediaries which connect ▪“Digital Softwareplattformen two or more market participants via a platform ▪using Supply-Chain-Management digital technology and simplifying their ▪interaction.” Industrial(VDMA) Internet of Things (IIoT) Plattformen industrial platforms create synergies and not ▪Digital Verkaufsplattformen only save the businesses involved transaction ▪costs Innovationsund Wissensmanagementplattformen but additionally enable completely new (digital) services and business models. Furthermore, they are usually specialised on individual sectors to a high degree.
55%
… of German companies which know what digital platforms are offer their own products on them1
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Software platforms
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Supply chain management
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Industrial-Internet-of-Things (IIoT) platforms
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Sales platforms
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Innovation and knowledge management platforms
77%
… of companies believe that industrial Internet platforms will become (very) important for their own sector within 10 years2
Sources: 1BITKOM. 2018. https://tinyurl.com/yb5fx69l (downloaded on 14 May 2018); Staufen Digital Neonex GmbH und Staufen AG. 2017. Deutscher Industrie 4.0 Index 2017.
2
BDI recommendations for action No need for regulation on industry platforms The legislative framework is well organized for digitalization. Whether there is any need for adjustments in a few areas must be carefully examined and discussed.
Take differences between B2C and B2B platforms into account The applicable conditions in B2B differ from those in B2C, where there is a greater asymmetry of information between platform providers and users.
No regulation of non-personal data The right to access and use of non-personal data, such as industry and machine data, do not need to be regulated. Contractual solutions are currently adequate.
German digital industry platforms
What do German digital industry platforms do? – 25 examples ADAMOS ADAMOS is a strategic alliance for the mechanical and plant engineering sector and stands for ADAptive Manufacturing Open Solutions. It is backed up by internationally well-known companies, such as DMG MORI, Dürr, Software AG, ZEISS, ASM PT, ENGEL and KARL MAYER. Target is to bundle knowledge from mechanical engineering, production and information technology with high added value for customers and to set standards for digital production. How does ADAMOS work? The ADAMOS Industrial IoT platform is non-proprietary and offers both the basic infrastructure and fundamental functionalities as a “Platform-as-a-Service” (PaaS). It consists of stand-alone but integrated modules. Basic modules include Connectivity and Device & Data Management, Visualizations and Real Time Analytics, Advanced Reporting and Microservice Management as well as On-Premise & Cloud Integration. Each module offers several functions for efficient creation of individual, digital applications; applications which, for example, enable the increased use and availability of individual machines, the improvement of end-to-end transparency and productivity throughout the production, or the introduction of new and more efficient service management functions. Crucial for ADAMOS is the ADAMOS Partner Network, which provides the framework for all players in the value chain. The Partner Network guarantees the continuous knowledge exchange and access to resources for the realization of own and common goals. With the App Factory, ADAMOS offers an environment for those partners to develop tailor-made apps in areas such as planning, predictive maintenance, machine cockpit/dashboarding and maintaining assistance. Partners’ digital marketplaces are manufacturer-specific and are their individual interfaces to the market and to the customer. Each partner promotes and sells its digital offering independently.
AirSupply AirSupply supports collaborative supply chain management (SCM) processes between producers and suppliers along the entire supply chain in the aerospace industry. AirSupply maps the aerospace industry’s established processes such as forward capacity planning, interactive fine-tuning of delivery quantity and delivery date as well as follow-up of order and delivery status on a shared web platform. How does AirSupply work? AirSupply supports collaborative supply chain management (SCM) processes between producers and suppliers along the entire supply chain in the aerospace industry. This enables the material planner to track via AirSupply whether a supplier has looked at an order and also whether the desired order can be processed and within what timeframe. AirSupply supports forward capacity planning as well as interactive fine-tuning of delivery quantities and delivery dates on a shared web platform.
AVIATAR AVIATAR is the independent platform developed by Lufthansa Technik for aerospace companies worldwide. The open architecture, which places the highest demands on data security in line with European standards, allows all users to work in partnership and to develop their own applications for the global aerospace market. The sharply increasing number of applications, in particular for aircraft operators, covers all areas including maintenance and reconditioning of aircraft and aims first and foremost to reduce operating costs. How does AVIATAR work? Modern aircraft continuously generate a large volume of data. By employing the apps on the AVIATAR platform, aerospace companies can evaluate these data. Among other things, this enables fleet management, fleet status monitoring and forward planning of maintenance events. Data use enables optimised operating times, reduced follow-up costs and a confidential exchange of data with other participants in the market. Further applications allow the use of new, innovative business models such as rental of specialised tools for aircraft repair.
German digital industry platforms
AXOOM With AXOOM, mechanical engineer TRUMPF has set itself the goal of developing digital solutions for production and transforming facilities into smart factories. Available data from machines, sensors and software systems are pooled via the cloud-based platform and can be utilised intelligently by customers and partners. How does AXOOM work? AXOOM enables its customers to progress rapidly and easily to Industry 4.0. The platform networks machines and system landscapes independent of manufacturer along the entire value chain. Via a rapid plug-and-play connection to the platform, machines including their information and specifications can be administered in the Connection Center. It is also possible to visualize the data obtained in real time via Condition Monitoring and the Performance Dashboard, thereby creating transparency on machine status and performance. In addition, the data can be used for further analytical purposes, for example predictive maintenance, and hence downtime in production can be reduced. Customers have the possibility to work via the platform with AXOOM partners from the software and hardware sphere and gain access to a broad portfolio of solutions in this way. For instance, machine manufacturers can offer smart remote services such as remote maintenance via data spectacles. In addition, by utilizing the platform future products can be optimized. Among other things, maintenance costs for end customers can be reduced through proactive software and machine updates.
Bosch IoT platform The Bosch IoT Suite is a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offering for the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) based on open standards and open source. 7.2 million devices are already connected to the Bosch IoT platform. 0.3 million are added each month. The Bosch IoT Suite is a horizontal platform used for Connected Mobility, Industry 4.0, Smart Home, Connected Building and Agriculture 2.0. How does the Bosch IoT platform work? Main components of the Bosch IoT Suite are services for high-performant connectivity of huge numbers of IoT devices, for provisioning and management of their digital twins including complex hierarchies for solution developers, for access control of data and devices as well as a functionality for operating these IoT devices remotely and updating their software. With the IoT Suite, Bosch offers a platform that bundles the strength of industry-specific knowledge in areas such as mobility, Industry 4.0, energy, buildings technology or consumer goods. In this context, software developers, the platform’s users, can focus exclusively on their own value-add or their own use cases. This saves resources, time and guarantees optimal achievement of own project objectives. Flexibility and openness support hybrid scenarios with a wide range of cloud or enterprise platforms. This this enables highly innovative business models with various partners. Thanks to modern security standards, access to devices (and their data) takes place via secure access administration and control. Based on that, the platform offers administration, monitoring, management and configuration of devices and gateways with latest Internet technology. This includes software updates in an uncomplicated and secure way as well as dedicated edge computing capabilities.
German digital industry platforms
CheMondis CheMondis is a digital B2B marketplace for the chemical industry. The industry platform has been jointly developed by chemists, marketing and sales experts as well as software engineers. The scope of CheMondis is to transform existing traditional sales and purchase processes of the chemical industry into the digital age. From searching and evaluating products to executing transactions, CheMondis aspires to make sales and purchase processes more simple and efficient. How does CheMondis work? Today, the majority of sales and purchasing processes of chemical products still happens offline. This is different from other internal processes, such as production, storage and quality management, which in most cases have been digitalised within integrated enterprise resource planning systems. To digitalise sales and purchase processes, a one-stop-shop providing information, such as product catalogues with prices, availability and product specifications, is required. This is where CheMondis comes into play. The platform offers an environment which is easy to navigate and shows all required information, tailored to the needs of the chemical industry. If potential clients find a product which fits their requirements, they can immediately order it. Alternatively, they can negotiate an individual deal with the supplier. After completing the order, CheMondis provides both parties with the possibility to track the status of an order and to exchange order-related documents on the platform. On their personalised dashboards, suppliers and customers can easily access information on their orders anyplace, anytime.
Coats eComm The textile industry is characterized by very complex international production networks and distribution structures. The Coats eComm platform in conjunction with coats.com offers the customer the possibility of organizing communication on the ordering procedure and product information efficiently. The customer can track via Coats the complete ordering process from production and logistics through to delivery online. The digitalization of purchasing processes enables high savings potential, rapidity on the market as well as optimization of transaction and communication effects. Coats eComm covers the following product groups in the textile industry: threads, OPTI- zips, reflective tape and hook & loop tape. How does eComm work? The eComm platform offers numerous options and acts as an interface between customers and production pathways. Thus, e-mails are no longer necessary for patterning, since samples can be ordered comfortably on the online platform via smartphone or tablet. Furthermore, customer-specific product samples can be created online with Coats Opti Express and can be made available for inspection very rapidly via 3D printing. The customer can access trend figures since the order was placed 24/7 via monthly reports. Real-time status as well as delivery performance analyses are further features and hence, allow the customer to have complete transparency in the supply chain.
ContiConnect ContiConnect enables tire monitoring of the entire transport fleet. As a result, operating times can be increased, maintenance costs are reduced and the overall performance of the fleet is improved. How does ContiConnect Yard work? Sensors on the tires continuously measure tire pressure and temperature of the entire fleet and are collected on the platform. Moreover, data can be also integrated manually or, in future, also by mobile connection via an app. Based on these values, conclusions can be reached about the status of the tires. ContiConnect informs the fleet manager insofar as one or more parameters reach a critical value and suggests services correspondingly, e.g. a change of tires. While respective actions still have to be triggered by the fleet manager, these earlier information usually make it possible to react before acute damage occurs. ContiConnect is based on the interplay between hardware and software components: tire sensor, yard reader station installed in the company’s truck yard as well as on a web portal. ContiConnect’s online portal prepares reports on tire performance and the overall efficiency of the fleet.
German digital industry platforms
DISCOVERY Around 10,000 individual parts are incorporated in a modern passenger car. Of these, a large proportion are produced by suppliers. Volkswagen has more than 8,500 suppliers and logistics service providers worldwide. To realize an efficient supply chain, VW relies on the DISCOVERY supply chain management communication platform. As a data hub, DISCOVERY creates transparency on transport operations using all modes and all transport concepts within the Volkswagen group. How does DISCOVERY work? Jointly with the software company Euro-Log, VW’s logistics arm Volkswagen Konzernlogistik developed the DISCOVERY communication platform. The web-based communication platform provides Volkswagen group plants, suppliers and carriers with all transport-relevant data via standardized interfaces. Alongside uniform digital transport statements, DISCOVERY enables an overview of the order and delivery status for full and empty containers. In addition, external partners which do not have an electronic data connection are completely integrated in the transport network. Through DISCOVERY, Volkswagen group plants are informed about upcoming deliveries around 24 hours earlier than hitherto and thus enjoy a knowledge advantage.
DMIx Cloud ColorDigital GmbH’s DMIx Cloud is a digital, cloud-based product development platform which enables users to carry out the entire color coordination process for a product digitally. The dispatch of physical samples between supplier and customer is minimized or rendered obsolete. The DMIx Cloud enables a producer to make its products available to its customers digitally in measuring instrument quality so that integration in their digital workflow is possible without problems. How does DMIx Cloud work? DMIx Cloud is available as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and administers physical presentation information on a multispectral basis in order to reproduce an object (textile, print, plastic, leather, tile, wallpaper, cosmetic, etc.) perfectly. Using a patented procedure, a lifelike preview of a material can be visualized in real time on the screen (2D/3D) or also materialized in the corresponding production process. DMIx Cloud offers an archive functionality for digital colors, samples or also products which are available virtually in the digital development process but which can also actually be ordered. Furthermore, DMIx Cloud has a security system which enables the distributor to decide at user level who has access to its products (digital material catalog).
Fashion Cloud Fashion Cloud is a Hamburg-based start-up which has developed an online platform for the fashion industry. More than 300 fashion labels and more than 3,500 retailers worldwide already use Fashion Cloud. How does Fashion Cloud work? Fashion Cloud consists of three components: (1) the content platform enables fashion labels to upload logos, marketing images and product data which can then be integrated in authorized retailers’ goods management systems. (2) Brands are given an insight into their stocks via the FASHION CLOUD Endlosregal (= endless shelf). If a desired article is not in stock, the sales employee can check the availability and delivery date, and place an order accordingly. (3) The Clara app provides sales employees in the shop with a tool for placing a follow-up order for an article with just a few clicks and the customer can then easily collect it from the shop. In future, it will be possible to use Fashion Cloud also for follow-up orders on the web platform.
German digital industry platforms
MAX More than twelve million elevators worldwide make seven billion trips a day and transport more than one billion people. These lifts are out of operation for a total of 190 million hours due to breakdowns or maintenance work. Bearing in mind the ongoing increase in high-rise buildings and an ageing society with a greater need for lifts, higher availability and reliability is necessary. With thyssenkrupp Elevator’s MAX, down times can be reduced by up to 50% through predictive maintenance. How does MAX work? Machine data from elevators worldwide such as door movements, trips, acceleration processes, in-car calls and error codes are logged with MAX. This information is placed in the cloud (Microsoft’s Azure platform) where algorithms evaluate the lift’s operating data and calculate the residual service life of components on the basis of empirical values (machine learning). This real-time diagnosis draws the mechanic’s attention to necessary action – before the defect occurs. Maintenance takes place without down time for the user.
Mercateo Mercateo is an open business-to-business trade platform which enables business customers to simultaneously search for and compare the products in catalogues of different manufacturers and traders. According to Mercateo, almost 1.5 million customers interact via the platform with 16,400 manufacturers. In total, about 25.4 million products are offered via the platform, even 86.6 million articles throughout Europe. How does Mercateo work? Mercateo operates as a marketplace where manufacturers and suppliers can offer their products. Pricing on the Mercateo platform evolves through competition between suppliers. Mercateo does not have its own warehouse but takes responsibility for customers’ orders, complaints and returns, and acts as the only creditor to the customer. Manufacturers and suppliers use Mercateo as a distribution channel which enables uniform electronic processes with B2B customers as well as efficient, digital communication. They can steer the marketing of their products via Mercateo. Corporate purchasers can achieve savings potential when purchasing general business and specialized supplies via a unified digital platform.
MindSphere MindSphere is a cloud-based, open IoT operating system from Siemens which connects data from products, plants, systems and machines with the digital world. Thanks to the analysis of data using powerful applications, MindSphere leads to increased productivity and efficiency across the entire company. How does MindSphere work? Companies which carry out IoT initiatives often face the challenge of connecting a wide spectrum of assets rapidly, cost-efficiently and securely from a range of locations. With MindConnect, Siemens offers the flexible, secure connection of machines, company and sectoral applications through hardware or software connectivity solutions. As soon as the data has been collected, it gets transformed into meaningful and usable information. Through the use of aps with progressive analysis functions companies achieve higher availability as well as improved productivity and efficiency for individual machines, entire installations, systems or globally deployed machine parks. The development and rollout of MindSphere apps is simple thanks to open standards, APIs and the innovative development environment which uses both Siemens’ open PaaS functions (Platform-as-aService) as well as access to cloud services of Amazon Web Service, Microsoft Azure and in future Alibaba Cloud. The comprehensive partner ecosystem as well as Siemens’ own MindServices support the development and implementation of the customer-specific MindSphere solution with tailor-made solutions and services. In this way, customers can fall back on powerful sectoral solutions with extensive analytics, even without developing their own app.
German digital industry platforms
MobiMedia The fashion industry is characterized by very complex distribution structures. The MobiMedia platform brings together traditional external service solutions with a very individual B2B web shop. To do this, MobiMedia shows the entire ordering process between manufacturers, distributors, own retail and online channels. Digitalization of purchasing processes can (1) achieve a high savings potential, (2) act more rapidly on the market and (3) avoid media gaps in product communication and between departments. How does MobiMedia work? The MobiMedia platform offers numerous features: Quintet acts as a mobile digital order process in the retail trade. Thus, catalogs are no longer necessary for pre-orders, since products including possible campaigns can be shown comfortably on a tablet. In addition, the physical good can be networked digitally with product information via browser-enabled screens in the shop. Brands can generate trend figures just hours after an order has been placed via Business Intelligence. Order quantities in factories can be adjusted accordingly. The MobiPad B2B and B2C tool enables mobile order processing (ex-post orders, flash and pre-orders) by retailers and shop-floor assistants.
ondeso Industry 4.0 increases the complexity of software installations in industrial plants, in particular in relation to new releases, updates and patches. This gives rise to correspondingly higher security requirements (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE)). ondeso GmbH offers operators and suppliers of industrial plants a platform for configuration and operational management of industrial software applications and their operating systems. How does ondeso work? All software applications and their operating systems are continuously inventoried for each customer on the shop floor of an industrial plant using the ondeso platform and its optional features. New maintenance-oriented releases, updates and patches are then prepared and incorporated. Software applications and files are managed and incorporated independent of particular machines or equipment suppliers, or very specifically for the installed base of a particular supplier and its devices, machines or installations. In other words, ondeso intermediates with a concentration on configuration and operational management of industrial software between operators and suppliers of industrial installations. In the same way, the platform fills a niche for smaller machine and equipment suppliers and their software management with respect to new or existing installations.
RailSupply Today’s rail vehicles are usually produced in small series which are technically highly complex. A large number of highly specialized suppliers contribute to manufacture of the end product along the supply chain. The business relationship between manufacturer and supplier remains in place also after delivery, since replacement parts for maintenance and upkeep are needed. SupplyOn’s RailSupply supports these highly complex delivery processes as a supply chain management platform. How does RailSupply work? As Software-as-a-Service, RailSupply charts cross-company processes in supply chain management, in supplier risk and performance management, in strategic and operational procurement as well as in quality and transport management. Since all companies are connected to one and the same platform, there are no longer any media gaps in highly complex supply chains. The platform offers a transparent exchange of information between business partners: this enables manufacturers to track the processing status of orders with suppliers while suppliers can keep a constant eye on the current demand for their products.
German digital industry platforms
scrappel Around 2.5 million tonnes of non-ferrous metals and around 20 million tonnes of iron scrap was traded in Germany in 2017. In addition, some 22 million tonnes of paper, cardboard and cartons. Taken together, these recyclable materials generate a trade volume of around 25 billion Euro. A market on which trading has still not been fully digitalized. This is precisely where scrappel comes in: scrappel is a digital B2B marketplace for trade in recyclable materials which was founded in December 2017. How does scrappel work? Suppliers and buyers of scrap metal are brought together on scrappel via the platform’s professional and reliable infrastructure which exists in a web and a mobile version. A user verification process (KYC) guarantees secure and transparent completion of the business transaction. For payment, the amount can be released from an escrow account only once the buyer has confirmed the quality of the delivery. Alternatively, payment can also be made at an agreed time after the goods are delivered. Payment is confirmed with a digital bill of lading. scrappel gives all participants easy market access and rapid, direct completion of business transactions. Furthermore, scrappel supports marketplace participants with financing and insurance products (including factoring and trade credit insurance (TCI)) in daily business operations – all fully digital.
Skywise In cooperation with Palantir Technologies, Airbus has developed the cloud-based platform Skywise in which all aircraft data are stored. The data platform improves the operational performance and business results of airlines by supporting their digital transformation. In addition, Airbus can use the data of aircraft already in service to optimize future generations. How does Skywise work? Skywise offers users a uniform interface for a large quantity of aviation data from a range of services across the entire air transport industry. Airlines’ data sources encompass data about periods in service, components, fuel consumption, composition of the airplane as well as on-board sensors. Further data which are usually shared with Airbus but stored on separate servers comprise data about the exchange of parts, pilot reports, service bulletins, technical documentation as well as the historical log of downtimes. These data are collected securely in a cloud-based platform and can be used by operators of an aircraft fleet for their own analyses.
Deutsche Telekom’s Data Intelligence Hub Deutsche Telekom’s Data Intelligence Hub for business customers is an interoperable and crossindustry data marketplace with connected AI workbench. The Data Intelligence Hub is already available since September 17th, 2018. The idea is to enable large companies and SMEs to use their own data, to get additional data and also to analyze them by applying AI-supported applications. In this context, Deutsche Telekom offers the Data Intelligence Hub as a neutral infrastructure. A potential field for application of the Data Intelligence Hub is simplified cooperation along the supply chain, since the marketplace is intended to simplify planning, production and logistics between manufacturers and suppliers. How does the Data Intelligence Hub work? The Data Intelligence Hub enables direct and exclusive data traffic between companies which can place their data on the marketplace. Data exchange provides end-to-end encryption so that external or central data storage is not necessary. Companies providing data can decide whether and which other market players can use the data (black/white lists). In addition, companies can determine the degree of aggregation of the data they publish. The connected “workbench for artificial intelligence” allows data scientists to apply data on AI modeling commercial and open source tools. This is a kind of jump start into the field of AI for companies of all size.
German digital industry platforms
toii With toii, thyssenkrupp Materials Services has developed an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform itself with which machines and assemblies (things) of completely different manufacturers and generations are connected and their data can be aggregated centrally. As a special feature, toii offers the possibility of driving machines directly and at the same time visualizing the production status via a large number of installations. How does toii work? toii works in modules and can be operated both in the cloud and on premise. While the toii.connect module enables connection and readout of data on the machine, bi-directional communication and hence control of the machine are realized via toii.control. Visualization of e.g. production statuses is made available via toii.fusion whereby external data can also be integrated (e.g. from goods management systems). toii.think has machine learning capacities which can be used at will to optimize a particular production installation on an ongoing basis and to predict maintenance requirements predictive maintenance. Incorporation of manually entered data is possible via the toii.PDC module. With this holistic approach, Industry 4.0 can become a reality in large industrial companies and industrial SMEs alike.
Transporeon Transporeon is a closed, cloud logistics platform linking a global network of shippers and carriers through a series of Software-as-a-Service solutions. The transport management platform comprises onboarding, consulting and lifetime support in 25 languages. 1,000 shippers, 65,000 carriers and a total of 100,000 users are already connected to the Transporeon cloud logistics platform. How does Transporeon work? Companies can assign transports to carriers via the logistics platform. Electronic award of orders saves freight, processing and administrative costs and improves delivery quality and customer services, since media gaps are avoided. In addition, time slot management allows better planning of logistics processes, since a time slot can be booked online. After punctual arrival at the loading platform, the truck can be loaded or unloaded immediately and then rapidly continue its journey. Peak times are smoothed and waiting times are reduced. Moreover, the Transporeon App displays complex logistics processes on the smartphone. The app connects dispatchers, shippers, truck drivers and recipients and provides information which is relevant for the delivery process (including status messages) on the platform. Delays are notified to the recipient, proofs of delivery and delivery evaluations are prepared via shipment tracking.
Unite Unite.eu is a B2B networking platform which enables suppliers and purchasers to connect with each other easily and without great IT effort. The objective of the platform is to enable companies of all sizes to quickly get started with digitisation and to network business partners with each other so that transactions can take place efficiently. How does Unite work? Unite offers an infrastructure for digital commerce and positions itself absolutely neutrally towards platform users. The platform enables purchasers to display their personal supplier relations online and to manage purchasing processes in a clear way. With Unite, manufacturers and retailers can open up a further online channel or offer their product portfolio online for the first time. In addition to standardised processes, both buyers and suppliers benefit from the personal relationship to each other with individually depictable prices and conditions.
German digital industry platforms
Wucato WUCATO Marketplace GmbH offers a central procurement platform for optimizing purchasing processes for German SMEs – independent of sector and company. As a subsidiary of the Würth group, Wucato links decades of commercial experience with digital know-how, all under the banner of “Made in Germany”. How does Wucato work? As a virtual platform, Wucato seeks to network market participants digitally and links supply and demand in a central location. The platform is composed of two areas: shop and marketplace. Whereas Wucato acts as a merchant and invoice issuer in the shop, suppliers sell their wares directly to customers on the marketplace – here Wucato acts as intermediary. The articles of both areas are presented to the customer in a multi-supplier catalog in order to enable even more rapid product access. The extensive and constantly expanding product assortment currently consists of more than one million products offered by a large number of suppliers. To deal with the physical goods assortment, Wucato relies on its strong suppliers and organizes the logistics on the basis of drop shipments. In addition, Wucato does not accept any compromises on IT security and demonstrates its pre-eminence in Germany with its own, highly modern and energy-efficient computer center. Through Wucato, purchasing processes in the company are automated, costs are reduced and transparency is created. This leads to a clear reduction in the operational purchasing effort and creates capacities for the strategic challenges of purchasing.
XOM Materials Founded at the end of 2017 as a start-up in Berlin, XOM Materials GmbH is an independent digital marketplace for steel, metals, and industrial products. The aim of the online platform is to connect merchants, suppliers, and third-party providers digitally with their customers and at the same time to optimize business processes and purchasing and selling processes. How does the XOM Materials marketplace work? XOM Materials supports producers and merchants with the digitalization of selling processes through its own standardized solution. For this, merchants are given personal access to the cloud-based system, which enables them to upload products and prices autonomously as well to manage orders, deliveries, and invoices. Additionally, the available interfaces can be used both manually and fully automatically in the framework of enterprise resource planning (ERP) integration. Furthermore, XOM Materials offers a shop-in-shop solution. In this case, merchants are provided with an individual online shop with their own branding in which their products are offered exclusively. Their exclusivity is maintained, and existing processes are shown in modern and digital form.
German digital industry platforms
Imprint Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e.V. (BDI) Breite StraĂ&#x;e 29, 10178 Berlin www.bdi.eu T: +49 30 2028-0 Editorial team Dr. Thomas Koenen T: +49 30 2028-1415 t.koenen@bdi.eu Steven Heckler T: +49302028-1523 s.heckler@bdi.eu Stefanie Ellen StĂźndel T: +32 2792-1015 s.stuendel@bdi.eu Version October 2018 BDI document no.: D 0956