German Digital B2B Platforms

HANDBOOK | DIGITALISATION | BEST PRACTICES

German Digital B2B Platforms Building on Germany’s industrial strength.

Supporting an ecosystem for B2B platforms.

Digital version Simply scan the QR code with your smartphone or tablet to open the digital version. english.bdi.eu/publication/news/German-Digital-B2B-Platforms

V.27.12.58

Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Contents

Contents Preface ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 German digital B2B platforms – An overview ......................................................................................................... 6 1. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms .................................................................................................... 8 2. Data(transaction) platforms ................................................................................................................................... 20 3. Marketplaces, Retail & Manufacturing platforms ........................................................................................ 28 4. Supply Chain Management and Logistics platforms ................................................................................. 40 5. Networking platforms ............................................................................................................................................... 47 Imprint .................................................................................................................................................................................... 54

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79

B2B platforms

In this brochure, the BDI presents 79 selected digital B2B platforms developed and offered by German companies. These illustrate: Building on the industrial strength of the German economy, German companies play a key role in shaping the platform economy and at the same time, make an essential contribution to the implementation of Industry 4.0.

Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Preface

Preface Whether when shopping online, or booking your next bus journey, or interacting with your friends in social networks, digital platforms have become ubiquitous. In recent years, digital platforms have consequently become part of our daily life. Whereas for many years, digital platforms were mainly being offered by US-American companies, the platform economy is now increasingly gaining ground in Germany. In a recent study by the industry association Bitkom, 68 percent of all German companies stated that one of the key opportunities for operating or using digital platforms lies in ensuring the future viability of their own company.1 Consequently, it is not surprising that numerous German companies – from start-ups to SMEs and international corporations – increasingly have platform solutions in their portfolio.

Building on the industrial strength of Germany’s economy, German companies often provide B2B platforms that facilitate the implementation of Industry 4.0. The possible range of applications is very diverse: from marketplaces for business needs, to applications for logistics and Supply Chain Management, to the controlling of connected devices in the Internet of Things.

The digitalisation of processes in industry, services and commerce by means of digital B2B platforms has numerous positive side effects: Through the analysis of machine and plant data, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms can be inter alia used to significantly increase the availability of lifts, production machines and trains by reducing unscheduled downtimes.

Moreover, marketplaces help making buying and selling more efficient. Finally, by using logistics platforms, empty kilometres of trucks can be significantly reduced, and the loading space of cargo aircraft can be made better use of.

BDI has been focussing intensively on digital B2B platforms for several years now. You are holding the third edition of BDI’s overview of German digital B2B platforms in your hands – the ‘Yellow Pages’ of B2B platforms, so to speak. On the following pages, we explain briefly what digital platforms are, which types of digital B2B platforms there are and we will then introduce 79 selected German digital B2B platforms.

Dr Thomas Koenen

Steven Heckler

Head of Department, Digitalisation and Innovation

Senior Manager, Platform Economy and Cybersecurity

1

Bitkom e. V. 2020. Digitale Plattformen 2020. URL: https://www.bitkom.org/Bitkom/Publikationen/ Chartbericht-Digitale-Plattformen-2020

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

German digital B2B platforms – An overview

German digital B2B platforms – An overview Digital platforms are omnipresent in everyday life. Whether as marketplaces, social networks or booking portals, numerous digital offerings are based on the platform economy model. Increasingly, it is also the case in the industrial environment that ever more German companies are taking advantage of the platform economy and are offering their customers platform-based value-added services.

1

What do we mean by digital platforms?

Digital platforms are intermediaries which connect two or more market participants via a platform using digital technology and thereby either simplify interactions, or even make new interactions possible.2

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Added value of utilising B2B platforms German digital B2B platforms, many of which are highly specialised in specific sectors, generate three main added values for their users and operators:

. reduced provisioning and transaction costs compared to traditional business processes4

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Characteristic features of German digital B2B platforms in comparison to B2C platforms3

. So far, with regard to B2B platforms,

. enable economies of scale and network effects through openness, increased interaction between different market actors5 and multi-sided markets

. enable the efficient use of data, e.g. through machine learning methods

no dominant position of individual platforms can be identified. Rather, there is extensive competition:

. between platforms with similar offers . between platforms and traditional / non-platform-based solutions

. Platforms in the industrial environment are often highly specialised in specific, narrowly defined fields of application or industries.

. On B2B platforms, there are significantly less asymmetries between platform operators and platform users. Thus, users of B2B platforms can negotiate customer-specific contracts with the platform’s operators. Operators of B2B platforms are strongly focusing on providing platform users with solutions tailored to the needs of individual users.

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Cf. VDMA, Deutsche Messe, Roland Berger. 2018.

Plattformökonomie im Maschinenbau

4

Cf. Ifo, ARC Econ. 2020. Industrial Digital Economy - B2B Platforms.

Cf. VDMA, Deutsche Messe, Roland Berger. 2018.

Plattformökonomie im Maschinenbau.

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Ibid.

Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

German digital B2B platforms – An overview

4 Types of digital B2B platforms German digital B2B platforms can be divided into two categories: In addition to datacentric platforms, there are transaction-centric platforms. While the former focus on the analysis and processing of data and the generation of new insights into causal connection, the latter focus on increasing the efficiency of business processes (purchasing and sales, logistics, supply chain, and collaboration between market players).

Data-centric platforms

Transaction-centric platforms

Platforms with a focus on data generate, collect and/or store information generated by machines, or by users and, in some cases, offer an infrastructure for their exchange, analysis and evaluation. In this way, they enable the development of new data-based business models and services.

enable or simplify the exchange, as well as the trade in goods and services between players in a uniform digital environment.

Marketplace, retail and manufacturing platforms are virtual places where - mediated by the operator of the respective marketplace or platform - business transactions, such as purchasing and sales, agile manufacturing and (pre-)order, are made possible between companies online without media disruptions.

Industrial Internet of Things platforms

Supply chain / logistics platforms

enable the networking of production processes, machines and systems or products on the Internet of Things. They aim at an automated interaction between these “things” and processes by enabling the analysis and processing of data and, based on this, new innovative business models, such as predictive maintenance.

enable more efficient logistics processes between market participants by bringing together forwarders, shippers and recipients of goods, and their respective needs and offers on a single platform.

Data (transaction) platforms

Networking platforms

are platforms that are largely detached from production processes and products. They enable the exchange (and analysis) of company-related data (e.g. product characteristics, production data, weather data, etc.).

enable efficient, time- and location-independent, as well as cross-company collaboration between different market players in a uniform digital environment.

63 %

27 %

of the companies say

of the companies say

“The use of digital platforms brings more advantages than disadvantages to companies overall”.

“Digital platforms threaten the very existence of our company.”

Source: Bitkom e. V. 2020. Digitale Plattformen 2020.

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Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms IIoT platforms facilitate the networking of production processes, machines and plants on the Internet of Things. The collection and analysis of machine and plant data via IIoT platforms enables, among other things, more efficient production processes in the Smart Factory.

Predictive Maintenance Process optimisation Big Data Analysis

The ABB Ability™-technology platform

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The ABB AbilityTM technology platform has bundled together ABB’s digital expertise since 2017: The platform’s devices, systems, solutions and services enable customers to enhance their productivity and security while cutting costs. The integrated industrial Internet platform and cloud infrastructure offers over 220 digital solutions for planning, building and operat­ ing industrial processes.

How does the ABB Ability™- technology platform work?

ABB Ability™ ranges from individual devices, to the network edge, to the cloud. Customers can take advantage of ABB Ability™ to securely integrate and consolidate their information and combine it with enhanced industry data. The platform also enables them to use big data and predictive analytics and gain insights that can help them optimise their perfor­ mance and productivity. The platform is based on Microsoft Azure®.

The company has an installed base of over 70 million digital devices, 70,000 digital con­ trol systems and 6,000 software solutions. ABB also collaborates with leading international com­panies to accelerate the digital transformation. Based on a cooperative partnership with Dassault Systèmes, the ABB AbilityTM platform enables the visualisation of a digital twin.

Digital twin technology combined with robotic process automation will give the factories of the future the agility they need to adapt to ever more dynamic markets.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms

ADAMOS IIoT IIoT platforms support companies in collecting and evaluating machine and process data. Based on the results, processes along the value chain can be further optimised. The “ADAMOS IIoT Platform powered by Software AG” is aimed specifically at the mechanical and plant engineering industry. It provides the technical basis for the development of digital applications. The platform offers both the basic infrastructure and basic functionalities as Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS).

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How does ADAMOS work?

The ADAMOS IIoT platform offers comprehensive functionalities that support the processing of data and the creation of digital applications. The functionalities required for this can be roughly divided into the following areas: Machine connectivity and machine management, data visualisation, real-time data analysis, integration of third-party applications, and indi­ vidual application development. The individual functionalities are made available by inde­ pendent, yet integrated platform modules. This enables users to select the modules that are required for the implementation of the application. In addition, the platform offers non-func­ tional concepts such as multi-client capability, scalability and high availability.

AVIATAR AVIATAR is the independent platform for digital products and services developed by Lufthansa Technik. The platform offers its users solutions ranging from predictive maintenance to automated fulfilment solutions. AVIATAR combines fleet operations, data science and engineering expertise to provide a comprehensive range of integrated digital services and products for airlines, MRO companies, OEMs and lessors that seamlessly integrate with physical performance.

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How does AVIATAR work?

Modern aircraft continuously generate a large volume of data. With the solutions provided by the AVIATAR platform, customers can sort, analyse, interpret and convert this data into meaningful measures. AVIATAR thus enables optimised operating times, reduced follow-up costs and more reliable fleet operation.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms

BCAP

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With the BCAP platform (Bilfinger Connect Asset Performance), Bilfinger supports manufacturing companies in the process industry on their path to digital transformation. BCAP is a cloud-based platform operated in Europe that uses Artificial Intelligence to uncover datadriven insights into a plant and, in conjunction with industry expertise, helps customers to increase plant availability, improve productivity and reduce costs.

How does BCAP work?

The process industry is confronted with the challenge of correctly setting up its digital infra­ structure across a heterogeneous plant portfolio and, at the same time, exploiting the poten­ tials of digital transformation for process optimisation. A process plant generates various data from different sources. However, these are usually stored in silos or are unused. In order to be able to use the intelligence of the data from these heterogeneous sources, BCAP com­ bines the information in an interface-neutral way on one platform. By linking the data, logi­ cal relationships are recognised and initial findings and optimisation potential become vis­ ible. Thus, an improvement in production, predictive analyses and a complete migration of the plant to a digital twin is possible.

CENTERSIGHT

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CENTERSIGHT is a cloud-based IoT platform powered by Device Insight that can be used to network devices of all types. Be they machines, vehicles or vending machines – the potential field of application is unlimited. The platform allows data to be analysed in order to avoid downtime, increase productivity and reduce costs. Functions such as the display of real-time data, condition monitoring or predictive maintenance with AI are adapted to the specific requirements of the company.

How does CENTERSIGHT work?

Whether 100 or 100,000 devices – with CENTERSIGHT, Device Insight offers a highly scal­ able IoT platform that grows with customers’ requirements. Numerous ready-to-use appli­ cations guarantee rapid implementation and a fast time-to-market. Supplemented by indi­ vidual features, CENTERSIGHT enables companies to achieve noticeable added value with their data. The platform supports the most important protocols (such as HTTPS, MQTT, OPC UA and Modbus) and can be seamlessly integrated into public cloud environments.

The platform’s greatest strength lies in its variety of application scenarios, especially in industrial environments. These include the simple and flexible onboarding of production cells, as well as the intuitive visualisation of key figures.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms

ContiConnect ContiConnect enables tyre 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 tyres continuously measure tyre pressure and temperature of the entire fleet and are collected on the platform. Based on these values, conclusions can be reached about the status of the tyres. ContiConnect informs the fleet manager if one or more parameters reach a critical value and suggests services correspondingly. This early information usu­ally makes it possible to react before serious damage occurs. ContiConnect is based on the interplay between hardware and software components.

CrateDB Cloud CrateDB Cloud is a fully-managed database-as-a-service, operated by the Crate.io engineers.

It is a distributed SQL database purpose-built for complex machine data operations, perfect for handling the huge amount of time-series data characteristic of the industrial IoT use case with all the convenience of the Cloud – unlimited scalability accessible in just a few clicks.

It is available in Azure Marketplace and AWS, and can be integrated into private infrastructures such as CrateDB Cloud Premium.

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How does CrateDB Cloud work?

The essence of CrateDB Cloud is CrateDB. Its horizontal scalability, automatic data rebalancing and shared-nothing architecture allow CrateDB to offer the performance characteristic of NoSQL databases, with sub-second query speeds, even with huge volumes, complex aggregations and high concurrency. At the same time, its full SQL access and its PostgreSQL compatibility make it easy to use, allowing easy integration with other solutions.

CrateDB allows the monitoring of real-time data from thousands of different sensors, and due to the efficiency of its architecture, it does it far less expensively than other solutions.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms

Cumulocity IoT

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Cumulocity IoT by Software AG is an independent IoT platform for connecting and managing multiple devices and applications. The platform enables companies to connect devices – from sensors to complex plants – within minutes and to immediately extract value from this data. Thanks to pre-configured analysis services, such as condition monitoring or predictive maintenance, business users can implement their own services.

How does Cumulocity IoT work?

With Cumulocity IoT, organisations can not only connect their devices, but also connect them to their business processes. This is what makes data-based business models (Smart Ser­ vices) possible. Cumulocity IoT supports the most important protocols (including OPC-UA, CAN-Bus, Modbus, Profibus) and allows the connection of more than 170 types of devices via Plug & Play – many of the interfaces can also be customised. The platform offers the greatest possible freedom of choice: it can be used in the cloud, on-premise, as a hybrid or in the edge, depending on customers’ requirements. In addition, users can decide whether their data should be stored, or only used temporarily for analysis and then be immediately deleted again.

Enerlytics Enerlytics uses specialised software technology to provide a 360° view of the condition of power generation units. Due to its massive scalability, the tool processes huge amounts of live data and makes predictions about the future behaviour of the plants. The added value for customers: Operator focus on process optimisation and the individual identification of improvement areas.

How does Enerlytics work?

At the heart of Enerlytics is a pool that collects data from various sources, and performs streaming and batch analysis using various “modules”. Thereby, companies access, pro­ cess and share data more efficiently with their responsible employees – all via a central dashboard. The various core modules of the Enerlytics platform together cover a wide range of functionalities. With the Enerlytics platform, Uniper offers its customers software-based capabilities to continuously monitor plant performance, schedule maintenance intervals and ensure the future of their plants.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms

IntraNav IntraNav is a precise indoor and outdoor positioning system combined with an integrated IoT platform for Industry 4.0. IntraNav increases the transparency of all logistical processes with accurate tracking of all goods and internal means of transport. Thus, simplifying management along the entire value chain. The resulting data enables a multitude of optimisations and a significant increase in efficiency. In addition to track and trace in production and logis­ tics, IntraNav also enables tool control, as well as orchestration and management of driverless transport vehicles and conventional forklift trucks.

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How does IntraNav work?

The IntraNav platform, in combination with various sensor systems, provides a holistic solu­ tion that locates objects in the manufacturing process, as well as in logistics, both inside and outside, in real time with perfect accuracy. For example, companies can use end-toend data collection in interlinked logistics processes to track goods across the entire supply chain, thus identifying inefficiencies and automatically eliminating them. Even mixed fleets of driverless transport systems and classic forklifts can now navigate to dynamic destina­ tions and automatically recognise when people, or other so-called “assets in motion” are in the vicinity and react accordingly.

MAX Worldwide, more than twelve million elevators make seven billion trips per day, transporting more than one billion people. These elevators are out of service for a total of 190 million hours each year due to breakdowns or maintenance work. In view of the increasing number of high-rise buildings and an aging society that relies on elevators, greater availability and reliability of elevators is required. MAX from thyssenkrupp Elevator can reduce downtime by up to 50 percent through predictive maintenance. This service is also available for escalators.

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How does MAX work?

Machine data from elevators, such as door movements, trips, ramp-ups, internal calls, error codes and escalator machine data are recorded worldwide with MAX. This informa­ tion is transferred to the cloud (Microsoft’s Azure platform), where algorithms evaluate the operating data of the elevator or escalator and calculate the probability of component fail­ ure based on empirical values (Machine Learning). A data-based real-time diagnosis alerts the installer to the need for intervention – before the defect occurs. Maintenance minimises failures for the user.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms

Manufacturing Integration Platform (MIP)

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Manufacturing companies need a wide range of IT applications in order to plan and produce efficiently. In contrast to mainly monolithic systems, MPDV Mikrolab GmbH, with the open platform approach of MIP, makes it possible to combine applications from different suppliers. Manufacturing companies as well as developers, system integrators and machine manufacturers benefit from the resulting ecosystem.

How does MIP work?

MIP forms the technological and semantic basis for an ecosystem of users, vendors and integrators. It serves as a central information and data hub for manufacturing and all related processes. All applications communicate via web services with a common and open infor­ mation model, thus enabling comprehensive interoperability. Manufacturing companies can use exactly the applications they need – regardless of the supplier. Developers can focus on the application logic while using MIP‘s basic services. System integrators can combine the applications available on the market in a targeted manner and create individual stand­ ard solutions from them. Machine manufacturers can integrate their systems more easily into the world of manufacturing IT.

MindSphere

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MindSphere is one of the leading industrial IoT-as-a-Service solutions. MindSphere supports IoT solutions from the edge to the cloud with advanced analytics capabilities and AI, in order to connect and analyse data from connected products, facilities and systems to optimise operations, create better products and enable new business models. Built on the Mendix application platform, MindSphere enables Siemens, its global partner ecosystem and its customers to rapidly create and integrate personalised IoT applications.

How does MindSphere work?

Companies that implement IoT initiatives often face the challenge of connecting a wide range of assets quickly, cost-effectively and securely from multiple locations. With MindConnect, Siemens offers flexible and secure connection of machines, company- and industry-appli­ cations through hardware or software connectivity solutions. Once the data has been col­ lected, the IoT data is analysed by MindSphere applications and converted into meaning­ ful and actionable information. This enables companies to achieve higher availability and improved productivity and efficiency for individual machines, entire plants, systems, or glob­ ally distributed machine fleets. When developing apps, developers benefit from Siemens’ open PaaS (Open Platform-as-a-Service) capabilities, as well as access to cloud services from Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Alibaba Cloud and the integration of the Mendix low-code development platform. The comprehensive partner ecosystem and Sie­ mens’ own MindServices support the development and implementation of the custom­ er-specific MindSphere solution with customised solutions and services. In this way, cus­ tomers can access powerful industry solutions with comprehensive analytics, even without their own app development.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms

OnCumulus.Platform With the OnCumulus offering, customers can leverage data from any device across the enterprise, enabling them to monitor the reliability and performance of their assets, realise savings and positively impact the overall performance. Voith offers value-added, industry-proven applications for the cloud using a unique, modular IIoT platform, including easy-to-use visualisation and analysis applications.

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How does the OnCumulus.platform work?

The IIoT Platform OnCumulus.Platform serves as a central hub for data from various sources, including plants, production lines, machines and devices. OnCumulus.Platform offers cus­ tomers fast, reliable and secure access to data from local machines and systems in the cloud and makes it available for efficient use. The IIoT platform is based on highly stand­ ardised open source technologies. It is scalable, flexible and can be extended at any time.

It also meets the highest industry standards and is based on best practices in data protec­ tion, security and compliance, including the Cybersecurity Act (CSA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP).

Voith’s cyber security experts provide end-to-end security and ensure that the data is pro­ tected throughout its life cycle.

ondeso Industry 4.0 increases the complexity of software installations in industrial installations, in particular in relation to new releases, updates and patches. This gives rise to correspondingly higher security requirements, especially concerning Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE). ondeso GmbH offers both operators and suppliers of industrial installations a platform for respective configuration and operational management respectively of industrial software applications and their operating systems.

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How does ondeso work?

All software applications and their operating systems are continuously inventoried for each customer on the shop floor of an industrial installation using the ondeso platform and its optional features. New maintenance-oriented releases, updates and patches are then pre­ pared and deployed. Software applications and computer files are managed and deployed, either independently of particular machine or equipment suppliers, or very specifically for the installed base of a particular supplier and its devices, machines or installations. In other words, with its concentration on configuration and operational management of industrial software, ondeso acts as an intermediary between operators and suppliers of industrial installations. In the same way, the platform fills a niche for machine and equipment sup­ pliers and their software management with respect to new installations or installed basis.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms

Railigent

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The Railigent platform helps owners and operators of trains and infrastructure to achieve added value. Railigent applications enable customers to increase the availability of their trains and infrastructure, improve maintenance and operations, and reduce costs. To this end, Railigent not only uses Siemens’ own application and data analysis, but also integrates an ecosystem of partners to offer customers even greater added value.

How does Railigent work?

Railigent is a cloud-based platform that can record, interpret, process and analyse large volumes of data from the railway environment. To this end, a variety of applications not only generate relevant insights (for example, that a door warrants attention), but also rec­ ommend actions for the customer. Railigent uses advanced, and in some cases proprie­ tary methods of machine learning and artificial intelligence for this purpose. The data and these algorithms are also made available to the partners to enable them to create even more and better applications.

Share2Act

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The Share2Act IIoT platform from Krones’ subsidiary SYSKRON has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of the beverage and liquid food industry. It serves as a central platform for applications in the production environment. The modular platform is cloud- and role-based, and multi-client capable. Share2Act connects machines across manufacturers and also maps many functionalities typically found in classic Manufacturing Execution System (MES) suites.

How does Share2Act work?

The IIoT platform creates a common basis on which all applications, the so-called services, are built. The services are put together according to the customer’s specific needs. The individual applications complement each other in their functionality, seamlessly intertwine and provide each other with information. Thanks to the various services, the customer is provided with a complete overview of their production and complete transparency, which enables them to identify potential for optimisation, thereby increasing quality and produc­ tivity and reducing costs. Due to central data storage in the cloud, this information is only accessible to the customer and their employees at any time and from any place. With the combination of cloud and edge computing as well as the individual services, Share2Act offers, based on IIoT, functionalities which are provided by comprehensive MES solutions.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms

Skywise In cooperation with Palantir Technologies, Airbus has developed the cloud-based platform ­Skywise on which all aircraft data is stored. The data platform improves the operational per­ formance and business results of airlines by supporting their digital transformation. In addi­ tion, Airbus can use the data of aircraft already in service to optimise future generations.

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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, the composition of the airplane, as well as on-board sensors. Further data which is usually shared with Airbus but stored on separate servers comprises data about the exchange of parts, pilot reports, service bulle­ tins, technical documentation, as well as the historical log of downtimes. This data is col­ lected securely in a cloud-based platform and can be used by operators of an aircraft fleet for their own analysis.

Solytic The Solytic platform addresses Photovoltaic (PV) operators up to 5MW capacity who want to reduce support effort through automated system monitoring and increase economic efficiency.

Today’s manual processes have many interfaces that lead to economic obstacles in continuous operation. Solytic uses digital technologies to eliminate these barriers.

How does Solytic work?

PV systems can usually be connected to Solytic without any retrofitting. Via a web applica­ tion, users gain insights into the performance parameters of their system, as well as con­ crete optimisation proposals for technical operation management.

Currently, the Berlin-based Solar-Startup monitors more than 100,000 PV systems, most of them from the D-A-CH region. The range extends from small rooftop to larger groundmounted systems. These are monitored by Solytic’s software and analysed for potentials, or weak points. If there is a need for action, the platform is linked to the offers of the respec­ tive service providers via a B2B marketplace. This reduces reaction times and thereby, avoids downtime.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms

SOMA

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The SOMA platform is a scalable software and hardware solution for acquisition, visualisation and analysis of machine data with a focus on “Predictive Maintenance”. Predictive maintenance allows unplanned machine downtime to be minimised, which can be measured in an increase in overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

The target group includes companies in the manufacturing industry, i.e. machine operators (production or maintenance), as well as machine manufacturers who want to make their machines fit for Industry 4.0.

How does SOMA work?

SOMA is a scalable hardware and software platform based on the analysis of historical data.

Statistical procedures can be used as analysis methods, for example to monitor the bearings of rotating machines; or to apply special analysis procedures, such as vibration analysis.

An essential aspect here is scalability, i.e. simple predictive maintenance solutions, which are merely based on the evaluation of the operating hours, can be conducted just as well as systems that require the evaluation of several hundred sensor values.

the@vanced

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the@vanced is an integrative IIoT platform for value-added processes involving the production and processing of web materials – from recyclable packaging to high-tech applications in the field of battery technology. The platform offers smart services in the areas of production efficiency, availability and maintenance, and artificial intelligence. As a digital shell, the@vanced transforms machines into solutions, and offers connectivity and interoperability to components and higher-level systems.

How does the@vanced work? the@vanced offers users a modular structure for individual use in the respective produc­ tion environment. This can be done on-premise or as a cloud solution. With the@vanced, users along the entire value chain can individually evaluate production data and derive measures to increase machine productivity and optimise overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Data can be edited in real time via the web front-end and can be conveniently ana­ lysed with configurable dashboards.

Digital product logs for dissemination in the value-added process form the basis for back and forward tracking and open up new possibilities – from local to global optimum. The associated Converting 4.0 partner network further drives the development of new solutions.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms

toii® With toii® thyssenkrupp has developed an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform to digitalise thyssenkrupp’s manufacturing sites. Since the start of toii over 15 years ago, numerous thyssenkrupp production areas are now equipped with toii and show significant increases in efficiency. Since 2020 thyssenkrupp offers toii to external companies through its digitalisation service unit the thyssenkrupp IoT GmbH. toii® connects machines from all generations and manufacturers and offers instantly value adding: transparency on performance and quality in real-time, half and full automation of manufacturing processes including integration of customers’ ERP and MES systems.

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How does toii® work? toii® works in modules and can be operated both in the cloud and on premise. While the toii.Collect module enables connection and readout of machine data, bi-directional com­ munication and control of the machine is realised via toii.Control. Visualisation of data in real-time or aggregated is made available via toii.Fusion. External data can also be inte­ grated (e.g. from goods management systems) in toii.Fusion dashboards. toii.Think has machine learning capacities which can be used at will to optimise a particular produc­ tion installation on an ongoing basis and to predict maintenance requirements (predictive maintenance). The incorporation of manually entered data is also possible via the toii.PDC module. toii.Lights is the affordable, quickly deployed and highly effective entry module into the toii® ecosystem, offering real-time and aggregated insights into the machines’ sta­ tus including capturing the key reasons a machine might not produce (maintenance in pro­ gress, waiting for material, setup in progress). The toii® ecosystem together with the IoT GmbH’s end2end-services provide small, medium and industrial enterprises with an easy and affordable entry into Industry 4.0.

Z-Cloud Analytics Over 100 million containers in Europe are regularly moved, emptied, searched for or repaired.

Nearly 40 percent of all trips to empty them are unnecessary, causing unnecessary traffic and costs. The goal of the Z Cloud Analytics platform is to digitalise the foundation of the waste management industry, the containers, in order to automatically record all container movements and conditions (e.g. fill level). Based on this data, a smarter and more sustainable circular economy will be created.

How does Z-Cloud Analytics work?

In the Z-Cloud platform, all the collected sensor data of the Z-Node and data from other data sources converge. The data is analysed, aggregated and processed using artificial intelligence. The information relevant to the customer is then made available via an inter­ face, front-end or app. For example, the multi-sensor, the Z-Node, collects vibration pat­ terns from containers, and with the help of AI applications, these are converted into filling levels for the customer in the Z-Cloud. In addition, the position of the containers is recorded and enhanced with geo-zones to automate processes.

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Data(transaction) platforms Data transaction platforms are platforms that are largely independent of production processes and products. They enable the exchange (and analysis) of data relevant for a company (e.g. product characteristics, production data, weather data, etc.)

Business processes Product data Cloud

ADAMOS Hub

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ADAMOS Hub and the integrated ADAMOS Store will function as an industry platform providing industry with a central and manufacturer-independent point of contact for applications. The ADAMOS Hub technology enables the use and management of applications and machine data independent of the underlying IoT platform. The ADAMOS Store is the marketplace for all integrated industry applications. Here, the user can freely and transparently search for, test, subscribe to, and cancel applications from different providers.

How does the ADAMOS Hub work?

ADAMOS offers a solution in which existing vertical solutions remain in place and can still be integrated into the development of comprehensive, horizontal applications. The ADAMOS Hub technology is based on cloud solutions. ADAMOS Hub provides the inter­ faces that the systems of different manufacturer require to exchange information in the cloud. ADAMOS thus enables an open-technology exchange of data in manufacturing. The ADAMOS Store is the marketplace for all hub-integrated applications. Based on the Hub’s technology and the ADAMOS Store, ADAMOS is able to offer an open and manufactur­ er-neutral ecosystem for mechanical and plant engineering and especially for production.

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ďťżData(transaction) platforms ďťż

ADVANEO Data Marketplace The ADVANEO Data Marketplace is a collaboration portal that enables the data sovereign creation of ecosystems for data-driven applications. Integrated AI tools, data models and applications, as well as free access to millions of Open Data, support the rapid development of data-driven innovation projects. The ADVANEO Data Marketplace is based on the reference architecture of the International Data Space Association and the European GAIA-X project.

How does the ADVANEO Data Marketplace work?

The marketplace offers application-independent access to data. Based on their description, so called metadata, the marketplace makes data findable worldwide. Contrary to most cloud and marketplace solutions, the ADVANEO Data Marketplace never has any contact with the actual raw data. The raw data remains with the provider and is only transmitted directly to the interested party in peer-to-peer encrypted form after a successful license purchase.

If necessary, several parties process sensitive data in closed groups without access to the raw data of the other parties. Only the exploitation result is accessible to all. This enables the joint use of confidential data along value chains.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Data(transaction) platforms

AVIATION DataHub

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As a neutral platform for comprehensive data, infrastructure and platform services, the ­AVI­ATION DataHub is aimed at airlines, MROs, OEMs, data providers and application devel­ opers. The platform enables an easy, cost-effective and OEM-independent use of digital ser­ vices. Also, the AVIATION DataHub lowers the entry barrier for innovative companies in the aviation industry and frees users from technical limitations when selecting service providers.

How does the AVIATION DataHub work?

The AVIATION DataHub provides the necessary interfaces and technologies for the acquisi­ tion, processing, structuring and provision of aviation-related data. The AVIATION DataHub stands for high data security, data quality and data integrity standards, as well as efficient control by the owner of the data. Airlines in particular can choose whether, and to whom they want to make their data available for the technical support of aircraft, or to improve ground handling and flight operations. Use of the AVIATION DataHub is open to all companies.

chembid

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chembid is the world’s largest search engine and market intelligence platform for chemicals.

A large amount of digitally available market data and product information is automatically collected and analysed on the chembid platform and made accessible to its users in an individually prepared form. Based on this, millions of chemical market data buyers and suppliers of chemicals can make faster and more intelligent business decisions.

How does chembid work?

The core of the data-driven platform is the chembid search engine. It collects and aggre­ gates millions of pieces of data on products, companies, and markets from marketplaces, online shops, and websites from all over the world. Buyers with a need for chemicals can use the search engine to find suitable offers and suppliers, and receive in-depth product information as well as insights into price and market developments via the chembid dash­ board. Suppliers of chemical products can, on the one hand, use chembid to acquire new customers. On the other hand, suppliers get individual analysis of market demand, com­ petitors, and market trends as well as product-related evaluations. This enables sales, pur­ chasing and marketing departments to make data-based decisions.

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Data(transaction) platforms

DMIx® Cloud ColorDigital GmbH’s DMIx® Cloud is a digital, cloud-based product development platform which enables users to carry out digitally the entire colour coordination process for a prod­ uct. The dispatch of physical samples between supplier and customer is minimised or ren­ dered 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 work­ flow is possible without problems.

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How does DMIx® Cloud work?

DMIx® Cloud is available as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and administers physical pres­ entation information on a multispectral basis in order to reproduce an object (textile, print, plastic, leather, tile, wallpaper, cosmetics, etc.) perfectly. Using a patented procedure, a life­ like preview of a material can be visualised in real time on the screen (2D/3D) or also mate­ rialised in the corresponding production process. DMIx® Cloud offers an archive function­ality for digital colours, samples, or products which are available virtually in the digital devel­ opment 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 should have access to its products (digital material catalogue).

EPLAN Data Portal With the EPLAN Data Portal, EPLAN Software & Service GmbH Co KG offers a cloud-based exchange platform for digital device data in industrial automation. The platform connects component manufacturers with engineers and users of device data. In addition, the platform also provides an optimal exchange for the digital image of the device data. The focus here is on the device data itself, not on the sale of the components.

How does the EPLAN Data Portal work?

Manufacturers of industrial automation components provide digital device data via the EPLAN Data Portal, which is then used by plant and mechanical engineers and their sub­ contractors in the engineering phase. The device data includes commercial, technical and graphical data, as well as information relevant to production. The manufacturer-independent standardisation of data depth and quality of the device data provides the greatest possible benefit through the product creation process. In addition, the constantly growing demands on the data depth of the device data can be easily communicated between the user of the device data and the provider, via the platform.

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Data(transaction) platforms

Plan.One

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Plan.One is a manufacturer-independent comparison platform for building products. This ini­ tiative from Schüco International KG aims to make product information accessible along the planning process of a building with just one click. Plan.One has advantages for architects, planners and manufacturers in the building industry. In addition, contractors, retailers, facil­ ity managers, building owners and project developers also benefit from the central platform.

How does Plan.One work?

Designed as an interactive market intelligence tool, Plan.One enables the extensive digitali­ sation of workflows of all those involved in construction. Suppliers of construction products benefit from the possibility of making their product-relevant information available via a cen­ tral platform at an early stage of the design process. Architects and planners can search, compare and download this product information either at www.plan.one, or via a plug-in within their planning software. Brochures, images and videos, planning, instal­lation and maintenance-relevant content such as BIM objects, tender texts, installation instructions, maintenance manuals and much more are available.

SAP Cloud Platform

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The SAP Cloud Platform is an open Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) business platform that pro­ vides organisations with a comprehensive set of capabilities for developing and deploying innovative business applications. The goal of this digital platform is the holistic management of data from different sources, and in different formats, as well as the development, integra­ tion, and extension of business applications in cloud as well as on-premise.

How does the SAP Cloud Platform work?

The SAP Cloud Platform provides the infrastructure to network data and processes from all areas of the company, for example via IoT interfaces. Business data from the ERP system can be combined with operational data collected in real time from machine sen­ sors. Intelligent technologies such as machine learning, or predictive analytics are used for data-supported predictions.

Based on the SAP Cloud Platform, SAP and various partners offer network applications for digital collaboration between business partners, for example for the joint management of a digital twin of technical devices. Other fields of application include cloud-based supply chain tracking and blockchain-based solutions.

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Data(transaction) platforms

SPOCC SPOCC (SINGLE POINT OF CONTENT AND COMMUNICATION) is the central data platform for the footwear and leather goods industry. The aim of SPOCC, a cooperation between ETOS GMBH, the Brandt Retail Group and the Federal Association of the German Footwear and Leather Goods Industry HDS/L, is to ensure a valid data exchange between industry and retail in fashion-oriented sectors.

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How does SPOCC work?

The web platform SPOCC functions as a uniform and central data storage for all article-re­ lated product data and provides a comprehensive management for usage rights and usage periods. SPOCC contains all relevant article information such as product specifications, MMS/ERP data, article numbers, images and videos, but also inventories and data from suppliers. This means that up-to-date, uniform and valid product information is available across all channels for all players along the entire value chain. An industrial data standard is guaranteed by the partnership with the European Clearing Center. SPOCC can also be integrated into existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

teamplay digital health platform The teamplay digital health platform is a cloud-based platform for the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). At its core, it is a service that supports users from different areas of the healthcare system to increase the productivity, quality and efficiency of their products and services by analysing data. As a Platform-as-a-Service in particular, teamplay offers companies in medical technology and pharmaceutical industries a secure development environment for new digital business models.

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How does teamplay digital health platform work?

Digital sensors are increasingly being integrated into medical devices. The data collected by these sensors can help healthcare providers to use devices more efficiently and to make faster and more accurate diagnoses. Medical devices are networked with the teamplay dig­ ital health platform via the teamplay receiver, which is installed in hospitals. Via this inter­ face, health data can be aggregated and analysed in accordance with the respective data protection regulations. With over 5,000 receivers installed worldwide, teamplay is currently one of the most widely used IoMT networks. In addition to healthcare providers, industrial companies are increasingly using the services of the teamplay digital health platform to develop digital applications or media products.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Data(transaction) platforms

Telekom Data Intelligence Hub The Telekom Data Intelligence Hub operated by Deutsche Telekom is an interoperable and cross-industry data marketplace with an attached AI workshop. With the Telekom Data Intelligence Hub, companies from a wide range of industries can trade, enrich and analyse data using AI-supported applications. Deutsche Telekom offers the Data Intelligence Hub as an industry-neutral infrastructure.

How does the Data Intelligence Hub work?

The Telekom Data Intelligence Hub enables direct and exclusive data traffic between com­ panies that provide their data on the marketplace via a connector. Data is exchanged using end-to-end encryption, without the data being stored externally or centrally. Companies can determine the degree of aggregation of their data to be published and decide whether, and which other market players can use the data (black/white lists). The infrastructure is based on the reference architecture of the International Data Spaces Association. Besides the marketplace, the Telekom Data Intelligence Hub offers an integrated AI workbench with preconfigured tools for artificial intelligence and data analytics which enables the process­ ing of data using commercial and open source applications. The Telekom Data Intelligence Hub thus makes it easier for all companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to get started in the exchange and usage of their data, as well as working with AI. The direct procurement of data and its immediate processing enable fast results at low cost.

UP42 UP42 is changing the way geospatial data is accessed and analysed. The platform and marketplace bring together multiple sources of data, such as satellite imagery, weather data, and more – together with algorithms, to identify objects, detect change, and find patterns. Industry leaders use UP42 to inform business decisions and build scalable customer solutions. Knowing when and where to fertilise crops. Measure air quality and map emissions. Count cars, trucks, planes, and ships. Developers and data scientists across all industries now have access to a platform to build, run, and scale projects in one place.

How does UP42 work?

Access to quality geospatial data has always been an issue. Knowing how to develop, train and run algorithms to extract valuable insights, while building the machinery to do this at scale is also difficult. UP42 solves all of these problems by opening up access to geospatial data and processing algorithms – provided by partners for customers. On UP42, customers can easily access and derive insights from geospatial data on both a small and large scale.

UP42 is also a marketplace. Customers can pick and choose combinations of data and processing blocks, select their area of interest, and run workflows. The UP42 infrastructure scales up on demand to fetch the data, run the processing, and deliver the results. By using UP42, people can easily create impact from information about the Earth – without the need for large processing power, specialists, or servers. As a result, customers can easily build their products, and partners can easily access a large customer base for their service.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Data(transaction) platforms

VTH eData pool The VTH-eData-Pool of IFCC GmbH is part of the “Share Economy”. Manufacturers enter their product master data on the platform – according to a predefined description format.

This is then forwarded to dealers and industrial customers who have been authorised by the respective manufacturer. The maintenance of the product master data is also handled via this platform. This supports almost the entire flow of information between the manufacturer and its customers, right up to their ERP system and/or shop.

How does the VTH-eData-Pool work The VTH-eData pool represents a large network within which each company can manage its own master data in its “private” data room. This hybrid approach – network and net­ work-independent use – creates a great added value. Functions are made available, which support the network idea, but also those, which are mandatory for the individual data prepa­ ration. Since it is a cloud solution, it is possible to work independently whenever and wher­ ever needed. Thus, companies use this application to provide their worldwide subsidiaries with product information. Via a differentiated role and rights system, access to functions can also be individually controlled worldwide.

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Marketplaces, Retail & Manufacturing platforms Marketplaces, retail and manufacturing platforms are virtual places where – mediated by the operator of the respective platform – business transactions, such as purchasing and sales, agile manufacturing and (pre) ordering, between companies are made possible online without media disruptions.

Agile Manufacturing Marketplaces Retail

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Marketplaces, Retail & Manufacturing platforms

3YOURMIND 3YOURMIND provides companies with a software and platform to automate additive manufacturing processes and workflows for leading companies and 3D printing service providers. The Agile Manufacturing (AM) Software Suite was developed to enable flexible and automated manufacturing. It creates the prerequisites for a smooth end-to-end process and ensures maximum efficiency.

How does 3YOURMIND work?

The software suite of 3YOURMIND standardises core processes along the AM value chain.

By digitising workflows, the software standardises and evaluates AM data, connects teams across production sites and optimises machine utilisation. 3YOURMIND offers solutions for prototyping, mass customisation and AM in series.

Using Agile Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), existing component data or use cases of employees are analysed to create a digital inventory of AM-compatible components.

Agile Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) automates AM pricing, recommendations for manufacturing and routine business processes. The Agile Manufacturing Execution Sys­ tem (MES) optimises planning, visibility and tracking for quality assurance along the AM manufacturing chain.

bevazar bevazar is the first independent online procurement platform for companies in the beverage industry, where small and medium-sized breweries and bottling plants can buy everything they need for their production. The product portfolio on bevazar includes not only ingredients, spare and wear parts, consumables or packaging, but also accessories, such as laboratory supplies. In addition, it also provides services, such as project management. With bevazar, both sellers and buyers save time, money and their nerves.

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How does bevazar work? bevazar is the first independent online marketplace independent of manufacturers where suppliers and buyers can network. Suppliers can offer their products internationally, man­ age individual customer conditions and open up new customer segments quickly and eas­ ily. They have access to valuable customer and transaction data. Buyers can search, com­ pare and purchase products. Algorithms that work with both text and image recognition are available for searches. Results are displayed based on preferences, search and order history.

The platform also automates the ordering of recurring requirements and handles all payment transactions. In addition, bevazar supports the administration of, for example, certificates, as well as safety data sheets. As a portal with a clear focus on industry-specific require­ ments, bevazar is the central contact point for goods and services in the beverage industry.

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Marketplaces, Retail & Manufacturing platforms

CheMondis

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CheMondis is a digital B2B marketplace for the chemical industry developed in Cologne. 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 purchasing processes of the chemical industry into the digital age. From searching and evaluating products to executing transactions, CheMondis aspires to make sales and purchasing processes both simpler more efficient.

How does CheMondis work?

While a lot of other internal processes, such as production, storage and quality management have already been digitalised, the majority of sales and purchasing processes of chemical products still take place offline today. To digitalise these processes in a customer-centric manner, CheMondis has built a one-stop-shop providing information, such as product cat­ alogues with prices, availability and product specifications. The platform offers an environ­ ment which is easy to navigate and shows all the 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 sup­ plier. After completing the order, CheMondis enables both parties to exchange order-re­ lated documents on the platform, to repeat the purchase or to move towards a long-term contract. On their personalised dashboards, suppliers and customers can easily access information on their orders anyplace, anytime.

Coats eComm

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The textile industry is characterised by very complex international production networks and distribution structures. The Coats eComm platform, in conjunction with coats.com offers cus­ tomers the possibility of efficiently organising communication on the ordering procedure and product information. The customer can track online via Coats, the complete ordering process from production and logistics through to delivery. The digitalisation of purchasing processes enables high savings potential, rapidity on the market, as well as optimisation 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 Coats eComm work?

The eComm platform offers numerous options and functions as an interface between cus­ tomers and production pathways. Emails are therefore no longer necessary for pattern­ ing, 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 from the moment the order is placed 24/7 via monthly reports. Real-time status, as well as delivery performance analyses are further features. All this allows the customer to have complete transparency of the supply chain.

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Marketplaces, Retail & Manufacturing platforms

FACTUREE – The Online Manufacturer The cwmk GmbH, based in Berlin, operates under the brand name FACTUREE as the first online manufacturer. The company pursues the goal of enabling its customers to procure production parts in a modern way through digitalisation, automation and networking. The offer is aimed at industrial companies that suffer from rigid procurement processes and want to push forward the digitalisation of purchasing.

How does FACTUREE - The Online Manufacturer work?

FACTUREE has an extensive production network of over 500 manufacturing partners in the fields of CNC machining, sheet metal working, 3D printing and surface technology. More than 6,000 machines are constantly available for projects, which always guarantees free capac­ ity and short delivery times. Due to the wide range of services, even complex requests with different manufacturing techniques and surface treatments can be served and fulfilled by a single contractual partner. Intelligent AI-based supplier matching and an ISO 9001-cer­ tified data-driven quality management system ensure that the most suitable manufacturer is selected for each project.

Fashion Cloud Fashion Cloud is a Hamburg-based company that has developed an online platform for the fashion industry. More than 450 fashion labels and over 10,000 retailers worldwide already use Fashion Cloud.

How does Fashion Cloud work?

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Fashion Cloud consists of four components: 1. The content area of the web platform allows fashion labels to upload marketing and product photos, which can then be used by authorised retailers – for example, for their digital presentations of goods in the web shop.

2. Purchasers order goods from their suppliers via the order area of the web platform. This cross-supplier B2B webshop saves valuable time for all parties involved.

3. In addition, by utilising the OrderWriter App, buyers can enter their orders in the show­ room. This helps to obtain a financial and visual overview of the orders already placed.

4. Sales staff can use the mobile Clara app to reorder from their suppliers, items directly on the shop floor that are currently unavailable.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Marketplaces, Retail & Manufacturing platforms

Mercateo

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Mercateo is an open business-to-business trading platform that enables business customers to search, compare and procure products from different manufacturers and dealers simultaneously. According to Mercateo, around 1.5 million customers interact with 16,400 manufacturers via the platform. A total of around 24 million articles are offered via the platform, with even 111.6 million articles offered 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 suppli­ ers. 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. On the one hand, manufacturers and suppliers use Mercateo as a distribution channel which enables uniform electronic processes with B2B customers as well as efficient, digital communica­ tion. Suppliers are also able to steer the marketing of their products via Mercateo. On the other hand, corporate purchasers can achieve savings potential when purchasing general business and specialised supplies via a unified digital platform.

MobiMedia

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The fashion industry is characterised 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 depicts the entire ordering process between manufacturers, dis­ tributors, retailers and online channels. Digitalisation of purchasing processes (1) can result in high savings potentials, (2) enables companies to act more rapidly on the market and (3) helps to 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, catalogues are no longer necessary for pre-orders, since products, including potential campaigns, can be shown comfortably on a tablet. In addi­ tion, the physical goods can be networked digitally with product information via brows­ er-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 digital Showroom by MobiMedia for B2B and B2C enables mobile order processing (ex-post orders, flash and pre-orders) by retailers and shop-floor assistants.

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Marketplaces, Retail & Manufacturing platforms

myCompetence.de® myCompetence.de® is the online on-the-job training platform with TÜV Rheinland quality-tested online training for managing directors, managers and team leaders, as well as motivated individuals. For managers in small companies who do not operate their own Learning Management System (LMS), myCompetence.de® offers online training courses which specifically close individual competence gaps in a professional context. myCompetence.de® also offers companies the opportunity to market their own online training courses or videos via the platform.

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How does myCompetence.de® work? myCompetence.de® is a digital platform which, in the long term, offers all companies, espe­ cially small and micro companies, access to digital training and other services related to the topic of competences. myCompetence.de® offers companies a partnership, in which companies can market their online courses (e.g. instructions, application scenarios, etc.) via the platform. Thus, an additional channel for networking with customers can be developed without large investments. All courses offered are subject to a quality check in advance by TÜV Rheinland and other experts. The user can therefore be guaranteed high quality when selecting the courses. After successful completion of the online training in the integrated LMS, TÜV Rheinland provides the customer with a certificate of participation.

NEXTRADE NEXTRADE is designed as a virtual year-round trade fair for manufacturers of consumer goods, with a focus on household goods and interior accessories. Resellers such as retailers, e-commerce shop operators, wholesalers, or catering and advertising retailers can carry out online procurement processes for goods. The focus is on the provision of product information and the sales process via an order platform.

3

How does NEXTRADE work?

Every manufacturer has one or more shops with the look and feel of its brand. The func­ tionality of all the manufacturer shops is the same. The retailer can enter all the shops just like at a trade show. However, only after prior approval by the manufacturer, can retailers view their individual prices and other conditions, and order products. NEXTRADE comple­ ments the trade fair presentations that are costly for consumer goods and ensures more efficient procurement processes for retailers. The reality of this industry is represented by a flexible functional structure. The NEXTRADE online platform is offered by nmedia GmbH and operated in cooperation with Messe Frankfurt, which uses its global sales network for marketing in industry and trade.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Marketplaces, Retail & Manufacturing platforms

OneTwoChem®

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OneTwoChem® is an e-commerce platform for companies in the chemical industry. The platform digitally connects suppliers and buyers. It has been developed by Evonik Digital GmbH, a subsidiary of the specialty chemicals company Evonik Industries AG. OneTwoChem® serves to initiate short-term transactions – so-called spot transactions. The technical operation of OneTwoChem® is carried out by an external service provider. This is intended to reinforce the neutrality of the platform.

How does OneTwoChem® work?

OneTwoChem® is an e-commerce platform where individuality counts. All users decide for themselves specifically with whom they want to get in touch. Suppliers can then make an individual offer to each prospective buyer. For buyers, the platform intuitively presents offers for the same products from different suppliers – this simplifies comparisons. One basic rule guides business interactions on OneTwoChem®: Suppliers and buyers have to activate each other in order to exchange specific offers and specific demands. If a buyer finds an attractive offer, an option can be quickly and easily secured. The platform was launched in 2018 with a closed test phase – this provided an opportunity to test and further develop functionalities.

PRISMA European Capacity Platform GmbH PRISMA provides market participants with efficient and fair access to the European energy market. The PRISMA platform brings together gas infrastructure operators and their customers, mostly gas traders and suppliers. Currently, more than 45 European gas transmission and storage system operators and over 800 shippers use the platform to book and trade gas transport and storage capacity.

How does PRISMA work?

PRISMA offers gas infrastructure operators and shippers various services and functionali­ ties that enable both the efficient trading of capacity and smooth implementation of Euro­ pean and national regulations. In particular, the focus is on the allocation of transport or storage capacity by means of specially developed allocation procedures, such as various forms of auction algorithms, or first-come-first-served bookings. PRISMA also offers cus­ tomers various reporting services, transparency data and modern interfaces for automat­ ing processes. In particular, customers benefit from a wide reach and a simplification of their marketing procedures.

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Marketplaces, Retail & Manufacturing platforms

PROTIQ Whether it’s small batches, individualised products or prototypes – 3D printing can be the solution for all these application scenarios. The online marketplace PROTIQ, founded in 2017, enables small and medium-sized, as well as large enterprises to choose the right 3D printing service provider from a wide range of potential suppliers. PROTIQ supports customers worldwide: from the generation of 3D data to additive one-off or series production.

How does PROTIQ work?

On the digital platform protiq.com, customers benefit from a comprehensive range of ser­ vices offered by several 3D printing companies. The user can upload 3D data, configure the desired material and post-processing, and select a supplier. The holistic digitisation of the entire process chain from ordering, including live pricing, to delivery, allows for abso­ lute flexibility and true added value for the customer. Furthermore, the platform offers the possibility to individualise components according to specific requirements with the help of intuitive configurators.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Marketplaces, Retail & Manufacturing platforms

Quintet24

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Quintet24 is an intelligent platform for the fashion and textile industry that connects buyers, suppliers, retailers and manufacturers. All offers are illustrated digitally and complemented with story, marketing, and technical, as well as product-specific descriptions, if possible also with selected fashion shows and marketing concepts for special-offers. All the data can only be viewed by authorised buyers. Quintet24 offers transparency and the best possible security against unauthorised use.

How does Quintet24 work?

On Quintet24, manufacturers present their collections in virtual showrooms with videos, 3D animations and digital workbooks, in which articles, as well as product and marketingre­lated information are combined. Retailers not only take their order data from this “digital brochure”, but also all important product information for a convincing presentation in their stores. In addition to image and photo material, this also includes look books, decoration ideas, and materials for sales training.

With the visual planning tool, retail buyers also have control at all times of their sales areas and product ranges – from pre-ordering to daily inventory management. Quintet24 also enables reordering and ordering via smartphone at the point of sale. The platform is free of charge for retailers. Large and small suppliers from the textile and fashion industry can use Quintet24 quickly and conveniently without any investment risk.

Schüttflix

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Schüttflix connects on a digital platform, building material suppliers and forwarding agents with customers from the civil engineering, gardening and landscaping sectors. Since January 2019, all common bulk solids can be ordered with the Schüttflix app. This means that sand, gravel and split are delivered to the point within a few hours. Instead of acting regionally, fragmented and non-transparently, Schüttflix is thus creating for the first time an efficient market that functions throughout Germany.

How does Schüttflix work?

With Schüttflix, sand, gravel, chippings and crushed stone can be ordered online. The cus­ tomer can choose from the five best offers and have them delivered on the desired date. The app compares all offers within a radius of 150 km within seconds and calculates the opti­ mum for material and transport costs. Thanks to the integrated map (GPS) and photo func­ tion, the unloading location can be determined precisely and comprehensibly in advance.

Livetracking enables the delivery to be tracked in real time. The background processing is completely digital and paperless.

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Marketplaces, Retail & Manufacturing platforms

scrappel The metal industry depends on recycled materials and the market for scrap metal offers enor­ mous potential for digitisation. The networking of all the participating companies is a decisive factor for the economic realisation of the circular economy. This is where scrappel comes in: The B2B platform connects participants of the circular economy by translating analogue pro­cesses into a digital environment.

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How does scrappel work?

Thanks to scrappel’s self-explanatory infrastructure, it is not only possible to trade recycla­ ble materials via the platform. It also offers the complete processing – from business ini­ tiation to automated invoicing – in one coherent process. A verification (KYC) of the users guarantees transparent business relations. Potential trading partners can agree on confiden­ tial details, such as terms of purchase, transport and payment. Thanks to compliance-con­ form documentation of the entire business process, the user has access to all transactions subsequently processed in a clearly archived digital format. In addition, scrappel provides financing and logistics solutions (e.g. factoring).

Spanflug Spanflug is a manufacturing platform for turning and milling parts that enables customers to order custom manufactured parts quickly and efficiently online. Manufacturers are able to accept orders on the platform and directly bring them into their production. The otherwise very time-consuming procurement process for CNC parts is fully automated and thus reduced from several days to a few minutes.

How does Spanflug work?

Customers, e.g. buyers, project managers and designers, upload a CAD model of their component on the platform and receive an immediate price within seconds. Taking this price, customers can order online instantly. The order is then activated for suitable manu­ facturing companies, which can then accept it directly on the platform. The components are manufactured and delivered directly to the customer on the requested date, from six working days onwards. Spanflug is always the single point of contact. The customer gets fast and easy access to flexible and scalable manufacturing capacities and a versatile qual­ ified supplier network.

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Marketplaces, Retail & Manufacturing platforms

Wer liefert was

3

The online B2B marketplace “Wer liefert was” helps small and medium-sized enterprises to use digital channels for their sales and marketing activities. “Wer liefert was” was founded in 1932 and was the first provider of printed reference works for commercial buyers. Since 1995, the offer has been available online as a marketplace. “Wer liefert was” is available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

How does Wer liefert was work?

“Wer liefert was” offers professional purchasing access to millions of products and ser­ vices in the B2B segment. On the German-language pages, 1.3 million buyers meet around 590,000 suppliers, manufacturers, dealers and service providers in around 47,000 categories, from photocopy paper to forklifts, each month. The precise and easy to use search func­ tion pro­vides buyers with reliable information on companies and their product portfolios, including current contact details and prices. In addition to a marketplace profile, compa­ nies can also book online marketing services, such as Google Ads, to extend their reach on the Internet. “Wer liefert was” is free for buyers and as a standard profile for suppliers.

Wucato

3

Wucato is a central procurement platform that optimises the digital and analogue purchasing processes of large and small companies. Companies can order supplies and C-parts, and suppliers can sell their goods.

Wucato automates business processes, reduces costs and creates transparency. This significantly reduces the burden on purchasing and creates capacity for strategic challenges. WUCATO Marketplace GmbH is a subsidiary of the Würth Group and combines expertise in trading with digital know-how.

How does Wucato work?

As a procurement platform, Wucato relies on the digital networking of market participants and combines supply and demand in a central location. The extensive and constantly grow­ ing product range currently consists of over 13 million articles from a large number of sup­ pliers, which are offered together on the platform. The product range is supplemented by modern platform functions that make procurement processes significantly more efficient and easier. In addition, Wucato makes no compromises when it comes to IT security and has an impressive, state-of-the-art data centre in Germany.

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Marketplaces, Retail & Manufacturing platforms

XOM Marketplace Since 2017, XOM Materials has offered an online platform for trading materials such as steel, metals, and plastics. It provides ready-made procurement and sales solutions for buyers and sellers aiming to future-proof their businesses. XOM enables customers to digitise easily without having to invest in developing their own technology.

3

How does the XOM Marketplace work?

The industry-specific platform is independent and open to customers of all sizes. The XOM Platform currently consists of the XOM eShop, XOM eProcurement, and XOM Marketplace.

They are all based on a uniform technology and can be used as standalone tools or com­ bined with each other. XOM eShop is currently the only out-of-the-box webshop on the mar­ ket that is specifically tailored to the needs of the materials industry. Customers can start their own digital sales channel for their own products in their own corporate design within a short time and without much effort.

XOM eProcurement automates and optimises the entire procurement process of materials, from demand planning and requesting quotations, to comparing, renegotiating, and order­ ing. It is a complete, end-to-end digitised procurement solution.

XOM Marketplace connects sellers, producers, and suppliers with buyers of materials. Buy­ ers gain access to a comprehensive, constantly growing selection of materials and are able to meet all their needs centrally by using this tool. In addition to the German and European markets, XOM has been available in North America since 2018.

Spotlight on digital purchasing: Between savings potential and future opportunities Source: Mercateo, 2017.

BUY

41% Cost savings are possible when using a digital purchasing process from the purchase requisition to the payment of the invoice, compared to a uniform manual purchasing process.

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04

ďťżSupply Chain Management and Logistics platforms

Supply Chain Management and Logistics platforms Supply chain management & logistics platforms enable more efficient logistics processes between market participants by bringing the needs and offers of forwarders, shippers and recipients of goods together on a uniform platform.

Transport Management Supply Chains Logistics

AirSupply

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AirSupply supports collaborative processes between manufacturers and suppliers in the area of Supply Chain Management (SCM) and quality management in the aerospace industry across several stages of the supply chain. AirSupply maps the established processes of the aerospace industry on a shared web platform, whereby it optimally supports efficient, transparent collaboration across company boundaries.

How does AirSupply work?

AirSupply provides both sides with the same view on processes such as predictive capacity planning, interactive fine-tuning of delivery quantity and delivery date, tracking of order and delivery status, complaint management, as well as assessment of delivery performance. The data from these processes can be evaluated by using analytics and AI-features to identify potential weaknesses in the process and to unleash the potential for improvement. Coop­ eration with suppliers is optimally supported, as both sides work within one and the same system. This increases transparency in the supply chain and thus security of supply and delivery performance.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Supply Chain Management and Logistics platforms

AX4 The cloud-based logistics platform AX4 operated by Siemens Digital Logistics enables the virtual and analogue world to be connected along the supply chain. With about 300,000 users from commerce and industry, as well as logistics providers, AX4 is one of the industry’s leading IT platforms for digital management of cross-company processes.

How does AX4 work?

Independent of their location, AX4 connects heterogeneous system landscapes, as well as all actors involved along global supply chain networks. This allows standardisation of pro­ cesses across company, language and national borders. IT solutions based on AX4 thus promote cross-industry collaboration and generate end-to-end visibility. This increases effi­ ciency and reliability in logistics processes.

An innovative toolbox for easy self-administration and configuration of an AX4 solution, as well as mobile access via app complement the offer.

In addition, Siemens Digital Logistics offers a comprehensive ecosystem which enables the extension of AX4 solutions by important future components.

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Supply Chain Management and Logistics platforms

cargo.one

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Cargo One GmbH (cargo.one) is developing a platform for booking and marketing air freight capacities. The company connects forwarders with numerous airlines and focuses on providing immediately bookable offers. This makes it the first booking platform of its kind and changes long, asynchronous booking processes by phone or e-mail in the air freight industry.

How does cargo.one work?

The digital booking platform cargo.one enables forwarders to search for available rates from different airlines in real time, to compare them, and finally, to book them with a direct con­ firmation. In addition, bookings can be tracked and modified in real time. Using cargo.one is completely free of charge for forwarders. cargo.one provides partner airlines, such as Lufthansa Cargo or Etihad Cargo, with access to a cost-effective, data-driven and fully digital sales channel. This helps them to distrib­ ute short-term freight capacities and reduce operational complexity and costs while max­ imising capacity utilisation.

connect 4.0 connect 4.0 is an integrated online platform operated by DB Schenker. The platform enables new and occasional customers to simplify their global transport and logistics processes.

On connect 4.0, offers are issued in real time. Bookings for land, air or sea consignments are made directly on the platform.

How does connect 4.0 work? connect 4.0 enables the online booking process for national and international shipments.

The platform provides corresponding solutions for the users – for land transport, there is connect 4 land, for air freight shipments, connect 4 air, and for sea freight shipments, con­ nect 4 ocean. Based on central shipment information, such as pick-up and delivery loca­ tion, pick-up or delivery date, dimensions, freight category and type of packaging, it is pos­ sible to choose between different price and service offerings, including transit times. A login is required to trigger the booking. The order number allows for end-to-end tracking. Finally, DB Schenker’s experts are on hand to provide users with support, if need be.

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Supply Chain Management and Logistics platforms

DISCOVERY Around 10,000 individual parts make up a modern passenger car. Of these, a large proportion is produced by suppliers. Volkswagen has more than 8,500 suppliers and logistics service providers worldwide. To ensure an efficient supply chain, VW relies on the DISCOVERY Supply Chain Management (SCM) 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?

Working jointly with the software company Euro-Log, VW’s logistics arm Volkswagen Konzern­ logistik developed the DISCOVERY communication platform. The web-based communica­ tion platform provides Volkswagen group plants, suppliers and carriers with all transport-rel­ evant data via standardised interfaces. Alongside uniform digital transport statements, DISCOVERY enables an overview of the order and delivery status for full and empty con­ tainers. 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 can benefit from the early knowledge.

INFr8 INFr8 is a cloud-based platform aimed at shippers, forwarders and airlines, as well as handling agents. The platform is specifically tailored to the air cargo supply chain. It digitises the conventional paper-based process for hazardous goods in air cargo. The Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) is transmitted electronically from the shipper via the forwarder and/or dangerous goods declarant to the airline or its handling agent.



How does INFr8 work?

Until now, the DGD accompanies the goods in paper form, and has to be at the airport with them. There it has to be newly registered and checked by the airline/handling agent. This costs time and often documentary errors are found which must be corrected. Studies illus­ trate that ten to twelve percent of dangerous goods shipments cannot be flown as planned.

INFr8 digitises and standardises the prescribed DGD. As an eDGD, it is exchanged between the parties involved without any problems. The cross-sectional functions X-convert, Dash­ board and Doc-Cloud offer perfect support for the creation, communication and storage of electronic dangerous goods documents. The INFr8 app creates further transparency because it allows the status of all shipments to be monitored at all times.

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Supply Chain Management and Logistics platforms

RailSupply



RailSupply supports the processes between railway operators, manufacturers and suppliers along the entire supply chain over several stages. RailSupply maps the processes on a shared web platform. With RailSupply, a growing community of companies from the railway indus­ try relies on a standardised industry solution that optimally supports efficient cooperation across company boundaries.

How does RailSupply work?

RailSupply maps the cross-company processes in Supply Chain Management (SCM), sup­ plier risk & performance management, strategic and operational procurement, as well as quality and transport management. In order to identify possible weak points in the process and identify potential for improvement, the data from these processes can be evaluated with the help of analytics and AI functionalities. The platform offers a transparent exchange of information between business partners: manufacturers can track the processing status of orders by suppliers, while suppliers can keep an eye on the current demand for their products at all times.

RIO

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RIO is an open, cloud-based platform and has been offering digital services for the entire transport and logistics ecosystem since December 2017. RIO’s mission is to connect everyone in the supply chain to make the transportation business more efficient. RIO addresses shippers of all sizes, as well as all forwarding agencies and haulage companies – especially those with mixed fleets.

How does RIO work?

RIO, the digital brand of the TRATON GROUP, operates a web shop, called Marketplace.

On Marketplace, users can book suitable up-to-date services and individually per vehicle.

In the past, various isolated solutions prevented transparency and thus synergies. Here RIO comes into play: it makes transports more profitable by using a digital platform. RIO func­ tions independently of any specific manufacturer via the easily retrofittable RIO Box. There­ fore, the platform is especially suitable for mixed fleets with different truck brands. Among other things, tracking services, telematics offers, dispatching programs, or services for eco­ nomical driving can be ordered. Those services that RIO does not offer itself are covered by market-leading products from partners.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Supply Chain Management and Logistics platforms

Saloodo!

Saloodo! simplifies the daily processes of shippers and transport companies by providing a powerful digital end-to-end solution for ordering and processing shipments. The platform maximises the transparency and efficiency of the entire transport process.

How does Saloodo! work?



Saloodo! is a hybrid of a freight exchange and a digital freight forwarder. The platform is aimed at both shippers and transport companies of all sizes. Companies with shipping needs use Saloodo! to find attractive competitive offers from suitable transport companies for their groupage, part and full loads. The transports are then handled safely and with­ out complications. With the freedom of choice of an open and neutral marketplace and the security and convenience of a digital carrier, Saloodo! is the answer to the ongoing digital­ isation in the highly fragmented transport market.

Transporeon Transporeon operates one of the leading platforms for transport logistics with more than 1,200 industrial and commercial companies (shippers) and over 100,000 transport service providers. The ISO-certified company specialises in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for transport allocation and processing as well as time slot management, freight tenders and real-time transport tracking.



How does Transporeon work?

Transportation allocation: Automatic matching of transportation demand and supply pro­ vides shippers with a better overview of the market. They can quickly identify service pro­ viders with free transport capacity and secure the required loading space. The digitalisa­ tion and automation of manual processes reduces administrative efforts, reduces errors and lowers logistics costs.

With time slot management, carriers book their loading and unloading times online in a dig­ ital timetable. This equalises peak delivery times, reduces truck downtimes and shortens loading and unloading times.

For real-time transport tracking, the trucks’ telematics systems are connected to the Transporeon platform. Real-time visibility enables proactive intervention in the event of a delay or other disruptions, and improved customer service.

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Supply Chain Management and Logistics platforms

Contribution of digital B2B logistics platforms to a more resource-efficient economy Status quo in the logistics industry

Solution

. About 21 percent of all road-freight transports in the . The usage of sensors, data analysis and digital EU are run empty 6

platforms would enable a truck-capacity-utilisation of 95 percent

. Approx. 30-50 percent of truck loading capacity remains unused 7

. Germany alone currently lacks around 60,000 truck

Advantages of using digital B2B platforms in logistics

. planning of logistics processes . Poor organisational conditions at the loading and . Better Guarantee of smooth production processes in the unloading ramps industry, due to predictable delivery of component parts . The transport market is highly fragmented, so that even . Maintaining security of supply for the retail sector the 10 per cent largest transport companies together only have a market share of about 10 per cent. . By reducing empty runs, the unnecessary consumpdrivers 8

9

10

tion of fossil fuels, and thus the emission of CO2, can be avoided

. More efficient use of truck drivers and facilitation of 6

Eurostat. 2017. Freight transport statistics. Access: April 2017.

7

Tagesspiegel. 2015. „Ein Viertel aller Lkw fährt leer durch die Gegend“.

URL: http://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/logistik-ein-viertel-aller-lkwfaehrt-leer-durch-die-gegend/12505110.html

8

SPIEGEL. 2019. Spediteure warnen vor „Versorgungskollaps“. URL: https://www.spiegel.de/karriere/lkw-transporte-in-deutschland-fehlen60-000-fahrer-a-1267387.html

9

BGLV. 2019. BGL macht gegen Lkw-Fahrermangel mobil. URL: https://www. bgl-ev.de/web/medien/presse/article_archiv.htm&news=3381&year=2019

truck drivers’ workflows through better coordination of logistics processes across company boundaries

10

Ti. 2016. European Road Freight Transport 2016, Transport Intelligence Ltd: Bath.

Spotlight on airfreight: Current capacity-utilisation Source: Clive. 2020. Time to get real on air cargo loadfactors. IATA. 2020. Air Freight Market Analysis: December 2019.

47%

kilo-based load factor Air freight

46

66%

… is the volume-based capacity utilisation in the air freight sector. The kilo-based load factor is under 47 percent. With the help of real-time data, more targeted marketing and the management of offers, digital B2B platforms help airlines to make better use of their resources – this is of particular importance in times of reduced air traffic (e.g.

Corona-pandemic) and in order to save fuels/reduce CO2-emissions.

Networking platforms

05

Networking platforms enable efficient, time- and location-independent and cross-company collaboration between different market players in a uniform digital environment.

Asset Intelligence Network

The SAP Asset Intelligence Network (AIN) is a business network that combines information from manufacturers, service providers and plant operators on a cloud-based platform. The aim is to simplify digital collaboration and data exchange between companies in order to jointly manage the digital twin of technical devices and systems. This enables cross-sector process harmonisation, for example to increase the efficiency of plants.



How does the SAP Asset Intelligence Network work?

The AIN provides a global registry of industrial equipment for industry-wide usage by all part­ ners and enables new collaborative business models. Companies can ensure secure col­ laboration in the electronic delivery of asset information and hence improve data reliability.

Manufacturers can provide master data for a specific plant model, which customers can then incorporate into their systems. The AIN also provides the ability to use IoT data and combine it with business data. Operators can directly access current maintenance strat­ egies or technical documents from manufacturers, whereas manufacturers automatically receive detailed usage data, as well as defect information. The behaviour of entire plants can be analysed, simulated and predicted in real time.

Bosch IoT Suite The Bosch IoT Suite is an open software platform that provides key middleware functionalities to develop scalable, secure and highly available IoT applications. It already connects more than ten million sensors, devices, gateways and machines. Bosch has implemented more than 250 IoT projects with the Bosch IoT Suite together with customers from the retail, energy, building, industry, consumer goods, agriculture and mobility sectors.



How does the Bosch IoT Suite work?

The cloud services of Bosch IoT Suite address the requirements of common IoT scenarios – including device and data management, as well as firmware and software update processes.

From device to cloud, customers deploy the Bosch IoT Suite according to their needs. Par­ ticular attention is paid to pre-configured service packages that combine the individual ser­ vice modules into complete packages ready for immediate use. Software developers can thus implement holistic IoT applications even faster and more efficiently. The Bosch IoT Suite is based on open source software that is being developed together with, among oth­ ers, companies in the Eclipse IoT Working Group. This makes the platform particularly ver­ satile and offers customers a high degree of investment security.

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Networking platforms

Certif-ID



Certif-ID is a dedicated skills community: a global network of technical experts, educational institutes and recruiters. It aims at bridging the skills gap by lifting the standard of education and gives people access to equal opportunities by helping them showcase their verifiable, blockchain-based digital credentials. The mission is to build an open and inclusive platform that harmonises educational standards and connects key stakeholders in the area of technical skills. Certif-ID provides its members with a platform to build, develop and showcase technical competence. Focusing on the technical education sector, training institutes, industry, and experts are able to share knowledge, plan learning journeys and find verified experts.

How does Certif-ID work?

Educational and training institutions can effortlessly sign up to the platform, create a profile, list courses, manage batches, manage student onboarding and certification issuance pro­ cesses. Individuals can connect with reputed educational institutions to identify and learn new skills. Upon completing a course, experts can directly connect with recruiters, share their digital certificates, and explore job opportunities anywhere in the world. ­Certif-ID allows employers to search for candidates based on skill/competency. Recruiters can accelerate the hiring process by searching for candidates within a qualified talent pool with verifiable digital certificates.

empto® empto is a digital waste management assistant and as such, brings business people and waste management companies together. The platform for business customers provides, in particular, small and medium-sized waste management companies with an opportunity to benefit from the advantages of digitalisation. All required certificates and invoices can be retrieved digitally at any time, which saves paper and time. In addition, external waste disposal orders can also be managed via empto.

How does empto® work?

On empto, businesses can set up a disposal order step by step. The businesses enter the address where the waste container is to be placed, the type of waste to be disposed of and the desired container size. Once the order is online, various waste disposal compa­ nies can submit an individual offer, which the user can then choose from. In this way, dis­ posal companies find new customers to whom they can submit an offer promptly and dig­ itally. With the empto Waste Manager, businesses also have the possibility to organise and plan external agreements via the platform.

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Networking platforms

IT2match IT2match is a B2B matching platform for software providers. It functions as a closed platform for qualified networking of the entire IT industry. Software providers can find suitable cooperation partners on the platform. The aim is to bring companies together to form consortiums that bundle their various software solutions, in order to generate a win-win situation for companies and customers. Furthermore, the companies succeed in positioning themselves on the market in a future-oriented approach.

How does IT2match work?

After registration and activation on the closed platform IT2match, there are several ways to find partners. The active search offers filtering through various categories. Alternatively, the platform suggests potential partners based on reference models. Matching software solutions are displayed either as a list, or as page-filling profiles. The platform also pro­ vides users with an overview of their own activities, which can be used to create a watch­ list of interesting potential partners. In case of a networking request, the user is notified and can contact the company of the corresponding software solution. When IT companies are looking for partners to develop a specific solution, they can create their own “project” on the platform. IT2match then suggests suitable IT applications. In addition, the user can make inquiries. IT2match has been developed by the “Competence Center IT Economy”.

Lieferanten.de As a B2B platform on the German-speaking Internet, Lieferanten.de connects buyers and suppliers with each other. Commercial buyers and purchasing companies use an intelligent search function to find suitable manufacturers or wholesalers, according to their respective requirements. Thereby, purchasing departments can carry out product research, supplier search, contacting and procurement quickly and efficiently.



How does Lieferanten.de work?

Suppliers and buyers alike can register at Lieferanten.de. Suppliers provide detailed infor­ mation about their companies, service areas and product ranges. Using an intelligent and error-tolerant search function, buyers can search for products, brands or companies. ­Lieferanten.de displays suitable suppliers, including complete contact details. Alternatively, buyers can contact suppliers directly or use an integrated inquiry function. Both single and multiple enquiries to any number of suppliers are possible. Further applications supple­ ment the offer and are closely oriented to the requirements of procurement management.

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Networking platforms

myOpenFactory EDI platform



myOpenFactory Software GmbH has firmly established its EDI platform of the same name in the mechanical and plant engineering, drive technology and automotive supply industry, as well as in technical commerce. With the myOpenFactory platform, SMEs and large companies communicate electronically with their business partners in the simplest way possible. A single interface between the company and the myOpenFactory platform is sufficient for this purpose.

How does the myOpenFactory EDI platform work?

One of the big advantages of the EDI platform is that an interface from the customer’s system to the platform has to be set up just once. Once the connection has been estab­ lished, further partners can be activated immediately with a click, without any further tech­ nical effort. Time and cost-intensive one-on-one connections are thus a thing of the past. myOpenFactory enables the automation of electronic document exchange with already more than 1,200 connected companies. Among them are also small companies without ERP-systems, which use the comfortable WebEDI-portal.

Siemens‘ Additive Manufacturing Network (“AM Network”) Siemens’ AM Network is a collaboration platform designed to streamline the end to end “order to delivery” business processes for the industrial AM community. It connects the demand for AM parts with a global network of suppliers to enable on-demand and distributed manufacturing. Harnessing its in-house expertise and the ecosystem of AM industry leaders, Siemens’ AM Network provides integrated tools for managing the AM engineering and business processes.

How does Siemens‘ AM Network work?

AM Network enables engineers to easily qualify their designs for spare parts, prototypes and serial production, collaborate with experts, get instant quotes and place orders to their preferred vendors. The progress and status of the order is constantly monitored and made available until the part is delivered.

Suppliers in the AM Network manage their customer communication, incoming orders and automatically generate quotes. Once order is acquired, the planning, scheduling, execu­ tion, monitoring and data collection is done within a single system to assure a continuous digital thread.

Enterprises set their own company internal network of AM designers, experts and produc­ tion shops to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among the members of the net­ work, build competency and accelerate the adoption of Industrial AM.

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Networking platforms

Sparrow Sparrow is a platform for industrial companies to exchange and trade spare parts. Companies scrap too many spare parts, or do not have enough in stock, which is a risk due to long spare parts’ delivery times. Sparrow connects companies in a cloud-based network, creating a pool of spare parts that reduces costs and delivery time, but increases their availability.

3

How does Sparrow work?

Sparrow enables the digital networking of industrial plant operators and their spare parts inventories in a virtual warehouse. These newly created connections enable the sharing of spare parts when necessary. Thereby, costly plant downtimes can be avoided and over­ stocks that tie up capital can be reduced. As the number of participants grows, Sparrow will increasingly gain in-depth data on the stocks and demand of plant operators. Based on this data, Sparrow will offer additional analysis services and build a sales platform for equipment manufacturers to bring supply and demand together.

tapio tapio is the digital ecosystem for the wood-processing industry. The vision behind tapio is to help the wood-processing industry master the leap into a more digitalised world. To this end, tapio already supports machine, tool and material manufacturers in their digitalisation process and offers a wide range of partner- and tapio-products together with producers. This covers topics from “creating transparency” to better service and optimisation.

How does tapio work?

Whether you are a carpenter or an industrial furniture manufacturer, you can easily regis­ ter with tapio and immediately start using the whole diversity of the ecosystem. Depending on individual needs, licences for the various tapio partners and tapio products can be pur­ chased, which means no high initial investment is needed. Currently, tapio’s partners are 41 well-known machine, tool and material manufacturers. All partners have many years of experience in the wood industry and offer their customers digital products via tapio. Com­ panies can integrate themselves as partners into existing products or develop their own products. With tapio as a connecting element, synergies across manufacturers can be made possible for the first time. This means that the furniture manufacturer (tapio customer), for example, receives products which work with several of his suppliers and do not represent individual silo solutions.

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Networking platforms

testxchange testxchange is a networking platform for the “Testing, Inspection & Certification” (TIC) industry, which brings together service providers and clients. Both sides save time and money by using the SaaS platform, not only to find each other faster and easier, but also to digitally manage their projects more efficiently. Clients learn which tests their products require and which service providers offer them. Providers, in turn, digitalise their processes and market themselves better online.

How does testxchange work?

TIC service providers, such as industrial testing laboratories, calibration laboratories or cer­ tification bodies, present themselves on the testxchange marketplace with a digital pro­ vider profile that gives an overview of their range of services. Clients, on the other hand, who want to introduce a product onto a market, such as the EU or China, for example, can quickly find out via an online assistant which tests and certifications they need for this and which providers can carry them out. They receive direct comparative offers from these ser­ vice providers. Thereby providing them with a transparent market overview. After selecting the provider, they can conveniently handle the entire testing and certification project digi­ tally via the browser-based testxchange platform.

Unite Unite.eu is a B2B network 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 connect 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, manufactur­ ers 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 displayable prices and conditions.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Networking platforms

Zentrale Healthcare Plattform “ZHP.X3” The Zentrale Healthcare Plattform “ZHP.X3”, operated by HMM Germany, helps more than 40 health insurance companies in the health care sector to provide services for over 25 million insured persons electronically with more than 30,000 service providers – quickly, qualitatively and cost-effectively, because application/approval, case processing and invoicing are carried out digitally. ZHP.X3 ensures a high degree of automation for health insurance companies and close networking with service providers.



How does the Zentrale Healthcare Plattform “ZHP.X3” work?

ZHP.X3 ensures a better, and more economical, quality of care, as well as an efficient exchange of information through digital networking of market partners, such as providers of medical aids, remedies, ambulance services and health insurance companies. All partici­ pants work together on a specific case of care via the ZHP.X3 solution – either via ­ZHP.X3 as a web-based application, in industry solutions via interfaces, in health insurance systems and by integrating mobile solutions (apps).

Electronic prescriptions and automatic case processing greatly reduce the workload on the processing department. In addition, the “De-Pay” billing procedure integrated in ZHP.X3 enables the digital billing of care services, without invoicing and double checks.

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Handbook | Digitalisation | Best Practices German Digital B2B Platforms

Imprint Publisher BDI – Federation of German Industries Breite Straße 29 10178 Berlin T.: +49 30 2028-0 www.bdi.eu Editorial team Dr. Thomas Koenen, Head of Department Department Digitalisation and Innovation Steven Heckler, Senior Manager Department Digitalisation and Innovation Design & Implementation Vicharah Ly, Senior Manager Department for Marketing, Online and Event Management Layout Michel Arencibia, Art Director www.man-design.net Publishing Company Industrie-Förderung Gesellschaft mbH, Berlin Photo credits P. 1: © 289624697 | ©Panuwat | stock.adobe.com P. 4: 165294159 | ©zapp2photo | stock.adobe.com P. 8: 170186889 | zapp2photo | stock.adobe.com P. 21: 243959675 | ©Artem | stock.adobe.com P. 27: 190345565 | ©Gorodenkoff | stock.adobe.com P. 28: 278922674 | fotostudiocolor24 | stock.adobe.com P. 35: 222131875 | ©jeson | stock.adobe.com P. 41: 75334920 | ©chalabala.cz | stock.adobe.com P. 53: 298001238 | ©ipopba | stock.adobe.com Date and Number July 2020 BDI-Publications-Nr. 0103

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