Thought Leaders’ Stories

                Truly connected stories

                Spot-on interviews

Thought leaders introduce themselves beyond their work, telling their personal innovation stories.

                Operational Chaos threatens long-term strategy

Operational chaos could be affecting long term imperatives in businesses. Nearly three quarters (70%) of businesses admit to being affected by operational chaos, which can be borne out of technology or process challenges. Crucially, 77% of businesses say that agility and productivity are more difficult to achieve as technology expands. Two thirds have seen an increase in technical debt, which forces more retrospective work, resulting in less strategic opportunity. Read our research into operational chaos: how it comes about, the impact it has, and how we can go about mitigating it.

                The Future Starts Here and Now

Stefan Macke is the lead software architect and head of training at
“Alte Oldenburger Krankenversicherung AG” in Vechta, Germany. Macke
plays a key role in modernizing the company's legacy systems and
training its future IT specialists. What drives Macke is the challenge
of updating a long-established system, skillfully bridging the gap
between seasoned veterans and young talents. But how exactly does he do
it?

                Getting Ahead of Shadow AI

75% of knowledge workers already use AI, which is set to rise to 90% in the near future. Half of these employees are so attached to such tools that even if their company banned their use, those employees would continue using them. This is the Shadow AI phenomenon, where employees source and use AI tools without formal approval. We surveyed 6,000 knowledge workers in the US, UK, and Germany to try and understand the root of this trend.

                “We need to adapt more quickly than ever”

François Baudienville has been serving as CEO of the Portuguese insurance company Mudum since late 2019. In this interview, he elaborates on the crucial role of data integration and why learning is so important to him and Mudum's future goals.

                One-Stop Hub for Soccer Fans

The Bundesliga soccer club SV Darmstadt 98 is revolutionizing fan experience with its innovative new app, “Wir Lilien,” which is German for “Us Lilies” (the team’s nickname stemming from the club logo). Developed in collaboration with Software AG, the app seamlessly integrates the club’s diverse data sources, providing fans with a convenient platform to enhance their engagement with the team.

                Shifting Gears for a Data-Driven Racing Future

The Electric Racing Academy (ERA), founded by the team of Beth Georgiou, Rudi Penders, and Dieter Vanswijgenhoven, is rewriting the rules of racing. ERA's mission is about transforming motorsports into a realm that is not just thrilling but also sustainable, equitable, and accessible. In this interview Beth Georgiou shares insights on how data integration, technology, and innovation are propelling ERA's mission forward.

                Some like it complex

Travelbasys has been a leader in the travel industry and a pioneer in data automation for more than 40 years. In the travel industry, it certainly isn't unusual for things to get complicated. But that's precisely when it gets interesting. In order to keep up with the pace and level of complexity while staying ahead of evolving industry standards, travelbasys needed to revolutionize its systems.

                Digitalizing pest control

How to find solutions to the global challenge of keeping the eight billion people on earth supplied with grain, fruit, vegetables, and meat in as secure and sustainable a manner as possible? WAINS is taking new approaches to support pest controllers by combining Cumulocity IoT with image recognition based on artificial intelligence.

                Forging the path to a smart hospital

South London and Maudsley is an integral part of the United Kingdom’s national healthcare system (NHS). With more than 5,000 member of staff, the trust offers a wide range of mental health services. The NHS is facing significant challenges and is under considerable financial strain. Digital technolgies are key - but aside from technology, what counts most in digitalization are the people and the right environment.

                Corporate Digital Responsibility – for a fair and equitable future

Is it possible to digitalize and be sustainable at the same time? Definitely yes, says Prof. Dr. Thomas Beschorner of the University of St. Gallen, an expert for Corporate Digital Responsibility. In the interview, he explains how CDR can help to forge the path to justice and fairness in the digital world.

                Accelerating into the Future

It was the first competitive race organized by the Electric Racing Academy (ERA). In November 2021, the first of the world’s first all-electric junior racing series had hit the Zolder track. Now, ten drivers were facing off at the 4.2-kilometer circuit at a
speed of over 200 km/h. Three key players explain why this day was so special to them.

                The crunch of rising energy prices

Industry urgently needs to slash its carbon emissions and energy consumption. Companies are feeling the crunch of global warming, rising energy prices and strict legal regulations. That is why many are prioritizing more focused, flexible and cost-efficient usage of production resources—for the long haul. So the ultimate question is how to turn these demands into reality on the shop floor. The ETA Factory at the Technical University of Darmstadt, and Software AG are seeking answers.

                Quantum Computing opens up a new age of technology

Does Quantum Computing open up a new age of technology? Definitely yes, says Frank Leymann, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Stuttgart. In the interview, he explains why quantum computing is on the threshold of being used for new business opportunities - and why companies should deal with it today to benefit from it tomorrow.

                Under Pressure

Many organizations are seeking ways to tackle the growing cost of energy while meeting their own ambitious sustainability goals. Oliver Prang works as a Digital Business Developer at SMC, a company specializing in pneumatic technologies. He explains how smart connectivity of IoT sensors is a way for the world of automation to make a valuable contribution to climate protection by reducing consumption of compressed air, electricity and other energy sources.

                The big bet in technical debt

For many organizations the launch of new products and services is high priority in 2022. Technical debt is an integral part of launching new products but often it causes obstacles, slowdowns and additional costs. Stefan Sigg, CTO of Software AG, discusses some useful strategies for managing these challenges.

                Truly connected racing

The world’s first all-electric junior racing series is shaking things up in the motorsport scene to offer better inclusivity, sustainability and digitalization than established combustion race series. The startup employs a cutting-edge IoT solution for connectivity with cars which creates a digital experience away from the racetrack as well.

                Raise your hand and go for it!

The percentage of female execs in the tech scene has not been impressive to date. But there are some impressive standouts and Ursula Soritsch-Renier, member of Software AG’s Supervisory Board, is one of them. She is Chief Digital and Information Officer at Saint-Gobain, the French building materials group. Read her amazing story here.

                The intelligent brewery

Barkeeping and IT don't have much in common, except for a beer after work, right? Far from it, says Maurice Rijnen, Head of IT at Royal Swinkels Family Brewers. And he should know, because he’s responsible for a major digital transformation program—and used to be a barkeeper in Amsterdam.

Truly connected stories

Spot-on interviews

Operational Chaos threatens long-term strategy

The Future Starts Here and Now

Getting Ahead of Shadow AI

“We need to adapt more quickly than ever”

One-Stop Hub for Soccer Fans

Shifting Gears for a Data-Driven Racing Future

Some like it complex

Digitalizing pest control

Forging the path to a smart hospital

Corporate Digital Responsibility – for a fair and equitable future

Accelerating into the Future

The crunch of rising energy prices

Quantum Computing opens up a new age of technology

Under Pressure

The big bet in technical debt

Truly connected racing

Raise your hand and go for it!

The intelligent brewery

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Truly Connected Stories