Challenge and project objective
According to a press release from Fraunhofer, the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML has reached an important milestone for the digital transformation of logistics with the completion of the SKALA research project.
According to the information, there has often been a lack of interoperability between IT systems, while isolated systems and paper-based processes slow down the efficiency of companies.
The project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernisation (BMDS) with around 5 million euros, started here and aimed to create an open technological basis for cross-organisational, collaborative AI agents.
Development and applications
According to Fraunhofer, all software components, AI models and interfaces were developed as open source. The focus was on continuous dialogue with over twelve industrial and logistics companies in order to develop practical solutions. The press release names three key applications:
- GreenComplAI: Automated verification and visualisation of origin, sustainability and supply chain data to support resource-saving cycles.
- SiMBA: AI-based dynamic pricing and billing in real time to take better account of fluctuations in capacity utilisation.
- InstaSCAN: Digitisation of transport documents such as waybills or delivery notes, AI extracts relevant data without integration effort.
Networking, knowledge platform and future prospects
According to the Fraunhofer press release, the technologies developed in the project enable genuine interoperability across company boundaries and form the basis for highly networked, resilient logistics processes.
According to the information provided, the LogiDo knowledge platform has also been set up, which offers learning materials, quick checks and guidelines for integrating the SKALA results, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
According to Fraunhofer, SKALA's open, modular approach is intended to contribute to digital and technological sovereignty in Germany and Europe and provide transferable architecture and implementation solutions for future initiatives.
Source: Press release FRAUENHOFER