Mercedes-Benz, BASF, BMW Group, Henkel, SAP, Schaeffler, Siemens, T-Systems, Volkswagen and ZF jointly founded Cofinity-X
Mercedes-Benz, BASF, BMW Group, Henkel, SAP, Schaeffler, Siemens, T-Systems, Volkswagen and ZF have established Cofinity-X to accelerate the operation and adoption of the Catena-X ecosystem across the industry board. automotive. Initially focusing on the European market, Cofinity-X aims to exploit a niche in an applications market and provide products and services that enable efficient and secure data exchange between all of participating in an ecosystem.
Cofinity-X will help evolve the operation and implementation of end-to-end data chains to track material flows throughout the value chain. The operation will be based on the principles of trust of Catena-X and Gaia-X, guaranteeing full data sovereignty for the partners who share it in an open, reliable, collaborative and secure environment.
With the establishment of Cofinity-X, shareholders Mercedes-Benz, BASF, BMW Group, Henkel, SAP, Schaeffler, Siemens, T-Systems, Volkswagen and ZF are launching the next step in Europe to promote Catena-X which initiative. Cofinity-X strives to be one of the first operating companies to provide products and services for secure data exchange throughout the automotive value chain.
“At Mercedes-Benz, we are convinced that transparency, efficiency and data sovereignty are important levers for a sustainable and data-driven value chain. Through the new joint venture of Cofinity-X, we bring Catena to life -X vision featuring an open ecosystem for secure and standardized data exchange throughout the value chain. The first solutions are almost ready and, thanks to Cofinity-X, every company in the automotive sector will soon benefit from services and offers that use Catena-X results.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Directors Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Head of Technology, Development and Purchasing.
Future customers will be able to access applications and services to implement use cases in the automotive value chain, such as CO control2 and ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) traceability, circular economy or business partner data management.
Decarbonization strategies: Carbon footprint monitoring solutions allow concise and accurate calculation and reporting of CO values2 throughout the value chain. This will allow Cofinity-X customers to stay ahead of the curve in carbon footprint transparency and gain potential sustainability improvements to play an active role in the global effort to achieve a net zero level.
Consistent and reliable traceability: Track parts and components at all times throughout the supply chain, starting with raw material and closing the loop with recycled parts. Traceability apps can provide visibility into the entire value chain and help find ways to increase supply chain resilience.
Circular economy for a sustainable value chain: Material recycling is an increasingly important topic in the automotive industry. Part status information can be clearly displayed to suppliers and customers to properly reuse parts and components. By implementing a circular economy, companies can improve the ratio of recyclable materials in their products and reduce waste.
Smart Business Partner Data Management (BPDM): Companies invest significant resources in keeping customer and supplier data up to date. Cofinity-X BPDM services clean and enrich data from trading partners in the automotive industry. Thus, Cofinity-X customers can benefit from sorted, analyzed, decluttered and enriched partner data.
Collaboration between suppliers and customers along the automotive value chain
“The increased requirements for the traceability of all materials throughout the value chain is one of the main factors on which Cofinity-X was developed. We will be an integral part of a rapidly growing ecosystem in which all companies in the automotive value chain can participate equally. Therefore, our product offering will initiate end-to-end data chains and create value for all participants.”
Alexander Schleicher, Managing Director Cofinity-X
A product offering designed to drive acceptance and adoption by small and medium-sized businesses
End-to-end data chains are only possible if all parties are willing to work together. Most companies in the automotive value chain are small and medium enterprises. Cofinity-X will provide easy and fast access to these key players. Cofinity-X will build a portfolio around four core product and service offerings. The first products and services will be available from the end of April 2023.
The “Open Marketplace” aims to enable effective networking of network participants by creating an optimal environment for business applications that customers can implement. All proposed applications will follow Catena-X and GAIA-X data exchange principles.
The exchange of data between the parties will be based on sovereign, secure and standardized principles, without forcing the locking effect on certain solutions. Each partner will retain full control over their own data.
Federated and shared services will enable commercial applications offered on the market and enable data exchange in an open-source, interoperable approach that guarantees added value for each customer.
Onboarding services will drive the adoption of the Catena-X ecosystem and accelerate the digital connection of automotive partners at every stage of the ecosystem’s value chain.
“Cofinity-X is a pioneer in the industrialization of Catena-X standards and software artifacts to provide an entry point for customers into the Catena-X data space. I’m excited to see the first truly open and interoperable portfolio of products and services come together and create value for all members.”
Oliver Ganser, Chairman of the Board of Catena-X Automotive Network eV
Leading automotive companies are sending a strong signal and showing promise
The investment in Cofinity-X underscores the founding partners’ commitment to building the Catena-X ecosystem. Each shareholder has an equal share in this joint venture.
