3 Questions for Christoph Huber, digitalization expert and managing director of DiGiDO GmbH, on the topic of digital transformation in the circular economy.
From blockchain to the “Internet of Things,” cloud computing, and big data: The ongoing digital transformation has long been regarded as a new industrial revolution.
WELCHE CHANCEN BIETET DAS FÜR DIE KREISLAUFWIRTSCHAFT?
The concept of the circular economy places new demands on production, product design, and recycling. Information and the sharing of information play a key role in this context.
To ensure the coordinated implementation of the circular economy, stakeholders along the value chain must generate, process, and make available to others information regarding the material composition, use, maintenance, and disposal of products. This information can then be used for recycling and, at the same time, may also include environmentally relevant information. This effectively reduces information asymmetries.
Digital—and, above all, cross-company—data exchange forms the foundation for this and serves as a driver for a circular economy. It is important that data collection and generation occur in real time. The exact location where waste is generated, along with other details, can be recorded with precise location and time stamps and shared with other companies. These companies can then plan their production processes accordingly. Data analytics applications (“big data”) can then provide insights into further uses or sensible logistics solutions and make projections. Furthermore, digital systems offer many opportunities and enormous potential for the circular economy. At DiGiDO, however, we specialize in optimizing data exchange to enable efficient logistics within the circular economy for large companies, SMEs, government agencies, and municipalities.
HOW CAN DATA EXCHANGE BE OPTIMIZED IN PRACTICAL TERMS FOR STAKEHOLDERS IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY?
DiGiDO is an IT platform for data exchange using a format coordinated with the business community and end users. We ensure fast, efficient, and secure exchange of transportation data. Our focus is on ensuring compatibility among the wide variety of corporate and government standards. DiGiDO was therefore designed as a unified, cross-sector industry standard for manufacturing, retail, and commerce. Data exchange takes place in real time, thereby saving both time and costs. In addition to significant productivity gains resulting from the elimination of duplicate data entry, the platform also serves as a reliable basis for invoice verification and reporting to government agencies. This also minimizes potential legal risks.
The current pandemic has once again highlighted the benefits of digitalization. To what extent does this apply to companies in the recycling industry?
Organizations in the waste management and logistics industries are facing unique challenges in Europe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Face-to-face contact must be kept to a minimum to curb the spread of the virus. The digitization of logistics processes is therefore more than ever a key issue for the industry. With DiGiDO, delivery slips no longer need to be exchanged in person between companies. The paper shuffling among a company’s own employees and those of partner companies is no longer necessary. This simplifies processes and protects employees, partners, and customers in times like these.
