This year’s SoftProject Versorgertag took place on 10/07/2021. The more than 60 participants of the online event came from Germany and Switzerland. The focus was on typical challenges in digitization and automation of processes. First-hand and on two virtual stages, SoftProject customers and partners shared their experiences and success factors from projects already implemented. Participants were given ideas, tips, and concrete solutions that they can implement themselves quickly and easily using the X4 BPMS digitization platform. The speakers included representatives from PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH, Kreiswerke Main-Kinzig GmbH, LeineNetz GmbH, St. Galler Stadtwerke, Stromnetz Berlin GmbH, as well as SWN Stadtwerke Neumünster Beteiligungen GmbH and Westfalen Weser Netz GmbH.
The event was opened by Uwe Jeschke, Division Manager Utilities at SoftProject GmbH, who also acted as moderator for the day together with Rene Beele, Sales Manager at SoftProject GmbH. In his introduction, Jeschke used practical examples to highlight the digital transformation as an opportunity with great potential for sustainable processes. In doing so, he pointed out that company-wide digitization with X4 BPMS as a platform — compared to isolated solutions — is sustainable and future-oriented.
One of the highlights was the keynote speech by Jörg Kolb from PwC GmbH. The Senior Manager Energy Consulting illustrated why the network portal and the construction process will be particularly important for the utility industry in the coming years and why they represent only the beginning of the digitization of the utility industry. Uwe Jeschke and Rene Beele then opened the two virtual stages for the speakers. Depending on their interests, participants could choose between two live streams with different presentations.
X4 BPMS convinces as a central data hub and with industry solutions
Stage 1 started with a direct connection to the capital city. IT Program Manager Ingo Graebsch and his colleague, Product Owner Maik Mietz, from Stromnetz Berlin GmbH first showed general success criteria for the introduction of a digitalization platform. They then reported on their motivation to work with X4 BPMS and listed seven reasons why they chose SoftProject’s platform. The series of lectures moved seamlessly into a practice-oriented presentation entitled “From the Construction Site to SAP”. Birgit Schmidt, project manager and responsible for E2E process integration at Westfalen Weser Netz GmbH, showed the participants how the network operator uses X4 BPMS to easily and quickly integrate subcontractors into processes and efficiently avoid media breaks.
Digitization platforms as useful helpers in cyberattacks
Wolfgang Korosec, Head of IT at St. Galler Stadtwerke, gave a new perspective on the use of digitization platforms in his presentation: He first drew a threat scenario based on real cyberattacks and derived the phases of an attack with the help of a “cyber kill chain”. He then explained how process automation can provide support in the event of cyberattacks, and how utilities can thus protect their IT infrastructure.
Parallel to Stage 1, Lars Wiechmann, Head of Projects and Processes in the Telecommunications Division at SWN Stadtwerke Neumünster Beteiligungen GmbH, started on Stage 2 with a topic that is currently occupying the entire energy sector: Using a best practice, he presented how the regional energy supply and service company was able to get off to a perfect start in the automation of broadband processes with the help of X4 BPMS and what added value this resulted in for SWN.
Presentations with practical examples and blueprints for other companies
Live from the premises of LeineNetz GmbH in Neustadt am Rübenberge, Thomas Reimann, Head of Corporate Development and Digitization, and the Head of IT, Daniel Geisler, showed how they benefit from the cross-product use of the X4 BPMS digitization platform in the telecommunications sector. They gave tips on how other companies can also benefit from ready-made industry solutions and digitization modules.
The Head of Network Management & Services at Kreiswerke Main-Kinzig GmbH addressed a current topic that poses major challenges for all network and plant operators: In the final presentation on Stage 2, Sascha Krause reported from his experience and showed in just 30 minutes how utilities can implement Redispatch 2.0 processes quickly and easily with SoftProject solutions. He focused on the topic of plant master data and how the X4 BPMS feature “X4 Web Apps” makes it possible to record this data efficiently and keep it under control at all times.
Networking and exchange important for sustainable economic growth
In a concluding presentation, Dirk Detmer, founder and one of the managing directors of SoftProject GmbH, drew a picture of a digital future for a more sustainable world. He referred to the status quo of “digitization made by SoftProject” and gave an outlook on the planned product and company development. The participants were able to meet the need for discussion that this awakened in the online lounge: At a virtual coffee bar and a “Meet-The-Speaker-Room” the participants had a lively exchange with each other and with the speakers.
“In addition to the great need for digitization, SoftProject Versorgertag 2021 particularly highlighted the industry’s open-mindedness towards new technologies and sustainable solutions,” summarizes Jeschke. “Common challenges faced by utilities were openly named and approaches to solutions were shared. This was certainly a great enrichment for all participants and stakeholders.” Such an overarching exchange is extremely important for the industry and must continue to be promoted in the future, Jeschke adds. Regarding a strong, progressive and competitive German economy, digitization must be viewed not only in terms of companies, but also across companies, he said. He is already looking forward to Versorgertag 2022 — gladly again with the personal presence of interested parties, customers, and partners.