The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics in Dortmund has presented the first open-source components from the "Skala" research project. The digital solutions are designed to support companies in the sustainable and autonomous design of their supply chains.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML has published the first open-source components as part of the “Skala” project (scalable AI and blockchain solutions for automation and autonomisation in value-added networks). The applications were presented at the “transport logistic” trade fair in Munich at the beginning of June and are now available online.

According to institute director Prof. Michael Henke, the project aims to combine artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies in an open and modular system: “We are not only creating technological progress, but also a new quality of collaboration in digital logistics,” says a statement from Fraunhofer IML.

The three published components are:

• GreenComplAI: This AI application supports companies in circularity management by collecting, checking and visualising sustainability data in the supply chain.
• SiMBA: A dynamic pricing and billing system that responds to demand and utilisation in real time. Version 1.0 is available, with an enhanced version announced for December.
• InstaSCAN: A web-based service for the automated digitisation of paper documents, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. The solution uses language models for data extraction and can be integrated into ERP systems.

The Fraunhofer IML is also planning to set up a central platform that will bundle technical documentation, training and application support. The aim is to make it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises in particular to access digital technologies.

The SKALA project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernisation with around five million euros. In addition to Fraunhofer IML, partners include Fraunhofer ISST and departments at the Technical University of Dortmund.