• Study: Only 6 percent of the solutions surveyed focus on resilience and recovery 
• Arvato Systems: Recovery begins before a failure occurs—those who know what needs to run first and what’s required to do so remain capable of acting

Germany recognizes crises and is capable of taking action. However, the chain of events leading up to and following a crisis is fragile. This is demonstrated by the study “National Security Ecosystem 2030” by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Bonn e. V. It will be presented today at the Bonn IT Dialogue. Arvato Systems contributed to the study as a strategic partner with its own analysis. The IT company emphasizes one key finding in particular: Germany is barely prepared for the period following a system failure. 

For the study, AFCEA Bonn analyzed 50 interviews and conducted an online survey with 72 participants. A key finding is the so-called “chain gap”: More than 80 percent of the solutions mentioned focus on the two ends of the chain—detecting a situation and taking action on the ground. There are hardly any solutions for what lies in between—namely, assessing, deciding, and coordinating. 

The chain also breaks at the end 
The study also shows where preparedness ends: Available resources primarily cover the beginning of a crisis, but hardly its end. Most solutions help prepare for or manage a situation. What comes next remains largely unaddressed—even though the recovery phase is the only area where demand exceeds supply. In the crisis cases examined, the recovery phase appears only once: during the power outage in Ludwigshafen, where nothing restarted on its own after power was restored. Preparedness thus ends precisely where administrations and operators must regain their ability to act. 

Restart Planning Begins Before the Outage 

Arvato Systems derives a clear task from this. The restart process must be known before it is needed. Government agencies and operators must know which processes and data to restore first, in what order, and what they need to do so. “The question is not whether digitization is taking place, but whether digital processes can also survive crises—even using analog means in an emergency,” says Dr. Norbert Ahrend, a consultant for public sector clients at Arvato Systems. 

An example from Arvato Systems’ research paper illustrates how far the impact of an outage extends beyond the government agency itself: If a government agency cannot pay invoices for fourteen days, companies face liquidity problems—in the worst case, leading to insolvency. Nevertheless, in many places, budget, cash management, and accounting systems are not as secure as their importance requires. Critical data is stored locally—figuratively speaking, “under the basement stairs”—and is inaccessible in the event of a crisis. “No one can improvise a recovery. Those who know in advance what needs to be up and running first and what’s required to make that happen remain capable of taking action—even if the disruption lasts longer,” says Ahrend.  

One Level Deeper: Plan B 

Arvato Systems helps public sector clients make their digitalization crisis-proof from the very beginning. To do this, the company analyzes risks and critical processes, establishes a business continuity management system in accordance with ISO 22301, secures critical data with geographic redundancy, and tests the recovery process in crisis simulations. Where digital solutions fail, a physical fallback system takes over. Sister companies within the Bertelsmann Group operate geographically redundant printing lines for this purpose, which can print critical information and deliver it physically. The study describes this approach as follows: “Arvato Systems goes one level deeper.” Arvato Systems advises government agencies first to determine which information is so critical that it must also be available in physical form. Furthermore, it is important for government agencies to ensure their solvency through geographic redundancy—especially in budget, cash management, and accounting systems—and to conduct crisis-scenario drills across different levels and departments. 

About the Study 

The study “National Security Ecosystem 2030” by AFCEA Bonn e.V. examines how Germany can remain capable of acting in the face of hybrid threats. It is based on 50 analyzed interviews, an online survey, and 172 documented solutions, and identifies 30 measures across six areas of action. Available for download starting October 7, 2026: Home – AFCEA Bonn e.V.. Arvato Systems’ perspective: Digital Transformation by Arvato Systems. 

• Arvato Systems has successfully completed the TISAX® Level 3 assessment once again
• High priority for confidentiality, availability, and integrity of information
• Entry regarding the new assessment is available on the ENX Portal

Arvato Systems has once again successfully completed a TISAX® Level 3 assessment conducted by DQS. The assessment process confirms the company’s high standards in information security and data protection, as well as its consistent implementation of GDPR requirements for customers in the automotive industry and their suppliers. With this successful completion, Arvato Systems remains listed on the ENX Association’s TISAX® portal, thereby underscoring its suitability as a trusted IT service provider for the automotive industry.

 TISAX® (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) is a registered trademark of the ENX Association and a uniform standard for information security defined by the European automotive industry. The members of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) have established recognition of the TISAX® label as a prerequisite in their requests for proposals.

 Assessment Conducted at the Highest Possible Level 3

Arvato Systems once again conducted the assessment at the highest protection level (Level 3), which involves very stringent requirements (Scope ID S7880C). This level encompasses an evaluation of the effectiveness and maturity of the Information Security Management System (ISMS) based on an on-site audit and expert interviews. The assessment was conducted by DQS BIT GmbH, which also involved the teams at Arvato Systems responsible for the automotive sector in the process.

The Decorative Assessment Document is available on the Arvato Systems website.

Transparency via the ENX Portal

The new assessment is documented in the ENX Portal under Assessment ID AW4Y26-1. This portal allows TISAX® participants to securely view audit results and facilitates information exchange among business partners in the industry. Access to the results is restricted exclusively to certified participants.

– Factory-X successfully completed

– New standards and services for secure data exchange in the manufacturing industry

The successful completion of Factory-X marked an important milestone in the broader Manufacturing-X initiative. Together with partners from industry, IT, and research, the foundation was laid for seamless data exchange and digital connectivity across organizational boundaries.

 The project developed key concepts for secure data exchange in production. These include practical application examples, demonstrators, and reference models for digital networking. A special focus was placed on the Manufacturing X-Port – a modular, standardized access solution that enables companies to exchange data securely, independently, and in an interoperable manner within data spaces. In addition, the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) was established as an important standardization tool that lays the foundation for digital twins and seamless collaboration within the industry.

The project results lay the foundation for digital ecosystems and new business models. They enable secure, standardized data exchange across the entire value chain, thereby contributing to greater resilience, efficiency, and competitiveness in the industry.

Arvato Systems has been part of the Factory-X consortium since 2022 and has contributed to the conceptual architecture and the further development of the port concepts. The goal was to provide practical solutions for secure and easy-to-use data exchange between companies.

The company offers industrial firms consulting and integration services in the area of digital data rooms, as well as support with the necessary internal preparations (data readiness) that enable the operation of interoperable data infrastructures. This includes connecting distributed data sources, creating administrative environments, and establishing and managing connectivity to data rooms.

Practical Implementation and Outlook

The project results are now being incorporated into concrete applications. These include the further development of connectors, the establishment of the AAS standard, and new services such as “Dataspace as a Service” and the “Dataspace Cockpit,” which simplify access to secure data spaces. The initiative’s full final report is available on the Factory-X website.

Following the project’s conclusion, collaboration will continue in topic groups within the Industry 4.0 platform to further develop standards and drive international scaling. The results of Factory-X are considered groundbreaking for digital transformation in industry.

“With Factory-X, we have demonstrated that data is the key to new value creation and innovation in manufacturing,” says Dr. Oliver Becker, Vice President of the Manufacturing Industry at Arvato Systems. “Together as a consortium, we have created solutions that bring digital sovereignty and data as a strategic production factor into industrial practice.”

Telematics infrastructure is increasingly becoming the digital foundation of connected healthcare. In this context, questions regarding practical implementation, cross-sector collaboration, and the successful integration of digital applications are coming more and more into focus. This is precisely where Arvato Systems’ presentations at the TI-SUMMIT come into play.

Among other topics, the company will examine the integration of various user groups into the telematics infrastructure, the opportunities presented by electronic prescriptions for medical devices, and the requirements for effective communication in the event of telematics disruptions. In addition, experts will provide insights into current developments in digital care processes and telemedicine.

A special highlight of the program is the showcase for the TeMeS* project (Telemedical Management in Specialized Care Structures). Together with representatives from St. Joseph-Stift Dresden and the State Capital of Dresden, Arvato Systems will use a real-world care scenario to demonstrate how digital applications can be successfully integrated into everyday clinical practice. The demonstration will show how elements such as video consultations, document management, hospital information systems, and TI Messenger can be combined into a seamless digital care solution.

The TeMeS case study exemplifies the concrete added value that telematics infrastructure can create for patients, medical facilities, and healthcare providers when digital applications work together seamlessly and are integrated into existing processes.

“The TI-SUMMIT offers an excellent platform for exchanging experiences, openly discussing challenges, and working together on the next steps in the development of digital healthcare. We look forward to engaging in conversation with partners, customers, association representatives, service providers, and interested parties,” said Roland Hoffknecht, Vice President of eHealth at Arvato Systems.

Visitors can meet Arvato Systems’ experts in person throughout the TI-SUMMIT 2026 and exchange ideas on topics such as telematics infrastructure, telemedicine, TI access, digital communication, and future care scenarios.

Further information on Arvato Systems’ presentations, workshops, and participation at the TI-SUMMIT 2026 can be found on the event landing page.

*“This initiative is co-financed with tax revenues based on the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.”.

• Fast integration of heterogeneous system landscapes
• Scalable operation, architectural consulting, and managed services from a single source

Arvato Systems expands its partner network to include Lobster, a leading German provider of data integration, EDI, and process automation solutions. The partnership combines Lobster’s powerful integration platform with Arvato Systems’ longstanding expertise in integration architecture, implementation, and managed services. Together, the companies support customers in implementing complex integration projects more quickly and operating them stably over the long term.

The joint solution is aimed particularly at companies that want to connect existing system landscapes with modern applications without completely replacing proven systems. It creates a flexible middleware and integration layer for cloud, hybrid, and on-premises landscapes and enables connecting ERP, CRM, EDI, and other business applications, as well as integrating historically grown IT environments. This allows heterogeneous systems, data sources, and business partners to be efficiently networked via standardized interfaces.

While Lobster provides the technological foundation for rapid integration of applications, data, and business processes, Arvato Systems takes on the design of the integration architecture, its implementation, and the reliable operation of the integration platform. This includes, among other things, 24/7 managed services, continuous monitoring, support, and the operation of middleware, EAI, and EDI systems. Companies thus benefit from powerful and scalable integration landscapes, greater transparency in ongoing operations, and sustainably reduced complexity.

“Many companies want to implement integrations faster without replacing proven systems,” says Christian Bittner, Head of Application Integration at Arvato Systems. “This is exactly where we come in together: with a no-code platform for the rapid connection of heterogeneous landscapes and a scalable operating model for productive use.”

“Our strength lies in the rapid connection of partners, data, and systems,” adds Tim Srock, CEO of Lobster. “Together with Arvato Systems, we are expanding this technological basis to include operation, monitoring, and managed services—for more flexibility in meeting individual operational requirements.”

The partnership underscores both companies’ shared goal of supporting organizations in their digital transformation with powerful, sovereign, and practical integration solutions.

The pilot highlights what matters most now: agentic readiness – the ability to design systems, data, and processes in a way that enables companies to deploy their own AI agents while seamlessly integrating with future external agent ecosystems.

A New Paradigm Shift in Commerce

Agentic commerce represents the next evolution of digital commerce: AI agents no longer just assist with product discovery but independently make decisions and complete transactions on behalf of consumers. As a result, digital commerce is increasingly shifting beyond the traditional online store into a variety of digital environments – from platforms and messaging channels to intelligent assistants.

Reality Check in Practice

The pilot turned this vision into reality: an AI agent selected a product and completed the purchase on behalf of the customer, including payment within the agent environment. The transaction was based on existing payment infrastructure, demonstrating that agent-driven purchasing is already technically feasible – provided that underlying systems are properly integrated and orchestrated.

“Agentic commerce is no longer a vision for the future—it is happening now,” said Carsten Bruning, Vice President Digital Commerce at Arvato Systems. “The key question is whether companies are able to evolve their system landscapes, data, and processes to keep pace with this new model.”

"Agentic commerce is the next evolution of digital commerce, with AI not just finding products but completing purchases," said Phil Fayer, Chair and CEO of Nuvei. "This proof of concept starts inside a merchant’s own experience and points to where payments are heading: a layer that lets any agent, on any protocol, pay across any network."

“For Kings and Priests, this was a firsthand demonstration of how agentic commerce could open entirely new channels for digital retail,” said Ralph Hürlemann, Founder of Kings and Priests. “The ability for AI agents to complete a purchase on a consumer’s behalf — without that consumer ever visiting our site — has the potential to fundamentally reshape how customers discover and buy products online.”

First Practical Insights at K5 Future Retail Conference 2026

Arvato Systems showcased the concrete challenges and opportunities for brands and retailers at this year’s K5 Future Retail Conference. In the masterclass “Agentic Commerce: Between Vision and Reality,” exclusive key insights from a joint study with ECC KÖLN were presented for the first time – complemented by practical learnings from the pilot project. The goal was to realistically assess companies’ maturity levels and highlight concrete starting points for building agentic readiness.

Ecosystems as the Foundation for Scalable Agentic Commerce

The pilot highlights that agentic commerce requires seamless collaboration between merchants, technology providers, and payment ecosystems. Arvato Systems assumes the role of integrator and enabler: as a central orchestration layer, we connect channels, data, and systems – creating the foundation for scalable, intelligent agentic commerce.

• Arvato Systems wins silver in the “AI as a Service Provider” category
• Award confirms expertise in developing and operating scalable AI solutions
• Once again ranked among Germany’s leading IT service providers

Arvato Systems was awarded silver in the “AI as a Service Provider” category at the 2026 Service Provider Awards. The award was presented during the Service Provider Summit, one of the most important industry gatherings for IT service providers, cloud providers, and managed service providers in the German-speaking world. The award is based on a reader survey conducted by the IT portals of Vogel IT-Medien, in which IT decision-makers and industry experts vote on the top-performing service providers.

With this silver award, the jury recognizes Arvato Systems’ expertise in the development, implementation, and operation of modern AI solutions. The company helps customers deploy artificial intelligence securely, scalably, and cost-effectively—from developing custom Gen AI applications and intelligent automation to AI platforms and managed AI services. The focus is on data sovereignty, governance, and seamless integration into existing business processes.

“We are very pleased to have been named a silver winner in the ‘AI as a Service Provider’ category,” says Jürgen Einfalt, Product Manager for Delivery Excellence at Arvato Systems. “Especially in a highly dynamic market environment with numerous innovative and strong competitors, a spot on the podium is a special honor. The result confirms our commitment to making artificial intelligence practical and delivering real added value for our customers, and at the same time serves as an incentive to consistently further develop our AI-based services.”

With this latest placement in the Service Provider Awards, Arvato Systems continues its long-standing streak of success in this prestigious reader poll. This repeated recognition underscores the company’s ongoing innovative strength and the trust that customers and market participants place in Arvato Systems’ service portfolio.

• Demonstrated expertise in establishing strong and scalable foundations for end-to-end cloud operations on AWS
• Strong focus on secure, compliant, and efficient operations for business critical workloads

Arvato Systems has achieved the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Operations Competency, underscoring its proven ability to design, operate, and continuously optimize complex cloud environments on AWS.

With this designation, Arvato Systems strengthens its position as a trusted partner for enterprises seeking to run business-critical workloads securely, efficiently, and at scale. The company combines deep operational expertise with automation, standardized processes, and strong governance frameworks to ensure consistently high-performance cloud operations.

“Arvato Systems is proud to achieve AWS Cloud Operations Competency status,” said Volker auf der Landwehr, AWS Alliance Lead, Arvato Systems. “For us, the focus is on continuously improving cloud operations together with our customers—driving stability, transparency, and measurable value in day-to-day operations.”

A particular strength of Arvato Systems lies in supporting organizations in regulated industries, where reliability, compliance, and cost control are essential. By leveraging advanced AWS capabilities and its own managed services approach, Arvato Systems enables customers to turn cloud operations into a strategic advantage—driving resilience, efficiency, and long-term business value.

• ENNI has chosen AEP.EnerS4, based on SAP S/4HANA Utilities, as the strategic successor to SAP IS-U, thereby driving forward the transformation of its billing landscape.
• The platform approach combines standardization, economies of scale, and customization flexibility while ensuring long-term operational reliability.

Following a Europe-wide tender, ENNI Energie & Umwelt Niederrhein GmbH has selected Arvato Systems’ AEP.EnerS4 billing platform. As support for SAP IS-U is set to expire, the energy supplier is adopting this standardized master system solution based on SAP S/4HANA Utilities, thereby laying the groundwork for a future-proof, scalable billing infrastructure.

The SAP transformation is part of a comprehensive modernization project: ENNI plans to migrate to SAP S/4HANA Utilities by October 2027, with a subsequent minimum term of 60 months, and is relying on the AEP.EnerS4 master system. The solution’s platform approach integrates key energy industry processes such as billing, market communication, and forms management into a consistent system architecture.

Given the increasing time pressure caused by the impending end of support for SAP IS-U and limited migration resources in the market, a standardized approach is becoming increasingly important. AEP.EnerS4 addresses this challenge with a scalable master system based on a central SAP core and supplemented by modular, add-on service layers for operations, process support, further development, and BPO services.

“The migration to AEP.EnerS4 at ENNI is not a traditional transformation project, but rather the implementation of an efficient master system based on the RISE approach—with maximum flexibility for individual requirements,” says Benedict Kock, Director of Energy Solutions at Arvato Systems. He adds: “Customers who sign up with us now don’t have to worry about the official end of SAP support. We ensure long-term support.”

The platform is based on preconfigured standards and consistently follows the Clean Core principle. Customizations are implemented specifically outside the system core, while regulatory requirements and functional enhancements are developed and rolled out centrally. This enables both implementation costs and operating expenses to be reduced sustainably.

In addition to efficiency gains, ENNI benefits from consolidated licensing models and a noticeable reduction in operational workload. Under a Managed Service Provider (MSP) model, Arvato Systems—an SAP Gold Partner—takes responsibility for operations, SAP contract management, and further development, and serves as the central point of contact within the SAP ecosystem.

“For ENNI, this project is a central component of our digitalization strategy,” says Christian Feltgen, Head of IT at ENNI. “The deciding factors in awarding the contract were the platform strategy approach, our long-standing, trusting collaboration to date, and the combination of technological and energy industry expertise offered by the specialists at the Gütersloh-based IT service provider.”

With this project, Arvato Systems underscores the market relevance of its platform approach and positions AEP.EnerS4 as a scalable solution to the current transformation requirements of the energy and utilities sector.