Adesso : Schwarz Digits and adesso enter into partnership for sovereign German IT solutions

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Dortmund/Neckarsulm| 19. June 2024

Schwarz Digits and adesso enter into partnership for sovereign German IT solutions

adesso, one of Germany's leading IT service providers, and Schwarz Digits, the IT and digital division of the Schwarz Group (which includes Lidl and Kaufland), have entered into an extensive strategic partnership. The alliance includes a collaboration between adesso and the cloud infrastructure provider STACKIT, as well as the cybersecurity specialist XM Cyber, both established Schwarz Digits brands.

Both partners aim to further the development of a sovereign German cloud infrastructure for business customers that will act as a launching pad for disruptive, data-driven technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) for organisations with complex data security and compliance requirements in industries like the public sector or healthcare. In addition, the two partners will develop customised AI solutions for their sovereign cloud offering in the future based on technology from the German GenAI start-up Aleph Alpha. The two companies are moving closer together, with adesso planning to open a location at the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI) in Heilbronn, not far from the Schwarz Group's headquarters in Neckarsulm.

German-engineered digital sovereignty and security from a single source

By collaborating with STACKIT, adesso is rounding out its cloud infrastructure offering to include a high-performance option from Germany that meets the highest data integrity and sovereignty standards, as well as the strictest European security requirements. STACKIT hosts all data exclusively in Germany and Austria, with adesso offering its customers the sovereign cloud solution itself, as well as professional services and managed services as part of future projects. Access to STACKIT's cost-efficient, scalable cloud infrastructure allows adesso to meet the requirements of companies that are specifically looking for a German provider for their cloud transformation.

When it comes to cybersecurity, the partnership with XM Cyber will allow adesso to expand its portfolio of security solutions to include a latest-generation attack path management platform. Unlike many traditional breach and attack simulation (BAS) solutions, XM Cyber's attack path management platform identifies the most critical assets and determines all possible attack paths to make it easier for security teams to prioritise countermeasures. The alliance with XM Cyber goes beyond a mere partnership. Going forward, adesso will rely on XM Cyber's BAS solution for continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) to protect its own infrastructure.

By working with Schwarz Digits in both areas, adesso will enable users to benefit from the advantages of utilising an optimally coordinated overall infrastructural solution from a single source, including the best possible cost efficiency and maximum safety.

Artificial intelligence from the German cloud serving the public sector

In addition to collaborating on cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure, the two companies are also joining forces to develop applications for artificial intelligence based on the expertise of Aleph Alpha.

"Aleph Alpha's transparent and comprehensible artificial intelligence applications make it a real standout," says Rolf Schumann, Co-CEO at Schwarz Digits and CDO of the Schwarz Group. "That's why hosting Aleph Alpha models on our sovereign German STACKIT Cloud plays a noteworthy role in digital sovereignty 'Made in Germany'. In adesso, we have gained a strong partner to support us in this development."

Co-CEO at Schwarz Digits and CDO of the Schwarz Group

"The Schwarz Group's IT solutions are not only trustworthy, but truly sovereign according the highest German standards," says Mark Lohweber, CEO of adesso. "That makes them attractive for forward-looking joint projects, especially in conjunction with Aleph Alpha. We are delighted about the partnership and are sure that it will make an important contribution to Germany's sustainable digitalisation."

Mark Lohweber, Chairman of the Executive Board of adesso SE

adesso location planned at IPAI in Heilbronn

adesso is intensifying its partnership with Schwarz Digits and its focus on artificial intelligence with a new location at the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI) in Heilbronn. The planned opening will assist adesso in promoting exchange between and joint research among its own vast team of AI experts and other businesses, as well as the research institutions at the IPAI.

More information

• Black Digits
• STACKIT
• XM Cyber
• Cloud @ adesso
• Cybersecurity @ adesso
• Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI)

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