Making Data Ecosystems Understandable for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises © Photo Credit: SCALE-MX

Making Data Ecosystems Understandable for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

WIK initiatives within the SCALE-MX Project

August 27. - November 18. 2025
Since the beginning of the year, WIK has been actively involved in the SCALE-MX initiative, which supports the digital transformation of manufacturing companies in Germany. The aim of SCALE-MX is to demonstrate the benefits of industrial data ecosystems to companies and other stakeholders, and to support them with practical knowledge and information.

Data ecosystems enable companies to exchange data directly, securely, and autonomously with customers and suppliers, while also providing access to data-driven AI solutions. They form the foundation for connected, future-oriented value creation and ensure long-term innovation and competitiveness.

However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face major challenges in their digital transformation and often struggle to realize the full potential of data-based collaboration.

Through the SCALE-MX project, WIK provides hands-on knowledge across regions to raise awareness among SMEs of the added value of automated data exchange and data ecosystems, and to present specific steps towards implementation.

To this end, we are offering free on-site workshops together with the project partners and selected regional cooperation partners – e.g.:

  • 27.8.2025, DFKI in Kaiserslautern (with SmartFactory-KL and Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Kaiserslautern)
  • 29.10.2025, Halle/Saale (with KEDi and Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Magdeburg)
  • 18.11.2025, Chemnitz (with Mittelstand-Digital Zentren Chemnitz and Smarte Kreisläufe)

We are also targeting stakeholders through a dedicated Train-the-Trainer programme. In cooperation with DIHK and Niedersachsen.NXT, we offer practical trainings on data ecosystems, their potential, and specific applications for SMEs – including tools and methods to support effective knowledge transfer.

SCALE-MX is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and is a joint initiative of VDMA, ZVEI, Niedersachsen.NXT, Bayern Innovativ, DIHK Service GmbH and WIK.