Innovation, growth and cost efficiency through digital ecosystems
Digital connectivity is transforming how markets operate – and how customers and partners interact with one another. Speed, scalability and platform capability are becoming strategic advantages. Companies that consistently align their business models with these dynamics are laying the foundations for future success.
Digital platforms connect what was previously separate: customers, partners, services – all within a scalable model. Whether marketplaces, API hubs or data-driven and interconnected solutions: they form the technological backbone of digital ecosystems.
This infrastructure generates economic value: new revenue streams, more efficient processes and a shorter time-to-market. Digital ecosystems make it possible to reshape markets – or create entirely new ones.
“We work with you to develop a tailored ecosystem and platform strategy, implement it systematically – and turn it into a growth driver for your business – as part of a comprehensive transformation of your business model. All with a clear focus on business impact, scalability and deliverability.”
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Welcome to the future of your business! We’ll support you as you enter the dynamic market of the digital platform business.
Together, we’ll work with you to develop the digital capabilities you need to excel in the digital economy.
We create platform-oriented business models and the associated platforms that are perfectly tailored to your vision.
With a bespoke go-to-market approach, we’ll support you in launching your digital products and services. We’ll also work with you to develop a detailed roadmap for implementing your digital initiatives on a scalable platform.
Let’s set the course for your success in the digital age together!
Our Service Offering
- Seize Opportunities
- Design Capabilities
- Build Technology
- Operate & Scale-up
Seize Opportunities
Understand the purpose of your digital business. We help you understand the rational for your digital activities by showing the market potential and digital market dynamics. Together, we define a concrete target state of your digital business model using a customer-centric approach and define your value proposition, your future positioning on the market and ways to play.
Design Capabilities
Establish a strong foundation and prototype. In concerted effort with you we define customer-centric digital and platform-oriented business models and services. Additionally, we define digital capabilities your organization needs to build up in order to deliver digital value to your customers. We also guide you towards the target state in an agile way, with constant market validation using MVPs and pilot solutions and products.
Build Technology
Find the right technology and partners for your digital platform business. As PwC, we help you to define what is the best-fit technology and platform for your organization to design, develop and launch digital platform services and solutions. Thanks to our strong network we will provide you with top-notch technical partners to realize your digital capabilities, solution and products.
Operate & Scale-up
Expand your digital solutions company-wide. We provide guidance in scaling up your digital solutions and services from a single use case to a platform business and help you to operate on a divisional or company level with a suitable operating model.
A kick-start to the platform business – 11 essential questions
How should your organisation proceed to ensure the successful introduction of a platform-based business model? Our white paper (German) provides practical and concise guidance based on eleven key questions – from developing a sound strategy through to practical implementation, with a focus on the main components of every platform.
Our references
Strategic entry of a medium-sized technology company into the IoT market
A medium-sized tech company was facing significant changes in the hardware sector, the company’s core business. In response to this situation, it sought to identify growth areas related to the Internet of Things (IoT) where it could tap into new sources of revenue through new offerings and solutions.
Digitalisation in family-run and medium-sized enterprises
Bosch is currently undergoing the greatest transformation in its history as it sets out to become a leading Internet of Things (IoT) company.
Digital platform strategy – a manufacturer of professional audio technology’s path into the digital world
A leading company in the field of professional audio technology is making a name for itself in the digital world by developing brand-new digital platform solutions for its customers.
Strategic Diversification at a Provider of Smart Energy Management Solutions
A global leader in smart energy management solutions within the energy services sector is seeking ways to make the best possible use of its existing IoT capabilities and to tap into new industrial sectors.
Defining an ‘Ecosystem Operating Model’ for a leading European food retailer
A leading European food retailer with over 10,000 stores in more than 30 countries faces the challenge of integrating its diverse business models and activities into a holistic digital ecosystem. The overarching objective is to sustainably strengthen customer loyalty and expand the existing service portfolio. By introducing a cross-channel Ecosystem Operating Model, the individual business models are intended to reinforce one another and generate a so-called flywheel effect, which continuously increases customer loyalty. The strategic ambition: to generate additional revenue growth in the double-digit billions by 2030.
As part of the project, the company was supported in designing an ecosystem operating model, which is enabled and operated through shared ecosystem services. This involved developing clear design principles and a strategic vision, drawing up a comprehensive capability map featuring 12 prioritised ecosystem capabilities – each assigned to 11 specific business and technical services – and devising two bespoke pilot ecosystem plays tailored to the client’s specific business models, which demonstrate revenue potential in the millions. In addition, an ecosystem readiness assessment tool was developed, which provides insights into the organisation’s maturity and serves as the basis for the phased implementation of the cross-channel ecosystem strategy.
Development of an Aerospace Data Space for a European aerospace OEM
The aerospace industry faces significant challenges across its globally interconnected supply chains. Inefficiencies in the supply chain and production, a lack of transparency between value chain partners, and untapped potential for data-driven business models characterise the industry landscape. A consortium of over 20 aerospace companies has therefore joined forces to tackle these challenges together. The strategic response: the establishment of an industry-wide Data Space. This decentralised, trusted data infrastructure enables secure and standardised data exchange between partners, thereby laying the foundation for significant efficiency gains and new business models.
As part of the project, the consortium was supported in developing a shared target vision and defining the value proposition of the Data Space. Building on this, the service offering, the economic model and the business case were developed. In addition, a viable operating model and a suitable governance structure were defined. In parallel, preparations were made for the establishment of a dedicated legal entity, and support was provided with regard to financing and securing funding. These activities were rounded off by the establishment of a use-case pipeline and the development of a technical demonstrator.
The consortium also received comprehensive support at a technical level – in the design of an interoperable and scalable infrastructure featuring cloud components, federated Data Space management services, as well as trust levels , and compliance with standards such as Gaia-X and Manufacturing-X. A key focus was on the technical convergence of the various initiatives to ensure interoperability and enable the rapid industrialisation of the use cases.
The results include a coordinated target vision, a shared vision and a consolidated implementation strategy. The aerospace stakeholder community has been mobilised and a sustainable network established. The next steps – in particular establishment and financing – are set out in a concrete implementation plan. In addition, a Minimum Viable Data Space pilot involving one OEM and two Tier 1 industry partners has been successfully launched.
