Digitalization

Ecosystems and partnerships

To achieve our strategic targets, we are open to more innovation, and are systematically building strong partnerships in ecosystems on equal terms. In the future, large-­­scale developments of innovative solutions achieved in partnerships will complement our traditional service contracting activities. To this end, we are driving forward the systematic development of ecosystem management. For a uniform market and partner approach, as well as the focused positioning of DB Group, an umbrella brand “Beyond1435 | DB” has been developed and established for the Ecosystem&Partnership Hub that comprises all partner activities of DB Group. Partnerships are developed in specific ecosystem units. Following the strategic setup of ecosystem units, Ecosystem Management supports the development of the respective portfolio of partnerships and projects and provides the necessary expertise as an overarching team for DB Group. The overriding goal of the partnerships developed in the ecosystem units is always the implementation of the Strong Rail strategy and the fields of action of the digital and technology strategy. As the first ecosystem unit, New Mobility was transferred to the Passenger Transport division on June 1, 2020. The New Logistics ecosystem unit is currently still in development. In the first half of 2020, the focus was on the design, development and launch of the following ecosystem units:

• Production Tech: the digitalization of production processes enables a significant increase in efficiency through cost savings, capacity increases and quality improvements in the integrated rail system. Initially, the focus of this ecosystem unit is on digital maintenance.
• Sustainability Tech: the development of sustainable offers addresses customers’ growing need for environmentally friendly consumption. The aim is to create a cross-­­industry partner network for the joint development of sustainable products and solutions so as to support our climate and sustainability goals. The issue being prioritized initially is smart buildings, especially in the area of maintenance depots, and alternative fuels and propulsion in rail vehicles.

Investments and partnerships

Deutsche Bahn Digital Ventures GmbH (DB DV) is the corporate venture capital arm of DB Group. The performance of the portfolio companies in the first half of 2020 was significantly impacted by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in impairments in four portfolio companies.