Summary

The research project "OpenData4KMU" aims to enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to use publicly available data sources (open data) to improve the quality of their forecasts and strengthen the resilience of their supply chains. At the center of the project is the development of a practice-oriented guide that helps SMEs identify relevant open data sources and use them to create more accurate forecasts. This also includes the creation of an early warning system for supply chain problems as well as strategic measures to increase supply chain resilience. The research objectives include analyzing and categorizing existing applications of forecasting methods in SMEs, examining relevant open data sources, and developing and testing an integrative concept for using open data in existing forecasting processes. The project addresses specific challenges faced by SMEs, such as limited resources, and aims to reduce competitive disadvantages compared to large companies through the targeted use of open data. The economic relevance for SMEs arises from the opportunity to increase planning certainty and minimize supply chain risks through better forecasts. This allows SMEs to strengthen their competitive position and respond more agilely to changes in the market environment. The findings and tools developed as part of the "OpenData4KMU" project thus offer direct benefits to SMEs by simplifying the accessibility and use of open data, thereby contributing to digital transformation and increasing innovative capacity in the SME sector.

Implementation

The implementation will take place in five steps:

1. Development of a compendium of potential use cases for forecasting with open data in SMEs,
2. Identification and classification of various open data sources as well as classification of internal sources,
3. Development of a suitable approach for the technical integration of open data,
4. Software-based demonstrator for the approach to integrating open data and ensuring acceptance, 
5. Validation of the results in case studies

Coordination and further project details