Proalpha

Making data rooms usable: What sounds like complex research in theory is becoming a tangible reality thanks to the collaboration between Proalpha and PFALZKOM at the 2026 Hannover Messe (HMI). At the heart of this collaboration is the question: How do we transform traditional ERP data into valuable digital twins?

Where ERP expertise meets infrastructure power

Proalpha and PFALZKOM lay the groundwork for the digital twin

Making data rooms usable: What sounds like complex research in theory is becoming a tangible reality thanks to the collaboration between Proalpha and PFALZKOM at Hannover Messe 2026 (HMI). At the heart of this collaboration is the question: How do we transform traditional ERP data into valuable digital twins?

The foundation: Trust within the SmartFactory-KL network

The roots of this partnership lie in Kaiserslautern. As long-standing and dedicated members of the SmartFactory KL e.V. technology initiative, Proalpha and PFALZKOM are connected by far more than a typical business relationship. Over the years, through joint meetings and working groups, they have developed a deep technical understanding and a foundation of personal trust. In projects such as the SFKL reference architecture or the concept of shared production, the foundation was laid early on for what is now revolutionizing the industrial landscape under the buzzwords Manufacturing-X and Factory-X.

The challenge: Data sovereignty and interoperability

In modern industry, data exchange along the supply chain is essential. But how can information be shared without losing control over one’s own process knowledge? The answer lies in so-called data rooms and the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) for the interoperable exchange of required data. While users of the Proalpha ERP system retain logical data sovereignty, these technologies require a highly specialized IT infrastructure. Based on this solution, the Digital Product Passport (DPP) can be created as a use case. It is generated directly from production orders, thereby simultaneously meeting the highest security standards.

“Against the backdrop of growing communities and the increasing adoption of data models based on the administrative shell, the groundwork is being laid for interoperable and reusable data models, all the way to standardization,” emphasizes William Motsch, Lead Software Engineer R&D – ERP Supply Chain & Aftermarket at Proalpha. “As a solid complement to ERP systems, the digital twin serves as the starting point for future expansions in the area of concrete AI use cases and, with agentic AI, also for a new generation of artificial intelligence.”

The solution: A blend of software and infrastructure

In the joint use case, which will be presented to industry professionals in Hall 13 (Booth C35), the gears mesh seamlessly. The Proalpha REST framework serves as the technical intermediary, bridging the gap between the ERP system and a product’s digital representation.

PFALZKOM provides the necessary IT infrastructure for this purpose. Drawing on experience gained from the Twin4Trucks research project, PFALZKOM deploys the Regional Edge Cloud. These highly secure regional data centers not only host the technical infrastructure of the digital twin but also operate the necessary middleware (BaSyx). Through a dedicated firewall strategy and precise control of access permissions, PFALZKOM ensures that user sovereignty is maintained at all times.

“The technology used in this real-world case study provides concrete solutions for a wide range of use cases, including the Digital Product Passport (DPP) and related value-added applications, such as repair histories spanning a product’s entire lifecycle,” emphasizes Wolfram Menser, ERP Business Process Architect at Proalpha.

The benefit: efficiency for the supply chain of tomorrow

The result of this collaboration is a real-world example of true digital transformation. Customers benefit from interoperable data exchange, which also serves as the technological foundation for complex requirements such as the Digital Product Passport. By migrating to PFALZKOM’s cloud infrastructure, companies remain agile, conserve internal resources, and rely on a system that—thanks to the Gaia-X Digital Clearing House—already meets tomorrow’s standards today.

From April 20 to 24, 2026, Proalpha and PFALZKOM will be demonstrating at the SmartFactory-KL joint booth how even complex production orders can be transformed into intelligent, digital value. Come see firsthand how we turn data into action.

Take-aways from this project:

  • Partners: Proalpha (ERP expertise) & PFALZKOM (infrastructure capabilities)
  • Technologies: Asset Administration Shell (AAS), BaSyx, REST framework, Regional Edge Cloud
  • Focus: Manufacturing-X, Digital Product Passport (DPP), Gaia-X
  • Live demo: Hannover Messe 2026, Hall 13, Booth C35
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