DataCross – Communication and compliance in one system

DataCross enables you to easily communicate the requirements of corporate, product and material compliance, to reliably evaluate them and to combine them into trustworthy sustainability information. DataCross stands for the combination of data communication and data compliance and is offered as a SaaS solution (Software as a Service) on a development platform from Mendix/Siemens as PaaS (Platform as a Service). The necessary business services, platform services as well as data & storage and other services are realized on this platform. This platform can be hosted in all common clouds as IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), such as the amazon cloud, the Azure cloud or the SAP cloud.

The DataCross Communication System

DataCross places the highest demands on functionality and security:

  • The leading technology for digitizing business processes guarantees the fast and cost-effective creation of modules.

  • Excellent interface compatibility with all common ERP systems. tec4U-Solutions is a member of the SAP Partner Edge OE program, among others.

  • Simplified user administration and SSO ensure greater security, efficiency and control of workflows – even within complex organizations.

  • The unparalleled system performance makes it possible to manage up to 500,000 parts lists and 15,000 suppliers, and allows for accelerated upload of supplier and article data.

The intelligent communication system allows the targeted, rule-specific approach of the supplier, based on the findings of the risk assessment or the questionnaire. The basis is an automated and customizable process for supplier communication (system languages DE, EN, FR, Chinese).
The high level of user acceptance within the supplier chain – guaranteed by the intuitive operating concept – and the system-supported sensitive supplier approach with a stored escalation system ensure successful supplier communication.

The regulatory inventory contains more than 27 globally applicable sustainability requirements out of the box, including REACH, SCIP, RoHS, Conflict Minerals (CMRT and EMRT), EUTR, LkSG, Biocide V, Hong Kong Convention (IHM), California Proposition 65, POP Regulation (Stockholm Convention), Battery Directive, Packaging Ordinance, Food Contact Materials (GMP), Ecodesign Directive (ÖDR), Customs Goods, Formaldehyde, TSCA, PFAS…

The DataCross software as such, as well as the platform on which it is operated, are tested regularly. Mendix complies with the highest security standards in accordance with ISO and ISAE. These include

  • ISO 25010 standard for software quality
  • ISO 27001 Information Security Framework
  • ISAE 3402 Type II: this means that SOC 2 reports can be obtained “confidentially” on request.

DataCross is hosted by a German cloud provider and it is ensured that all data remains within Europe (in accordance with the EU GDPR).

Numerous connections and integrations are possible via interfaces. The simplest connection is via an import/export from and to an Excel file that corresponds to a predefined “DataCross format”. Other connections are possible via standard interfaces, e.g. web services or REST/ODATA, etc.

DataCross was developed on the Mendix platform, which is also the basis of the SAP Cloud Platform. This makes it possible to connect DataCross to SAP (including on-premises solutions) via a wide range of SAP connectors.

tec4U-Solutions’ membership of SAP Partner Edge OE ensures the efficient and functional connection of the DataCross software world to the customer SAP world. The integration of sustainability data into company processes is ensured via the partners ORBIS and SAP. DataCross can be used as a cloud solution or as an SAP front end.

DataCross pricing is tailored to the individual needs of each customer, taking into account the size of the company, the product portfolio, the business processes and the economic possibilities. With DataCross, you pay only for what you actually use and for the benefits that you generate for your company with the tool.

  • Simplified handling for suppliers: For each request, the supplier can decide whether to create a supplier account or to process the request via the link in the e-mail.
  • The supplier can quickly answer even large requests with simple copy functions.
  • All suppliers use DataCross free of charge and are supported by extensive training material (manuals, support hotline and webinars).
  • Suppliers receive free training on general sustainability topics, but also on how to use DataCross. If a supplier does not answer the DataCross queries, it is not because they have not understood the sustainability topic or cannot use the application.

Yes! tec4U-Solutions does not leave you alone with the purchase of the software, but offers you an all-round carefree package with accompanying data services.

In a partnership-based exchange between our customers and our certified team, we use our internally developed communication process to ensure detailed information procurement and legally compliant implementation. On your behalf, we research the necessary compliance data from your suppliers, validate the incoming data with regard to the legal requirements, support you with risk analyses and answer customer inquiries regarding REACH, RoHS & Co.

In addition to material compliance requirements, our key areas of focus include the Supply Chain Duty of Care Act, the calculation and reduction of the CO2 footprint and comprehensive and transparent sustainability reporting. Benefit from our many years of expertise in the active implementation of legal, customer- and material-specific requirements. Our first-class data service and the innovative DataCross 2.0 software solution combine to make a significant contribution to protecting people and the environment, while at the same time reducing costs and significantly minimizing effort.

Sustainability data is only useful for a company if it is integrated into the company’s processes. tec4U offers process consulting to clearly define who sends data and who receives data, and who is responsible for which tasks. Furthermore, we support companies in integrating the data into the ERP systems (e.g. SAP, Siemens Teamcenter, Pro Alpha…).

According to the new Ecodesign Regulation, “products may only be placed on the market or put into use if a product passport is available…”

Depending on the type of product, the contents of the product passport are specifically regulated. The product passport should contain, among other things, the following content:

► Indication of substances of concern

► Information for recyclers/recyclers

► Product parameters or performance parameters

► Operating and repair instructions

As a DataCross 2.0 user, you will be able to create a digital product passport based on the functional modules in the future. More information can be found here.

The DataCross Compliance System

  • A sophisticated KPI system/cockpit provides information on the performance of the system and the implementation of material compliance in the end product/supplier product. At the touch of a button, it is possible to identify and evaluate product risks and initiate or monitor measures.

  • The risk assessment system is based on various risk indicators and statistical methods to avoid undesirable developments and high follow-up costs at an early stage. At the push of a button, it is possible to identify and assess risks and to initiate and monitor measures.

  • The functionality of the supplier evaluation makes it possible to question the trustworthiness of the supplier in terms of sustainability at different levels of information. A questionnaire provides valuable information for assessing the supplier’s compliance risk and initial indicators for estimating the product risk.

  • In addition to the regulation-specific partial declaration, the full declaration is integrated into the request process. The supplier can choose whether to make a partial or full declaration or to declare according to the IPC 1752 standard. The user can create materials for the full declaration themselves or select them from the integrated catalog.

  • The business unit management function allows “any” number of business units to be created within a single account (to reflect corporate structures), all managed under a single license. Business units can work independently, but can also manage shared suppliers/articles/bills of materials and act as suppliers to each other (centralized or decentralized data storage).

  • Integrated test routines relieve the system operators. The special tec4U service of entering and updating the requirements (laws, standards and guidelines) in DataCross, and thus assuming liability, makes requirements management unique in the area of compliance testing.

What software expertise is behind DataCross?

Clevr Softwarehaus

CLEVR – The software house “in” of tec4U-Solutions GmbH

As part of the DataCross project partnership, CLEVR DE GmbH, which acts as a software house “in” tec4U-Solutions, takes on the following tasks:

  • Software technical specification implementation of the DataCross application
  • Ensuring the operation of DataCross software
  • Technical support for DataCross

As a software company with more than 260 employees and 27 years of experience, CLEVR operates worldwide with its own locations mainly in Europe in the Netherlands, Germany, Norway and Finland. CLEVR sees itself not only in DataCross as a partner and “Center of Excellence” for individual software solutions. In particular, the digitalization of products and processes and the implementation of new business models – i.e. the creation of business applications in the cloud – are the focus here. CLEVR also offers specialized integration solutions for connecting third-party systems.

Further information: https://www.clevr.com/

Any questions?

We look forward to hearing from you.

Stefanie Huber

+49 681 92564 – 122

s.huber@tec4u-solutions.com

We look forward to supporting you.