DB Schenker is collaborating with Microsoft to accelerate its transformation into a global digital logistics company.

Within this collaboration, DB Schenker has set milestones for the evolution of its future logistics-as-a-service approach.

“We at DB Schenker thrive to make future logistics ever more intelligent,” said Markus Sontheimer, CIO at DB Schenker. “Our digital services will create value for our customers by making supply chains more data driven and efficient. Using Microsoft Azure will boost our ability to seamlessly connect our cloud-based services with our real-world logistics.”

DB Schenker will migrate key infrastructure services to Azure. This will enhance security, speed and scalability of its cloud-based services. The German logistics company has already started the first cloud migration projects by using the Azure migration programme in several country organisations. The programme supports best practices, guidance, direct access to Azure engineers, tools and subsidised partner services.

“Investments in digital technologies help companies reimagine their businesses and build more agile and resilient operations,” said Ulrich Homann, corporate vice president at Microsoft. “By harnessing Microsoft Azure, DB Schenker enables organisations to redefine their supply chains and accelerate the delivery of new customer value.”

A big data service on Azure will enable DB Schenker to analyse and optimise volumes, capacities and supply chain performance in near real time.

At an earlier stage of this collaboration, DB Schenker smoothly migrated its entire digital workspace for more than 60.000 employees into the cloud relying on Microsoft 365. The efficiency and comfort of the digital workplace have been key for DB Schenker’ business continuity and way of working in times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With around 76,900 employees at more than 2100 locations in over 130 countries, DB Schenker is one of the world’s largest logistics providers. The company operates land, air and ocean transportation services, and offers logistics and global supply chain management from a single source.