Open Access

In the last decade, enterprises realized the high value of data and learned to successfully utilize it for internal processes and business models, and they are trying to find more ways to acquire relevant data. Since enterprises are part of complex networks, the data from their partners and customers can also be beneficial: from adjusting the demand and supply to planning production and aligning capacities. One such example is adaptive process control: detailed material data from a supplier can be used to adjust process parameters in their production. This approach may be especially beneficial for the steel industry, as there is a possibility to adjust the material properties by changing the speed, force, or temperature in their own production processes. However, such an approach requires tight collaboration, e.g., regarding improving IT infrastructure, ensuring data acquisition and transfer and most importantly, the utilization of such data.