iteratec Blog

Digital Dependency: Why Europe Is Asking the Wrong Question On AI Sovereignty

Dr. Felix Böhmer — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 14:31:51 GMT

When the U.S. government recently restricted non-U.S. customers’ access to Anthropic’s latest models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, Europe’s response was as swift as it was predictable: more data centers of its own, European AI champions, and government-funded foundation models. But the real question isn’t: How can Europe gain faster access to the next generation of models? It’s: Why do companies need these models in the first place?

What the sovereignty debate overlooks: the vast majority of the value creation that industrial companies are actually concerned with can already be realized today independently of hyperscalers—using freely available models, integrated in a modular way, without creating new dependencies.

Spain to introduce the DCA from October 2026: Why the eCMR is now the smarter solution

Benjamin Eggert — Mon, 04 May 2026 12:19:53 GMT

Spain becomes the first EU country to make digital transport documentation mandatory for inspections. From October 5, 2026, the electronic Documento de Control Administrativo (DCA) will be mandatory for all road transport in and through Spain. What initially sounds like a national peculiarity is actually the prelude to the comprehensive digitalization of European freight transport.

eCMR and eFTI: Digital freight documents as the key to smart logistics

Benjamin Eggert — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:00:51 GMT

The plant is a hive of activity: ten freight forwarders are expected today. Trucks are arriving, material is being unloaded, processes are running by the minute. The information for each delivery is available digitally - in an eCMR system. But each carrier uses a different one. How does the plant keep track of this diversity?

Electronic freight processing is a reality in many companies. A major step forward. eCMR replaces mountains of paper, speeds up workflows, brings transparency to delivery processes and simplifies invoicing. At the same time, practice shows that every freight forwarder, every logistics service provider and every plant works with its own systems. This is an expression of a dynamic, open market development. But this diversity needs to be connected.

eCMR integration: How to digitize your consignment note

Ulrich Buhrmann — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:53:48 GMT

The electronic consignment note (eCMR) is the digital evolution of the classic CMR consignment note and enables companies to make their transport processes more efficient, transparent and sustainable.In a cooperative development project with the Open LogisticsFoundation, we have worked with numerous logisticscompanies to develop a solution, which has already proven itself in use at logistics service providers such as Rhenus .We show what the eCMR is, how you can implement it in a legally compliant manner and what options there are for integrating the eCMR into existing systems.

Introduction to Digital Twins: Types and Applications in Manufacturing

David Lane — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 17:54:16 GMT

The concept of digital twins has gained significant traction in manufacturing in recent years, but what exactly are they, and why do they resonate so strongly with so many companies?

Digital twins leverage real-time data from IoT sensors, along with other sources like ERP and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), to create dynamic, continuously updated digital models of physical objects, systems, or processes.

Companies often invest in digital twins with relatively straightforward objectives in mind, such as real-time monitoring, enhanced operational visibility, and seamless data integration across platforms. These goals are indeed valuable in themselves and often provide substantial benefits. However, the true potential of digital twins becomes apparent when advanced analytics and simulation tools are employed. These tools unlock greater capabilities, including predictive insights, scenario testing, and sophisticated optimization strategies, which drive smarter decision-making and continuous improvement.