Cloud Transformation

Nowadays cloud computing is used in just about every industry and by many different sizes of companies, because the cloud transformation is one of the deciding factors in remaining competitive. In light of the strategic importance of cloud computing, Fraunhofer ISST deals with the construction of sovereign cloud infrastructure and current technological and political developments and trends which have a significant effect on the cloud transformation of companies.

At Fraunhofer ISST, we develop sovereign cloud infrastructures together with our partners based on standards and initiatives such as Gaia-X or the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA), with a focus on the development of open source software components. Based on microservice architectures with lightweight interfaces and using container technologies, we drive cloud-native computing in our projects. Furthermore, we develop solutions for the simultaneous use of cloud offerings from different cloud providers as part of a multi-cloud strategy. Furthermore, we deal with the use of cloud computing in connection with other trends such as edge computing, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things or the digital twin.

Fraunhofer ISST is the neutral, trustworthy and reliable partner for your cloud transformation. Regardless of whether you are still at the beginning or already in the middle of it. On the basis of training and feasibility studies, through the development of prototypes as part of a proof-of-concept (PoC), to the concrete development of system components, we support you in your cloud transformation: from initial scoping to full implementation.

Fraunhofer ISST's range of services includes data strategy positioning, conducting data assessments, selecting suitable data governance approaches, developing role and process models, and implementing the data strategy concepts.

Consulting, enterprise labs and system component development

• Development of cloud infrastructures and cloud ecosystems taking into account topics such as
  • Datensouveränität
  • Standards and open source
  • Compliance

• Conception and development of digital platforms based on microservice architectures
• Advice and workshops on topics such as
  • Cloud native computing
  • Multi cloud computing
  • Edge computing
  • Cloud and artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Cloud and Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Cloud and digital twin

Industries

The use of cloud computing is suitable for companies of all industries and sizes. Fraunhofer ISST works with SMEs as well as with various large enterprises on cloud-specific topics and issues. Our partners are spread across a wide range of industries, such as the automotive industry, the construction industry or the pharmaceutical industry.

Here you will find a selection of approved application examples from the field of “Cloud Transformation” from the past few years. Are you looking for more information? Just get in touch with us – our contact partners will be happy to answer your questions and talk to you.

Example 1:

GAIA-X

The European standard for cloud offerings

The GAIA-X initiative has set itself the goal of creating a decentralized data infrastructure for the secure, open and sovereign use of data. Users of the GAIA-X standard can decide for themselves how and where data is applied and used within the data infrastructure. This enables cross-industry collaboration to create federated, interoperable services at the infrastructure level and makes data usage on cloud platforms traceable. Fraunhofer ISST is involved in various GAIA-X working groups and in the Technical Committee.

External project page

(data-infrastructure.eu)

External project page

(gaia-x.eu)

Example 2:

Cloud Data Hub

Cloud Data Hub in cooperation with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and BMW

The cooperation between BMW, AWS and Fraunhofer ISST makes it possible to work out requirements from the practice and to test developed prototypes in practical scenarios. In the use case supplied by BMW, data from the cloud data hub is made available via a connector and further developed with regard to requirements such as scalability and performance. This is where the expertise of AWS comes in to address these requirements with suitable cloud concepts.

Example 3:

SDaC

SDaC: Smart Design and Construction in the building sector

The SDaC project aims to develop a platform for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the building sector. The SDaC platform will be cloud-native, based on a microservice architecture with Docker as the container technology, and organized via a Kubernetes cluster. SDaC is backed by a consortium of more than 40 projects partners from science and practice.

External project page

(sdac.tech/)

Example 4:

DKSR

DKSR: Data Competence Center for Cities and Regions

The “Data Competence Center for Cities and Regions” (DKSR) enables cities and regions to use data to make living spaces more attractive, to achieve sustainability goals and to create added value for citizens. The digital platform relies on open source and includes components such as the DIVA data catalog and data space connectors. Data hosting takes place on the Open Telekom Cloud (OTC) while maintaining the communal data sovereignty in Germany.

External project page

(dksr.city)

Example 5:

GEC Enterprise Lab

Enterprise Lab in cooperation with the German Edge Cloud (GEC)

The "GEC Enterprise Lab" establishes a long-term cooperation between GEC and Fraunhofer ISST. The aim is to develop innovative technologies and process innovations and to accompany their use as prototypes. The content focuses on the topics of autonomous edge cloud, data sovereignty on the entire GEC technology stack, immersive shop floor and real-time.

ROSIAN, M.; HAGENHOFF, P., OTTO, B. Towards a Holistic Cloud Computing Taxonomy: Theoretical & Practical Findings, In: Twenty-Seventh Americas Conference on Information Systems, Montreal. 2021

ROSIAN, M.; BRINKHEGE, R.; GÜR, I.; SCHLEIMER, A. M.; VON SCHERENBERG, F.; SPIEKERMANN, M. Cloud Transformation: Trends & Implications, In: Fraunhofer ISST-Report, Dortmund. 2021

ROSIAN, M.; ALTENDEITERING, M.; OTTO, B. A Socio-Technical Analysis of Challenges in Managing Multi-Clouds, In: Wirtschaftsinformatik 2022 Proceedings. 3, Dortmund. 2022