As businesses become more aware of their environmental footprint, many feel the pressure to go green and meet strict material standards. It's not just about being eco-friendly, it's about ensuring that every part of the process is compliant and sustainable. Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, it's something businesses need to seriously consider, especially with regulations like the CSRD pushing for transparency and accountability.
Recent reports highlight that a significant gap exists in the readiness of businesses in the EU, with only about 10% of large companies currently reporting their ESG data (Environmental, Social, and Governance). The challenges they face are not only regulatory but also involve a lack of effective tools for managing sustainability needs.
However, going green isn't easy. There are challenges to overcome, such as the high costs of launching sustainable initiatives and the complexities of managing a green supply chain. Many companies find themselves lacking the right tools or expertise to keep up with regulations on environmental and social impact reporting. Meanwhile, they face the added challenge of meeting supplier requirements and satisfying customers who demand eco-friendly products without a premium price.
To address these challenges head-on, Tec4U offers a solution that empowers businesses to manage sustainability with efficiency and ease. Through its DataCross platform, Tec4U has helped companies bridge the gap between compliance and actionable sustainability strategies. For years, the company has served as a trusted partner in material compliance, sustainable product design and supply chain due diligence. With expertise in material data communication, Tec4U oversees more than 400 projects annually, managing a network of over 40.000 suppliers and achieving a remarkable 167% increase in response rates for supplier queries!
What is DataCross?
DataCross, built on the Mendix low-code platform, is a communication software that integrates supply chain information to meet sustainability requirements. As Stefan Nieser, CEO of Tec4U, explains, "Sustainability is not only an environmental question, sustainability is a very important economical question... many enterprises face increasing demands from both legal and customer sides, and that is why it's very, very important to fulfill these requirements.”
The platform’s ability to automate compliance processes is a game-changer, empowering businesses to meet regulatory requirements and reduce the risk of non-compliance. Nieser emphasizes, "What enterprises need is information from their suppliers to fulfill their own sustainability requirements."
Beyond compliance assurance, DataCross provides a strategic advantage, enabling businesses to adapt to both legal and customer expectations. Nieser describes it as "a specialized communication platform, rich with knowledge and functionality."
Supporting Compliance with CLEVR
“The challenges that our customers face are very broad, so they do have these legal requirements coming up more and more. The worldwide legislators are coming up with new ideas almost every month, customers have to monitor all these requirements,” explains Irina Messerschmidt, Key Account Manager at Tec4U. “DataCross not only helps them meet these challenges but also provides the assurance they need to maintain their market presence.”
Dominik Nieser, Head of Operational Services highlights the strength of their collaboration with CLEVR: “CLEVR is a key partner, turning our expertise in data services, sustainability and material compliance into one software solution”. Together, they developed DataCross, which merges communication and compliance needs, allowing companies to manage corporate, product, and material compliance seamlessly. "DataCross addresses all our clients' sustainability needs," Dominik notes, pointing to its modularity with features like the material compliance module, supply chain due diligence, and an upcoming CO2 footprint module.
Before collaborating with CLEVR, Tec4U faced challenges due to a small development team reliant on Java and PHP, which made their code-intensive system difficult to maintain. Partnering with CLEVR and Integrating Mendix low-code technology, transformed Tec4U’s approach to software development, enhancing flexibility and responsiveness to industry demands. “The measurable improvements include better performance and cybersecurity on our DataCross platform,” Dominik added, highlighting new features like automated status reporting that saves time and improves access to real-time compliance data.
Sven Jerusalem, Head of Sales & Business Development at CLEVR, emphasizes the value of this long-standing partnership: “What makes us unique is our 20+ years of experience managing complex projects and requirements. We translate these needs into effective software solutions on the Mendix platform. This is how we Build Tomorrow Together.”
Building a Robust Platform with Mendix
DataCross, now one of the largest Mendix applications focused on sustainability, benefits from Mendix’s built-in security features. Stefan Schulze, the Head of IT at Tec4U, explains, “Mendix has been a game-changer for us in terms of security and maintainability. With the built-in tools and the ability to configure security without deep dives into the source code, it’s much easier for us to keep everything secure and compliant.” This seamless integration reduces the need for complex code adjustments, making it easier to implement updates and maintain the platform.
The platform’s adaptability is another key advantage, particularly when it comes to meeting evolving regulatory requirements. “Mendix allows us to rapidly adapt to new legal demands and security updates,” Stefan notes. “Where we used to have to test the entire system after every change, now we can simply implement an update and configure it. The built-in tools make the process much more efficient, which saves us a lot of time and effort.”
Mendix Marketplace modules play an important role in enhancing DataCross’s functionality. Stefan continues, “One of the best things about Mendix is the Marketplace. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time we need a new feature. We can easily use existing modules and build on them, which accelerates our development process and reduces the amount of custom coding we need.”
CLEVR’s support has been instrumental throughout the process, ensuring timely implementation and quick resolution of technical challenges. Stefan adds, “CLEVR helped us from the very beginning, starting with the vision of the software and working with our team in the development phase. Their expertise in low-code solutions and their ongoing support have been invaluable in getting DataCross delivered in-time.”
Datacross: One of the largest Sustainability Solutions built on the Mendix Platform
Tec4U’s journey with DataCross, developed in collaboration with CLEVR, is a testament to innovation and industry leadership in compliance and sustainability. DataCross serves over 40.000 users, helping companies manage supply chain information, fulfill sustainability requirements, and strengthen market positioning. Irina notes, “The feedback from our clients has been very positive regarding DataCross, its speed, flexibility, and comprehensive capabilities. They are impressed by how much it can manage.”
Among its standout features are DataCross’s 24 compliance modules, twice the number delivered by most competitors, which enable users to meet diverse legal requirements with ease. Irina adds, “The platform’s ability to gather data from supply chains has led to impressive results. For example, response rates for suppliers have increased from 30% to 80%, which is great!”
Building on these strengths, CLEVR has focused on ensuring that DataCross is not just effective today, but also adaptable to future needs. Gerrit Kiefer, Project Manager at CLEVR, elaborates on the platform’s future-proof architecture: “With the new architecture that we have implemented, we are able to also scale vertically so that it's possible to take one of the modules and build it in a microservice architecture. With that in mind, we are able to be future-proof for new requirements, open for new challenges, and able to extend the solution.”
Siemens Teamcenter Integration: Extending DataCross’s Capabilities
“We are now integrating DataCross into Siemens' Teamcenter PLM system to offer a unified solution that meets all sustainability requirements,” explains Stefan Nieser. “This integration covers material compliance, social sustainability aspects like LCSD, and sustainability reporting, providing a comprehensive solution for Siemens customers.”
By combining DataCross with Teamcenter, businesses benefit from an efficient, secure, and transparent product development process. The integration enhances compliance with evolving regulations while streamlining supplier communication and strengthening product marketability. Together, DataCross and Teamcenter create a powerful, future-proof system that positions companies to meet global sustainability challenges and drive innovation in product development.
Future Outlook: A Comprehensive Sustainability Platform
Looking to the future, Tec4U envisions DataCross evolving to become a full-spectrum sustainability platform. Planned expansions include new modules such as CO2 tracking, positioning DataCross to address the broader sustainability challenges faced by today’s businesses. As Stefan Schulze explains, “DataCross will transform into more than just a compliance tool, it will be a comprehensive sustainability platform. This will require the expertise and support of a strong, reliable partner like CLEVR to overcome technical challenges along the way.”
Tec4U’s leadership is strengthened by CLEVR’s partnership, which has enabled the DataCross platform to remain a versatile, reliable solution across various industries, from automotive to pharmaceuticals. "We are on our way to becoming a true sustainability partner, going beyond traditional compliance challenges," concludes Irina. This approach has solidified DataCross as a trusted solution for businesses committed to sustainability and compliance, with Tec4U and CLEVR driving this vision forward.
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