IMPERIAL sets up Supply Chain Lab in Berlin

IMPERIAL Logistics International is consistently pressing ahead with its digitisation strategy and is now moving a great deal closer to the start-up scene. The integrated logistics specialist has had its own Supply Chain Lab in Berlin since the beginning of December. Using the co-working complex of the WeWork operator at the Sony Center on Potsdamer Platz, IMPERIAL logistics and IT specialists are developing solutions, which are tailored to customers’ needs, in conjunction with specialists, insiders and IT students from the start-up scene within a very short time. “Being right at the heart of the start-up scene, we gain information about any innovations very quickly and will obtain benefits in digitising our services,” says Michael Lütjann, Chief Information Officer and a member of the Management Board at IMPERIAL Logistics International.
 
IMPERIAL is working on new solutions and optimisation features at the creative workshop on Potsdamer Platz. Working in a creative, open and easy-going manner alongside the self-employed technology enthusiasts there provides great inspiration.
 
Lütjann would like to involve customers in the development of new and innovative solutions from the outset. “Our Supply Chain Lab centrally located in Berlin is the ideal place for joint workshops,” he explains.
 
Digital roadmaps are being jointly developed during training courses and workshops at the Supply Chain Lab. This involves using the latest creative methods. The IMPERIAL specialists are drawing up visual prototypes based on specific requests during five-day design sprints (so-called “creathons”). What are known as Minimal Viable Products (MVPs) can be programmed there within no more than a few weeks. MVPs are interactive prototypes of solutions or applications, which are initially only equipped with the most necessary functions. Their basic applications are first tested with customers and ordering parties in the 1.0 versions and then expanded to become fully-fledged products and fully operational solutions.