Analysts and economists see blockchain as an economic milestone. But what is behind the term and why is the technology considered a game changer for the global economy? This will become clear at Cebit from June 11 to 15 - for example at IBM: "With blockchain, we can digitally map, track and exchange almost anything of value more efficiently - without a central point of control," explains Matthias K. Hartmann, CEO, IBM Germany. At Cebit, IBM (outdoor area, pavilion P34/35) is presenting what it claims to be the first commercial blockchain platform offered as a software-as-a-service solution. The company will also be showcasing customer projects from various industries. Together with logistics provider Maersk, a digital platform for global trade is being developed to ensure greater transparency in the transportation of goods across national borders. Interested visitors can also find out how other technologies - such as the Internet of Things - can be networked with blockchain.

SAP (Hall 27, outdoor pavilion P44) will also be demonstrating the innovative power of blockchain with a logistics concept: An interactive touchscreen demo illustrates the creation of a fair trade smoothie. The showcase will use interconnected 3D elements to illustrate how origin control creates security and increases efficiency.

Materna demonstrates how public administration can benefit from the technology with the Citizen Blockchain project: in future, citizens will provide data from privately operated air monitoring stations for a permanently updated particulate matter map and receive digital tokens in return. These can be managed via an app and redeemed online. Materna is looking for municipalities, districts and federal states that would like to take part in the project (Hall 15, Stand G54).

A showcase at DXC Technology (outdoor area, stand R62) combines robotics and blockchain: at the outdoor area, visitors can watch a robot at work mixing drinks and receiving its orders via a blockchain order chain. A marketplace for the monetization of data will also be set up.

Making blockchain tangible

The management consultancy PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) wants to make the emerging Internet of Value directly tangible with its Blockchain Xperience on Friday, June 15 on the Expert Stage in Hall 12, where visitors will learn how the technology works in one-hour simulations throughout the day by becoming part of a blockchain themselves.

Also on Friday, June 15, the Cebit Blockchain Summit will take place on the Center Stage in Hall 12 with top-class experts. The opening keynote will be held by Prof. Wolfgang Prinz, Vice Chairman, Fraunhofer FIT. Further presentations with practical examples are expected from Sebastian Epple, Blockchain Leader IBM DACH, Dr. Friederike Ernst, Secretary General of the German Blockchain Association and Dinko Eror, General Manager Dell EMC Germany, among others.

Blockchain Summit 2018

On June 19, 2018, Markt&Technik is organizing the Blockchain Summit together with NürnbergMesse. The summit is an information and interdisciplinary communication platform for an exciting exchange between innovation drivers and technology experts from various industries. More information on the website of the 'Blockchain Summit 2018'.