Speaker

Anna Kopp is renowned as a specialist in the New World of Work – from technological, spatial, cultural, political, and practical perspectives – earning a reputation as a thought leader in flexible, hybrid work models. Born in Sweden, she moved to Germany in 1992 and has since focused on digital transformation and the development of women’s leadership.

Her extracurricular activities in diversity and inclusion are particularly dedicated to empowering women in the workplace.

Humans and technology in harmony

Are we in Germany more on the side of caution when it comes to AI? Absolutely not – we’re on the side of curiosity!

Anna Kopp explains the five pillars of the digital transformation strategy and shows how companies can put AI to meaningful use. Humans and machines in harmony means actively engaging with AI, giving employees the time and space to learn, and fostering a digital mindset within the organization. Transformation is not a hobby but an investment field – and anyone who wants to remain competitive tomorrow should have started dealing with AI yesterday.

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg served as the Federal Minister for Economics and Technology as well as the Federal Minister of Defense. He is the Chairman of Spitzberg Partners LLC, a strategic advisory and investment firm. Baron zu Guttenberg holds board and advisory positions in international companies and organizations. He is a lawyer and earned his second doctorate in 2019 (PhD in Finance).

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is a producer, host, and presenter of various media formats, as well as the author of numerous publications. Since 2023, he has co-hosted the weekly "Deutschland-Podcast" ("Germany Podcast") with Gregor Gysi. His latest book, "3 Sekunden - Notizen aus der Gegenwart." ("3 Seconds - Notes from the Present,") was published at the end of 2023.

The Changing Balance of Global Power

In a time of growing geopolitical tensions and economic upheaval, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg addresses the current economic and trade policy challenges in transatlantic relations. In his keynote, he analyzes the global political landscape and explores the key question: How can Europe remain capable of acting both economically and geopolitically?

Zu Guttenberg warns: “We will not recognize the United States — or the world — after Donald Trump's time in office.” His message is clear: Europe must act decisively to prevent a geopolitical power vacuum — with Germany, as the continent’s economic backbone, leading the way.

Look forward to a keynote that is both critical and forward-thinking — with a clear call for responsibility, economic foresight, and transatlantic strategies for the future.

Philipp Kalweit (born in 2000) is Germany's most sought-after hacker and a renowned IT security expert. Since the age of 16, he has been advising companies on IT security topics. His focus areas include public relations and awareness, comprehensive security assessments, and interdisciplinary consulting. In 2017, he founded the consulting company KALWEIT ITS GmbH.

His mission: sustainable cybersecurity for a digital world of tomorrow. For his achievements, he was included in the Forbes "30 Under 30" list in 2019 and honored as "Hamburger of the Month" by ZEIT in the same year.

Ransomware – When Your Business Suddenly Grinds to a Halt

An encrypted network. An extortion letter flashing on your screen — and the question: pay or lose everything? Ransomware has long since become the greatest business risk of our time. In his keynote, Philipp Kalweit takes you inside the world of cybercriminals.

This presentation offers insight into a real-world ransomware attack using Sodinokibi (also known as REvil), revealing how professionally organized extortion operations unfold—and why traditional protective mechanisms often fail. Philipp Kalweit demonstrates live how effortlessly attackers infiltrate systems, stealthily penetrate and take control of networks.

But effective countermeasures do exist. The keynote outlines concrete steps companies can take to significantly bolster their IT security. Because the critical question is no longer: Could it happen to us? but rather: When?

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christof Wittwer is the Director of the Business Area "System Integration" at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) in Freiburg, Germany. Since 2014, he has also held an honorary professorship at the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Freiburg.

In 2003, Wittwer established the "Operation Management and System Control" working group at Fraunhofer ISE, taking on responsibilities for personnel and finances. The unit expanded rapidly and evolved into a department focused on distributed energy systems and grid integration by 2010. In 2019, he became the Director of the Business Division "Power Electronics, Grids and Smart Systems" within the Division of Energy Technology and Systems. In 2023, he assumed leadership of the Business Area "System Integration," where he is responsible for overarching program management.

Smart Grids – Digitalisation of the Energy System

In his presentation, Christof Wittwer examines the digital transformation of the energy system as a key to decarbonisation. The focus is on smart grids—intelligent networks that connect millions of producers, storage units, and consumers, enabling their flexible control through modern communication technologies.

Using current practical examples from research, he demonstrates how energy supply systems can be operated intelligently and how data centres can be smartly integrated into the energy system.

Petra Jenner is an accomplished business and technology executive with over 25 years of international experience and a strong instinct for growth and innovation. Her expertise spans go‑to‑market strategies, multi‑channel management, digital transformation, and modern workplace environments.

After seven years as General Manager at Microsoft in Switzerland and Austria, Petra joined Salesforce, where she played a leading role in building the European Innovation and Transformation Advisory Services, and later took on leadership of the Commercial Business in the EMEA region and Emerging Markets & Israel.

Since 2016, Petra has been shaping corporate strategy for the EMEA region as General Manager and Senior Vice President at Splunk, overseeing go‑to‑market strategy and the company’s regional growth.

Strategic Leadership in Disruptive Times: Securing Long-Term Success Through AI and Digitalization

Digitalization and AI: A Leadership Matter – Not Just a Departmental Issue.

Digitalization and artificial intelligence must be embedded in corporate strategy. They are not merely IT topics, but critical levers for future readiness, growth, and resilience. These technologies do not just transform processes—they fundamentally change the way we think, make decisions, and lead.

However, technology alone is not enough. Its impact depends on a culture that embraces change.
Today’s leadership means embodying this culture—and empowering employees to actively shape the transformation.

James Cameron Glickenhaus is a film director (The Exterminator, Shakedown), investment manager, and founder of Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus (SCG). As the creative mind behind SCG, he designs sports and race cars that stand out for their performance, visionary design, and pioneering propulsion technologies. His latest project: a hydrogen-powered pickup truck built for the Baja 1000 – a true endurance test for alternative, zero-emission drivetrains.

Since 2024, Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus has been partnering with the dtm group. The focus of this collaboration is the real-time analysis of telemetry and aerodynamic data. To achieve this, the motorsport team relies on Vaiking, an AI-driven software solution developed by dtm. The goal is to continuously optimize the overall efficiency of the race cars.

For Jim Glickenhaus, one thing is clear: motorsport and the IT industry must act together to drive the transition to a zero-emission future.

Hydrogen transformation in the mobility sector

Kilian Wagner has been working at Germany’s digital association Bitkom since completing his studies in political and administrative sciences – initially as a policy officer, and today as Head of Sustainable Digital Infrastructures. He is responsible for the entire field of data centers, oversees the political framework, and coordinates studies, guidelines, and position papers. He maintains close dialogue with both the industry and policymakers.
His mission: to establish Germany as a strong and sustainable data center location – digitally sovereign, innovative, and future-proof.

Data Centers as a Strategic Key Resource: Between Ambition and Reality

Ongoing digitalization and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence are drastically increasing global demand for computing capacity. While leading nations are consolidating their technological leadership in data centers through massive investments, Germany risks falling behind. Yet high-performance data centers are not only the technological backbone for AI, cloud services, and all digital applications, but also a strategic asset for transformation, economic competitiveness, and digital sovereignty.

This talk highlights the current state of the German data center market, provides international benchmarks, and illustrates where Germany is lagging. At its core lies the question of how politics and business can jointly set the course to ensure that Germany remains not just a user but also a shaper in the global competition for data, AI, and digital infrastructures.

Staffan Reveman works as a consultant on energy and location issues related to energy-intensive industries, especially digital infrastructure.

Staffan follows and comments on energy policy in the Nordic countries and in Germany, mainly through the business press and numerous keynotes.

Digital Infrastructures in the Electricity Crisis – Steering or Distraction?

The digital world depends on a reliable power supply – but the energy system is undergoing a transformation. In the future, volatile power sources will dominate, while expanding storage capacities will be associated with long development times, high investments, and rising grid fees. So, what will the future of power supply for digital infrastructures look like?

Maks Giordano is a Strategic Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and GenAI Coach with over 25 years of experience leading innovation projects for global brands like Apple, Lego, Red Bull, and Mercedes, as well as numerous mid-sized companies and family-run businesses such as Viessmann, Voith, and Festo.

He began his career in the 1990s at ID Media, later joining the management board of MetaDesign and co-founding Iconmobile – one of the world’s first mobile agencies. After working in Sydney, New York, London, and Tokyo, he took on a global innovation leadership role at ProSiebenSat.1 in 2008, overseeing Innovation, Games & Mobile.

Today, he supports companies in sustainable transformation and corporate innovation – with a focus on co-creation, workshop facilitation, and the strategic use of Generative AI. Giordano teaches Innovation Management, is a published author, and holds an MBA in Media & Communication from the University of St. Gallen.

Me, Myself and AI: How the Exponential Rise of Generative AI Is Transforming Every Aspect of Business

We are at the dawn of a new era: Generative AI is transforming not just tools or processes, but entire ways of working, roles, and innovation cycles. What was yesterday’s science fiction is today’s reality.

In his keynote, Giordano demonstrates how GenAI can become an accelerator, creative partner, and strategic game‑changer—whether in marketing, HR, product development, or customer service. But what does that mean for teams, leadership, culture, and value creation? And how do we set the right course today so as not to fall behind tomorrow?

Join an inspiring journey through the present and future of work—with concrete examples, clear insights, and an invitation to actively co‑create the future.

Dietmar Dahmen began his career as a strategic planner and spent the next 15 years working in the creative departments of major network agencies in Hamburg, Los Angeles, Munich, New York and, most recently, as Chief Creative Officer and Managing Director at BBDO in Vienna.

He then switched fields and served for 8 years as Chief Innovation Officer at ecx.io, an IBM Company. Today Dietmar is an internationally sought-after speaker and expert for change, future and transformation and founder and CEO of Dietmar Dahmen Brainkicks GmbH.

Moderating the Strategy Stage

Since 2018, Alexander Rabe has been responsible as Managing Director for the strategic, political, and communicative positioning of the association at its locations in Berlin, Brussels, and Cologne. He joined eco in 2016 as Head of the Policy, Law, and Regulation Division and took over the management of the association’s Berlin office. He is also a co-initiator of the Alliance for Strengthening Digital Infrastructures in Germany, founded in 2018 under the umbrella of eco (https://digitale-infrastrukturen.net).

He is actively involved in digital policy and research, serving as a member of high-level advisory boards of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and the Federal Network Agency. His previous career includes leadership positions at the German Informatics Society (GI), the German Informatics Academy, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering (IESE), where he gained extensive experience at the intersection of science, industry, and digital transformation.

Germany as an Economic Location: Data Centers as the Key to Digital Sovereignty

Strong, high-performance data centers are the backbone of digital transformation and the guarantors of digital sovereignty—making them one of Germany’s most important locational advantages. Operators of digital infrastructures act as growth engines, innovation drivers, and multipliers for numerous industries and sectors.

With the increasing deployment of AI, their significance will only continue to grow. As the engine of transformation, digital infrastructures—especially data centers—play a key role by providing essential computing power, data processing, and networking capabilities.

In his talk, Alexander Rabe examines the economic and political relevance of data centers in an illustrative way, drawing on a recent study conducted by the German Economic Institute.

Matthias Natterer is an engineer and entrepreneur specializing in building automation, critical infrastructure (KRITIS), and data center planning. As co-founder and CEO of 42N AG, he brings extensive experience in technical building systems and control center technologies.

In 2000, he founded his first company focused on digitizing facilities. Today, he leads three additional companies – some based in Switzerland – dedicated to automation and critical infrastructure.

He studied automation engineering in Ravensburg-Weingarten and electrical engineering at ETH Zurich, and is an expert in integrating building automation systems. He is a recipient of the “Standort-Oskar” business award and actively advises on automation and building technology with a focus on KRITIS.

AI-Powered Engineering for Resilient Infrastructure

How can a system operate efficiently while complying with all legal requirements? The keynote by Matthias Natterer demonstrates how AI-powered tools are revolutionizing availability design. The focus: integrating NIS 2, KRITIS guidelines, ISO standards, and the Energy Efficiency Act.

Using real-world projects, Matthias Natterer illustrates how security, efficiency, and resilience can be combined — and how legal requirements can be implemented quickly and intelligently.

Dipl.-Ing. Helmut Göhl is the Managing Director and Founder of the engineering office GTS (Göhl Technical Services) based in Ebersdorf near Coburg. Since 2018, he has been advising companies in the fields of data centers, IT, and telecommunications infrastructure and is specialized in auditing as well as program management.

Previously, he worked in the telecommunications industry for over two decades: After completing his studies in electrical engineering at the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, he started in 1995 at Bayernwerk Netkom in Würzburg. At the end of 1996, he moved to Interkom (later o2 Germany and Telefónica Germany), where he was responsible nationwide for core sites as a certified Project Manager Level C (GPM/IPMA) and Technical Lead, and led numerous large projects.

Helmut Göhl is actively engaged in various committees and associations:

- Head of the technical project groups in the bitkom working group on data centers
- VIRZ Advisory Board member
- Member of the VDE/DKE GK 719 Data Centers
- Cooperation partner of the BdNI Academy for Seminar Development and Training

The data center industry must rethink – Consequences of the Energy Efficiency Act

The presentation by Helmut Göhl provides a concise overview of the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG), its key contents, and the specific impacts on the data center industry.

Practical best-practice approaches for increasing efficiency, using waste heat, and developing sustainable infrastructure will be presented – including insights into the new bitkom guideline.

Using real-life examples and innovative technologies such as OCP, the presentation illustrates how legal requirements can be implemented in practice.

Tilo Steiger (born in 1964) studied physics at the University of Konstanz and physical engineering at the TU Berlin. After completing his doctorate in materials science at ETH Zurich and Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel, he began supporting researchers at ETH in the effective and efficient use of central IT infrastructures.

His further studies in business at St. Gallen and cybersecurity at ETH provide the foundation for identifying "success reserves" in IT business processes and fundamentally assessing the current threat scenarios posed by cybercrime.

Expect the (Un)Expected – IT Business Continuity in an Uncertain World

Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated. This comes as no surprise, since cyber incidents can be extremely lucrative. For organizations, suddenly halted or manipulated business processes can cause severe damage — and for society, they lead to a loss of data integrity.

The major challenge lies in reducing the imbalance between growing digital threats and the resilience of IT-supported business operations — while ensuring their rapid recovery in the event of a disruption.

Jan Moll, Master of Arts, joined dtm group in 2009 after completing his studies in International Management, initially working in the Sales and Marketing department. During his studies, Mr. Moll gained experience with prominent IT industry manufacturers such as Sun Microsystems (now Oracle) and Leoni Kerpen GmbH.

In mid-2011, he transitioned into the management team of dtm group. As a representative of this innovative medium-sized company, Mr. Moll delivers technical lectures, authors numerous specialist articles, and serves as a point of contact for planners, end customers, and distributors throughout Europe. Following over 50 years of successful operation in business IT manufacturing and services, Mr. Jan Moll continues to lead the company into its second generation.

Resilient Digitalization – AI and Green Energy as Drivers of Cross-Industry Transformation

Europe’s digital future faces a dual challenge: the rapid growth of AI and cloud technologies on the one hand, and the urgent need for sustainable energy on the other. In my keynote, I will show why resilience is becoming the new currency of digital progress – and how we in Europe can build true digital sovereignty.

Using current market data and insights from my own projects, I will explain how resilient digitalization, artificial intelligence, and green energy are driving the urgently needed cross-industry transformation.

The vision: a connected, sustainable ecosystem that strengthens Europe’s competitiveness and overcomes technological dependencies. Achieving this vision requires the courage to invest, to cooperate, and to take responsibility – for a digital future that is both crisis-proof and climate-neutral.

Johannes Jakob covers a broad spectrum of digital topics. He is responsible for the IoT business of the HK.Systems corporate group, overseeing the holistic orchestration of HMI, hardware, software, cloud, AI, and usability. For him, the human being always stands at the beginning and end of this chain.

Data protection compliance, compliance, and other regulations are not the often portrayed obstacles but are essential for protecting intangible assets, primarily the knowledge of companies and their partners. His many years of expertise in the practical handling of cutting-edge technology make him a profound point of contact for both private enterprises and public clients.

Panel discussion: In the Shadow of Superpowers? Europe’s Role in the Global Technology Race

Tobias Witton has been a professional presenter for national and international events since 2015. He works with clients from industry, politics, and science, hosting trade fairs, events, and video productions. His passion for topics like automation, AI, and technology is matched by his comfort behind the microphone at motorsport races and other sporting events. For this native of the Sauerland region, connecting with the audience is especially important: "I want to build a bridge between the stage and the audience."

Moderator of the Tech Stage

Marc Stubert is a Senior Application Engineer specializing in consulting and technical design in thermal management for the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). He collaborates closely with data center operators, installation companies, and planning offices to develop tailored and efficient solutions—whether optimizing existing systems or embarking on new construction projects.​

Marc began his professional career in 1999 with an apprenticeship as a refrigeration systems builder. In the following years, he gained valuable experience as a service technician with various companies. In 2008, he joined Emerson Network Power, now known as Vertiv. In 2019, he completed his part-time training as a master refrigeration systems builder and transitioned into sales in January 2020. Since 2023, he has enriched the team as an Application Engineer, contributing his expertise to the development of innovative solutions.

AI in Practice: From Concept to Implementation in the Data Center

For 20 years, processor manufacturers have, with varying degrees of urgency, announced the necessity of liquid cooling for servers as a prerequisite for productivity growth in the ICT sector. This presents considerable challenges for data center operators.

The presentation by Marc Stubert (Vertiv) and Julian Hauber (JH-Computers) provides an overview of available liquid cooling technologies for ICT equipment and their practical implementation. It also examines the challenges associated with the revised planning and execution of cooling infrastructure in such data centers.

In addition, a best-practice example illustrates the specific advantages that liquid cooling offers to data center operators handling compute-intensive applications—and how it opens up new pathways toward operating modern, sustainable, and efficient data centers.

Julian Hauber is the founder and managing director of JH-Computers GmbH in Baden-Württemberg.

With his self-designed, innovative data centers, he is setting new standards in energy efficiency and sustainability.

While still pursuing his master's degree at the Technical University of Munich, he established the first JH-Computers data center with a climate-neutral concept.

Currently, the company employs 13 staff members and experiences continuous, strong growth year after year.

AI in Practice: From Concept to Implementation in the Data Center

For 20 years, processor manufacturers have, with varying degrees of urgency, announced the necessity of liquid cooling for servers as a prerequisite for productivity growth in the ICT sector. This presents considerable challenges for data center operators.

The presentation by Marc Stubert (Vertiv) and Julian Hauber (JH-Computers) provides an overview of available liquid cooling technologies for ICT equipment and their practical implementation. It also examines the challenges associated with the revised planning and execution of cooling infrastructure in such data centers.

In addition, a best-practice example illustrates the specific advantages that liquid cooling offers to data center operators handling compute-intensive applications—and how it opens up new pathways toward operating modern, sustainable, and efficient data centers.

Fjodor Lamm completed a degree in electrical engineering at FH-Aachen with a focus on telecommunications. He gained experience in technical support and product management at KERPEN GmbH & Co. KG. He then worked in business development and product marketing at Nexans Deutschland GmbH, where he developed the FTTO and Industrial Ethernet product portfolios.

At devolo AG, he served as Senior Product Manager for Smart Grid and later was responsible for the portfolio of operators and internet service providers. Currently, Fjodor Lamm leads product management for copper and fiber optic cables and system technology at KERPEN DATACOM GmbH.

Artificial intelligence in product management

For two years, Kerpen Datacom GmbH has been utilizing AI applications to enhance product management efficiency.
Through concrete case studies, Fjodor Lamm, Head of Product Management at Kerpen Datacom GmbH, illustrates how the company employs artificial intelligence in areas such as data analysis, digitalization, product development, documentation, and training.
In his presentation, Lamm outlines the vast potential of AI-driven tools and their impact on the future workplace.

Marco Stiefel is the Sales Director IT for the Southern Germany region at Rittal. In this role, he has been responsible for sales of IT infrastructure solutions and business customer support for the past seven years.

With more than 20 years of experience in sales within the IT and telecommunications industry, Marco Stiefel possesses extensive expertise and a deep understanding of customer needs. After holding positions at Deutsche Telekom and in electrical wholesale—where he specialized in data networking technology and telecommunications—he joined Rittal. Over the past 15 years, he has shaped sales in the data center sector in various roles, always working closely with customers and staying at the forefront of technological developments.

Keeping Cool When Things Heat Up – Liquid Cooling for the AI Revolution

AI systems generate enormous amounts of heat, pushing traditional cooling methods to their limits. Direct Liquid Cooling provides significantly higher cooling capacity, reduces energy consumption, and enables maximum computing power in limited space. This presentation will demonstrate how innovative cooling technologies can make data centers sustainable, powerful, and future-proof.

Daniel Bender is responsible at Boston Server & Storage Solutions for the planning and implementation of innovative IT projects – with a special focus on High Performance Computing (HPC), edge, and cloud solutions. With over ten years of experience in cloud transformation, industrial edge, and IT process optimization, he brings extensive expertise in project management, cloud governance, and business development.

Before joining Boston, Daniel Bender worked at German Edge Cloud and PwC Germany, where he led complex projects in the field of industrial digitalization and cloud infrastructure. He stands for a hands-on approach that bridges technology, strategy, and execution.

When AI Heats Up: How 2-Phase Liquid Cooling Sets New Standards

In his presentation, Daniel Bender highlights why dual-phase liquid cooling is gaining importance right now and how this innovative cooling technology has been specifically optimized for AI and HPC environments.

Using a practical example from the University of Münster, Daniel Bender illustrates how the technology is already being successfully applied. In addition to a clear introduction to how 2-phase cooling works, the talk provides an overview of its efficiency benefits, including energy savings, improved space utilization, and noise reduction. Finally, the role of liquid cooling in future IT infrastructures is explored, along with an explanation of why early adoption is advantageous.

Thomas Fritz is the founder and CEO of Kentix, a leading provider of IoT-based security technology designed to protect mission-critical infrastructures.

In his role, he is primarily responsible for the company's strategic direction and product development. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and Data Communication.
Companies across various industries utilize Kentix GmbH's products to safeguard their business operations and infrastructures against physical threats and human misconduct, ensuring compliance with legal requirements. All product development and manufacturing are conducted exclusively in Germany.

Securing Critical Infrastructure: A New Era of Physical Security Systems

Critical infrastructures are the backbone of modern societies and are rapidly gaining importance due to ongoing digitalization. At the same time, failures, sabotage, or mismanagement pose significant threats to public life and economic stability.

In response, Kentix is developing an “operating system” for the physical security of critical infrastructures. But what are the fundamental requirements for such a system? Which technological components are key — and what role do artificial intelligence and the growing shortage of skilled workers play in this context?

Andreas Köppl ist ein erfahrener Experte im Bereich der Netzwerkplanung und -erstellung mit einem starken Fokus auf LAN- und WLAN-Infrastrukturen. Mit seiner umfangreichen Erfahrung und seinem Fachwissen hat er sich als einer der führenden Köpfe in diesem Bereich etabliert.

Andreas Köppl begann seine Karriere als Netzwerktechniker bei der dtm group, wo er erste Einblicke in die komplexe Welt der Netzwerkinfrastrukturen erlangte. Durch sein Engagement und seine Leidenschaft für die Branche stieg er schnell auf und übernahm die Geschäftsführung bei der LANconcept Moll GmbH. Dort ist er unter anderem für die Planung und Umsetzung von LAN- und WLAN-Netzwerken verantwortlich.

Dank seines umfassenden Know-hows und seiner herausragenden Fähigkeiten konnte Andreas Köppl zahlreiche erfolgreiche Netzwerkprojekte realisieren. Er hat maßgeblich zur Entwicklung und Implementierung hochmoderner Netzwerkinfrastrukturen beigetragen, die Unternehmen eine zuverlässige und effiziente Kommunikation ermöglichen.

Data Center Automation - From DCIM to DCAM – The Next Level of Data Center Automation

Description: Data centers are reaching the limits of traditional monitoring (DCIM). This presentation demonstrates how DCAM can enhance efficiency, security, and sustainability through automation. Using practical examples and guidelines, it outlines the path toward the autonomous data center.

Heiko Zschocke has been an expert in fiber optic technology (FOT) for over 30 years. From 1999 to 2013, he served as Technical Director at Netoptic GmbH before joining METZ CONNECT GmbH in 2014 as Head of Fiber Optic Technology. There, he is responsible for all FOT processes – from production and product management to customer applications and technical procurement.

In addition to his professional role, Heiko Zschocke is actively involved in standardization and measurement technology. He is a member of the following working groups:

- DKE/GAK 715.3.10 – Measurement Technology for Communication Cable Systems with FOT
- DKE/UK 412.7 – Fiber Optic Connection Technology and Passive Optical Components

DCCS – Passive Network Infrastructure for Data Centers

METZ CONNECT, Fiber Optics Department, is a manufacturer of products for passive network infrastructure. The focus is on products developed in-house or based on proprietary process architecture, manufactured at the Blumberg site!
The main focus is on the processing quality of our products, which in turn guarantees stable long-term performance of the optical connection in operation!

A prime example is our DCCS product line in fiber optic design.
A custom-designed housing with built-in fiber optic connectors and pre-assembled trunk cable is tool-free mounted into a corresponding 1U rack – and the cabling is complete.
This allows customers to easily calculate installation costs in advance, as the assembly effort remains manageable.
The presentation provides insights into the processing of the components, refers to their use in installation environments, and includes statements regarding relevant standards!

Eberhard Knödler ist Geschäftsführer von BM Green Cooling, einem Unternehmen, das sich auf energieeffiziente Kühlungslösungen für Rechenzentren spezialisiert hat.

Er arbeitet seit über 20 Jahren in diesem Bereich und gilt als Pionier in der Branche.

Rechenzentren als Energiequellen: Abwärme effizient nutzen

Wie lässt sich die Abwärme von Rechenzentren effizient nutzen?
In seinem Vortrag gibt Eberhard Knödler einen anschaulichen Einblick in die Praxis und stellt erfolgreiche Projekte mit Abwärmemengen von 50 kW bis 2 MW vor. Ein besonderes Augenmerk gilt dabei der Kühlung von Rechenzentren ohne elektrische Kompressoren sowie der Kombination indirekter adiabatischer Kühlung mit einer effektiven Abwärmenutzung.
Der Vortrag von Eberhard Knödler bietet wertvolle Einblicke für Rechenzentren-Betreiber, die sich an neue Umweltvorschriften anpassen und gleichzeitig die Effizienz ihrer Kühlsysteme steigern möchten.

Dr. Axel Koester is the Chief Technologist for storage solutions at the IBM EMEA Storage Competence Center. He is a certified Executive IT Specialist, forward-looking strategist, client innovation consultant, and trainer.
Additionally, he serves as the chairman of the IBM TEC Think Tank, the German-speaking branch of the IBM Academy of Technology in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Prior to joining IBM in 2000, Axel was involved in the Large Hadron Collider project at CERN in Geneva and worked for the Fraunhofer research institutes. He earned his PhD in electrical engineering and computer science from RWTH Aachen University.

RAG against the Machine – Hyper-Exponential AI vs. Conservative IT

Is there a future where employees talk to company archives instead of waiting for custom-built software to meet their needs?
Is there a future where using databases no longer requires personal support from the IT department – even for non-experts?
Is there a technological cure for bureaucracy?

We aim to take a closer look at the underlying technologies – especially Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) – highlight common pitfalls (such as role-based access), showcase successful examples, and evaluate strategic approaches.

And we explain why the time to adopt on-premise AI is now – not later.

André Gerlach is the spokesperson and a founding member of the BdNI (Educational Initiative of the Network Industry). As an independent business consultant and operator of the BdNI Academy, he has been active in the IT infrastructure sector for many years.

Mr. Gerlach, together with a panel of experts, developed the VdS Guideline 3117. The associated VdS certification for GIV specialists (Experts in Building Infrastructure Cabling) has been an established recognition procedure in the planning, installation, and inspection of IT infrastructures for years.

He is a Senior Expert in Technical Acoustics & Ultrasound at Bosch Corporate and is involved in research and advanced engineering at the university level.

Skills Shortage in the IT Infrastructure Industry – Opportunities and Limitations of AI

The IT infrastructure industry faces a major challenge: the shortage of qualified professionals. Artificial intelligence is often touted as a solution – but how realistic is that?

In his presentation, André Gerlach explores the areas where AI is already supporting the planning, construction, and evaluation of IT infrastructure projects, where its limitations lie, and whether it can truly mitigate or even eliminate the skills shortage.

Since 2005, as an Independent Expert, Manfred Patzke has been offering consulting, planning support (e.g., specification development), assessments, and construction-related quality assurance in the fields of communication cabling systems, as well as equipotential bonding and grounding systems.

Since 1998, he has been an active participant in national and international standardization committees, contributing to the development of relevant standards in these areas.


Through his MaPaCom seminars, initiated in 2005, he provides training on topics such as application-neutral communication cabling systems, equipotential bonding, and grounding. These seminars focus on enhancing quality awareness and conveying updates on current standard changes.

Cabling Installations – "It Works" Is Not Enough!

It is common practice to carry out measurements at the end of an installation to verify proper execution. However, such measurements only confirm that the transmission parameters required for an application to function are met.

But is functionality really everything?
The answer is: no. Functionality alone is not the decisive criterion for the quality of an installation. What truly matters is the professional execution of the work. The EN 50174 standards series on the "Installation of Communication Cabling" outlines in detail what needs to be considered.
This presentation highlights practical examples and identifies typical pitfalls that may justify a rejection of acceptance – even when functionality appears to be in place.

Yvan Engels has been a consultant for information technology cabling since October 2019. Previously, he worked at LEONI Kerpen (now KERPEN DATACOM), where he held positions including Head of Product Management and Head of Strategic Market Development & Standardization for the Datacom business unit.

Yvan Engels is a member of various national and international standardization committees and associations. He has also published numerous articles in well-known professional journals both domestically and internationally.

In 2019, the VDE book "Application-Neutral Communication Cabling Systems According to EN 50173 and EN 50174 for Offices, Industry, Data Centers, Building Automation, and Residential Buildings" was published.

Sustainable IT Cabling – Future-Proof and Resource-Efficient

How can environmental friendliness and economic efficiency be united in IT infrastructure? The new international standard ISO/IEC 14763-5: "Sustainability" sets clear benchmarks for a more environmentally friendly IT infrastructure. But what does this mean specifically for cabling? Yvan Engels' presentation highlights the most important aspects of sustainable IT cabling and outlines practical strategies for successfully harmonizing sustainability with economic efficiency.

Hartwig Bazzanella, Dipl.-Computer Scientist (FH), is the Managing Director and Founder of NCB GmbH. Since 1991, the company has been supporting clients from a wide range of industries in all matters of information technology. NCB’s focus lies in the planning of application and system architectures, the design of suitable network infrastructures, and the operation of the entire IT environment. A key role is played by the strategic IT approach based on High Performance Computing and, in the future, also Quantum Computing. Company-specific requirements for data centers are also a central focus of NCB’s consulting services.

Since September 2016, Hartwig Bazzanella has been a board member of the Association for Innovative Data Centers (VIRZ). The association promotes constructive exchange of experience between planners, builders, manufacturers, and operators of data centers.

AI with HPC, Photonic and Quantum Computers: Functionality, Differences, and Potential

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming a key technology—not only in traditional IT data centers, but also in the OT (Operational Technology) environment. High Performance Computing (HPC) structures, which until now have been used primarily in IT, are now also being applied in the OT sector. However, conventional systems quickly reach technical and physical limits in this area.

Traditional HPC systems are often no longer sufficient. This is where specialized photon and quantum computers come into play, opening up entirely new possibilities. The presentation provides a clear and accessible overview of current technologies, their fields of application, and future potential.

After completing his studies in mechanical engineering and architecture, Daniel Wohnhaas first gained several years of experience in renowned planning offices before joining dtm group in 2007 as a career changer. Over the course of his career, he has been responsible for IT planning, the development and product design of the company’s own products and patents, as well as marketing. Today, he heads dtm group’s CAD department and also serves as a certified trainer for the professions of draftsperson and technical system planner.

Real-time documentation using mobile devices and AIM

Those who document today save costs tomorrow!
In their presentation, the dtm group team will show how to document your network infrastructure efficiently, error-free, and securely.

The focus is on documentation from the construction phase through to project completion, as well as on DCIM during ongoing operations.

Look forward to a live demo of digital documentation and AIM in real time.

With decades of experience and extensive expertise, Manuel Kathan is an outstanding IT expert in the industry. In addition to his significant contributions to the development of the dtm-group research data centre, he has been shaping pioneering technologies such as 2-phase immersion cooling and the data centre automation tool "Vaiking" with dedication and passion for over 10 years.

Real-time documentation using mobile devices and AIM

Those who document today save costs tomorrow!
In their presentation, the dtm group team will show how to document your network infrastructure efficiently, error-free, and securely.

The focus is on documentation from the construction phase through to project completion, as well as on DCIM during ongoing operations.

Look forward to a live demo of digital documentation and AIM in real time.

Lars-Hendrik Thom has been working in technical consulting for the IT manufacturer Panduit for 18 years. In his role as Regional Technical Support Manager, he advises customers on the design of their data center infrastructure. The telecommunications technician and graduate electrical engineer has been active in data networking for 30 years, with positions at ABB, o.tel.o, Telindus, Star21, and NextiraOne.

He is among the first EPI Certified Data Center Experts in Germany, is an Accredited Tier Designer (ATD) of the Uptime Institute, and holds additional certifications from BICSI and EPI. Since 2022, he has also been a trainer for data center courses at EPI and is involved in the Association for Innovative Data Centers (VIRZ) as a delegate for technical innovations in data centers.

Fault Managed Power – The Future of Power Distribution

Around 1890, Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, together with George Westinghouse, competed to determine the best technology for the large-scale power supply of the United States. Edison favored direct current, while Tesla and Westinghouse advocated alternating current — and won, because it could be transmitted over long distances with lower losses and reduced material requirements. The trade-off: high voltages, which to this day require special safety measures.

On the consumer side, much has changed in the last 30 years: IT equipment usually requires low direct voltages (5 V or 12 V), and UPS systems also operate on direct current, repeatedly converting it — with corresponding losses — between alternating and direct current.

But what if Edison could win this time? Fault Managed Power offers, for the first time, the possibility to transmit direct current over greater distances safely and with low losses — with integrated protective mechanisms that enable even non-specialists to lay cables and operate systems without the usual high-voltage safety precautions. The technology is already UL-certified and standardized in North America. For international and European standards, adjustments are still required.

Panduit’s presentation sheds light on the background, explains how the technology works, and shows how this pioneering form of power transmission will be available in Europe from 2026.

A certified master electrician since 2012 and a member of the dtm group since 2018, he is responsible for planning and implementing complex network infrastructures. With deep technical expertise and a clear focus on efficient solutions, he ensures the highest quality and smooth execution of projects.

Real-time documentation using mobile devices and AIM

Those who document today save costs tomorrow!
In their presentation, the dtm group team will show how to document your network infrastructure efficiently, error-free, and securely.

The focus is on documentation from the construction phase through to project completion, as well as on DCIM during ongoing operations.

Look forward to a live demo of digital documentation and AIM in real time.

Daniel Stemmer is Head of Pentest Delivery at KALWEIT ITS GmbH. His path into IT security was an unusual one: after several years of studying medicine, he rediscovered his early passion for IT and exchanged the white coat for the "white hat" of an ethical hacker. Thanks to his medical background, Daniel has a special ability to explain complex matters clearly and understandably – even to non-technical audiences. Today, he uses this talent to make the often abstract field of IT security tangible and accessible.

Ransomware – Wenn Ihr Unternehmen plötzlich stillsteht

Daniel Stemmer is delivering this talk together with Philipp Kalweit, taking the audience into the world of cybercriminals: an encrypted network, a ransom note on the screen – and the question: pay or lose? Ransomware has long become the greatest business risk of our time. Using a real attack with Sodinokibi (REvil) as an example, the presentation reveals how professionally organized extortion operations are carried out, why traditional security measures often fail, and how attackers can infiltrate and control networks almost unnoticed.

In a live demonstration, the speakers will show just how easily such attacks can take place. At the same time, they will present concrete steps companies can take to significantly strengthen their IT security. Because the key question is no longer: Could it happen to us? – but rather: When?