Focus on artificial intelligence and digitalisation
In interactive World Café sessions, experts and participants discussed strengthening cyber resilience, the use of AI-driven efficiency improvements, scalable cloud solutions and modern service management. The practical insights and lively discussions made it clear that digital transformation is in full swing – and with it come the opportunities and challenges that businesses must face.
A particular highlight was the inspiring keynote address by Ramin Mirza, Chief Customer Officer at Aleph Alpha. In his closing speech, ‘Disruption through AI’, he made it unmistakably clear: Artificial intelligence is no longer a vision of the future – it is already shaping the business world today and will continue to grow in importance thanks to trends such as AI agents. This was followed by a high-profile panel discussion featuring representatives from Aleph Alpha and Materna, which offered fascinating insights into current developments and best practices.
Exchange on equal terms: community events and networking
The forum kicked off on 4 February with the BMC Xpert Session, during which the BMC community discussed the latest features of BMC HelixGPT and AIOps. A particular highlight was the case study presented by Andreas Petraschke (Deutsche Kreditbank, DKB Service GmbH), who explained the impact of banking regulations – using DORA as an example – on service management. Another fascinating topic was network monitoring using the IT infrastructure management solution Netreo, which plays a central role in ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Following an in-depth technical discussion, the evening moved on to a more social setting: at the Kick-Off Night, guests enjoyed Salzkuchen and beer whilst gaining fascinating insights into the transformation of Phoenix West, the former steelworks site that is now a thriving technology park. They also had the opportunity to get to know our headquarters during an exclusive guided tour.
Culinary-wise, the event remained true to the region: a Ruhr Valley buffet featuring specialities such as potato pancakes, turnip greens and roast pork ensured everyone was well fed. But entertainment was also on the cards: Knut Kircher, CEO of DFB Referees, put the guests’ judgement to the test in an interactive session. Using football scenes, he illustrated why decisiveness, team spirit and de-escalation are essential not only on the pitch but also in professional life.
Forward-looking insights into the digital world of work
The second day was entirely devoted to digitalisation. In practical sessions, short presentations and keynote speeches, Materna’s experts discussed the challenges and opportunities of Generative AI (GenAI) with customers and guests, as well as the necessary technological foundations in the areas of cloud computing, service management and cyber security. It became clear time and again that people remain the key factor for success, even in the digitalised world of work.
Another highlight was the ‘Future of Work’ session, which introduced the concept of the ultra-mobile workplace. The aim is to create a unique employee experience that combines flexibility and productivity.
Exhibition, sponsors and interactive workshops
Between sessions, there was plenty of time for networking and visiting the exhibition. Our main sponsor, BMC Software, not only offered expert advice but also had a creative highlight in store: customisable cufflinks produced by a 3D printer. Our other sponsors – Atlassian, OpenText and Serviceware – also presented exciting innovations for the digital future.
At the same time, the DX-Union Community expert workshop took place. This focused entirely on the latest features of the DX-Union Management Suite, a solution for integrated and automated client and server management. Alongside presentations and practical examples, workshops and networking opportunities facilitated a valuable exchange of ideas amongst IT experts.
Conclusion: A forum full of insights and fresh ideas
The Materna Innovation Forum 2025 was a resounding success. We would like to thank all participants, partners and speakers for the in-depth and valuable exchange. The insights gained and the contacts made will help us to shape the digital future together. We’re already looking forward to the next one! We’ll be announcing the new date shortly.
