Educational publishers today face the challenge of balancing rising expectations, complex product portfolios, and ever-shorter production cycles. Together with the Austrian Federal Publishing Office (&ouml;bv), EBCONT implemented a modern publishing architecture that centralizes content, streamlines processes, and enables automated multi-channel delivery&mdash;from mathematics textbooks to interactive digital exercises.

Educational Publishing at a Turning Point

The &ouml;bv&rsquo;s production previously relied on Word manuscripts, PDF-based corrections, and separate systems for digital exercise formats. As product complexity increased, this approach became increasingly labor-intensive and difficult to scale.

With the introduction of a centralized content model in SiteFusion, &ouml;bv is moving toward managing all content in a structured, single source. Learning objectives, tasks, solutions, and metadata are stored in consistent data pools and automatically delivered to all output channels&mdash;whether print, HTML, or digital exercise formats.

A content-first approach that simplifies production

In the first phase, selected authors and the editorial team work together in a shared online portal. Corrections, feedback, approvals, and the parallel creation of tasks and solutions all take place within a single, end-to-end workflow.

Examples of the improvements:

<ul>
	<li>Automatic numbering and linking</li>
	<li>Extended exercise types in Fonto</li>
	<li>An optimized user interface</li>
	<li>Transparent, traceable feedback processes</li>
</ul>

The result: less manual effort, fewer sources of error, and significantly more efficient workflows

Collaboration that saves time and improves quality

Thanks to the XML-first approach, InDesign files for textbooks and solution books can be generated automatically&mdash;including mathematical typesetting and language-specific variants.

At the same time, the new architecture enables output as HTML packages that can be transformed into more than 20 interactive exercise types. This is complemented by diagnostic tools for competency analysis&mdash;an important step toward modern digital learning formats.

Automated production for print and digital

All channels draw from the same structured content base. 
The result: no duplicate data, no version conflicts, and fewer errors&mdash;combined with significantly shorter production cycles. New product ideas can be realized faster because the foundation is already consistent and scalable.

One source, many formats: true multi-channel publishing

From the migration to DITA LCE strict to the expansion of exercise types, &ouml;bv and EBCONT have established a robust technical foundation.

Centralized competency catalogs, automated workflows, and standardized outputs provide the basis for responding flexibly to new market requirements.

A scalable foundation for future innovation

We&rsquo;re happy to discuss the potential that structured content, automation, and the right technology can unlock for your organization.

 
We look forward to your challenge: 
juergen.ritschka-kohl@ebcont.com

&nbsp;

Looking to modernize your publishing workflows?

With centralized content management, automated workflows, and smart technology, ensuring consistent quality across all channels.

From Manuscript to Multi-Channel
How the Austrian Federal Publishing Office modernized its production processes

Many organizations use Elastic, but turning it into truly sustainable value for security, search, or observability takes deep expertise. That&rsquo;s exactly what EBCONT has been bringing to the table for over a decade: solid architecture consulting, proven best practices, and hands-on experience from more than 60 Elastic projects.

This combination has also convinced Elastic &ndash; earning EBCONT the recognition as Elastic Innovation Partner 2025.

Precise Search, Strong Security, Full Control

For more than 12 years, Elastic technology has been a core part of our work&mdash;across large enterprises as well as the public sector. During this time, we&rsquo;ve delivered a wide range of tailored solutions: from precision search to robust security setups all the way to full observability platforms.

We support our clients throughout the entire lifecycle: from architectural decisions to setup and stack upgrades to ongoing operations.

What&rsquo;s Behind the Innovation Award

<ul>
	<li>Security &amp; SIEM: from log correlation to threat detection</li>
	<li>Observability: monitoring, alerting, and performance transparency</li>
	<li>Search &amp; AI: enterprise search, semantic search, and AI-powered features</li>
	<li>Data Integration: connecting a wide range of data sources to Elastic</li>
</ul>

And on top of that: with EBCONT, Elastic can be seamlessly integrated on-premises, in the cloud, or in hybrid environments.

Our Elastic Focus Areas at a Glance:

As an Elastic ELITE Partner and authorized reseller, EBCONT delivers an end-to-end offering&mdash;consulting, implementation, and operations from a single source:

Consulting 
&bull; Strategic architecture consulting, best practices, and performance optimization 
&bull; Workshops and training for teams, plus technical deep dives

Implementation 
&bull; Setup and upgrades of the Elastic Stack 
&bull; Tailored solutions: from SIEM to observability to AI-powered search 
&bull; Integration of diverse data sources and existing systems 
&bull; Regular joint events with Elastic for updates and deep-dive insights

Operations 
&bull; On-premise, cloud, or hybrid operations 
&bull; Managed Service with SLA support 
&bull; Administration of Elastic subscriptions

Our difference: consulting excellence, deep technical expertise, and a seasoned operations team. The result isn&rsquo;t proof-of-concepts that sit in a drawer&mdash;it&rsquo;s scalable, secure, and future-ready platforms.

More Than Consulting: A Holistic Elastic Approach

The title Elastic Innovation Partner 2025 stands for trust, expertise, and tangible results. For EBCONT, it&rsquo;s both a confirmation and a motivation: to continue delivering projects that make an impact&mdash;technologically smart, collaboratively strong, and always with an eye on the bigger picture.

Conclusion: Innovation in Action &mdash; Now Awarded

Whether SIEM, search, or observability&mdash;if you want to get more out of Elastic, we&rsquo;re here to help. 
We&rsquo;ll show you what&rsquo;s technically possible, what makes sense from a compliance perspective, and what delivers sustainable business value.

Get in touch and put Elastic to work where it matters most.

Use Elastic with Purpose &ndash; with EBCONT as Your Implementation Partner

Outstanding Partnership – EBCONT Recognized for Innovative Elastic Solutions

EBCONT Honored with the Elastic Innovation Partner Award

Johannes Litschauer, CEO EBCONT: &ldquo;Being recognized as a kununu Top Employer for five years in a row is, for me, a strong sign of how we work together. Every day, I see how committed, open, and supportive our colleagues are with one another. This collaboration creates an environment where people feel comfortable, can grow, and move things forward together. I&rsquo;m truly proud of our entire team &ndash; because our people are what define EBCONT.&rdquo;

&ldquo;We congratulate EBCONT on once again receiving the Top Company seal &mdash; for the fifth year in a row, which is something truly special,&rdquo; says Nina Zimmermann, CEO of kununu. &ldquo;Only five percent of companies qualify for this distinction. It sends a positive signal &mdash; both as a showcase for potential applicants and as a reflection of the company culture internally to employees.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

EBCONT_five times kununu in a row

EBCONT was once again recognized as a kununu Top Company in 2026, marking the fifth consecutive year. This distinction holds special significance for the company, as it is directly based on the feedback of its colleagues – on the dedication and commitment of the entire team.


Five years in a row kununu Top Employer!

Generative AI, large language models, and automated assistant systems are generating headlines, pilot projects, and flashy showcases. On paper, everything sounds promising: processes are expected to become faster, more efficient, and smarter. But what&rsquo;s left of the &ldquo;wow effect&rdquo; when it comes to real-world implementation?

Studies by MIT, Gartner, and McKinsey reveal a clear trend: the vast majority of AI pilots fail before reaching production. We see the same pattern in our client work&mdash;transforming a great idea into a sustainable solution is rarely straightforward. The path is often rough, filled with unexpected challenges and detours.

Why do so many AI projects in industry fall short of their prototypes&rsquo; promise? A key issue is the misplaced expectation that AI can follow the same blueprint as traditional IT projects: clearly defined scope, predictable ROI, minimal risk.

In contrast, AI is often exploratory, iterative, and data-driven. It demands a different project setup, a different mindset&mdash;and above all, a willingness to embrace uncertainty. Many organizations underestimate this cultural shift. They launch with ambitious goals but lack the methodological foundation to support them.

Big promises. Little follow-through?

One of the biggest misconceptions: What shines in the innovation lab can&rsquo;t simply be replicated in production. Two very different realities collide:

<ul>
	<li>Showroom AI: Delivers quick, visible results, often powered by GenAI, with little to no operational integration. Great for attention&mdash;but rarely built to last.</li>
	<li>Workshop AI: Data-heavy, long-term projects focused on integration, automation, and maintainability. Less flashy, but far more impactful.</li>
</ul>

Treating both the same leads to disappointment&mdash;for stakeholders and users alike. In our experience, realism is the more reliable success factor. Only those who understand and distinguish between these two worlds can build AI projects that succeed in the long run.

Showroom vs. Workshop: Two Worlds of AI

Many AI initiatives don&rsquo;t fail because of the technology&mdash;they fail due to a lack of clarity: unclear objectives, unrealistic expectations, and poor communication between business units, IT, and data science. Interdisciplinary teams need more than just tools&mdash;they need mutual understanding, a shared vision, and a common language. It sounds simple, but in practice, this is often the breaking point.

At the same time, cross-functional teams are a key success factor: diverse perspectives lead to more resilient, realistic solutions. Openness to learning&mdash;including consciously saying &ldquo;no&rdquo; after a proof of concept&mdash;saves money and builds trust, both internally and externally.

Why Reality Can Be Uncomfortable

In our experience, success doesn&rsquo;t come from hype&mdash;it comes from structure. We follow an iterative, reality-based project path:

Exploration: Is AI truly the right fit for the problem? Are the necessary data available and usable? How complex is the domain? We answer these questions collaboratively with our clients and make deliberate decisions about whether to move forward.

Proof of Value: A prototype must do more than work technically&mdash;it must deliver real value. This phase focuses on feasibility, scalability, and tangible business benefits.

Production Rollout: The solution is integrated, secured, and operationalized. We emphasize maintainability, security, performance, and ensuring all stakeholders are aligned.

Each phase is separated by clear gates: Go/No-Go decisions, transparent communication, and honest feedback. This avoids unnecessary costs and builds long-term trust.

From Idea to Production: Our Pragmatic Approach

Diese Muster sehen wir immer wieder:

Across industries and company sizes, certain challenges come up again and again in our project work. Recognizing them early makes all the difference:

<ul>
	<li>Unclear Objectives 
	Starting without a concrete problem or business need often leads to endless proof-of-concept cycles with no real direction.</li>
	<li>Miscommunication 
	Data science needs business context. Data without interpretation won&rsquo;t generate answers.</li>
	<li>Tech Over Value 
	The excitement over new tools can distract from the actual goal&mdash;delivering value.</li>
	<li>No Data Strategy 
	Without a clear plan for data availability and quality, even the best model is useless.</li>
</ul>

We Keep Seeing the Same Patterns

For C-level decision-makers especially, one thing is clear: AI initiatives are strategic investments. They require more than budget and technology&mdash;they demand clarity of purpose, a solid data foundation, and teams with the right skill mix.

Organizational readiness is just as critical: clear ownership, defined roles and decision paths, transparent governance structures, and proactive change management that involves employees early and supports them throughout the transition.

Those who build this foundation don&rsquo;t just implement AI&mdash;they leverage it as a driver of efficiency, innovation, and resilience. The difference between companies that succeed with AI and those that don&rsquo;t isn&rsquo;t access to technology&mdash;it&rsquo;s the ability to execute.

AI Doesn&rsquo;t Run Itself

Artificial intelligence can solve real problems&mdash;but only when treated as a tool, not a silver bullet. Organizations that approach it with realistic expectations, a structured process, and honest communication are the ones that see lasting results&mdash;not just empty prototypes.

The key is to resist the hype, plan deliberately, stay open to learning, and commit fully to execution.

Conclusion: AI Needs Clarity, Competence, and Context

Join us at the LSZ Industry Summit on November 27 in Graz (Workshop B, 2:40 p.m.). Under the title &ldquo;Business Reality Check: Real-World AI Insights from Client Projects,&rdquo; we&rsquo;ll share unfiltered lessons, explore your challenges, and learn from each other.

This workshop is tailored for decision-makers, project leads, and AI-curious professionals who want to step away from the hype and focus on what actually works.

Bring your questions, your experiences, and your curiosity&mdash;we look forward to seeing you there!

<h1>Contact:</h1>

<h2>Kerstin Lenger, EBCONT 
AI Expert &amp; Senior Data Analyst 
kerstin.lenger@ebcont.com</h2>

Interested in a Candid Conversation?

A Candid Look at the Reality of AI Initiatives

Between Hype and Hands-On:
Why AI Projects Fail – and How to Do Better

Sound familiar? Each team works differently, synergies go unused, and automation is based on gut feeling rather than structure. Security gaps are discovered too late, and there&rsquo;s a growing disconnect between development and operations. Many organizations struggle to professionalize their GitHub usage &mdash; without losing flexibility or speed.

When DevOps Becomes a Construction Site

Our vision: empower developers to work productively, securely, and in full compliance &mdash; with the right processes, tools, and training. 
That&rsquo;s why we offer a scalable service package for companies ready to use GitHub strategically:

<ul>
	<li>
	Enablement: From workshops and training to tailored documentation &mdash; we prepare your teams for GitHub success.
	</li>
	<li>
	Consulting: We analyze your DevOps landscape and design a GitHub roadmap with proven best practices.
	</li>
	<li>
	Transformation: We support migration, integration, and setup of a GitHub environment optimized for your organization.
	</li>
	<li>
	Automation: We create CI/CD workflows, self-services, and leverage GitHub Actions to streamline development.
	</li>
	<li>
	Security: We integrate GitHub Advanced Security, automate dependency updates, and ensure compliance.
	</li>
	<li>
	Operations: We advise on licensing, tooling, and ongoing operational support.
	</li>
</ul>

The Modern Way to Use GitHub: Structured. Secure. Scalable.

Structure over chaos. Security from the first commit. Clarity in collaboration. And a team that knows what it&rsquo;s doing &mdash; trained, supported, and equipped with the right tools.

Your Benefits at a Glance: Work Smarter, Not Harder.

Let&rsquo;s talk. Whether you&rsquo;re just getting started or already on your way &mdash; EBCONT supports you every step of the journey.

Get in touch: github@ebcont.com

Ready to unlock the full potential of GitHub?

GitHub is far more than just a code host. It’s the central platform for modern software development — for collaboration, security, and efficiency. Yet many companies only scratch the surface. Potential remains untapped, processes are inconsistent, and security is often an afterthought. That’s exactly where EBCONT’s new GitHub Services come in.

More Than Repos and Pull Requests: How EBCONT Redefines GitHub

Every journey begins with a single step. 
For us at EBCONT, that step into the world of lived inclusion wasn&rsquo;t all that long ago &ndash; just four years back. But what a journey it has been.

Back in 2021, we took our first concrete steps toward a more inclusive workplace. We joined Pride Biz Austria, founded Women@EBCONT, and built connections with inspiring women-in-tech communities like shedigital and the newITgirls. Together with Dr. Gerald Grundschober, psychiatrist and psychotherapist, we started a dialogue about mental health through impulses, workshops, and 1:1 lighthouse talks &ndash; because inclusion starts with understanding.

In 2022, our focus turned to awareness. Through unconscious bias workshops for leaders and the introduction of gender-neutral restrooms, we made diversity something that could be both felt and seen &ndash; in our mindsets and in our spaces.

By 2023, our perspective had grown. Diversity was no longer a project; it became a mindset. We formed our EBCONT Diversity Team, put our Diversity Charter in writing, and partnered with myAbility Social Enterprise GmbH. The third annual Pride Boot once again brought people together &ndash; loud, proud, and joyful.

2024 was a year of depth. We explored neurodiversity and intergenerational perspectives, launched our Male Ally Program, and ran our first EBCONT Rainbow Run &ndash; turning inclusion into movement and meaning. We were also nominated to join WOMENinICT, another step toward more visibility for women in tech.

And now, in 2025, diversity has become part of our very structure. With the new role of Experience &amp; DEI Lead, we&rsquo;re making our progress measurable and our impact transparent.

When the jury of the Preis der Vielfalt 2025 awarded EBCONT 3rd place at the Diversity Ball in Vienna City Hall, they put it beautifully: &ldquo;EBCONT implements diversity and inclusion consistently &ndash; from structural measures to visible initiatives such as male allyship and pride activities. The company impressively demonstrates that diversity in IT is not only possible but can be lived successfully. Particularly in relation to its size, EBCONT&rsquo;s commitment is extraordinary and deserves great recognition.&rdquo;

We couldn&rsquo;t agree more &ndash; because for us, diversity isn&rsquo;t a destination. It&rsquo;s an ongoing journey. And we&rsquo;re just getting started. 🌈

Our journey toward lived diversity &ndash; year after year

This continuous, strategic development shows: at EBCONT, diversity isn&rsquo;t just seen as a goal &ndash; it&rsquo;s a lived mindset, brought to life every single day. 
Inspiration from experts across all dimensions of diversity supports this ongoing process, and the joy our team brings to it becomes especially visible at events like the Diversity Ball.

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to the entire EBCONT team and to everyone who accompanies and supports us on this journey. 
At EBCONT, diversity and inclusion are not just aspirations &ndash; they are deeply rooted values that shape our daily work and strengthen our company culture. 🚀

Inclusion as a Lived Culture

Consistent commitment creates lasting change – and our journey at EBCONT proves just that.
We’re truly delighted that our dedication to diversity and inclusion has been recognized with 3rd place in the “Preis der Vielfalt 2025” at the Diversity Ball in Vienna’s City Hall.



EBCONT on the path to embracing diversity

In September 2025, the Schrack Seconet project &ldquo;Experience Media Control&rdquo; was successfully completed. The goal was a comprehensive redesign of the existing control software from a user experience and user interface perspective. The aim: intuitive usability, technological sophistication, and a visual appearance that seamlessly integrates into Schrack Seconet&rsquo;s new corporate design &ndash; especially within the modern atmosphere of their new presentation area at the Vienna location.

One more &ldquo;experience&rdquo; added: Media control in a new design

The new media control functions as a central remote on a tablet. It allows control of lights, blinds, music, screens, connections, and videos &ndash; including automated presets for interactive scenarios. For example, a single tap can simulate a fire alarm with a siren or a medical emergency.

Experience control at the touch of a button

In this project, EBCONT provided UX/UI design, icon design, consulting, and coordination with the implementation partner. Development took place in Figma &ndash; with multiple variants, iterative reviews, and close technical validation. Particularly exciting was designing within Schrack Seconet&rsquo;s new look &amp; feel: modern, clear, and marketing-effective. At the same time, integrating into a technology-driven environment with specific hardware and device communication posed special requirements for the interface.

Design that connects

&nbsp;&ldquo;We didn&rsquo;t just want to design a control system &ndash; we wanted to create an experience,&rdquo; says the two-person project team from EBCONT. Through strategic interface layout and UX writing, a system was developed that feels intuitive even for beginners. Feedback since the launch in September speaks for itself: the control system has been very well received by both employees and visitors and has now become an integral part of daily use in the showrooms.

Mag. Gerlinde Scholler, Head of PMM at Schrack Seconet: &quot;Partnering with EBCONT has proven its value once again. They know us, our solutions, and our needs &ndash; and it shows, both in the process and in the results. Best of all, working together was genuinely enjoyable!&quot;

Intuitive. Interactive. Impressive.

The collaboration with Schrack Seconet and the technical implementation partner was marked by openness, creativity, and a high standard of quality. The new media control demonstrates that when design, technology, and brand identity come together, the result is more than just software &ndash; it&rsquo;s an experience.

A project that inspires

What does modern room control look like when technology, design, and brand identity come together perfectly? EBCONT had the opportunity to answer this question in an exciting project for Schrack Seconet AG – developing a forward-looking UX/UI experience and completely redesigning media control in the process.

New Standards in Schrack Seconet Experience: EBCONT Redesigns Media Control

Every day, courts, authorities, and public institutions create documents packed with insights &ndash; yet most of this knowledge remains locked away. Why? Because sensitive data can&rsquo;t be shared freely. 
That&rsquo;s where automated anonymization comes in. Together with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ) and the Federal Computing Center (BRZ), EBCONT has developed a solution that safely unlocks this data treasure &ndash; improving processes, preventing mistakes, and enabling smarter decisions, all while keeping privacy intact.

Court rulings contain a wealth of valuable information &ndash; from reasoning and interpretations of the law to references to similar cases. At the same time, they are full of sensitive data such as names, addresses, or dates of birth. Without anonymization, these documents can hardly be shared or analyzed. 
Until now, this meant painstaking manual processing for the judiciary, a variety of formats to manage, and a high risk of errors in complex cases. The Austrian Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ) has therefore set the goal of making access to this information faster and more secure &ndash; while maintaining the highest standards of data protection.

The starting point: valuable data behind high walls

Legal texts are tricky: technical terms get misinterpreted, regional nuances slip through, and context is often lost. That&rsquo;s why the BMJ teamed up with EBCONT to develop custom AI models tailored to Austrian legal language.

The result? Documents are automatically anonymized &ndash; names, addresses, case numbers, and roles &ndash; while staying fully readable. Using a hybrid mix of NER, deep learning, rule-based methods, and OCR, and hosted on-premise, the solution keeps data secure, GDPR-compliant, and independent of US-based clouds. Accuracy? Over 90%.

Why standard AI falls short

With their complexity and numerous special cases, legal texts can be difficult to navigate. To keep the system flexible, it combines rule-based methods with machine learning, is continuously retrained, and optimized through feedback from practical use. This ensures the solution remains up-to-date and reliable, even as requirements change. 
With this new solution, the BMJ can process court decisions more quickly and efficiently &ndash; while making them accessible to a wider audience without compromising data protection. The benefits are clear: faster processes, GDPR-compliant use, better-structured data for analysis, and new digital services.

The concept is also transferable &ndash; from ministries to police forces to the healthcare sector. The platform is designed to grow continuously, for example by adding audio transcriptions, multilingual translations, or interactive queries using generative AI. In this way, the anonymization solution evolves into a comprehensive data platform for the judiciary &ndash; and a model from which other authorities can also benefit.

The project demonstrates that sensitive data can not only be protected but also become a driver for digitalization and innovation &ndash; provided that data protection, expertise, and technology work hand in hand.

Continuous improvement as a success factor 
&nbsp;

Frederick Bednar, Data Analytics and Data Science Consultant at EBCONT, says: &ldquo;The BMJ project shows that sensitive data does not have to conflict with digitalization &ndash; on the contrary: when data protection, technology, and expertise work together, they become a real competitive advantage.&rdquo;

For decision-makers in the public sector, this means: those who prioritize data sovereignty and tailored AI solutions can accelerate processes, drive innovation, and build trust &ndash; without compromising on security or compliance.

Sensitive data: an opportunity, not a risk

How can this valuable data be unlocked without compromising the privacy of those involved? Automated anonymization can make all the difference – which is why the Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ) and the Federal Computing Center (BRZ) turned to EBCONT for their expertise.

Secure use of judicial documents thanks to AI


Leading companies face the pressing challenges of our time with innovative concepts. Additionally, corporate values such as economic, ecological, and social responsibility are at the core of their operations. 
The certificate was presented by Monica Rintersbacher, Managing Director of Leitbetriebe Austria, to Ilse Merkinger-Boira and Bettina Richter from EBCONT at the Leitbetriebe Summer Party in the Schlumberger Kellerwelten.

Ilse Merkinger-Boira, People Counselor &amp; Public Relations Lead, who received the re-certification certificate in a festive, summery setting, is confident: &quot;The membership with Leitbetriebe Austria gives us the opportunity to strategically strengthen our market position and further expand our role as an innovative, sustainable company. Through access to an exclusive network, we benefit from valuable business contacts and intensive exchanges with leading companies across various industries. This award not only confirms our commitment to social responsibility and sustainable success, but also supports us in solidifying our role as a responsible and future-oriented market leader.&quot;

&quot;Leading companies like EBCONT are the role models of the domestic economy. They face the challenges of economic life, such as digitalization or the shortage of skilled workers. With their consistent focus on social responsibility, sustainability, and fair dealings with all stakeholders, they are driving forces for the domestic economy. I am pleased that our Leitbetriebe philosophy is increasingly reflected in the overall Austrian economy,&quot; said Monica Rintersbacher, Managing Director of Leitbetriebe Austria.

Leading Companies Innovate with Purpose

For more than 30 years, Leitbetriebe Austria has represented the flagship companies of the domestic economy. These companies are evaluated through a comprehensive qualification process and, once certified, present themselves under the strong common brand. 



EBCONT recertified as a Leading Company Austria

SAP ECC is being phased out - and sooner than many people think. The maintenance freeze for classic ECC systems has been announced for 2027, extended until 2030 at the latest. This means no security updates, increasing risks and, above all, a competitive disadvantage due to outdated ERP architectures. Companies that act now can use the change as a strategic advantage - and not just migrate their systems, but modernize them.

Cloud as an opportunity, not a compulsory exercise. 
The transformation of SAP architectures to the cloud is more than just a technical project. Hyperscalers such as AWS offer scalable infrastructure, flexible cost models and innovative services for data &amp; AI, IoT and automated processes. Moving from ECC to a modern cloud landscape opens the door to faster release cycles, lower upgrade costs, less complexity and an architecture that is truly future-proof.

SAP has fundamentally changed its ERP strategy. The endpoint for customers is the S/4HANA Cloud, public edition - with extensions on the Business Technology Platform or hyperscalers such as AWS.

From the old ERP to the intelligent cloud future. 
A common misconception: cloud transformation does not mean moving everything to BTP. Side-by-side models and API-based extensions make it possible to keep existing core systems lean and implement innovations and company-specific solutions flexibly on BTP, AWS or other platforms. Not only can company-specific processes be implemented efficiently, but IoT scenarios, machine learning or data lakes can also be realized - without unnecessarily bloating the ERP.

Use funding, avoid risks. 
There are currently attractive funding programs from SAP and hyperscalers. If you start early, you can reduce investment costs and secure expert knowledge. Together with partners such as EBCONT and FULCRUM, a smooth transition can be achieved: from analyzing the current architecture to the proof of concept and scalable production systems.

Conclusion: 
Now is the right time to take the plunge into the cloud. Not out of compulsion, but to create future-proof processes and flexible IT architectures. Companies that are still using ECC productively should make concrete plans to switch by 2025 at the latest - before time, expertise and funding become scarce.

Experience our experts live at the Business Breakfast &ldquo;SAP Ready - The Cloud Strategy for Real Transformation&rdquo; on September 23, 2025 at AWS Vienna.

We will show you how to future-proof your SAP architecture in the cloud - with practical examples, insights into AWS funding and concrete strategies.

<a href="https://www.eventbrite.at/e/sap-ready-die-cloud-strategie-fur-echte-transformation-tickets-1515275242039?aff=oddtdtcreator">👉 Register now!</a>

Would you like to find out more?

The end of SAP ECC is not just an update, it’s a paradigm shift. Those who hesitate now risk stagnation – while competitors move their systems to the cloud and reap the benefits.

SAP ECC: Act now before it's too late

Gemeinsam st&auml;rker f&uuml;r sichere Kommunikation: 
Im &ouml;ffentlichen Bereich, in kritischer Infrastruktur und regulierten Branchen sind ganzheitliche L&ouml;sungen gefragt &ndash; von Beratung und Implementierung &uuml;ber Integration bis Betrieb. Die souver&auml;ne, DSGVO-konforme Messenger- und Collaboration-L&ouml;sung von Wire l&auml;sst sich ideal in bestehende Infrastrukturen integrieren.

&bdquo;Unsere Kunden ben&ouml;tigen mehr als Technologie &ndash; sie brauchen Partner, die Sicherheit, Souver&auml;nit&auml;t und Benutzerfreundlichkeit zusammen denken. Wire ist genau die Art L&ouml;sung, die wir in unserem Portfolio suchen.&ldquo; 
&ndash; Mag. Christopher Anderlik, Executive Vice President, EBCONT

L&ouml;sung mit Substanz: Darum erg&auml;nzt Wire unser Portfolio:

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Souver&auml;nit&auml;t als Prinzip: Datenhoheit und Compliance by Design</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Erprobt und zertifiziert: Wire wird bereits von &uuml;ber 1.800 Organisationen genutzt und ist BSI-zertifiziert</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Nahtlose Integration: Volle Einbettung in bestehende IT-Landschaften &ndash; von Beh&ouml;rden bis zu Energieversorgern</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Volle Betreuung durch EBCONT: Strategieberatung, Integration, Betrieb, Schulung &ndash; alles aus einer Hand</li>
</ul>

Die Partnerschaft unterstreicht EBCONTs Anspruch, Digitalisierung ganzheitlich und verantwortungsvoll zu gestalten. Gemeinsam mit Wire bieten wir eine europ&auml;ische L&ouml;sung f&uuml;r moderne, sichere Kommunikation &ndash; gebaut f&uuml;r die Anforderungen von heute und morgen.

<a href="https://wire.com/de/">Mehr &uuml;ber Wire erfahren</a>

Mit Wire begrüßt EBCONT einen weiteren starken Technologiepartner im Partner-Ökosystem. Die zertifizierte Kommunikationslösung ergänzt unser bestehendes Angebot an Digital-Enablement- und Security-Services punktgenau – insbesondere für Organisationen mit hohen Anforderungen an Datenschutz, Compliance und Souveränität.

Mehr Souveränität in der Kommunikation – mit Wire und EBCONT

In 2025, the Institute for Management and Economic Research (IMWF Austria) conducted its third survey on the public reputation of Austrian consultants, in cooperation with the media partner KURIER. A new method included a self-survey of the consultants to obtain a more comprehensive picture of the industry. A total of around 3,000 companies from various consulting sectors were analyzed, with 32 million data points from online reviews, social media followers, and more being evaluated. The best companies in each category were awarded the &quot;Top Consultant 2025&quot; title.

Thus, the IT company has been one of Austria&#39;s top consultants in the IT sector for three consecutive years since the inception of the award, an impressive achievement.

Johannes Litschauer, CEO of EBCONT: &quot;We are very pleased with the recognition, and it motivates us even more to give our best every day.&quot;

For more information, visit<a href="https://imwf.at/studien/siegelstudien/top-berater-2025/" style="text-decoration:none"> Top Berater 2025</a>.

IMWF Austria&#39;s 2025 Survey Names Top Consultants

EBCONT has once again been recognized as one of Austria's leading consultants this year, securing its place among the Top Companies of 2025.

EBCONT Reconfirmed as Top Consultant in Austria


With the rise of AI and massive data collection, many companies are now facing a surprisingly simple question: 
&ldquo;What do we actually do with all this?&rdquo;

One obvious answer: 
Let users talk to the data. 
And how do you do that? With an AI chatbot (&mdash;of course).

Simple in theory. But here&rsquo;s the trap: many teams treat the chatbot as a feature. Just another icon in the bottom right. A support add-on. Something a sprint can fix.

But that thinking limits the true potential &mdash; for your users, and for your business.

When you treat a chatbot like a feature, you build it like one:

<ul>
	<li>It lives at the edge of your product</li>
	<li>It reacts, but doesn&rsquo;t lead</li>
	<li>It supports, but doesn&rsquo;t sell</li>
</ul>

From Feature to Product: A Shift in Thinking

When you treat it like a product, everything changes:

<ul>
	<li>You define value it should create</li>
	<li>You design journeys around it</li>
	<li>You connect it to your core offering</li>
	<li>And yes &mdash; it becomes part of your revenue engine</li>
</ul>

Now flip that.

Here&rsquo;s the twist most overlook: Your chatbot can sell.

If done right, it becomes a natural point for:

<ul>
	<li>Cross-selling other services</li>
	<li>Upselling premium offers</li>
	<li>Onboarding new users</li>
	<li>Collecting insights sales teams dream of</li>
</ul>

 
And all that while users feel heard, guided &mdash; and in control. 
This isn&rsquo;t just a technical integration. It&rsquo;s product strategy. It&rsquo;s business design. And yes &mdash; it&rsquo;s UX at its core.

Why This Matters for Business

UX teams spot this pattern early. We see when things don&rsquo;t connect. When value is hidden behind complexity. When tools act like features &mdash; instead of delivering as products. 
So when UX suggests the chatbot isn&rsquo;t just a tool &mdash; listen. We&rsquo;re not asking for more buttons. We&rsquo;re asking: what kind of conversation do you want your business to have with your users?

UX Sees It First

If you&rsquo;re building or already running an AI chatbot, ask yourself: 
Is this just another feature? Or are we building a product inside the product? 
If it&rsquo;s the latter &mdash; great. If not, it&rsquo;s time to rethink. 
Let UX lead the way. Let your chatbot speak for your business &mdash; not just answer questions.

🧠 I&rsquo;d love to hear your thoughts. Are you already working with chatbots in your product? What&rsquo;s your biggest learning? 
 
Thanks for reading!

What&rsquo;s Next?

Most companies treat AI chatbots like just another feature. But what if they’re actually your next product? This article explores how UX design can turn chatbots into business drivers — and why it matters more than ever.

Stop Treating AI Chatbots Like Features — Start Building Them as Products

The questions revolved around very different aspects: What does the daily work of an IT project manager look like &ndash; and how can it be balanced with family life? What tasks and responsibilities come with the role? How does an IT project actually proceed from the first idea to completion, and what typical challenges arise along the way? The question of whether a project manager must be able to program was also discussed &ndash; the short answer: Not necessarily. In-depth programming skills are not required, but a solid technical understanding is certainly helpful.

Many participants showed particular interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and UX/UI, as some had recently completed relevant training or were about to enter the workforce.

There was also an open discussion about difficulties and strengths. Language barriers for women whose native language is not German came up as a topic. However, this is usually less problematic in the IT industry, as most colleagues speak English, and international collaboration is not uncommon. Additionally, the conversation touched on the special talents that women often bring to the table, such as communication skills, careful conflict resolution, and organizational know-how.

Career Questions from Everyday Life to AI

The breakfast ended up lasting longer than planned. What started as a Q&amp;A session developed into a dynamic conversation, where the participants actively contributed, exchanging ideas and experiences. What was especially nice: For two women, the direct insight into the work at EBCONT sparked concrete interest in joining our team. The group was as diverse as the festival itself &ndash; women of all ages, from various cultural backgrounds and life paths, came together. It was a successful format that once again demonstrated how important such encounters are for networking, inspiration, and empowerment.

&bdquo;The diversity of personalities, experiences, and perspectives of the women impressed me. This is exactly the diversity we need in IT &ndash; it brings new ideas, strengthens our teams, and makes our projects better,&ldquo;&nbsp;says Nawal El-Amine, excited about the format of the Future Fit Festival 2025.

Positive Impressions and New Contacts

As part of the Future Fit Festival, the workshop &bdquo;UX &amp; UI&ldquo; was also held, led by EBCONT expert and UX/UI designer Elisabeth Weidner. The workshop aimed to provide participants with a solid understanding of good User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI), as well as offering them initial practical design experiences.

Attendees gained a deep insight into the basic principles of user-centered design and the creation of user interfaces. Elisabeth Weidner introduced methods such as Design Thinking and User Journeys, which structure and facilitate the creative process in product design.

Following a theoretical introduction, the session included an interactive component where participants had the opportunity to create simple UI layouts and dive straight into practical applications. The workshop covered both digital and analog examples of UX design, providing a broad and diverse overview of various design approaches. The wireframing and prototyping exercises were particularly engaging.

The workshop was a great success, not only imparting valuable theoretical knowledge but also fostering the creativity and problem-solving abilities of the participants. It equipped them with practical tools that they can apply in their own projects.

Elisabeth Weidner is delighted with the positive feedback: &bdquo;So much curiosity, so many questions - and so much enthusiasm! Our UX and UI workshops have demonstrated how inspiring IT can be when made tangible. It&#39;s exactly these formats that are needed to open up new perspectives.&ldquo;

Workshop &bdquo;UX &amp; UI&ldquo;: Fundamentals of User-Centered Design with EBCONT Expert Elisabeth Weidner

Most women enjoy a good breakfast and good jobs – so it makes sense to combine both! Our colleague Nawal El-Amine, an IT project manager at EBCONT, was part of this year's Future Fit Festival. Interested women had the opportunity to have relaxed conversations directly with Nawal. At a large breakfast table, questions about entering and development opportunities in the IT industry were discussed – and it quickly became clear: The demand for conversation was high.

EBCONT is Female First: 
We shared our story during the career breakfast at the Future Fit Festival

In five key areas, the principles of good UX/UI are explained in an easy-to-understand and slightly playful manner &ndash; regardless of whether you&#39;re a designer or not. The message: anyone involved in developing digital products should also understand their usability.

Under the title &quot;Design for people, create with purpose,&quot; the first poster on Human Centered Design explains how human-centered design works &ndash; from analyzing the usage context to defining requirements and conducting evaluations.

&quot;If only there were (7) principles to ensure good interaction.&quot; This is featured on the Interaction Principles poster, outlining the conditions that ensure good interaction in software development by avoiding user errors, meeting expectations, and ensuring controllability.

&quot;Accessibility is not an option, it&rsquo;s our duty.&quot; The third poster makes it clear that accessibility is not an optional extra but an obligation, summarizing the WCAG principles and illustrating how design and technology work together.

&quot;Guessing is for games, not design.&quot; From selecting methods to presenting results &ndash; understanding users leads to better products. The poster on User Research shows the research process in a nutshell.

&quot;It doesn&rsquo;t always need to be served as a sandwich, but it should be digestible.&quot; Clear, specific, constructive &ndash; this poster explains how to give feedback that truly helps.

&nbsp;

Poster with Attitude: Expert Knowledge, Served with a Point

The idea and execution of the exhibition are by Gjeneta Osmanaj, UX/UI Designer at EBCONT. Her posters combine expertise with humor and clarity. The UX expert and exhibitor takes a strong stance: &quot;These posters are thought-provoking, guiding signs, and reminders.&quot; With a BSc in Media Technology and an ongoing MSc in Graphic Design, she is committed to making UX/UI accessible to everyone &ndash; not just design teams.

Behind the Exhibition: UX Expert Gjeneta Osmanaj

The poster series is displayed on the 34th floor of the Millennium Tower in Vienna &ndash; offering a panoramic view of the city alongside a deep dive into the topic of UX/UI. For those who want more, the best posters are also available as postcards to take home.

&quot;We at EBCONT are proud of the initiative by our experts. It&rsquo;s about making knowledge visible across the company &ndash; and doing so in a creative way,&quot; says CEO Leopold Machacek.

An Exhibition with a View &ndash; and Insight

UX/UI – at first glance, it seems like something that only designers should care about. But the current exhibition at EBCONT on the 34th floor of the Millennium Tower proves the exact opposite: With a creative poster series, UX/UI designer Gjeneta Osmanaj specifically targets colleagues from development, data science, project management, and business analysis – in other words, everyone involved in designing, developing, and improving digital solutions on a daily basis.


EBCONT Design-Poster: UX/UI einfach erklärt – auch für Nicht-Designer

Die neue Region bringt Microsofts bew&auml;hrte Cloud-Dienste &ndash; darunter Azure, Microsoft 365 und Dynamics 365 &ndash; erstmals aus &ouml;sterreichischen Rechenzentren zu den Kund:innen. Damit k&ouml;nnen Unternehmen sensible Daten noch gezielter unter Einhaltung lokaler und europ&auml;ischer Datenschutzanforderungen verarbeiten und speichern. Gleichzeitig profitieren sie von k&uuml;rzeren Latenzzeiten, hoher Verf&uuml;gbarkeit und nachhaltiger Infrastruktur &ndash; betrieben mit 100 % erneuerbarer Energie.

Regional. Sicher. Zukunftsfit.

Wir begleiten unsere Kund:innen seit Jahren bei der sicheren und effizienten Umsetzung von Cloud-L&ouml;sungen &ndash; von der Migration &uuml;ber Betrieb und Optimierung bis hin zu innovativen Anwendungen mit KI und Datenanalyse. Als Launch-Partner der Microsoft Cloud Region &Ouml;sterreich bringen wir dieses Know-how gezielt in lokale Projekte ein und helfen Unternehmen, ihre IT-Landschaft resilient, skalierbar und zukunftssicher zu gestalten.

&bdquo;Wir freuen uns sehr, zu den ausgew&auml;hlten Launch-Partnern der Microsoft Cloud Region &Ouml;sterreich zu z&auml;hlen. Erste gemeinsame Projekte sind bereits gestartet &ndash; das ist das Ergebnis einer langj&auml;hrigen, vertrauensvollen Zusammenarbeit im EBCONT Partner-&Ouml;kosystem.&ldquo; 
&ndash; Markus Ferstl, Head of Cloud Solutions, EBCONT

&nbsp;

EBCONT als Wegbegleiter f&uuml;r moderne Cloud-Architekturen

Die neue Cloud Region ist nicht nur ein starkes Signal f&uuml;r &Ouml;sterreichs digitalen Fortschritt, sondern auch eine Chance f&uuml;r Unternehmen, Cloud-Innovationen mit regionaler Verankerung umzusetzen. EBCONT steht als verl&auml;sslicher Partner bereit, diesen Weg gemeinsam zu gehen &ndash; pragmatisch, hands-on und mit einem tiefen Verst&auml;ndnis f&uuml;r Business- und Technologiethemen.

Lokale Cloud, global gedacht &ndash; mit EBCONT an Ihrer Seite

Wir freuen uns auf den Austausch und zeigen gerne, wie moderne Cloudl&ouml;sungen mit regionaler Infrastruktur neue M&ouml;glichkeiten er&ouml;ffnen.

Lust auf mehr Cloud Power aus &Ouml;sterreich?

Mit dem offiziellen Start der Microsoft Cloud Region in Österreich beginnt ein neues Kapitel für die digitale Infrastruktur des Landes – und EBCONT ist von Beginn an als Launch-Partner mit dabei. Als Technologiepartner mit starker Cloud-Kompetenz freuen wir uns, Unternehmen dabei zu unterstützen, das volle Potenzial dieser neuen, lokal verfügbaren Microsoft-Cloud-Infrastruktur auszuschöpfen.

EBCONT ist Launch-Partner der Microsoft Cloud Region Österreich – bereit für den nächsten Digitalisierungsschub

Industrie 5.0 steht f&uuml;r einen tiefgreifenden Wandel: Weg von rein technikgetriebener Automatisierung &ndash; hin zu einem strategischen Zusammenspiel von Digitalisierung, Verantwortung und Resilienz. Die Zukunft der Industrie ist vernetzt, aber auch anspruchsvoller. Unternehmen stehen vor einer dreifachen Transformation &ndash; der sogenannten Triple Transition &ndash; die neue Antworten verlangt.

Digital: Moderne Systeme sind intelligent, vernetzt und automatisiert &ndash; aber auch sicherheitskritisch. Technologien wie Cloud, KI und Plattformarchitekturen bieten enorme Chancen, wenn sie verantwortungsvoll und zukunftsorientiert eingesetzt werden.

Nachhaltig: &Ouml;kologische Effizienz bleibt ein relevantes Ziel &ndash; besonders im Kontext von Ressourcennutzung, Energieverbrauch und Lieferketten. Doch Industrie 5.0 denkt Nachhaltigkeit nicht isoliert, sondern integriert in die Architektur von Prozessen und Systemen.

Sozial: Der Mensch steht wieder st&auml;rker im Fokus &ndash; nicht als Kostenfaktor, sondern als aktiver Gestalter. Gute Arbeit, gezieltes Upskilling und inklusive Strukturen werden zum strategischen Vorteil.

Drei Dimensionen der Transformation

Im Rahmen des Events EBCONT Connect &ndash; Industrie 5.0, das im Mai 2025 in Hamburg stattfindet, geben f&uuml;hrende Technologiepartner Einblicke in genau diese Herausforderungen &ndash; und ihre L&ouml;sungen.

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">STACKIT und XM Cyber zeigen, wie digitale Souver&auml;nit&auml;t und Cyberresilienz konkret realisiert werden k&ouml;nnen &ndash; mit deutschen Cloudinfrastrukturen, Angriffssimulationen und intelligentem Risikomanagement. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Elastic pr&auml;sentieren, wie Sensordaten und technische Expertise miteinander verbunden werden, um den Weg zur lernenden, datengetriebenen Produktion zu ebnen. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Red Hat macht deutlich, warum der Einsatz von KI klare Governance, sichere Umgebungen und langfristige Kontrollstrategien erfordert &ndash; und wie Air-Gapped-Architekturen diesen Rahmen schaffen. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Diese Beitr&auml;ge machen klar: Die Herausforderungen der Industrie 5.0 lassen sich nicht mit Einzeltechnologien l&ouml;sen. Es braucht strategische Partnerschaften &ndash; und einen klaren Umsetzungsfokus.

Technologie als Hebel &ndash; und Partner als Schl&uuml;ssel

EBCONT begleitet Unternehmen auf ihrem Weg zur Industrie 5.0 &ndash; als technologischer Integrator, strategischer Partner und Umsetzungsexperte. Unser Anspruch: nicht nur Systeme bauen, sondern Zukunft erm&ouml;glichen.

Mit starker Erfahrung in:

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Cloud &amp; Infrastruktur 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">KI &amp; Data Science 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">DevOps, Security &amp; Operations 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Beratung &amp; Projektmanagement</li>
</ul>

und mit &uuml;ber 700 Spezialist*innen an Standorten in &Ouml;sterreich, Deutschland und S&uuml;dafrika bieten wir Full Lifecycle Management f&uuml;r digitale Transformation &ndash; von der Architektur &uuml;ber die Entwicklung bis zum stabilen Betrieb.

Ob Plattforml&ouml;sungen mit Azure Kubernetes, smarte Datennutzung mit Elastic oder Cybersicherheit mit STACKIT und XM Cyber &ndash; wir bringen Technologie und Partner passgenau zusammen. Und schaffen so integrierte L&ouml;sungen, die den Herausforderungen der Triple Transition gewachsen sind.

EBCONT: Ihr Integrator im Paradigmenwechsel

Die Triple Transition ver&auml;ndert, wie Industrie funktioniert &ndash; technologisch, organisatorisch und gesellschaftlich. Der Wandel ist bereits in vollem Gange. Unternehmen, die heute strategisch handeln und auf integrierte Partnerschaften setzen, sichern sich nicht nur Effizienz, sondern Resilienz.

EBCONT ist bereit, diesen Weg mit Ihnen zu gehen. Schritt f&uuml;r Schritt. Strategisch. Skalierbar. Sicher.

Fazit: Industrie 5.0 ist kein Ziel &ndash; sondern ein Prozess

EBCONT Connect Hamburg &ndash; Industrie 5.0 erleben

Wie gelingt der Wandel zu einer resilienten, verantwortungsvollen Industrie? 
Am 21. Mai 2025 ab 09:00 Uhr bringt EBCONT Connect in Hamburg f&uuml;hrende Technologiepartner, praxisnahe Vortr&auml;ge und strategischen Austausch auf eine B&uuml;hne.

Impulse und Perspektiven liefern Expert:innen von: 
STACKIT &amp; XM Cyber, Elastic, Red Hat sowie von fritz-kola, der Hamburg Port Authority und cemune im Rahmen der Podiumsdiskussion. 
&nbsp;

Diskutiert werden zentrale Themen der Industrie 5.0:

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Cybersecurity &amp; Cloud-Souver&auml;nit&auml;t</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">KI im Produktionsumfeld</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Datenstrategie &amp; Verantwortung</li>
</ul>

Nutzen Sie die Gelegenheit zum Austausch &ndash; wir freuen uns, Sie in Hamburg zu begr&uuml;&szlig;en. 
<a href="https://www.ebcont.com/events/1237167564489" style="text-decoration:none">Zum Event anmelden!</a>

Industrie 5.0 Event-Tipp

Three Transformations, One Goal – A Resilient Future
How companies are strategically shaping the digital, sustainable, and social transition – with technology partners and clear direction.

Mission Zukunft: Industrie 5.0

K&uuml;nstliche Intelligenz ver&auml;ndert Gesch&auml;ftsprozesse und Entscheidungsfindung rasant. Doch mit der zunehmenden Nutzung von KI wachsen auch die Herausforderungen: Wie bleibt ein Modell nachvollziehbar, fair und regelkonform? Wie lassen sich Risiken wie Bias, Drift oder unerw&uuml;nschte Modellver&auml;nderungen vermeiden? Und wie behalten Unternehmen den &Uuml;berblick &uuml;ber komplexe KI-Landschaften?

Genau hier setzt AI Governance an: Sie schafft die Grundlage daf&uuml;r, dass KI-Modelle nicht nur leistungsf&auml;hig, sondern auch transparent, auditierbar und compliant betrieben werden.

&nbsp;

Der verantwortungsvolle Einsatz von KI wird nicht nur durch technologische Entwicklungen, sondern auch durch Regulierungen wie den geplanten EU AI Act gepr&auml;gt. Unternehmen m&uuml;ssen Risiken systematisch bewerten, dokumentieren und steuern. Dabei geht es nicht nur um Machine Learning (ML), sondern auch um Large Language Models (LLMs) und generative KI. Zentrale Fragen dabei:

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Woher stammen die Trainingsdaten?</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Ist das Modell verzerrt oder liefert es faire Ergebnisse?</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Wie bleibt der Output nachvollziehbar und regelkonform?</li>
</ul>

Warum KI-Governance jetzt im Fokus steht

Governance bedeutet, den gesamten Lebenszyklus eines KI-Modells im Blick zu behalten &ndash; von der Entwicklung &uuml;ber das Training bis zum produktiven Einsatz. Besonders in regulierten Branchen ist es entscheidend, technische Leistung, ethische Standards und gesetzliche Vorgaben zusammenzudenken. Ein strukturierter Ansatz hilft,

<ul>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Risiken wie Bias und Drift fr&uuml;hzeitig zu erkennen,</li>
	<li style="list-style-type:disc">Compliance effizient zu erf&uuml;llen, 
	Transparenz gegen&uuml;ber Stakeholdern sicherzustellen.</li>
</ul>

Governance &uuml;ber den gesamten KI-Lebenszyklus denken

AI Governance ist keine reine Tool-Frage &ndash; sie erfordert die Verzahnung von Prozessen, Verantwortlichkeiten und Technologien. Viele Unternehmen suchen hier Unterst&uuml;tzung, um sowohl fachliche als auch technische Anforderungen erfolgreich umzusetzen.

EBCONT begleitet als Integrator die Einf&uuml;hrung solcher Strategien. Grundlage f&uuml;r die technische Umsetzung ist unter anderem watsonx.governance von IBM, das Compliance-Prozesse automatisiert, Risiken &uuml;berwacht und Transparenz schafft.

So entsteht ein Governance-Ansatz, der hilft, KI sicher, nachvollziehbar und verantwortungsvoll einzusetzen.

Weitere Informationen und Einblicke zum Thema finden Sie <a href="http://www.ebcont.com/ai-governance-watsonx">hier.</a>

&nbsp;

KI-Governance gelingt nur mit den richtigen Partnern

Regulation, Responsibility, and Trust Become Key Success Factors for AI Deployment
By Bruno Simic (EBCONT) and Thomas Jirku (IBM)

AI Under Control: Why Governance Makes the Difference Now

Seit vielen Jahren ist EBCONT ein verl&auml;sslicher Red Hat Partner &ndash; jetzt wurde diese erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit auf ein neues Level gehoben: EBCONT ist ab sofort offizieller Red Hat Premier Partner. Damit geh&ouml;ren wir zu einem exklusiven Kreis von Unternehmen, die von Red Hat f&uuml;r ihre besondere Expertise, Projekterfahrung und das Engagement im Partner-&Ouml;kosystem ausgezeichnet wurden.

Die Auszeichnung als Premier Partner ist mehr als ein Statussymbol &ndash; sie ist Best&auml;tigung und Ansporn zugleich. Sie unterstreicht unsere umfassenden Kompetenzen in der Umsetzung von Red Hat Projekten &ndash; von der strategischen Beratung &uuml;ber die individuelle Softwareentwicklung bis hin zum stabilen Betrieb von Infrastruktur und hybriden Cloud-Umgebungen.

&bdquo;Die Auszeichnung als Premier Partner ist f&uuml;r uns Best&auml;tigung und Ansporn zugleich. Wir freuen uns auf viele weitere spannende Projekte gemeinsam mit Red Hat,&ldquo; 
 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;sagt Dominik F&uuml;rst, Division Manager bei EBCONT.

Auch Red Hat w&uuml;rdigt die langj&auml;hrige Zusammenarbeit:

&bdquo;Wir freuen uns, EBCONT als langj&auml;hrigen Red Hat Partner seit Anfang des Jahres im exklusiven Kreis der Premier Partner &ndash; der h&ouml;chsten Partnerstufe bei Red Hat &ndash; begr&uuml;&szlig;en zu d&uuml;rfen. 
EBCONT genie&szlig;t einen hervorragenden Ruf als Komplettdienstleister im Red Hat Bereich und bietet &uuml;ber das gesamte Portfolio Mehrwert in den Bereichen Beratung, Softwareentwicklung und Infrastruktur &amp; Betrieb.&ldquo; 
 
so Ren&eacute; Reiter, Manager Ecosystem Austria &amp; Global System Integrators DACH bei Red Hat.

Die Partnerschaft mit Red Hat steht f&uuml;r eine gemeinsame Vision: Unternehmen zukunftsfit machen &ndash; durch offene Technologien, flexible Architekturkonzepte und ganzheitliche Betreuung. Als Premier Partner wird EBCONT diese Vision noch aktiver mitgestalten &ndash; in bestehenden Kundenprojekten wie auch in neuen, innovativen Vorhaben.

&Uuml;ber EBCONT und Red Hat 
Red Hat ist f&uuml;hrender Anbieter von Enterprise Open Source-L&ouml;sungen &ndash; von Linux &uuml;ber Container-Technologien bis hin zur Automatisierung. Als Premier Partner vereint EBCONT dieses Portfolio mit tiefem technologischem Know-how und langj&auml;hriger Projekterfahrung. Gemeinsam gestalten wir die Zukunft moderner IT-Infrastrukturen.

&nbsp;

For many years, EBCONT has been a reliable Red Hat partner – and now this successful collaboration has reached a new level: EBCONT is now an official Red Hat Premier Partner. This places us among an exclusive group of companies recognized by Red Hat for their outstanding expertise, project experience, and commitment to the partner ecosystem.

EBCONT Becomes Red Hat Premier Partner – Taking Our Partnership to the Next Level

25% of all people in Austria have a disability, which can be congenital or acquired, singular or in combination, stable or dynamic: disabilities are diverse. And most disabilities are not (immediately) visible.

<a href="https://www.myability.org/">myAbility</a> aims to promote the social and professional inclusion of people with disabilities by helping companies and organizations create a more inclusive work environment. They offer various programs, consulting services, and training sessions to assist companies in breaking down barriers faced by people with disabilities in both professional and social settings. This includes sensitivity training for disabilities, improving workplace accessibility, and fostering an inclusive corporate culture. Nearly 40 leaders and recruiting managers from the IT company EBCONT were fortunate to participate in such a training.

Diversity in all of its six dimensions is an integral part of EBCONT&rsquo;s daily operations and corporate philosophy. As part of the &quot;Physical and Mental Abilities&quot; dimension, this time, our executives, who regularly interact with people in projects, recruiting, or annual employee evaluations, were tasked with gaining more awareness of this topic.

In a recent training held at the Millennium Tower in Vienna, the topic of inclusion and the social model of disability was thoroughly explored. The two experts from myAbility differentiated between the medical model, which often views disability as a deficit, and the social model, which focuses on environmental barriers. The focus here is on removing these barriers to enable full participation in society for people with disabilities &ndash; a topic that benefits not only people with disabilities but everyone. After all, accessibility is the key to an equitable society.

Another important component of the session with EBCONT&#39;s leaders was linguistic sensitivity. Respectful and appreciative use of language was emphasized as a central point to avoid discrimination and promote inclusion. Practical examples and exercises highlighted how inclusive language can be applied in everyday life and in professional settings.

EBCONT strengthens awareness for diversity

The highlight of the event was the so-called Sensing Journeys with guests invited by myAbility. The open exchange provided our colleagues with insight into the topic and the daily challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Three experts&mdash;one with a severe visual impairment and two individuals with mental health conditions&mdash;described in detail how their disabilities affect their lives and what would help them navigate life more easily, both personally and professionally.

At the end of the session, participants were encouraged to apply the insights gained in their work environment and to think about how they can actively contribute to creating an inclusive corporate culture. At EBCONT, the goal is to create a workplace where every person, regardless of impairments, is treated equally and with respect. From barrier-free meetings to flexibility in working hours and locations, to proper communication, there are many opportunities to help people with disabilities succeed professionally and feel comfortable in their environment.

Bettina Richter, Experience &amp; DEI Lead at EBCONT, said: &ldquo;The Sensing Journeys made it clear to me how easily one can be disrupted from daily life and become reliant on support. That&rsquo;s why it&rsquo;s even more important to be supported in an inclusive environment, one that helps you overcome challenges&mdash;both personal and professional, as we&rsquo;ve been doing at EBCONT for years.&rdquo;

In summary, it was a highly recommended training with valuable insights and practical approaches for EBCONT&rsquo;s leaders to create an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, with a clear recommendation for other companies.

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Sensing Journeys: Insights into Disability

At the beginning of the year, we had the pleasure as EBCONT leadership team to welcome myAbility, a specialist in inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities, for a tailormade training session.
In a Disability Awareness Training designed by the organization specializing in inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities, the aim is to raise awareness about inclusion and accessibility.


EBCONT successful in Disability Awareness Training

On February 13, a special anniversary was celebrated in Linz: The location proudly reflects on ten years of successful collaboration. Founded by and with the two EBCONT pioneers, Dominik F&uuml;rst and Peter Anderle, the newly designed location on Harrachstra&szlig;e, in the center of the Upper Austrian capital, currently employs 19 staff members and has a multitude of happy customers.

A Glorious Anniversary in Linz: 10 Years of Success and Partnership

To mark this occasion, not only many employees and colleagues gathered, but also long-standing partners and customers from the very beginning&mdash;such as Raiffeisenlandesbank Ober&ouml;sterreich (RSG) and the &Ouml;sterreichische Gesundheitskasse (&Ouml;GK), with whom a trusting partnership has existed for years. And our customers are singing our praises.

Michael Rappl, Deputy of TF &Ouml;GK: &ldquo;We are very glad that the team around EBCONT&rsquo;s site manager in Linz, Dominik F&uuml;rst, discovered us at &Ouml;GK. We are now actively collaborating not only in Upper Austria but also in Lower Austria and Tyrol. EBCONT has come to stay. At &Ouml;GK, we are interested in long-term partnerships, and the Linz team always manages to find solutions for our challenges, working with us on an equal footing. For that, we say thank you today, and we wish a happy anniversary and look forward to continued long-term cooperation!&rdquo;

Thomas Kriechbaum, Raiffeisen Software, PO Architecture, recalls the early days when RSG implemented the new online banking system based on a newly established cloud architecture, and IT expert Peter Anderle was part of the central architecture team. &ldquo;A few years ago, we were already a very successful team, in the famous &lsquo;A-Team&rsquo; manner, during the implementation of Mein ELBA and two-factor authentication. This year, at the beginning of the year, we presented the latest project at the RSG DevCon, together with our architect Benjamin Mayer:.&rdquo;

&quot;Starting from EBCONT as a reliable partner with handshake quality, I can only emphasize once again how extremely valuable the Linz experts are for us at Raiffeisen Software!&quot; Kriechbaum praises EBCONT.

EBCONT Linz offers top-notch service locally, close to the customer, and is deeply rooted in the region: The team around the two founders and IT experts serves clients in and around the steel city, offering the advantage of close, local collaboration.

We also look forward to applications from the region! More details on<a href="http://www.ebcont.com/karriere" style="text-decoration:none"> www.ebcont.com/karriere</a>.

Johannes Litschauer, CEO of EBCONT, is proud: &ldquo;Dominik F&uuml;rst and Peter Anderle have been EBCONT companions from the very beginning and have been part of our company for many years. The fact that their personal decision to move back from Vienna to Upper Austria, ten years later, is being celebrated with such a successful location, enthusiastic customers, and a large team on site makes me very proud. On behalf of everyone at EBCONT, I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to the entire Linz team on their tenth anniversary and wish them all the best for the future!&rdquo;

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EBCONT’s Longstanding Partnership with Expertise

Linz, February 2025 – EBCONT, one of the big players in the Austrian IT services industry, celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Linz location. With over 700 employees and more than 120 satisfied customers from various sectors – including the public sector – EBCONT offers tailored IT solutions and covers the entire lifecycle of IT projects. Our AI and data science professionals bring the latest technologies directly into our clients' projects.

10 Years of EBCONT Linz – A Success Story

SO 27001:2022 is a globally recognized standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) that helps organizations systematically manage and protect their information security. The updated version responds to the rapidly changing threat landscape and increasing digitalization. It focuses on identifying and assessing risks and opportunities, strengthens management accountability, and integrates new requirements for cloud security and data protection. The standard also includes adjustments for modern threats, such as the security of IoT and Artificial Intelligence. Implementing ISO 27001:2022 enables companies to improve their security practices and meet regulatory requirements.

In 2018, EBCONT underwent its first ISO 27001 certification, and since then, a three-year certification cycle has been in place, including a certification audit and two surveillance audits.

The brand-new ISO 27001:2022 standard, with which the IT service provider has just been successfully certified, is divided into seven main chapters that define the structure and requirements of the ISMS.

By the end of January 2025, it was official: the Austrian IT company EBCONT now holds the certificate for its Information Security Management System according to ISO 27001:2022.

The ISO 27001:2022 certification provides companies like EBCONT with decisive competitive advantages. It strengthens the trust of customers and partners and enhances the company&rsquo;s image by demonstrating the highest information security standards. Additionally, the standard opens up new business opportunities, as many clients and industries require a certified ISMS. By reducing security risks, companies save costs and resources, while also being able to safely introduce innovations such as cloud services. As a globally recognized standard, ISO 27001:2022 is especially important for internationally active companies, serving as a key to global success and clearly differentiating them from the competition.

Johannes Litschauer, CEO of EBCONT, is proud: &quot;A big thank you to Keven Brunnbauer, J&oacute;zsef Szalai, and our partner company condignum GmbH for the excellent cooperation! And my heartfelt congratulations to the entire team!&quot; 
And Litschauer highlights: &quot;The ISO 27001:2022 certification is a significant milestone for us at EBCONT because it underscores our uncompromising commitment to the highest security standards and quality. In an increasingly digitalized world, protecting sensitive data and ensuring the reliability of our processes is of utmost importance. This certification not only confirms our capabilities but also strengthens the trust our customers and partners place in us.&quot;&nbsp;

ISO 27001:2022 – Our Key to Trust, Security, and Global Success

With the successful ISO 27001:2022 certification of EBCONT by TÜV Nord, we confirm the highest security standards and reinforce the already strong trust of our customers and partners.

EBCONT achieves ISO 27001:2022 certification – Another sign of our quality and security!

EBCONT recently made its mark on a groundbreaking project that is making waves in the industry: the <a href="https://kinderportal.stmk.gv.at/ords/r/app/kinderportal/home">children&#39;s portal</a> for the state of Styria. From now on, children in the green federal state will be registered for daycare and kindergarten places exclusively through an online system, with the EBCONT team responsible for the design.

The project focused on designing the front-end using modern UI/UX principles for both the children&#39;s and maintainer portals. This portal allows kindergartens to register, maintain their profiles, and efficiently manage their availability. The project was further enhanced by the creation of a new logo and matching icons.

What&rsquo;s particularly remarkable is that the EBCONT team was able to realize this user-friendly design in an impressively short time. With a small but highly specialized team of just three UI/UX design experts, the project was executed with exceptional efficiency and success.

The newly developed portal is considered a beacon in the design landscape, as it is the first to showcase the comprehensive integration of <a href="https://apex.oracle.com/en/" style="text-decoration:none">Oracle APEX</a> low-code solutions in this form. Oracle APEX enables the development of powerful and flexible applications with minimal coding effort.

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EBCONT Sets New Standards: Innovative Design Solution for the Styria Children's Portal

Currently, the timing for kindergarten and nursery registrations varies from one municipality to another, and there is no general overview of available places or waiting lists. This has often been a source of criticism, but that is set to change. Starting from the 2025/26 childcare year, registrations for childcare places will be handled for the first time through a single platform: the <a href="https://kinderportal.stmk.gv.at/ords/r/app/kinderportal/home" style="text-decoration:none">Kinderportal</a> of the state. This innovation was anchored in the new <a href="https://www.kleinezeitung.at/steiermark/landespolitik/6286796/Steirischer-Landtag_Kindergaerten-Krippen_Reform-ist-beschlossen" style="text-decoration:none">Children&#39;s Education Act </a>passed last year and is now ready to be implemented.

Through the new Children&#39;s Portal of Styria, parents and guardians can access all information about the 1,130 child education and care facilities in Styria&mdash;including kindergartens, nurseries, after-school care centers, and children&#39;s houses. The portal includes all facilities for children from zero to 14 years old, as well as the contact details of all providers and sponsors of day care services.

With the help of a comprehensive filter function&mdash;such as by location, sponsoring organization, care hours, accessibility, and available places&mdash;parents can search for a suitable facility for their child. The facilities that meet their criteria can be added to a shopping cart. The facilities, in turn, manage these reservations online. In the future, parents will also be able to see at a glance which facilities still have available places.

Starting in January 2025, pre-registration for places for the 2025/26 kindergarten year will be possible through the system, making the use of the portal mandatory in Styria.

Booking.com &ndash; that&rsquo;s the first association that might come to mind when accessing the new Styrian children&rsquo;s portal. And indeed, the platform works similarly to an online shopping format for parents. &ldquo;That was the intention behind it,&rdquo; says Vesna Krnjic, Chief IT Project Manager for the State of Styria, with a smile during the portal&#39;s presentation. &ldquo;We are proud to have achieved the goal of modernizing childcare in Styria together with EBCONT, accomplishing groundbreaking results with our IT partner in the shortest time possible. The portal will eventually provide an overview of where there are shortages of spaces and where action is needed.&rdquo;

Martina Edelhofer, UX/UI Designer at EBCONT, adds: &ldquo;We are proud to have significantly improved the registration process for kindergartens and the management of available spaces in collaboration with the State of Styria. The trusting partnership, marked by communication at eye level, enabled us to create an efficient and sustainable solution that ensures seamless management and oversight for all parties involved.&rdquo;

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New Children's Portal Styria: Find and Reserve Childcare Places Online

Pr&auml;sentierten das neue Kinderportal des Landes: SP-Klubobmann Hannes Schwarz, die technische Projektverantwortliche Vesna Krnjic, Bildungslandesrat Werner Amon (&Ouml;VP), Gesch&auml;ftsf&uuml;hrerin Brigitte Schafarik (Volkshilfe Steiermark) und WIKI-Obmann G&uuml;nther Ruprecht (v.l.) 
Foto: Land Steiermark/Fischer

Starting in 2025, registration for nursery and kindergarten places in the state of Styria will only be possible online through a newly developed portal—essentially the "Booking.com" for childcare—a milestone in childcare services. The platform aims to streamline the allocation of places, providing parents—regardless of their place of residence or social background—with equal access to childcare slots while significantly simplifying the search and coordination process. EBCONT has delivered a groundbreaking design project in record time, complementing the new modern online registration system with an innovative operator portal featuring fresh UI/UX design, a new logo, and matching icons.

New standards and innovative design for the Children's Portal Styria

The employer review platform <a href="https://www.kununu.com/de/continum1" style="text-decoration:none">kununu.com</a> has once again recognized EBCONT as a Top Company for 2025. This employer seal rewards companies with high employee satisfaction and is awarded exclusively based on independent reviews on kununu.com. We are very proud that EBCONT ranks among the companies with the best working environments in Austria!

Since 2015, <a href="https://www.kununu.com/de/continum1" style="text-decoration:none">kununu.com</a> has awarded the &ldquo;Top Company&rdquo; seal to highly rated companies. However, only about the top five percent of employers on the platform have been eligible for this award since last year&mdash;based solely on reviews from employees and applicants. This high rating also sends a strong signal to talents searching for their ideal workplace.

Sky's the limit_EBCONT top company 2025_kununu

kununu Top Company 2025

Sky's the limit

For 2025, we were once again honored with the kununu Top Company Award for an outstanding company culture—placing us among the top 5% of the most employee-friendly companies in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland!


&quot;We congratulate EBCONT on once again receiving the Top Company seal,&quot; says Nina Zimmermann, CEO of kununu. &quot;This award is given only to the top five percent of companies that have received particularly positive reviews on kununu. It stands for recognition and appreciation and sends a strong signal to potential applicants. Moreover, the seal has an impact not only externally but also strengthens the company culture.&quot;

Johannes Litschauer, Managing Director of EBCONT, is also pleased with the repeated recognition: &quot;It fills us with great pride to once again receive the &#39;Top Company 2025&#39; award from kununu. This honor confirms our path as a company that promotes diversity and inclusion and creates an environment where respect and collaboration on equal footing are lived. Especially in times when the working world is changing rapidly, and hybrid work models are becoming the new normal, we are committed to a corporate culture that focuses on the needs and satisfaction of our employees. Because only together, in a trusting atmosphere, can we tackle the challenges of the future, operate sustainably as a company, and continue to grow.&quot;

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