Bechtle drives artificial intelligence innovation and cooperation.
by Sabine Brand
Artificial intelligence (AI) is opening the door to whole host of opportunities for businesses and the public sector—today and in the future. As Germany’s largest IT system house with a presence throughout Europe, Bechtle collaborates with strong partners and applies its extensive digitalisation experience to provide customers of all industries and company sizes with the most advanced IT applications—backed by its majority stake in AI specialist, Planet AI, and its membership of the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (Ipai) in Heilbronn.
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E-Mail: sabine.brand@bechtle.com
Planet AI – The deep learning specialist.
Bechtle has held a 51 per cent stake in Rostock-based Planet AI since October 2023. The company is a deep learning specialist and develops innovative solutions for document analysis and process automation and collaborates with renowned research institutions, universities and IT vendors such as IBM. Its AI platform “PlanetBrain” builds on patented core technology and is the foundation of precise document analyses and is used in logistics, traffic surveillance, banking, healthcare, and archiving.
Artificial intelligence – A key technology.
With its majority stake in Planet AI, Bechtle is pairing use-case-oriented AI research with its extensive marketing capabilities with the aim of bolstering Europe’s AI ecosystem and take a leading role in future innovation.
With Planet AI's tried-and-tested developments, we strengthen our customers' core business processes with excellent AI applications.
Michael Guschlbauer, COO, Bechtle AG
Multifunctional AI platform with outstanding accuracy.
Planet AI is an internationally renowned specialist in deep learning, and its core product is a multifunctional software platform with leading accuracy, enabling companies to automate the processing of hand and machine-written documents, receipts and other text, as well as classify document types and harvest information. Other use cases include image and voice recognition such as for image-based diagnostics in the healthcare industry. Planet AI currently employs 50+ highly specialised employees in research and development.
Bechtle joins AI cluster, Ipai.
Bechtle signed a contract with the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (Ipai) in Heilbronn in December 2023 and is now a member of the European flagship project for AI. Bechtle not only contributes its own AI innovations, but by expanding its membership in February 2025, leverages the platform to further bolster its network. As a member of the Ipai community, Bechtle is supporting the project of establishing a European centre for AI applications only a stone’s throw away from its headquarters. Bechtle had already signed a letter of intent outlining the creation of an innovation park for artificial intelligence in the region in January 2021 for the purpose of bringing together entrepreneurial innovation and scientific excellence.
Images: ©Ipai/MVRDV
In the future, business success will also depend on the successful use of AI.
Dr Thomas Olemotz, CEO, Bechtle AG
Bechtle optimises processes with AI.
Bechtle is leveraging AI applications, including Microsoft Copilot and its proprietary solutions, to improve the efficiency of its internal processes. The interest in AI solutions is growing exponentially among its B2B and B2G customers and alongside marketing Planet AI solutions, Bechtle is collaborating closely with leading vendors such as AWS, HPE, Microsoft and Nvidia on developing and testing state-of-the-art AI technologies.
Summary – Actively shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Bechtle is expanding its AI expertise through strategic investments and strong partnerships. The close integration of research, development and practical application makes the company a leading player on the European AI market—a fact underscored by Bechtle’s role as a driver of innovation and IT partner for businesses and the public sector with a keen focus on the latest AI technologies.