DB Cargo has launched a centralised platform for all digital services. It is called link2rail and is provided by Siemens Digital Logistics. The system resonates with the digital integration of their freight car fleet, which is equipped with sensor technology.

link2rail is the next-generation evolution of myRailportal and the new centralised platform for the digital services of DB Cargo. It facilitates tasks as processing orders, managing empty cars, tracking and tracing shipments and organising invoice data. “APIs make it possible for customers to integrate tracking and empty car management into their own data processing systems”, DB Cargo says.

Green rail transport

“link2rail is the key to green rail transport. It makes it easier for our customers to connect and lets us offer additional services,” notes Pierre Timmermans, Member of the Management Board for Sales and Marketing at DB Cargo. “The future of rail cargo is digital. Our new solutions make it even easier for customers to integrate rail into their supply chains.”

The link2rail platform also allows customers to benefit from the digital integration of their freight car fleet, which DB Cargo has equipped with state-of-the-art sensor technology under its “Wagon Intelligence” project. This makes it easy to plug GPS data and sensor feedback into the digital processes.

Siemens Digital Logistics

The foundation for the integration of DB Cargo’s internal systems and that of customers is the cloud-based logistics platform AX4 from Siemens Digital Logistics. The company teamed up with DB Systel, the digital partner of Deutsche Bahn, to fulfill the key prerequisites for implementation of the new system architecture and, for the first time, establish AX4 as a dedicated customer instance in DB Enterprise Cloud, the AWS cloud of Deutsche Bahn.

“We are very pleased to makes such an important contribution to DB Cargo’s digital service portfolio with our AX4 cloud solution,” says Michael Reichle, CEO of Siemens Logistics. “I feel certain that link2rail will make energy-efficient, rail-based freight even more attractive for the European supply chain.”