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Schwarz Digits
IT and digital services division of the Schwarz Group From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Schwarz Digits KG is the IT- and digital-services division of Germany's Schwarz Group, headquartered in Neckarsulm. Announced in 2023, the unit consolidates activities in cloud computing (STACKIT), cybersecurity (XM Cyber) and the e-commerce for discount supermarket chain Lidl and hypermarket chain Kaufland.[1] In 2024/25, the division generated about €1.9 billion in annual sales.[3][4][5]
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History
The Schwarz Group announced on 29 September 2023 the creation of Schwarz Digits as its fifth division to group IT and digital operations under a dual leadership.[1] The move has been described as a shift by the retailer into providing IT services beyond its own retail operations.[6][7]
Schwarz Digits had at launch about 7,500 employees and was led by co-CEOs Christian Müller and Rolf Schumann.[1]
Prior to the reorganisation, the group expanded into cybersecurity by acquiring Israeli firm XM Cyber in November 2021 for about US$700 million.[8][9]
In 2024 the group and the Deutsche Bahn announced DataHub Europe, a data platform to support AI applications; by October 2024 AuditGPT was cited as an initial use case.[10] In August 2025, Deutsche Bahn stated that the platform had gone into operation with AuditGPT.[11]
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Infrastructure and data centers
In December 2024 it was reported that Schwarz Digits would build its largest data center on a 13-hectare site near Lübbenau, Brandenburg.[12] Plans exist for a six-building campus targeting around 200 MW of capacity.[13] Co-CEO Rolf Schumann has spoken about their cloud strategy requiring substantial investment in additional data center infrastructure.[14]
Activities
Schwarz Digits encompasses several brands and activities:
- STACKIT – a cloud infrastructure and platform service developed within the group and opened to external clients with a focus on digital sovereignty.[3][14]
- XM Cyber – cybersecurity and exposure management solutions, acquired in 2021.[8][9]
- E-commerce operations – IT and digital support for Lidl and Kaufland online operations under the division created in 2023.[1]
- AI and data initiatives – including the DataHub Europe project with the Deutsche Bahn.[10][11]
They announced a strategic investment and technology partnership with German AI developer Aleph Alpha via an investor consortium in November 2023.[15]
Partnerships
Early enterprise users and partners have adopted the STACKIT cloud and security portfolio, which is positioned to serve data sensitive European companies.[3] A 2023 partnership in which SAP planned to use XM Cyber solutions has been reported.[16]
A long-term partnership with Google was reported in November 2024, under which Google Workspace services would be hosted in Schwarz-operated data centers via STACKIT.[17][18] The data residency in Germany and the European Union has been emphasized, including the migration of about 575,000 employees to Google Workspace.[19]
In March 2025, the German Federal Office for Information Security, BSI, announced a cooperation with Schwarz Digits to develop sovereign cloud solutions for public administration in Germany.[20][21]
In August 2025, Schwarz Digits also entered into a partnership with the Südwestrundfunk, Southwest Broadcasting corporation, to provide cloud solutions intended to strengthen the innovation capacity and competitiveness of the ARD and other public broadcasting organisations in Europe.[22]
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Conferences and media
The division co-hosts the annual TECH convention in Heilbronn with Handelsblatt (first event 25–27 May 2025).[23][24]
In 2025, the podcast Tech, KI & Schmetterlinge [Tech, AI and Butterflies] launched with journalist Sascha Lobo as host.[25][26]
Reception
Schwarz Digits is considered a credible regional challenger to large US cloud providers, while limits stemming from a smaller external partner ecosystem have been noted.[3] The company plans to develop a sovereign hyperscale offering in Europe and is expanding its data centers' infrastructure accordingly.[14]
References
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