“Plug & Play”: Katharina Zipse on Catena-X and the MIRA Booster Program for SMEs

About Katharina Zipse:

As Managing Director of CatX and a Member of the Catena-X DCM Expert Group, Katharina is actively shaping the future of data-driven collaboration in the automotive industry. With a background in Mechanical Engineering, she combines deep technical expertise with a strong focus on digitalization and supply chain optimization. With more than 10 years of industry experience she has worked for multiple 1st tier suppliers as well as OEMs.

CatX Service GmbH:

CatX, leverages the Catena-X Data Space to enable standardized and self-determined demand and capacity management across the automotive supply chain. Today’s fragmented IT solutions are costly, inefficient, and lack data continuity.

This changes with the affordable Software-as-a-Service solutions from CatX - a shared understanding and seamless data exchange between supply chain partners are ensured.

Why is Catena-X so important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the automotive industry?

For everyone, but especially important for SMEs, Catena-X offers a chance to significantly reduce risk and gain better visibility across the supply chain. The exchange of supply chain data between the companies results in a broader information base for everyone.

And: More and more OEMs are requiring their suppliers and partners to be connected to Catena-X as a prerequisite for future projects. Not being part of the network would result in being left out of critical tenders.

Could you explain what Demand and Capacity Management (DCM) is and how it supports more efficient planning across the automotive ecosystem?

Demand and Capacity Management focuses on mid- to long-term planning, with a horizon of up to 24 months. Customers communicate their expected material demands, and suppliers respond with their planned production capacities. This structured, bilateral data exchange leads to more proactive planning and smoother collaboration in case of bottlenecks or idle capacities.

By aligning material demands and capacities early, all parties can optimize logistics and production resources and avoid costly surprises. This is especially important in a time where conditions can change quickly – for instance, due to OEM program adjustments or external factors such as new trade agreements or tariffs.

What are the benefits of your MIRA DCM Application, especially for SMEs?

MIRA is fast to set up, intuitive to use, and highly reliable – making it easy to follow the new required standards, even with limited internal resources.

As a SaaS solution, it requires no complex IT project or infrastructure setup.

MIRA guides our customers through the capacity management process, supporting strategic planning and collaboration. It enables early identification of bottlenecks or idle capacities and serves as a single point of truth for customers and suppliers in case measures need to be taken.

MIRA is Catena-X and TISAX certified. This means, that SMEs can join the data space without going through the costly certification process themselves.

You have recently launched the MIRA Booster Program to simplify access to Catena-X. How does this initiative help SMEs get started with the DCM use case quickly and with minimal risk?

The MIRA Booster Program is our response to the challenges SMEs are currently facing – limited budgets, cautious investments, but a strong need to remain future-ready.

Our offer is simple: For three months, companies can use the full supplier view of our MIRA DCM application at no cost. This includes guided onboarding and monthly feedback sessions to ensure maximum value.

Due to our Plug & Play approach companies only need an internet connection to get started and benefit from the data space.

This makes it easier than ever for SMEs to participate in digital supply chain collaboration – without the need to understand the technical complexity behind the required connectors or high upfront investments.

Which companies is the program suitable for?

The MIRA Booster Program is specifically designed for small and medium-sized enterprises that typically face higher investment risks. It gives them a safe, cost-free way to explore Catena-X and understand the benefits of DCM – before making any long-term commitments.

What are the requirements for participation?

To join the MIRA Booster Program, companies must meet the following criteria:

• Fewer than 500 employees
• Annual revenue under €50 million
• Valid registration with Cofinity-X

Applications can be submitted directly via our homepage under “Start Catena-X DCM risk-free – MIRA Booster Program.”  To ensure quality and personal support, we’ve limited the program to five new participants per month throughout 2025. The selection is made based on the application form submitted online.

As we look ahead, what developments can customers expect from MIRA and Catena-X in 2026 and beyond?

At CatX, our focus has always been – and will continue to be – on taking out the complexity for our customers. That means continuously listening to their needs and translating those in the further development of our application. Whether it’s through improved usability, new features, or expanded functionality.

In 2026 and beyond, we’ll continue to ensure that SMEs can not only meet new requirements – but actively benefit from them.