Rostock, Germany, May 26, 2025 – In an ambitious joint project, Rostock companies PLANET AI and ALTOW Digital Innovation, along with the University of Rostock, are advancing the development of innovative AI technologies. The goal is to create “SPOC-AI” (Single Point of Contact), a groundbreaking solution designed to serve as a central hub for document-based processes. This project, with a budget exceeding eleven million euros, is funded by the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as part of the Regional Innovation Strategy through the end of July 2027.

“SPOC-AI” builds on the already successful IDA Platform (Intelligent Document Analysis) from PLANET AI and aims to enhance it with the latest AI technologies. This Rostock-based software company, in which Germany’s largest IT system house Bechtle has held a majority stake since 2023, is renowned for its expertise in cognitive artificial intelligence and award-winning technologies in handwriting and visual object recognition.

The project partners are developing AI agents capable of efficiently accessing large data sets and autonomously handling complex tasks. The “Human in the Loop” approach ensures transparent and understandable decision-making by involving humans interactively. Additionally, Large Language Models (LLMs) tailored to the needs of various fields and industries are being developed for “SPOC-AI.” “A key highlight of our system is that it can be entirely operated on the client’s premises, making it independent of external cloud services,” emphasizes PLANET AI CEO Jesper Kleinjohann. “From a research perspective, we are particularly interested in Explainable AI, understanding how algorithms arrive at specific outcomes,” adds Dr. Tobias Strauß from the University of Rostock.

With “SPOC-AI,” PLANET AI once again showcases its leading role in providing AI solutions “Made in Germany”. For many years, PLANET AI and the Computational Intelligence Technology Lab at the University of Rostock’s Institute for Mathematics have maintained a close research partnership, resulting in several advancements in handwriting recognition and data extraction. Completing the partnership is the Rostock technology company ALTOW Digital Innovation, which contributes its proven expertise in designing user-centric digital solutions, user experience design, and developing custom-tailored software. “Projects like SPOC-AI demonstrate the powerful interplay between technological excellence and societal relevance. Our role is to translate complex AI technology into intuitive, secure, and efficient applications, creating tangible impacts for users,” explains Stan Seeler, Managing Director at ALTOW Digital Innovation.

Through this commitment, the partners not only strengthen their technological innovative capacity but also sustainably position Rostock as a digital pioneer in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Germany.

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About PLANET AI

As a software manufacturer, PLANET AI specializes in the automation of document-based business processes. The IDA Platform utilizes state-of-the-art AI technologies to transform unstructured information into actionable insights. This enhances the efficiency, speed, and quality of business processes, addressing challenges such as digitalization and the shortage of skilled workers. PLANET AI collaborates with other software providers, BPO companies, and system integrators to offer competitive advantages and scalable solutions tailored to diverse business needs. Since its founding in 1992, and as a key component of the technology portfolio of European IT service provider Bechtle AG, PLANET AI is recognized as a pioneer in using AI for document-based business processes. Read more at planet-ai.com.

About the University of Rostock

The University of Rostock, represented by the Computational Intelligence Technology Lab (CITlab) under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Roger Labahn, Prof. Dr. Thomas Kalinowski, and Dr. Tobias Strauß, is a leader in research and development in the fields of machine learning and document analysis. For many years, CITlab has successfully executed projects ranging from handwriting and text recognition to the content analysis of documents. Key milestones include projects like TextRecoPlus, the EU Horizon2020 initiatives READ and NewsEye, as well as the NEISS project under the state excellence initiative. Working closely with PLANET AI, the university leverages innovative AI technologies to gain new insights into document processing and analysis. More information can be found at uni-rostock.de.

About ALTOW

ALTOW Digital Innovation is a technology company based in Rostock that specializes in developing cutting-edge, user-focused software solutions. ALTOW creates tailor-made platforms, apps, and digital services, especially where complex processes, legacy systems, and high user demands intersect. The company focuses on developing scalable, cloud-based architectures, integrating diverse system landscapes, and designing excellent user experiences. ALTOW brings extensive expertise in interface development and transforming critical business logic into efficient, maintainable software solutions for both medium-sized enterprises and institutions with stringent security and privacy requirements. Clients such as AIDA Cruises, Karls Erlebnis-Dorf, and the German Armed Forces trust ALTOW as a strategic implementation partner. Through participation in AI joint projects like SPOC-AI, the company underscores its commitment not only to apply technology but also to actively shape it – with a strong foundation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and an eye on the European digital landscape. More information: www.altow.de.

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Claudia Korb
Online Marketing Management
PLANET AI
claudia.korb@planet-ai.com