SCSN

What SCSN does

SCSN (Smart Connected Supplier Network) is a Dutch non-profit foundation (Stichting) that operates an open data communication standard for manufacturing supply chains. It was established in 2017 as a Smart Industry program project and transitioned to an independent foundation in July 2020, headquartered at the Brainport Industries Campus in Eindhoven. The foundation's purpose is to enable manufacturers and their trading partners to exchange orders, invoices, product data, and increasingly carbon-footprint information through a single standardized protocol rather than via bilateral EDI connections.

The technical core of SCSN is built on the Universal Business Language (UBL) and International Data Spaces (IDS) standards, with a release-managed message catalogue (current version: Release 25.0, June 2025). End-user manufacturers do not connect to SCSN directly; instead, the foundation certifies a network of approximately 10 service providers (including Tradecloud One, myOpenFactory, Exact, KPN, and ECI) that operate ERP-to-ERP connectivity on the standard. Approximately 500+ companies are currently connected, up from 250 at foundation launch in 2020. TNO research has validated €21M in network value creation over five years and 86% more connection years compared with bilateral EDI, alongside claims of 20% higher supply-chain productivity and €6,000+ annual savings per connected company.

SCSN's revenue model is non-profit foundation funding: service providers pay fixed annual contributions plus per-company connection fees to the foundation, while end-user manufacturers pay service providers directly for connectivity. Strategic positioning increasingly targets EU regulatory tailwinds, with PCF messaging in Release 25.0 and NXTGEN Hightech collaboration aligning the standard with the Digital Product Passport and CSRD reporting requirements. Recognition includes the BDVA i-Space Gold Label (2021) and co-signing of the Dutch manufacturing industry manifest (March 2026).

Name

SCSN

Legal name

Stichting Smart Connected Supplier Network

Website

https://smart-connected.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SCSN (Smart Connected Supplier Network) is a Dutch non-profit foundation operating an open UBL/IDS-based data communication standard for manufacturing supply chains, connecting 500+ companies via ~10 certified service providers to automate exchange of orders, invoices, and product carbon data.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Eindhoven

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Service Provider Contributions: Service providers pay a fixed contribution to the SCSN foundation. This is one of the two primary revenue streams for the foundation.
2. Per-Connected-Company Fee (collected by Service Providers): A per-company fee is paid by service providers to the foundation on behalf of connected companies. Connected companies have no direct financial obligations to the foundation SCSN.
3. Fee-for-Service Activities: The foundation may provide certain services against a cost-covering fee, as long as these services do not fall within its primary tasks.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

SCSN provides an open, non-proprietary data communication standard for the manufacturing industry that enables automated and error-free information sharing across supply chains. Companies connect their ERP system to one of several certified service providers and can then exchange standardized messages (orders, invoices, technical product data, price updates, material certificates, Product Carbon Footprint data) with every other connected party in the network without building bilateral EDI connections. The foundation continuously develops the standard through community-driven working groups and major releases (e.g., Release 25.0 with PCF messaging).

Product overview

SCSN (Smart Connected Supplier Network) is an open data communication standard and network ecosystem for the manufacturing industry that enables automated, error-free information sharing across supply chains without requiring large custom ICT investments. The offering is structured as a network platform where manufacturing companies connect through approved service providers to exchange standardized electronic messages (orders, invoices, technical product data, price messages, measurement certificates, Product Carbon Footprint data) with all other connected parties. The core SCSN standard is supplemented by service providers (such as Tradecloud One, Supplydrive, ECI Software Solutions, myOpenFactory, Exact, Isah) who offer implementation, integration, and added-value services on top of the network. The network operates as a foundation (Stichting SCSN) with working groups that continuously develop and improve the standard through releases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SCSN Network / SCSN Standard
• Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) Message

Quantifiable outcome

• 20% higher supply chain productivity
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• FMEmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 March 2026FME is one of the co-signatories of the manifest 'Samen bouwen aan een toekomstbestendige Nederlandse maakindustrie' (Building a Future-Proof Dutch Manufacturing Industry), which commits to digital foundations, open standards, smarter chains through data exchange, and international competitiveness.
• StaalfederatiemajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 March 2026Co-signatory of the Dutch manufacturing industry manifest. Participates in joint events such as the Staalfederatie Ketenevent 'Nederland Maakt' with SCSN contributions.
• NLEVATmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 March 2026Trade association co-signatory of the Dutch manufacturing industry manifest committed to digital transformation and open standards.
• Smart IndustrymajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 March 2026Initiative that originally helped bring SCSN parties together. Co-signatory of the Dutch manufacturing industry manifest and organizes the Smart Industry Jaarevent where SCSN participates.
• myOpenFactorymajorTechnology or Integration · 20 June 2022German EDI provider operating one of the largest EDI platforms in Germany with 1,300+ connected companies and 15+ years of experience. First fully German-based SCSN service provider, enabling international expansion of the network.
• KPNcoreTechnology or Integration · 9 June 2022Long-term partnership where KPN deploys the KPN Data Services Hub as the infrastructure backbone for SCSN. This enables fast, secure, and interoperable information exchange at scale. SCSN can leverage KPN's infrastructure expertise to support national and international growth ambitions.
• ExactcoreTechnology or Integration · 13 March 2021Exact joined as a service provider, the first ERP vendor to do so. Enables Exact Online customers to automatically exchange orders with other connected parties regardless of their ERP system.
• MARKET 4.0 (European Project)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020European MARKET 4.0 project developing a digital environment for producer-supplier collaboration based on SCSN and IDS standards, with advanced features like simulations, VR/AR, digital twinning, and supply chain visibility. Includes subsidy opportunities of 50K-250K Euro for MKB companies.
• Brainport IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCSN originated from the Brainport Industries innovation ecosystem (Schakels in de Keten project within the Fabriek van de Toekomst innovation program). Brainport Industries Campus hosts the SCSN headquarters. John Blankendaal, Managing Director of Brainport Industries, was instrumental in the foundation's establishment and continues to support the network.
• TNOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTNO co-developed the SCSN standard and conducted quantitative research demonstrating 21M Euro value creation over 5 years. TNO focuses on federation of SCSN with other data spaces (CATENA-X, NTT), adding IoT data exchange and Digital Product Passport functionality, and realizing data spaces in other sectors. Mike de Roode and Rutger van der Male were key TNO contributors.
• Koninklijke MetaaluniecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTrade association representing SME manufacturing companies. SCSN organizes joint events including the Metaalunie Metrolijn program - interactive sessions for entrepreneurs to start digitalizing. Rard Metz, Program Manager Smart Industries & Teqnow at Metaalunie, actively promotes SCSN.
• International Data Spaces Association (IDSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCSN is part of the IDS Launching Coalition - a group of pioneering initiatives using the IDS standard. SCSN presented at the IDS Coalition Fest. The IDS standard provides the foundation for secure, sovereign European data sharing that SCSN builds upon.
• NXTGEN HightechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCSN collaborates with NXTGEN Hightech on building the Digital Product Passport (DPP) - a development helping companies share product information better, accelerate processes, and prepare for future data and transparency requirements.
• Tradecloud OnecoreTechnology or IntegrationSupply chain platform connecting large buying organizations with thousands of suppliers via SCSN. One of the largest initiators of transactions on the SCSN network. Works with ~40-50 large buying organizations.
• SupplydrivecoreTechnology or IntegrationService provider supporting companies in practical SCSN connection with low financial and technical barriers. Developed integrations with ~15 ERP systems. Emerged from the SCSN fieldlab addressing the need for accessible connection support.
• Isah Business SoftwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationERP vendor and service provider; involved since SCSN's inception (7+ years). CEO Frank Groot was part of the original group that shaped the standard. Isah facilitates manufacturing companies in SCSN connectivity.
• ECI Software SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationService provider (ECI Gatewise) providing ERP-integrated SCSN connectivity. Demonstrated live integration between two factories at TechniShow Factory of the Future.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Peppol: Pan-European e-invoicing and B2B document-exchange network built on open standards. Directly comparable as an open-standards data-exchange network; SCSN service providers already translate to Peppol for mandatory Belgian use cases.
• Tradecloud One: Supply-chain platform for manufacturing and wholesale that runs on top of SCSN and connects 40-50 large buying organizations with thousands of suppliers. Highly comparable as a B2B supply-chain data-exchange platform serving the same manufacturing customer base.
• OpenPeppol AISBL: Governing organization of the Peppol network. Comparable to SCSN as a non-profit foundation running an open B2B document-exchange standard across multiple European jurisdictions.
• Supplydrive: Dutch service provider born from the SCSN fieldlab that helps SMB manufacturers connect to SCSN with ~15 ERP integrations. Closest functional peer in the SCSN ecosystem — same customer segment, same value proposition, narrower scope.
• myOpenFactory: One of Germany's largest EDI platforms with 1,300+ connected companies. Joins SCSN as a service provider but is itself a comparable open B2B data-exchange network, particularly in DACH manufacturing.

Broad incumbents

• CATENA-X: Automotive-focused European data space built on IDS/GAIA-X. Comparable as a federated, IDS-aligned B2B data network, but focused on a single industry vertical and backed by major OEMs with significantly larger funding.
• International Data Spaces Association (IDSA): Reference-standard body behind the IDS framework that SCSN is built upon. SCSN is part of the IDS Launching Coalition; IDSA is a broader-incumbent peer that defines the underlying architecture rather than operating a manufacturing network.
• GS1 Netherlands: Standards body operating GLN identifiers and supply-chain data standards used across Dutch retail and manufacturing. Comparable as a neutral, foundation-style standards and identifier authority; SCSN itself uses GS1's GLN for its address book.

Emerging players

• Manufacturing-X: Catena-X-aligned initiative (Plattform Industrie 4.0 / ZVEI) extending the automotive data space to broader manufacturing. Comparable emerging data-space initiative targeting the same cross-company data-exchange use case in European manufacturing.

Others

• EDI-notify / EDIfact: UN/CEFACT EDIfact standard underpins traditional bilateral EDI used by large manufacturers. SCSN is positioned as a next-generation replacement; relevant peer in the same problem space with different delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scsn

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SCSN