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The ZUGFeRD format combines a readable PDF invoice with structured XML data. It is especially relevant for e-invoicing in Germany and is widely used in B2B invoice processes, where companies need both a familiar invoice view and machine-readable data for automated processing. Depending on the requirements of the invoice recipient, portal, or platform, ZUGFeRD can also be relevant for B2G scenarios. Learn more about its benefits, how it differs from XRechnung, and the continued development of ZUGFeRD 2.5.

XRechnung, Germany’s standard for electronic invoices issued to public-sector clients, has long been mandatory for suppliers and service providers working with the public sector. Since November 27, 2020, incoming invoices have only been accepted in electronic invoice format. This means that paper invoices and PDF invoices are accepted only in exceptional cases. The introduction of XRechnung was certainly a milestone — but was it a step forward or a step back?

Many companies are managing an increasing number of projects in parallel, while still relying on status slides, Excel lists, and manual coordination. This costs time, makes decision-making more difficult, and prevents the Project Management Office from focusing on its core responsibilities: establishing standards, ensuring quality, and actively managing project portfolios. PMO software consolidates project data in one central place, makes resource bottlenecks visible, and creates a reliable foundation for project and portfolio decisions. In this article, you will learn which features matter, when PMO software is worthwhile, and how to get started successfully.

Anyone looking to select an ERP system for service providers should not start with checklists or feature tables. For agencies, IT service providers, and consulting firms, it’s not just the range of features that matters, but the integration of project management, resource planning, CRM, time tracking, and billing. This guide shows you how to approach the selection of an ERP system for service providers in a structured way, avoid common pitfalls, and find a solution in 9 steps that truly fits your processes.

When it comes to agile methods in software development, there’s one term you can’t avoid: Scrum. But what exactly is Scrum, and how does it demonstrate its strengths in software development? What roles and activities are part of Scrum? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this agile framework? You’ll find answers to all of these questions in this article. In addition, we provide insight into our own Scrum model, which we have continuously refined for the development of BCS. In doing so, we use BCS itself as our Scrum software—not only for sprint planning, but also for coordinating requirements, responsibilities, release goals, and processes across multiple teams.

Digitalization costs time, budget, energy, and organizational attention. Introducing new software, adapting processes, training employees. And yet, at some point, the questions inevitably arise: What does it actually deliver in the end? Can you prove that it was worth it? This is exactly where the concept of return on digital investment comes in. It describes the measurable value that digital initiatives actually create. Not just in euros, but also in terms of time savings, fewer errors, better planning, and faster decision-making.

Is IAPM certification really worth it – or are PMI, PRINCE2 or IPMA the better choice? Anyone looking to gain certification in project management soon finds themselves faced with precisely this question. But what exactly is the IAPM? The International Association of Project Managers (IAPM) takes a deliberately practical and method-neutral approach. But how does this approach compare to established certifications, and for whom is IAPM particularly worthwhile?