---
title: "Tier X"
description: "Tier X (LBBW, 2022/23): Companies map their supply chain to the last supplier and see ESG risks"
url: "https://www.sugar-network.org/en/projects/tier-x-2022-23/"
lang: "en"
---

# Tier X

**Companies map their supply chain to the last supplier and see ESG risks**

_Uncover every X_

- **Corporate partner:** [LBBW](https://www.sugar-network.org/en/network/partners/lbbw/) (https://www.lbbw.de/startseite/startseite_6kyjj4koh_d.html)
- **Cohort:** [2022/23](https://www.sugar-network.org/en/projects/cohort/2022-23/)
- **Theme:** [Sustainability & resources](https://www.sugar-network.org/en/projects/themes/sustainability-resources/)
- **Type:** Platform
- **Key fact:** 62 formal interviews over the project
- **Universities:** [Hasso Plattner Institute](https://www.sugar-network.org/en/network/universities/hpi/), [Université Côte d’Azur](https://www.sugar-network.org/en/network/universities/uca/)
- **Team:** 8 master students
- **Disciplines:** Business Administration, Sustainable Design, Data Engineering, Software Development, Psychology and Economics, Educational Technology

## Challenge

LBBW asked how to give its corporate customers transparent, reliable ESG figures, from the single product through production to the whole company.

## What the team learned

Interviewees found ESG tasks too much effort and tools too complex, and lacked supply-chain transparency. Companies still contact suppliers by hand. Tests showed more potential in procurement than with sustainability managers.

## What they built

TierX is a free-to-join web application. Companies upload sales and purchasing data to map their supply chain down to the last supplier. It assesses ESG risks, reuses supplier data and audits across customers, and suggests alternative suppliers.

How it evolved:

1. Critical function: a very low-fidelity ESG table and ESG-bay, tested in a first interview round, produced four personas.
2. Funky prototype: a digital twin to simulate alternative suppliers pleased testers and, after talks with LBBW management, became the focus.
3. Functional prototype: Figma interfaces co-developed with interviewees, with simple starting points and no demo or payment to begin.

## Results

- 62 formal interviews plus more than 100 informal talks at a KIT fair and the SUGAR Expo.
- The proof of concept works in user tests; a real roll-out would need a full re-implementation.

## Impact

The team proposed a pilot with selected LBBW corporate customers, then onboarding and a full roll-out, with LBBW distributing TierX as optional software.

## Full project text

TierX is the powerful tool to bring transparency and peace of mind into every supply chain.

### Challenge

How can we generate and present ESG key figures transparently, comprehensively, and reliably for our corporate customers, starting with the product, through the production to the overall view of the company?

### Solution

TierX is a revolutionary solution aimed at providing a new level of assurance and transparency to businesses regarding their supply chain operations. It allows companies to track shipments, monitor inventory levels, and access detailed analytics and insights that enable them to optimize their supply chain performance. Developed by industry experts, TierX leverages automation and predictive analytics to help businesses mitigate risks, reduce costs, and streamline their supply chain. From small business owners to large corporations, TierX offers a complete end-to-end solution that can help businesses achieve their goals and surpass customer expectations. Its powerful analytics, intuitive interface, and unprecedented transparency make it the ideal tool for anyone looking to transform their supply chain.

### Impact

Supply chain transparency plays a critical role in today's interconnected world. We are dedicated to revolutionizing the way businesses operate by providing full visibility into supply chains and empowering organizations with comprehensive risk assessments of their suppliers.

## Who built it.

- Leo Schuhmann, IT (Data Engineering) (Hasso Plattner Institute)
- Felix Heinzeller, Business Administration (Hasso Plattner Institute)
- Lukas Hüller, IT (Software Development) (Hasso Plattner Institute)
- Ann-Kristin Spindler, Business Administration (Hasso Plattner Institute)
- Aïda Khemaïssia, Global Design & Sustainable Innovation (Université Côte d’Azur)
- Elisa Zapata, Sustainable design (Université Côte d’Azur)
- Evan Adeny, Psychology and Economics (Université Côte d’Azur)
- Kiah Sophia Lawrence, MSc SmartEdTech, Learning & Development (Université Côte d’Azur)

## Sources

Summarised by the SUGAR editorial team from the team’s project page and final documentation.

Open the 2022/23 booklet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WMrUn39kwgYTXEabC0jMaIxoaVfyb2Kq/view?usp=sharing