Recap Corporate Reporting Conference 2024

In keeping with the motto "What's next?", the focus was on the latest trends and developments in digital reporting. A varied programme with four presentations was put together for the participants:

• Presentation of our DAX 40 2024 trend monitor
• Discussion panel with the Lufthansa Group and the DHL Group on full HTML reporting, digital first and automated data transfer from disclosure management systems
• Increasing efficiency and innovation in financial statement and audit processes,modern solutions for disclosure management, ESG reporting and GenAI support
• Outlook: Future of Reporting?!

The content was presented by the speakers:

Philipp Mann (CEO, RYZE Digital)
Patrick Weiser (Managing Director Creative, RYZE Digital)
Matthias Frescha (Managing Director Tech, RYZE Digital)
Patrick Winter (Senior Investor Relations Manager, Lufthansa)
Christian Knoll (Investor Relations Publications, DHL)
Patrick Sievering (Capital Markets & Accounting Advisory Services, PwC)

Our experts contributed a wealth of expertise to the event and encouraged interactive dialogue. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions via chat and take part in surveys. The result was a three-hour event that provided valuable information and insights.

Trendmonitor DAX 40 Annual Reports 2024

As usual, the conference opened with the latest results of our DAX 40 2024 trend monitor. This much is clear: the reporting landscape is evolving rapidly and is increasingly adapting to modern requirements. Digital first is the order of the day. Nevertheless, many of the DAX 40 companies still rely exclusively on PDFs in their media portfolio.

But more data, more problems! PDF reports are reaching their limits due to the increasing volume of reporting. Particularly in view of the forthcoming CSRD Directive, which requires standardised sustainability reporting, a change of course towards HTML reports is recommended.

There are certainly role models. In practice, there is a considerable variety of possible partial HTML and full HTML reports:

• DHL's reporting hub focusses on functionality and finding content quickly
• Adidas' image section uses elaborate design and animation
• BMW integrates storytelling elements and enables jumps to PDF editions
• Porsche uses storytelling, but presents the content in the existing corporate newsroom

You can find further interesting insights into narrative content outsourcing in reporting or the transformation possibilities offered by AI in our blog article on the DAX 40 2024 trend monitor.

Full HTML reporting from the customer's perspective

Our discussion panel provided exciting insights into the reporting strategies of Lufthansa and DHL. Both companies have decided to switch their annual reports to full HTML. But what prompted them to take this step?

Patrick Winter explained that a breath of fresh air should be brought into financial publications. "We believe that full HTML reports will be the leading medium in the future," he emphasised. The digital Lufthansa annual report includes an appealing landing page for quick access and an intuitive user interface with numerous quick-access tools. This was rewarded with positive user feedback and a frequency of use comparable to that of the PDFs.

Christian Knoll from DHL reported that the size of annual reports is increasingly threatening to become unreadable. "Upcoming regulations will make the whole thing even more extensive." The new DHL Reporting Hub therefore serves as a central point of contact for all relevant reporting data. DHL Reporting HubThe advantages are obvious: a full HTML report makes it easier to find information, enables a good connection to disclosure management systems and is much easier to read in a responsive, mobile format than static PDFs.

The user figures also show that there is acceptance and interaction with HTML reports. Full HTML reports are not only used as a channel for PDFs, but also offer a unique user experience as a functional reporting hub.

Increasing efficiency in reporting and challenges posed by the CSRD

But what happens next? Where can the project process for full HTML reports already be optimised? We know the most important levers:

• Decouple the image section: Animations and visual highlights can be developed without time constraints by running the image section as a parallel workstream. This keeps the main report on schedule.
• Analyse the results document technically: In addition to technical checks, parallel visual checks enable early detection and correction of design flaws.
• Make the test page available at an early stage: A compartmentalised test environment allows the customer to see interim results at an early stage and get involved. This early involvement improves the entire process and shortens the acceptance phase.
• Obtain visual feedback: Instead of cumbersome ticket systems and emails, we rely on a visual feedback tool that is used in the visual preview of the report. This makes collaboration much easier.

Further necessary transformation steps result from the new CSRD directive. The new non-financial universe will take up significantly more space than in previous years. Systems and processes that are established in financial reporting must therefore also find their way into the ESG area.

It pays to be early! Companies are well advised to align their reporting systems and processes with the new requirements in good time. Artificial intelligence already promises exciting approaches today: Automated text generation and text labelling as well as the aggregation of content from different sources offer opportunities for efficient sustainability reporting.

Outlook: Value through reporting

In conclusion, questions remain: Why is the digital transformation in reporting not progressing faster? Why do PDF reports continue to dominate? Regulatory requirements such as the CSRD are making reports increasingly complex. PDFs as static answers to this complexity are no longer sufficient. They are neither reader-friendly for smaller viewports, nor do they offer interactivity or allow accessible filtering for specific content.

We therefore present the annual report of tomorrow - modern and user-centred. Interactive access and intelligent links between topics make it easier to navigate between report structures and standards. Related content can be viewed together at a glance. Various modes and features such as Quick Access, an Explore mode, a Collect mode and a report AI enable users to quickly and productively search for content with real added value.