FOCUS ON CAD / CAM
Christelle Savorgnani on Alma ’ s booth at EuroBLECH 2022 .
customer wants to subscribe to Almacam Pass , he can upgrade , downgrade or even suspend the subscription when he wants . It can be adapted to business levels and individual requirements , with different package levels ( silver , gold , premium etc .). The quotation module can also be included in the subscription .
A strategic focus
“ We dedicate 30 % of our turnover to R & D every year so are continuously innovating ,” Christelle Savorgnani told ISMR . “ There are 170 people in Alma ; we are one of the last truly independent software companies in the market . I really think our employee-owned status makes a difference . Combined with our passion for technology and creative spirit , it is a source of emulation within our teams and a decisive factor contributing to the quality of our products and services . It ’ s in our DNA to provide automated solutions for our customers so that they can focus on high-value tasks and optimise their production and cutting processes .
“ Our strategy for the next few years is to improve our indirect sales worldwide by gathering new OEM partners or through our six subsidiaries and distributor networks to improve our market share . Long-term partnerships are important to us ,” she added .
Alma is pursuing its industrial strategy based on the development of an extended range for Industry 4.0 solutions , a long-term corporate project and the commitment of its employees .
“ Our turnover last year was 18 million euros ; we are looking at a 10-15 % improvement in turnover this year . In terms of the business climate for next year , we are always cautious in our forecasts but we see that the business is growing . The economic outlook is a little uncertain now but we are proactive in the market and tuned to all opportunities . We want to be one of the major stakeholders in CAD / CAM activity and a major player in this arena ,” explained Savorgnani .
She highlighted market trends towards cloud , Saas or subscription models . The use of software applications in SaaS mode is a fundamental trend that has increased in recent years . Software vendors are investing
massively in this field to improve service to users . Indirect sales networks are also adapting to this new business model , which shortens the sales cycle and brings long-term recurring revenue . It also liberates users from integration issues so that they can focus on high value-added services , while strengthening their business expertise .
Running the Almaquote program .
“ We see a lot of opportunities for web applications and marketplaces for customers to log onto online for automatic quotations or , for example , to choose and manage their subcontractors etc . We are focusing on these areas for our own roadmap ,” she outlined . “ We also want our software to be fully integrated into Industry 4.0 and the entire workflow . We aim to launch new products on Industry 4.0 integration into the workflow ( integration with MES , ERP etc .). Our software products are an essential link between CAD , ERP and workshops in the digital chain for sheet metalworking and machine welding , responding to the challenges of Industry 4.0 .
“ We are also busy on various R & D projects and have dedicated investment and resources to investigate technologies such as virtual reality ; simulation ; augmented reality and artificial intelligence . We have invested heavily into realistic simulation technology , particularly for our tube and robotics solutions ,” she told ISMR . Whether it is a question of software
Alma teamwork on product development . components or application software , Alma is offering more and more SaaS solutions to add to the functionalities of its current range . Eventually , it will offer its customers a complete suite of SaaS modules that can be used separately or assembled for a customised CAM solution . This will include automation of end-to-end production ; modules for 4.0 industry CAD / CAM bespoke CAM software ; connections to third party applications ; simulation etc .
An integrated approach
Alma ’ s main customer base is in sheet-metal manufacturing ; mechanical welding ; electrical cabinetry ; construction etc . It has become a specialist in shipbuilding markets and completed a range of recent shipyard projects in Europe and Asia . Its customers number subcontractors as well as manufacturers .
“ Our subsidiaries are very important to promote and distribute our products . We help them with digital marketing as well as marketing campaigns on various topics for their local markets . A mixture of corporate HQ messaging and more localised messages have helped them to increase their turnover . We also assist them with leads , training , service support and marketing materials for shows etc .,” explained Christelle Savorgnani .
She also highlighted several regional areas of interest for Alma to ISMR .
“ The opportunities for us are mainly in Europe and Asia where we have subsidiaries or resellers . We really want to accelerate development in these areas of the world . We also aim to increase our market share in the Americas ( we are doing well in Brazil , for instance ) and at the same time we plan to further develop our OEM agreements with machine-tool and robot builders through customised software solutions and software components ,” she concluded . n
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