The field in question is Enterprise Content Management (ECM), which involves software applications for case, records, and document management in businesses. (Based on Gartner report, 13.10.11, “Magic Quadrant for
Enterprise Content Management”, by Mark R. Gilbert, Karen M. Shegda, Kenneth Chin, Gavin Tay)
The Magic Quadrant
“Our strategy is to build a larger international operation with resources to both utilize the SharePoint platform, as well as creating excellent functional applications to meet our clients’ needs in terms of ECM. This includes applications for case, document, records and technical document management. We believe Gartner’s decision to include us in the Magic Quadrant confirms that we have succeeded in taking the leap to a league above our local competitors in Scandinavia and new international markets,” says Halvor Walla, CEO of Software Innovation Products.
Software Innovation delivers applications that expand on the SharePoint platform. With specialized applications within the large ECM field, their natural place is in Gartner’s ‘niche players’ category. Software Innovations’ expansive partnership strategy is instrumental in the company’s clear aim to develop their position further.
ECM thriving in the economic crisis
Companies have increasingly vast quantities of information and documents to manage through ever changing formats and channels. This creates an increasing demand and investment within the ECM sector.
Gartner opens the Magic Quadrant report with the following statement: “A funny thing happened in the depths of the recent recession. While budgets in many areas of information technology were under extreme pressure, enterprise content management (ECM) spending actually grew, by 5.1% in 2009 and by 7.6% in 2010. ECM software revenue alone was $3.9 billion in 2010. And we project this growth will continue — at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.4% through 2015. Why is all this money being spent on ECM in a down economy? The answer is "productivity."
“One has to be cautious to avoid crying wolf. However, financial analysts are warning of yet another financial crisis, possibly more serious than that of 2008.This suggests that now is an opportune moment to invest in ECM solutions as a strategy to manage expenses”, says Walla. ”Software Innovation provides records management and case management solutions that can improve both individual and team productivity – an extremely desirable element in contemporary markets. The productivity goals described by Gartner as the cause of this unique growth in the ECM market mirror our experience from dialogue with our customers and are clearly among the reasons behind new customers choosing our applications.”
There is a clear expectation among senior managers that ECM-systems should support vital procedures within a business, thereby directly contributing to the bottom line and growth. A majority of businesses claim their content and case management is in a state of disarray, thus ‘Content chaos’ is regarded as the primary factor in deciding to take on new ECM-projects (source: AIIM, State of the ECM Industry 2011).
Building success with the customer
Software Innovation remains at the cutting edge of their field and maintains close communication with their clients to ensure product enhancement and customer satisfaction. Software Innovation is therefore in a prime position to develop and manufacture applications that directly solve client problems.
Over the past six months, Software Innovation has won contracts with a range of exciting international organizations, including companies such as Itella, Ecco and Jotun.
“The increase in our customer base and the large interest in this market supports Gartner’s evaluation of the growth of the marketplace in spite of economic crises. Large players such as Subsea7 and Aker Solutions have invested in our applications for technical document management in SharePoint. Statkraft is implementing 360º, SharePoint and SAP, and in the public sector, a long list of municipalities is investing in case and records management for SharePoint.”
“Our many public sector clients include the Norwegian Directorate of Health, the Norwegian Student Loan Fund, City of Umeå, the Norwegian National Rail Administration and City of Kuopio. In addition Software Innovation has over the last months obtained contracts with important clients in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands. ” says Walla.
“This inspires the team at Software Innovation to continue our large investment in product development and customer service.”
High accolades for Software Innovation
Earlier this year, Microsoft rewarded Software Innovation’s commitment with the “Global Government Partner of the Year” award. By entering the Gartner’s ‘Magic Quadrant’, Software Innovation has reached another milestone.