THE NEW AGE OF COMMUNICATION

The challenge of personalisation and localisation BY MATHIAS WURTH Through digitalisation, the world has become smaller. The multitude of online distribution channels and social media at our disposal today also means we can communicate in various ways with more people in more time zones simultaneously. For a standard campaign, an average company uses at least…

Thomas Lucas-Nülle in conversation with Michael Kugler

Thomas Lucas-Nülle, Chief Analyst TGOA, in conversation with Michael Kugler, Managing Director Contentserv GmbH, about the Ability to Execute Mr. Kugler is an industrial engineer and has more than ten years’ experience in various specialist and management positions, from consulting and marketing through to product management and sales. He is regarded a pioneer in the area of Product…

HUMAN SUBWOOFER

Basslet is the first speaker to be worn on the wrist BY DR CLAUDIA PELZER To not only listen to music, but to feel it – that is the vision of the Berlin start-up Lofelt, the creative minds behind the Basslet bracelet. They have been working on the prototypes since 2014. In 2016, a Kickstarter…

TIME TO GREEN

Audi connects with traffic lights in the US BY THOMAS LUCAS-NÜLLE If you know in advance when a traffic light will turn red or green, you will drive more relaxed and efficiently. Audi is the first car manufacturer to connect with the urban surrounding – an important step towards autonomous driving. This service is called…

NEW BUSINESS

On the trail of the customer BY SARAH GRECHENIG Digitalisation has not only turned our everyday lives upside-down, it has also extensively revolutionised commerce. Developments in eCommerce have actually strong-armed digital transformation. The boundaries between sectors have become more fluid, those selling insurance today may be selling cars tomorrow. Nothing seems impossible any more. As…

Temel Kahyaoglu in conversation with Robert Schneider

Temel Kahyaoglu, Chief Analyst TGOA, in conversation with Robert Schneider, CEO w&co MediaServices, on the rising significance of integrators Since 2009, Robert Schneider has been the Managing Director at, and a shareholder in, w&co MediaServices GmbH & Co KG, a full-service media services provider based in Munich, Germany. Prior to this, he had been a manager at…

Get it! The new PIXELBOXX MAM MPW

Hey there, Nice to meet you! We are The Group of Analysts. Our philosophy: Market Research Re-engineered. For you we have thrown a light on the company Pixelboxx regarding the MAM market. Just take a look on the side, there you can see the Market Performance Wheel (MPW) – the result of our deep dive…

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

All hands on deck! The stiff breeze of digital transformation becomes a formidable storm. For a good ship with an excellent team a unique opportunity to reach the finish line in front of the competition. Similar to the wheat races of the 19th and 20th centuries, when the largest sailing ships were racing under extreme…

Benelux DIY Market Retailer Selects Riversand Technologies for Managing Product Information in the Cloud

Maxeda DIY Group to utilize Riversand’s PIM to effectively manage product information for an integrated Omni-channel experience. Maxeda DIY Group, the leading do-it-yourself retailer in Benelux, has selected Riversand’s Product Information Management (PIM) and Media Asset Management (MAM) solution to efficiently onboard new products, manage product information and media assets in Cloud as part of their strategy…

SUCCESS IS IN THE PRODUCT MIX

Orsay persuades with bright omnichannel BY JÜRGEN BURGER There is hardly any industry spinning faster than fashion. Collection chases collection as customer preferences change virtually monthly. Fashionable companies, especially those with young target groups, must thus offer new products practically every week to ensure consumers’ continued interest in the brand. Even for the most experienced,…

SMART FABRICS

Google unites textiles and technology in its Jacquard project BY DR CLAUDIA PELZER Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects Group (ATAP), which focusses on researching future technologies, is currently transforming textiles into interactive surfaces. Here, new weaving techniques are being developed that permit sensors and electro-conductive yarns to be integrated into fabrics. At the annual Google…

FASHION GOES TECH

Interview with founder of TheCurrent Liz Bacelar BY NADINE PELZER / SABINE STAHL Smart watches, rings, handbags or jackets – where wearables are concerned, a lot of things have happened in recent years. Still, fashion and retail seem to find it difficult to cooperate with the tech business. Liz Bacelar, however, has managed to do…

Temel Kahyaoglu in conversation with Upen Varanasi

Temel Kahyaoglu, Chief Analyst TGOA, in conversation with Upen Varanasi, CEO Riversand, on what the future of Master Data Management looks like Upen Varanasi sets the overall strategy and vision for Riversand. He brings extensive experience in the areas of PIM, PLM and Content Management. A University of Missouri and IIT alumnus, Upen holds Master’s and Bachelor’s…

FUTURISTIC SUPERMARKET

Amazon focusses on stationary retail using sensors instead of cash registers BY DR CLAUIA PELZER A supermarket with no queues at the checkout – but with lots of high-tech and sensors in the shelves. The amount due is simply debited online upon leaving the store. No more annoying queuing at the checkout. The online retail…

Marketers, let it rain gold in 2017!

On the road to success with digital business, personalization and data protection BY ANDRES DICKEHUT Andres Dickehut, CEO of marketing service provider Consultix, set off on behalf of Das Produktkulturmagazin in search of digital marketing trends. He has been advising international clients on customer engagement, eCRM, customer lifecycle management and eCommerce since 1994. ProCampaign®, one…

CREATING THE NEW

Is adidas’ new business model leaving competitors far behind? BY SANDY STRASSER Whether a product fulfils its purpose, whether it’s trendy and stylish, and above all whether it has its finger on the pulse of time — these factors are increasingly being decided by the customer in the digital age. It is he who not…

CYBER CRIME

Tracking down the perpetrators BY SANDY STRASSER As people conduct more of their private lifes online, attackers are increasingly focused on using the intersection of the physical and digital world to their advantage. In 2015, the American software company Symantec saw a resurgence of many tried-and-true scams. Cybercriminals revisited fake technical support scams which saw…

MAN OF THE FUTURE

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff creates Artificial Intelligence for anyone BY NADINE PELZER Artificial Intelligence is creating new ways for people to engage with technology and with one another. Various forms of AI already power for many years some of the world’s most popular consumer experiences, such as Apple’s Siri or Facebooks deep learning facial recognition…

DRESSED

Interview with Falke Managing Director Paul Falke BY SANDY STRASSER Fashion is driven by our own quest for beauty. The need for people to adorn themselves and to look for, and gradually find, their own style is also the driving force in fashion. Sock manufactory Falke has committed itself to developing stylish fashion for modern…

DIGITAL TO THE TOP

Interview with Dr Torsten Wingenter, Head of Digital Innovations at Lufthansa German Airlines BY JÜRGEN BURGER The Lufthansa Group is a globally operating aviation group with a total of 540 subsidiaries and affiliates. Over the last financial year, these were organised inter alia in the business segments of Passenger Airline Group, logistics, technology, catering, etc….

START ON PAPER

Continue everywhere BY SANDY STRASSER To let one’s thoughts run free in a surrounding that is both beautiful and exclusive: the feeling to write on paper by Montblanc with the respective pen or fountain pen remains unparalleled for many. For more than a hundred years, the label is synonymous with writing culture and master craftsmanship….

Temel Kahyaoglu in conversation with Saim Rolf Alkan

Temel Kahyaoglu, Chief Analyst TGOA, in conversation with  Saim Rolf Alkan CEO ax semantics about the two classes in e-commerce Saim Rolf Alkan is the CEO of ax semantics, one of the pioneers in the area of automated copywriting. Based on his many years of experience with the requirements of content production and quality as…

DYNAMIC, NOT STATIC

Effective content is a matter of data management driven by demand BY MATTHIAS KANT Communicating across all channels is a challenge all companies face in times of cross-channel. But only those that provide high-quality information in their external communication while creating a personalised customer experience will have success in the long-term. Modern content management must…

TRAFFIC GUIDE

What traffic information will do in future BY THOMAS LUCAS-NÜLLE TomTom is a market leader in providing traffic services and products around the globe. With a market reach of 47 countries, its services aim to make the journey of the driver both safer and faster. However, the customer portfolio of the company, although indeed placing…

RETRO PERSPECTIVE

The sound of style BY NADINE PELZER Bluetooth speakers generally sound pretty well and are easy to use. In terms of style however, they rarely blend in with, shall we say, more carefully orchestrated surroundings. Not so the Caruso, a rather hip example which cleverly combines acoustics with storage space and sports a gramophone mimicking…

DATA SYNERGIES

Interview with Ingrid-Helen Arnold, President SAP Business Data Network By Temel Kahyaoglu In view of the digital economy and the Cloud, CIOs are today taking on important strategic leadership roles. Forward-looking CIOs have recognised that the Cloud is here to stay. For this reason, they are preparing their companies for a digital future that will…

MARITIME FUN

Welcome on board with Compass BY TEMEL KAHYAOGLU Compass is Europe’s largest mail-order company for motor boating and sailing sports. Ever since its foundation in 1979, the company is independent and family-run. Together with his wife, owner Michael Dehler is the second generation to lead the company in over 25 years. Today, with over 30,000…

HANDICRAFT

Individualism in Italian BY SANDY STRASSER Functional, practical and easy to carry - that is what the Italian label Piquadro stands for. Marco Palmieri is the boss of this bags and briefcases brand. Former engineering student and IT entrepreneur, he discovered his love of leather at an early age and eventually came to the decision…

Riversand Technologies Joins Demandware LINK to Accelerate Commerce Innovation

Riversand Technologies, an innovative leader in Multi-Domain Master Data Management (MDM) and Product Information Management (PIM) today announced that it has become a Demandware LINK Technology Partner, joining a best-of-breed community committed to accelerating the adoption of innovative commerce technologies that are complementary to the Demandware® Commerce Cloud. Through the LINK Technology Partner Program, Riversand…

A PANORAMIC VIEW

How to keep full control during digital transformation BY CHRISTIAN COLMER “Speaking to the pilot is strictly forbidden!” It was with these words that Picasso once curtly interrupted someone who was admiring his work. Successful CMOs do just the opposite. They are pilots who seek dialogue and keep an ear to the ground for customer…

MARKETING MATERIAL AND EYEBASE

MRM is the next extension of DAM BY WOLFGANG KAUFMANN Yet another three-letter acronym … Just as ECM (Enterprise Content Management) and its subordinate system, DAM (Digital Asset Management), have become second nature, people are already talking about continuing efficiency improvements with MRM (Marketing Resource Management). And indeed for many companies, MRM has already paid…

DAM — IN THE CENTER OF THE IMAGE LIFE CYCLE

Modern Digital Asset Management for the creation, organizing and distribution of your media files BY CHRISTIAN LEEGER With the constant influx of new products, improvements and updates, as well as the changing needs of distribution channels, product information systems are being kept on their toes. Graupner/SJ, a leader in RC-toys, recently reorganised its entire communication…

Stibo Systems on expansion plans and management changes

Stibo Systems is set to expand the investment in multidomain MDM in the DACH region and announces change in DACH management Over the recent years Stibo Systems have strategically executed a fantastic transformation journey focusing on continuous development and growth of Stibo Systems to the company’s current position today, as a leading multidomain MDM vendor. Following on…

TEMPLE OF ART

About the desire for the very special BY SANDY STRASSER Now, will ya’ give me? Sold!” Just some of the typical rants heard at the premises of Christie’s, the world’s oldest and most respected art business. Since on December 5, 1766 James Christie conducted his first auction in London, the house has expanded into no…

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE

Volkswagen’s commitment to design and technology in the era of digital transformation BY SANDY STRASSER At the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, Volkswagen Group defined new goals for the future of mobility. With digitisation at the top of its agenda, the largest car manufacturer in the world hopes to bring in new business and…

Get it! The new CENSHARE (SCHWEIZ)

Hey there, Nice to meet you! We are The Group of Analysts. Our philosophy: Market Research Re-Engineered. For you we have thrown a light on the company censhare (Schweiz) regarding the MLM market. Just take a look on the left side, there you can see the Market Performance Wheel (MPW) – the result of our…

INTERFACE

How to create greater flexibility for your data BY GABRIELE MATTHES The TKD Kabel GmbH is one of the largest suppliers of cables, wires, ready-to-connect cables and accessories for virtually all industries worldwide. The company has locations in Europe, America and China. Its focus is on markets for materials handling, industry and cable tracking chain…

Get it! The new CENSHARE (SCHWEIZ) MRM MPW

Hey there, Nice to meet you! We are The Group of Analysts. Our philosophy: Market Research Re-Engineered. For you we have thrown a light on the company censhare (Schweiz) regarding the MRM market. Just take a look on the left side, there you can see the Market Performance Wheel (MPW) – the result of our…

Temel Kahyaoglu in conversation with Tom Ebling

Tom Ebling CEO of Demandware on the Future of the Retail Business Tom Ebling has been President and General Director at Demandware since December 2009. Among other things, his previous career positions included being General Director of Torrent Systems, Inc. Furthermore, he held various management positions at Marcam Solutions, Inc. Currently, Ebling is General Director…

Get it! The new CENSHARE (SCHWEIZ) CMS MPW

Hey there, Nice to meet you! We are The Group of Analysts. Our philosophy: Market Research Re-Engineered. For you we have thrown a light on the company censhare (Schweiz) regarding the CMS market. Just take a look on the left side, there you can see the Market Performance Wheel (MPW) – the result of our deep…

CULTURAL MIX

Head of Alibaba Germany Terry von Bibra on their online expansion plans BY SANDY STRASSER The Chinese online merchant Alibaba has arrived in Germany. The huge demand for international brands in China has triggered a veritable battle for access to coveted goods. We talked to Germany boss Terry von Bibra about Alibaba’s plans to achieve…

Get it! The new CENSHARE (SCHWEIZ) PRINT PUB MPW

Hey there, Nice to meet you! We are The Group of Analysts. Our philosophy: Market Research Re-Engineered. For you we have thrown a light on the company censhare (Schweiz) regarding the PRINT PUB market. Just take a look on the left side, there you can see the Market Performance Wheel (MPW) – the result of our…

BE YOURSELF

… just the way you are BY SANDY STRASSER We are into great designs and into small details. We are all about quality and understated looks. We started out with denim and advanced into collections. We go beyond borders and believe in true friendship. We value our heritage, love today, long for tomorrow. We are…

Get it! The new CENSHARE (SCHWEIZ) MAM MPW

Hey there, Nice to meet you! We are The Group of Analysts. Our philosophy: Market Research Re-Engineered. For you we have thrown a light on the company censhare (Schweiz) regarding the MAM market. Just take a look on the left side, there you can see the Market Performance Wheel (MPW) – the result of our…

Frequent Errors During Multi-Channel Communication

For a long time now, companies have used more than one channel. The number of touchpoints a customer or potential customer can use to come into contact with a company is growing continually with the digital movement. Across all channels – in online shops, in catalogues or at the point-of-sale – the customer expects consistent…

WAKE ME UP

BY NADINE PELZER Feeling energised when just waking up — every day. A dream. What sounds like fantasy is now to become a reality. At least in the world of two founders from California and their Kickstarter project ‘Sense’. Their little round gadget promises not only to improve our sleep but also analyses how the…

I, ROBOT

Machines with finesse BY SANDY STRASSER Robots are on the rise all over the world. Experts in the field speak of it as Industry 4.0. Google and Facebook have become fierce competitors in the development of artificial intelligence whereas Kuka Roboter is a leading pioneer in the field of robotics and systems engineering. All innovations…

DECISIONS FROM THE HEART

Substantial customer loyalty BY JÜRG WEBER Consistent brand management – anytime and everywhere – is at the essence of any business. Consider it the best way to safeguard its health. Protected access then becomes the practical solution for sharing data and knowledge. The eldest private insurance company in Switzerland (Bern, 1826) got in touch with…

ON THE GO

Mobile shopping for advanced consumers BY JANINA EGE Shopping was still relatively simple in the nineties. Now, however, technical achievements such as the smartphone and changing consumer behaviour are transforming the shopping process. According to a study by Demandware, a Salesforce company, the traffic channel that brings in the most customers for retailers is mobile….

CLOUD WORKING

Business solutions for mobile teams BY CLAUDIA PELZER The market for online data storage has been battled over for years, and yet, some newcomers, like the start-up Box, have managed to penetrate it and even expand their business. The technology platform increasingly focuses on enterprise customers and particularly seeks to stand out from the competition…

HIGH-FLYERS

Airbus and Siemens shaping the way into a new aviation future BY SANDY STRASSER One of the greatest industrial challenges in our days is flying without kerosene. Hybrid-electric propulsion systems can significantly reduce fuel consumption of aircraft and minimise noise load. To push this technology, Airbus and Siemens have signed a collaboration agreement. In doing…

Temel Kahyaoglu in conversation with Matthias Kant

Matthias Kant CEO of pirobase imperia GmbH on the new MarketPlus Manufacturers Since July 2015, Matthias Kant leads the pirobase imperia GmbH as new Managing Director. Previously, he worked as a partner and board member for management consultancies like Droege Group and the IM + C AG for twelve years. In 2011, he founded CityGuide…

BATHROOM INSPIRER

Creating your dream bathroom with virtual reality BY SANDY STRASSER A bathroom can be an oasis, a private retreat in one’s home where one can relax; some may even feel as though they are going through a thorough process of rejuvenation. Richter+Frenzel, a German wholesaler for plumbers and builders founded as far back as 1895,…