We are back from Munchen
For our colleagues and business partners, some impressions from the recent Systems fair in Munchen…
First, the history lesson
Wittmann&Partner has been participating at Systems (www.systems.de) for many years because of strong business links to Bavaria. Some of our most interesting software development projects, e.g. the elearning software explicanto (www.explicanto.ro), come from Munchen. Nowadays, it’s particularly interesting to do business with Munchen companies because we have direct flights from Sibiu to Munchen. Also, an amazing number of people from Romania and especially from Sibiu who are excellent professionals placed in key decision making positions in their companies.
What was new at Systems in 2007
This year in particular we have seen open minds regarding nearshore sourcing solutions from small and medium size software companies. Also we heard great reviews of Romanian programmer’s work. The 4 days fair was better than the longer fair from 2006 – we had a chance to be more productive.
‘If you don’t have the money to pay for the business class flight to your nearshore destination, don’t bother! The project will not work!’ this is how a most interesting conversation with a German outsourcing consultant started. Like all rules, there are examples of reality contradicting theory, but in general I must agree with him. From our experience, the most successful nearshore projects are based on a strategic decision to go nearshore followed by a serious investment in project setup and management.It’s good to see our partners understand and validate this.
Outside the fair
At least as interesting were the business meetings outside the fair, with present and potential customers. The strive for 0 errors code, better productivity and astute competition are day-to day realities for German software companies. One example was from a company who saw the price of their services down by 60-70% over a period of two years. However, they managed to stay in business based on productivity gains.
In a Muchen pizza bar
You can imagine bars in Munchen cannot be without bear. So I had a chance to have some ‘Franziskaner weissbier’ (http://www.franziskaner.info/), the only beer I enjoy so far. (I’ll be the first to admit I can use more exercise;) Maybe at the next fairJ
on October 31st, 2007 at 11:19 am
I can imagine bars without bears in Munich… Actually I would like to see one…
on October 31st, 2007 at 3:27 pm
I assume you’ve meant ‘beer’ not ‘bear’ :).
on October 31st, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Right Marius, hope no bears go to bars.
beer, bier, bar, bear - it’s enough to confuse some people and I am one:)
The beer awaits you as soon as you get well.