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“When life hands you lemons, make lemonade”, so the saying goes. Faced with the negative headlines surrounding the current economic crisis, the managing directors of infoteam Software GmbH just shrug their shoulders, for they view the crisis which has been so widely reported on and discussed up until this point as bringing not just risks, but also huge opportunities. After all, crises switch our routes onto different tracks, which bring about changes. Growth can only take place through innovation. And while half the world is looking towards the future with a sense of scepticism, in Bubenreuth system software development for international customers is continuing with the aim of maintaining a healthy order situation – and there’s no sign of commitment levels waning. In its most successful business year to date, infoteam reported a turnover of 8 million euros, a good 30% increase on the previous year. The company currently employs a 105-strong workforce in locations around the world.

The reasons why the currently gloomy economic forecasts are not affecting infoteam Software GmbH are manifold. However, one key aspect is undoubtedly that infoteam has been run as an employee-owned company since its inception. What this means is that the company’s equity is held exclusively by its employees, creating the advantageous situation in which the employees not only have a considerably greater interest in their employer’s well-being, but are also given increased motivation to take an active part in ensuring the success of the company. As a result, infoteam enjoys freedom from the shackles of stock market fluctuations.

Key figures far above sector average
This particular way of running a company is reflected in the all-important key figures. In a recent sector comparison carried out by Germany’s Erlanger Sparkasse, infoteam’s equity ratio stood at 64.3% - far above the sector average (10.5% - 39.4%). At 77.3%, the value added/employee ratio also departed significantly from the standard sector figures (32.5 – 58.3%), mirroring the clear employee-run nature of the company. infoteam neither provides employees with fixed-term contracts nor uses freelancers. All infoteam employees hold their positions on a part-time or full-time basis. So while other companies often incur personnel-related costs in the form of middlemen, infoteam’s turnover is generated entirely from in-house employees. In 2008, operating results doubled. A large proportion of investments were made in innovative applications, flowing directly into the company’s own product development. Look at the solid equity base which infoteam software GmbH possesses with regard to current and future risks (such as a scheduled test for conformity to state regulations in accordance with the Basel II Accord), and it’s clear to see why the Bubenreuth-based software house gets a glowing report. The ailing economy and dismal prognoses have no effect on the company. Its financial independence enables infoteam to respond flexibly to current market requirements and to look forward with confidence to the challenges of the future.

Most successful year since founding – and a stable future
“We have a stable future ahead of us – over the past 25 years, we’ve received a good education in crisis management,” says Dr Wolfgang Brendel, Managing Director of infoteam Software GmbH. “Crises always mean opportunities, and can only make us stronger.” 2008 proved to be infoteam’s most successful year since the company’s founding. Inevitably, however, what goes up must come down: “Around 10 years after infoteam was founded, we experienced a dip in turnover, which also meant we had to let some employees go. To manage with foresight, you need to allow for the possibility of global economic crises such as these occurring and adjust your annual objectives as a result. The present situation comes as no surprise to the infoteam managing directors – nor was it unexpected. For 2009, we are projecting moderate growth of 10% (7.0 million euros), which is a realistic target.”

The areas of business in which infoteam Software GmbH operates developed very well in 2008. In the field of healthcare and medical engineering, very narrow margins are set on account of the economising measures required by law, even while healthcare reforms are taking place. In this area, it was possible to carry out some projects for international medical device manufacturers: for example, automation/control software was developed for X-ray robots in cooperation with Pausch technologies, based in Erlangen, Germany.

infoteam also successfully increased its returns in the business areas of automation and power/energy generation and distribution. This sector is currently displaying some huge trends to be tracked. Energy requirements throughout the world are continuing to increase; in particular, the demand for energy by newly industrialising countries in Asia experiencing booms, such as India, is rapidly growing. As a result, considerable investment in the modernisation of power station technology (in the area of smart metering, for example) is crucial in countries such as these. In this respect, infoteam possesses the necessary know-how at device level and is right at home with the concept of embedded software. Expansion is therefore scheduled in this area of business.

Biggest employer in the region
During the previous year, the workforce grew by 20%. But there is no rest in the company’s search for new employees to work on current projects: “infoteam has become the largest employer in the region and can, without doubt, hold claim to being at the heart of industrial growth in Bubenreuth. Many of our employees also live in surrounding neighbourhoods in the region. It’s not just the company that needs to be attractive to new employees – the surroundings and location do too. Here, we’re investing in our future,” believes Petra Brendel, Director of Finance and Administration for infoteam Software GmbH. The company is determined to welcome excellent computer scientists and committed software developers into the fold. For infoteam, an attractive homepage, videos and webcasts – which explain more about the corporate culture than the text in an advertisement can – are the best attractions for drawing in new employees. www.infoteam.de/de/jobs/

Impetus for growth comes from abroad
Moderate growth in turnover of 10% is the forecast for 2009. Significant impetus for growth is coming from abroad – namely, from infoteam’s offices in Switzerland and its sales representation in China. In a world governed by egocentrism, a shift in thinking has come about: in order to maintain a global profile, cooperation is more in-demand than ever. Some years ago, infoteam ventured into international expansion territory and is today reaping what it sewed. The company’s motto – “Go international – be local” has proven to be a recipe for success: in its offices, infoteam employs local staff members who are au fait with the prevailing market conditions. In the past, postings from Germany have turned out to be unprofitable and unhelpful in achieving objectives.
For the company’s two subsidiaries, the 2008 financial year also came to a successful conclusion: infoteam Software AG in Stäfa, Switzerland, reported a turnover of 1.5 million euros, and is forecasting a 15% increase for this year – specifically, in the area of life science industries. At 0.2 million euros, turnover for 2008 from the Chinese representation was somewhat lower, but this is expected to increase to 1.0 million euros in 2009. Here, some promising projects in the automation/power sector are beckoning – from India, among others.