Change Management and Innovation
Interview with Andreas Traut, Managing Director of COSMO CONSULT SE
Change management is one of the biggest challenges in today's digital transformation, and many companies struggle to implement these changes successfully. COSMO CONSULT AG specializes in offering its customers comprehensive end-to-end solutions that support them in this process. The company continuously tests its own solutions in practice to ensure that they are effective and user-friendly. In the interview with Andreas Traut, managing director of COSMO CONSULT SE, the challenges and opportunities in the industry as well as the company philosophy are highlighted.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Traut, what are the current challenges in the ERP industry?
Andreas Traut: The ERP industry is facing enormous challenges, especially due to digital transformation. Many companies struggle to accept and implement these changes. Change management, which is the support of companies through these processes, is one of the fastest-growing areas in our company. It is crucial that we focus on the people. Even the best technology is useless if the users do not feel comfortable with it.
Wirtschaftsforum: How important is the topic of change management for COSMO CONSULT?
Andreas Traut: Change Management is of central importance to us. We see it not only as a technical project, but as a comprehensive change project that affects all areas of a company. When an ERP system is implemented, it brings changes in many departments. Our goal is to shape these changes so that employees accept and benefit from them.
Wirtschaftsforum: You have an interesting career path. How did you come to COSMO CONSULT?
Andreas Traut: I have been in the ERP industry since 1998 and initially worked in a small ERP firm. In 2016, I joined COSMO CONSULT. The change to COSMO CONSULT was for me like leaving a cave and seeing a vast landscape. The opportunities here are immense. COSMO CONSULT has a close relationship with Microsoft, which opens many doors for us.
Wirtschaftsforum: How has COSMO CONSULT's business model changed in recent years?
Andreas Traut: In the past, we sold licenses, but now we use a subscription model. This means that our customers are more flexible and can switch to another provider at any time. This makes it all the more important for us to build a trusting relationship with our customers. The customer is at the center of our philosophy, and everything we do must be a positive experience for them.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role does cloud technology play in your business model?
Andreas Traut: Cloud technology has revolutionized our business. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this change as many companies suddenly realized that they could no longer store their data locally only. The acceptance of cloud solutions has therefore increased significantly.
Wirtschaftsforum: What are the next big trends that you see in the industry?
Andreas Traut: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the next big trend. AI has the potential to automate routine tasks and give our employees more time for creative and strategic activities. We are working on integrating AI into our systems to increase efficiency and provide real value to our customers.
Wirtschaftsforum: How does COSMO CONSULT deal with the challenges of the shortage of skilled workers?
Andreas Traut: The shortage of skilled workers is a major challenge. We focus on further education and qualification of our employees. In addition, we use AI to automate certain tasks so that our consultants can focus on more complex projects. It is important that we not only find qualified employees but also give them the opportunity to develop further.
Wirtschaftsforum: What industries does COSMO CONSULT serve?
Andreas Traut: We focus on six market segments in the SME sector: Machinery, Chemicals, Prof. Services, Construction, Commerce, and Life Science. This focus allows us to develop specific solutions that are tailored to the needs of our customers.
Wirtschaftsforum: What, in your opinion, makes working at COSMO CONSULT so special?
Andreas Traut: It is a true People Business. We work with different people and companies, which makes every day exciting. The opportunity to build real relationships and develop solutions together is what I enjoy most about my work. Our goal is to continue to act as a Trusted Advisor for our clients and help them successfully manage the digital transformation. With our end-to-end solutions, we are well-equipped to do so.