crossbase is one of the TOP 100
crossbase is the ideal PIM system for products that require explanation and are rich in variants. We are specialists in this field and focus on the needs of our customers and the market. This results in constant innovations that are incorporated into our software solution.
Thomas Kern
Chief Executive Officer, crossbase mediasolution GmbH
Focus on innovative strength
On behalf of compamedia, the organizer of the competition, innovation researcher Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke from the Vienna University of Economics and Business and his team examined the innovative strength of all participants on the basis of more than 100 criteria from five categories: Innovation-promoting top management, innovation climate, innovative processes and organization, external orientation/open innovation and innovation success. "Are the companies able to create new products, new services, new processes and new business models? And are these achievements just coincidences or the result of a structured and targeted approach? These are the questions we examine at TOP 100," says Nikolaus Franke, explaining his approach to the review. It is also important how and whether innovations and product improvements have been able to establish themselves on the market (further information on the test criteria can be found at www.top100.de/pruefkriterien).
crossbase prevailed in the scientific selection process and is one of the top innovators to be awarded this seal. The company is a software developer in the IT sector. The company has made a name for itself with its self-developed PIM, MAM and crossmedia solution "crossbase". "Product Information Management" enables companies to bring their products to market, be it via online stores, retail portals or print media. All product information such as images, texts or documents are stored in the crossbase solution, linked together in a well-maintained manner and then output in the appropriate format.
Innovative solution for the market
Thanks to the unique structure of the crossbase solution, even complex product relationships can be mapped and used for configurators, for example. Founder and CEO Thomas Kern is convinced that this makes crossbase the best PIM solution for companies with products that are rich in variants and require explanation. crossbase places particular emphasis on the further development of the software. Customers of crossbase benefit from two releases per year. Albrecht Bosler, CTO and also founder, attaches particular importance to in-house development: "Of course you can save money by having development done abroad. But quality always suffers as a result, as we have observed ourselves with many of the applications we and our customers work with. We made a conscious decision to work exclusively with our own developers. They know the solution inside out. Our customers often have special requirements or need special solutions. And we deliver them, quickly and easily."
It is precisely these requirements that contribute to the further development of crossbase. Because when new challenges arise on the market, such as the trend towards cloud solutions and the use of AI in recent years, they are implemented or integrated at crossbase. And always at the highest level. "We don't do things by halves," confirms Albrecht Bosler. "When the topic of the cloud came up, it was clear to us: all functions must work equally well on all platforms, our solution is platform-neutral and can be used with the same functions, whether in the cloud or on premise." Customers now have the choice between on-premise, private cloud and Saas Cloud. "Of course, the platform can be changed at any time if the customer wants to."
Thomas Kern is also delighted with the innovation award. "We know about our innovative strength. To have this confirmed with the TOP 100 seal underpins this statement. We not only claim that we are innovative, the TOP 100 jury is also convinced of this."
Customer focus and quality awareness
In addition to innovation, crossbase attaches particular importance to excellent service. Jochen Muffler, COO and co-responsible for consulting, describes this as follows: "There are two phases to a PIM system: Firstly, the initial implementation. We are very experienced in this area and have developed processes over the years that ensure on-time implementation within budget. The system then runs at the customer's site, and it is just as important for us to continue to support them. With personal contacts who have already been involved in the implementation, who know the customer and can therefore provide the best possible support." Proximity to development pays off here too. "Consulting and development are only a few steps away from each other," explains Jochen Muffler. "Whenever there is a problem, a solution is found quickly. We guarantee our customers that. If there are any problems that restrict use, we solve them within 48 hours." He is also delighted with the award. "This is also a sign for our great employees: what you do here is outstanding!"
The competition
To ensure equal opportunities, the TOP 100 seal is awarded in three size categories: up to 50, 51 to 200 and more than 200 employees. In the 31st edition of the innovation competition, 388 SMEs applied for the award. 287 were successful and have carried the TOP 100 seal since February 1, 2024. A maximum of 100 companies can be awarded per size category.
Outlook
On June 28, all of the top innovators of the year 2024 will gather at the "congress centrum weimarhalle" for the award ceremony as part of the German SME Summit. Ranga Yogeshwar will personally congratulate them on their TOP 100 success.