Abacus Research AG is the largest independent Swiss provider of business software. Can we look back at the stages of your success, from its foundation in 1985 to today?
"Abacus Research AG was founded in 1985 by three graduates of the University of St. Gallen, including Eliano Ramelli, originally from Airolo, Ticino. Over the years, we have expanded our presence throughout Switzerland from our headquarters in Wittenbach, opening branches in St. Fiden, Winterthur, Biel and Geneva. The opening of the Lugano office is a strategic step to expand our presence in Ticino, thus completing our coverage in the three main language regions of the country. Over nearly four decades, Abacus has established itself as the leading independent provider of business software in Switzerland, and today boasts a network of around 90 distribution partners, serving over 65.000 customers. Our success is the result of constant innovation and attention to the needs of our customers."
What are the main solutions you offer and what advantages do they bring to customers and end users?
"We offer complete management software that can be adapted to the needs of companies of all sizes. Our solution covers all areas of the company, from financial accounting to human resources, including administration, sales, production and assistance. This comprehensive approach allows for the integrated management of the entire operational cycle of the company. Abacus software simplifies processes, reduces administrative complexity and allows companies to focus on their core business, thus increasing their competitiveness on the market. The modular nature of the software gives companies the ability to select only the features they need, ensuring flexibility and customization based on their specific needs."
What are the main areas of origin of your customers and what specific products do you offer?
"Our solutions are very broad and are aimed at companies of all types and sizes. Our customers are usually businesses, trust companies, law firms and companies operating in the real estate sector. For each of these areas, we offer specific products. We offer Abacus ERP, a complete business management solution suitable for both trust companies and businesses; AbaPlato, designed specifically for the needs of law firms and trust companies; and AbaImmo, dedicated to real estate companies. However, our portfolio of solutions extends further, including a wide range of specialized applications for specific sectors. The flexibility of our products allows us to adapt to the specific needs of each sector, ensuring tailor-made solutions for every type of business."
In your communication you insist a lot on customer focus. What does this mean in concrete terms?
"For us, focusing on the customer means being close to their needs and actively supporting them in their digitalization journey, also through our distribution partners. In Ticino, we rely on three strategic partners. Fidigit, a company of the Fidinam group, with whom we have been collaborating successfully since 2021. This year we have expanded our network to include AIM Consulting, based in Davesco-Soragno, which brings with it twenty years of experience in the IT sector, and bsi partner, our historic seller in German-speaking Switzerland, which has consolidated its presence in Ticino by opening a new office in Massagno. Our network of partners allows us to offer personalized support, close to the customer and able to fully understand the specific needs of Ticino companies, thus ensuring a tailor-made digitalization journey. In addition to being close to our partners, we are committed to being close to all employees of companies that use Abacus. We offer solutions such as AbaWeb, which allows trustees to exchange tasks with their customers efficiently and securely. We also provide mobile applications such as AbaCliK, which enable companies to offer digital services to their employees, such as time tracking, expense management and access to personal data. These solutions enable greater operational efficiency and improved collaboration across all levels of the company, from management to individual employees."
How have digitalization processes transformed your work and what predictions can be made regarding the future evolution of your sector?
"Digitalization has profoundly transformed the way we work, pushing us to develop increasingly innovative and integrated solutions. In the coming years, we expect a growing number of companies to adopt artificial intelligence to simplify their activities. AI will become an essential tool for automating processes and improving efficiency in the next decade. As for the trust sector, we are observing a marked concentration of the market. Medium and large companies are progressively absorbing the customers of smaller ones, which are struggling to remain competitive. This trend is pushing medium and large trust companies to rapidly digitalize to manage the increase in customers and optimize processes. As a result, the demand for management software, such as that offered by Abacus, is growing."
What is the situation in Ticino regarding the adoption by companies of information technologies in the management of their business?
"In Ticino, we are seeing a growing interest in digitalization. Many companies are realizing the importance of adopting advanced technologies to improve the management of their business. There are still several companies that have been working with the same processes for decades and are afraid to embrace innovation, mainly because they fear what they do not know. This fear often prevents them from seizing the opportunities for growth and improvement that digital transformation can offer. Our task will be to collaborate even with the most wary customers to guide them on a customized digital transformation path, highlighting the tangible benefits for their business."
Abacus Research AG
Via al Chioso 8 | 6900 Lugano
Phone: +41 91 912 25 25
