20 Years of Ingress
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Interview with Founder and Managing Director Dr Oliver Kohrmann
Congratulations on the 20th anniversary of Ingress GmbH! How does it feel to have reached this milestone?
Thank you very much! It‘s really a very special feeling to be able to look back on 20 years of successes and challenges. This anniversary is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team and the support of our customers and partners.
You founded the company together with your partner Christian Decker. How did the founding of Ingress come about?
Ingress is actually a university spin-off. My co-founder Christian Decker, who is now responsible for our technology, and I got to know each other at university. The first version of our current survey software, keyingress, already existed at that time and was already being used in a number of projects. The foundation of Ingress was then the logical consequence.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you have overcome in the last 20 years?
In the beginning, certainly awareness and customer acquisition. It was hard work with the odd setback. However, by continuously developing and optimising our software and services, we were able to win over more and more customers. Even back then, we consistently focussed on the cloud solution and service orientation, which is still paying off today. By the way, some of the first customers we acquired back then are still on board with us today.
Which milestones would you emphasise as being particularly significant?
Let me mention two things: Firstly, the launch of our panel management software. This has now developed into a very successful tool and is becoming increasingly popular, both nationally and internationally. The second point is the ISO 27001 certification with the first certification in 2018, which emphasises the great importance of data security and data protection for our daily work.
How do you see the future of Ingress GmbH? What plans and visions do you have for the next few years?
Our survey software keyingress is already the ‘Multichannel Feedback Platform’. And it is constantly improving. For example, we are currently focussing on the integration of AI functions as well as functions and tools to increase data quality. In the future, we will offer our users even more options for data evaluation and visualisation.
What do you consider to be a key success factor in your daily work?
Well, I could say a good software product that is easy to use and covers as many functions as possible. Of course we have that too, but I don't think it's that crucial. In our discussions with customers, the question of support is quickly raised. Who can they turn to if they have questions or problems? We attach great importance to personalised customer care, which in our view goes beyond the normal support you would expect from the service sector. Of course, we are not always perfect here either, but we strive to be and our customers really appreciate that.
Ingress is once again exhibiting at succeet this year. What does this trade fair mean for your company?
From the very beginning, succeet, and before that Research & Results, has been one of the highlights of our financial year. We are always delighted to meet many old and new customers and colleagues at this ‘class reunion’ of the industry. In addition to the fun, there is no shortage of work either: we have acquired many customers at these events who have remained loyal to us for many years.
What role does the team play in your success? What do you particularly appreciate about your employees?
Our team is the heart of our company. Without the commitment and creativity of our employees, we would not be where we are today. They are the ones who turn our vision into reality and constantly strive to improve our products and services. We invest heavily in our employees and create a corporate culture that encourages innovation and collaboration. The low staff turnover is impressive proof of this.
Finally: What would you like to say to your customers and partners on your 20th anniversary?
I would like to thank all our customers and partners for their trust and support over the past 20 years. Their loyalty and feedback have helped us to constantly improve and adapt our products to their needs. We look forward to realising successful projects together in the future and continuing to develop innovative solutions.
