Market themes
We regularly gather insights and information on market themes that we observe.
During client seminars that we run, associates and clients are invited to share their views on a market theme with other clients in a sector. The sessions are chaired by Ben van der Burg, the talk radio commentator and maker of the technology-focused podcast De Technoloog.
We see these client seminars as a good way to play our role of ‘commercial estate agent’. We can always learn from one another, and it is nice to get to know one another on a personal level and to learn from other sector’s experiences of sale processes and acquisitions.
Trade in Transformation
How do commercial enterprises successfully maintain their position in the chain?
Continued digitalisation and e-commerce is making markets more and more transparent. Links in the chain disappear unless there is a clear strategic decision on service provision, customer profile and added value. For a main player, a strong capital position, optimal inventory management and operational excellence are required. For a niche player, there will be much more emphasis on extensive product expertise and focus on service for specific customer groups. An exclusive product portfolio provides a platform to build a unique brand and customer experience with a distinctive position in the market.
Developments in the market
- Digitalisation
- E-commerce, (retail) web shops
- Transparency in pricing and markets
- Consolidation in production and sales side
- Chain management
Smart Engineering
How do I add value in the engineering sector?
‘Smart Engineering’ is the combination of advertising services and digital solutions to deliver more added value in the engineering sector. By focusing on a specific segment, it is possible to supplement existing expertise and experience with custom digital solutions and increasingly more usable ‘big data’. This provides greater scope for offering new services to clients, such as a subscription model or a new project offering based on measurable targets.
At the same time, continued digitalisation is required due to the scarcity of talent. You want to deploy staff where they can excel and help you create opportunities for innovation.
Developments in the market
- 3D Building Information Model (BIM)
- Energy transition, offshore wind
- Sensors, data, artificial intelligence
- Evolving in partnerships
- Smart cities and mobility
Journey to the Cloud
Who is really bringing clients along on this journey?
Cloud services are popular in the Netherlands. Around 33% of companies in the Netherlands are already using cloud services, yet there is still a whole world to conquer. A lot of business applications, popular accounting software, CRM systems or ERP solutions are still hosted in a private data centre or on in-house servers.
Cloud services offer scalability, high performance and flexibility, which makes them of strategic importance to many organisations. The cloud also offers a high level of security and continuity.
How can software providers, Managed Service Providers and hosting platforms assist their customers with the transition to the cloud? The journey to the cloud can offer the opportunity to develop new forms of collaboration with customers.
Roles in the ‘journey to the cloud’
- Determine strategy and roadmap
- Choose a cloud solution (public, private, hybrid)
- Application migration
- Security, compliance, continuity
- Ongoing enhancements and innovation
- Managed service and outsourcing
