Review of 2024 – how PROMOS turns challenges into opportunities

Digitalisation as the answer to the pressing issues of our time

It’s not a recent phenomenon for companies to be under constant stress. Multi-crises were already the central topic at our OpenPromos User Forum in 2023 – and little has changed. A shortage of skilled labour, faltering residential construction, growing climate policy pressure, increasing regulatory requirements and political uncertainties continue to shape everyday life. In addition, there is increasing uncertainty due to market developments in the IT provider sector.

We are looking for answers to burning questions. But who is supposed to provide them if future security in itself hardly exists anymore? As part of the PROMOS management team, Erik Walter gives an insight into the thoughts of interested parties and customers in 2024: “We have had many conversations and are confronted with the same issues time and time again. A shortage of skilled labour, climate change, the housing crisis, inflation and the recurring stress caused by new regulations. What we conclude from this is that companies are looking for security and a concrete plan for the future. We don’t have a perfect answer for everything yet, but one thing is clear: PROMOS will remain a reliable partner today and in the future. With SAP^® as a stable basis, solid entrepreneurship, flexible solutions from the PROMOS Cloud and clever new developments, we make the property industry more efficient. Digitalisation plays an enormous role when it comes to meeting the challenges of our time. And we want to go down this path together.”

Digitalisation as a response to numerous crises – one example of this is the development of AI-controlled incoming mail processing, which PROMOS launched together with a customer. This completes the step from process automation to process intelligence. It’s not just companies that feel the benefits, but also tenants, who receive answers to their concerns more quickly. We also developed a comprehensive e-invoicing solution, which is ready just in time for the start of mandatory incoming goods processing in accordance with the Growth Opportunities Act. This shows that regulatory requirements do not have involve simply meeting obligations. Properly designed, they make an important contribution to making work easier and processes more efficient.

CO₂ Emission Cost Sharing Act, ESG Regulation, EED – if there is one area in which the shoe is permanently on the wrong foot for customers, it’s utility cost management. Many feel driven by constant new and stricter legal regulations. An intelligent service solution that noticeably reduces the workload for companies is therefore essential for the future. This year, PROMOS was able to launch a new solution in the area of utility cost management as well as a customised service for the billing process for a customer. We will be able to provide you with details in the coming year.

New structures for future-proof IT and corporate management

The Success Network was established at PROMOS in 2024 to drive forward the development of key solutions, such as AI-supported incoming mail processing. Elena Wollscheid, also part of the management team, explains: “Here, heterogeneous teams – our Expert Nodes – are working flat out to make solutions even more useful and to bring new ideas to product maturity. We already see that this targeted, interdisciplinary work has brought us high output. And we will continue to build on this in 2025.”

Another important structural change to strengthen the future security of PROMOS was the expansion of the management  team to include the trusted hands of long-standing employees Wollscheid and Walter. The existing management will remain an integral part of the team as the Advisory Board. Jens Kramer explains: “This handover to the next generation was an important step for us on the road to the future. In this way, we are ensuring that the values and visions that characterise PROMOS are continued and further developed. We have known Elena and Erik for many years. In their various positions at PROMOS, they have proven that they take responsibility and drive our company forward both professionally and economically. Together, we want to achieve our goal of becoming the market leader in Germany and Europe by 2030.”

In addition to the expansion and reorganisation of internal structures, we were able to expand our partner network this year to include an important player. The pioneering cooperation between Planon and PROMOS fills a gap in the provider market. Together, PROMOS and Planon enable the integration of classic CAFM tasks into business management processes. This is realised through the seamless integration between Planon’s real estate management solution and the SAP^® offering from PROMOS. The recent expansion of the cooperation into a tech partnership  now also enables the seamless integration of easysquare services such as the tenant app into Planon’s solution worlds.

Strong together: further milestones of the year

2024 was all about dialogue with our customers. Whether at the SAP Forum for the Real Estate Industry or at EXPO REAL – intensive discussions are the key to identifying needs and developing solutions. Another highlight in 2024 was the newly established Innovation Leaders Circle. In this series of events for our customers’ managers, we create market-orientated solutions with AI integration. A particular focus here is on customer participation and cross-company dialogue. Kramer draws a positive conclusion: “This format was incredibly enriching. Our central concern was to drive the topic of AI forward together with our customers. And the results are impressive: in less than 12 months, we were able to bring an idea to market maturity. If everything goes according to plan, our customer will be able to process incoming calls and e-mails with AI support for the first time in January. Processing of letters and paper invoices will follow later. We are proud and grateful that the new format has been so well received. We want to build on this success in 2025.”

Outlook and thanks

The series of events will be continued, as will the intensive work on new solutions. PROMOS remains a reliable partner for the property industry – with a focus on innovation, partnership and efficiency. Thank you for your trust and a successful 2024!