40 years of collaboration Exact and Axians: like a good marriage

Joop van Lingen, Managing Director at Axians Business Solutions Eindhoven since 2017, first encountered Exact's software in the early 1990s. This introduction ultimately led to a partnership between Axians and Exact that continues to this day. "We have both grown with time and in response to market needs."

In the beginning

"Our collaboration came about very naturally", says Joop. "At the time, corporate banks were promoting Exact as a reliable software solution. We had good relationships with accountants and accounting firms, for whom we carried out Exact software presentations and implementations. Many of those firms required specific knowledge to be able to fulfil their clients' needs and wishes. We had that knowledge and could take care of those needs for them."

From insight to management

"As we all know, there have been some big changes in organisations' management methods lately", Joop continues. "In the early '90s, people wanted insight into their figures and nothing more. At the time, Exact was still mainly being used for accounting. Additional modules were later introduced for invoicing, purchasing, inventory management and even manufacturing. Exact grew in response to the business community's needs and its software was put to increasingly wider use. That was followed by further digitalisation and the management of information flows for all business processes. Businesses have come to understand that in addition to managing transactions, they also need to be working and collaborating digitally and communicating internally and externally about their services, products and activities."

Good marriage

Joop says you can see the collaboration with Exact as a 'good marriage'. There have been some low points, but many more highs. "Sometimes things go less smoothly, just like in any relationship. We then discuss matters, brainstorm and look for solutions together. There is a great deal of mutual respect, because we have been collaborating and putting our trust in each other for many years. We work with Exact at all levels of our organisation, from management to product development, delivery and marketing. Even if we don't always agree right away, we generally manage to arrive at a solution that benefits us both eventually."

Highlights

Joop and his team of colleagues always consider it a highlight when they are named 'Partner of the Year' or win awards such as 'Project of the Year' or 'Marketing of the Year'. Other highlights in their eyes are the various events relating to Exact software; some organised by Exact, some by Axians and some together. "It's almost time for Exact Live to take place, with its 3,600 customers and prospects. And at the end of 2024, Axians will be organising the Synergy Experience, an event focused on the Synergy solution for customers, prospects and partners."

Broader and deeper questions

When asked whether he remains satisfied with Exact as a software solution, Joop answers in the affirmative. "That doesn't mean Exact is always a perfect fit for customers' needs, though", he adds. "There are definitely some gaps. Furthermore, as the market requires greater specialisation, we are concentrating more and more on specific segments. Axians implements, integrates and manages business solutions for medium-sized organisations. We have add-ons that go further than Exact and specific knowledge of the government, logistics and professional services segments. Both Exact and Axians preserve institutional knowledge for various disciplines and in specific industries."

Shared future

To facilitate the continued development of its software, Exact has been increasing its collaboration with partners such as Axians. "Its partners compensate for what isn't present in Exact's software", explains Joop. "For example, they provide supplementary options for a certain market or handle the integration with third-party software. Collaboration with other parties allows Exact to become more and more comprehensive." Joop enjoys feeling that he is making a substantial contribution to the development of market solutions. "We are an important part of the Exact ecosystem and that's the way it feels, too. We complement each other and share the same goal of helping customers to continue developing their business. Growth and innovation are the future, after all."