Creating the world’s first digital business platform: Anneliese Schulz

For more than 45 years, Software AG has armed enterprises with the enhanced technology necessary for their survival in the disruptive digital and business landscape. With 4,500 employees and 300 partners in 70 countries worldwide, its customers include nine of the 10 largest US banks; Coca-Cola, 7-Eleven and Nespresso; a space travel organisation; major airlines and transit authorities; energy companies; and more.

Creator of the world’s first digital business platform, Software AG provides independent and open software that empowers enterprises to become more innovative, agile and efficient. It aims to accelerate and simplify the digital transformation by connecting the world’s applications, data and devices without compromising existing investments.

Anneliese Schulz leads Software AG forward

Spearheading the company’s rapidly growing Asia division is Vice-President Anneliese Schulz. After joining the company in Germany in 2011, Anneliese transitioned to Asia–Pacific where she worked across business management, sales and customer acquisition in Tokyo and Singapore.

"Working in these varying geographies has given me a well-rounded understanding of Software AG," she says. Anneliese’s appointment, together with her strong track record and understanding of market requirements, helped Software AG secure several important client wins in Asia. "I achieved fast and unexpected success from our customer-centric approach in Korea, so I saw the opportunity to bring this success to the broader region.

Asia is a diverse part of the world, but it’s unified by talented people from different cultural backgrounds. They all have a positive attitude towards change and growth, and constantly strive to outperform in a competitive global market.

"With our diverse partnerships, unified capabilities, and leading digital business platform, we are a leader in digital software solutions," explains Anneliese.

"Digital transformation is both an assistance and a disruption in our industry – it’s at the forefront of everyone’s mind. We make sure we have the right talent on board and that we are in the right place at the right time within our key markets."

Guided by four core values

Anneliese says that every day, her people are driven by customer success and guided by values including co-innovation, customer-centricity, passion and relevance.

"I’m very impressed by what the team has achieved in terms of success with clients not only across the software side of the business but also in terms of services and maintenance.

Our customer-centric strategy has generated excellent feedback. I was working in the Philippines when a client said, ‘I’ve never seen a company transform as quickly as you have. Whatever Software AG has done differently in the past 12 months, it’s something I’ve never experienced before.’

Digital transformation is both an assistance and a disruption in our industry – it’s at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

"Many leaders before me have strived for growth as we are seeing it today in our Asia division. Taking risks, acting entrepreneurial while believing in the impossible without fear is an incredible source of energy and passion. Challenging your own boundaries and experimenting is the most important source of learning and growth," says Anneliese.

"To be a successful software company today, you need to be able to adapt your business model to suit the changing needs of your clients. I see change not as a problem but as an opportunity. Rather than selling our products generically, we have to be much more flexible in understanding and identifying the scope of the requirements at hand.

Change is opportunity

At the core of many of the solutions we jointly identify with our clients are capabilities to integrate everything with anything, at any time, and in real time. In combination with the best people inside and outside Software AG and the right mentality, change turns into opportunity for true innovation and transformation.

"Our clients understand that digital transformation is pivotal to their survival, so they need to invest in long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships that will help them succeed. We have done the same, and our partnerships have played a major role in our success over the past 18 months. Each customer brings expertise from a different industry, allowing us to innovate and diversify our offerings," says Anneliese.

"We plan to maintain our current upward trajectory, and although we may not have the answer to every question, we have an extensive partner network that complements us in providing the leading-edge solutions. Our hard work has paid off. In Asia, we will exceed our annual performance indicators; and we were, as part of the APJ region this year in Q3, awarded for not only great sales performance but also for meeting a set of long-term success criteria," says Anneliese.

The right culture is key

"I firmly believe that culture defines who we are as an organisation, and people define what this culture is by the way they act or interact every day. Many of our staff have a long tenure with the company and are extremely knowledgeable. Keeping them engaged, listening to what they say and how they can make a difference, gives all of us the opportunity to grow and stay excited. Believing in what we do has fuelled a strong and connected team across Asia striving for the best.

Culture defines who we are as an organisation, and people define what this culture is by the way they act or interact every day.

"This energy shines through the entire company and to our clients. I enjoy the challenge of bringing people together under one belief, one theme and one strategy – which is customer success. Their success is how I measure my own."