Columbus

History

2019: Turnover growth by 2% and EBITDA by 7% for the first half of the year

Columbus on August 29, 2019 reported on the results for the first half of 2019. The company's turnover amounted to 977 million the Danish kroons, which corresponds to 2% of organic growth. The figure EBITDA increased by DKK 102 million, or 7%. It is expected that stable indicators will remain until the end of the year.

Columbus noted a significant growth in business in the areas of M3 and Commerce businesses. Columbus Care sales increased by 16%, and cloud services - by 47%.

In general, 2019 IT-consulting the company began with organic growth in turnover by 7%, but in the second quarter the pace decreased, which generally worsened the performance of the first half of the year. This was caused by the slowdown in sales of Columbus Software and turnover in, USA a complex project to implement the system ERP in, Norway influence. Brexit Despite some problems, Columbus is achieving the results planned for 2019.

The "Together Stronger" program, which arose as a result of the merger of Columbus and iStone, runs according to the plan. There are successful examples of synergy, including Nordic Finance Team and the association of organizations in Norway. Swedish Commerce is expanding its influence in the UK and Denmark. The GDC Global Centre in India has been expanded by M3, Dynamics and AMS specialists. On August 29, iStone is part of Columbus with a single website.

In the first half of 2019, investments in the formation of new proposals developed within the framework of the portfolio of services and solutions "9 doors to digital leadership" increased. Innovative developments are resonating among corporate customers ready for big deals.

In addition, sales in the business areas of Analytics & Business Insight, Customer Experience and Application Management (Columbus Care) do not slow down.

The concept of the 9 Doors to Digital Leadership service catalog implies the provision of comprehensive digital products that help users maximize, modernize and orient the business for the future.

By the end of the year, Columbus plans to achieve the targets: turnover of DKK 2 billion and EBITDA of DKK 240 million.

2018

Revenue growth by 54% to DKK 1.9 billion

Columbus reported on its financial performance for 2018. The company's turnover amounted to 1.9 billion Danish kroner (about $289.2 million), which corresponds to 54% growth, EBITDA while the indicator grew by 22%. Mainly, the growth in turnover and the increase in EBITDA were caused by the acquisition iStone and HiGH of Software, as well as a significant increase in sales of the company's own software products, Columbus said TAdviser on March 19, 2019.

According to company experts, the synergistic effect of combining Columbus and iStone made it possible to achieve even greater results in 2018, for example, the directions of Customer Experience, Infor M3 and Columbus Care showed significant progress.

We are pleased with the results of 2018. We have achieved growth in turnover and EBITDA, and we have also implemented a number of new strategic initiatives, including the creation of a service catalog "9 doors to digital leadership, which will continue to contribute to the growth of Columbus," commented Thomas Honoré, CEO and President of Columbus.

In 2018, Columbus developed a service catalog of services and solutions "9 doors to digital leadership," helping to comprehensively implement a digital business transformation strategy. Columbus's main goal for 2019 is to ensure growth through sales of solutions within the service catalog. The company will continue to pay special attention to the sales and development of ERP systems, while adding new solutions to the portfolio.

The planned turnover for 2019 is 2 billion Danish kroner, the expected EBITDA is 240 million Danish kroner.

Completion of the Swedish iStone takeover

In January 2018, Columbus International announced the completion of the acquisition of a Swedish IT company offering iStone customers business applications and eCommerce solutions. The transfer of 100% of the authorized capital of the iStone was confirmed by all 238 shareholders of the company. According to Columbus, as a result of this transaction, the company took a leading position in the eCommerce market in the Northern countries Europe and entered the market. Sweden The amount of the transaction was not disclosed. More. here

2017: Revenue growth by 2% to DKK 1.2 billion

In fiscal year 2017, Columbus's revenue amounted to 1.2 billion Danish kroner (or approximately $198 million), which corresponds to 2% growth compared to the same indicator in fiscal year 2016. EBITDA increased by 3% to DKK 149 million ($24.7 million), and profit after tax - by 18% to DKK 96 million ($15.9 million).

Revenue growth is primarily due to the development of cloud and service lines of business, as well as Columbus acquisitions made in 2016 and 2017. The increase in EBITDA was mainly facilitated by the growth of the company's revenues from the provision of consulting services - by 19%. Sales growth on Columbus Care contracts increased by 43%.

With the acquisition of iStone and HiGH Software, Columbus gained a number of opportunities for business development, taking a big step towards achieving financial goals for 2020. The purchase of iStone means that Columbus will focus on organic business growth and expects a 3-5% annual increase in this indicator. In addition, by 2020, Columbus expects to provide EBITDA margin at 11%.

In 2018, the company plans to receive revenue in the amount of DKK 2 billion, and EBITDA - in the amount of DKK 200 million.

2014: Profit growth after taxes on 142%

EBITDA equals DKK 81.6 million, which is 13% more than in 2013. Profit after taxes in 2014 increased by 142% and amounted to DKK 52.7 million. Revenue from sales reached DKK 878.3 million, which is similar to last year.

Columbus revenue from the sale of consulting services increased by 5%. The company managed to increase the efficiency of employees, which, of course, also affected the growth of revenues.

In 2014, sales of Columbus's own software increased by 3%, profit before taxes (EBITDA) increased by 26%. The profit from the sale of own software is 44% of the company's total profit this year (in 2013 it was 39%).

Revenue from the implementation of industry solutions for food and discrete production and trading companies (primarily retail) also continues to increase and currently accounts for 77% of the company's total revenue. This is one of the key goals of the consulting group last year, the result achieved is fully in line with the expectations of Columbus management.

Most of the offices in the international Columbus group showed positive development dynamics, especially offices in the UK and Russia. The To-Increase subsidiary also demonstrated excellent results. At the same time, a number of conditions complicated the work of the American and Norwegian Columbus offices, reducing their revenue. Now the company is implementing a number of measures to reorganize work aimed at increasing sales in these regions.

The share of sales of Columbus industry solutions for retail chains, discrete and food production, sold throughout the offices of the consulting group, also continues to grow. Now it is 79% of the total revenue of the organization. Most of the company's revenue is provided by discrete production solutions - 33%. Retail products are slightly less popular (27%), the share of the latter increased by 12 percentage points compared to last year. In particular, the Russian office implements projects for the retail chains L'Etoile, Grozd, Savage, KARI, the online hypermarket of children's goods Mamagazin.ru and a number of other trading companies.

The latest acquisitions of Columbus - Omnica and Dynamics Anywhere - will strengthen the position of the international consulting group in the retail market. Omnica is a developer of multi-channel commerce solutions. Dynamics Anywhere has created a line of mobile applications that support business processes of enterprises of various profiles, primarily manufacturing and trading companies. These purchases significantly expanded Columbus's portfolio of software products.

In 2015, Columbus, an international consulting group, expects to increase revenue from the sale of industry solutions, its own software and consulting services. The company's management expects a profit of DKK 1 billion and EBITDA of DKK 90 million, which corresponds to an increase of 14% and 10% compared to 2014 results.

2013: 24% Profit Growth

Columbus, an international consulting group, achieved record financial performance in 2013. The company's profit increased by 24% to DKK 72.1 million. Revenue amounted to DKK 879.8 million, cash flow from core activities increased by 57% to KK 85.4 million. Columbus's revenues grew through consulting services and the sale of its own software.

Revenue from Columbus's retail, food, and discrete industry solutions increased by 25%. Revenue from sales of such solutions currently accounts for 64% of total revenue. The growth was mainly due to the implementation of solutions for discrete production (32% of total revenue). Revenues from consulting services grew by 8%.

Columbus expects to increase sales of industry solutions and its own software by the end of 2014. The company plans to further increase sales due to consulting services. Columbus management expects the group's revenue to be DKK 900 million by the end of the year, with a profit of DKK 80 million.

2012: Columbus IT renamed Columbus

consulting Columbus IT International rebranded in January 2012. The new corporate philosophy and visual image reflect the company's priorities and values, focusing on selected vertical industries - retail, to trade distribution, food industry, discrete production. One of the elements of the rebranding is the change of the former name Columbus IT to Columbus.

The company's new slogan - "Once you know how" - is associated with the legend of Christopher Columbus. When he discovered America, his opponents said that anyone could do it. Columbus challenged them, offering to put the egg on the table in an upright position. No one managed to do this. Then Columbus carefully broke the shell on one side and installed the egg as required. "It's so easy!," eyewitnesses exclaimed. "Yes," Columbus replied, "When you know how to do it." Columbus works on the same simple principle: it knows how to make the customer's business more profitable and competitive, offering the best, proven solutions.

2007-2009

• During 2007-2008, seven new Columbus offices in Europe and the United States were opened under the franchise. Then there were representative offices in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

• In 2008, the development of the Columbus software development branch, To-Increase, was continued, and additional offices were opened in Denmark and Norway.

• In 2009, Columbus won 18 awards from Microsoft (this is the largest number of partner awards in history). More than 2,000 partners competed in 12 categories - Columbus won the Retail Partner of the Year nomination and became one of two finalists in the Production Partner of the Year and Distribution Partner of the Year categories.

2006

Awards from Microsoft for the best ERP projects in EMEA

In December 2006, Columbus IT won two awards from Microsoft Corporation for the best ERP projects in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa). When selecting winners, we took into account the innovative projects, creative approach to the implementation of tasks, teamwork coherence, results and improvements for the business, which were achieved through the implementation of ERP.

Awards were awarded in 14 nominations. Columbus IT became the only company whose projects won victory in two of them at once.

In the nomination "Excellence in Innovation," the most innovative project was recognized for the implementation of the Microsoft Dynamics AX system at Toyota Motor, the Russian division of the international automobile concern. The introduction of the ERP system made it possible to build effective interaction with dealerships, reorganize the supply chain management process, reducing manual labor, and optimize the delivery of cars and loading warehouses. The most important innovation of the project was the implementation of a clear mechanism for reverse production planning (with accuracy of detail to color).

In the nomination for the best team work "Excellence in Teamwork" won the project to introduce Microsoft Dynamics AX in the Latvian woodworking company Latvian Finieris, specializing in the production of a wide range of wood products, from furniture and its components to children's toys. The implementation was carried out by an international team consisting of client employees, Columbus IT specialists from different countries (including Russia) and Microsoft representatives. The main results of the project were the standardization of the work of all divisions and enterprises of the group (7 plants and 5 service divisions), improving the efficiency of management and control, optimizing the work of the warehouse, building a mechanism for calculating the full cost of products.

Established offices in Finland, Chile, Mexico and Brazil

In the same 2006, Columbus established representative offices in Finland, Mexico, Brazil and Chile.

Opening the Columbus IT Middle East Branch

In May 2006, Columbus IT announced the opening of the Columbus IT Middle East branch, which will represent the interests of the company in the Middle East. The regional office was created on the basis of a joint venture between Columbus IT and Algosaibi Information Systems (AGIS), one of the leading suppliers of information systems in the Middle East and North Africa. Columbus IT Middle East will move business company...

Columbus IT announced the opening of the Columbus IT Middle East branch, which will represent the company's interests in the Middle East. The regional office was created on the basis of a joint venture between Columbus IT and Algosaibi Information Systems (AGIS), one of the leading suppliers of information systems in the Middle East and North Africa.

Columbus IT Middle East will take over the business of AGIS for Microsoft ERP systems in the Middle East, and the employees of the unit will be 25 specialists in the systems of Microsoft Dynamics AX and Microsoft Dynamics NAV, who previously worked in AGIS. 35 Middle Eastern AGIS customers will also go to the regional office.

Columbus IT Middle East will be based in Dubai (UAE), as well as conduct business through a network of regional offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (UAE), Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Bahrain. The company highly appreciates the potential of the Middle East market and expects to significantly increase its turnover. With the opening of the new office, the number of countries in which Columbus IT is represented reached 23.

Purchase of software developer VerticalSoft in the USA for $5.6 million

In January 2006, Columbus IT Partner acquired the American software developer VerticalSoft. The purchase cost Columbus $2 million paid for the company's shares, plus the $3.6 million the  company will pay VerticalSoft during the year. VerticalSoft became part of Columbus on December 1, 2005.

VerticalSoft is a software developer based on Microsoft Business Solutions (Navision platform). The company develops software tools for operational control over the freshness of products, extension of shelf life and control over components of food  and food additives. With a staff of 30 people, the company provided a profit of $4 million in 2005.

2005: Russian Vladislav Martynov leads the company for a year

In 2005, minority shareholders acquired stakes in American and Russian divisions; Vladislav Martynov becomes the president of the company, Michael Gabo becomes the CEO of the company and continues to oversee the Columbus IT business in North America; Columbus IT activities in Western Europe are supervised by Vice President of the company Jan Olesen, in Eastern Europe - Vice President of the company Igor Torgov; Oleg Palenov becomes vice president of business development, Alena Heckler becomes vice president of marketing, and Sven Madsen becomes vice president of HR - Svetlana Yershova; acquisition of shares of the Dutch software development company - To-Increase BV. In 2005, Microsoft awarded Columbus IT the title Global Partner of the Year.

In 2006, Vladislav Martynov resigned as president of Columbus IT.

2000-2004

• 2000 - Offices have been opened in Costa Rica and Colombia; A partnership agreement has been entered into with Navision Software.

• 2001 - Columbus IT Partner launched the global intranet system Compass

• 2003 - acquisition of the Danish company Hands

• 2004 - established relations with more than 150 new customers, including Royal Canin, Aliaksis and Bonna Sabla in France; GN Netcom, Konica Minolta, Esselte, HTH Køkkener, Linak, Bladkompagniet Søndagsavisen и Georg Jensen в Дании; Kelly Services and Elkjøp in Norway; Tommy Hilfiger, Kelly Services и Fairchild в США; Stockmann, Sampo Pank and Rautakesko in the Baltic States; units have been opened in Kazakhstan and Ukraine; Consolidated Holdings, led by Ib Kuno, acquired 33% of all Columbus IT shares, Ib Kuno became chairman of the company's board of directors, and Michael Gabo became deputy chairman

1994-1999: Development of international expansion

1994 - a decision was made to enter the international market and establish representative offices in most important Western and Eastern European markets in cooperation with local companies

1995 - Columbus IT Denmark is responsible for the development of Columbus IT in the Danish market, Columbus IT International is engaged in the international market. Columbus IT units are based in Norway, Germany, Estonia and Lithuania.

1997 - Columbus IT offices are based in the UK, Austria, Czech Republic and Russia, Netherlands, Hungary, Singapore

1998 - representative offices are open in France and the USA

1999 - having opened its offices in Switzerland and Spain, Columbus IT brings the number of employees to 800 people.

1992: Entering the markets of Poland and Latvia

In 1992, the beginning of the international expansion of the company - access to the markets of Poland and Latvia

1989: Establishment of a company in Denmark by Michael Gabo

1989 - the creation of a company in Denmark by Michael Gabo. The company entered the market by providing users with business applications based on the Concorde Finance system.

1991 - The status of authorized center is obtained by the CONDORDE XAL system.