In the interview with Daniel Mertins, Managing Director of Codamic Innovations GmbH

Even after years of digitalization, many medium-sized companies are still at the beginning of their digital agenda. The demand for software, including the associated security requirements, is growing rapidly. However, due to time and cost pressures, security in applications is often underestimated or addressed too late during programming. Codamic Innovations GmbH has been tackling this challenge for years. The company has developed "Software as a Service" applications in the microservices environment and aims to provide software support services worldwide. This involves automated software development and accelerated—and above all, secure—digital transformation. In an interview with Daniel Mertins, Managing Director of Codamic Innovations GmbH, we discuss today process optimization through software-supported methods, common mistakes when introducing new software, and the often inadequate fit of applications to business processes.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Mr. Mertins, many companies swear by standardized software because the input and expertise of many individual companies and users have already been incorporated. Your company takes a different approach. What speaks in favor of custom software?

Daniel Mertins: Whether you should choose custom or standardized applications always depends on the respective workflow. If I have a standard workflow, I can also use off-the-shelf software. For example, accounting is usually very similar for companies. However, if the logistics department of a corporation is supposed to use the same software as a one-person shop on Amazon, the workflows differ. With off-the-shelf software, you also purchase functions you don’t even need. Moreover, you adapt your work processes to this software, even though it may not be the ideal way to use your resources efficiently and meaningfully. Custom software can therefore improve and simplify work processes because it is tailored to the respective company.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Your company, among other things, offers automated software development. What does that entail?

Daniel Mertins: Our company, Codamic Innovations, has been involved in software development for over 10 years (under a different name at the time). The goal has always been to achieve as much as possible with as few people as possible. The shortage of skilled workers in software development is significant. That’s why we have always placed great emphasis on the reusability of code. This also means that the code must be autonomous, high-quality, documented, and tested. Back then, we started creating a system that allows us to automatically meet these demands in our code.

If we consider the new software as a playing field, then we draw the lines and set the rules. There is the ball, the goals, and the field. The ball and goals are reused and thoroughly tested; the ball rolls, and the goal is firmly anchored. These properties must be tested regularly, preferably automatically. The game itself is still played by the developers, but all the guidelines are in place to get started right away. This is what sets us apart from no-code or low-code systems. There, all components are clicked together, but you are limited by the no/low-code system’s toolkit itself. Our toolkit, by contrast, can be expanded and supplemented with new modules in the simplest way imaginable. Once a new module is created and tested, it can then be used immediately.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: With standardized software, there are usually monthly license fees, and updates are included. How does this work with custom software?

Daniel Mertins: Custom software involves high initial investment costs, followed by an individual maintenance contract. Monthly license fees can become very expensive depending on the system. Typically, you don’t just have one license but multiple licenses from different providers. When summed up, this results in a monthly cost based on the number of users multiplied by a base amount plus extra modules. Once paid off, custom software can pay for itself after a few months or a few years.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: To what extent is it possible with custom software to integrate standard software at certain points or to provide suitable interfaces?

Daniel Mertins: We have many use cases where another system works in the background. For example, SAP, Salesforce, and one of our partner companies that offers a low-code solution, which our custom solution connects to. In short, any accessible interface can be integrated.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Let’s focus more closely on process optimization at this point. When companies begin to implement digital transformation in earnest, they also need to rethink their processes. When does your company come into play, and how do you support companies in their digital transformation?

Daniel Mertins: We support companies right from the start if needed. This is important because new technologies bring new possibilities. If I simply replace a fax machine with email, I haven’t gained anything. But if a customer places an order directly via mobile phone into my merchandise management system, which then triggers a process (invoice creation, accounting, shipping, (export) documents), that’s when things get exciting. Companies often don’t know what is technically possible. That’s where we come in. Many optimizations are also possible within an organization, ranging from company-wide, data-protection-compliant single sign-on solutions (log in once, use all systems) to digital document storage or integrated merchandise management systems.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Many medium-sized companies are now also starting to explore the field of e-commerce. To what extent can you support this development?

Daniel Mertins: E-commerce is a broad field. First, we need to define the customers' objectives. Based on that, we can determine whether a customised solution is required. We must examine which processes can be digitalised. An example of a customised solution can be found in the area of printed products. Printing your own image on a mug? This involves a more complex process: customer input, quality management, printing, inspection, shipping. In this case, a customised solution is very likely. When developing e-commerce platforms, there are also several aspects that require more than just software developers. Other experts from areas such as user experience, design, legal advice and many more are also involved. We have a professional network of partner companies to cover all areas properly and provide our customers with a complete package.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Your company will also be represented at the DIGITAL FUTUREcongress on 17 May at Messe Frankfurt. We are naturally interested in what visitors can expect from your presentation.

Daniel Mertins: We will discuss solutions that enable SMEs to obtain their customised software. We will take a closer look at the possibilities of no-code, low-code and automated software development, and compare their advantages and disadvantages. We will also present some solutions that we have implemented for customers to quickly and effectively replace legacy systems.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: We are already very much looking forward to your further explanations at the DFC and the best practices. Thank you very much for the exciting interview.

Editor’s note: What are microservices?
Microservices are small modular components (services) that are used to build large applications. These individual modules perform specific tasks, such as a user login process in an application or establishing contact on a platform. Developments in the microservices environment mean that individual services can be developed independently so that they can be reused independently at a later date.