Company
Introduction
Creating business value through new technologies, redefining and expanding software development – that’s the step Attrecto Next Tech Digital Solutions has taken by adding an educational business to its portfolio with the merger of Spark Institute, a company focused on corporate innovation and leadership development, and by hiring a new CEO in Imre Somogyi, a digitalisation expert at McKinsey and large corporations. Attrecto prepares domestic and international market players for a new era of AI-driven business models that will radically transform business practices.
Attrecto’s choice to renew is directly linked to what the company’s experts classify as the ongoing second smart revolution, fueled by AI. The integration of artificial intelligence has surged into the business realm, prompting discussions around a notable paradigm shift rather than a mere technological advancement. “We used to say that it’s like 30 or 40 years ago, when computers and software became widespread: completely new perspectives were opened up, and we had to relearn and relearn how to run a business,” as highlighted by Gergely Kiss, one of the founders of Attrecto. “The first smart revolution notably unfolded with the proliferation of smartphones and smart devices. The recent surge in large language models, exemplified by tools like ChatGPT, mirrors this disruptive trend, reshaping the contemporary technological landscape. ChatGPT only needed 2 months to reach its first 100 million users, and today, 43% of university students globally and 80% of Fortune 500 companies use it,” adds Orsolya Galántai, the head of the Spark Institute.
Renewal and novelty are familiar concepts to Attrecto. The mission of Attrecto, founded by former SAP professionals 14 years ago, was always about creating value through the application of the latest technologies in business. Initially, this involved developing innovative smartphone solutions. As early as 2016, well before the global surge and popularisation of the technology, they began exploring artificial intelligence applications, particularly in the development of chatbots.
What does the second smart revolution bring?
A prime example of the revolutionary changes AI brings in business processes is the process of requesting price quotes. On numerous websites, sellers do not list the prices of their products or services; instead, customers need to request quotes via email. This requires human capacity and hampers the customer experience by introducing waiting times. According to Kiss Gergely, “the key advantages of applying we can find in generative AI, is in improving the customer experience and offering personalised solutions”.
An AI-based application is capable of generating a customised quote tailored to individual customer needs—furthermore, it does so in seconds. Nevertheless, introducing such a service is not just about developing new software; involvement and understanding of AI technology’s benefits by colleagues are crucial. Without this, or if processes remain unchanged, the impact may be limited.
It is essential to articulate realistic expectations regarding AI. Currently, artificial intelligence primarily handles assistant tasks, excelling in generating reports, summaries, and proposals. While it does not yet grasp deep correlations or manage teams like a human assistant would, its capacity for skill development outpaces that of a human assistant. Consequently, it can swiftly advance within a corporate hierarchy, reaching “expert” levels such as in customer support or data processing.
Serving business innovation
The second smart revolution has also reshaped Attrecto’s business model. “We see that clients are intrigued yet uncertain about the business utility of AI technologies. They might not pinpoint their exact needs, but one thing is certain: they don’t want to fall behind,” says Somogyi Imre, the new CEO. “In response, we’ve reimagined our value proposition: providing end-to-end innovation solutions for companies looking to lead in digital technologies. We do this through tech-innovation-focused executive workshops, inspiring lectures, and structured advisory approaches. All of which significantly aid in executing well-calibrated and focused AI development projects.”
An AI project should be rooted in creating business value. As with any investment, return on investment is paramount. “Not every manager within a company is well-versed in the technological background; they are interested in business value and effectiveness. We must be able to explain how a digital solution assists them and what value it brings in monetary terms,” states Somogyi Imre.
Preparing to the future with education
A comprehensive service involves an innovative methodology-driven product development process, leadership programmes, and developing key skills crucial for the future—something that Spark Institute is dealing with.
In its new form under the name Spark by Attrecto, the institute trains leaders and experts in a transformative manner. “Our team consists of internationally renowned business professionals and thinkers, mainly preparing corporate decision-makers and employees to successfully respond to emerging trends at both capability and knowledge levels,” says Galántai Orsolya, the institute’s leader.
Spark by Attrecto’s programmes revolve around topics such as innovation culture, future organizations, new business models, strategic planning based on disruptive technologies, creative leadership with motivated diverse teams, and effective communication utilizing storytelling. “We delve into the technological aspect of innovation, allowing future-oriented professionals to learn about data-driven thinking, machine learning, and AI solutions. With Attrecto at the forefront, we can now do this with a dedicated tech expert team. It brings me great joy that in partnership with Zséger Ádám, we continue our collaborative work.”
The work of Spark is encapsulated well by a workshop known as Future Scenario Planning, where leaders strategize based on concrete case studies and the latest methods of futures studies for diverse future scenarios differing significantly from today’s environment—from biotechnology to large language models and Generation Z work practices.
Attrecto Next Tech Digital Solutions (Attrecto Zrt.)
Founded in 2010 in Győr by three former SAP professionals, the company specializes in developing mobile, web, and digital software solutions. Their clientele includes European and American companies, encompassing global brands like Audi, Telenor, HBO, PwC, EY, SAP, GE, AIG, Vodafone, Mercedes Benz, and Microsoft. They featured in the Financial Times list of the fastest-growing regional companies in 2016 (Technology Fast 500 EMEA). With over 70 employees, the company’s annual revenue was 1.5 billion forints in 2023. This year, they will open their first foreign office in Amsterdam.
Somogyi Imre
Bringing a robust advisory background, Somogyi Imre assumes the leadership role at the company. Over the past 15 years, he has primarily focused on enhancing corporate processes and digitization. He has worked at EY in Luxembourg, McKinsey in Budapest, and played a pivotal role in establishing the banking segment at the Hungarian PwC. He also has experience from the client side, having led the IT and operations areas at the EXIM Bank. Previously, he lectured at the Budapest Corvinus University and regularly shares his thoughts through presentations and forums.
Galántai Orsolya
Galántai Orsolya, co-founder, and CEO of Spark Institute, an international institute focusing on future skills, also serves as the Head of PR at Attrecto Zrt. and Vice President of the BWN – Business Women’s Network.
She believes that the path to solving the world’s pressing issues lies in innovative solutions, ensuring equal opportunities, and reshaping old, non-perfect rules.
With years spent in adult education and over a decade of experience in the creative sector, particularly in corporate communication, with a focus on IT and education, she brings valuable insights to companies that want to develop innovation. She has presented on sustainable innovation and complex problem-solving at events such as the London Digital Leaders conference, the Young Researchers Symposium at Óbuda University, the StartupGrid Tech4Good, and the ICT Global conferences.
