Ländle know-how for office software without Microsoft and Google

"We rely primarily on open source products. This makes it possible to completely replace Microsoft or Google Office programs for the first time. This makes it possible to operate the company's IT entirely with European solutions, either in Consolidate's EU cloud or on our own servers," said Managing Partner Christian Bickel in an interview with wpa. With CONSOLIDATE 6.0, we can offer SMEs in German-speaking countries cost- and complexity-saving software that allows them complete independence from US software providers. "Our software was developed 100 percent in Austria."

More than three years of development work and investments of around 2.5 million euros have gone into version 6.0, which will be presented at the company headquarters in Lustenau on July 15, 2025. Independence from US providers wasn't actually the driving force. "However, customers are increasingly asking us whether our latest version of the office software can deliver this. It has apparently become an important point for many SMEs," says Bickel.

CONSOLIDATE 6.0 runs on all common operating systems and is suitable for all industries and public administration. It includes features such as document and project management, email traffic and calendar systems, and CRM applications. It also features various AI assistants. Text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and video meetings can also be created directly from the program. CONSOLIDATE is working with the Collabora team in Cambridge (UK) to achieve this. As part of this process, CollaboraOnline has been fully integrated into CONSOLIDATE, says Bickel. The only thing not integrated is inventory management systems, as these require specialized solutions depending on the industry.

The primary focus at the moment is on SMEs in German-speaking countries, even though version 6.0 is available in several languages. Should there be inquiries from other countries, the company will first have to look for a regional sales partner there, Bickel explains.

In the 2024 fiscal year, revenue exceeded two million euros. With the introduction of version 6.0, Bickel expects revenue to double to at least four million euros in 2026. The current fiscal year will remain relatively stable due to the product launch time.

Consolidate Software was founded in Götzis in 1996 and moved to Lustenau in 2019, into the former Newlogic building in Millennium Park, which it purchased. It currently employs 24 people, although only about half are based in Lustenau. "The other employees work in Graz, Stuttgart, and Innsbruck, as well as from home." Consolidate Software also developed the Kassello app to help comply with the cash register requirement. This software is primarily aimed at (SME) retail and service businesses that do not want to purchase their own cash register.