In Cologne, the spotlight was on how companies can meaningfully integrate AI into their processes. Particularly impressive were the showcased use cases in automation and sales. SAP presented “Jule,” a solution tailored for enterprise environments that illustrates how AI can streamline workflows. The program was further enriched by the Tech Value Map and the new study Performance Perspectives 2025, offering executives clear guidance for investment and prioritization. A central topic was the EU AI Act and the discussions made it clear: this isn’t just about regulatory theory, but about concrete steps companies can take today to prepare.

Beyond the presentations, the event offered plenty of opportunities for exchange. Conversations with experts like Alex Dickmann provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for SMEs. Particularly exciting was the planned dialogue with the AI Village, the innovation campus for AI and robotics, and the German AI Association. And as it often happens: it’s a small world. Reconnecting with former colleagues like Benjamin Benning rounded off the day.
My takeaway from Cologne: Strategic thinking around AI creates real value. The technology is here, now it’s about using it wisely.

The KI.NRW event in Bochum took a different angle. Here, the focus was on security, connected AI systems, and industrial applications. Discussions emphasized that AI should not be viewed as an isolated tool, but as an integral part of a digital infrastructure that strengthens SMEs. Cybersecurity was a major theme. AI can act both as an attack vector and a defense mechanism, a modern game of cat and mouse. In conversations with experts like Prof. Thorsten Berger from Ruhr University Bochum, topics included integrating AI into existing systems (cloud-based or on-premises) and the strengths and weaknesses of various language models. Dialogues with Dr. Christian Temath and Thomas Lämmer-Gamp further underscored the importance of building bridges between research and practice while investing in the future.
A key question remains: How do we build trust in AI, not just in academic circles, but in the everyday work of employees?

This is exactly where the Avantgarde Co-Pilot comes in. Our solution is not hype, it’s a tool for productive use. It’s secure, scalable, and practical. Most importantly, it integrates quickly into existing processes and meets the highest standards for data sovereignty and compliance. This is especially crucial for SMEs.
In direct comparison, solutions from SMEs for SMEs are often more targeted.

The Avantgarde Co-Pilot is ready to deploy faster than many enterprise solutions and delivers real value.

Now is the time for companies to act. It’s essential to prioritize use cases that deliver measurable benefits, clarify architecture and data access, and embed security by design. Requirements from the EU AI Act must be integrated early into processes. Those who start lean, learn fast, and scale responsibly gain a clear competitive edge.

Discover the Avantgarde Co-Pilot Today

• Request a free short demo
• Get our EU AI Act preparation checklist
• Book a use-case sparring session

  Secure your appointment now.

Der Beitrag Two Powerful Impulses for the Future of AI: AI Experience Days in Cologne and KI.NRW in Bochum erschien zuerst auf Avantgarde.

Digitalization and artificial intelligence are unlocking new opportunities to make sales processes more efficient, higher in quality, and strategically controllable.
In the upcoming webcast, you’ll discover how to evolve your company’s inventory management in a future-oriented and data-driven way.

In this free online session, our Avantgarde Solution Architect Björn Fox will explore the following topics:

• Intelligent integration of your company data
• Optimization of sales processes using our smart AI assistant
• Funding opportunities for AI projects in Germany and North Rhine-Westphalia
• Latest updates on our AI website: www.ava-co-pilot.de

A key advantage of a digital sales strategy is the reduction of careless mistakes and misinterpretations.
This not only increases efficiency in everyday business operations but also establishes a foundation for reliable and scalable processes.

Couldn’t attend live?
The recording of the 30-minute online session is now available on our Avantgarde YouTube channel.
Watch it now:

Der Beitrag Co-Pilot Webcast – October 7: AI for Efficient Inventory Management erschien zuerst auf Avantgarde.

How can artificial intelligence make HR work more efficient and strategically valuable? And why is our AI assistant a secure and reliable solution in this context? These and other exciting questions about optimizing HR strategies are at the heart of the sixth live webcast featuring the Avantgarde Co-Pilot.

In this upcoming online event, we’ll explore key aspects of implementing AI as an effective component of modern HR operations—from automated data analysis and early error detection to intelligent handling of employee requests.

The Avantgarde Co-Pilot proves to be a true all-rounder: it leverages internal company data to support HR teams in a targeted way. Naturally, all data is handled in full compliance with GDPR and the EU AI Act.

On September 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM, our Sales Consultant Georg Dönisch and Business Applications Consultant Dustin Nowakowski will present the benefits of AI integration in HR departments.

We look forward to your participation!

➝ Missed the 30-minute online session?
You can conveniently watch the full webcast recording on Avantgarde’s official YouTube channel:

Der Beitrag Co-Pilot Webcast – September 2, 2025 Artificial Intelligence in Human Resources erschien zuerst auf Avantgarde.

Is financial accounting a dry topic? Not for the many professionals who deal with it every day! For them, precision and transparency are key. At the same time, processes are expected to run faster—without compromising accuracy or causing posting errors.

In this fifth live webcast, the AI experts from Neuss will showcase the unique capabilities of their Avantgarde Co-Pilot, specifically designed to support controlling and accounting teams. Just like in other areas, the Avantgarde Co-Pilot leverages existing company data to streamline workflows. All internal data remains protected in compliance with the GDPR and does not leave the organization—fully aligned with the EU AI Act.

Dustin Nowakowski and Aaron Fehr, both seasoned consultants for Business Applications, will present practical examples of intelligent financial reporting and the creation of business performance analyses (BWA).

➝‬‭ Missed the 30-minute online session?
You can watch the full webcast anytime on Avantgarde’s official YouTube channel:

Der Beitrag Live Webcast #5 – Avantgarde Co-Pilot | August 5, 2025 erschien zuerst auf Avantgarde.

We are excited to announce that Avantgarde is now officially listed as a solution provider on the platform https://www.ki.nrw.

This means our Avantgarde Co-Pilot is now part of the central AI network in North Rhine-Westphalia – marking another milestone on our journey to guide companies safely and practically into the age of artificial intelligence.

As an ISO-certified quality company, Avantgarde stands for verified standards, sustainable solutions, and responsible use of technology.

In addition to our intelligent assistant solution, we offer specially developed training programs for companies – from strategic onboarding to hands-on application of AI in everyday business.

Our goal: to empower companies and their employees not only to understand the potential of AI, but to actively and profitably apply it.

Being listed in the KI.NRW directory reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality, trustworthy, and forward-looking solutions.

Would you like to learn more or get started right away?
Visit our Navigator or contact us for a non-binding initial consultation.

Together, we shape your AI future.

Der Beitrag Avantgarde is now officially listed on KI.NRW erschien zuerst auf Avantgarde.

What a milestone! On June 5th, the 111th edition of “What’s New in Neuss?” will take place. For over 15 years, this event has brought together small and medium-sized businesses from Neuss and the surrounding area at fascinating venues. The goal: to maintain and build business relationships, discover innovative ideas from other companies, and simply enjoy a pleasant evening.

The anniversary edition of this networking series, hosted by the Rheinische Post, kicks off at 7 PM at Gare du Neuss. Avantgarde is once again proud to participate—as a conversation partner, networker, and exhibitor! The Neuss-based IT specialists will showcase their in-house Co-Pilot: a unique AI assistant for businesses that accelerates workflows in unprecedented ways. With digital transformation being such a hot topic, guests are sure to be curious. Avantgarde’s digital experts will be on hand to answer all questions.

Also joining the event is long-time Avantgarde partner, the software company SAGE. At “What’s New in Neuss?”, SAGE will present its foundation: the SAGE Foundation, which has been supporting charitable causes for eight years. In 2024 alone, the foundation donated over 2 million euros to 53 nonprofit partners.

Der Beitrag “What’s New in Neuss?” Avantgarde Introduces AI Assistant erschien zuerst auf Avantgarde.

For many mid-sized companies, “Artificial Intelligence” is a fascinating topic. They sense the opportunities AI could bring to their business, but often don’t know how to seize them.

Avantgarde has developed a unique solution for these companies:

The Co-Pilot is an AI assistant that leverages a company’s existing data from various sources to accelerate, enhance – and optimise – business processes.

Naturally, there’s a great deal of interest in such an AI solution – but also, understandably, many questions. That’s why Avantgarde has already presented key features of the Co-Pilot in two previous webcasts. In a third online session, the team demonstrated how the Co-Pilot supports invoice creation and editing, as well as assisting the service desk team.

Within the ERP system, the Co-Pilot can:

• Automatically verify documents to reduce errors and save time
• Improve customer service by handling enquiries efficiently and delivering swift solutions

The video of this webcast is now available on the Avantgarde YouTube channel. It shows how AI technology can be seamlessly integrated into a business model and significantly enhance operational processes

Der Beitrag The latest webcast on the AI assistant – now available on YouTube! erschien zuerst auf Avantgarde.

In May, the OMR once again took place in Hamburg, as it does every year. It is Germany’s largest trade fair event for digital marketing and technology. Sage, a long-standing software partner of Avantgarde, had its own booth at OMR this time. Under the motto “Next Level Business. Transformation. Innovation. Growth.”, Sage also invited Björn Fox from Avantgarde.

The digitalization expert for medium-sized businesses presented the major trending topic: AI in the enterprise. Specifically, Björn Fox demonstrated how AI is integrated into ERP solutions and the benefits that result from it.

At the center of attention was the Avantgarde Co-Pilot — a unique AI assistant developed by Avantgarde for medium-sized companies. The Avantgarde Co-Pilot is unlike any other artificial intelligence currently available.

Unlike Microsoft’s similarly named Co-Pilot, Avantgarde’s AI leverages the company’s existing digital data. This includes ERP systems, sales tools, and all kinds of databases — from warehouse management and controlling to accounting and HR data.

In his talk at OMR, Björn Fox used a real Avantgarde customer example to show how ERP software can be operated more intelligently, quickly, and efficiently with the Co-Pilot — delivering significant advantages for the daily work of field sales teams.

The Co-Pilot is already integrated into the new interfaces of SAGE software. With the upcoming version of SAGE 100 (version 9.0.9), the Co-Pilot will be embedded in movable windows, making the software even more user-friendly.

Der Beitrag With the Co-Pilot at OMR erschien zuerst auf Avantgarde.

Artificial intelligence is the megatrend of our time. Specifically for businesses, AI solutions present a great opportunity to digitize and accelerate business processes. Avantgarde has developed a unique solution: The AI experts from Neuss offer their mid-sized clients the Avantgarde Co-Pilot. The special feature:

The Avantgarde Co-Pilot utilizes the company’s existing data from various sources to assist with processes that need optimization. Importantly, this internal data remains GDPR compliant and protected within the company’s domain and does not leave the company.

After presenting important features of the Co-Pilot in two previous webcasts, Avantgarde is now following up: On Tuesday, April 29, Solution Architect Björn Fox will demonstrate in a livestream how the AI assistant helps with creating and processing invoices and supports the team in the service desk.

Within your ERP system, such as SAGE100, the Co-Pilot can:

• Verify the accuracy of invoices
• Create invoices from order data
• Account and approve incoming invoices
• Query and utilize company knowledge (Wiki, pdf, etc.)
• Assist support staff in problem-solving

All this and much more can be done via voice input and also via the app while on the go.

Inspiring content for the invited guests, who are sure to attend this webcast in large numbers once again.

Der Beitrag The Third Webcast on the Avantgarde Co-Pilot erschien zuerst auf Avantgarde.

The Neuss IT specialists at Avantgarde are working intensively on further developing their in-house AI assistant for companies: The Avantgarde Co-Pilot accelerates business processes in unprecedented ways. In all key areas: from financial accounting, inventory management, sales, to human resource management. Following the first successful webcast on the Co-Pilot, the second online event will take place on April 1st. Solution Architect Björn Fox will present more exciting functions of the AI live and free of charge, which can be individually implemented in the company with the Co-Pilot:

• Assistance in pre-selecting incoming applications, so HR managers can more efficiently identify the candidates they want to invite for interviews.
• Automated booking of incoming payments, freeing employees from this error-prone routine task.
• Invited guests can again ask questions and have them answered directly by the AI expert.

Der Beitrag Practical Examples in the New Webcast for Co-Pilot: 01.04.2025 erschien zuerst auf Avantgarde.