Research and Development
At Imtech the drive for innovation translates into an active R&D policy with the focus on the development of innovations at the cutting-edge of electrical engineering, ICT and mechanical engineering. Imtech’s strength does, indeed, rest on its combination of these three disciplines.
ICT occupies a special position within Imtech. Right from the beginning Imtech was involved with the trend towards increased information and automation in day-to-day life. Now ICT is inextricably bound up with Imtech’s technical solutions. This is evident from the number of ICT specialists working for Imtech. Less than a decade ago there were tens of them, now there are thousands – 1,600 to be precise, or over 11% of the total workforce. These specialists are more or less evenly distributed across the Dutch and German core ICT companies (Imtech ICT in the Netherlands and the German Fritz & Macziol) and the other ICT activities ‘embedded’ within the other Imtech divisions and countries. The core ICT countries act as Imtech’s ICT front-line and concentrate on new developments that, in time, will play a role in the technical services provision of the other Imtech divisions and countries. The focus is on innovation and the provision of high-value tailor-made systems. As soon as the new technologies become commodities or open standards make customisation superfluous, the knowledge is transferred internally to the ‘embedded ICT people within Imtech.This vision and development in the ICT field made a substantial contribution towards the achievement of the objectives.
One of the focuses of Imtech’s ICT strategy is partnerships with world market leaders such as IBM and Microsoft. The importance of Software Services is growing rapidly within Imtech. Imtech’s total technology solutions are being dominated more and more often by Business Intelligence and umbrella ICT applications. Examples of this include the intelligent management systems and security solutions within buildings, ERP and energy solutions in industry, ICT intelligence in the care sector, tracking and tracing in distribution, control technology for, amongst other things, tunnels, bridges, locks and on and alongside motorways, and the coordination of information on-board ships. Because Imtech strategy is aimed at operating at the heart of primary and secondary processes in buildings, industry, shipping, infrastructure and telecommunications, cooperation with world market leaders like IBM and Microsoft is vital. Imtech ICT is an IBM Premier Partner. The focus within the IBM software portfolio is on the Business Integration and People Productivity segments. Imtech ICT is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for the Business Intelligence, Web Development, Networking Infrastructure Solutions and Dynamics specialties.
Imtech also has several of its own competence centres that are involved with R&D in the field of building technology, marine and industrial technology and infrastructure and mobility solutions. One such centre, ZIT (Zentral Ingenieursbereich) in Hamburg is active in the field of simulation technology in the built-up and industrial environment. The technolab in The Hague focuses on research and development in the field on air and climate technology in the built-up area. The marine technology competence centre in Rotterdam leads the world when it comes to platform automation and integrated ships’ bridges. Imtech also has its own competence centres for high-tech solutions in the area of measuring and analysis in the oil and gas market as well as for power electronics and for high-tension, infrastructure automation and water treatment.
With a view to acquiring subsidies for innovative technology Imtech has signed a partnership agreement with subsidy specialist HB Berenschot. In 2009 Imtech anticipates receiving between 6 and 9 million euro in technology, energy, environment and training subsidies for its customers.
As many R&D initiatives are carried out decentrally, estimating Imtech’s total R&D budget with any accuracy is difficult. We do know it amounts to several million euro.
Considerable attention is also paid to employee training. Just how much attention, and the value Imtech places on having well-trained staff, is proven by the fact that training costs account for over 2.1% of its total personnel costs.
Imtech’s employees are given every opportunity for further development.