Category: Company News

With great enthusiasm, AKC has officially announced the launch of AKC North America during the recent Mid-Year Business Review. This significant moment marks a crucial milestone in the company’s expansion journey into the North American market. AKC’s goal is to establish a business model similar to the one established in Italy, working closely with partners to bring to the region the best competencies on CCH® Tagetik, Wolters Kluwer’s Expert Solution. 

Since its inception, AKC North America has demonstrated a strong presence, boasting an impressive client portfolio achieved through solid expertise built over more than 20 years of operation, a well-defined strategy, and collaboration between the AKC team and local partners.” 

AKC North America: a bold achievement in the North American market

AKC has embarked on an ambitious goal: after expanding its operations in the Nordic countries, it intends to conquer the North American market as well. The project envisions creating a business model like the Italian one, working closely with partners to develop the business and bringing AKC’s distinctive competencies to the region, recognized as the best in the world for CCH® Tagetik. 

The launch of the new company has been extremely positive, to the extent that AKC North America, right from the moment of its launch, can boast a portfolio of over 20 clients, primarily active in the banking and insurance industries.  

Also planned is a short-term hiring strategy, aimed at expanding the overseas team, led by two key figures: 

• Andrea Martinelli, General Manager of AKC North America, previously Director of CPM Professional Services for CCH® Tagetik North America; 
• Francesco Pera, Head of Consulting Services at AKC North America. 

The birth of AKC North America represents a significant step in AKC’s expansion into the Overseas market. Thanks to the combination of skills and knowledge within the AKC team, the company will be able to continue working closely with local customers and partners, providing high-level solutions, and developing new business opportunities in a highly competitive market.  

Michele Barsanti, Partner and Business Developer at AKC, commented:

“With great enthusiasm, AKC embraces the new challenge of conquering the North American market with AKC North America. This ambitious achievement sees us bringing our distinctive competencies to a global level. We are ready to further grow and solidify our presence by offering solutions of excellence. I cannot express how proud I am of this accomplishment, and I firmly believe that it will reach even greater heights, supported by our exceptional team.” 

The birth of AKC North America

AKC has been operating in the North American market for 5 years, following a path that, until last year, was characterized by a certain variability: customer requests were managed based on the needs of CCH® Tagetik North America. However, AKC’s ability to provide high-quality services has increasingly strengthened the relationship with both the partner and overseas clients.  

Especially with the increase in the number of clients and project complexity, it became evident that AKC needed operational resources in the American time zone and localized personnel in the region. This need became even more significant in the post-pandemic period, when there was a resurgence of in-person meetings and relationships.  

After the pandemic, AKC began to contemplate expanding its horizons by opening a new Business Unit to operate in the United States and Canada market. This opportunity was made possible through the strong trust between AKC and CCH® Tagetik North America, as well as AKC’s deep understanding of the North American market. 

A fundamental step that has contributed to the excellent outcome of the internationalization process was the entry into the company of Andrea Martinelli, General Manager of AKC North America, who commented: 

“I am thrilled to elevate our North American journey to new heights. AKC remains an integral part of CCH® Tagetik’s history, and I’m confident that we possess the necessary qualities to assume a crucial role in the future, closely aligning with contemporary trends such as IBP and ESG. 

AKC embodies the quintessence of a reliable partner: we are partners of CCH® Tagetik, partners of our Customers, and partners of fellow CCH® Tagetik Partners. 

Fueled by my hands-on experience and network, coupled with AKC’s DNA and unwavering values of Knowledge and Expertise directed toward customer satisfaction – an achievement that once again led us to secure the Leading Competence Center award from Wolters Kluwer – our expectations are grand.“ 

The traditional Mid-Year Business Review of AKC Advanced Knowledge Consulting took place on July 14th, marking a new and significant milestone in the company’s growth. The event, held at the historic Palazzo Bernardini in the heart of Lucca, featured presentations on the achievements in the first half of 2023 and unveiled ambitious and challenging plans for the future.

The event concluded with a pleasant moment of relaxation and a beach dinner at the Faruk Beach Club, set in the beautiful surroundings of Versilia.

The Mid-Year Business Review 2023: all the news from AKC

The event was inaugurated by Andrea Petretti, co-CEO of the company, who proudly and enthusiastically highlighted the remarkable milestones achieved by AKC Advanced Knowledge Consulting since the beginning of the year. He emphasized that achieving these ambitious results was made possible not only by the daily commitment of all employees but also by the trust and support of all clients.

The Mid-Year Business Review also served as the occasion to officially announce the launch of AKC North America. Making this exciting announcement after months of work were Michele Barsanti, partner, and Business Developer, and Andrea Martinelli, General Manager of AKC NA. After expanding activities beyond borders, AKC is now ready to launch a new business unit in the United States, seizing an important opportunity to bring the company’s expertise and know-how to international markets through a structured local presence.

The renovation works for the fAKCtory, AKC’s new headquarters, are also progressing rapidly. Luigi Stefanini, co-CEO, provided all the updates, stating with enthusiasm that starting from 2024, the entire AKC team will have access to a state-of-the-art workspace, providing an optimal environment for the company’s growth and success.

A highly anticipated moment was the preview of AKC Advanced Knowledge Consulting’s first corporate video, presented by Matilda Filolli, Marketing Director. This video was the result of a collective effort from the entire AKC team and will showcase the company’s reality and its constant commitment to providing high-quality services to customers and stakeholders alike.

The Mid-Year Business Review also provided the opportunity to announce the launch of AKCademy, a new training program dedicated to AKC’s talents. Giulio Barsanti, Delivery Supervisor Director, emphasized the importance of investing in human capital and promoting talent development within the company, regardless of seniority.

The event concluded with an inspirational message from Simone Bertelli, Head of Consulting Services, highlighting the importance of believing in one’s abilities and pursuing goals with determination. This will be the key that allows AKC to overcome new challenges and reach new heights:

“We must be aware that with our contribution, we can ensure a bright future for AKC.
We must believe in our abilities. We must want to achieve the goals we have set.
Because if we want it, we can do it.”

Milano is gearing up to host the inaugural leg of the Supply Chain Planning Roadshow, organized by AKC Advanced Knowledge Consulting and CCH® Tagetik Expert Solution of Wolters Kluwer, taking place on June 20th at the Nuovo Quark Hotel.

The objective is to bring together a select group of industry experts and professionals to discuss challenges, opportunities, and winning strategies in Supply Chain planning and management. Special attention will also be given to new technologies capable of planning the product lifecycle across the supply chain and optimizing processes such as Sales Forecast, Demand Planning, Production Planning, Capacity Planning, and Procurement.

The Supply Chain Planning Roadshow kicks off in Milan: marking the first leg of the event

Effective management of the Supply Chain in a global and highly interconnected context requires advanced solutions and integrated end-to-end processes. The Supply Chain Planning Roadshow provides an opportunity for industry experts to delve into these topics and discover cutting-edge practical solutions. During the panel discussions, guests can engage in exchanging best practices, sharing their know-how, and discussing planning strategies, spanning from integrated planning processes to approaches and supporting technologies.

Among these solutions is the one developed by CCH® Tagetik, which offers an integrated and comprehensive approach to Supply Chain planning, enabling companies to optimize every phase of the process. CCH® Tagetik’s end-to-end solutions provide a complete and transparent visualization of all aspects of the Supply Chain, from demand planning to supplier management and logistics. This integrated approach allows for timely identification and addressing of challenges, informed decision-making, and overall efficiency and agility improvement in the Supply Chain process.

“In the fast-paced and interconnected reality in which we operate, supply chain planning proves crucial for ensuring business success. In our Roadshow, we will focus on the art of anticipation, adaptation, and innovation to create an agile and resilient supply chain. Through insights, case studies, and interactive debates, we will explore how new technologies, particularly the CCH® Tagetik Supply Chain Planning solution, are redefining the landscape of supply chain management,” commented Giorgio Punzo, Business Developer & Partner of AKC. 

Supply Chain Planning Roadshow: Agenda

The first stop of the Supply Chain Planning Roadshow, involving a limited and select number of participants, will offer a comprehensive and engaging agenda. Throughout the day, key topics related to Supply Chain planning and management will be addressed, creating an opportunity for knowledge sharing and in-depth exploration of best practices.

Here are the main points of the day:

• 10:00 – Welcome Coffee
  Start the day with a moment of reception and networking among participants.
• 10:30 – Panel Discussion
  A session of discussion and debate among participants on crucial cross-industry planning topics in the supply chain. Areas such as sales, demand, inventory, and production/purchasing will be explored, with a focus on integrating different business functions to create end-to-end processes and integrated practical solutions. During this session, a Supply Chain planning application solution within the CCH® Tagetik platform will be presented.
• 12:30 – Aperitif, Cooking Experience, and Lunch
  A time for relaxation and conviviality, where Chef Moreno Ungaretti will guide participants in preparing exceptional dishes. It will be an opportunity to enjoy the culinary delights created during the cooking experience and share a friendly lunch.

Photos taken during the Milan leg

The CCH® Tagetik InTouch Global User Conference, an annual event that brings together hundreds of clients, partners, and financial leaders from around the world, will take place in Lucca from May 23-25, 2023. AKC Advanced Knowledge Consulting will be present as the first Italian Diamond Sponsor, as in previous editions.

The three-day event will feature a rich agenda that will allow participants to explore the state of CPM and present the latest technological developments. Sessions and plenaries will be divided into four tracks:

• Analytics tech & trends,
• Predictive extended planning,
• Financial close & consolidation,
• Tax, ESG & regulations.

The event represents an important opportunity for the CCH® Tagetik community to come together, exchange ideas and explore new industry trends. Among the scheduled activities are two sessions in which AKC experts will work alongside clients with whom they have successfully implemented projects, sharing their experiences and providing valuable insights for all participants.

CCH® Tagetik InTouch 2023: AKC events

The first event to mark on the agenda is on May 24th at 2:00 PM, during which Mauro Aieta, Finance & Administration Director of Bolton International, and Samuele Bachini, Partner & Business Developer of AKC Advanced Knowledge Consulting, will hold a speech entitled “Lead the Change: How Bolton manages key Budgeting, Planning & Forecasting in CCH® Tagetik”.

The session will address the topic of Bolton’s budgeting and planning process revolution, which has adopted the CCH® Tagetik solution to manage a wide range of planning initiatives. The session will provide an opportunity to learn how the company has developed and benefited from an integrated approach to planning, including budget planning and forecasting, management reporting, and profitability analysis.

“We are proud to collaborate with Bolton since 2006, and during this session, we will have the opportunity to explore the revolution of their budgeting and planning processes they have adopted in Bolton International through the CCH® Tagetik solution. A solid and successful partnership that has led to extraordinary results for both parties,” added Samuele Bachini.

Next, at 5:15 PM, Katja De Groot-Altrichter, Head of Strategic Controlling/Corporate Development of Victorinox, and Giorgio Punzo, Partner & Business Developer of AKC Advanced Knowledge Consulting, will speak in the session “Leading Change: How Victorinox and AKC are implementing CCH® Tagetik IBP for CPG”.

In this session, the challenges arising from the use of legacy tools for Sales & Operations Planning and the lack of an adequate Product Portfolio Management system will be illustrated. There will also be a presentation of an end-to-end process map designed to address these difficulties and align the PPM and S&OP process. In particular, the themes regarding the process organization, stakeholder alignment, and improvement of product portfolio management, reporting, and analysis will be discussed. Additionally, plans to create a more collaborative planning environment between Finance and Supply Chain teams will be presented, along with their perspectives on the future of planning and market trends that are influencing their digital transformation.

“We are excited to support Victorinox in the first CCH® Tagetik Supply Chain Planning project sold in Europe that covers the entire planning chain, from sales to logistics distribution and production planning. We are proud to be the protagonists of this new challenge that has all the cards to be another AKC success. Moreover, important news and other events are coming starting from June, which will allow us to further explore these topics and provide further insights into Integrated Business Planning,” concluded Giorgio Punzo.

Modern, efficient, and designed for people: that’s the new office that AKC Advanced Knowledge Consulting will move into starting in 2024. The Terigi brothers, owners of the ex Rud Arredamenti, have recently started the renovation works on the building located on the outskirts of the city.

Thanks to the ongoing redevelopment work, the long-abandoned structure will soon acquire a new life and a new intended use, becoming the new Air Base of AKC. The news was already announced in advance to the company’s employees during the last Kick Off 2023, but now it’s official.

“We are proud and excited to be able to collaborate as partners with the Terigi brothers,” explained Andrea Petretti, co-CEO of AKC, “participating firsthand in the redevelopment of this area on the outskirts of the city and becoming the beating heart of a building that has all the credentials to become one of the new symbols of Lucca, thanks to the masterful work of the designer architect Simone Micheli and the engineer Paolo Scatena.”

The move to the new office is just one stage of the ongoing development process of AKC, a company that, in addition to consolidating its position in the Italian market, also aims to expand its presence internationally, with particular attention to European and North American regions. Despite its ambitions for global growth, AKC has decided to maintain strong ties with the city of Lucca, where both the company itself and its main technology partner, Wolters Kluwer | CCH® Tagetik, were born. Among AKC’s objectives is to continue investing in its roots and to maintain a strong presence in the area.

Air Base: what AKC’s new offices will be like

One of the challenges that AKC has decided to tackle consistently, day after day, is to make ordinary what is often considered extraordinary, such as employee welfare and well-being. These two factors are inevitably influenced by the physical environment as well. That’s why there is a desire to move to a new location that can meet all work needs, both individually and as a team, while also offering a sociable environment for relaxing and sharing moments together.

“The move to a new location has been a strongly desired project by the entire AKC Board. Starting next year, the company and its employees will have a new space to work, live, and achieve increasingly ambitious goals while continuing to collaborate side by side. The new Air Base represents another piece of the AKC expansion puzzle, which, after consolidating in the Italian market, has now initiated a process of internationalization,” concluded Luigi Stefanini, CEO of the company.

The building, which will cover an area of 1,200 square meters on two floors, can accommodate up to 110 people. Inside, there will be over 15 offices designed to offer a comfortable and functional space for employees, as well as 10 meeting rooms ideal for meeting clients from all over Italy and beyond. There will also be several common areas designed to encourage socialization and sharing among colleagues, promoting a climate of collaboration and well-being in the workplace and contributing to creating a serene and productive work environment for everyone.

The twenty-second edition of Forum Retail’s Main Conference, the most anticipated event in the retail sector, will kick off on October 25th. A day dedicated entirely to leaders and experts in the areas of GDO, GDS (global distribution system), Luxury, Fashion & Accessories, Pharma & Healthcare, and FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) that will take place at Milan | Mi.Co., finally back in person.

AKC Advanced Knowledge Consulting will be present at the event as a key sponsor of the Main Conference and will see the participation of Giorgio Punzo, Partner and Business Developer at AKC, who will hold a Business Table in which the themes of Integrated Business Planning will be discussed.

AKC at Forum Retail 2022 on Supply Chain topics

More than 3,000 professionals are expected to attend Forum Retail, the most complete and up-to-date event for the Retail world in Italy, where the industry’s top experts will tackle the hottest topics of the moment. Among them, Giorgio Punzo, Partner and Business Developer at AKC Advanced Knowledge Consulting, will preside over the Business Table “Integrated Planning: from Financial Planning to Operations Planning“, a deep dive aimed at Supply Chain actors in Sales & Demand, Production & Procurement Inventory & Delivery.

It will be an opportunity to deepen and discover how to address and eliminate the disruptions and bottlenecks that are affecting the entire distribution chain, especially since the beginning of the pandemic, through a new planning software: CCH® Tagetik Supply Chain Planning. The platform was recently expanded by Wolters Kluwer to design end-to-end real-time Supply Chain planning, integrating demand and supply within Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning. During the Business Table, Giorgio Punzo will explain in detail how to apply configurable and easy-to-use workflows with the aim of creating company-level Supply Chain planning.

The importance of Integrated Business Planning in the Retail sector

More than ever, integrated Supply Chain planning has become one of the fundamental elements for any business, especially for those operating in the Retail sector. In recent years, due to the pandemic, international crises, and shortages of raw materials, the weaknesses of this complex and delicate network have become even more evident; hence the need to develop strategies through cutting-edge tools to deal with the uncertainties and exceptionalities typical of today’s times.

The success of a business, therefore, depends on the flexibility and reactivity of its organizational capacity, along the entire distribution chain. Anticipating possible threats to the Supply Chain and planning actions to eliminate them or at least limit them becomes the only element capable of making a difference. Equipping oneself with software that can ensure active communication between Finance and Operations flows, able to remedy unforeseen events that could arise, affecting the stability of the business, must therefore be the priority of every company.