SOS Software Service:

Alludo:

Let’s start with an overview of Alludo. What software do you develop
and which target groups do you address?

We have a broad portfolio under the Alludo umbrella brand, ranging from graphics and image editing applications to desktop visualization and mind mapping through to file compression products. Whether for editing Hannelore and Winfried’s vacation photos or for large companies with special browser applications and project planning tools – there is a product for everyone. Alludo
has now been on the market for 35 years and was formerly known as Corel. This is where our best-known product got its name – the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.

SOS Software Service:

Alludo:

How did the collaboration with SOS Software Service come about?

Corel, Parallel and WinZip solutions were looking for a new distributor. SOS Software Service is well-known in the industry and is perceived and traded as a “cool store”. MindManager had already had a good partnership with for many years. During internal discussions, SOS Software Service was recommended to us by Armin Schneider (MindManager) and other employees. In February 2022
we then had our first meeting with Marc (Managing Director of SOS Software Service). And so everything took its course.

SOS Software Service:

Alludo:

What were the main reasons why you spoke to SOS Software Service?

The exchange was easy, the cooperation was fast and the communication was smooth. The cost structure was also right, which is important for us on the vendor side. SOS Software Service offers consistently good services without constantly demanding bonuses or other inducements. I wasn’t used to that from the broadliners.

SOS Software Service:

Alludo:

What expectations did you have of the collaboration?

I was expecting close cooperation with the distribution and resellers, which was not the case with the previous partners. The aim of should be to join forces to support the end customer and thus make sensible use of synergy effects. SOS Software Service achieves this.

SOS Software Service:

Alludo:

What makes the cooperation with SOS Software Service unique compared to
other distributors?

The Alludo team at SOS Software Service acts as my extended arm. This means that license management can be handled by SOS Software Service. There is a unique takeover of operational activities. The Alludo team thinks along with you, checks whether the offers are plausible (“What would Christof do?”). They are familiar with payment terms, currencies and kickbacks. Communication is eliable, alternative options are offered to resellers on their own initiative. If I make a mistake, the contact person at SOS Software Service notices it and gives me a nice tip. This allows us as a vendor to concentrate on what we do best: bringing our product to the end customer.

SOS Software Service:

Alludo:

Were there any particular successes as a result of the collaboration?

Yes, we recently had the biggest new license deal via a new reseller. This deal came about just two weeks ago and was with a mechanical engineering ompany. The communication between us, the reseller and the end customer was crucial to the success. And the license management at SOS Software Service

SOS Software Service:

Alludo:

Yes, that is one of our advantages. Our aim is to also talk to smaller resellers and offer them an equally good service. Are there any funny or interesting anecdotes from the collaboration?

Oh, there are many! Lunches together at the Italian restaurant are always a highlight. I particularly remember the discussions about LinkedIn and social media. It was quite a while ago, at the time we at Alludo still had LinkedIn managed by an agency . Marc didn’t want to know anything about it. I now see a post from SOS Software Service in my newsfeed almost every day. There were
many funny moments in which we took the mickey out of each other but also gave each other good ideas. It is always a pleasure to work with the team.

SOS Software Service:

Alludo:

What adjectives would you spontaneously associate with SOS Software Service at?

It’s simple: reliable, fast, professional and, of course, based on partnership!

SOS Software Service:

Alludo:

Can you give us an outlook? Next milestones in the partnership, joint projects?

We want to find more resellers for our product portfolio and have smaller rojects planned. In general, however, we can say: Continue as before – and veryone is happy!