Combining the power of an industrial company with the spirit of an inventor

Jean-Michel Aulas

2009 was characterized by a worldwide recession and the technology sector was not spared. In this difficult context, Cegid employed and demonstrated a remarkable level of resilience. Our strategy was clearly oriented around providing our customers with specialized software tailored to their line of business and ensuring a constant balance between growth and expense control.

The motivation of all our employees was also an essential factor in Cegid's continued expansion. During the year, adaptation, initiative and imagination guided each person's quest to achieve his or her objectives. These values, together with our dynamic employee relations policy enabled us to succeed in 2009 while preserving the wealth embedded in our human resources.

2009 was also the year in which Cegid extended its international footprint in earnest. The "Cegid touch" is now resent on all six continents. Resolutely international, Cegid has won some important contracts with large corporate groups that now use Cegid for homogenous solutions worldwide. We are proud to have reached this new stage in Cegid's development.

We aim to maintain and develop our agile mindset in 2010. The recession has encouraged us to change and adopt a more responsive organization, ever more attentive to the needs of our customers.

Companies targeted software investments better in 2009 and now expect a quicker ROI. The chances are that these new trends will continue into 2010. Cegid is well positioned to respond to this change.

We are a provider of specialized software, diametrically opposed to the "big bang" approach that many companies, particularly mid-sized and large ones, no longer want. We make systems available in SaaS mode. We accompany our customers as they expand abroad. These are the major principles underpinning Cegid's strategy.

Our success will also depend on our ability to reconcile the power of an industrial company with the spirit of an inventor. We must combine the momentum, corporate culture and values of an agile enterprise with the leverage of a large company in a way that gives quality-driven innovation the freedom to express itself.

We will put priority on developing our local relationship with you and on creating innovative, secure solutions for you and with you. Solutions that help you grow and develop.

The Yourcegid brand will be rolled out in 2010. It will embody this commitment.

Jean-Michel Aulas
Chairman