Alpha-Loop GmbH is based in Lindlar and is an innovative software company specialising in the development of software specifically designed for the events industry. Our main products include the event solution “LUMUX”, which can be used for hybrid and virtual events as well as stand-alone guest management with optional web registration. We also offer the ERP system “Chronos”. Both products are extremely flexible and modular, so that they can be used for a wide range of applications. LUMUX is used, for example, for annual general meetings, product launches, town halls and congresses.
Sebastian Mellin, Managing Director Alpha Loop
1. Last year, after two years of forced break, there were more events again. How did your company perceive the past months?
The strong recovery brought many market participants to the limits of their capacity. In order to be able to cope with this positive development of the event business in the long term in a difficult environment in terms of both personnel and material, many market participants have to optimise their processes. Therefore, significantly more companies in the industry are considering new ERP systems, which is increasingly reflected in enquiries to us.
2. What are your expectations for the industry in the coming years?
Germany is one of the leaders in the event sector, but as in so many other areas, it is not as well positioned digitally as other countries. That’s why greater digitalisation is also necessary in the AV and event sectors in order to close the gaps compared to international competition. We are currently experiencing a very dynamic development in this area and are in contact with many market participants in order to jointly develop digital solutions for the future in various areas of the AV sector. The event industry functions as a network, there are close links between specialised service providers who can only provide an optimal solution for the end customer in a network. In the hardware sector, for example, the rental of equipment as a one-stop solution is typical in order to be able to efficiently use the latest hardware. Our aim is also to make digital solutions available in this style, and thus to consistently live the network idea and give many market participants the opportunity to establish themselves in this sector, which is often new to them.
3. What is the significance of Prolight + Sound as an event technology trade fair for you?
Our previous customer base consists mainly of AV service providers and event agencies based in Germany. For this sector, PL&S is the central trade fair in the DACH region and offers the opportunity to make contacts with many market participants or to deepen these contacts. As a company whose products are software solutions specially designed for the AV sector, we rely heavily on event technology service providers as partners for implementation and integration, because only with good partners for the technology on site can the software for interactive digital events develop its full potential. Our presence at Prolight + Sound gives us the opportunity to present our products and solutions, such as our event and accreditation solution “LUMUX”, including the necessary hardware in realistic application scenarios, in order to make the often somewhat abstract topic of event software more tangible.
4. What would you recommend to a potential customer who is looking for an individual ERP solution?
My recommendation is definitely to choose a solution specialised in the AV sector, as the requirements in the rental business are very specific and, in my view, cannot be adequately covered by a general solution without a clear industry focus. In addition, from the experience with our ERP system “Chronos”, the desire for further individualisation of the software is very great among customers and interested parties. I always recommend potential customers to put their own processes to the test in order to weigh up the extent to which there is still potential for optimisation.
5. With regard to Prolight + Sound 2023: Can you give visitors a little foretaste of what they can expect?
We want to show at the stand that LUMUX is more than just a building block for purely digital events. That’s how most market participants got to know it during the pandemic, but LUMUX can also be used perfectly for real or hybrid events. Starting with participant management, badge printing, admission control and participant counting, all the way to digital, legally compliant voting at face-to-face events. Therefore, we present realistic application scenarios of the system, including the appropriate hardware. As a second focus, we will also present our ERP system “Chronos”. We look forward to welcoming you at stand B78/Hall 12.1.