Industry 02 · Automation, Electrical Engineering & Industrial Tech

Growth for automation, electrical engineering and industrial tech.

Automation and electrical engineering suppliers increasingly sell systems rather than components. This changes the target group, the buying process and the way expertise has to be demonstrated.

In short

In automation and industrial tech, hardware, software and service come together. Buyers are design engineers, maintenance, IT and production at the same time. We position suppliers along applications and outcomes, build expert content for technical evaluators and connect direct sales, partners and system integrators in one shared acquisition process.

  • Automation
  • Electrical engineering
  • Control systems
  • Sensors
  • Robotics
  • Industrial IoT
  • Industrial software

01 · Starting point

From component supplier to solution provider.

Many suppliers have their roots in the component business: catalogue, data sheet, distributor. With software, connectivity and services, the component becomes a solution that has to be sold differently.

The buying process becomes longer and broader. Besides design engineering, IT, information security and production have a say. At the same time, distributors and system integrators remain important channels that need their own materials and arguments.

Growth here requires positioning that explains hardware and software together and an acquisition process that connects direct sales and partners.

Typical situations

  • New software or IoT offering alongside the component business
  • Dependence on distributors and integrators
  • Technically strong products with weak differentiation
  • International expansion with new competitors
  • Long evaluation phases without visibility of their status

02 · Buying process

Who decides and what matters.

Evaluations often involve samples, tests and pilot projects. Technical documentation is a central part of marketing.

Typical buying committee

Design and engineering
Assesses technical suitability, interfaces and standards.
Maintenance and production
Looks at reliability, service and spare parts.
IT and OT security
Checks integration, data security and updatability.
Procurement
Compares price, availability and framework agreements.
System integrator or partner
Recommends and implements, often with its own interests.

03 · Focus areas

How we work in this market.

The Growth Architecture stays the same. The weighting and order of the disciplines depend on the market.

  • Strategy & Positioning

    Solution rather than catalogue

    Positioning along applications and outcomes, with a clear role for hardware, software and service.

  • Brand & Authority

    Technical authority

    Application notes, white papers, webinars and case studies for technical evaluators.

  • Digital Experience

    Documentation and self-service

    Product and solution pages, download areas and configuration aids that make evaluation easier.

  • Demand Generation

    Partners and ABM

    Channel campaigns with distributors and integrators, ABM for strategic accounts.

  • Revenue Operations

    Pipeline across all channels

    Deal registration, partner leads and direct sales in one CRM.

The full method is described on the approach page. Typical situations and the strategic response can be found in the playbook.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions from this market.

How do you handle distributors and integrators?
We include them as a channel in their own right, with materials, campaigns and clear rules for lead distribution. This significantly reduces conflicts between direct sales and partners.
We sell hardware and software. How do we position that?
Through the value of the combination. Buyers want an outcome such as availability, transparency or efficiency. Hardware and software are the means to achieve it.
Our target group is engineers. Does LinkedIn work?
Yes, when used in a targeted way. Engineers respond to expert content such as application notes and technical comparisons, hardly at all to slogans.

Further reading

Relevant services and next steps.

Working together

Let's talk about where you stand.

In a 30-minute first conversation we identify where your growth is stuck and whether working together makes sense. You then get an honest view of a realistic scope.

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