Jury recognises the ongoing innovative strength of Hamburg-based hsp

This year, hsp Handels-Software-Partner GmbH has been awarded the most prestigious accolade for innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises: the TOP 100 seal. The jury, chaired by Ranga Yogeshwar, recognised the outstanding importance that innovation has held at hsp since its foundation in 1991; both in the continuous development of its taxonomy solution Opti.Tax, as well as in the company’s structures and its role as a reliable industry partner.  For years, hsp has been setting standards in simplifying the digital annual accounts process and covers all relevant aspects of electronic accounting. The award was based on an independent assessment, conducted using a scientific methodology, commissioned by compamedia.

„The seal recognises our consistent commitment to using technology to resolve even complex issues and topics, whilst constantly breaking new ground. In everything we do – be it software, services or marketing – we aim to ensure processes run smoothly, both for our clients and within our own organisation,“ says hsp Managing Director Paul Liese. „Software, for example, often arises from a specific need. We have the courage to develop solutions for which the market does not yet see a need, but which do eventually become relevant – such as our latest idea of using taxonomy not only for financial reporting, but also for documenting compliance issues “to use within the company."

A strong spirit of innovation has been a constant feature throughout the company’s history and is deeply rooted in hsp’s structures, even though its focus has shifted on several occasions. In its early years, hsp Handels-Software-Partner GmbH specialised in ERP software; today, it is Germany’s leading developer of accounting software. The company is currently taking a further step in its development: from being purely a product provider to becoming an industry partner for tax advisers, auditors and others.

Even today, the atmosphere in the offices in Hamburg-Bahrenfeld is reminiscent of a start-up. The ambitious spirit of the founders, who set up the Hamburg-based software company in 1991, lives on. Two of them are still active and key figures at hsp: Wolfgang Schönwaldt and Erich Rohland are „proud that the small company that began in a living room has now become a successful software house with award-winning innovative strength.“

The former IT specialist hsp has since developed into a key point of contact, a driving force within the industry and an opinion leader, whilst retaining its capacity for innovation. This view was shared by the jury led by innovation researcher Prof. Dr Nikolaus Franke from the Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Vienna University of Economics and Business: For 28 years, compamedia has been awarding the TOP 100 seal to medium-sized enterprises in recognition of their exceptional innovative strength and above-average success in innovation. This year, 389 companies applied.

To receive the seal of approval, the participating companies had to demonstrate their merit across more than 100 assessment criteria in five categories: hsp impressed the panel during the rigorous scientific selection process with its high level of innovation, which runs like a common thread through the company’s operations. This applies both to the company’s structure – where working from home, currently a hot topic, has been a matter of course for years – and to its role as a competent industry partner and the ongoing development of the Opti.Tax taxonomy solution.