News

As every year, the upcoming festive season gives us an opportunity to pause for a moment. We look back on the last twelve months as a company and as a team. We review challenges in order to draw valuable conclusions for our future work. However, the focus in 2024 will also be on the successes we have achieved together.

Product highlights 2024

We could write a never-ending article about our numerous products – both new products and further developments – but we’ll keep it short and summarize our top 3 product highlights for 2024 for you.

Just over a year ago today, we had the pleasure of writing a review – for the ALVARA year 2023. At that time, Fakturio with xRechnung was written here as a new module extension. In recent months, we have been busy and added ZUGfERD (Zentraler User Guide des Forums elektronische Rechnung Deutschland) to automatic invoicing. As a hybrid invoice format that combines structured data (XML) with a visually readable PDF, it has established itself alongside xRechnung. You can read more about the formats and the obligations relating to e-invoices that apply at the turn of the year in our blog “Simply explained: What obligations e-invoicing 2025 entails”.

As testers for the new NExt platform, we were able to support the Deutsche Bundesbank together with other testers in the planned conversion of the previous e-business platform ExtraNet to NExt. Our initial conclusion: NExt will overtake its predecessor in terms of usability, individualization and barrier-free interfaces. You can find all the advantages in the article: “Technical replacement for ExtraNet: Deutsche Bundesbank relies on NExt in future”. For our ICC customers, there is no effort involved. As with its predecessor, we will take over the provision of access to NExt in future.

In June, we presented our new cash center software generation Pecunia 7 as a cloud-based solution. After a good 30 years of success, we have opened the next chapter to meet changing requirements. Cash center employees benefit from a modern and streamlined design, while our Pecunia app simplifies container handover in the vault area and, with efficient interface management, it serves as a comprehensive data hub system for various WTU players. Pecunia is thus continuously expanding its role as an indispensable WTU supporter together with ALVARA ICC as a fully integrated customer platform.

All about retail

Supporting retailers with efficient cash management is and remains one of our core competencies. Our annual meeting – the BargeldDialog Handel – is a must. For the first time, we did not invite people to Leipzig for this event in 2024. Instead, we met with customers and interested parties at the dm-dialogicum in Karlsruhe. In April, we focused on practical discussions on topics such as AI-supported recording of safe stock as well as digitalization and automation in cash management.

However, these are just two key aspects from a whole pool of possibilities for the retail sector:

– Digital signage continues to grow in popularity. One reason for this: In addition to automated customer approach, ease of use and flexibility, sales increases are conceivable – according to a study, which we discuss in more detail in our blog post.
– One of our theses: Pre-orders are the key to employee and customer happiness in bakeries. But not on paper, as has been the practice up to now. Because bakeries gain more efficiency and security through electronic recording, for example with our ITR cash register.
– We have expanded the ICC app to include smart safe management so that relevant processes can be mapped digitally and efficiently. AI must not be missing from our solutions either. That’s why we are researching innovative enhancements for cash forecasting and inventory recording using image recognition.
– Our ITR POS Sales App also makes things easier for retailers. It provides sales evaluations in real time and important key figures on products and employees so that you always have an overview.

Customer projects– our daily business

Thanks to the trust placed in us, we can once again look back on many exciting customer projects this year. Anyone who discovers an exciting case for themselves is cordially invited to browse through some of our success stories.

– Automated invoicing: Bargeld – Logistik Allgäu GmbH relies on ALVARA | Digital Solutions invoicing software Fakturio
– BS Beck brings more efficiency, security and transparency to cash logistics processes with logistics apps from ALVARA | Digital Solutions
– Messe Stuttgart relies on ITR POS solution from ALVARA | Digital Solutions for efficient ticket sales
– ALVARA | Digital Solutions solution ICC supports the Transgourmet Group with tracking and evaluation functions

Thanks to everyone!

Away from our day-to-day business, we have regularly carved out some time to grow together as a team. After all, without a strong sense of togetherness, we would not be able to look back on innovative new products and further developments or successful customer projects. We further strengthened this mutual appreciation and our sense of togetherness at this year’s fall festival and joint hike.

Like every year, there were many wonderful moments in the team, with our customers and in the development forge that we look back on with joy.

Are you particularly interested in certain solutions? Let us explore the potential for your company!

Long queues at the bank counter, missed or incomplete deliveries from the cash-in-transit providers – getting change is increasingly challenging in an already busy world. But a convenient solution is in sight.

The “ordering change” challenge

Retail without cash is much discussed, but not realistic in the close future. Quite the opposite: Germans are attached to their cash. In addition, various offers enjoy great popularity. For example, customers often save going to the bank and simply withdraw money for free at the supermarket checkout. A functioning supply of change is therefore a solid basis for a functioning business.

Making it even smarter thanks to automation

But it is possible to make things easier in terms of time savings, efficiency, flexibility and security – with our automatic change ordering system. Based on historic data, the system plans the necessary change orders precisely and reliably. Employees only have to intervene in exceptional cases, for example in the event of special requirements or special adjustments. This minimizes the initial risks such as susceptibility to errors or forgotten orders when those responsible are absent.

Thanks to precise stock recording, either via an integrated cash recycler or using our app-based safe management system, every order can be triggered with great precision. The system automatically considers planned journeys, regional public holidays, lead times and any absences. Further processing is also incredibly easy: an automatic release function transmits the necessary information to the service provider. Furthermore, orders can be transferred to the accounting system as data or booking records, enabling automatic comparison of payments with deliveries. This keeps change management secure, flexible and efficient.

Employees can use the ICC app to view current orders at all times, ensuring planning reliability and preventing employees from losing control. The confirmation of receipt, including any deviations, increases traceability significantly and also ensures that the automated system can make necessary adjustments.

• – Employees can view the orders as required.
• – Retailers are therefore always informed about the automatic orders.
• – Receipt of the app can be acknowledged and the delivery becomes more traceable and transparent.

Summary

Change ordering doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. With automated processes, precise stock recording and flexible solutions, any manual intervention and bottlenecks are a thing of the past. Automation ensures that planned journeys are used optimally and that change orders are submitted reliably and on time, even in the event of staff absences or shortages of substitutes. This helps retailers save time, minimize risks and remain optimally positioned at all times – even in the event of unforeseen challenges.

A smart change order sounds tempting to you. Then let us have a chat!

Checking, counting, sorting and picking: Cash centers are at the heart of the cash cycle. Cash center operators are increasingly faced with the challenge of controlling complex processes efficiently, managing numerous interfaces and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Pecunia is offering an intelligent solution.

Pecunia as a control center

As cloud-based software, Pecunia manages all processes in the cash center – centrally and reliably. It monitors the complex interaction of personnel resources, third-party applications and counting machines from various manufacturers and takes control of the central tasks. The specific configuration of master data ensures stringent work processes and workflows in cash processing. In this way, Pecunia increases efficiency and the degree of automation in cash processing.

Cross-linked data world through efficient interface management

One of the greatest strengths of the Pecunia cash center software is its function as a data hub. Acting as a central point in the entire system architecture of a cash center, the solution ensures the flow of data between multiple sources such as hardware or third-party applications. Pecunia also enables data to be collected, integrated and managed efficiently.

• Customer platform: Customers such as retailers or financial institutions enter orders in ALVARA Interactive Cash Control (ICC) and can track them at all times thanks to the data exchange with Pecunia.
• Customer applications: Orders can be automatically imported and reported back via industry-typical interfaces between customer systems, for example with the data center of the Sparkassen and Pecunia.
• Invoice solutions: Pecunia has all the data required for the automatic generation of invoices using the Pecunia Fakturio module. In addition, invoice data can be exported to other systems, such as Navision.
• Central banks: Pecunia realizes the digital data exchange for deposits and withdrawals at central banks. Pecunia exchanges information with the Deutsche Bundesbank via CashEDI interfaces.
• Tour scanner: With the Pecunia Logistic app, the couriers document all services provided on their tours, the load content and all transfers of liability, which are synchronized directly with Pecunia.
• Tour optimization: Pecunia supports the planning and optimization of logistics by integrating various tour optimization software (e.g. Ortec, PTV, Plantour, Soloplan).
• Lock systems: To ensure access to safes and security areas, Pecunia provides opening codes for the tours, which are generated and transmitted by one-time code generators from various providers.
• Smart safes: The ALVARA Smart Safe Monitoring Platform integrates and manages all types of safe solutions in the customer branch, regardless of manufacturer – naturally with an interface to Pecunia.
• ATM intervention services: Malfunction alerts from ATMs can be sent to the Pecunia intervention module via an interface. Incidents are recorded as tickets and can be processed efficiently.
• Counting machines, video systems and more – hardware integration within the cash center: Whether connecting video systems or counting machines for bank bills and coins – Pecunia sets no limits here either.

In addition, further interfaces can be developed at any time to ensure smooth collaboration with different systems and partners.

Furthermore, the central processing of information also makes Pecunia an indispensable multi-cash center solution for companies with several locations operating nationwide.

Conclusion: a combination of well-proven and innovative features

Pecunia relies on proven technologies and combines them with future-oriented functions that are essential for modern cash management. From automated workflows and digital data exchange to the integration of external systems – with Pecunia, cash centers gain in efficiency, security and networking.

Would you like to find out more about how Pecunia works? We will be happy to explain all the functions to you!

Software development is at the heart of ALVARA | Digital Solutions. Here, we not only lay the technological foundations for our solutions, but also drive the innovations that take our customers a step forward in the dynamic world of cash management. Our experienced and passionate team works every day to develop customized and future-proof applications – from the first idea to the final product.

The team behind the software

16 experts who perform daily as talented engineers for the development of the architecture and services of ALVARA | Digital Solutions – these are our colleagues from software development. In small teams, they work on the solutions for our product groups with the highest quality standards. To achieve this, they rely on modern stacks and innovative technologies. They make development more efficient through automated tests and AI technologies, as well as standardized and automated processes based on the latest DevOps methods.

Thanks to them, we have experts in the right architecture, experienced IT security specialists and qualified cloud platform operations managers in our company. When asked what our colleagues themselves value most about their work, living out their love of IT naturally ranks first. The mix of backend and frontend development, with a focus on Java, Flutter, Vue.js/REACT and NodeJS, contributes to an exciting working environment. Further rankings include independent work, flat and open team structures and regular team events.

Teamwork knows no boundaries

Our IT developer team is not in hiding in a dark room, as some people might imagine the cliché IT developer workplace to be. Quite the opposite: they are an important link to the other departments and their expertise is always in demand. They regularly exchange ideas with their colleagues from project management and service. They receive the customers’ conceptual requirements from project management. Our service employees support the software development department in testing and documenting the products.

As their work is crucial to the final solution, they also regularly play an important role in customer meetings – especially in the early stages of a concept or idea. At this stage, developers take part in customer meetings in order to gain a better understanding of the client’s perspective and to discuss technical solutions openly and efficiently at an early stage. This enables a customer-centric way of working. At the same time, we avoid potential technical hurdles right from the start.

Innovative projects and challenges

Their passion for development results in consistently high-quality and user-friendly software. At the same time, they never lose sight of current trends. The cloud has played a central role in our teams for over 15 years and, of course, artificial intelligence has long been used on a daily basis. In addition, new concepts for the operation of cloud platforms are being introduced, such as Kubernetes.

This results in a constant stream of new and exciting projects. Our software experts are currently working on training an AI model for the recognition of coin rolls using photo documentation. For our well-established cash center software Pecunia, our experts have worked on a new long-term development. The result: Pecunia 7 – a cloud-based ERP solution for cash-in-transit service providers. Furthermore, our software team is already hammering away at the code for the planned cross-platform apps for evaluating important key figures.

Resume

Every entrepreneur knows the importance of innovation for their own success. That’s why we consider ourselves fortunate to have a team of software experts who never tire of developing new ideas, building prototypes and then refining them until an intuitive, secure and efficient product is created for our customers. Collaboration with regional colleges and universities in joint projects boosts our innovative strength. A pleasant working environment that promises support among colleagues, challenging and exciting tasks and at the same time encourages independence is also our key to success.

A big thank you to our code-loving colleagues!

We look forward to meet you!

Are you a software enthusiast? Do you want to amaze customers with innovative solutions? Do you want to make their day-to-day work easier through automation and digitalization? Then you’ll fit in perfectly in our software development team. We are constantly on the trail for enthusiastic developers and would be pleased to receive your application.

By the way: not everything at our company revolves around software development. Some of our colleagues pursue hobbies with a thrill factor, such as gliding and parachuting. So there’s never a dull moment, either professionally or privately.

A team that makes software dreams come true! Discover your dream come true.