Nordic Tech Pioneer HiQ Strengthens Its Foothold in Germany as Scandio Rebrands

HiQ, a leading Nordic tech consultancy with 30 years of experience, expands its European presence as German technology & IT consultancy Scandio fully transitions into HiQ. This marks a key step in the ambition to further establish HiQ as a European leader.

HiQ has a long track record in the Nordic region and beyond, with main focus on custom software development across industries, particularly those at the forefront of technological advancement – including innovative energy, mobility, and industrial automation.  

Scandio, which was acquired by HiQ a few years ago, has been an integral part of this journey. Now, by changing the name from Scandio to HiQ and fully integrating the German organization, HiQ further strengthens its ability to deliver business-critical tech solutions and deep industry expertise across Europe. Scandio also brings key capabilities, e.g. in cloud engineering, agile software development, and Atlassian expertise as Platinum Solution Partner, further enhancing HiQ’s service offering. 

Expanding Expertise for a Growing Market 
The expansion of the HiQ brand comes at a time of accelerating demand for high-quality, custom digital solutions across Europe. As businesses navigate increasing digitalization challenges, the need for partners with deep technical know-how and a footprint to solve demands locally but also across countries has never been greater. With geopolitical dynamics adding further complexity, Europe’s ability to drive digital transformation on its own is more critical than ever. 

To answer these needs, HiQ now fosters stronger collaboration, deeper technical capabilities, and a seamless service experience for clients across Germany and Europe, leveraging its international expertise and Nordic heritage in innovation, agility, and scalable technology. HiQ unites 2,000 experts with 23 offices across the four European countries Sweden, Germany, Finland,  and Poland. 

“Scandio becoming HiQ comes at the perfect time. After more than 20 years as Scandio, we are now even better positioned to support German and European businesses with cutting-edge digital solutions tailored to their needs,” says Christian Koch, co-founder of Scandio and Managing Director of HiQ in Germany. 

“This is an exciting milestone for HiQ. Germany, as a key European hub, offers great potential for better serving our clients. Uniting under one brand strengthens our position locally while opening new collaboration opportunities across Europe. We combine local agility and expertise with the strength of an established Nordic consultancy, ensuring we can lead high-impact projects all over Europe,” says Peter Arrhenius, CEO of HiQ Group. 

The rebranding takes effect on March 3rd.

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Karolina Israelsson

For more information, please contact Karolina.

HiQ offers comprehensive advice and implementation of Atlassian products like Jira Service Management.

The Future of IT Asset Management

Atlassian Data Manager

The new Atlassian Data Manager as part of Jira Service Management significantly simplifies the management of IT assets and configuration data. Data integration, automation and advanced analytics help organizations maximize their data quality and make informed decisions.

Best of all, the tool is free for all customers using Jira Service Management Cloud on the Premium or Enterprise plan. All the more reason to get started with the tool now.

Top 5 Features of Atlassian’s Data Manager

Managing IT assets and configuration data is a challenge for many organizations, especially when data from disparate sources needs to be merged and cleansed. 

Atlassian recognizes this need and has given the Data Manager a critical role in Jira Service Management (JSM) asset management. 

The following 5 features characterize the Data Manager:

  1. Automated Data Integration: Efficient and Seamless

The Assets Data Manager currently supports over 30 connectors for automated data integration, with more on the way. This seamless connection to databases, CSV files, and other data sources allows organizations to ensure that their data is always up to date. The ability to set up scheduled imports minimizes manual steps and reduces sources of error. 

Previously, importing data required the use of third-party applications or integration solutions at additional cost. Now, connectors eliminate this challenge.

The following connectors are currently available:

  • Airlock | Vendor: Airlock
  • Apptio | Vendor: Apptio
  • Aternity | Vendor: Riverbed
  • Azure VM | Vendor: Microsoft
  • BigFix | Vendor: HCL Technologies
  • Carbon Black Defense | Vendor: Dell
  • Carbon Black Protect | Vendor: Dell
  • Carbon Black Response | Vendor: Dell
  • Data Platform | Vendor: Flexera Software
  • Defender | Vendor: Microsoft
  • Dynatrace OneAgent | Vendor: Dynatrace
  • Entra ID Device | Vendor: Microsoft
  • Entra ID User | Vendor: Microsoft
  • Falcon | Vendor: Crowdstrike
  • FNMS | Vendor: Flexera Software
  • Intune | Vendor: Microsoft
  • Jamf Cloud | Vendor: Jamf
  • Lansweeper | Vendor: Lansweeper
  • Nexthink | Vendor: Nexthink
  • Palo Alto XDR | Vendor: Palo Alto Networks
  • Puppet | Vendor: Puppet
  • Qualys | Vendor: Qualys
  • RISC Networks | Vendor: Flexera Software
  • Secureworks | Vendor: Red Cloak
  • ServiceNow | Vendor: ServiceNow
  • SCCM | Vendor: Microsoft
  • Schema
  • Snow | Vendor: Snow Software
  • SolarWinds | Vendor: SolarWinds
  • Tenable Security Centre | Vendor: Tenable
  • Tenable Vulnerability Management | Vendor: Tenable
  • Windows Active Directory (AD) | Vendor: Microsoft
  • Workspace One UEM | Vendor: VMware
  • WSUS | Vendor: Microsoft
  1. Data cleansing and normalization: always up-to-date

One of the core elements of Data Manager is the ability to merge, cleanse, and normalize data from multiple sources. Duplicates are removed and inconsistencies are reconciled to create a single, trustworthy “golden data set” that businesses can rely on. 

This process makes it easier for you and your organization to make confident decisions and ensure that information is accurate and up-to-date.

  1. Comparative data analysis: improve data quality and security

Atlassian Data Manager’s cross-comparison data analysis allows you to merge and compare data from multiple sources to identify inconsistencies such as duplicate or outdated entries. This enables organizations to identify vulnerabilities in their IT assets early. This feature not only helps close security gaps, but also improves data quality.

In addition, Data Manager offers a new reporting feature that allows you to create dashboards based on real-time data. This enables organizations to quickly visualize current information and make informed decisions.

  1. Jira Assets integration: all asset data at a glance

The Data Manager integrates seamlessly with Jira Service Management Assets to link asset data with configuration data. 

This gives teams a comprehensive view of their IT landscape and makes it easier to manage assets across departments, from IT to compliance to finance.

  1. Improve auditing and compliance: easily meet standards

With complete visibility into all assets and their changes, Assets Data Manager makes it easier to comply with regulations such as GDPR. It not only supports your organization in meeting compliance standards, but also ensures a smooth audit process. 

This function helps improve risk management and prevent costly compliance violations.

Data Manager as part of Jira Service Management

Specifically, the Data Manager is an extension for Atlassian Assets, which is a native asset and configuration management tool that is part of JSM in the Premium and Enterprise licensing. 

So if you are using Jira Service Management in the cloud and on either of these licensing plans, you can use the Data Manager at no additional licensing cost! The tool is integrated as an opt-in feature in Assets and can be activated there via the general configuration screen.

Why we think Data Manager is essential

Atlassian’s Data Manager enables organizations to streamline IT processes by providing complete and up-to-date data. By automating data import and cleansing, the administrative burden is significantly reduced and businesses can focus on improving service quality. 

As Atlassian Platinum Solution Partner, we have been able to test the Data Manager extensively as part of an early access program.

Our conclusion:

The Data Manager can merge and cleanse data while providing powerful analytics. This combination of capabilities will quickly make it an indispensable tool for data-driven business decisions.

🚀 Benefit from our expertise as Atlassian partner!

We set up the Data Manager exactly for your company and show you how to get the most out of the tool. 

Find out more.

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Sarah Leitner

Sarah is an experienced IT consultant specializing in IT Service Management and Atlassian tools. In her role she optimizes workflows and implements efficient IT processes tailored to clients’ needs.

The HiQ solution Enterprise Service Management offers companies increased efficiency through integrated service management.

More Efficiency and Transparency for modern Business Processes

Find out how Enterprise Service Management can improve inefficient processes and siloed departments in your organisation. ESM creates visibility, automates workflows and promotes cross-departmental collaboration – for greater efficiency and improved service quality.

In many organizations, departments face similar problems: Teams work in isolation from each other, there is no centralized overview of requests or ongoing services, and inefficient processes cost valuable time and resources. This results in delays, misunderstandings and frustration – especially when collaboration across departmental boundaries does not function smoothly.

While traditional IT Service Management (ITSM) aims to organize and optimize IT services, it often falls short when it comes to meeting the needs of other departments such as HR, finance or customer service. This is exactly where Enterprise Service Management (ESM) comes in.

We explain how an ESM solution can help your business automate processes, create visibility and foster collaboration.

The challenge of siloed systems and inefficient processes

Many departments within an organization have their own tools, systems and processes that are often not connected. For example, IT might use a ticketing system, while HR relies on its own software solution for employee onboarding processes. These isolated silos make it difficult to keep track of requests, prioritize them efficiently and collaborate across departments. In addition, the manual effort involved increases the risk of error and ties up valuable resources.

In addition, there is often a lack of visibility: it is unclear which teams are working at what capacity or where bottlenecks are occurring. This not only leads to delays, but also to poor service quality and employee dissatisfaction. Without consistent, automated processes, the potential for optimization and standardization often remains untapped.

ESM vs. ITSM – the key difference

The difference between Enterprise Service Management (ESM) and IT Service Management (ITSM) lies primarily in its application and scope.

While IT Service Management is a specialized approach to managing IT services, Enterprise Service Management goes a step further: ESM looks at business processes as a whole to improve and standardize processes across departments.

ESM as a solution: optimized processes for agile organizations

Enterprise Service Management creates a central platform on which an organization’s service requests and processes can be mapped. By extending proven service management practices from IT to other departments, ESM helps to automate workflows, improve collaboration and ensure a higher quality of service.

By trusting in ESM, companies can:

  • Create transparency: Implementing a centralized help desk that encompasses multiple service processes creates a holistic solution.
  • Automate processes: Routine tasks such as approvals or requests can be automated, saving time and minimizing errors.
  • Foster efficient collaboration: Improved communication between departments means requests can be processed faster and information can be shared more effectively.
  • Enable data-driven decision making: Flexible and meaningful reporting enables informed decisions and continuous improvement.

An ESM solution provides an integrated platform that centralizes and improves business services.

The road to centralized service management

Implementing an ESM solution isn’t just about the right technology, it’s also about tailored advice and support.

Our experts at Scandio have many years of experience and have successfully implemented projects in a wide range of industries. Together with our customers, we develop an ESM that is designed to meet their specific needs. We understand the challenges of the market and offer sound, practical solutions.

Step by step to your ESM solution:

  1. Together with you, we conduct a problem and requirements analysis.
  2. We define technical solution approaches, process design and implementation.
  3. We roll-out your solution iteratively and in close and transparent collaboration with you.

With Scandio you get everything from a single source: from problem analysis to implementation and optimization – we are your reliable partner in every project phase on the way to an efficient Enterprise Service Management for your company.

By working closely together, we ensure that the solution is not only technically robust, but also seamlessly integrates with existing applications. 

Plus: We are an Atlassian Platinum Solution Partner. This means that our customers benefit from the exclusive advantages and extensive expertise we offer through our close partnership with Atlassian.

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Would you like to know more about the potential of ESM for your organization? Then get in touch.

HiQ offers companies customized solutions for reliable device management and over-the-air firmware updates.

How to optimize your time to market with FOTA

Firmware Over-the-Air updates offer an outstanding opportunity to significantly accelerate the time to market of products – whether in the development phase, when solving problems or after the product launch. We explain how to benefit from FOTA updates as a company.

Time to market (TTM) is a key factor in the product development process. It describes the time span from the initial idea through product development to market launch. The length or brevity of the time to market can give companies a decisive competitive advantage: The faster a product reaches the market, the faster it generates sales and establishes itself before the competition can catch up.

FOTA (Firmware Over-the-Air) updates offer an excellent opportunity to speed up this process considerably – whether in the development phase of a product, when solving problems or after the product launch. 

Faster market launch with just in time software updates

Launching an unfinished product on the market? Doesn’t sound very smart at first, but it can actually be a clever strategy! 

In an ideal world, the hardware and software of a device are always ready at the same time and products can be launched directly onto the market without expensive intermediate storage or waiting times. Is this the case in your company? Then congratulations, you have established highly optimized processes. 

If not, I still have good news: The software does not have to be finalized at the same time as the hardware: While the finished device is already packaged and on its way to the customer, developers can still finalize the last lines of code or the QA department can use additional time to thoroughly test all software functions. 

All that matters is that the product receives a wireless firmware update when it is first switched on to provide all the required functions. 

This allows you to start production and delivery of your product early, saving valuable time and costs. Missing features can be added at market launch (or at a later stage). It is important that the FOTA system is able to orchestrate and process all updates smoothly so that the launch day is a complete success.

Reducing risks: Bugs, security, compliance

In addition to the fundamental reduction in time to market through F-OTA updates, it is crucial to recognize potential complications at an early stage and react accordingly in order to avoid unnecessary delays and stay ahead of the competition. 

Such complications can arise as a result of changed framework conditions, for example new security standards that are not met. Or serious problems discovered by the QA department, like a feature not working properly or even spyware in purchased hardware.

If a company does not have a FOTA system, software problems can be updated manually by hand and plug – provided that the devices are not on the market or with the customer. However, if this is no longer possible, you hopefully have a competent marketing team to cushion a recall – or a really well-functioning FOTA system. 

Such a FOTA system must not only be highly scalable in order to update a very large number of devices simultaneously (and later be scalable down again to save costs). It should also offer various rollout strategies and backup plans in order to carry out all updates efficiently and risk-free in an urgent situation. This ensures that bug fixes, security and compliance updates are applied quickly and without unnecessary costs.

Interested in learning more about FOTA in the context of IoT?

Then read part 1 of our article series: Firmware Over-the-Air: We explain FOTA.

Flexible feature updates to match the market situation 

Months and years often pass between the planning, development and final release of a product. In the days before the Internet and FOTA updates, companies were forced to plan a product from start to finish and bring it to market completely ready. Today, it is possible to deliver new features as and when required.

If your company’s product is a market leader and customer satisfaction is high, it can make strategic sense to save resources and development costs. If your competitor suddenly surprises you with an innovative feature, you can reinvest in development or roll out a reserved update. 
Unforeseeable events, such as a pandemic or an economic crisis, can also lead to your company having to reassess its priorities. In such cases, it may be advisable to reduce development costs, gather valuable customer feedback and data or attract investors. 

Thanks to wireless firmware updates, it is possible to flexibly develop, roll out or hold back new functions after the market launch. This allows you to adapt your product strategy to changing company and market situations in the optimum way.

Conclusion

Whether it’s a product launch, solving problems during use or updating devices that have already been delivered: Updates over the air are an effective way to shorten the time to market of your product in various phases. 

For this, it is crucial to have a robust FOTA system. A good firmware-over-the- air-system must be scalable, customizable and reliable. This allows you to meet the dynamic requirements of today’s markets.

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Katja Grünewald

Katja has been working as a software developer at Scandio since 2022. She strives to support companies on their path to Industry 4.0 with her experience in FOTA and her passion for digital solutions.