Softlead, the only marketplace platform in Romania that helps companies select the right software solution based on their Digital DNA, has released its annual chart reflecting Romanian companies' appetite for digitalization. The data highlights the interest in software purchases for 2024, measured through software offer requests received on www.softlead.ro.
General Information
In 2024, several thousand companies used the Softlead platform both for information about selecting the right software application and for obtaining digitalization offers tailored to their needs. The total value of software projects offered was €12.4 million, 14% less than the previous year.
The decline was influenced by the slowdown in signing projects funded by European funds, which reduced interest in digitalization (for companies without an approved budget). Additionally, companies tended to choose SaaS software solutions instead of custom ones due to lower costs.
Nonetheless, the largest digitalization project generated through Softlead in 2024 was worth €124,000, and the fastest signing of a digitalization contract occurred within 24 hours. The contracted software solution was an electronic signature tool for a construction company with a turnover of €387,000.
"2024 brought new digitalization perspectives for Romanian companies, characterized by information and prudence. This did not indicate a general decrease in the number of companies purchasing software tools but rather a shift toward more affordable solutions, free tool testing, contract extensions, or adopting new technologies like AI to streamline certain activities. These trends will continue in 2025, and IT companies now face the challenge of rebuilding positioning, differentiation, and sales strategies to capture more market projects," stated Alexandra Roată, Co-Founder of Softlead.
Most requests for digitalization offers were received in January, February, and March, as the beginning of the year was dedicated to budgeting and initiating applications for European funding programs.
Types of Software Applications with Increased Demand
Enterprise software applications, which address organizational challenges, continued to generate high interest among Romanian companies. Solutions such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), CRM (Customer Relationship Management), Electronic Signature, Document Management, Accounting Software, and Project Management were among the top digitalization priorities in 2024.
Regarding licensing models, 51.8% of companies opted for SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions. Additionally, 65% of companies did not want their solutions integrated with other software applications already implemented or planned.
Moreover, 92% of digitalization requirements were for already developed software solutions, while only 8% requested offers for custom-developed software from scratch.
Industries with High Digitalization Appetite
In 2024, the fields with the highest interest in digitalization included:
- B2B Services (19%)
- Manufacturing (12%)
- Construction (10%)
- Retail (9%)
- Medical (8%)
- Distribution (5%)
Geographically, the counties with the highest digitalization appetite were Bucharest, Ilfov, Cluj, Dolj, and Argeș.
Profile of Companies with Increased Interest in Digitalization
Softlead continues to be predominantly used by top and middle management representatives (85%) from SMEs, where choosing a software solution poses multiple challenges due to budget limitations. The significant presence of small and medium-sized companies aligns with European trends. According to Eurostat data, 99% of European companies in 2022 were SMEs, with a maximum of 49 employees.
Despite this trend, the largest company that used the Softlead platform in 2024 to choose a software application had a turnover of €1.4 billion.
The Software Companies' Perspective on Digitalization
In 2024, the number of software companies joining the Softlead platform increased by 13%. On average, software companies allocated budgets of €3,750 per year to access IT projects.
"Last year, software companies began paying more attention to channels that can bring them valid projects and help them grow both their reputation and client base. The economic context and the slowdown of software acquisitions through European-funded projects led to the development of integrated sales strategies. We actively encouraged this approach through partnerships and the opening of new sales channels," said Andrei Dumitrașcu, Co-Founder of Softlead.
In 2024, Softlead signed two strategic partnerships with Network One Distribution and BCR, aiming to increase the volume of digitalization requests. These initiatives are expected to reach over 150,000 Romanian companies interested in how digitalization can foster business growth.
Additionally, Softlead launched Romania's first Software Data Center in 2024, providing quarterly updated information and statistics about the industry's evolution.
About Softlead
Softlead is Romania's leading B2B platform that helps companies identify the right software application based on Digital DNA. With access to over 1,300 software applications and more than 740 IT partner providers, Softlead.ro serves as an integrated ecosystem for information, budgeting, and software acquisition processes for any SME.
In recent years, over 15,000 companies have used Softlead to take the first steps in selecting suitable technology suites or software applications.
