Systematic exports Danish library system to Germany

The Danish software company Systematic has taken an important step in the German market. After almost 40 years with the same IT system, Bücherhallen Hamburg – Germany’s largest public library – has now switched to the Danish library system Cicero.

“We got off to a good start in Hamburg, where the project was delivered on time and within the agreed framework,” says Jakob Ilum Damsgaard, Business Development Director at Systematic.

The system went live in October and covers all 32 Bücherhallen branches. According to Philipp Leist, Commercial Director at Bücherhallen, the transition was seamless:

“We transferred all data as planned and went live on time. All in all, it has been a very productive collaboration and a smooth implementation.”

Tailored to German conditions

Although the Danish library system is already in operation in both Norway and Sweden, adapting Cicero to German conditions required major adjustments.

“It was a bit of a challenge. German libraries differ from Nordic libraries in significant areas – for example, patrons have to buy a membership. But we have now shown that we can adapt Cicero to German requirements, both in terms of functionality and legislation,” says Jakob Ilum Damsgaard.

The implementation of Cicero in Hamburg took place less than a year after the contract was signed and has already sparked interest in the rest of Germany. According to Damsgaard, many German libraries are on the verge of replacing their current systems, which are often decades old.

“We expect this to be the start of a bigger adventure in Germany,” he says.

Systematic estimates that the library software market in Germany has an annual value of approximately 40 million euros.

Business in growth

Cicero was originally developed in 2015 as a national solution for all Danish public libraries. The Danish model has since inspired export adventurers, and Systematic’s library business has doubled its revenue over the past three years.

“We now have a foothold in the German market and we are in the process of recruiting employees for our department in Cologne,” says Jakob Ilum Damsgaard.

In December 2024, Systematic regained the contract for Denmark’s common library system, which means that all public and school libraries in Denmark will continue to run on the same national solution.