Austrian software supplier COPA-DATA was part of the official business delegation accompanying Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker and Federal Minister of Economy Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer on their visit to India from April 14 to 17. For COPA-DATA, the trip is more than just a diplomatic signal: it reflects a long-standing, partnership-driven connection with emerging India — a relationship that has continued to grow since 2006.
The program included talks with leading Indian institutions, meetings with decision-makers from business and politics as well as a business reception at the Austrian embassy — a framework that impressively demonstrated the depth of economic relations between Austria and India. Phillip Werr, Member of the Executive Board at COPA-DATA Headquarters, was part of this 60-strong business delegation:
"India is not new territory for us. As a Salzburg-based software company, we have been represented locally with our own sales office since 2013 and have not only acquired customers during this time, but also built up genuine, long-term partnerships."
Phillip Werr, Member of the Executive Board at COPA-DATA Headquarters, accompanied an Austrian business delegation to India.
Other Austrian companies in the delegation included Andritz Hydro, Zeta, Palfinger and Kapsch TrafficCom. For Phillip Werr, this exchange within the delegation was a particular added value of the trip:
"It was impressive to see the seriousness and commitment with which Austrian companies, including many technology leaders, are looking to India. This confirmed to me once again: India is an exciting and promising growth market, especially for technology leaders."
Software from Austria in use in India
The zenon software platform is developed exclusively in Austria — and brought to market together with Indian experts. In the energy sector, zenon supports the development of digital network infrastructures, in the pharmaceutical sector, regulated production environments are reliably automated and numerous Indian machine manufacturers rely on zenon where quality and compliance do not allow any compromises. Thanks to the close cooperation with Maestrotek, a sister organization of COPA-DATA India and an experienced local system integrator, zenon is already being distributed at eight locations in India.
"We don't develop in India - we develop with India and for India. Our software is created in Austria, but it grows thanks to the impetus and feedback from one of the most exciting markets in the world. That's our kind of partnership," explains Werr.
New office in Pune and Indian growth
In line with the growing importance of the Indian market, COPA-DATA recently opened its branch in Pune with around 30 employees in a new office — a place designed as a hub for collaboration, innovation and professional exchange.
Not only is COPA-DATA India developing dynamically — a growth rate of 22% was achieved last year — India itself is also on a historic growth trajectory: as the world's most populous country and fourth largest economy, it has long been one of the shaping forces of the global economy. Planned investments are focusing on the expansion of renewable energies and new pumped storage power plants. This is precisely where COPA-DATA's software solutions make a concrete contribution. As technology that makes smart factories possible and reliably digitizes and automates critical infrastructures.
COPA-DATA is an independent software manufacturer that specializes in digitalization for the manufacturing industry and energy sector. Its zenon® software platform enables users worldwide to automate, manage, monitor, integrate and optimize machines, equipment, buildings and power grids. COPA-DATA combines decades of experience in automation with the potential of digital transformation and a strong drive for sustainability-enabling solutions. In this way, the company supports its customers to achieve their objectives more easily, faster and more efficiently.
The family-owned business was founded by Thomas Punzenberger in 1987 in Salzburg, Austria. A sales network of international distributors and 14 subsidiaries ensures that the software is marketed worldwide. More than 500 certified partner companies further support end users with the efficient implementation of the software, particularly in the key industries of food & beverage, energy & infrastructure, automotive and pharmaceutical.
