17th ALMA days, held August 20.-21., once again gathered a large crew of Finnish industrial professionals. The themes of the day, combining action methods and knowledge recycling, gave everyone something to draw on. In addition to the both informative and innovative agenda, the idyllic scenery at Villa Elba with the delicious maritime dinner made the participants wait for the next event in the coming year!

Alma Marketing Oy’s chairman of the board, Mr. Lars Ingman, led the visitors into the theme of the day with his interesting speech about regenerating and unlearning. ”Regenerating happens in both programs and humans”, he said. Evolvement is the aptitude for surviving and in this changing world we must act faster than ever before. ”I don`t think that people resist change. They only resist it when someone else is trying to change the things concerning us”, Lars continued. Most people actually love change if they can have their own effect on it. That is just why ALMA has developed - and constantly develops – driven by customers’ initiation and needs. It is a software that actually boosts the working methods. "Positive unlearning means forgetting ineffective and outdated working methods. That is when people start to move away from the safe and comfortable area. We must dare to evolve", Lars expressed.

Photo: This time there were about 60 participants.

The agenda continued with the presentations of the satisfied ALMA users. First to step up front were CTS Engtec Oy’s Mr. Timo Kiminki and Mr. Timo Lilja. The company, with more than 1500 projects in over 40 countries, have centralized their physical and functional plant modeling into ALMA. The old relation database was replaced with ALMA because of its good service and being a close Finnish partner. "The links into our other planning software were accomplished fast", told Mr. Kiminki. Now the crew at CTS Engtec Oy can easily share their project data or work straight into the end users’ ALMA database. This solution gives the engineers and partners real time information 24/7 for example in 3D, PI-chart, automation and electrical engineering. Additionally, other engineering software work seamlessly as a part of the integrated ALMA system. The speech was ended with a stunning demo from a real project. "ALMA keeps our work up to date. We can trust that the information is correct and authentic. Of course, more efficient automation planning is also an important competitive advantage", Mr. Lilja continued.

Next were shown some of the ALMA system’s usability in research and education work. Mr. Timo Ahvenlampi from Oulu University of Technology, Department of Process and Environment. He presented how the software is used in conjunction with MetsoDNA automation operation and configuration stations. The forthcoming Masters of Science familiarize themselves with ALMA for example in study modules and Bachelor's degree work. The co-operation also supports the internal development work at Alma Marketing Oy whereas results benefit other ALMA users as well. The application areas at the University of Oulu Laboratory for System Technology are power plants and forest industry processes. ALMA will also be used in the next public joint ventures with partnering companies in maintenance development.

The third presentation was filled with engineering nostalgia whereas Senior Engineer Mr. Pertti Sihvonen, Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta Oy vividly told about development of electrical and automation engineering over decades. The presentation did not leave anyone guessing if the modern software had real advantages. It is also needless to say that the junior listeners now respect the comforts of the modern engineering work.

After the tasty lunch it was time for the roundtable conversations. Representatives from Rautaruukki Corporation, Neste Oil Corporation and Helsinki Water Public Utility Company accustomed others to their own ALMA ideas and applications. Open and direct communicating gave everyone new valuable approaches. All the representatives wanted to thank Alma Marketing Oy for the good results and excellent customer service.

Photo: People around Helsinki Water`s round table.

The night was continued with a delicious maritime dinner and a traditional Finnish sauna. Next day the participants were offered free ALMA training and get to know the new features.

See you again next year!

Additional information:
Alma Marketing Oy Dr. Kalervo Tervola, Managing Director, telephone +358 400 37 33 15, email kalervo.tervola(at)alma.fi or

ALMA® is a totally integrated knowledge management system for life-cycle handling of technical data, documentation, production line efficiency and maintenance management. ALMA® knowledge management systems are licensed to over 7 000 users among 300 companies in 46 countries. ALMA® was introduced to the market in 1986 and it is registered trade mark in 13 countries.

Alma Marketing Oy develops, markets, delivers and maintains ALMA® knowledge management systems and related services for engineering, maintenance of technical data and events’ information. The company is well established as an expertise and resource network operation in deliveries, training and product development.