Management / Management
A strong duo for your success
For 25 years, SAE has stood for innovative software, comprehensive variant expertise, personal commitment and fundamental solidity. We are economically independent and operate under our own steam. Our customers are our top priority - their success and the satisfaction of their employees are what drive us.
Our team & our software make the difference - put your trust in our passion, expertise and innovative software.
The management team behind SAE: Erich Schaarschmidt and Susanne Henkel
Dipl. Ing. Erich Schaarschmidt
Founder & Managing Director
Erich is passionate about digital innovation and uses his technological expertise for the future-oriented further development of our variant management and CPQ software. His goal is to create a consistent and efficient platform that will drive our customers forward and ensure their positive business development in the long term.
Career: After studying mechanical engineering, Erich worked as a group, department and plant manager at various manufacturing companies to ensure efficient production processes and was responsible for the introduction of SAP® at several companies. In 2000, he founded SAE and turned his passion into his profession. His goal was and is to offer manufacturers of complex and multi-variant products the best possible software support.
"Selling complex products - that's a real challenge. As an engineer, I know this first-hand. That's why I asked myself: What should the ideal process look like that gives you a clear advantage? This accumulated knowledge is now in our CPQ software. It provides you with a tool to not only keep up with the competition, but to clearly stay ahead."
Career: After studying mechanical engineering, Erich worked as a group, department and plant manager at various manufacturing companies to ensure efficient production processes and was responsible for the introduction of SAP® at several companies. In 2000, he founded SAE and turned his passion into his profession. His goal was and is to offer manufacturers of complex and multi-variant products the best possible software support.
"Selling complex products - that's a real challenge. As an engineer, I know this first-hand. That's why I asked myself: What should the ideal process look like that gives you a clear advantage? This accumulated knowledge is now in our CPQ software. It provides you with a tool to not only keep up with the competition, but to clearly stay ahead."
Susanne Henkel
Managing Director
Susanne is passionate about digitalising sales processes and organising the sale of complex products as simply and successfully as possible. Her focus is on convincing usability, the consistency of processes and the sustainable use of data within the entire system landscape.
Career: Susanne Henkel studied Business Psychology & Corporate Management and has been with SAE since 2010. At the beginning of her career, she worked in project management and was responsible for numerous international software rollouts. She has been a member of the SAE Management Board since 2019 and is responsible for the company's sales and strategic direction.
Career: Susanne Henkel studied Business Psychology & Corporate Management and has been with SAE since 2010. At the beginning of her career, she worked in project management and was responsible for numerous international software rollouts. She has been a member of the SAE Management Board since 2019 and is responsible for the company's sales and strategic direction.
"After the first customer meeting, the actual sales process begins: creating quotations, configuring products, calculating prices.CRM helps with contact, SAE software with everything else."