Alpha 3i

What Alpha 3i does

Alpha-3i is a French private software company founded in 1996 as a spin-off from Sopra Group's time and attendance management activity. Headquartered in Alby-sur-Chéran (Haute-Savoie) with a US regional office in Jacksonville, Florida, the company operates as both publisher and integrator of the Cimag software suite. The company serves small-to-medium and mid-large industrial manufacturers (PME and ETI) across more than 20 countries, with over 400 industrial sites equipped and 15,000+ professionals using its MES platform daily.

The company's core technology is Cimag Production, a modular MES (Manufacturing Execution System) compliant with ISA-88/ISA-95 international standards, covering 14 functional modules across real-time production tracking, finite-capacity scheduling, SPC-integrated quality control, unit-level traceability, WMS logistics, document management, visual management, E-Lean, energy management, and labor tracking. The platform connects to PLCs, OPC UA, IIoT gateways, RFID, and barcode systems, with pre-built bidirectional connectors to 30+ ERP systems including SAP, Sage X3, Divalto, and Cegid. A specialized variant, Cimag Production Aéro, is tailored for aerospace and defense manufacturers. Complementary product lines include Cimag Présence (GTA — time and attendance management, managing 20,000+ employees across 200 sites) and Cimag Accès (physical access control), available in SaaS or on-premise deployment.

Alpha-3i generates revenue through a combination of subscription and perpetual software licenses for the Cimag suite, bundled professional services (consulting, integration, training, maintenance), and hardware sales (production terminals, badge readers, access control equipment). The company employs an enterprise direct-sales GTM with personalized demos, content-driven demand generation, and a modular land-and-expand deployment model. Named customers include Safran, ArianeGroup, Hutchinson, Staubli, Lyondellbasell, Assa Abloy, Lectra, Nexteam Group, GT Logistics, Mecafi, Tournus Equipement, and Nautitech Catamarans, spanning aerospace, automotive, machining, plastics, shipbuilding, metallurgy, and industrial equipment verticals.

Name

Alpha 3i

Legal name

Alpha 3i

Website

https://alpha3i.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Alpha-3i is a French private MES software publisher and integrator serving industrial manufacturers with its ISA-95-compliant Cimag suite, deployed across 400+ sites in 20+ countries and spanning aerospace, automotive, machining, and other industrial verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Manufacturing ERP (Discrete, Process, Batch) (HDAEAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Asset & Maintenance Management (EAM/CMMS) Platforms (HDAEAEAM)

Keywords

• Manufacturing execution system
• Production tracking software
• Shop floor scheduling
• Industrial MES software
• Time attendance management

Headquarters

HQ city

Alby-sur-chéran

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. MES Software Licenses (Cimag Production, Cimag Ordonnancement, Cimag Quality): Alpha-3i is both editor (software publisher) and integrator of its Cimag software suite. Revenue is generated through perpetual or subscription software licenses for the MES platform, including modules for production tracking, scheduling, and quality control. The modular architecture allows customers to activate progressively, suggesting a land-and-expand model.
2. GTA/CTA Software (Cimag Presence, Cimag Acces): Time and attendance management (GTA) and physical access control (CTA) software, available in SaaS or On-Premise deployment modes, generating recurring software subscription revenue.
3. Professional Services — Integration, Training, and Support: End-to-end project integration services including consulting, implementation, user training, and dedicated customer support. Maintenance agreements cover software updates, corrective maintenance, and telephone support. Hardware maintenance (RTB warranty) with 24-hour replacement commitment.
4. Hardware Sales (Terminals, Badging Equipment, Access Control Hardware): Sale of production terminals, badgeging hardware, and physical access control equipment, as part of integrated MES and GTA/CTA deployments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Alpha-3i develops and integrates the Cimag software suite, an ISA-95 compliant Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for industrial production. The platform covers 14 modules including real-time production tracking, scheduling, quality control (SPC), traceability, document management, warehouse logistics, energy management, and lean manufacturing tools. The company also offers Cimag Présence (time and attendance management) and Cimag Accès (physical access control) as complementary suites.

Product overview

Alpha-3i offers three distinct but complementary software suites under the Cimag brand: Cimag Production (MES for manufacturing execution and shop floor control), Cimag Présence (GTA — Time and Attendance Management), and Cimag Accès (Physical Access Control). Cimag Production is the core platform, offered as a modular suite of 14 ISA-95 aligned modules including Cimag Ordonnancement (scheduling), Cimag Qualité/SPC (quality control), Cimag WMS (logistics), Traçabilité (traceability), Management Visuel (visual management), Gestion des Documents (document management), and others. Cimag Production can be deployed progressively by activating modules according to the customer's roadmap without re-implementation. Cimag Présence covers the full HR time and activity management cycle (leave/absence, badge/clocking, scheduling, payroll calculation, temporary worker management, HR reporting), available in SaaS or on-premise. Cimag Accès handles physical access control for industrial sites, factories, and warehouses. All three suites can operate independently or be integrated with each other and with external ERP systems (SAP, Sage X3, Divalto, Cegid). The company also provides a dedicated variant, Cimag Production Aéro, tailored for the aeronautical and aerospace industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cimag Production Core Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software suite for real-time production monitoring and control, connecting workshop floor, quality, and scheduling to the ERP for total traceability and zero data-entry errors. Covers 14 ISA-95 defined functionalities across acquisition, scheduling, quality, maintenance, and document management. Designed for industrial manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, machining, plastics, and metallurgy sectors.
• Cimag Présence Time and Attendance Management (GTA) software handling employee time tracking, leave and absence workflows, shift scheduling, badge/clocking, temporary worker management, HR reporting, and payroll calculation. Targets industrial, retail, and service sectors. Available in SaaS or on-premise deployment with integration to Sage and Cegid payroll systems.
• Cimag Accès Physical access control solution for managing building entrances, factory floors, warehouses, and sensitive zones. Supports badge, card, and biometric identification with role- and schedule-based access rights, real-time supervision, visitor management, multi-site management, and security audit reporting.
• Cimag Production Aéro Specialized MES variant of Cimag Production for the aeronautical and aerospace industry, featuring enhanced traceability, SPC-integrated quality controls, dedicated modules for first-piece inspection, in-process controls, and non-conformity management. Designed for aerospace OEMs and subcontractors requiring regulatory compliance and unit-level traceability.

Quantifiable outcome

• GT Logistics achieved +15% TRS improvement and zero paper in the workshop after MES deployment
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SAPcoreTechnology or IntegrationSAP ERP is listed as a primary integration partner. Cimag MES is designed to synchronize bidirectionally with SAP for OF, articles, and production declarations. SAP integration enables automatic data exchange without manual re-entry.
• Sage X3coreTechnology or IntegrationCimag Production is connected to Sage X3 ERP as a primary integration. Real-time bidirectional communication for OF synchronization and production data exchange.
• Sage (payroll)coreTechnology or IntegrationGTA solution Cimag Presence integrates with Sage payroll software for automatic data transmission and payroll calculation, eliminating re-entry of attendance and time data.
• DivaltocoreTechnology or IntegrationCimag Production interfaces with Divalto ERP for production tracking and data synchronization.
• CegidcoreTechnology or IntegrationCimag Presence integrates with Cegid payroll software for automatic data transmission, as deployed at Tournus Equipement.
• SAP (ERP at Tournus Equipement)coreTechnology or IntegrationTournus Equipement case study: SAP ERP interface enables automatic retrieval of technical data (OF, ranges) and avoids double data entry, with information synchronized in both solutions.
• D2B ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerD2B Consulting (St Priest, France) is credited for website design, creation, and natural referencing (SEO). Website development and maintenance partner, not a commercial channel partner.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aegis Software: US-based FactoryLogix MES provider for discrete manufacturers and electronics/industrial assembly — directly comparable to Cimag in modular MES architecture, real-time shop floor execution, and mid-market enterprise targeting.
• Critical Manufacturing: Portuguese-headquartered MES vendor focused on high-tech and regulated discrete manufacturing — most direct competitor to Alpha-3i's Cimag Production in European mid-market MES with comparable ISA-95 module breadth and vertical specialization (semiconductor, medical, industrial).
• iBASEt: Solumina MES vendor focused on aerospace & defense and complex manufacturing — directly comparable to Cimag Production Aéro in regulated, high-mix/low-volume aerospace MES use cases serving Tier 1/Tier 2 suppliers.
• Visiativ: French industrial software and digital transformation platform serving mid-market manufacturers — directly comparable French competitor with overlapping MES, PLM, and Industry 4.0 offerings targeting the same PME/ETI segment.
• Forcam: German-headquartered MES vendor specializing in SME/mid-market industrial manufacturers — closely comparable to Alpha-3i's PME/ETI focus, modular architecture, and European mid-market positioning.

Broad incumbents

• AVEVA: Global industrial software incumbent (Wonderware MES, CONNECT platform) — overlaps with Cimag in plant-wide manufacturing execution and is increasingly targeting mid-market discrete manufacturers.
• Siemens (Opcenter / SIMATIC IT): Global industrial automation incumbent whose Opcenter MES competes broadly with Cimag in discrete manufacturing — much larger portfolio and global delivery, but covers Alpha-3i's space as one of many modules.
• Rockwell Automation: Global industrial automation incumbent (Plex/FtOperation MES) — competes with Alpha-3i across the discrete MES market, typically serving larger enterprises with bundled OT/IT offerings.
• Dassault Systèmes (DELMIA / Apriso): Global PLM/MES incumbent with DELMIA and Apriso offerings — competes in the same discrete/aerospace MES category as Alpha-3i, particularly for industrial digital continuity and shop floor execution.

Emerging players

• Sepem Industries / HMI Group: French/European industrial software and MES providers — adjacent emerging competitors in the mid-market French industrial digitalization segment that Alpha-3i also serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/alpha3i

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alpha 3i