“You Can’t Wait for Life to Solve Your Problems—You Have to Solve Them Yourself” – Keep an Eye on Prices with an Alumnus!

You currently work as a forecasting analyst. What does that mean in practice? 

Yes, I work at GE, where my job is to determine what needs to be manufactured over the next five years and what products will be in demand. Alongside my work, I enrolled in the specialized Business Data Analytics program at Corvinus. I wanted to gain additional knowledge in data analytics, which is why I decided to pursue the program. 

I heard that during your studies you created the Eyes on Prices website, which can help anyone find where a product is available at the lowest price. 

I started thinking about this topic in early 2025, primarily because of the high food inflation at the time, which has since decreased significantly. My first step was to request price-monitoring data from the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH). Unfortunately, they are not allowed to provide historical data, but I can automatically download the daily data they publish. 

I analyzed nine companies, examining their pricing, discounts, and promotional strategies to understand how they set prices. Among them were Penny, Aldi, Auchan, Lidl, and Rossmann. It is possible to draw some very interesting observations and conclusions from the data. 

After that, I began thinking about how all this information could be useful for people and consumers. Tibor Kovács, the head of the Business Data Analytics program at Corvinus, liked the idea, so I went ahead and built the website, which is now publicly available online. 

EyesOnPrices.hu provides information on around 15,000 products, showing where each item can be purchased most cheaply—from cottage cheese to baby-care products. It also allows users to observe the pricing methods used by retailers. The website includes a shopping-list function as well. Prices can be compared with similar products, which the official Price Monitoring system cannot do. 

I have clearly indicated that the site is still under development, and I welcome ideas and suggestions from users. I also presented the project at the National Conference on Business Informatics, where it received positive feedback. 

You originally graduated from the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) with a degree in Business Administration and Management. Why did you choose that field? 

For me, it came from family tradition. My grandfather was an agricultural engineer and became an entrepreneur right at the beginning of the 1990s. Although I’m from Budapest, I spent most of my summers with him in Szerep, a small village in Hajdú-Bihar County. 

Working alongside him was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed planting and harvesting and was fascinated by the machinery and his work. My strong relationship with my grandfather is what sparked my interest in agriculture. 

How did you become interested in data visualization? 

The needs of agricultural companies today are very different from what they used to be. I actually wrote my thesis on data visualization, and with that thesis I also won a prize at the university’s Scientific Students’ Associations Conference (TDK). 

Agricultural quality control has become increasingly important because grain and other crops now travel much farther from producer to end user than they did in the past, thanks to developments in technology and the economy. Various intermediary market participants are involved during transportation, and this was one of the topics I discussed in my thesis. 

Without unified standards, confusion would arise, which is why standardized quality requirements have been developed. These standards are checked at numerous points throughout the transportation process. For example, moisture content, pests, and potential fungal diseases are monitored, as modern food safety requirements demand increasingly rigorous controls. 

Previously, this information was recorded in Excel spreadsheets. I envisioned a data-visualization solution that could assist decision-makers—for example, managers at agricultural quality-control companies. To achieve this, I developed a map-based data visualization tool that provides decision support in response to typical ad hoc inspection requests. 

The solution proved effective in real-world use, and a manager now uses it successfully in day-to-day operations. Progress always creates new challenges. You can’t wait for life to solve your problems—you have to come up with the solutions yourself. 

What was your experience with the Corvinus postgraduate program? Would you change anything about it? 

I encourage everyone to apply for programs like this because they provide new perspectives and valuable knowledge. Artificial intelligence was integrated into the curriculum, and I frequently use it myself. 

Another positive aspect was the network of relationships that developed among participants. Personally, I would have liked to be even more involved in university life at Corvinus. The program lasts three semesters, but I feel an additional semester could be added, allowing students to gain even more knowledge. I would also place greater emphasis on how these skills can be applied more effectively in the business world. 

Tibor Kovács was someone we could always rely on, both professionally and personally, which was a very positive experience. I should also mention my partner, who supported me throughout the entire program. I could not have completed it alongside my full-time job without that support, and I am deeply grateful for it. 

What are your long-term career plans? 

I would like to start my own business specializing in data analytics and data visualization. 

Interview by Katalin Török