To futureproof their IT environment, Faber Group sought a reliable service provider to establish a centralised IT infrastructure and standardised way of working.
Faber Group, with multiple subsidiaries and IT providers, needed a future-proof, centralised digital workplace to unify its IT systems and improve employee access and engagement.
Solution
Partnering with Open Line and Workspace 365, Faber Group created a unified digital workplace that integrated intranet functions, personalised resources by division, and simplified access with Single Sign-On and Microsoft integrations.
Result
The streamlined digital workplace reduced IT complexity, cut costs, and improved productivity. Employees now access essential tools easily, enhancing engagement and efficiency across the organisation.
Modern digital workplace for Faber Group
Faber Group is an internationally oriented organisation for the provision of sustainable pooling services and products. With more than five hundred employees, they focus on circularity, providing complete peace of mind to customers and reusing resources.
Start of the search: Modern Workplace Concept
Faber Group consists of several subsidiary companies and therefore had partnerships with six different IT service providers.
In order to make their IT environment future- proof, they wanted to have a central IT infrastructure and were looking for a service provider who could support them in implementing a uniform way of working. It was important to create a modern workplace concept in which multiple divisions could operate under their own brand. After a tender process, they ended up choosing Open Line and Workspace 365.
“Workspace 365 is the start of their day for our employees. They see their emails, calendar, videos, the latest news and can open all their applications from there. The great thing is that we can link it to other platforms so we can choose which technologies to use in the background.”
Joeri van Etten, Marketing & Communication Advisor
Faber Group
Tendering: from traditional IT environment to future-proof Workplace
In the final round of the tender process, the three remaining service providers were invited to give a presentation. But the team was impressed by the way Open Line offered a combination of the traditional IT environment, a new infrastructure and a future-proof workplace. In addition, the environment is able to support Faber Group’s expansion strategy.
“We also referred to this phase as the beauty contest, as a joke. Of course, the offer had to match our requirements technically, but we also considered the appearance of the digital workplace as important. The digital workplace, Workspace 365, made Open Line stand out even more and made our choice clear.” Tom Peeters, Group IT Director at Faber Group.
Step 1: Merging the intranet and the digital workplace
The first step before launching Workspace 365 was to merge the intranet and the digital workplace. In the past, Faber Group had an intranet, however, it was hardly used. For this reason, they wanted to renew it and bring it all together into the digital workplace.
“Workspace 365 is the start of their day for our employees. They see their emails, calendar, videos, the latest news and can open all their applications from there. The great thing is that we can link it to other platforms so we can choose which technologies to use in the background.”Joeri van Etten, Marketing & Communication Advisor at Faber Group.
Within the digital workplace, the first thing to be made accessible was the news from SharePoint. This gives all employees insight into the news from the headquarter. The next step is to offer news from various divisions to those for whom it is relevant.
“Since the launch of the new digital workplace, employees can easily find information and we receive hardly any questions about where they can find certain documents or policies. In addition, we see that the news is well received.” Says Joeri van Etten.
Step 2: Centralising IT and renewing the digital workplace
The next step towards the modern workplace was taken by Open Line by bringing all infrastructure and the modern workplace together. Using the same partners and technology for all brands has many advantages, including maintaining flexibility and corporate identity. For example, each separate label within the Faber Group can be given a personalised workplace, including access to relevant applications and news.
“By working with Open Line, we are able to get rid of ‘segmented automation’ all together and go to one standard as much as possible. We see that in the long run we can save enormous costs with this because everything becomes less complicated and we use the same standards within our group.” Says Tom Peeters.
Step 3: Offer any type of application, on any device
Within the digital workplace, people easily open all their applications. They only see the applications that are relevant to their role. These can be locally installed applications, virtual applications (based on Citrix) and web applications. By implementing single sign-on, people can open all applications with just one click, without having to log in again each time.
Simplifying Microsoft solutions
Microsoft solutions are easily accessible and easier to use. For example, employees see news from SharePoint, can easily search for teams in Teams and create documents from within the digital workplace. This allows employees to get used to the new solution faster and to easily open, edit and securely share documents from any device.
Planning for the future
The digital workplace continues to evolve. One of the projects Faber Group is now working on, is to bring even more divisions under Open Line and to help all local brands provide their own intranet within the digital workplace.
“We are very happy with the digital workplace and the collaboration with Open Line. What we really like is the personal contact. You can lay down everything in contracts, but there is always something that is not laid down there. They are flexible in this respect and switch quickly” Says Tom Peeters.
What is Workspace 365?
Workspace 365 isn’t just a platform – it simplifies the IT landscape. Helping you and your team tounlock the ultimate digital work focus, so you can concentrate on high-value tasks that truly make an impact.
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