Gemeente Almelo chooses simplicity and connection with Workspace 365
Gemeente Almelo is a Dutch municipality in the Twente region. As the organisation grew to over 1,100 employees, the need for more clarity and connection became clear. This case study shows how they use Workspace 365 to create one central digital workplace. It strengthens communication and brings colleagues together.
✓ One central place for news and updates. Each post reaches over 670+ readers
✓ Active editorial teams improve visibility and keep people informed
✓ The Address Book and team Spaces help people connect and collaborate
✓ A step-by-step move to accessible web applications
✓ A personalised workspace with full access through the mobile app
From a scattered digital workplace to more connection
Alexis Vroom Gossow is project lead for IT and digital transformation at Gemeente Almelo. She oversees the digital workplace and shares:
“We’re really enthusiastic about the digital workplace. We’re proud of what we’ve built so far. And it’s only going to get better.”
Thomas Lucas, application and digital workplace administrator, helped gather input and set things up.
“What’s the strength of Workspace 365? Everything you need, all in one place. Simple,” he says.
In recent years, Gemeente Almelo has grown fast. The team grew from 600 to over 1,100 people. That created challenges. More people means more need for clear communication, a strong digital workplace and easy ways to connect with each other.
The existing tools, scattered newsletters and a Teams-based intranet, made things messy and hard to follow. Important updates didn’t reach everyone. News was missed. New colleagues often didn’t know who was who.
That’s why the council decided to focus on happiness at work and stronger connections. It was time for a fresh approach.
"What we really appreciate about Workspace 365 is how quickly you can switch gears. It’s all very accessible and they truly think along with you. That makes a big difference."
Alexis Vroom Gossow
Project lead for IT and digital transformation, Gemeente Almelo
Happiness at work as the starting point
For years, happiness at work and easy connection between colleagues have been a priority at Gemeente Almelo. After several sessions on this theme, organised by the leadership team, one need became clear. People wanted one central place for communication, news and social connection.
Teams wanted to get to know each other better, find practical information quickly and work within a shared structure. That input marked the starting point for their move to Workspace 365.
Taking it step by step, with a focus on what’s realistic
Because of its complex IT landscape, Gemeente Almelo chose a phased rollout:
Phase 1: Focus on communication, news and easy access to web applications
Phase 2: Gradual migration of applications still running through Citrix
The digital workplace went live in April 2025. The launch was personal and celebratory on purpose. There were baristas, floorwalkers, chocolates and cake on-site. Outdoor staff were also included, with extra focus on the mobile app. It felt like a shared fresh start.
The positive energy was clear. From day one, people started using the platform.
Collaboration and ownership
The implementation was a joint effort with IT partner RawWorks and a Customer Success Manager from Workspace 365. The team describes the collaboration as open, solution-focused and easygoing.
Alexis shares: “What we really appreciate about Workspace 365 is how quickly you can switch gears. It’s all very accessible and they truly think along with you. That makes a big difference.”
Thomas adds: “We were able to do a lot of the setup ourselves, but always got support when we needed it. That balance worked really well for us.”
"What’s the strength of Workspace 365? Everything you need, all in one place. Simple."
Thomas Lucas
Application and digital workplace administrator, Gemeente Almelo
Spaces, simplicity and personalisation
What do people appreciate most? Simplicity.
“It might be quite complex in the background, but for the end user it’s really simple and visual,” says Thomas. Everyone has a personal start page, with custom tiles and personalised news. There are also team Spaces, a central page and a service area for reporting issues. Teams can appoint their own editors. Surprisingly many colleagues signed up, showing how engaged people are.
News is read actively. People respond and interact. The platform is alive.
The digital workplace doesn’t just support productivity. It also helps people feel more connected. The Address Book makes it easier to get to know each other. That’s especially valuable in a fast-growing organisation.
People use their personal pages actively. They share team updates, birthdays and social news too.
“It helps with the work, of course. But more than that, it brings people closer together,” says Thomas.
The results so far
News posts reach over 670 readers each
Active editorial teams across multiple departments
Full adoption by office and field staff
People personalise their own pages and use them daily
What’s next? Building on Everything simplified
With phase 1 complete, the council is now taking the next step. Phasing out Citrix. Adding more integrations. Improving mobile support.
The digital workplace continues to grow with the organisation. Simplicity, ownership and connection stay at the heart of it all.
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.
Nederlands
