Work where you need to: the cloud makes it possible

Franca van der Veer, operations manager at Mijande Wonen, explains how the project (aptly named “Workplace 365”) came about. "Concrete reason was that the contract with our then IT provider was coming to an end. At that point, we started considering our requirements and the questions we would want to address in a new tender. For us, being able to work anywhere is particularly important. Working where you are needed, we call it. Whether our employees are in the office, at home or at tenants' premises, they need to be able to do their work properly facilitated and safely.''

Digital workplace

The choice of Previder

Richard Pieksma, who supports Mijande Wonen as information manager, spearheaded the project. "A few years back, an information policy plan was drawn up as part of a new business plan. One of the things laid down in it is that we want to work with standards, such as those of Microsoft. Based on that, we started looking for a supplier that could realise our dream workplace. That ended up being Previder. An important reason for that choice was that we wanted a party that could not only set up the workplace well technically, but could also ensure that people could work well with it and preferably really embrace the new workplace. On that point - adoption - Previder had the best story. Most IT companies are perfectly capable of realising a project perfectly technically, but they are not all equally strong in the soft side, the human aspect. And Previder had good references, that also played a role." Franca adds: "We had several interviews beforehand with Previder employees who would handle the implementation of the project. In those conversations, we immediately noticed that we understood each other well. There was a real click."

Complex and far-reaching

Richard briefly summarises the technical aspects of the project: "We completely rebuilt the IT environment from scratch and also switched hosting providers. We went from Citrix to a completely new workspace, with a completely different interface. We put all applications in the cloud. We had the network completely redesigned, with the complicating factor that we were moving from two branches to one central office location. All in all, it was a complex and far-reaching project, with many changes for the employees. That's why that adoption process was so important."

Adoption process

Communications consultant Judith Pohlmann, who took on the role of change manager as part of the Workplace 365 project, thinks the adoption process was handled well from Previder. "We had great discussions to choose the best solutions together. In the process, we used a form to map the digital skills of colleagues, so that we could give everyone the attention they needed. From each team, there is an ambassador as a point of contact for colleagues. Furthermore, we organised several information sessions and question hours and conducted a survey to evaluate and ask where needs still exist. After the summer holidays, we will organise training and in-depth sessions. As far as I am concerned, it was a great project, in which we achieved a lot in a short time."

Committed and responsible

Richard is delighted with the collaboration with Previder. "They have a methodical, structured approach and work according to a well-founded technical design and a solid plan of action, with documentation in order. This was reflected in the execution of the project: all milestones were met, all agreements on costs and quality were fulfilled. This shows that Previder is a party with a lot of experience. And everyone felt involved and responsible. I still have regular contact with them and it's done in a familiar and personal way."

Frank and honest

Judith shares Richards' enthusiasm. "I experienced the collaboration as very pleasant. As we worked together on the project, it felt like the Previder employees were colleagues of ours. The lines were short, we could find each other easily and quickly. When the project was completed, we almost regretted it." Franca nods in agreement. "I experienced it the same way as Judith. What I also liked was that we were very frank and honest with each other. In the concluding phase of the project, we were also all reflective; what went well and what could we learn for next time? We worked hard but also had a lot of fun together. The week of going live, many people from Previder and Winvision were also on site to support the users. They handled that in a very approachable, patient and respectful way. Very useful, because there were employees who went to work with a stomach ache that Monday. Just the presence of all those experts was reassuring."

Freedom and safety

Asked about the big gain the new environment gives Mijande Wonen, Franca does not have to think for long. "That is the freedom for the employees. It's just wonderful that you can sit down and work safely with your laptop anywhere, with a solution that works the same everywhere and always. That gives a new dimension to working where you are needed."

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