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Landbouwkrediet implemented Belgacom Explore and IP-telephony as a basis for Unified Collaboration. They opted for IP-telephony as part of the changeover to a more flexible office environment. This new approach supports the group’s brisk growth.

The Landbouwkrediet Group is made up of four complementary organizations: the bank Landbouwkrediet and the subsidiary organizations Landbouwkrediet Verzekeringen (Insurance), Europabank and Keytrade Bank. Landbouwkrediet is a cooperative bank. Anyone who subscribes to the bank’s shares becomes a cooperator, of which there are currently over 117,000. These are customers who choose the security and reliability of a long-term relationship with their banker. In the past year, this has proved an advantage, as the bank has been able to maintain a steady course, allowing the group to realize considerable growth. The bank doubled its market share in home mortgages, among other areas. Internet banking also saw significant growth, as did the number of current accounts held by private individuals. (+ 20 percent).

Working flexibly

In order to support this current and future growth, Landbouwkrediet set up a program: ‘workspace of the future’. A number of projects that form part of this program are being implemented simultaneously with the renovation work currently underway on the bank’s headquarters in Anderlecht. Landbouwkrediet is taking this opportunity to shift to the concept of the flexible office environment. “The ultimate goal is an environment in which our staff can work flexibly, without a fixed workspace as in the past, but supported by an array of tools for Unified Collaboration,” explains Yves Danneels, CIO at Landbouwkrediet. “The flexibility goes further than the workspace in our offices. At the same time, we want to develop a basis for enabling more teleworking and satellite working from our locations in Ghent, Mechelen, Leuven and Gembloux.”

Gradual changeover

As the basis for the Unified Communications project, one facet of the program for upgrading the workspace, Landbouwkrediet made the switch to IP-telephony. Later, the bank also plans to use the network to add more tools for Unified Collaboration. Landbouwkrediet was very careful in selecting the right partner for IP-telephony. “We researched various suppliers in function of over 30 parameters. The price aspect was approached as a separate criterion, which we only took into consideration once we had established a list of preferred suppliers based on technical, functional and project criteria. From there we were able to draw up a definitive shortlist of four suppliers.” After a final series of evaluations the solution from Avaya was ultimately selected, with Telindus Belgacom ICT as integrator. “It was important to us to be able to switch over gradually to IP-telephony. Each time a new floor of the building is renovated, the employees in the new office environment have to be able to get started with IP-telephony right away, while the analog telephone switchboard remains in use elsewhere. In the mean time, the first changeover has already been completed so there really was no room for error.” In Anderlecht, some 550 IP-telephones are being implemented. Landbouwkrediet opted for models 9630 and 9620 from Avaya.

Solid basis

In addition to IP-telephony, Landbouwkrediet also introduced Wireless Office for Mobile. “This allows people working elsewhere, including outside the data network, in other words, to stay reachable on a single number,” adds Yves Danneels. Landbouwkrediet chose Belgacom Explore as the platform to bring it all together. Via Explore they plan to allow the satellite offices to switch over to IP-telephony as well. At the same time the new network provides a solid basis for rolling out more functionality for Unified Collaboration. “People still work together best when they can show things to each other, for example, sharing a document or a screen. IP-telephony and Explore form part of the basis for the collaborative model that we are now developing further, which will be extended to the branch offices as well.”

Business benefits

• IP-telephony offers staff more functionality.

• Better accessibility and greater efficiency through Unified Communications.

• Solid basis for Unified Collaboration, with greater productivity and time savings across the entire organization, including the branch offices.

Company Profile

Landbouwkrediet offers a wide range of banking products and insurance solutions, together with the accompanying services. The group employs a staff of over 1,700 and has a network of 288 branch offices.

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