Agricon Group is a rapidly growing company. An IT partner they can rely on is crucial for them. One that wants to move forward at the same pace. From the first contact, Tricore proactively thinks along about the future of Agricon Group. About the technical solutions, but also about the human approach to IT changes.
Agricon Group is the largest producer of bark and potting soil products in Europe. The family business supplies garden center chains in Belgium, Germany, France, Portugal, and Spain. Agricon Group includes five companies that join forces: Agricon, Orkam(outdoor spaces), Woodpecker, Transardennes (Transport company) and Fiberbeast. In addition, they manage two webshops, Agricon and Orkam, where you can easily order their products.
At their new site in Balen, Agricon Group is fully committed to sustainability and circularity. They developed a machine that creates peat-free potting soil products from circular waste streams for lower CO2 emissions. In doing so, Agricon Group is undergoing a transformation to work with and sell sustainable products.
At the table:
Stijn Op de Beeck, Gerrie Convens and Zjef Goelen from Agricon Group (client since 2019)
Robin Wauters and Stijn Derison from Tricore
Good afternoon Stijn, Gerrie, and Zjef. What is your role within Agricon Group and how do you interact with Tricore?
Stijn (Agricon Group): “I have been the financial responsible person and partner of Agricon Group for about 10 years. I always took care of the follow-up and contact with Tricore. Recently, Zjef has taken this over internally.”
“Tricore always thinks along about solutions, even if they are not related to IT.”
Zjef: “About a year ago, I started as Operations Manager at Agricon Group. Internally, I handle the simple IT questions from colleagues, such as questions about Excel or login issues. Furthermore, I am in contact with Tricore for proactive adjustments, such as the software.”
Gerrie: “I have been the Site Manager for two years. I supported the construction of our new site in Balen. As Site Manager, you are responsible for the layout of the factory and the follow-up of the construction. This layout involves a lot regarding software and hardware. I was in close contact with Tricore to coordinate this as well as possible during the design and execution phases.”
Robin and Stijn, what have you done for Agricon Group?
Stijn (Tricore): “At the end of 2019, we came into contact with Agricon Group. At that time, the IT infrastructure was due for renewal. They were already working with some service systems, but there were quite a few problems, error messages, slow connections, and servers… There was also work to be done in terms of security. Together with Pieter Vanspauwen, I conducted an independent audit to make an in-depth evaluation.
“Tricore is a partner you can trust and build with.”
The audit resulted in a complete renewal of the IT infrastructure of Agricon Group. At the beginning of 2020, we replaced the servers, switches, computers, screens, mice, keyboards… This way, every employee got a new workspace. We used an old server as a backup server to postpone that investment. We are always ready for daily IT support as well.”
Stijn (Agricon Group): “During the initial collaboration, we worked at two different locations, in Ham and Tessenderlo. Different places mean different servers that need to communicate seamlessly with each other. That is not a given. Additionally, Tricore supported us earlier this year with the move of the servers and workspaces to our new site in Balen.”
Tricore was in contact with Agricon Group during the design phase of the new site. Is it important for an IT partner to be involved in the design process?
Robin: “Actually, it is crucial that you involve your IT partner in the design phase."
Stijn (Tricore): “We are glad that it turned out this way and that we had the chance to think proactively. Very often we are only involved as the last party in a construction project. Together with the architects and interior architects, we looked at where we could place the IT infrastructure.
“Involving your IT partner in the design phase is crucial to optimize everything from the start.”
Once everything was dust-free, we started placing network equipment, as well as configuring the access points and such. Because you are at the table with everyone, we avoid future problems when setting up the IT infrastructure.”
And then the move followed…
Robin: “For the move of the IT infrastructure, we organized a configuration weekend. On Friday, our colleagues dismantled all the equipment at the old location, and then rebuilt it at the new location. The desks were neatly cabled, all systems were thoroughly connected and tested… This way, all employees could get back to work on Monday. Due to the smooth transition, they noticed very little.”
Is it true that you noticed very little of it?
Gerrie: “Yes, everything was nicely ready on Monday morning.”
Stijn (Agricon Group): “To develop a digitization, you need a partner who supports you in all those matters. Who helps solve technical questions. A partner you trust and build with. This way, we have been able to make great strides together with Tricore.
What makes everything in your collaboration go so smoothly?
Stijn (Agricon Group): “On both sides, there was good preparation. In that regard, we have a very dynamic collaboration. That is also one of the things I appreciate about our partnership. We always get a very quick response when a problem arises. If the employees of Tricore cannot provide an answer over the phone, they present it to other colleagues to see what is possible. Tricore can switch quickly and proactively. Everything is always resolved on their own initiative.”
Zjef: “Indeed. Also with the introduction of multifactor authentication. There are always colleagues who find it more difficult with innovations in the IT infrastructure. Tricore always treats our colleagues in a correct and gentle manner. For example, each colleague receives a professional reminder.”
“During the corona period, Tricore quickly switched to set up our home workstations. Despite the great rush, our employees received all assets on time.”
Stijn (Agricon Group): “That is of course also the advantage of a company that is growing. We are a growing company and so are you. So you understand each other's pace. You both want to move forward.”
You are a large company. Tricore was not that big in 2019. How is it that there was already a lot of trust at that time to take on Tricore as a partner?
Stijn (Agricon Group): “We are a family business with short lines. That’s why we are very flexible and dynamic. When we make a decision, it happens quickly. The first contact with Tricore was very pleasant. I felt that there was a lot of expertise present. Then it goes quickly because you want to move forward.”
Stijn (Tricore): “We are still very happy with that trust. Because a complete renewal of your IT infrastructure is what your company stands for.”
To conclude, what do you think is the greatest strength of Tricore?
Gerrie: “That they think along about the future of Agricon Group. With the construction of the new site, there was a serious shift in terms of digitization. Just think of all the systems involved. Both hardware and software. Tricore collaborates with you to create a secure environment in IT. And also in terms of accessibility. I am always helped quickly. Tricore knows very well how everything is set up here. So if there is a problem somewhere, they know immediately how to solve it.”
Zjef: “I completely agree with Gerrie. The help I received with the multifactor authentication, the proactive and solution-oriented thinking, their accessibility… Those are great added values. The entire Tricore team is always aware of everything.”
Stijn (Agricon Group): “I share the opinion of Gerrie and Zjef.”
Stijn (Tricore): “This only gives more drive to keep doing this.”
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