Helloflex relies on expertise and support from SLTN 

by | Sep 3, 2024

Helloflex makes software for the temporary employment sector. A complete software package with integrated online tools for intermediaries has been brought together in bundles. By combining the different modules, the work of an intermediary is made easier when it comes to payroll administration, invoicing, declarations and the efficient management of contracts.  

 

New hosting platform 

Peter Loopstra is COO at Helloflex. In this role, he is responsible for the daily operation and therefore everything that affects Helloflex customers. “Two years ago, the entire management decided to move to another hosting platform,” says Peter Loopstra. “We didn’t have a any idea how that should look like. After intensive preparation, we saw and experienced that, despite the fact that we have a lot of expertise in-house, we still needed some external expertise.” 

 

From high level to low level 

“We decided to choose SLTN based on a case we developed,” Peter continues his story. “We sent that case to several partners. Ultimately, it emerged that SLTN prescribed the best approach. In addition, we already knew SLTN and that gave us a lot of confidence to choose for them. We involved SLTN in the strategic development of this plan, by including them from the start in our story during the preparation. But we also asked SLTN how they would approach this. Based on that approach, SLTN recommended starting with a high-level design and working from there to a low-level design.”  

 

Broad lines 

Gert Ineke, IT architect at SLTN, adds: “A high-level design is actually the answer to the question: what does a customer want to achieve? From the current situation you then work towards the final situation. What should be included and why are you doing it? Of course, the desired end result must also be included. So no details, but broad strokes.” 

 

Security and cost savings 

“For the high-level design, we first looked extensively at the objectives of Helloflex. These were security and cost savings. Based on these objectives, we decided to set up two separate environments. An environment for internal automation and an environment for customers. We kept these environments strictly separated and based on that we created a high-level design.”  

 

Export and support 

Peter: “In addition to strategic training, we also involved SLTN in the operational implementation of the plan. It was a very big project that we had to do. It also affected all our customers. SLTN certainly supported us for several days in the preparation, but also during the execution of the migration. At one point they were even here permanently on location two days a week.”  

 

Critical deadline 

“We went from an on-prem situation to Microsoft Azure. We chose this route because Microsoft Azure is a proven, high-quality and stable hosting platform. Besides the fact that we wanted this as management, we also had a critical deadline on October 1. At that time we had to switch to a new hosting platform and that deadline was tough. We couldn’t avoid that deadline and we also passed that on to SLTN.” 

 

Migration to Microsoft Azure 

“The impact of the migration to Microsoft Azure was very significant. Especially for our customers. They were all involved. And they also had to be brought over to the new system in a very short period of time of about three months, during the summer holidays. Ultimately, thanks to the thorough preparation and good support from SLTN, everything went very well and smoothly.”  

 

SLTN dedicated partner 

“We experience SLTN’s services as very competent, professional, but also proactive. And especially hands-on. So it’s not just thinking about the approach, but also actually helping with its implementation. We want to continue working closely with SLTN in the coming years. Helloflex really sees SLTN as a dedicated partner for the future.”