Helloflex relies on expertise and support from SLTN
Helloflex makes software for the staffing industry. A complete software package with integrated online tools for intermediaries have been brought together in bundles. By combining the various modules, an intermediary’s work is made easier when it comes to payroll, invoicing, returns and efficiently managing contracts.
New hosting platform
Peter Loopstra (30) is COO of Helloflex. Within this role, he is responsible for the day-to-day operations and therefore directly responsible for everything that affects Helloflex’s customers. “Two years ago we decided as a full board to move to another hosting platform,” Peter Loopstra says. “In doing so, we did not yet have a good idea of what that should be. After intensive preparation, we saw and experienced that, despite having an awful 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,” Peter continues his story. “We sent that case to several partners. In the end, it showed that SLTN prescribed the best approach. In addition, we already knew SLTN and that gave us a lot of confidence to choose them. We involved SLTN in the strategic formation of this plan by including them completely in our story right from the preparation stage. But we also asked SLTN how they would approach this. Based on that approach, SLTN recommended that we start with a high-level design and work toward a low-level design from there.”
Big picture
Gert Ineke, IT architect within 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 toward the final situation. What needs to be included and why are you doing it? Of course, it must also include the desired end result. So no details, but big picture.”
Security and cost savings
“For the high-level design, we first took a comprehensive look at Helloflex’s objective. These were security and cost savings. Based on these objectives, we decided to set up two separate environments. One environment for the internal automation and one environment for the customers. We kept these environments strictly separate and based on this we created a high-level design.”
Output and support
Peter: “In addition to the strategic formation, we also involved SLTN in the operational implementation of the plan. It was an incredibly big project we had to do. It also affected all of our customers. SLTN supported us in this for several days, certainly in the preparation, but also during the execution of the migration. At one point they were even here permanently on site 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 quality and stable hosting platform. In addition to wanting this as a board, we also had a critical deadline on Oct. 1. We had to be over to a new hosting platform by then, and that deadline was rock solid. We couldn’t get out of that and we took that on board with SLTN.”
Migration to Microsoft Azure
“The impact of the migration to Microsoft Azure was very big. Especially for our customers. They were all affected. And they also had to be pulled over in a very short period of about three months, during the summer vacations. In the end, because of SLTN’s thorough preparation and good support, that went very well and smoothly.”
SLTN dedicated partner
“We experience SLTN’s service as very knowledgeable, professional, but also proactive. And particularly also hands-on. So it’s not just thinking about the approach, but actually helping to implement it. We want to continue working closely with SLTN in the coming years. Helloflex really sees SLTN as a dedicated partner for the future.”