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SD Worx SAP Solutions: a thorough HR update at ASTRID
How SD Worx SAP Solutions' integrated system renders Belgium's emergency telecom provider futureproof
In the last 25 years, our private telecom use has changed drastically. The same goes for emergency and security services. That's why ASTRID, the private telecom operator in Belgium for that sector, is constantly innovating - not only in telecom technology, but also in HR technology. SD Worx SAP Solutions built an integrated system for recruitment, feedback and learning management for the network. HR director Carine Kiveryn: “Our employees can now take full control of their careers.”
About SAP
SAP is one of world's leading suppliers of ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems. ERP software streamlines and manages processes and data (in HR and finance, for example) within an organisation. SD Worx is an SAP Gold Partner and helps businesses design and maintain HR architecture and, of course, also takes care of payroll.
Growing from 5 to 140 employees
When you call 112 in Belgium, your call is handled via the ASTRID network. ASTRID maintains a separate network for Belgium's emergency and security services. The network was founded in 1998, when mobile phones still had buttons and mobile internet was just getting off the ground. “As with private operators, ASTRID has co-evolved with the needs of emergency and security services,” Carine says. “We are like any other telecom operator, but our network is even more secure and always available. If you send a video privately and it arrives with delay, it's annoying. If the same happens to emergency services, it can literally be life-threatening.”
Carine has been ASTRID's personnel director since the very beginning. “I was one of the first five employees. As our network became more complex, our workforce grew. This growth accelerated over the last few years. Suddenly, we had 140 employees and still conducted all HR activity via text documents, spreadsheets and email. We lost oversight: data was scattered across different folders and mailboxes, making it hard to identify needs. With 140 employees, a structured system is paramount.”
All data centralised
“We looked into systems that integrate all HR processes, from recruitment and evaluation to learning. SAP SuccessFactors proved ideal for our company size, and SD Worx SAP Solutions proved to be the best supplier. They centralised all data, rendering selection processes more transparent for everyone involved. My time spent sending emails has decreased dramatically.”
“For example: candidates used to apply via email. After my selection, I emailed the manager. They would email their feedback. Then I would send the candidate an email invite, the candidate would email me the requested documents and emails would be sent for all subsequent steps. This was extremely time-consuming. And we could only estimate the vacancy's degree of difficulty at the end of the process. It was a pity, because technical candidates are thin on the ground.”
All communication happens on the same platform. This way, nothing ever gets lost, and everything remains transparent for colleagues and managers.
HR director at ASTRID
“Candidates are now applying via our SAP platform. They upload the necessary documents, and all subsequent communication takes place through the same channels. Managers can constantly monitor the process. They can instantly estimate the vacancy difficulty and can adjust expectations if necessary.”
Evaluating thoroughly in less time
“We also use SAP SuccessFactors for evaluations. We have always had a thorough feedback culture at ASTRID: employees evaluate themselves, but also receive assessments from a supervisor and three self-selected colleagues. This system used to be built on spreadsheets, which the supervisor had to process, which again caused a gigantic email flood.”
“In SAP SuccessFactors, employees assign three colleagues to be assessors. They receive an automated invitation, which they accept or reject and then immediately indicate why, all in the same platform. Finally, all feedback is combined in an automated report.”
“The system is very flexible. We handed our entire competence dictionary to SD Worx SAP Solutions, for example, and they integrated it seamlessly. This allows for even more customised assessments.”
Letting colleagues take control
“In addition, we are now implementing a learning module. We've already listed the required skills needed for promotion. But this information is again scattered across different files. Once everything is centralised, colleagues have a simple overview of the trainings required to grow in their professions. We're letting them take control of their own careers.”
“This is very interesting for management, too. When new vacancies arise, managers have an overview of internal capabilities. Maybe there's no need to look externally at all. In small organisations, this happens automatically, but in larger ones this calls for a systematic approach.”
Aftercare
“Implementing a new system - particularly those incorporating several modules at once - is quite intense in a small organisation. Fortunately, we could count on SD Worx's impeccable aftercare. I highly recommend this service, as there will always be last-minute changes. It's nice to be helped quickly by people who know your organisation. I've gained a lot of respect for software developers.” (laughs)
“We now already spend much less time emailing and searching for documents, but most importantly: we are now future proof, with a highly professional system. We are definitely expanding that further, allowing employees to put their best feet forward.”
