"We are not just an ICT supplier, but truly a digitization partner."

Since its founding in 1987, Van Meijel Automatisering BV has set itself one major goal: to make construction digital. Because tomorrow's workday really can be smarter, more fun and more efficient, they believe. "With our solutions, we want to help the infra, construction and related sectors take that step toward digitalization, making them truly ready for the future," says Victor van de Kaa, relationship manager at VanMeijel. He advises companies in the transformation to a fully digitally supported construction process. 

Digitizing and innovating is crucial

We are in an era where major technological changes are occurring in rapid succession. "The future of construction also goes hand in hand with new technologies," according to Van de Kaa. "We have our own clear vision focused on the future. In doing so, we do not lose sight of the dynamic aspect of construction projects and we know that complex processes bring challenges. And that is exactly where we can make the difference. Because the difference is not made by simply putting forward a solution. We want to understand how we can make the organization work smarter and more efficiently. Good advice requires empathy and abstract thinking. Because when we understand the customer, we understand the processes and can recommend improvements."

Philosophy in customer approach

VanMeijel maintains a certain philosophy in how customers are treated. "That starts with absolute customer focus. That's why we have a Customer Success Team, which is primarily responsible for customer satisfaction, at every level in the organization. For management, for example, we organize strategy sessions, in which we stay away from technology but have much more of a conversation about ambition, goals and the role of digitization in this to achieve them. We have periodic contact with IT managers so that the short- and medium-term plans are aligned," Van de Kaa says.

Customer Success Team

The Customer Success Team is all about customer satisfaction. Also one of the most important pillars on which VanMeijel as an organization steers. But how do you achieve that? "First of all, the customer is assigned a fixed point of contact. All the ins and outs of the customer's business goes through this person. A single point of contact, short lines of communication and fast switching contribute to a satisfied customer. This permanent contact person can then internally connect several facets of the organization, but remains responsible for the whole. What is important here is a certain frequency of contact. The customer does not always have an immediate question, but sometimes a brief sparring session is pleasant. It then becomes clear to us where any wishes or challenges lie and we are on the ball. This way we continue to develop with the customer requirements in mind." Customers are also regularly asked how they would rate their cooperation with VanMeijel. "By continuously engaging in dialogue and learning from this, we can adjust ourselves and our service where necessary or apply the successes elsewhere. And the customer thus has an opportunity to hear both sides of the argument, in good and less good moments."

Strategy Sessions

"Furthermore, we think it is crucial to be able to advise a client well. For that, you need to know: what is the added value? What is going to bring you results? Where is the return? Whether that is time gain, or error reduction, a cost saving or a bit of professionalization for the employees. To find out, we work at VanMeijel with strategy sessions, as mentioned earlier." The client is invited to our office in Emmeloord, which also includes some representatives of the MT. Both from the client and from VanMeijel. "They are the decision makers and with them we talk about the pathways we are going to walk through together, strategically. Where do you want to be in three years? What are your ambitions and ICT goals? On what basis will decisions be made? How is the collaboration going and what are the expectations? Through this interaction with the customer you get to know each other better, we know where the customer wants to go and how we can facilitate that. Of course, the customer is also allowed to know where we are going as an organization, what is on our roadmap. Based on that transparency and the strategic analysis, you can give honest and sincere advice. We make a digitization plan in which we jointly determine what the logical steps are."

Van de Kaa concludes, "If you do business with a software vendor, make sure you choose a company that also fits you culturally-technically, understands, challenges and advises you. It's really about the processes and the people in your organization. Because you can have such beautiful software, but only if the people want to work with it will the return follow. That's why we think change management support is so important."