Introduction
About VME Einrichtungspartnerring
The Einrichtungspartnerring VME is one of the leading furniture alliance groups based in Bielefeld. With around 100 employees and external partners, VME offers a wide range of services, including furniture purchasing, marketing campaigns, software products and data services. The company is known for its innovative approach and its ability to provide customized solutions to its members that improve their performance in retail.
The Challenge
About six years ago, VME faced the challenge of modernizing its outdated IT infrastructure. The existing system no longer met modern requirements, making it difficult for the company to work efficiently and develop innovative services. Additionally, a strategic shift placed a stronger focus on the development of new services. The establishment of a digitalization department and the appointment of a Chief Digital Officer (CDO) were the first steps in this direction. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated this process, as the need for remote work and digital collaboration increased drastically.
The Solution
VME decided to implement Microsoft 365 to modernize its IT infrastructure and improve collaboration. With the support of the Public Cloud Group (PCG), a comprehensive solution was developed that covers all aspects of IT, from cloud infrastructure to IT security and disaster recovery. Employees were equipped with laptops and VPN access to enable remote work from anywhere. Training and community management programs were introduced to educate employees on how to use the new tools. The introduction of Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive enabled seamless collaboration and secure data sharing.
Results and Benefits
- Improved Communication and Collaboration: With Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, employees can collaborate seamlessly in real-time, regardless of location.
- Increased Flexibility and Mobility: Employees can work from anywhere thanks to cloud-based services, which was especially beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Enhanced IT Security: Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint provide comprehensive protection against threats and enable a swift response to security incidents.
- Efficient Management and Scalability: Microsoft 365 cloud services allow for flexible scaling of IT resources, reducing the need for extensive hardware investments.
- Proactive Support and Continuous Development: The collaboration with the Public Cloud Group (PCG) ensures that VME can effectively use the new tools and continuously adapt the IT infrastructure to meet current requirements.
Future Outlook
VME plans to further expand the use of Microsoft 365 and implement new technologies such as Microsoft Copilot and Teams Premium. These tools are designed to further enhance efficiency and productivity, enabling employees to develop innovative solutions. Another focus is on IT security, particularly the implementation of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, to further improve the security of the IT infrastructure. The collaboration with the Public Cloud Group will continue to play a key role in ensuring that VME stays at the forefront of technology and provides the best possible solutions for its members.
About PCG
Public Cloud Group (PCG) supports companies in their digital transformation through the use of public cloud solutions.
With a product portfolio designed to accompany organisations of all sizes in their cloud journey and competence that is a synonym for highly qualified staff that clients and partners like to work with, PCG is positioned as a reliable and trustworthy partner for the hyperscalers, relevant and with repeatedly validated competence and credibility.
We have the highest partnership status with the three relevant hyperscalers: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, and Microsoft. As experienced providers, we advise our customers independently with cloud implementation, application development, and managed services.