Driven by ambition, growth and quality, Astena, iFacto Group, Infront and Qubix join forces to form a group of 200 consultants with a turnover of €27 million assets in Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP, E-Commerce, CRM, Power Apps en Modern Workplace.

Knowledge group around Microsoft Dynamics with numerous synergies

"We are forming a group so that we can work even better to fully digitise our customers based on Microsoft's total offering. A huge synergy is created in terms of product development, marketing, sales, recruitment and training," states Steven Arrazola de Oñate, Managing Partner of iFacto Group.

"This collaboration also makes us all even more accessible. With 5 branches in Kontich, Ghent, Hasselt, Kortrijk and Breda, which are fully equipped according to the new and hybrid way of working, the group has a pleasant base of operations for its employees to quickly serve the 700 customers."

Cooperation is in our DNA

Astena was founded in 2006 as part of the Cronos Group. "We were then looking for a habitat where people know what investing in software means and where a lot of IT knowledge was already available in-house. It proved to be a good choice then, and still remains an excellent move today. Numerous fine collaborations have emerged with other Cronos companies across many projects. To provide the best answer to certain customer questions, we bring in the expertise of a partner company. So collaboration is in our DNA," says Wim Vandesompele, founder and managing partner of Astena. 

"The decision to join forces was inspired by the common desire to be a leading player and to benefit from the advantages of each of the companies" explains Wim Vandesompele.

" To give our customers an even better service in terms of Microsoft software, Astena is stepping into this cluster. Together, we form a group of four specialists in the Microsoft platform, including Dynamics 365Microsoft 365Power Platform and Azure, and will therefore collaborate very intensively based on our specialisations and industry knowledge. "

Reliable advisor with top expertise

With total solutions for e.g. construction and installation companies, project developers, wholesalers in electro, tools, steel, building materials, decoration Astena and iFacto are a privileged partner for their customers including Durabrik, X²O, Stanley Security Systems, Beneens, Varo, Furnibo, Beddeleem, Van Oirschot, Driesen Algemene Bouw, Prof Praxis, Belcotec, LivWise... "Thanks to the bundled knowledge, they can now receive even better advice both in technical terms and with knowledge on the digitalisation of business processes," explains Wim Vandesompele of Astena.

Within the group 3 MVPs (Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals) Eric (waldo) Wauters and Vjeko Babic are currently working for Microsoft Business Applications and Yannick Reekmans for Microsoft Office365 Development.  Microsoft granted each of them this award several times because of their in-depth expertise and their exceptional commitment as pioneers within the Microsoft Community.

In a highly competitive market, finding and keeping the right employees is always a challenge. Yet this group manages to keep growing.  This year alone 32 new employees have been hired and 73 new projects have been won.  Figures in full Covid crisis attest to the entrepreneurial mindset shared by the companies.

High growth potential

With this move, the group, recognised as a Microsoft Gold Partner, suddenly becomes the largest and strongest Microsoft Dynamics Business Central partner in Belgium.

Recently, the first steps were also taken in the Netherlands with the establishment of iFacto Netherlands and the acquisition of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 business and Datamex's DX Steel and Pro Steel products.  The new office in Breda immediately provides a new base of operations for the other activities from the group to the Netherlands.

"This creates huge growth potential for the coming years.  By continuing to grow organically, through acquisitions and start-ups of new initiatives, we aim to reach the 300-people mark by 2025," concludes Steven Arrazola de Oñate.

More information on the companies at www.astena.bewww.ifacto.bewww.infront.be and www.qubix.be.

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