Optimising Costs for Innovation

The Client

Haier Europe is part of Haier Smart Home, a global leader in the smart home appliance sector. Haier Smart Home boasts a network of 10 R&D centres, 71 research institutes, 35 industrial parks, 143 production centres, and a sales network spanning 230,000 points worldwide.

Known for its diverse range of home appliances, Haier Europe sets itself apart with the innovation and quality of its products, designed to enhance everyday life for consumers. The company is also dedicated to sustainability, reducing the environmental impact of its products and production processes.

Addressing technological and contractual difficulties

Haier Europe began with the significant challenge of managing its complex and fragmented IT landscape, particularly in renewing Microsoft contracts at the start of 2024. The challenge included managing price increases, updating technology solutions, and ensuring alignment with Haier’s headquarters in China.

The existing IT infrastructure required major improvements to support global operations and maintain market competitiveness.

To tackle Haier Europe’s initial challenges, SoftwareOne developed a tailor-made solution, offering Microsoft Advisory Services, implementing tools to gather data about the installed Microsoft software, and pinpointing Haier Europe’s specific needs.

• Contract Analysis: By analysing expiring contracts, pricing, and contractual obligations, SoftwareOne proposed the best solution for renewal.
• Technology Improvements: Entra ID and Defender for Office 365 were extended to all employees, with plans to roll out Intune gradually over time.

The adoption of these advanced technologies allowed Haier Europe to significantly improve operational efficiency by automating processes and ensuring centralised and secure IT resource management. The security of corporate data was enhanced through advanced protection measures provided by Azure AD Connect and MS Intune, while Exchange Online and SharePoint bolstered employee productivity and collaboration.

To address Haier Europe’s specific needs, SoftwareOne delivered a full range of consulting and technological support services designed to optimise the IT infrastructure, enhance efficiency, and ensure seamless execution of Microsoft solutions.

• Microsoft Advisory Services: A set of consulting services aimed at maximising the value of Microsoft solutions. These included evaluating business needs, analysing existing infrastructures, strategic technology adoption planning, and managing contracts and licenses. The services also offered best practices, cybersecurity consulting, and change management support, helping cut costs and enhance operational efficiency.
• Azure IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): This cloud infrastructure allows the creation, management, and deployment of applications on a virtual infrastructure, reducing expenses associated with physical servers.
• PowerShell: A configuration management and automation tool that eliminates repetitive tasks, improving consistency and operational efficiency.
• SharePoint: Facilitates collaboration and document management within the company, providing a centralised and secure system for storing and sharing information.