Case studies
The StWN Group focuses on users: That’s what modern work is all about!
Skaylink helped the municipal utility Städtische Werke Nürnberg (StWN) and its subsidiaries, N-ERGIE Aktiengesellschaft and VAG Verkehrs-Aktiengesellschaft, along their way towards creating a state-of-the-art, highly secure work environment.
As customer-friendly and simple as possible? This was the challenge faced by the Städtische Werke Nürnberg and its subsidiaries, N-ERGIE and VAG. Together with Skaylink, the company forged its own path: Instead of imposing a template from above, the approach was based on the needs of the employees in the various departments. Clear structures instead of chaos – made possible by user-centered change management and a well-designed security framework.
Holistic planning and active user involvement – the start of a special project
In terms of municipal public services, the StWN Group serves large parts of Central Franconia as well as neighboring administrative districts. The Group employs about 5,000 people. Added to that, N-ERGIE has over 70,000 companies and municipal utilities as customers.
The philosophy of breaking new ground and working together to achieve success for our customers is deeply rooted in the StWN Group. In Nuremberg, IT issues are also approached with an open mind: A preliminary project was carried out to achieve the goal of a modern, digital work environment for all employees. Employees from all departments were involved, describing the digital obstacles they face in their daily work and outlining their specific requirements and preferences regarding the new solutions. To support the project, the StWN Group was looking for a strategic partner who could assess the company′s readiness for Microsoft 365. In a Europe-wide bidding process, Skaylink proved to be the perfect fit. Our cloud experts view modern work primarily as the interplay between a clear security strategy and the active involvement of employees.
Mastering multidimensional challenges – with precise planning and a holistic approach
From day one, the StWN Group and Skaylink pursued a vision that was not just an IT project, but a company-wide initiative driven by the employees. Alongside the IT department, Human Resources and the Works Council were involved from the very start. The StWN Group entrusted project management to Verena Beck, an IT consultant at N-ERGIE, and Heike Rudtke, a project manager in N-ERGIE’s Human Resources department. Together with Skaylink, several adjustments were made at various stages, which came together as the project progressed and led to its success:
- Analysis of benefits and technical upgrades: To prepare for the rollout of Microsoft 365 solutions, the readiness level of each department was assessed. Using data from the preliminary project, Skaylink and the StWN Group developed the best solutions for each area, as well as a plan for their optimal implementation. They decided on a broad rollout of Microsoft 365.
- The Pioneer Program: The typical “train-the-trainer” IT approach was tailored to the StWN Group and elevated to a whole new level: A total of 250 employees volunteered to gain in-depth knowledge of Microsoft 365 solutions and then share that knowledge with their departments. They received comprehensive training and exclusive access to the new technologies beforehand.
A key factor in the success of this multidimensional project was that the Skaylink team of experts invested a great deal of time in understanding the specific corporate culture at the StWN Group. This became the cornerstone of a trusting working relationship. Skaylink recommended that technical implementation be carried out using a step-by-step, user-centered approach.
The actual rollout of Microsoft 365 began in October 2024, with the IT department as the first user group. After that, 200 to 400 additional users were migrated every two weeks. This pace allowed careful monitoring of the network infrastructure without disrupting the IT department′s day-to-day operations.
The Pioneer Program was at the heart of the change process. It began with a grand opening event at the planetarium – a fitting venue, as 250 pioneers guided users through a new digital universe. Employees were trained on the new applications and supported during the implementation phase with short, practical videos created by Skaylink’s Training Center. There were also online training sessions for the pioneers and other target groups.
The pioneers act as permanent points of contact and influencers in their departments. They offer consultation hours and provide support in using the new digital tools. As a result, they reduce the workload on IT support and help anchor these new ways of working into the company culture in the long term.
The project at a glance
The customer:
The StWN Group
The challenge:
The StWN Group wanted to provide employees and external partners with modern collaboration tools. The varied structure of the corporate group required a customizable process to meet the needs of all departments.
The solution from Skaylink:
Together with the StWN Group, Skaylink developed a highly user-centered, multidimensional strategy: Preliminary projects were conducted to assess the maturity level and identify the needs of individual departments with regard to modern Cloud solutions and to establish a security framework. The solutions were implemented in a second stage. Skaylink and around 250 volunteer pioneers from the various departments trained the staff and acted as influencers in the process. Using the Change Concept – which consists of M365 training, the Learn Hub, and the Pioneer Network – the company successfully transitioned approximately 5,000 employees to a Cloud-based, future-proof work environment in under two years.
“The collaboration with Skaylink was extraordinary.”
The multidimensional approach made it possible to complete the project in under two years. The implementation was very smooth and went by almost unnoticed by users. StWN Group employees now have tools that allow them to work together much more efficiently and collaborate more easily.
The project has not only modernized the technological infrastructure, but has also supported an important cultural development: The employees were included and listened to. This has given them confidence in these new technologies. Through the Pioneer Program, they are constantly discovering new ways to streamline their workflows. Differences in the pace of adaptation across the different departments are accepted in order to allow for a natural “gradual transition” into the new solution environment. This means that employees see the switch to Microsoft 365 as a real benefit in their day-to-day work.
Skaylink adapted flexibly to the circumstances within the StWN Group, and a special partnership quickly developed. The team of cloud experts provided the technological foundation and also served as a strategic partner on equal footing. The collaboration was characterized by open, honest communication and respectful interaction. “The team not only contributed technical expertise, but also guided us through complex decision-making processes and consistently provided fresh insights,” emphasizes Verena Beck, an IT consultant at N-ERGIE. Skaylink was also impressed by the client’s holistic approach: “The full commitment all the way up to the executive board and the decision not to view the project solely as an IT issue were essential building blocks and key factors in its success,” says Nadine Wutz, IT Project Manager at Skaylink.
Outlook
The StWN Group and Skaylink are currently working to make the most of the new platform’s capabilities, strengthen IT operations with Microsoft 365 on a long-term basis, and drive digital transformation forward. To this end, Skaylink offers managed services that ensure the long-term success of projects and provide reliable support even for issues that surface later on. This ensures that the IT department continues to receive comprehensive support even after the project is completed – it is not left to fend for itself. Heike Rudtke therefore draws a thoroughly positive conclusion:
“The collaboration with Skaylink was extraordinary. The consultants always thought outside the box and used their experience to show us new ways forward.”
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The StWN Group focuses on users: That’s what modern work is all about!
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