This makes the group one of the largest Microsoft Dynamics 365 partners in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The ESC Group is strengthening its ranks with the addition of the GMI Group and continues to grow, becoming the largest Microsoft Dynamics partner in Belgium and the Netherlands. As a result, the group now has more than 550 technology specialists with a strong focus on business applications from Microsoft and Exact, modern workplace solutions, AI, and e-business. Earlier this year, ESC also acquired two Microsoft partners in the Netherlands.
GMI Group is a leading company in the world of Microsoft Cloud business applications. The two entrepreneurs, Koen Van de Vel and Ludo Van Baelen, were among the founders of Navision Software—now known as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central—in Belgium. In addition to ERP, GMI specializes in CRM, DMS & Digital Collaboration, Document Handling, e-commerce, and BI. They offer comprehensive solutions for finance, retail, logistics, discrete manufacturing, installation engineering, service, and construction.
“Since 2005, our ambition has been to create maximum added value for our clients. Today, companies expect a customer experience that goes beyond simply implementing technology. The scale of the ESC Group provides us with the platform to meet that demand for innovation, technology adoption, and strategic advice,” explains Ludo Van Baelen, Managing Director of the GMI Group, regarding his decision to join the group.
“Every day, our people go “above and beyond’ to use technology to make a positive impact on organizations. That same passion for going beyond technology and delivering real business value is what connects us to the GMI Group. Their expertise in migration and modernization—specifically in transitioning on-premises applications to the cloud—is also a perfect fit with our cloud focus,” adds Jan Hofman, CEO of the ESC Group.
Koen Van De Vel, managing director of the GMI Group: “To ensure maximum continuity and innovation for our own IP, and to create even more value for our clients based on this, this partnership is the right choice. This also applies to the continued professional development of every GMI employee, who will find even more opportunities for growth, the right work-life balance, and meaningful challenges within the ESC Group.”
The acquisition fits perfectly within the ESC Group’s strategy to become the leading challenger in the European IT and business applications market, in partnership with strong players such as GMI. The group’s customers can now count on even deeper expertise. On the one hand, in Microsoft technologies such as Dynamics 365 CRM, Business Central, Copilot, Power BI, SharePoint, and Microsoft 365. On the other hand, in Exact ERP Business Software, proprietary solutions, e-business, cybersecurity, IT management, and AI.
The current managing directors of the GMI Group, Koen Van de Vel and Ludo Van Baelen, will remain on board as shareholders in the new group. Both will continue to play an active role in GMI’s day-to-day management.
About ESC Group
The ESC Group helps companies and organizations unlock their full business potential through smart business applications, modern workplace technology, and e-business. We offer expert-level strategic consulting, implementation, and support for digital transformation projects. The ESC Group consists of: Advisie, ESC b.v., Net IT, Logic Vision, DynamicHands, and GMI Group, and is a respected and certified partner of both Microsoft and Exact.
Capital A, an investment firm operating in Belgium and the Netherlands, previously acquired a majority stake in ESC. Bolstered by this additional capital and business expertise, we intend to continue meeting the unrelenting demand for smart software and IT specialists through the ESC Group.
About GMI Group
GMI Group provides software and services to companies that wish to automate critical processes. They do so across various domains: ERP, CRM, DMS, ECM, and BI. Thanks to the integrated approach of their 4D Solution Concept, they help their clients unlock their full business potential.
Both SMEs and multinational companies can turn to them for assistance. GMI now has over 400 clients in Belgium and the Netherlands (and internationally), 105 employees, and two offices in Oevel (Westerlo) and Ghent (Zwijnaarde).
