We have strong ties with educational institutions. Some clients have been working with Alistar for over 20 years. That\u2019s a long time! What\u2019s the story behind that? What makes this partnership work so well after all these years? Has it always gone smoothly, or have there been milestones when the partnership faced challenges? In short, what makes Alistar the kind of partner that\u2019s trusted to be the go-to knowledge partner\u2014sometimes for more than 20 years?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We spoke with Pierre Loeffen, finance and control manager at ROC de Leijgraaf in Veghel. It was a heartwarming story about a partnership characterized by trust, direct communication, and expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pierre immediately begins talking enthusiastically about his collaboration with Alistar\u2019s education specialist, Teun van Essen. While collaborations often have their ups and downs, Pierre\u2019s story is one of nothing but highlights. Things are just going well; there\u2019s trust, and everything is running smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pierre: \u201cI\u2019ve been working at ROC de Leijgraaf since 2008; back then, Exact Financials<\/a> our entire package. It was a very pleasant experience, and whenever there was a problem, it was resolved immediately and effectively by an Alistar consultant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first consultant I worked with was truly seasoned; he really knew everything. Of course, that works very well. But actually, this applies to all Alistar consultants who come here. And, of course, to Teun as well. He\u2019s an authority in his own right. These people really know their stuff, and that\u2019s why we\u2019ve been a client for so long. I have our regular consultant\u2019s cell phone number; that gives me peace of mind. I don\u2019t need it very often, but if I do, I can reach out. That way, we never get stuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018On top of that, I can explain everything to the consultant in so-called \u2019layman\u2019s terms,\u201d and he immediately translates it into the right technical language. That saves me a lot of time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey really know what they\u2019re doing, which is why we\u2019ve been customers for so long.\u201d<\/p>\nPierre Loeffen<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Pierre continues enthusiastically: \u201cSo we work with Exact Financials<\/a>, but also with ProActive. We\u2019ve been using this software for three years now. Previously, we used a different system. It was primarily a digital archiving system, and we asked them if they could also develop a solution for a digital purchasing and ordering process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When we put this question out there, we also discussed it with Teun. To my surprise, Teun attended the presentation to contribute his ideas and provide us with tips and tricks. I found that quite remarkable, considering that the other company was actually a competitor of Alistar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We ended up partnering with that company, but over time, it didn\u2019t quite meet our needs. It was limited to digital archiving, whereas we really wanted to place orders and issue invoices digitally and integrate directly with Exact. We called Teun again, and that\u2019s when ProActive came into the picture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since ProActive was added to Exact Financials<\/a> A lot of time has been saved. Whereas Pierre used to have to do a lot of manual checks under the old system, that\u2019s no longer necessary. The speed at which invoices are linked to Exact is also a major improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pierre explains: \u201cIt was implemented remotely, after which the consultant visited us to explain everything. The whole process went very smoothly. Afterward, we received a report and a reference guide so that we can always review everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor several years now, we\u2019ve been part of a digital \u2018User Group\u2019 for Alistar\u2019s educational solutions, along with other educational institutions. A lot of knowledge and information is shared there.\u201d<\/p>\nROC de Leijgraaf<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n So the relationship between the ROC and Alistar is strong, but in a competitive bidding process, an organization can, of course, always switch to an even better-suited solution, if one turns out to be available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI just don\u2019t want to switch; everything works well, communication is good, and I know who I\u2019m working with. No offense to other software packages, but I just don\u2019t see why I\u2019d go to all that trouble.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On top of that, Teun also knows very well what is and isn\u2019t relevant to us. For several years now, we\u2019ve been part of a so-called digital \u2018user group\u2019 for education, together with a group of ROCs and other educational institutions. Teun set this up. As soon as there\u2019s a relevant update or release from Exact or the education sector, he immediately shares the information there. We also exchange ideas there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When asked if there are any milestones to highlight in the collaboration with Alistar, Pierre has to think carefully. To him, it feels like one big tribute, and aside from the excellent service and collaboration, he can\u2019t immediately name anything specific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The milestone is actually woven into the story's central theme: Alistar knows what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and how to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pierre says: \u201cIf we have a problem and I call the consultant, he\u2019ll fix it. Even on a day when it\u2019s scorching hot and he\u2019s out watering his garden. And that\u2019s no exaggeration. He makes time for us, and we get the help we need. I can\u2019t put it any better than that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI just don\u2019t want to go along with every update; it\u2019s not always relevant, and it\u2019s not always worth the effort and expense. Teun proactively keeps us informed about that, too. If he knows that something is relevant to us but not to someone else, he\u2019ll be honest about it with both clients. I\u2019d really describe the collaboration as informal and professional. Everyone is knowledgeable, the service desk is great, and response times are fast,\u201d says Pierre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We don't have any specific software-related goals for the future at this time. A merger with another school is in the works. Fortunately, they also use Exact Financials<\/a>, so this will probably go smoothly. Pierre is very clear on this as well: \u201cWishes for the future? Yes, that things stay the way they are!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For ROC de Leijgraaf, quality education is the top priority. The personal development and learning of the students are central to everything they do. Everything they do revolves around the students. They not only ensure that students are well-prepared for the future but also that they continue to actively work toward it themselves. They do this for the region, but increasingly also in partnership with the region.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n They work with Exact Financials<\/a> and the ProActive purchase-to-pay solution. Learn more at ROC de Leijgraaf<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Exact Financials and ProActive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Time savings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Provision of Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Milestones in the Collaboration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Relevant updates and future plans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
About ROC de Leijgraaf<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Take Control of Your Financial Processes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n