In the dynamic world of construction, digital transformation is no longer optional, it's a necessity. The integration of new technologies brings its own set of challenges. Nijhuis Bouw, an established name in the sector, demonstrates how a meticulous and phased approach leads to impressive results. We spoke about digitisation with Arjan van de Weerd, IT & IM Manager, and Silje Leemkuil-Venhorst, Application Manager and driving force for implementing ValidSign at Nijhuis Bouw.
Connection
Nijhuis Bouw fosters the entrepreneurial spirit of its branches, which has led to a wealth of expertise and a strong regional market approach. Within the overarching processes, the branches have the flexibility to incorporate their own ways of working. Arjan articulates it aptly: "The challenge is ensuring everything communicates well with each other and we don't end up with all sorts of disparate solutions." There's a clear need for connection. A noticeably growing demand for greater collaboration and standardisation in IT within the construction sector.
Although ValidSign had been part of Nijhuis Bouw for some time, its full potential remained untapped. Silje picked up the baton. She recognised that the existing integration didn't fully align with the internal processes of the branches. "It's a shame not to introduce digital signing. The workflow simply needs to fit our processes, and that's achievable," Silje explains.
From starting point to standard
Nijhuis Bouw opted for a pragmatic, phased integration, with ValidSign serving as the starting point for their digital signing journey. They began late last year at the Apeldoorn branch, with Rijssen quickly following suit. Assen is now next, with Zwolle and Enschede in their sights. This 'brick by brick' approach, much like building a house, ensures gradual adoption and the opportunity to learn from each implementation.
"The great thing is that ValidSign is so user-friendly and accessible," Silje says. "I can easily contact you, and I always get a quick response. There's also a lot of information available online." This accessibility has significantly aided internal adoption. Time-consuming paper 'lists' are a thing of the past, and while each branch still has its own unique process between start and finish, ValidSign ensures a consistent signing route.
Faster processes and greater focus
The benefits of the phased approach quickly became apparent in practice. "Anyone can lay bricks; the art is to lay the right bricks, in the right order, around the right window frames. Then you're building a house," Arjan continues. And that's how it works with properly implementing systems. Silje adds: "Systems are flexible to a certain extent, but not tailor-made for us. Thanks to the phased approach we're using, we immediately see areas for improvement, and the benefits are directly visible in practice to users. They enthuse each other, and that strengthens the implementation."
Document turnaround times have been drastically reduced. While signers may have needed some time to adjust to digital mail initially, Nijhuis Bouw now notices that the initial download-and-scan phase is occurring less and less. "It's a lot faster," Silje confirms. ValidSign also provides an excellent starting point for streamlining the secretarial workflows across the branches. Internal processes for the secretarial staff have become significantly less cumbersome, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks and less printing, scanning, and mailing.
Building a connected Nijhuis
The success story of Nijhuis Bouw and ValidSign is still unfolding. Through the phased approach and a focus on the unique working methods of each branch, Nijhuis Bouw is literally and figuratively building a more connected and digitally optimised organisation. The project demonstrates that even in a sector often seen as traditional, innovation and efficiency can go hand in hand, as long as implementation is well-thought-out and
