Personalized data cards with self-defined regions in Power BI for Group A

Group A, the umbrella organization behind Kwadro and Belisol in the construction and retail sector, needed to visualize showroom regions that did not align with standard administrative boundaries. ACA Group developed a custom map visualization in Power BI to accurately represent branch groups based on real locations. This business intelligence solution improves data visualization, enables better regional analysis, and supports more informed, data-driven decision-making.

Challenge

Group A needed to clearly map custom-defined branch groups (regions based on showroom locations) for better data visualization and reporting. The existing maps only allowed for official boundaries, which limited their ability to display KPIs and other data tailored to their operational needs.

Solution

A personalized map layer was created using a TopoJSON file, incorporating custom branch groups based on zip codes. The solution was integrated into Power BI, leveraging its features for scalable and user-friendly self-service BI dashboards.

Approach

Group A’s data was collected, including the mapping of municipalities to branch groups. A custom map layer was created using Mapshaper, combining zip code data with StatBel’s conversion tables. This layer was visualized in Power BI, allowing users to drill down into municipality-level data.

Result

A clear, interactive dashboard in Power BI enabled Group A to visualize and analyze KPIs, online leads, customer data, and sales figures per branch group. The solution improved decision-making and operational efficiency, meeting Group A’s requirements for tailored reporting.

To visualize certain KPIs and other important data, group A wanted to use a map of self-defined regions with their branches on it. Group A calls these 'branch groups'. These regions or branch groups are based on the geographic locations of their showrooms. But because it was only possible to visualize official Belgian or Flemish municipal boundaries, they needed support to report their figures in the desired way.

Everyone knows the map of Belgium below, which can be subdivided into regions, provinces, districts and municipalities:

Group A asked us to personalize this map and distribute it in the above-mentioned branch groups. These groups usually consist of a combination of different municipalities in which one or more showrooms are located. In this way they can also go beyond provincial borders, so that you get a new layout of the known map.

The reason for dividing this map into branch groups is so that its reporting can be used by their employees in their day-to-day operations: displaying different types of figures per branch group, the number of online leads or calling new customers and view certain sales figures.

With self-service BI, employees who have little affinity with data or have less technical knowledge can get started with certain data themselves and easily set up and consult dashboards.

Together with Group A, we started collecting data that they already had available, such as a mapping of which municipality belongs to which branch group. We then looked for a map of Belgium in TopoJSON format, a specific file format that encodes topology.

Because the branch groups were already defined per zip code, we selected a map with a subdivision per municipality and with zip code as one of the attributes. Since only maps with NIS code were available as an attribute, we created a map layer ourselves and added zip code as an attribute based on the most recent conversion table from StatBel.

Once this map layer was created, we added the branch group data as an attribute based on zip code. Once this was added, we were able to rearrange the map based on branch group. Creating map layers, adding attributes and rearranging map layers was always done using the free Mapshaper tool.

Afterwards, we further elaborated the different map layers in Power BI. There are many visuals available that allow you to combine multiple map layers. This way, we have created a map visual that can show desired values per branch group and where it is possible to drill-down to the underlying municipalities per branch group. This makes it possible for Group A to show, for example, a turnover figure per branch group on the map. When a certain branch group is clicked, this turnover figure is shown per municipality that is located in the selected branch group.

I came to ACA with a pretty specific question: I wanted to provide insight into certain figures on a map, with a selective representation of our own sales regions and a subdivision within those regions. The ACA data team managed to get this done in no time. The communication was excellent and they strived to deliver exactly what I had in mind. This attitude led to the desired result!

Patricia Alen

Marketing Director at Group A

Patricia AlenMarketing Director at Group A

Streamlined connectivity for Renson’s remote apps

Renson, a manufacturer in the outdoor living and climate control sector, needed a centralized solution to manage patio covers, shading, lighting, heating, and air quality systems across diverse hardware and networks. ACA Group developed integrated control applications that ensured reliable connectivity and unified system management. During COVID-19, a CO₂ monitoring feature was delivered within two weeks, resulting in faster product innovation and improved indoor and outdoor environmental control.

User-friendly City App for the city of Hasselt

Stad Hasselt, a local government organization in the public sector, wanted to improve digital access to municipal services through a mobile application but faced low usability and user adoption. ACA Group conducted UX audits and real-world user testing to optimize the app’s design and functionality. This resulted in a user-friendly mobile app with higher user satisfaction and improved accessibility to city services for residents.

Overview picture of the city of Hasselt made with a drone

One website for a better Digital Experience: Attentia’s #OneAttentia transformation

Attentia, a provider in the HR and wellbeing services sector, needed to improve its customer journey and online presence but faced challenges with fragmented digital platforms. ACA Group developed a unified, future-proof website by consolidating multiple systems into one platform. This integrated web solution enhances the #OneAttentia experience, enabling customers to easily access services while improving operational efficiency, brand consistency, and digital engagement.

Innovative AI model detects damaged pallets at Duvel Moortgat

Duvel Moortgat, a brewery in the food and beverage industry, needed a reliable way to detect damaged pallets to ensure safe and efficient beer transport. ACA Group implemented an AI-powered computer vision solution that automatically identifies pallet defects during logistics processes. This automated quality control system reduces manual inspection, lowers operational costs, and improves supply chain efficiency and product quality.

From mobile charging app to data-driven innovation: our collaboration with MobilityPlus

MobilityPlus, a provider in the electric vehicle (EV) charging and sustainable mobility sector, needed to evolve from a standalone mobile app to a scalable digital platform but lacked a unified data and application architecture. ACA Group built an integrated digital ecosystem with a mobile app, web portal, Azure data platform, and AI-driven solutions. This enables data-driven operations, improves scalability, and supports business growth while strengthening MobilityPlus’ market position.

How ACA Group transformed VDAB's district work voucher system (wijk-werkcheques)

VDAB, a public employment service in the government sector, needed to ensure continuity of its district work voucher system after its external provider discontinued the service. ACA Group developed a secure digital platform to manage and distribute electronic district work vouchers, ensuring compliance and operational reliability. This solution enables uninterrupted service delivery, supports local community work initiatives, and improves efficiency in voucher management and administration.