Our experts Alexander Frimout and Peter Jans recently gave an interesting information session at VOKA about Innovation Management in Finance for a select group of CFOs and finance professionals. The session took place in an interactive setting with representatives from various companies including Nitto Belgium, P V Panels, Houben, Group Ceyssens, etc. During the session, Alexander and Peter covered several important themes: Technological developments in finance : The latest technological possibilities that can transform the financial sector. The role of AI in finance: How artificial intelligence can contribute to more efficient and effective financial processes. Process innovation in finance: Innovation in financial processes and the development of new financial products and services. The presentation was followed by interesting discussions and interactive dialogues, which led to valuable insights and inspiration for those present. We thank VOKA for the opportunity and look forward to future collaborations! Curious about how AI can enhance your Finance department? Book a (no-obligation 😉) call with Peter Jans and discover the possibilities solutions that can support your team. ⬇️ Book a call with Peter

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and reshape industries, ACA Group’s own Alexander Frimout is at the forefront, sharing practical insights and expertise on how businesses can harness this technology. At a recent sold-out event, Alexander explored the real-world applications of generative AI, moving beyond the chatbot capabilities most people are familiar with. His session drew a full house of business leaders eager to understand how AI can drive efficiency and innovation in their organizations. Here’s a look at what made this event such a success. On September 19th, our very own AI expert Alexander Frimout delivered an insightful presentation at the Voka Breakfast Club event in Leuven , which sold out with 90 attendees. The topic, Generative AI in Practice , drew significant interest, reflecting the growing curiosity and excitement around the potential of AI technologies in business. While many are familiar with ChatGPT as a chatbot, Alexander went beyond the basics, demonstrating how generative AI can transform business operations in ways that extend far beyond customer service. By showcasing practical use cases, he highlighted how companies are already leveraging AI to optimize workflows, boost efficiency, and create new value from their existing data. These examples illustrated that AI, when used strategically, can act as a catalyst for innovation and productivity across various industries. Alexander also addressed common concerns surrounding AI, such as data privacy, implementation complexity, and cost. His presentation broke down these barriers, showing how AI can be integrated into daily operations without heavy financial or technical burdens, making it more accessible to organizations of all sizes. He emphasized that the real power of AI lies in its ability to adapt and evolve based on a company’s specific needs, whether for automating repetitive tasks, improving decision-making processes, or driving more personalized customer experiences. With such high demand for his expertise, Alexander is frequently featured at events, helping organizations to understand and embrace the benefits of AI. From industry conferences to specialized workshops, he’s a regular speaker, providing hands-on guidance on how to unlock the full potential of AI in practical, impactful ways. This sold-out event underscores the increasing interest in AI solutions and ACA Group’s role in driving that conversation forward. We’re proud to see Alexander leading these discussions and helping businesses explore the future of AI technology. Quick question? Send us a whatsapp message

Antwerp, September 12, 2024 – Following the success of the first edition, we held the second MongoDB Belgium Meetup at our Antwerp office. Once again, this meetup brought together a group of passionate MongoDB users and tech professionals for an engaging and interactive session. This time, the focus was on creating powerful search experiences with MongoDB Atlas and the latest Vector Search technologies. Creating Search Experiences with Atlas Vector Search Kenneth Westelinck, Senior Solution Architect at ACA Group, led a hands-on workshop titled "Creating Search Experiences with Atlas Vector Search." In this session, Kenneth demonstrated how MongoDB can be used to develop robust search functionalities, crucial for modern, customer-centric websites. During the workshop, the importance of a well-functioning search feature was highlighted. "If a customer can't find what they're looking for, they're likely to shop elsewhere," Kenneth explained. He showcased how MongoDB's Full Text Search helps retrieve data, even when search terms contain spelling mistakes. Participants also learned how Vector Search can handle more advanced queries, such as finding "fluffy animals," with results ranging from pets to children's books about Sesame Street. An interactive and insightful workshop The meetup offered plenty of opportunities for interaction and questions, resulting in lively discussions among attendees. Thanks to the live demos and hands-on exercises, participants were able to experience firsthand how easy it is to work with MongoDB Atlas and its advanced search capabilities. Kenneth’s closing words? "Those who weren't here missed out – it was a fun and insightful workshop!" The MongoDB Community continues to grow Like the first meetup, this session once again showcased the innovative potential of MongoDB and the growing popularity of NoSQL technology in Belgium. The success of these meetups shows that the MongoDB Belgium Community is expanding, and we look forward to continuing this momentum in future meetups.

Last month, Tom De Wolf , Data Mesh Expert at ACA Group, delivered an insightful online webinar for the international Data Mesh community. Tom De Wolf's presentation detailed our data mesh journey within the Flemish Cultural Sector, and explained the immense added value of our Data Mesh approach, emphasizing the self-service capabilities for both data product developers and consumers. The session also touched upon the architecture, operating model, and governance of the platform. Missed the live session? No worries! You can watch the full recording here: This initiative was a collaborative effort between ACA Group, the Department of Culture, Youth and Media, and publiq vzw. Our effort also earned the Flanders Digital Award 2023 for Best Digital Transformation Project. In collaboration with the Flemish Government and publiq, we delivered a groundbreaking project. Together, we created a data-driven platform for the cultural sector, harnessing the power of Data Mesh. This platform has significantly contributed to the digital transformation of the Flemish cultural sector, showcasing an innovative approach that encourages collaboration and efficiency. Learn more about the project on our Customer Success Stories page . A big thank you to the Data Mesh Learning Community for organizing and providing this opportunity! 📺 Watch the Recording Now

Tune into the latest episode of Data Mesh Radio ! Where our colleague Tom De Wolf shares insights on applying Platform Engineering for Data Mesh. Listen and gain valuable insights into how ACA Group engineers a robust platform, demystifying the technical challenges of #DataMesh . 🚀 🎧 Listen to the podcast!

26 March 2024 - ACA Group is proud to announce its exclusive partnership with MongoDB , a leading modern database platform renowned for its flexibility and performance. This strategic collaboration signifies a milestone in our dedication to driving innovation within Belgium's tech industry. We are excited to welcome ACA Group as the newest member of our MongoDB partner ecosystem. We see increasing traction for our product in the Belgian market and a strong partner like ACA Group, who are known for supporting their customers with innovative and quality solutions, is an absolute asset to meet the growing demand for MongoDB experts. — Katrien Pagnaer, Regional Vice President at MongoDB Exclusive partnership This partnership allows us to create an even better connection between the MongoDB product and our customer. We gain access to MongoDB's resources, expertise and additional support, resulting in high-quality service for our customers. Moreover, this partnership offers us the opportunity to respond very quickly to new market trends. For example, we recently applied MongoDB Atlas Vector Search when working with LLMs (Large Language Models), creating better solutions for our customers. In our time working with MongoDB, we have seen its evolution from an on-premises database to a cloud provider-agnostic solution, with hosting capabilities on Azure, AWS and GCP, and a host of innovative services. MongoDB is a proven , a powerful product that has attracted an impressive group of experts within the Benelux. We are honored to work with them and this partnership represents an important step forward in our mission to guide companies to innovative solutions. — Sébastien Roels, Business Unit Manager at ACA Group I am convinced that the collaboration between MongoDB and ACA Group will have a significant impact on the Belgian data world. The dedication of the ACA experts and their technical know-how will enable us to work together to deliver high-quality solutions to our customers. — Sander De Vos, Principal Solutions Architect at MongoDB ACA Group is first Belgian MUG Leader In addition to announcing our partnership, we are proud to take on the role of the first Belgian MUG Leader of the MongoDB User Group ! This once again emphasizes ACA Group's commitment to actively building a MongoDB community in Belgium. By organizing meetups we aim to share knowledge and bring enthusiasts and experts together. It’s great to see ACA Group taking the leadership on building the MongoDB User Group, allowing MongoDB enthusiasts to meet and inspire each other. — Kevin Timman, Regional Director Benelux at MongoDB First Belgian MongoDB meetup: 7 May 2024 🚀 Want to join us? Register for our first MongoDB meetup in our office in Antwerp on May 7, 2024. Together with some experts and enthusiasts, we will delve deeper into the latest trends in data management and discover the many possibilities of MongoDB's database technology.

In November 2023, ACA Group was invited by VKW Limburg to inform companies about the opportunities of AI and Low-Code. For many of the business leaders and final decision makers present, it was an inspiring introduction to these innovative technologies. Below you can read a short report. For the talk about Low-Code and AI, ACA Group sent two of its experts: Alexander Frimout, Lead AI Innovation and Gregory Van Dorpe, Low-Code Competence Center Lead. Fast development with Low-Code Gregory explained how using Low-Code allows you to build software in just a few days, making a positive impact on your company's operations and results. Everyone was surprised to learn that Low-Code development is up to four times faster than traditional methods. The swift rise of AI Alexander delved into the strong expansion of AI applications in the business realm, one year after the introduction of ChatGPT. "By leveraging Large Language Models and Low-Code, you can significantly cut down on software development costs, opening the door for customized software even for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)", noted Alexander. Demos highlight powerful automation capabilities The combination of Low-Code and AI creates opportunities for efficient automation of tasks that consume significant time and resources for organizations. Through compelling demonstrations, the ACA experts illustrated the critical role these technologies play for companies striving to maintain a competitive edge in the future. The business leaders present expressed unanimous agreement through a rapid Tech Tinder Poll , with 86% giving a "Super Like" to the combination of Low-Code and AI. From ACA, we want to extend a “Super Like” to VKW Limburg for their initiative. We always enjoy sharing our expertise with dynamic companies.

Pho to by STYN.be We are proud to announce that ACA Group has won the Flanders Digital Award 2023 for "Best Digital Transformation Project". In collaboration with the Flemish Government and publiq we delivered a groundbreaking cultural - The Flemish Department of Culture, Youth, and Media (CJM) enlisted our expertise to create a data-driven platform for the cultural sector, harnessing the power of Data Mesh. The platform has made a significant contribution to the digital transformation of the Flemish cultural sector, and we are proud to have played our part in this achievement. Learn more about this groundbreaking project here: Department CJM and publiq connect cultural stakeholders with a data-driven platform. Best Digital Transformation Project The Targeted Digital Transformation program promotes a data-driven approach in the cultural sector with the UiTwisselingsplatform. The data mesh platform is a fundamental building block for the digital transformation of the cultural sector. It creates an ecosystem with the UiTwisselingsplatform at its core, enabling faster and more efficient development of new applications, benefiting both cultural participants and the cultural sector. Data mesh architecture Data mesh architecture ensures that the offering of cultural houses in Flanders is connected with each other and visitors can match the cultural offering in real time with their interests, receive recommendations and are offered tickets. At the same time, the organizers collect feedback about the audiences who attend similar events and how to reach those people. “Thanks to data mesh, the various cultural players can retain their autonomy, but still share data with each other and innovate,” says Tom De Wolf, Architect and Innovation Lead at ACA Group. “Ideal for complex organizations with numerous individual parties, such as in the Flemish cultural sector. A decentralized approach in which every player can work independently is much more scalable and efficient than having all data solutions for the entire sector centrally realized and managed by one data team.” Data mesh encourages cultural players to view their data as a product that they want to share and make it discoverable for other parties. Since no central data team is necessary for exchanging data, the data can be exchanged directly between the producer and the consumer using self-service tools. In this way we encourage collaboration around data in the cultural sector. Flexible to scale up “No matter how many players participate in the future, the data architecture can be scaled flexibly. Once cultural sector players have access to data products, they can quickly generate insights and design new services, products and data products based on them. The system ensures that they do not have to enter the same data every time, for example when they create an event or want to apply for a subsidy. Since the solution is made available across the industry, there is no need for anyone to invest in technology individually. This also reduces the total cost of ownership of the platform,” says Peter Jans, Cloud and Innovation Advocate of ACA Group. “Data is the driving force for the digital transformation within the cultural sector,” says Leander Price, Head of Knowledge and Policy, Department of Culture, Youth and Media. “The Department of Culture, Youth and Media and publiq are developing, in collaboration with ACA Group, this data exchange platform that stimulates sharing and reuse of data within the sector. Through this building block, new innovative services and products can be developed for cultural participants and the cultural sector gains "better insights into the public interests in cultural activities.”

We are proud to announce that ACA Group and Valipac have achieved a top ranking at the Trends Impact Awards 2023. Both in the subcategory "Technology" and in "Global Impact" across all categories. This achievement of our Rematics (REcognition of MATerials In ContainerS) project reflects our commitment to sustainability and innovation. "It is a tremendous honor to be recognized in the top 3 of the Technology category. But to also unexpectedly appear in the Global Impact category clearly reflects our efforts in the field of sustainability and technological innovation. This moment surpasses all our expectations and fills us with profound pride." - Ronny, CEO of ACA Group Francis Huysman, Managing Director of Valipac. Ontdek meer over de Trends Impact Awards Rematics: Transforming Waste Management Rematics is a transformational project that primarily focuses on creating a positive impact on society and the environment. Instead of solely reducing negative impacts, its core objective is to address critical societal and environmental issues – the inefficient sorting of recyclable materials in waste streams and its resulting negative impact on the environment. Watch the Rematics video here Advanced Technology for Sustainable Change By harnessing advanced technology, Rematics seeks to revolutionize waste sorting, increase recycling rates, and reduce waste incineration. The project aims to contribute positively to broader sustainability goals, societal well-being, and financial impact. Its influence extends beyond operations and touches waste management practices, environmental quality, and economic growth in the communities it serves. Discover more about our Artificial Intelligence mindset services. Sensitization for Sustainable Practices Moreover, Rematics emphasizes the importance of sensitization on two fronts: Among Waste Collectors: By fostering awareness among waste collectors, guiding them towards more effective sorting practices, and promoting their integral role in sustainable waste management. Within Society: It extends this sensitization effort to society at large, educating citizens, companies, cities, and more about the significance of proper waste segregation. It encourages responsible disposal habits to collectively mitigate environmental harm. Impact Analysis for Businesses In addition, the project introduces a dynamic avenue for impact analysis for companies. Through Rematics, businesses can conduct a comprehensive zero measurement before implementing any waste management actions. Subsequently, with ongoing monitoring and data-driven insights, companies can precisely track the effectiveness of their sustainability initiatives. This empowers organizations to make informed decisions, optimize their resource allocation, and continuously improve their waste reduction strategies. Holistic Positive Impact While the project's positive outcomes may indirectly reflect positively on our commitment to sustainability, its primary focus is on creating a positive impact for society, the environment, and the circular economy. By fostering sensitization, enabling impact analysis, and driving technological innovation, Rematics strives to catalyze positive change that reverberates across multiple dimensions of our shared world. In search of more inspiration? Listen to our very latest podcast on AI ChatGPT by AI expert Alexander Frimout. Podcast: ChatGPT is here to stay! Learn how to keep AI in check and avoid business blunders.

The LiLi-app is a colla boration between ACA Group, Blindenzorg Licht en Liefde , VeBes , Vives Hogeschool , Open Street Map België and Stad Brugge . This innovative app provides people with visual impairments the ability to travel safely and independently. With the LiLi app, they can find the safest route between two points in a sustainable way and travel it safely on foot. The app offers useful auditory instructions for recognizable points along the route, making navigation easier. The Amai! project Amai! Vlaanderen aims to inform citizens about AI and involve them in the development of new AI applications in Flanders. Amai! does this by bringing together AI experts, domain organizations, and citizens around four themes: climate and the environment, mobility, health, and work. For these themes, three smart AI solutions are being developed based on socially relevant questions. The development of these AI solutions always occurs in consultation with citizens, AI experts, and experts in the respective themes. This year, the project is progressing on three parallel tracks. And so the Amai! project call was born. The Amai! voting Currently, we are participating with the LiLi app in the Amai! project call, where thousands of ideas for socially relevant AI solutions come together. These ideas serve as a starting point for the project call. Consortia can submit a project proposal to develop an idea or a group of related ideas from one of the clusters. Consortia can apply for a grant of up to 125,000 euros for a maximum period of 24 months. Make your voice heard and help determine which AI solution will be realized. The public voting is now open and runs until November 3rd. You can vote here

In collaboration with the Flemish Government and Publiq to deliver a groundbreaking cultural platform, the Flemish Department of Culture, Youth and Media (CJM) called on our expertise to create a data-driven platform for the cultural sector, using the power of Data Mesh. For this, CJM was nominated twice for the Flanders Digital Awards 2023 in the categories " Best Digital Transformation " and " Most Sustainable Project ." The nominees for the Flanders Digital Awards have been announced! The jury of the "Flanders Digital Awards" has decided. Eight exciting projects are competing for three awards: one for the most inclusive project, one for the most sustainable project and one for the best digital transformation project. The winners will be announced on October 25, 2023 during the nocturne of the Trefdag Vlaanderen Digitaal. ➡️ Follow this link to read the article. The jury did not have an easy task, given that there were as many as 26 entries. The jury praised the high quality of the projects, many of which came from soft sectors such as education and culture. The jury chose the most approachable and inclusive projects with long-term potential. CJM (Department of Youth, Culture and Media) has been nominated for the 2 following categories: 1. Best digital transformation project The Targetted Digital Transformation program promotes a data-driven approach in the culture sector with the UiT exchange platform. This data mesh platform is a fundamental building block for the digital transformation of the cultural sector It creates an ecosystem with the UiT exchange platform at its core, enabling faster and more efficient development of new applications, to the benefit of both cultural participants and the cultural sector. 2. Most sustainable project The Targetted Digital Transformation program encourages a data-driven approach in the cultural sector with the UiT exchange platform. This data mesh platform has a lot of long-term potential. Exchanging data is essential as many innovative services in the future will be data-driven, as in any sector. In addition, the cultural sector will manage the platform themselves. A sustainable model of a shared data platform avoids the need for every member of the cultural sector to develop their own data infrastructure. 🏆 Contest winners will be announced on Wednesday, October 25, during the nocturne of the Trefdag Vlaanderen Digitaal. We are really looking forward to it! As a partner of Publiq and CJM, we are rightly very proud of this nomination 🎉 👇🏻 Want to know more about this project? 👀 Read it in our Customer Success Stories: Customer Succes Story

Antwerp, 7 June 2023 - Business and IT leaders gathered to delve into the transformative potential of Low-Code technology during our event “Sustainable Strategy with Low-Code”. In collaboration with our partner OutSystems , the event aimed to showcase the power of low-code as a sustainable accelerator for organisations undergoing digital transformation. Why Low-Code? Low-code platforms have increasingly gained traction and visibility in the market as a powerful catalyst for companies seeking to accelerate their digital journeys . Beyond delivering faster and leaner results, cloud-native low-code platforms, such as OutSystems, enable organisations to adopt a more sustainable approach in their project delivery. By leveraging automation, security, maintainability, quality and scalability, businesses can build applications that meet specific needs while reducing their carbon footprint. Sustainable Strategies with Low-Code The event offered an exclusive opportunity for the attendees to engage with fellow business and IT leaders, fostering knowledge exchange, inspiration and experience sharing. The agenda comprised inspirational sessions led by experts, offering valuable insights and practical strategies for attendees to implement within their own organisations. The event kicked off with a short welcome and introduction about OutSystems by team member Laurence Luykx , who set the tone for a memorable day. Jan Vermeulen delivered a thought-provoking talk on emerging IT trends, exploring sustainability, AI, hyper-automation and composable apps/architecture. Attendees also witnessed the speed and flexibility of Low-Code in action during a live demo by Marleen Kock , showcasing the development of a Cloud-Native solution. Gregory Van Dorpe guided participants through the sustainable growth and efficiency opportunities unlocked by utilising OutSystems as a transformative accelerator for organisations. Stef Vermeulen shared some use cases where we implemented the OutSystems Low-Code solution as a sustainable solution for our clients. We welcomed the attendees at De Koninck Antwerp City Brewery , a beautiful location that provided a stimulating atmosphere for both the sessions and the interactive brewery visit after. Attendees had the chance to network, connect with peers and exchange ideas while enjoying a vibrant and engaging environment. Low-Code technology has become crucial in today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, enabling organisations to embrace agility, innovation and faster time-to-market. With OutSystems at the forefront, businesses can embrace digital transformation more efficiently, foster collaboration between IT and business teams, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. We are proud to have organised a successful event, marking a milestone in our commitment to sustainable business acceleration through Low-Code technology! The event showcased how OutSystems, as a leading Low-Code platform, aligns with the 2023 technological trends, providing a valuable asset for organisations in overcoming their business challenges. 🚀