Ridder

The relevance of our solutions, experience, and expertise becomes truly tangible when we can apply them for our customers. That’s why we like to ask them about their experience with our services and the products we deliver.

Below, you can read the story of Ridder, an international developer and supplier of innovative solutions for greenhouse horticulture.

Safe and Efficient Moving Forward as One Organization

Ridder – based in Harderwijk and Maasdijk, but originally from Ridderkerk, hence the name – consists of three different branches: Ridder Drive Systems (development of drives for greenhouse construction), Ridder Growing Solutions (climate computers), and Ridder Climate Screens (screening fabrics for greenhouses). With these, they offer a complete solution for climate control in greenhouses.

 

 

The company has grown into an international organization with offices in the Netherlands, France, Spain, North America, Mexico, and China, providing local support to customers in those countries and regions.

Until about four years ago, the various offices and business units functioned more or less independently, including in terms of facilities such as IT. In 2017, a move was made toward unification in name and operations. As a direct result, it was decided to manage all IT-related matters centrally from the headquarters in Harderwijk.

Optimal Collaboration

The relationship between Ridder and QS solutions had already existed for several years by this time. It initially began with the need to use SharePoint more effectively. Until then, Ridder had mainly set it up as an enhanced web server for customers but gradually became interested in using it as an intranet and collaboration tool.

The choice for QS solutions was made because during discussions and demos, their clear vision and structured portal setup stood out. Additionally, the added value for Ridder was evident in PortalTalk, the tool developed by QS solutions that makes online collaboration easier, faster, and more reliable, with great convenience for both end-users and IT administrators. It’s a total solution managed by the business instead of the IT team.

Jeroen van Hooren explains that SharePoint and PortalTalk were initially rolled out on a limited basis. The tools only came into their own once all teams and departments were consistently added. A new portal was built together with QS solutions, designed around a single intranet with different business units.

The new technology and smart setup have ensured that everyone can function 100% efficiently and collaborate optimally. Indispensable for a global organization!

Safety First

IT plays an indispensable role for Ridder, just as it does for many other companies increasingly reliant on connectivity and digital infrastructure. On the one hand, due to the increased need for remote work, and on the other, because Ridder’s innovative climate solutions now largely operate from the cloud. The new generation of greenhouse builders no longer relies solely on their green thumbs but increasingly on Ridder’s technology.

Additionally, there is the collaboration with and between the various offices worldwide. Offices in different regions, with different languages and cultures, but also with a variety of endpoints and software packages.

 

 

How do you ensure the security of sensitive company data in such a situation? How do you make sure all devices can be used safely? What if a device is lost or stolen? If something goes wrong, it can have enormous consequences. Not only financially – think of paying ransom, downtime costs, data loss, and system recovery – but also for your company’s reputation and customer trust.

Cyber Resilience

To map vulnerabilities and risks, Ridder had a security analysis conducted by QS solutions using the Cyber Security Assessment Tool (CSAT). Through automated scans and analyses, this tool uncovers potential risks, enabling fact-based decisions on prioritizing cybersecurity action points. It’s used as a baseline assessment and as a method to periodically monitor the situation. The better you are aware of the vulnerabilities, the better you can address the organization’s cyber resilience in the right areas.

An assessment also helps build a business case and aligns IT with the management team. The most effective security strategies are integrated into all business activities, and to achieve that, you need buy-in from decision-makers.

For Ridder, the assessment indicated that significant gains could be made in device management. The use and management of various devices by employees worldwide made it extra important to take efficient security measures here. Ridder chose a smart endpoint management tool to minimize risks. This allows them to maintain control over all mobile devices and applications used within the organization worldwide from headquarters. Much safer!

The Relationship Makes the Difference

Why did Ridder choose to work with QS solutions? Jeroen van Hooren says, “It’s about the relationship. QS solutions has consultants with a lot of expertise who we enjoy working with. Moreover, their operation and size fit well with Ridder. We also find the knowledge sessions that QS solutions regularly offers very valuable. These sessions give colleagues from the ‘business’ a chance to learn more about the various applications and best practices of the solutions and tools QS solutions offers.”

Ridder involves QS solutions for the knowledge, expertise, and experience to implement and set up the various solutions and tools, after which Ridder’s IT team takes over to manage everything. A great way to work together on a secure and efficient IT infrastructure!

Want to Know More?

Are you looking for an IT security partner to work with you to improve your organization’s security and make employees as productive as possible? Let us know! Our experts are happy to help you get started.