Case study: How Hollandbio Achieved a Successful Digital Transformation with Symantra
- Anne Magnus
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Symantra has been selected by hollandbio to launch a new branded Member & B2B Matchmaking Platform, an integrated CRM, and a unified digital ecosystem.
The objectives of the digital transformation project:
to better serve and engage Members digitally,
to bring a lot of smart automations with perfect integrations in Marketing, Policy Communications, Membership, Events, Operations, Sales, and Finance (invoicing, ...).
The client
hollandbio is the Dutch biotech industry association represents, supports and connects an active, privately funded, and rapidly growing community of more than 270 member companies: from start-ups and SMEs to large companies and multinationals, active in fields ranging from healthcare and agrifood to biobased applications and cultured meat.
The problems
The client was increasingly unhappy with Odoo-based CRM, Member extranet, Event & Finance & Newsletters modules because:
Odoo's interface feels cluttered and unintuitive, which slows staff adoption. Odoo is built as an ERP, so its marketing, newsletter, and extranet modules remain basic and lack the depth, automation, usability, and analytics of dedicated platforms.
When pushed beyond core ERP functions, it becomes clunky and costly to adapt, which limits marketing performance and external user experience.
Core modules for Associations management proved substandard, which forced manual workarounds. This created frictions when teams work across Membership, Sales, Marketing, and Operations.
Advanced capabilities often require extra modules or custom development. High customization increases complexity and make long term maintenance expensive and risky. Total cost raised, due to add ons, maintenance, and upgrade related rework.
Open source created an illusion of low cost and freedom, but in reality the team faced overruns, complexity, and resistance from users.
Quality and responsiveness of integrators varied widely, which creates delivery and support risks. On top, they do not have real expertise in membership-based orgs, nor understanding of the specific public affairs work culture.
Work done by Symantra:
• Perfectly integrated CRM for Membership, Stakeholder management & Marketing Suite (Newsletters, Advanced Audience Segmentation, …)
• Integrations of best-in-class Digital Tools (Microsoft 365, …)
• Automation of Membership Invoicing,end-to-end
• Automation of Events Management, end-to-end
• Interactive Map + Member Directory
• 100% GDPR compliance
• Hosted on ISO27001 Infrastructure, servers in the EU
• Trainings, Advisory, Best practices...
Symantra performed a wide digital transformation project, in a matter of few weeks, with a minimal effort of the client, nor any service interruptions and zero data loss.
Testimonial
"Symantra has advised on, developed and helped implement a large part of the digital ecosystem for hollandbio, the Dutch biotech industry association, ranging from a Member Platform, B2B Matchmaking and an integrated CRM to automations for events, payments and other digital integrations.
This has allowed hollandbio to provide our (potential) member companies and stakeholders with seamless, transparent and professional services and communications. For example when it comes to event registration, providing information on policy developments, and streamlining membership information. It has simultaneously freed up time for our staff to focus instead on their core responsibilities and activities with regards to advocacy.
Symantra has been of immense value in advising and working together with us during the whole process, from data migration to training sessions, sharing of best practices, support, or the search for further developments and improvements.
In addition, the whole project was carried out in a few weeks, on time and on budget."
Timen van Haaster
Public Affairs & Communications Director, hollandbio
Focus on the Member Platform powered by Symantra
On the Members Platform, hollandbio members find:
Everything about files, meetings, discounts, updates and membership benefits.
An overview of our most important updates, insights, videos and media, from political lobbying and position papers to interviews and campaigns
All upcoming events, from networking drinks to online sessions
Members can quickly and specifically make contact within the B2B network, whether they are looking for collaboration, knowledge sharing or just want to know who is active in your field.
Through the communication channels members automatically stay informed of the latest developments and can read previous member updates. This way members always stay informed about themes that are relevant to them, such as market access, financing, nutrition, diagnostics...
About Symantra
Symantra is the go-to Tech agency specialized in Member & B2B Matchmaking Platform + CRM & Performance Marketing + 360° Hyper-Automations for Business & Trade Associations across Europe.
