Five generations of horticulture. Now digitally rooted, too.

A few years ago, the Spross Group forced the focus on "digitally successful working" and thus on the core topic of "working tomorrow". In order to implement this requirement, Spross began searching for a suitable service provider within the scope of a call for tenders. The existing on premise Windows Server and SQL databases were migrated to Azure.

Our offer of a cloud-first solution, a managed cloud workplace and an operational solution as part of an operation care program won the race. The decisive factor was that we offered a modern, cloud-based overall solution together with a flexible, simple and tried-and-tested operating model. It also quickly became clear that the chemistry between the parties involved was right and that the corporate cultures were also a good fit.

Spross-Holding AG

The Spross Group is an extremely successful company based in Zurich, which has been deeply rooted in horticulture for five generations. From this breeding ground, the other business branches Transport & Recycling and Real Estate have grown in recent decades. Today's Spross Group AG was founded in 1892 as a family-run commercial nursery. Currently, the Spross Group employs about 160 people.

The business concept includes a broad range of services to create high-quality living spaces from a single source. With the Werner H. Spross Foundation, the company also makes a sustainable contribution to society and the environment.

Thomas Gulich, Head of Finance & Controlling, is pleased: "With the new solution, we have taken a big step into the digital future of Spross. The new Operation Care operating model has proven its worth. We can now concentrate fully on expanding our core business and continue to drive digitization forward."

Facts and Figures

Initial situation and objectives

Under the motto, the "work of tomorrow", the management of the Spross company pushed the digitalization of its workplaces and processes in mid-2018. This was accompanied by the modernization of the IT infrastructure and the operating model. In a technology checkup, we analyzed the diverse application landscape and the basic infrastructure and developed a target concept. The requirements of the business units, some of which were very different, were also recorded and integrated.

The result was a target architecture with a cloud-first approach that combined both the existing legacy applications and the high requirements for a future flexible and scalable solution.

Solution

First, we analyzed the existing business applications in terms of cloud capability as part of the due diligence process. The project plan for the transition and transformation was then created as part of the vision & scope document. (Used tools: Rehost Windows servers on Azure, Rehost SQL on Azure, Refactor SQL on Azure)

We ensured the operation and support of the existing infrastructure with our service desk, which was not easy due to the various special applications.

In the background, the new cloud-based solution was set up. The network services were expanded and the backend services and their data migrated to Office 365 and Azure. Finally, the rollout of the modern Windows 10 clients managed with the Intune cloud solution marked the first step into the digital future that was perceptible to users.

Among other things, the Transport & Recycling department operated a scale that was integrated into the existing IT solution and was absolutely critical to operations, with which dozens of weighings amounting to several hundred tons are carried out every day. When the scales come to a standstill, trucks pile up on the road, immediately causing high operational losses. The integration of this system was solved securely and with high availability thanks to Windows Virtual Desktops.

After completion of the transition, the previous "best effort operation" was changed over to Managed Service Operation Care secured with SLA.

Results

With the new, mobile workstations and the use of Microsoft Teams, collaboration and communication within the Spross Group could be significantly improved and - not insignificantly in the current situation - become more location-independent. The new solution passed its baptism of fire shortly after the changeover: from March 2020, the first wave of Corona meant that many employees had to go to their home offices. In one fell swoop, the advantages of workplaces equipped with Microsoft 365 and Intune became obvious.

The goals of the Spross Digital strategy were successfully implemented and digitization was brought forward a great deal. All employees, whether in the home office, in the office or on the road, are now always connected and can communicate easily without compromising on security. The relevant business applications are also available at all times and without restriction.

Challenges

Various legacy applications had to be checked for their cloud capability. For example, the business-critical software A3 of the Transport & Recycling division had never been provided in Azure by the software manufacturer. As part of a pilot project, the cloud capability of A3 was tested and ultimately ensured.

In general, the historically grown IT and the high availability requirements repeatedly presented us with challenges, but we were always able to master them thanks to the flexibility of the Microsoft Cloud and the extensive know-how of our specialists.

Baggenstos anniversary talk with Natalie Spross - tradition meets innovation.

In this special conversation series marking our 100th company anniversary, we look back together with Natalie Spross, CEO of the Spross Group, on a fascinating journey: from the early days with typewriters to digital transformation. How has the collaboration evolved? Which innovations have had the greatest impact? And what does the future hold? Hear first-hand how tradition and innovation shape a successful partnership.

Many thanks

We would like to thank the management and all those involved in the project for the excellent cooperation and the trust placed in us. With the new, modern and mobile workstations, Spross AG can now concentrate even better on its core business.