Fiber optic networks form the backbone of today’s digital economy, and Eurofiber is one of the leading providers in this field in Europe. Founded in 2000, the company operates its own open-access fiber network spanning over 70,000 kilometers across the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France. With more than 750 employees and data centers in the Netherlands and France, the Eurofiber Group delivers services in digital infrastructure, connectivity, and cloud solutions. To manage the increasing complexity of its network and customer processes, modernization of the application landscape became necessary. With the support of NetRom Software, Eurofiber has implemented an intelligent, automated IT environment that enables scalable growth in the fiber market.
Eurofiber serves both B2B and B2B2C markets, ranging from business customers to critical institutions such as hospitals and Air Traffic Control the Netherlands. The network is officially designated by the government as critical infrastructure. While acquisitions have driven significant growth, they have also introduced new IT-related challenges.
Peter Deumer, Director Digital Development at Eurofiber Group, describes the situation clearly: “Our existing business support systems are not sufficiently equipped to sustainably support our growth. We do not want our headcount to grow at the same pace as our customer base.”
Six internal teams are working on modernizing the IT landscape, with Salesforce as the central platform. Deumer added: “These systems must integrate effectively and require above-average security. We need automation to ensure consistent standards for quality and data.”
Each acquisition introduced its own set of software systems, resulting in a fragmented and costly application landscape. At the same time, a legacy custom-built system from Unet needed to be maintained in compliance with strict security and privacy standards. The result was an urgent need for consolidation, as well as a centralized layer to connect commercial and technical systems.
NetRom Software was already a partner of Unet and remained responsible for the legacy system. Peter Deumer explained: “NetRom was engaged to develop a proof of concept (POC) for a new orchestration layer. This layer acts as a bridge between our commercial and technical systems.”
In practice, the orchestration layer automatically initiates subprocesses across multiple applications based on a sales order. This includes tasks such as deploying a new connection or implementing configuration changes. The NetRom developers operate as fully integrated members of blended teams.
In parallel, NetRom is developing a system that consolidates all fiber assets into a single environment. This consolidation reduces maintenance and operational costs. It also supports sales processes: international customers will be able to enter a postal code to determine which fiber services are available in a specific location.
‘‘NetRom provides flexibility, quality, and continuity. The developers are fully integrated into the teams, reducing the need for internal management.’’
PETER DEUMER, DIRECTOR DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AT EUROFIBER GROUP
Peter Deumer reflects positively: “The first components have been delivered and are now in production.” His initial skepticism about outsourcing has fully shifted: “NetRom provides flexibility, quality, and continuity. The developers are fully integrated into the teams, reducing the need for internal management.”
Knowledge retention is essential for maintaining the legacy system. Deumer explained: “NetRom manages this almost entirely independently. Because they are an integral part of the team, no knowledge gap arises. NetRom ensures continuity, even when team members change roles.” Finding internal resources to maintain an older system proved to be unfeasible; an external team from NetRom provides that continuity.
Deumer also values how NetRom has adapted to their ways of working: “NetRom has aligned with our modern practices, including the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). The developers integrate into this approach without difficulty.”
The collaboration has evolved from legacy system maintenance into a broader partnership that helps Eurofiber maintain control over an increasingly complex IT landscape.
Download the full case and learn how Eurofiber, together with NetRom Software, made its IT environment scalable and future-ready.
