How O2IT supports SIPEF’s IT operationality worldwide
In 2019, SIPEF set out to unify its global IT landscape. With operations in some of the world’s more remote areas, this ambition came with specific technical challenges. O2IT provided a smart mix of cloud and local systems, tailored to the diverse connectivity realities across SIPEF’s locations, ensuring smooth performance throughout. When additional support was needed to maintain momentum, O2IT stepped up. The result? A successful rollout and a lasting partnership.
About SIPEF
SIPEF is a Belgian agribusiness group, listed on Euronext Brussels, specialising in the production of sustainable palm oil products and bananas. Its operations are focused in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire, with the group’s headquarters in Belgium and a back-office in Singapore.
Sustainability is at the heart of everything SIPEF does. Its mission is to produce high-quality, sustainable, and traceable agricultural products, with the aim to diversify into targeted markets and foster a harmonious balance among nature, people and growth.
The starting point
One way of working, worldwide
In 2019, SIPEF wanted to standardize work processes across all its locations and consolidate its IT systems into a single centralized platform. The goal was to increase collaboration and efficient tracking between teams in Belgium, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire.
While the concept was clear, practical implementation required flexibility. In several regions, internet connectivity proved too unreliable for a traditional cloud-based solution. A fully online platform simply wouldn’t suffice. SIPEF needed a system that worked reliably on the ground while remaining globally connected.
The solution
A smart combination of systems
O2IT proposed a tailored solution based on a combination of cloud and local infrastructure.
- Regions with stable internet access: cloud services were deployed.
- Locations with less reliable connectivity: local servers were installed.
- A smart synchronization mechanism ensured that data was automatically exchanged between all systems whenever a connection was available — fully automated, with no manual intervention needed.
This setup enabled each local team to work with the most suitable system for their environment, while keeping the organization globally aligned.
"Without O2IT, we would have had to put the project on hold.
They were there at a crucial moment — not as a supplier, but as a partner."
IT Manager | SIPEF
Navigating challenges together
A partnership in action
During implementation, SIPEF underwent a transition in its internal IT support structure, stretching the available bandwidth of the local IT resources. To help maintain momentum, O2IT stepped up.
Since “helping where possible” is a core value at O2IT, it immediately offered to extend its involvement beyond system integration, providing hands-on support for day-to-day IT operations where needed. This additional engagement helped ensure operational continuity during a critical period, enabling SIPEF’s teams to stay focused on their broader project goals. Thanks to this collaborative effort, implementation could move forward as planned.
The result? The project was delivered successfully, and the continuity of daily IT operations was secured. A true win-win, born from genuine commitment.
Today
A lasting partnership
SIPEF’s IT landscape has since evolved. The central IT management moved from Belgium to Singapore, but the collaboration with O2IT remains strong. Today, O2IT continues to support local IT operations in Belgium and contributes to various global IT initiatives within the group.