All processes through one system at Holland Festival

Holland Festival innovates with a new digital system. From shortlists for the festival program to the archive, this digitization project improves nearly all business processes. “As a small organization, you want to lead and be progressive. This project fits that vision,” say Norbert Bode and Emily Ansenk.

An organization-wide digital renewal

The new digital system brings all departments together. This increases efficiency and reduces the margin of error. The project started as a search for a new, more advanced marketing database. Employees soon saw an opportunity to streamline multiple processes within the organization. Thus, the project grew into an organization-wide digital renewal involving everyone.

Everything in one provides insight

Holland Festival brought the entire business process onto one platform. As a result, it functions as a planning system, CRM, CMS, scheduling package, registration system, development package, and archiving module. Everything in one, in other words.

The ticketing system was also integrated. This gives the festival greater insight into visitors’ sales history. This information is invaluable, as it allows for better service and more personalized engagement with visitors.

The platform as a content archive

The software also serves as a CMS and lays the foundation for sustainable archiving. All data about performances is stored, from promotional photos to technical plans. This can, for example, be used in promotional materials or for new productions.

Everyone involved

Based on the wishes of all employees, Holland Festival developed their plan. This creates clear frameworks and provides guidance for decision-making. It also generated internal support. A flexible attitude helps in this regard. “As a festival organization, we are flexible. Being able to adapt quickly and being open to change are skills that are highly present among our employees,” says Emily Ansenk, director of Holland Festival.

Put the user at the center and work step by step

Holland Festival divided the project into phases. This allowed new parts of the software to be developed and tested incrementally. Holland Festival applied elements of the design thinking method: they work solution-focused and iteratively, keeping the user at the center. Working with a multidisciplinary project team also helps involve the right expertise at every stage.

A cost-efficient solution

A new system does not necessarily cost more than your old way of working. By consolidating all existing software packages into one system, costs can even be reduced. Moreover, the entire organization benefits from the capabilities of a central system, saving time and increasing efficiency.

This article was created in collaboration with Emily Ansenk and Norbert Bode from Holland Festival.