IT One Magazine 2020

ITONE
M A G A Z I N E
2019 2020
Abdelhay
TOUDMA
Nathalie
KNOPS
CIO CIO OF THE OF THE YEAR YEAR
2019 2019
TECHNOLOGY EXPERT EXPERT OF THE OF THE YEAR YEAR
2019

Innovate today,
to enable the
connected future.
We believe in using technology for good. Together we enable
the connected future. A future where ideas, people, and
technology work together to achieve peace and prosperity
for people and the planet.
Together we do great things
hello.global.ntt

03
2019 2 020
There’s a thin line
between… tech and magic.
The pace of technology is always increasing and incredible startups and projects are coming
out of Luxembourg. Last year, during our events, we mainly discussed the Artificial Intelligence
revolution and its impact on several sectors, from finance to the health industry.
But if AI is clearly redefining the world we live in, what about DeepTechs and the uniqueness
of products they bring to the table?
By definition, DeepTechs are referring to
companies that are pushing the boundaries of
innovation. Basically, they are taking disruption
to another level, and could very well redefine
entire sectors. In this respect, more than
any other «regular» startup, these innovative
companies aim at really making a difference
with the products and services they provide. In
the fields of robotics, biotechnology, nanotech,
advanced materials and more, DeepTech
investments are growing and projects once
labeled as «unbelievable» or «undoable», are now
popping up on a regular basis. According to the
«State of European Tech Report 2019», cooked by
Atomico, Slush and Orrick, DeepTech startups
from Europe were able to raise more than $8.4
billion in 2019, compared to 6.7 billion the year
before, therefore showing a huge increase of
more than 26 points.
Kamel Amroune
CEO / Farvest
@KamelAmroune / Farvest Group
Luxembourg, through its numerous tech and
innovation programs initiated by both public and
private actors, is an active player in the startup –
and DeepTech – ecosystem, working, for instance,
on mobility, space and health innovations, without
forgetting the historical finance and ICT sectors.
Therefore, in such a context of global innovation,
what can we expect in the months to come? One
thing is for sure: with the combination of data, AI
and even Blockchain, the future looks brighter,
safer and more autonomous than ever. Especially
here, in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, which
feeds on collaboration and even co-creation.
With many surprises to come in the following
months, the entire IT One team looks forward to
discussing such fascinating topics with all of you,
throughout the year. Let’s innovate together and
shake things up!
EDITORIAL
2019 2020

04
CONTENT
Interviews
06
Luxembourg ICT Awards 2019 .......................................................................................... 06
Picture Report: Luxembourg ICT Awards 2019 ................................................. 10
08
Abdelhay Toudma
(Arendt & Medernach)
CIO of the Year 2019
14
Luxembourg ICT Women Awards 2019 .................................................................... 14
Picture Report: Luxembourg ICT Women Awards 2019 ........................ 16
18
Nathalie Knops (BIL)
Tech Expert of the Year 2019
20
IT One in 2020 .................................................................................................................................... 20
28
The DeepTech Illusion ................................................................................................................ 28
30
The Four Seasons of Farvest ............................................................................................... 30
22
Olivier Penin (Telkea)
Director Sales, Marketing
& Solutions
26
Loïc Didelot (MIXvoip)
Telecom Provider of the Year 2019
Edited by IT One
3 Rue Marcel Fischbach, 1847 — Luxembourg / Phone: +352 26 27 69 1
Editorial management: Alexandre Keilmann, Farvest Group — Luxembourg
Graphic design: Nicolas Bœuf, Farvest Group — Luxembourg
Photos: Dominique Gaul
Contact: team@itone.lu
ITONE
MAGAZINE

06
Luxembourg ICT
Awards 2019
December 03 th , 2019 / Casino 2000
Photos: Dominique Gaul
03.
01. 02.
06.
04. 05.
07.
ITONE
MAGAZINE

07
01. DEVOTEAM
Most Innovative ICT
Training Programme
02. EBRC
Cloud Innovation Provider
of the Year
03. MIXVOIP
Telecom Company
of the Year
04. TELINDUS
ICT Security Provider
of the Year
05. PWC
Digital Transformation
Project of the Year
06. DELOITTE
ICT Strategic Advisor
of the Year
07. ACCENTURE
Best Use of AI & Data
08. SYSTEM SOLUTIONS
ICT Outsourcing Services
Provider of the Year
09. FUJITSU
Great ICT Company
to Work With
10. POST GROUP
ICT Business Partner
of the Year
11. ING
ICT Team of the Year
12. PIERRE ZIMMER
(Deputy General Director - GROUP POST)
Inspirational ICT Personality of the Year
13. ABDELHAY TOUDMA
(CIO - Arendt & Medernach)
CIO of the Year
08. 09.
11.
10.
12. 13.
2019 2020

08
CIO of the Year 2019
Arendt’s digital
transformation
journey
arendt.com
On December 03 th , 2019,
Abdelhay Toudma
(CIO of Arendt & Medernach)
took part in the Luxembourg ICT
Awards ceremony and was named
CIO of the Year. The prestigious
prize recognizes the expert’s
best practices and is awarded by
a jury composed of seasoned ICT
professionals. The IT One team
recently met with this year’s
winner to talk about the digital
revolution currently transforming
the law industry, and discuss the
latest tech trends.
« Historically, the legal world has been dealing mostly
with paper and was actually one of the last industries to
transform, digitally speaking. In 2019, my main goal was
therefore to keep on implementing innovative solutions
within Arendt & Medernach, » starts the CIO of the Year 2019.
He also explains that the digital transformation of the law
firm had already started 4 years ago, when he joined the
company: he focused on the use of technology as a lever
of innovation without neglecting the recruitment and the
process implementation. For instance, and with the support
of other teams, Arendt developed customer facing solutions
and digitized applications accessible from any mobile device,
while improving Arendt’s overall bandwidth capabilities. He
also managed to get the approval of a Digital strategy to
provide the law firm with more flexibility and mobility. « The
main goal is always to reach more efficiency and smoothen
the tasks and daily routine of our people and our customers »
adds the CIO.
Digital transformation:
from cultural change to strategic vision
For years, tech departments were mainly confined to
administrative tasks in most law firms: « in order to change the
scope of IT, I first had to initiate a culture change and decided
to talk to our internal clients, telling them how together we
could address the end-users’ needs using ITIL and Prince2. We
had many discussions and were finally able to align business
and IT. The support of the management team is also crucial to
turn IT into a change enabler ». As a matter of fact, according
to the CIO, the management of Arendt has always shown
interest in new technologies. The transformation journey could
increase its pace.
ITONE
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09
« Leading a digital transformation requires all stakeholders to
sit at the same table. Also, they need to get the global picture
of such a transformation as it will impact the business and even
redefine the entire company, » underlines Abdelhay Toudma.
He continues: « getting out of our comfort zone is not an easy
task, especially because our people are experts in their own
domains. Therefore, assembling the right cast and making sure
the company’s communication canals are on point are two key
elements ». The CIO also explains that changes should not be
associated with a big bang, but rather with smaller wins, that
will eventually transform the company, one step at a time while
staying focused on the customers. And most importantly, each
success story needs to be communicated to the teams, internally,
to validate the vision expressed by both technology and business.
Moreover, in the current digital environment, he notably insists
on the need to strengthen the security and UX (user experience)
aspects. « Such elements are crucial for several reasons: in our
private life, we are consuming technology and are all aware of
cybersecurity threats, therefore, providing teams with a more
robust solutions, will improve the relation of trust between
the client and the law firm. Mobility becomes a must in the
WE ARE ENGAGED
IN A M365 MIGRATION
to leverage our productivity
suite and increase collaboration.
precedents », adds Abdelhay Toudma. He also describes
the Cloud as the main security enabler and mobility tool in
today’s digital world: « we are engaged in a M365 migration to
leverage our productivity suite and increase collaboration ».
Moreover, the CIO highlights other mega trends such as the
increased use of the Blockchain technology, notably with the
rise of smart contracts. Finally, he also mentions the Internet
of Things with the upcoming 5G. « Nowadays, law firms have
many roles, one of them consists in being aware of the latest
technologies and trends to always support the clients in the
best possible way. It also helps to either create or sustain a
trust and private relationship. And the Technology group has
an important part to play especially in regards to security and
GDPR aspects, » explains the tech expert.
STRENGTHEN the security and UX
(user experience) aspects.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE LAW FIRM
had already started 4 years ago.
law firm sector, our people need to be equipped with the
best tools that can be used at anytime, anywhere, and on any
device, » highlights the CIO, whose proudest achievement, in
his 20-year career, is the fact that he was able to shed light
on tech within the walls of Arendt.
An ever-growing digitalization
The expert names Automation and Artificial Intelligence
– and more specifically Machine Learning – as trends that
are is to disrupt all industries, including law firms. « Our
employees spend a significant amount of time on manual
and monotonous tasks that could actually be automated.
For instance, lawyers spend hours drafting contracts when
Automation could help and allow them to spend more time
on added-value tasks.
Also, Artificial Intelligence facilitates their daily tasks,
notably when it comes to the research and analysis of legal
Yet, more than just discussing trends, Abdelhay Toudma
advocates co-creation. He says: « a couple of years back,
it was more about the creation of value, while today, it’s all
about collaboration and co-creation. This new way of working
clearly fosters innovation. Working directly with our clients
and even with our prospects allows us to co-develop efficient
and robust solutions. It is actually part of a larger innovation
and decision-making strategy. And on the Tech side, it allows
us to add new products and services to our catalog ». In the
months to come, the CIO will definitely continue to spread
innovation, by offering advice and also by providing clients
with solutions that directly answer to their most important
needs. « Basically, it means developing more applications
destined to clients, while always improving UX. In other words,
along with my group, my aim is to continuously improve the
tech aspect of the firm, trying to turn it into a major player
in the law firms landscape. Yet, digital is a long but definitely
exciting and fulfilling journey », he concludes.
2019 2020

10
Picture Report:
Luxembourg ICT
Awards 2019
December 03 th , 2019
Casino 2000
Photos: Dominique Gaul
ITONE
MAGAZINE

AI-fueled organizations
The human/artificial intelligence (AI) relationship
is heating up. When is AI better at predicting
outcomes, and when are humans? What
happens when you combine forces? And more
broadly, what role will human judgment play as
machines continue to evolve?
www.deloitte.com/lu
© 2020 Deloitte Tax & Consulting.

12 PICTURE REPORT: LUXEMBOURG ICT AWARDS 2019
ITONE
MAGAZINE

14
Luxembourg ICT Women
Awards 2019
December 17 th , 2019 / Alvisse Parc Hotel
Photos: Dominique Gaul
01.
02.
03. 04.
01. KENZA BOUZOURAA
ICT Business Developer of the Year
02. ANGELA NICKEL
ICT Entrepreneur of the Year
03. ANNE-SOPHIE MORVAN
Young ICT Talent of the Year
04. AVANTI SHARMA
Special “Coup de Cœur” prize
05. NATHALIE KNOPS
Technology Expert of the Year
06. VODAFONE FOUNDATION
LUXEMBOURG
Best Corporate Initiative
for Promoting Women Role in ICT
05. 06.
ITONE
MAGAZINE

16
Picture Report:
Luxembourg ICT
Women Awards
2019
December 17 th , 2019
Alvisse Parc Hotel
Photos: Dominique Gaul
ITONE
MAGAZINE

We ensure you
Focus your
security
on your business
Get in touch with our experts
.lu

18
Technology Expert of the Year 2019
« Try, test,
change
& move »
bil.com
Nathalie Knops holds the position of Head
of Business Transformation at Banque Internationale à
Luxembourg (BIL). On December 17 th , 2019,
she participated to the first-ever IT Ladies Night
organized in Luxembourg and was named Technology
Expert of the Year. IT One met with her to discuss the
latest tech trends and the ones that are currently used
at BIL. She also tells us about the agile methodology
and some of the challenging projects she has had the
opportunity to work on.
What are technologies currently used at BIL in order to
provide the best banking experience to your clients?
At the bank, several technologies are used at various levels,
and front to back. I would list our new development framework
(react and react native), advanced analytics (AI) features, UX
tools and methods as well as new architecture principles
based on API’s, microservices and events. Next to that, we
work more with software packages (CBS, standing for core
banking system, being one of the biggest examples). Finally,
and not exhaustively, I would add cloud infrastructure and
our DevOps initiative that are important as well for both our
external clients and that should increase our time-to-market
and agility.
Artificial intelligence
will help us to create
services that could have
a high impact.
Cloud infrastructure and
our DevOps initiative
increase our time-tomarket
and agility.
What about the next trends? Which one is the most
promising, according to you?
Artificial intelligence, even if not new, will help us to create
services that could have a high impact, mainly because
those technologies help us to « augment » digital and human
interactions in lots of domains. Moreover, I would like to
mention that in the current period of ecological awareness,
green technologiesand well thought choices more close to
« low techs », should definitely come back on the stage and
help us to develop smart innovations or services.
ITONE
MAGAZINE

INTERVIEW
19
Can you tell us more about the way BIL uses the agile
methodology when it comes to developing new
technologies and services?
At BIL, we use agile principles at various levels. First, on building
a mindset around some key core values like « create, care
and collaborate ». Those BIL corporate values fit perfectly
with the agile vision that we have. We are organized in value
chains: as a matter of fact, teams are a mix of business and
IT. We build the scope on an MVP (Minimum Viable Product),
we try to have as many iterations/sprints as possible, we
promote transparency towards stakeholders and the regular
organization of retrospectives/lessons learned sessions. Next
to that, « communities » have been built around a specific
journey (with front to back contributors) or around a specific
role (product owner, architects, etc.).
What are some of the most interesting projects
you had the opportunity to work on in 2019?
In terms of challenge, I would pick our PSD2/open banking
platform. In terms of complexity, I think that no project can
beat our multi-year CBS program! Finally, in terms of creativity,
I would add all the additional features on BILnet Invest and
Daily that made our application a leading financial app in
Luxembourg.
What about the bank’s future projects in terms
of banking experience?
According to me, open banking initiatives might help us to build
new services and also be more selective and decide where we
want to be leading the customer experience. The new core
IN TERMS OF COMPLEXITY,
I think that no project can
beat our multi-year CBS
program!
banking will also come with lots of changes for employees
but some will also reach and impact our customers. On top
of that, we are investing a lot on services for our investors but
also on features that will help employees provide the right
advice at the right time.
You were named « Technology Expert of the Year »
during the first ever IT Ladies Night held in Luxembourg.
What does this recognition mean to you?
Well, I had some hesitations before accepting to apply. The
first being that our success is there thanks to the people in the
teams, not because of one single person. But, after discussions
with the members of my team, they said this was a recognition
for all of us and for BIL as well. It convinced me to go for it! And
when you receive the price, when you look at the 360 career
shift that I did, you think that there is a long way that has been
done and I am proud of this. Finally, nothing is impossible if
you dare and decide that it will not be!
Finally, how would you convince young girls to pursue
a career in the STEM field?
Do not think that things are destined to others and just believe
in yourself. It is important to listen to your heart and to dare! Also,
be aware that whatever the choice you make, you will always
be surprised by the ability you have to personalize your job. The
STEM field is so large that there is always a concrete application
that will suit you. And do not forget to try, test, change, move…
that’s what makes your professional life so exciting!
2019 2020

20
IT ONE IN 2020
January
2020
February
2020
March
2020
April
2020
May
2020
June
2020
July
2020
August
2020
September
2020
October
2020
November
2020
December
2020
January
2021
Game of code
06.[19-20].2020
IT Days
09. 22.2020
Pitch
Your Startup
IT
Ladies Night
European Security
Forum
IT Ladies Night
11.2020
ICT Spring
09. [15-16].2020
Space Forum
G A L A
Fintech
Summit
Digital
Supply Chain
Europe
AI/Digital
Summit
Gala IT One
12. 01.2020
Digital 50
ITONE
MAGAZINE

NOUS AVONS ÉTÉ ÉLUS
«ICT OUTSOURCING SERVICES PROVIDER OF THE YEAR»
Pour la 4 ème année consécutive,
System Solutions a été primée lors
de la cérémonie des ICT Awards
à Luxembourg. Parallèlement aux
aspects techniques, le Jury a tenu
à souligner la relation client de
System Solutions basée sur
la «confiance et la proximité».
LUXEMBOURG
Suivez toute l’actualité
de System Solutions sur
Parc d’Activités, 36
L-8308 Capellen
Tél : +352 31 40 40 - 1
Fax : +352 31 40 42
systemsolutions.lu

22
Olivier Penin - Director Sales, Marketing & Solutions - Telkea Group
« Availability,
reachability
and quality
of interaction have
become a key
factor of success »
telkea.com
Why have collaboration and communication tools
become so important in the current environment?
How did digital change the way people are interacting
and working?
Strongest civilizations have been those with the best
organization and communication skills, able to share, coordinate
and federate actions. This remains true in today’s globalized
world, where efficiency, speed and quality are key drivers for
both companies and administrations, towards their clients,
citizens and partners. Digitalization is an evolution, moving
people from physical proximity communication to digital
interactions, while keeping an objective of virtual proximity. For
instance, voice, video and messaging enrich the interactions,
whatever the device it is used from. Enter a meeting room,
use your mobile device to interact with the room device, and
collaborate with other rooms and personal devices, be they
internal or external. Be it through a desk or mobile phone,
PC or meeting rooms device, they bring full mobility in and
outside of the organization, allowing real-time internal and
external interactions. Enterprise Messaging applications allow
project driven team working. They include voice, video, chat,
documents and whiteboards, shared in virtual rooms created
on-the-fly and managed by end users. This brings the business
high flexibility in internal and external team collaboration, while
reducing operational costs. Availability, reachability and quality
of interaction have become a key factor of success, and this
is where digital collaboration and communication tools have
become so important in human interaction in the current
environment. It changes the way people communicate, be
it in the media, device or localization. This also changes the
work organization, allowing easy cross geography teams and
home office or new ways to collaborate on content. Moreover,
a person is today often considered as « always on », meaning
always connected. He/she uses single number reach (fixed
line and mobile), has email and chat applications. The notion
of presence has evolved and is less used than it was in earlier
stages. If I send him/her a chat, whatever the application used,
he/she will answer in a reasonable timeframe, if not directly.
How do you see the future of communication
applications?
The biggest revolution is still to come, with a huge impact on
interaction and collaboration. Digitalization is not only giving
tools to facilitate human-to-human interactions. It is more and
more about introducing the « machine » to offload, facilitate
and enrich human interactions and actions. Enter a meeting
room, start a video enabled meeting through a simple action.
Face recognition is automatically adding the name of each
speaker. Camera is automatically digitally zooming on the
ITONE
MAGAZINE

23
90
AVAILABILITY,
REACHABILITY & QUALITY
of interaction have become
a key factor of success.
A NEW WORLD
based on technology,
robots and AI.
YEARS OF HISTORY
in telephony, communication
and collaboration applications.
Olivier Penin (Director Sales, Marketing
& Solutions, Telkea Group) met with the IT One team
to discuss the importance – and the emergence –
of collaboration and communication tools, in a world
that is more digital than ever and requires more
and more immediacy.
person speaking. Technology is helping the users to keep
focused on the meeting content. Enter a chatbot, whether
it is on a web interface or through your standard business
collaboration application. After you ask a question or request
a document, Artificial Intelligence will guide you to the correct
answer and documents. The bot/robot is able to run context
driven actions like booking a taxi, escalate a call to emergency
services, launching a video surveillance camera recording or
block an access to a room or whatever other machine-tomachine
or machine-to-human action. Real-time speech
and text analytics enriches customer experience. This includes
voice recognition for authentication, real-time translation to
text or real-time language translation. Big data handling allows
to understand how the tools are used, providing dashboards
to administrators and users, helping them in a better usage for
more efficiency. This is a new world based on technology, robots
and AI, with limitless business and day-to-day life applications.
It will accelerate the trend to cloud-based communication and
collaboration applications, fully integrated with the customer
on-premise or cloud-based business applications, in order to
take full benefit of the technology and innovations.
How can the Telkea experts assist their clients with the
implementation of collaboration tools?
Telkea ICT has 90 years of history in telephony, communication
and collaboration applications, having followed the different
evolutions and transformations with its customers and helped
THE BIGGEST REVOLUTION
IS STILL TO COME,
with a huge impact on interaction
and collaboration. Digitalization
is not only giving tools to facilitate
human-to-human interactions.
them in implementation, but also in the assessment of needs,
change management and user adoption process. Telkea Group
is a global player, including Telkea Telecom as connectivity, SIP
Trunk and Mobile carrier, combined with deep knowledge of
Telkea ICT in enterprise networking and security, providing endto-end
solutions and integration capabilities. For many years,
Telkea has also been providing a full set of cloud solutions,
allowing a mix of on-premise and cloud-based applications
in a global customized solution. But most important is Telkea’s
vertical business view, analyzing each company needs related
to its market specificities, be it linked to finance with trading
floors, compliance and fix/mobile voice recording, or be it in
the healthcare sector were communication and collaboration
applications need to be combined with nurse call or other
business critical specific communication applications. Telkea
Group is the global player that will guide you through audit,
design, implementation, maintenance, operation and analytics
of your communication and collaboration environments.
2019 2020

Together we do great things
hello.global.ntt

Together we enable
the connected future.
We partner with organizations globally to shape and achieve
outcomes through intelligent technology solutions. For us, intelligent
means data driven, connected, digital and secure. Together we enable
the connected future. A future where ideas, people, and technology
work together to change the world for the better.

26
An all-around virtual
telecommunications service
provided by MIXvoip
Photos:
Dominique Gaul
The jury members of the IT One Gala’s latest
edition rewarded MIXvoip, the telecommunications
specialist, with the Telecom Provider of the Year Award
for its remarkable performance. Loïc Didelot, CEO of
MIXvoip, met with our team to discuss the company’s
recent achievements whilst also pondering on the
future of the industry.
A flexible solution underpinned with reliable local
support services
According to Loïc Didelot, even though smartphones are now
the norm, fixed line telecommunications are still essential in
2020. He explains: « they present unique advantages in allowing
for redundancy and ensuring that clients can always reach
the company, even if the preferred contact person is away
or unavailable. Fixed numbers are also widely perceived as
evidence of a company’s respectable size and stability. In
today’s fast-paced environment this service must be flexible
and provided at affordable costs. And this is where
MIXvoip actually comes in ». The company entered
the market as a local start-up with a unique offer,
moving from leasing and maintenance fees to a price
per user per month covering all the needs, from voice
mail to conference system, and including full support
services. Nowadays, most competitors seek to adopt
this formula initiated 10 years ago.
2019, a great year for MIXvoip
“2019 was the year of recognition for MIXvoip”, says
Loïc Didelot. The company participated in a Cloud
PBX benchmarking study directed by Openfield
and was recognized as the best solution available
in Luxembourg. «This result actually validates our
technical concept and highlights our expertise. It
also represents an important recognition from the
outside world,» explains the founder. Reinforcing that,
MIXvoip won the Telecom Provider of the Year Award
at the prestigious IT One Gala, which took place on
December 3 rd , 2019.
www.mixvoip.com
In line with its corporate strategy of regularly adding
innovative services, MIXvoip recently integrated the
Microsoft Teams feature to its offer and a 100% free
teleconference system. The CEO adds: « Along with
our full range of services, this package positions
MIXvoip as an expert in the delivery of comprehensive
telecommunications solutions ».
« Moreover, the timeframe between initial contact
with the client and implementation can be as
short as two weeks. This is made possible through
cloud technology, of course, but also thanks to the
ITONE
MAGAZINE

INTERVIEW
27
automation of some of our processes, like the zero-touch
deployment of SIP phones, » adds Loïc Didelot. MIXvoip
has also won over larger companies – businesses with more
than 500 fixed phones – by offering services that particularly
emphasise security and compliance. « Our offer is not limited
to cloud-based solutions, we can also deploy on-site solutions.
Additionally, we answer to specific security needs with a high
availability or 24/7 support » highlights the CEO. He also
explains that one of the reasons behind MIXvoip’s success is
its strategy centred around the client and his needs. « Each
and every single day, our team members work hard to meet
our clients’ expectations. To benefit from the best possible
execution, clients can contact their preferred technician via
a direct extension number for the adequate solution to be
implemented as quickly as possible. In order to build such
relationships, trust is a key aspect. Speaking of trust, I would like
to seize this opportunity to thank all our customers, including
the 700 new clients we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming
at MIXvoip this year, » says the leader with a genuine smile.
What’s coming next
Loïc Didelot also analyses trends in the sector: « First and
foremost, we live in a mobile society. Mobile phones
completely transformed people’s day-to-day life - most of
us are now reachable anywhere, anytime, and we expect the
same in our professional dealings. We are also moving towards
a paperless industry. In response, we observe the emergence
of new players, such as Amazon and Microsoft, who clearly
express their intention to provide new telecommunications
products designed for professionals. These brands have the
means and brains to disrupt the industry ». According to the
expert, the addition and integration of all these technologies
and tools, from emails, CRM, ERP and even business analytics
solutions, represent a real challenge. He explains: « Our role
as a service provider is to tailor our service offer to what
people really need, such as giving them the option to answer
professional calls to their office number on the device of
their choice, in order to be available anywhere, anytime. This
explains why MIXvoip favours the integration of third-party
solutions like Microsoft Teams or develop our own such as
the web-softphone application or our free audioconference
system ».
And to conclude: « All our efforts paid off. Today, MIXvoip
employs 60 people and hires a new employee every month
to sustain our 35% growth rate. This year we can announce
revenues of 6.8 million euros serving more than 2,900 b2b
– business to business – clients, from Luxembourg to the
United States and all the way to Japan. »
Key figures
3 OFFICES
LU, BE
& DE
2700
business
customers
98,99 %
of our customers
stay with us
+10 000 000
MINUTES
monthly traffic
55
employees
around Europe
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2019 2020

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Olivier Beaujean (CDO & CIO rocket, you face several challenges and
of IEE) first took the stage to need to defy gravity and air. A simple
discuss Metamaterials: « at solution is to actually use a balloon to
IEE, we have a department float outside of the atmosphere. Zero
called ‘material science’, at the border of 2 Infinity aims at bringing space to all,
science and magic ». He then highlighted highlighted the expert, as the barriers
one of the simple laws of physics: to entry are coming down, and space is
the refraction of light. « We can now becoming a normal sector which offers
manipulate light by using metamaterials. many opportunities ».
Invisibility is not a dream anymore. It can
be software-based and controlled by John Brown (COO of Carplane) took the
a computer », he added. Metamaterials stage and stated: « our flying car has
will be useful in multiple domains: radio now become a reality. Quick changes
and microwaves, optical and acoustic. happen: horses were replaced by cars
He shared the example of solar panels in 10 years. After the world war, we went
The DeepTech Illusion
On December 3 rd , 2019, more than 800 ICT professionals
participated to the 13 th edition of the IT One Gala. The event invited the
participants to dive into an (un)real atmosphere to discover the latest
DeepTech trends.
built with metasurfaces allowing the from ships to airlines in about 15 years ».
sunlight to be redirected to efficient According to him, the next trend is all
surfaces. IEE currently works on a solution about individual air mobility, notably
which detects if babies are left in cars, air taxis – roof to roof – and inter urban
with a radar detecting their breath and mobility which uses roads and runways.
sending alarms.
John Brown’s company targets the latter:
« we are focusing on the 200-1200km
The organizers then welcomed distance. Infrastructures are not a
José Mariano Lopez-Urdiales (CEO & problem as we just need a communal
Founder of Zero 2 Infinity): « space has road and a grass strip ».
been the topic of many movies for years
but it seems like the future is about to Tom Ghelen (Associate Director,
happen… in a slightly different way ». He Accenture Technology) stated that we
explained that it was just a matter of time live in an amazing world: « what made
before the entire world gets connected the companies that disrupted the world
and listed what he sees as the most successful? The SMAC approach: Social,
promising space business: connectivity, Mobile, Analytics and Cloud. These
survey and tourism. « When sending a elements are all part of our lives now ». He
discussed the « customer expectations »
trend, consisting in individualized services,
instant on-demand and momentary
markets. « We are advocating the use
of DARQ Power: Distributed Ledger,
Applied Intelligence, Extended Reality
and Quantum Computing. Companies
are experimenting these techs and even
putting them in production. But actually,
it’s the combination of such technologies
that will make the difference, » added
Tom Ghelen.
A round table around the topic of
« ethical DeepTechs », moderated by
Thomas Musiolik (Managing Director,
Accenture Technology Luxembourg),
brought together Abdelhay Toudma
(CIO, Arendt & Medernach),
Murial Gaspard (CIO, Camca Assurance),
Georges Berscheid (CIO, Finologee),
Olivier Beaujean and Tom Ghelen.
According to Olivier Beaujean, ethics
is key: « we need mechanisms and
governance to make sure DeepTech
is not used in a bad way ». Georges
Berscheid focused on risk and credit
ratings: « algorithms need to be taught,
are based on historical and often biased
data, when it should be ethical and
non-discriminant ». Muriel Gaspard said
that measures need to be taken at the
government level, as, for instance, face
recognition is used in some countries
for reasons that could threaten the
lives of millions of people. Tom Ghelen
highlighted the need for people to see
tech as a co-worker: « they need to learn
how to leverage it to be more at ease
in their daily tasks ». Abdelhay Toudma
discussed the use of AI and added:
« our relationships with our customers
are private, therefore trust and values
are key elements: there needs to be a
balance between needs and our own
values. We faced a similar challenge
20 years ago with the advent of the
internet. It’s all about ethics by design ».
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