Axians Belgium found in LCL the strategic partner who understands its challenges, anticipates future trends, and provides sustainable solutions. "Our philosophy at Axians is ‘ICT with a human touch’. We deliver IT solutions in a way that makes customers feel valued, not like just another number. That’s why LCL is such a great fit. Their customer intimacy approach aligns perfectly with our vision," says Wilfried Houtput, Business Unit Manager at Axians Belgium, the ICT brand of VINCI Energies.   

Why did Axians choose to partner with LCL?  

Wilfried Houtput: “LCL’s approach to customer intimacy – some call it customer proximity – fits exactly with our business philosophy. Our go-to-market slogan, ‘ICT with a human touch’, reflects how we operate: providing ICT services in a way that ensures clients experience a personal connection, rather than feeling like just another number. By working closely with customers, we better understand their needs and can deliver the best possible solutions. Or as we say: We make sure our customers sleep soundly at night.”  

Can you leverage your relationship with LCL towards your customers?  

“It’s something we certainly do. At this moment, customer intimacy plays a bigger role than sustainability in our customers’ decision. However, the biggest deciding factor for many customers is LCL’s independence. Their neutrality towards internet providers gives our customers a strategic advantage and prevents vendor lock-in. While sustainability is currently less decisive in their decision, we expect this to change in the near future. For Axians itself, sustainability is already top of mind, as it supports our sustainability reporting and market positioning.”  

Is sustainability becoming a higher priority for your customers?  

“Absolutely. When looking at the annual reports of our clients, we see sustainability and energy transition increasingly mentioned alongside IT implementations. That means company management is taking this seriously, and it’s on the radar of their own customers as well. Sustainability is becoming a key concern.”  

What ESG factors matter most in your collaboration with LCL?  

“Within Axians, we have a sustainability manager responsible for overseeing our sustainable initiatives and certifications, such as our EcoVadis Gold Medal. By the way, congratulations to LCL on receiving the EcoVadis Platinum Medal. For us, the most important thing is knowing that sustainability is fully embedded within LCL’s organisation. The measures they take, such as using 100% green electricity, align with our own efforts. Being part of Vinci Energies, we support the energy transition at every step: from production with renewable energy solutions, storage in batteries, hydrogen production, and e-boilers, to transmission, transport, heat recovery, CO2 reduction in production processes, and smart energy management systems to optimally align consumption with energy availability.”  

IT and sustainability departments can operate separately, potentially missing opportunities as a result. How does Axians manage this?  

“It’s easy to claim sustainability, but if you really want to understand and control the challenges, you have to go deep into the details. At Axians, we solve this by combining expertise: our sustainability manager is also an IT manager. This ensures a streamlined approach, avoiding gaps between sustainability goals and IT decision-making. However, we still face the challenge of navigating complex regulations.”  

“That’s why I believe in strong partnerships. LCL, for example, makes it clear: if you want your data center facilities to be truly sustainable, you’ve come to the right place. That’s what I expect from a partner.”  

Is Axians investing in sustainable IT infrastructure, or are you encouraging customers to do so?  

“This is mainly an ecological challenge. When it comes to servers and storage systems, we must take the right steps because the impact is significant. For instance, we helped a mutual client achieve a 15% energy reduction simply by upgrading their storage management system.”  

“But caution is needed. Replacing old laptops too quickly with energy-efficient models may seem sustainable, but when you factor in the raw materials and production footprint, the environmental benefit is not always clear-cut. Making informed decisions with expert insights is key.”  

“One area where I strongly believe in LCL’s sustainability initiatives is data center cooling. By optimising temperature management, they fundamentally improve efficiency. This kind of structural innovation has a much greater long-term impact.”  

What do you expect from LCL as a partner?  

“Of course, availability is number one, that’s the foundation. But beyond that, the real value lies in staying ahead of technological developments and keeping us informed about what’s coming next. I appreciate a partnership where I’m not just a customer, but part of the bigger picture. I want to know: What challenges do you see? What strategies are you adopting? What trends should we prepare for? With that knowledge, I can better advise my customers.”  

“In today’s world, continuous improvement is essential. Companies shouldn’t have to chase suppliers for updates: suppliers should proactively keep customers ahead of the curve, especially in sustainability and technological innovation.”  

What are Axians’ key focus areas?  

“Cyber security is a top priority. With NIS2 regulations becoming stricter, security is a business-critical requirement. Cyber attacks are unavoidable, alas, so companies must prepare for incidents and ensure fast recovery. Our customers expect business resilience: not just protection but the ability to bounce back quickly.”  

“More broadly, our vision is to create sustainable, secure, and flexible IT solutions that evolve with our customers’ needs. By continuing to innovate and strengthening partnerships like the one with LCL, we ensure that we remain at the forefront, both technologically and environmentally.”