The Walloon Agency for Export and Foreign Investment (AWEX) is an international public institution that contributes to the economic development of Wallonia.
The agency has launched a comprehensive digital transformation to modernize its support functions. In this context, Persolis, in collaboration with EY, was selected to lead Lot 2 of the HRIS project, focusing on the full digitalization of Soft HR processes for its 500 employees in Belgium and across its global network.
The Challenge
Until then, AWEX managed its talent through fragmented systems, resulting in a lack of a global overview of competencies and an inability to fully meet evolving needs.
The main challenges of the project were:
- Technological modernization: Transition to a modern, secure, and flexible SaaS/Cloud environment adapted to new HR challenges.
- Process centralization: A unified approach for recruitment, training, career management, and evaluations for more than 500 employees across Belgium and abroad (statutory staff, contractual employees, and locally hired expatriates).
- Interoperability: Ensuring smooth interaction between the future Soft HR system, the administrative management system (Lot 1), and the agency’s Microsoft ecosystem (SharePoint/O365).
- Compliance: Supporting the specific regulations of the Walloon Public Service Code while also managing an international workforce subject to local legislation.
Persolis’ Approach
To address these challenges, Persolis proposed the implementation of an integrated SaaS solution built around several core modules of SAP SuccessFactors, with each module adding a layer of innovation and artificial intelligence (AI):
- SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting: Optimization of the candidate pool through intelligent matching between CVs and job vacancies, and analysis of potential biases to promote inclusive recruitment.
- SAP SuccessFactors Learning: Management of a dynamic training catalog with personalized recommendations based on roles and career ambitions.
- SAP SuccessFactors Performance & Goals: Digitalization of the entire evaluation cycle (planning, monitoring, and evaluation), with AI-supported objectives and 360° feedback.
- SAP SuccessFactors Career & Talent Development: Identification of high potentials (HiPo) and succession planning for critical roles to ensure the long-term sustainability of the agency’s expertise.
- SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central (Backbone): Central foundation ensuring consistency of master data and enabling a dynamic organizational chart (Who’s Who) via SharePoint.
This approach is based on the philosophy “Adopt, not Adapt”: leveraging the solution’s native best practices to simplify maintenance and control the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
The Added Value of AI
Generative AI functionalities were activated to increase the business value of the solution, particularly within two strategic modules.
1. Job Description Enhancement for the SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting module
This functionality automatically generates and improves job descriptions using AI.
Operational objectives:
- Improve generic descriptions so they closely match recruiters’ needs
- Refine job profiles through intelligent recommendations
- Reduce language bias in job postings
SuccessFactors promise:
- Up to 90% reduction in time and cost for creating job descriptions
- Approximately 5% reduction in costs due to bad hires
2. Development Goal Creation for the SAP SuccessFactors Performance & Goals module
This functionality supports employees in formulating personalized performance and development goals.
Key capabilities:
- Automatic generation of goals based on employee ambitions
- Comparison between initial content and AI-generated content
- Personalization of goals per user
Operational benefits:
- Significant acceleration in goal-setting
- More measurable, harmonized, and structured objectives
- Reduced time required for drafting and formulation
SuccessFactors promise:
- 60 to 80% time savings in goal preparation
- Up to +0.25% improvement in employee productivity
Our approach was based on several pillars:
- Iterative approach in 6 phases: Mobilize, Design, Build, Test, Deploy, and Stabilize, with gradual validation of the configuration by AWEX teams.
- HR360 accelerator: Use of standardized and preconfigured HR processes to speed up implementation and ensure market best practices.
- Advanced technical integration: Use of SAP CPI middleware for automated data flows and integration of Azure AD authentication with multi-factor authentication for maximum security.
- People at the heart of change: A support strategy based on the ADKAR model, including in-depth training of “Key Users” to ensure future autonomy of HR teams.
Results
Thanks to this collaboration, AWEX now benefits from a high-performance HR ecosystem with tangible advantages:
- 360° visibility: Analytical reports and dynamic dashboards provide a complete overview of all employee segments and support strategic decision-making.
- Operational efficiency: Automation of repetitive tasks, elimination of duplicate entries through seamless integration between Hard and Soft HR systems via SAP Integration Suite, and more efficient approval workflows.
- Enhanced employee experience: Employees manage their own development through the ESS (Employee Self-Service) interface, while managers lead their teams via MSS (Manager Self-Service).
- Continuous innovation: Integration of AI functionalities for intelligent candidate matching and predictive analysis of internal mobility.
Client Testimonial
Clément Simon – HR Director, AWEX
“The project has enabled AWEX to take a major step forward in modernizing its Soft HR processes. The integration of AI is a real lever for operational efficiency while also improving the experience of employees and managers, both in Belgium and abroad. This approach opens up concrete perspectives for more efficient and agile talent management.”
Persolis Testimonial
Mehdi Chaârane – Managing Consultant and Senior Functional Expertum SAP SuccessFactors at Persolis
“The success of the AWEX project above all illustrates the strength of close and committed collaboration between business teams, IT, and our experts at Persolis, part of Expertum. Together, we transformed an ambition into a concrete, high-performing, and sustainable solution.
Thanks to SAP SuccessFactors and the power of its native artificial intelligence, AWEX now has a modern HR platform that optimizes its processes and better supports its employees, managers, and HR teams on a daily basis.
This project demonstrates that beyond technology, listening, co-creation, and mutual trust are the true success factors that make a tangible impact for the organization.”
Charlotte is here to listen.
Get in touch with her.
Charlotte is based in Belgium.
