Transforming data into structure: the first step toward true digital transformation

According to Serge Dauby, Managing Director of the Belgian Nuclear Forum (BNF), and Younes Chillah Senior Technology Advisor at KPMG in Belgium, digital transformation is not something that happens by chance - especially when it involves the heart of the organization: its database. Together, they led a dual mission: implementing Odoo as a new integrated management system while simultaneously delivering a key event on the association’s calendar, all within just a few months.

It was a challenge that demanded not only technical expertise, but a deep understanding of the Forum's internal culture and operational priorities. An ambitious challenge, requiring rigor, coordination, and a shared vision between the teams.

The BNF is a professional organization that brings together the main players in Belgium's nuclear sector. Its mission? To provide objective and transparent information on the role of nuclear energy in the energy transition, in a context where the environmental, economic, and social stakes are high. Active in a technical, political, and sensitive environment, the Forum targets its communication to citizens, industries, and decision makers. Its ambition is to help find the most appropriate solution for the decarbonization of our society. Its operation relies on rigorous coordination and in-depth knowledge of its members and partners - all of which require a reliable, scalable, and well-structured digital infrastructure.

In an age where information must be accessible, timely, and traceable, the Forum recognized the need to modernize its digital backbone.

With a small but highly specialized team, the BNF must be able to rely on tools that save time and provide clarity.

The BNF is an agile yet structured organization operating in a highly technical and politically sensitive environment in terms of communication. Its DNA is to de-mystify this technology.  To function efficiently, it must have complete control over data related to its members, partners, and activities.

“Our former system had become outdated and could no longer keep up,” explains Serge Dauby. “We needed a centralized, modular, and scalable tool to manage not just our members, but also our events, communications, and online billing.”

That’s where KPMG stepped in, delivering a tailored solution through the implementation of Odoo - an open-source platform capable of unifying internal processes through a single interface.

A solution designed to support the Forum's long-term development, without complicating day-to-day operations.

“We began by establishing the central database, which became the backbone of the system,” says Younes Chillah, Senior Technology Advisor at KPMG in Belgium. “It enabled us to consolidate information that was previously scattered across multiple files and systems, which provided the foundation for integrating additional modules – including event management, invoicing, and communications.”

Although the project was technical in nature, it was fundamentally business-driven. “This wasn’t just about deploying a tool,” Younes Chillah emphasizes. “It was about rethinking and optimizing the processes behind it. We co-designed workflows with the client to ensure the system reflected how they work, while improving it.”

Their collaborative approach has resulted in an intuitive solution that is truly aligned with the realities of the field.

The complexity of the project was amplified by a critical constraint: the BNF had to organize a strategic event in parallel with the system implementation.

“It was a real stress test for Odoo and for our organization,” recalls Serge Dauby. “Everything had to work - registrations, communications, contact database, and attendance tracking. KPMG was highly involved, both technically and operationally.”

Despite tight deadlines, both goals were achieved. The event was a success, and the Odoo system is now central to the BNF’s day-to-day operations.

This result was made possible by an agile methodology, strong team involvement, and constant dialogue between stakeholders.

The project doesn’t end here. Thanks to the success of this initial phase, the Forum can now gradually activate additional Odoo modules based on its evolving needs, such as member tracking, CRM, task management, analytics, and more.

“What we value with Odoo is its flexibility. And what we valued with KPMG is their adaptability,” Serge Dauby notes. “They helped us articulate our needs, make quick decisions, and build a solution that will serve us for the long term.”

This flexibility enables to anticipate future developments, while guaranteeing the coherence of the system as a whole.

For Younes Chillah, this project exemplifies KPMG’s approach to digital transformation: “It’s not about technology alone; it’s about understanding the business. Our role is to translate organizational goals into practical, everyday solutions.” This needs-centered approach is what transforms a digital initiative into a sustainable success.

This dual achievement - the implementation of Odoo and the successful delivery of a major event - has enabled the BNF to reach a significant milestone.

“Today, we have better control over our data, a centralized view of our operations, and tools that are aligned with our mission,” Serge Dauby concludes.

Thanks to the collaboration between the BNF and KPMG, a solid foundation has been laid on which the organization can rely for its future development.