How do you build a scalable digital experience platform for an organisation with multiple brands, target audiences and channels? For Alliander, the Dutch network operator serving 3 million households and businesses with energy, we developed a modular DXP on Sitecore. Liander.nl was the first application: a central digital foundation combining self-service, digital accessibility and consistent customer service. The result: one shared architecture that prevents fragmentation and digitally supports the energy transition.
Modular DXP on Sitecore for multi-brand architecture
Headless and scalable: ready for rollout across multiple brands
Liander.nl as first application and destination portal
3M+ households and businesses served via the infrastructure
Self-service and data-driven customer interaction
Digital accessibility according to European standards (e-inclusion)
The challenge
How do you support multiple websites, brands and target audiences from one cohesive digital structure, without compromising on relevance, usability and accessibility?
The solution
A modular digital experience platform on Sitecore where content and workflows converge, and which can easily be expanded with new websites and brands.
Alliander x iO: the digital foundation for the energy transition
As one of the largest energy network companies in the Netherlands, Alliander builds, develops and manages energy networks. In doing so, the company shapes the energy future of the Netherlands. Via their infrastructure, more than 3 million households and businesses receive electricity, gas and heat. With more than 90,000 km of electricity grid, 40,000 km of gas network and approximately 10,000 employees, Alliander works daily on a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supply.
Our collaboration started with customer research and data analysis as the foundation for a future-proof architectural design. Based on these insights, we developed the DXP and guided the organisation and its brands in their digital development. We work in short iterations to expand, optimise and enrich the platform and connected channels. Liander.nl was the first concrete application; corporate websites, careers environments and operational platforms follow.
Why organisations with multiple brands run into digital fragmentation
Organisations with multiple brands, target audiences and digital channels quickly run into fragmentation. Different websites, each with their own technology and management. Varying needs per target audience. Growing ambitions that are difficult to scale.
This was also the challenge for Alliander. As a network operator, it serves not only consumers through Liander, but also business customers, partners and internal teams across different brands and channels. The pace and scale of the energy transition require an organisation that can act decisively and operate as a single entity. This, in turn, requires a digital environment that supports that way of working.
How do you build a scalable DXP for an organisation with multiple brands?
An effective multi-brand digital experience platform doesn't start with technology, but with establishing a strong strategy. To that end, we first mapped context, goals and expectations:
Customer research: insight into the needs of different target audiencesData analysis: which content and functionality are crucial?Architecture design: a future-proof foundation that scales
Based on these insights, we chose a headless and modular DXP on Sitecore.
The difference from traditional monolithic platforms? Modularity. Each component can be adapted, expanded or replaced independently. This allows Alliander to handle content, channels and technology flexibly, today and tomorrow. The company can easily add new brands and websites without disrupting the underlying architecture.
It also prevents vendor lock-in and makes the platform future-proof.
What is the best platform for a multi-brand, multi-channel architecture?
Sitecore forms the backbone of the DXP, providing Alliander with the flexibility and scalability to centrally manage and continuously evolve multiple brands and digital experiences.
Headless architecture: content and presentation are separated, allowing the same content to be published to different channelsMulti-site management: manage multiple websites from one central environmentPersonalisation: show relevant content based on user behaviour and preferencesIntegration capabilities: seamless connection to existing systems and data sources
The Sitecore DXP brings content, technology and channels together within one central architecture. This ensures consistency across all digital touchpoints and makes it possible to work on multiple brands and websites from a single foundation.
How can a network operator improve digital self-service?
Customers of a network operator have diverse questions: from requesting a new connection to reporting a fault. Traditionally, this means a lot of telephone contact and manual processes. Self-service changes that.
Within the platform, liander.nl plays a central role as the main communication channel and destination portal for Alliander. The website functions as a user-friendly and knowledgeable guide within the complex energy system:
Customers are guided step by step to the right informationTransactional environments are directly accessible from the websiteReal-time insight into personal situation and progress of workClear communication about the impact of choices
By focusing on self-service and connection to data sources, customers gain better insight into their situation. This contributes to a consistent experience across all contact moments and reduces pressure on customer service.
Digital accessibility on a corporate platform? Yes, you must.
Digital accessibility is not a nice-to-have, but a requirement. Especially for a network operator serving millions of households, including people who are less digitally skilled.
In developing liander.nl, we paid extra attention to:
WCAG compliance: meeting European accessibility standardsE-inclusion: less digitally skilled users can also manage their affairsClear navigation: intuitive structure that quickly guides users to the right placeAccessible content: understandable language, good contrasts, screen-reader friendly
Digital accessibility is not an endpoint, but an ongoing process. We continuously monitor and optimise to improve the experience for all users.
How to you roll out a DXP across multiple brands in phases?
A big bang implementation is risky and often unnecessary. For Alliander, we chose a phased rollout:
Phase 1: liander.nl as the first application and proof of conceptPhase 2: expansion to corporate websites and careers environmentsPhase 3: operational platforms and further brand integration
By steering towards modularity and scalability from the start, we created not just a solution for one website, but a platform that structurally supports further growth. Each phase delivers direct value and validates the architecture for the next step.
Since launch, the platform has been continuously developed. Together with Alliander, we work in short iterations to expand, optimise and enrich the platform and connected channels.
Working as partners towards a strong digital experience platform
As strategic and technical partner, we worked closely with Alliander to create a strong and future-proof DXP that can grow with the ambitions of the company and its many brands.
We work as an extension of the Alliander team: not as an external supplier, but as a partner who thinks along on strategy and executes at a technical level.
As one team, we went all in for a complete transformation:
Customer research and data analysis as the foundation for the architectureHeadless and modular DXP design on SitecoreDevelopment of liander.nl as the first applicationDigital accessibility and e-inclusion according to European standardsContinuous development in short iterationsGuidance of the organisation and brands in their digital development
The energy transition calls for a platform that adapts and connects. With the DXP as our foundation, we are not merely creating a new website for Liander, but a scalable basis for all our brands. One shared architecture that helps us combat fragmentation and deliver value to our customers more quickly and consistently.
One digital foundation for the energy future of the Netherlands
With the new platform, Alliander offers a consistent and accessible digital experience via liander.nl. Customers can increasingly manage their energy affairs independently and receive better guidance when making choices within the energy system, even when they are less digitally skilled.
Alliander has gained more control over its digital landscape. By working from one scalable foundation, there is greater coherence in technology, communication and working methods. This helps the organisation respond more quickly to new developments and better fulfil its societal role in the energy transition. The phased rollout to corporate websites, careers environments and operational platforms is underway and builds on the solid foundation that liander.nl has laid.
