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Call for better knowledge sharing and interaction
Every year, Acco conducts a teacher and student survey to find out what both groups think and expect of its services.
The survey showed that the majority of students had difficulties studying online due to the multitude of platforms they have to use. On top of that, students also wanted more interaction with each other and their teachers.
On the other hand, teachers also indicated that they struggled with the multitude of platforms. They particularly had difficulties with sharing and updating study materials across all platforms. One central environment or solution and a seamless link between Acco and the higher-educational institutions would be welcomed with open arms.
Improve the interaction and knowledge sharing between teachers and students.
A digital learning platform and an LTI for higher-educational institutions.
About Acco
Acco is one of the biggest developers and distributors of teaching materials, professional literature and scientific publications in Belgium and the Netherlands. The organisation also often organises study days and symposia for students and professionals to deepen their knowledge and upskill themselves.
Learning platform & link for learning environments
iO and Acco joined forces to develop such an environment and link. The result? The digital learning platform Sofia and a custom LTI (Learning Tool Interoperability).
One digital environment for teachers and students
Thanks to Sofia, teachers can easily create and share interactive study materials with their students. The platform thus steps away from the classic one-way communication and teaching model where teachers stand in front of the auditorium and interaction opportunities are limited.
Students can use Sofia to discover the study materials of their teachers and learn at their own pace. Teachers can individually support students and monitor their progress via an extensive analytics module. Using this module, teachers can analyse automatically generated reports on student engagement and scores.
User-friendliness as a key factor
Sofia’s interface is flexible and intuitive, making it less intimidating for users. It is structured to always put the focus on the available learning content, which is divided into logical, bite-sized blocks within each lesson section.
From a technical point of view, Sofia is a single-page app that combines multiple back-end technologies with a front-end based on JavaScript. The most important technologies used for Sofia are Symfony, Vue.js and Node.js
Seamless integration between Sofia and other learning environments
Using an LTI, we help Acco support higher-educational institutions that want to integrate Acco publications into their own learning environments.
Thanks to the LTI, Sofia can be fully and seamlessly integrated with the LMS systems (Learning Management Systems) of the institutions.
When teachers create new content in Sofia, they can choose which parts of the content become available in the learning environment of their institution. When teachers modify their content in Sofia, it will be automatically updated in the learning environment as well.
Students can keep using the learning environment of their institution the same way they always have. The content from Sofia automatically adopts the look and feel of the learning environment and other study materials. This way, students never have to switch platforms and always get the idea that they’re working in a single environment.
Numbers
Happy target groups & new projects
Acco’s new learning platform and LTI are praised by both teachers and students. Both target groups now have one central environment to share and access course materials, respectively. Furthermore, online teacher-student and student-student interaction is better than ever before. At the time of writing, Sofia is linked to the learning environments of over 30 educational institutions and partners.
Also, the success of Sofia and the LTI has led to a renewed partnership and more projects with Acco, including:
A new website and webshop that Acco can use to set up ‘mini-shops’ for the institutions they work with.
A course booking tool that teachers can use to digitally reserve their study materials (books, courses, etc. ) each semester.
A Select & Learn tool that teachers can use to easily combine other study and course materials with their own.
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A good website is never finished, in the same way that your company is ever finished. A website is alive. That is why companies renew their websites either partially or completely every few years. We call this a website migration. If you don’t develop your website or development isn’t executed properly, you can potentially lose up to 80% of your organic traffic. Fortunately, implementing a well-planned and executed website migration means your website can retain its SEO value – and your business will continue to grow afterwards. Read this blog post to find out how that works.Read moreBlog
Why choose HubSpot CMS? 15 Reasons that will convince you
If you're even remotely interested in digital marketing or sales, you've likely heard of HubSpot – the renowned all-in-one technology powerhouse. But there's a gem within its suite that deserves a spotlight: the CMS Hub. Here's why it should be on your radar for managing your website's content.Read moreBlog
5 UX myths debunked
User experience is an increasingly high priority for brands and organisations. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions and persistent myths about UX. What are they, how can you refute them and perhaps most importantly: how can you, as a brand, do things differently – read: better –? This article will explain how you can do all of this.Read moreBlog
The GDPR privacy regulation. What does it mean for you and your website?
In 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation came into effect. These European regulations caused quite the uproar in their day, yet sometimes they are still an afterthought. But nearly every organisation handles personal data. Are you collecting email addresses for a newsletter? Do you have a customer database? Do you have a contact form on your website? Then you need to adhere to these privacy regulations.Read moreBlog
What makes a successful self-service portal?
A self-service portal is a great way to offer your customers better service and set up your sales processes more efficiently. We explain what a self-service portal is and what you need to make it a success.Read moreBlog
Everything on B2B self-service portals
An online environment to place orders, contact customer service and searching information is a given in B2C. Luckily, we also see an increasing number of B2B companies investing in these kinds of portals. We’ll explain what a B2B self-service portal is and what the benefits for both companies and customers are.Read moreBlog
The power of self-service in transportation and logistics
For organisations in transportation and logistics, it’s no longer enough to just get your shipments from A to B on time. Both private and business customers expect (demand) a top-tier service level these days. In this article, we’ll explain how a self-service portal can offer optimal service in the logistics industry.Read moreBlog
Investing in a self-service portal? There are 3 clear benefits for your business
Does your organisation spend a lot of time providing your customers with information and support about services? For example, scheduling delivery or maintenance appointments, contract management, changing customer data or taking orders? In most cases, these common interactions are all related to information that is connected to your services or products. And it is precisely these interactions that you can digitise effectively in a self-service portal.Read moreBlog
How to improve the digital accessibility of your content
Did you know that there are 2 million people with a disability in the Netherlands? For a lot of these people digital accessibility matters, and from 2025, it will be mandatory for all organisations in the Netherlands to provide digital content that is accessible. In this blog we will tell you what digital accessibility is, why it is important, and what tools you need to get started with digital accessibility.Read moreBlog
Privacy prevails: Google discontinues Similar Audiences in 2023
Avid advertisers might already know, but for those who don’t: Google is discontinuing Similar Audiences in 2023. Do you feel a mild panic rising in your chest? There’s no need to worry. Read all about the impact of Google’s decision on advertising in this blog.Read moreBlog
Everything you need to know about Consent Management Platforms (CMP)
Organisations often store user data on their websites and apps, usually in the form of cookies. But every organisation has to be transparent about how they handle this data, and let users know if their data is shared with external parties. A Consent Management Platform (CMP) can help with this. We'll tell you all about it in this blog.Read moreBlog
Digital transformation: 5 statements that point to potential problems
Digital transformation touches every aspect of a business: people, processes, infrastructure, and customer relationships. Most problems that arise during a transformation process often have their origins in one or more of these aspects. How can you be alert to this?Read moreBlog
Discover TikTok’s innovative advertising opportunities
iO's social advertising team visited TikTok HQ for the first Benelux agency workshop. TikTok is Gen-Z's search engine, and an exciting platform that’s constantly developing new features. We’ll be highlighting the most interesting insights and opportunities we learned from TikTok in this article.Read moreBlog
'Get a taste of AI' #1: Innovating with Large Language Models (LLM) as taste-maker
Anyone who has tried ChatGPT knows that we are at the dawn of a new era. A lot of businesses want to respond to these developments, but often still regard generative AI as a black box. The complexity and lack of transparency can lead to timidity and restraint, while AI as a technology offers a lot of unique opportunities and possibilities. Do you want your business to get ahead of the curve? Then you have to give AI a try: experiment, learn and apply. Experimentation is the only way to learn how and when AI can deliver value to your business operations.Read moreBlog
'Get a taste of AI' #2: Generative AI in practice - How to create business value from day 1
When you understand AI’s full potential you can use it purposefully. But how do you translate the versatile possibilities of AI into the specific context of your everyday business operations?Read moreBlog
How do you guarantee that innovation is successful in your organisation?
Exploring new markets, creating new revenue models, developing new products and solutions: there is consensus in most companies about the need for innovation. But guaranteeing the success of your innovation interventions is not a straightforward process. In this article we share 5 tips that you can use to increase the chances of your innovation process being successful.Read moreBlog
Get the latest updates from iO through our WhatsApp Channel
Yay! There's a new way to get bite-sized content and insights from iO. In the fall of 2023, Meta launched WhatsApp Channels in more than 150 countries - including ours.Read moreBlog
AI tools that add real value to your business processes
Technology is in a constant state of change. The great evolution of recent years has been AI. Today, it's a powerful tool that can radically change the way we solve problems and create value. But how should we really look at AI? And how can we make sure it becomes more than just an empty gimmick?Read moreBlog
2024: the next step for analytics and tracking in a 'privacy first' world
You may not have noticed, but a lot has changed in terms of analytics and tracking over the past five years. This is partly because we've already grown accustomed to many changes, and partly because their impact has come very gradually. Half a decade ago, no one knew of the existence of a cookie banner, a year later everyone thought they could never get used to it, and today we don't know any better. We've made serious strides in terms of data regulation, and perhaps the biggest steps are yet to come in 2024.Read moreBlog
2023: a year in an era of change
Does the name Leonhard Huizinga still ring a bell for anyone? Once a popular Dutch writer, now forgotten. He made his debut in 1936 with the book 'De Gestroomlijnde Wereld'. Already a wanderer at a young age, Huizinga's book opened an unknown world to many readers. An exotic world, which seemed to be getting smaller and smaller, because it was more accessible by car, train, boat, and airplane. Faster, more comfortable and with more and more streamlining — quite literally. Curious, boundless, full of wonder. Not realising, as early as 1936, that over that same world lay the shadows of tomorrow.Read moreBlog
4 tips to develop a successful measurement plan
More and more organisations want to measure the return on investment of digital platforms accurately. But how do you develop a successful measurement plan?Read moreBlog
The future of AI: which 5 trends make their mark on 2024?
We are standing at the beginning of a new economic era with AI and automation as driving forces. Customer interaction is radically being transformed, and the rise of generative AI heralds one of the biggest revolutions ever. As far as AI is concerned, the near future is still a bit unpredictable, but one thing is certain: companies that really want to make a difference should resolutely opt for a digital strategy built upon resilience, productivity and efficiency. Let’s delve into the five most remarkable AI trends for 2024.Read moreBlog
‘Get a taste of AI’ #3: How vectors add flavour and value
Every new era requires new fuel, and the AI era is no exception. Simply collecting raw data is not enough to effectively utilise generative AI – you also need to process and interpret the data. The vector database bridges the gap between data and AI, enabling valuable output and optimal customer experiences. In this article in our ‘Get a taste of AI’ series, you will learn how vectors work and gain the tools to apply them in your daily practice. The term “vector” may not be familiar to the general public, but its impact certainly is. Vectors provide more accurate results and recommendations in search engines and recommendation engines, improving the user experience. They add context and relevance, making the difference between a positive and a negative experience. But how does this work exactly? And how can your organisation leverage vectors for AI?Read moreBlog
Work smarter, not harder: your guide to masterful productivity with AI
Are you tired of all the grand promises surrounding AI? Do trends come and go without leaving a lasting impact? Are you yearning for a down-to-earth answer to the question, "What can I truly gain from AI in my daily work?" Our Art Director and AI pioneer, Gijs guides you in this blog interview. Why can he only guide you? Because there's no one-size-fits-all approach. AI is tailor-made, but it can significantly simplify and enhance your work. Within minutes, promises Gijs, you can achieve powerful mass production. His practical tips might just transform your daily workflow or, at the very least, encourage you to rethink it. Discover how in this interview.Read moreBlog
The six digital and marketing trends for 2024
The rise of AI, shifts in the social media landscape, and the end of third-party data...2023 was, to say the least, a tumultuous year. But this year, marketers and their organizations are also facing significant challenges. Discover the six digital and marketing trends that will dominate 2024 and, most importantly, how you can successfully tackle them.Read moreBlog
Google introduces Interaction to Next Paint as a new Core Web Vital
From March 12, we welcome a significant update in the world of web performance with the introduction of Interaction to Next Paint (INP) as part of the Core Web Vitals. But don't worry, you don’t have to be a web developer to understand: we’ll explain the importance of this update in plain language.Read moreBlog
Why WordPress is the perfect CMS for marketers
At iO, we partner with some major players and market leaders in marketing and technology. One of these partners is WordPress, world's largest Content Management System (CMS). There are several reasons why WordPress tops the list of CMS platforms. For one, the platform has a lot to offer for all its target audiences. In this blog, we list its main advantages for marketers.Read moreBlog
How to create an AI copywriting assistant with custom GPT
Is AI the big monster some make it out to be? The one waiting in line to take over our job of content marketeer? One thing’s for sure: artificial intelligence is no hype. It’s here to stay, and it’s up to us to deal with it. At iO, we’re always looking at new ways to create value. AI turns out not to be a solution, but rather a means to an end. In this blog post, we explain how we use an AI copy assistant to write large volumes of copy in a cost-effective way.Read moreBlog
Drupal Starshot announced: 5 things you need to know
Earlier this month, Drupal founder Dries Buytaert took the stage during the annual DrupalCon North America in Portland (Oregon, USA). He delivered what some call the biggest Drupal news in a long time: the official announcement of Drupal Starshot. Being the largest Drupal partner in the Benelux, we at iO would like to shed some light on this upcoming launch.Read moreBlog
Drupal sets new standards with Starshot
iO and Drupal go way back. We have been using the CMS since our early days, so it is fair to say it holds few secrets for our developers. In recent years, the CMS market has evolved enormously, with new systems springing up like mushrooms. And even though many did not survive, there are still a lot of new CMS systems standing strong today. An unusual situation for Drupal, but with the announcement of Drupal Starshot, the answer is now finally here.Read moreBlog
Why a seamless partner experience is crucial for your organisation
The fact that a flawless digital experience is crucial to consumers, is not new — every day we experience this ourselves when using apps or ordering things online. Less known, but just as crucial, is the partner experience (PX). Especially for financial institutions (such as banks, insurers or payment companies) a seamless PX is invaluable. Friso Geerlings, Technology Director at iO, explains why this is the case and how you can safeguard your PX.Read moreBlog
Conversational search: what is it and why do you want it?
Conversational search in the form of an AI chatbot lets your website visitors interact with your content, resulting in a better customer experience. Conversational search is an advanced search method that uses natural language processing to understand search queries and provide relevant results. Instead of entering search terms, users can formulate searches as they would in a normal conversation.Read moreBlog
Discover conversational AI search
Conversational search in the form of an AI chatbot lets your website visitors interact with your content, resulting in a better customer experience.Read moreBlog
What is search intent? And why is it important for SEO?
When you look something up on the Internet, you always do so with a specific intention. Whether it's to gather information, compare products or actually make a purchase. Either way, you want to see results that match your intent as closely as possible. This intent - called search intent - is a crucial factor for both Google and marketers.Read moreBlog
iOS 18 and RCS: a gamechanger for brands and marketers
With the recent launch of iOS 18, the messaging service Rich Communication Services, or RCS, is finally widely available. This can have a huge impact on how brands and marketers reach their customers. In this article, we dive deeper into the ins and outs of RCS and why at iO, we believe that it will provide better experiences.Read moreBlog
AI is changing how we search and it is time for brands to face this head-on
The impact of AI on search engine marketing and business models is huge. So start experimenting now, advises iO CEO Pieter Janssens.Read moreBlog
How AI is enhancing creative processes
Is generative AI (GenAI) only useful for automating boring tasks or producing mediocre visuals and lacklustre, uninspired texts? Or can it add real value to the creative process? And if so, how do you use it to come up with new concepts and create unique stories? Gijs Besselink, Art Director and AI expert at iO, uses his experience to answer these questions and more.Read moreBlog
AI & E-commerce: 8 tips for navigating the changing SEO landscape
There is unrest in the SEO landscape, and it's no surprise given the rapid changes taking place. With the advent of AI, the future of SEO suddenly seems uncertain. The number one search engine is vigorously testing AI applications, reducing the need to click through to websites. This has serious implications for everyone whose traffic is partially dependent on Google, including e-commerce.Read moreDossier
Dossier: Get a taste of AI – Discover the endless possibilities of AI
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24 insights for 2024
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Dossier: Maximize your marketing efforts with HubSpot
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Dossier: Drupal. Why big brands rely on Drupal CMS.
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Dossier: Composable, the key to flexible business architecture
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Dossier: Self service portals
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Dossier: E-inclusion & accessibility
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Dossier: The Opportunity Report
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Transforming technology into a catalyst for innovation
How fast can you launch new products and services, scale up or scale down sales channels, or provide a better customer experience? The technical complexity of a business often determines its innovation speed. We look at how to transform the 5 key blockers in technology into accelerators for your business. Expert:Raymond Muilwijk, Center of Excellence Lead TechnologyRead moreVideo
AI - The future is not what it used to be
Do you remember when ... the invention of the computer caused a seismic shift in the job market? People unwilling to work with computers were quickly replaced by people who were; and today everyone carries a laptop. Today the same thing is happening with AI. In this webinar, Rodger Werkhoven will share his passion for Artificial Intelligence and introduce you to OpenAI as a love brand.Read moreVideo
The Canon of Flanders: from Van Eyck’s brothers' Ghent Altarpiece to Rock Werchter.
From Van Eyck’s brothers' Ghent Altarpiece to Rock Werchter: the Canon of Flanders is finally here. The much-discussed list resulted in a bulky book of more than 300 pages and includes an overview of the Flemish language, culture, and history from the end of the last ice age to today. But there is also an online version: www.canonvanvlaanderen.be . iO developed this on behalf of the Commission Canon of Flanders, which received a mandate from the Flemish Government, Department of Education & Training.Read moreVideo
Primagaz & iO: a shared journey of growth and success
Discover the fruitful collaboration between Primagaz and iO in this 'Walk and Talk' video. In this video, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the collaborative dynamics between Primagaz and iO. We discuss how we dealt with challenges, how we exploited opportunities and what strategies we developed. We'll take you through our shared journey of growth and success, where trust and a commitment to excellence are central. This Walk and Talk is more than just a conversation - it is a celebration of a collaboration that has stood the test of time. It is a story of mutual growth, of learning and evolving, and of creating value for both organizations.Read moreVideo
Video: Leaving no one behind digitally (David De Block)
In his talk at the 2023 BAM Marketing Congress, David De Block (Public Services Director at iO) talks about e-inclusion — or what it means to leave no one behind digitally.Read moreCase
How do you make your e-commerce platform the engine of your digital ecosystem?
We help High Demand Brands grow at times of digital transformation. Read on to find out exactly how we do that!Look at this client storyCase
How to ease the workload of your customer service using a chatbot?
Find out how iO supported MediaMarkt’s customer service and brought it to life with four different chatbots in 2022.Look at this client storyCase
How do you unify a fragmented digital landscape into one ecosystem?
Find out how we transformed a fragmented digital architecture into an all-in-one digital ecosystem for Losberger De Boer.Look at this client storyCase
How do you engage with education professionals online?
Find out how we connected 78 editors and authors with hundreds of visitors through Zendesk to increase the quality of education.Look at this client storyCase
How can a historical hunt for a missing SS Officer increase museum visits by 30%?
iO and National Monument Kamp Amersfoort teamed up to tell the story of Walter Heinrich — the missing SS officer — in an eight-part podcast.Look at this client storyCase
Podcast: The NOW podcast
Around 140,000 employers used the first NOW application period in 2020. In The NOW Podcast we talk to Ingrid Arts, NOW programme manager at the UWV.Look at this client storyCase
Podcast: Time is running out!
Birth, marriage, death. Divorce, move, new car. Every event in life raises many questions. How should I deal with this? Am I properly insured? Difficult questions that generally require a long answer.Look at this client storyCase
Podcast: 1347 days
A director spends an average of 1347 days on the board. On behalf of KPMG, the editorial board of KPMG RAAD interviews supervisory directors, directors, and supervisors from the Dutch business community about how they made it to the top and life in the boardroom.Look at this client storyCase
Podcast: The Guide
Entrepreneurship is a fun, but it can also be challenging. It's all about feeling and experience. Making choices, seizing opportunities, overcoming challenges and in how to access the financing you need to grow your company.Look at this client storyCase
Podcast: "In Perspective" (UWV)
For people who are – for whatever reason – not involved in the labour market, having a job is the best thing there is. You matter and a bright future looms on the horizon. The podcast In Perspective – In search of happiness at work revolves around the real experiences of people that receive the WIA or Wajong benefit.Look at this client storyCase
How do you transform your distribution company into a digital one-stop-shop?
Automotive old-fashioned? Not at iO! Read in our case how we set up a new webshop for Pacauto, distributor of automotive supplies.Look at this client storyCase
Podcast: War Wound
This audio story tells you all about the doctors' resistance called 'Medisch Contact' during WW2 in the Netherlands.Look at this client storyCase
How do you build a global B2B platform tailored to foodservice professionals?
How to build a multi-site, multi-language, global B2B platform for lead generation and online branding - iOLook at this client storyCase
How a down-to-earth audit paves the way to the ideal digital tools?
With an efficient platform audit, our experts helped Ebema make the most appropriate choices.Look at this client storyCase
How to create a robust personalized inspiration platform for food professionals in Drupal?
For food giant Vandemoortele, we built a Drupal platform that inspires and supports multiple audiences with customised content. Read the case.Look at this client storyCase
How do you transform two telecom giants into one powerful brand?
Entopic/iO rewrote all content to a new tone of voice for the launch of the Odido brand and managed content migration from 2 websites to the new website. Want to know more? Find out in this case.Look at this client storyCase
How do you bring years of delicious creativity to life?
With creative always-on and ad hoc campaigns, our experts help Manna Sauzen grow into a leading Belgian brand.Look at this client storyCase
How do you launch a completely new brand for a global leader in marine recreation?
Read how we worked with Brunswick to create a full branding and international go-to-market strategy to launch their latest brand Navan.Look at this client storyCase
How to deliver a consistent brand experience across 35 countries
How do you develop a digital and internationally deployable retailer concept that takes your customer experience to the next level?Look at this client storyCase
How to catch the attention of students who swipe away every ad?
Discover how Avans University of Applied Sciences and iO attracted over 20,000 new student choosers with creative, data-driven campaigns. Learn strategies that hold Gen Z's attention and create strong brand connections. Get inspired and discover how to entice your target audience.Look at this client storyCase
How do you ensure a flawless guest experience at a renowned holiday park?
iO helped Landal Greenparks create a hospitality experience that seamlessly integrates top personal service with digital convenience. Discover the case.Look at this client storyCase
How do you stimulate requests for co-branded credit cards?
Web, app, and integration platform for co-branded credit card programmesLook at this client storyCase
How do you provide customers with flexible retail financing without a card?
Flexible credit, without a card and with all the omnichannel advantages of a credit card.Look at this client story