“They really pamper us”: how Combell powers Procademy’s learning platform

Looking for a versatile learning platform to share and spread knowledge? Meet Procademy, the most flexible and ISO-certified learning platform in the Netherlands. That makes ultra-secure hosting a must. “Combell is a safe hosting partner that helps us radiate trust towards our customers,” the founders tell us.

Recently, Procademy caught our attention with a remarkable announcement: their data center had gone up in flames. Fake news? Luckily, yes!

The Dutch team found a playful way to announce that they entrust all of Procademy’s data storage to their Belgian partner, Combell. 😉

Time to dive into the story behind this flexible learning platform. Co-founders Wouter van Emmerik (UX expert) and Peter Esser (CTO) shared their journey with us.

Our goal with Procademy is to enable customers to share and spread their knowledge online.

Co-founder Wouter van Emmerik

From kindergarten to Hilversum

Wouter and Peter didn’t first meet at work but way back in 1988 … in kindergarten. Back then, they created “super drawings”: Wouter drew while Peter glued everything together. Years later, student housing replaced crayons with web development.

“In 2008, we officially started a small web agency, mainly building websites and online shops,” Wouter recalls. “The business grew, and in 2013 a client asked us to build a learning platform.

The rest is history. We loved the sector and saw the potential, so we pivoted fully to e-learning. Today, with a great team, we’re building a powerful platform from Hilversum.”

Procademy is not just a software vendor. As a partner, we want to know what really works for our customers.

Co-founder Wouter van Emmerik

Building with customers, not just for them

The strong fit between Combell and Procademy goes beyond smooth collaboration and pleasant communication. Both share the same values: not just selling, but helping customers grow.

“We combine our own development with open-source components, like building blocks, to quickly create the best solution,” says Wouter.

“The end product and how everything fits together, that’s our work. But we’ve always built the platform together with our customers. That’s how we’ve built strong relationships.

Our goal is to help organizations share their knowledge online: workplace learning, internal training, or offering e-learning modules.”

Security and quality first

Procademy isn’t just committed, it’s also a safe partner that delivers quality, proven by several ISO certifications.

Peter: “ISO 27001 demonstrates Procademy’s confidentiality, availability and integrity. ISO 9001 covers our quality and service. And with NEN 7510, we guarantee the highest standards in healthcare data security.”

Wouter adds: “That’s what sets us apart. Many of our clients are in healthcare or have a social mission. For them, data security is crucial. These certifications prove we can meet their needs.”

On top of ISO, the platform is fully compliant with the latest legislation and WCAG 2.2-proof, so digitally accessible for everyone.

We have a genuine partnership with Combell. It's not just a matter of purchasing a product and paying money.

Co-founder Wouter van Emmerik

Safe hosting as a requirement

Data safety is central to Procademy’s success and that’s where Combell comes in. We’re proud of our own ISO certifications, which made all the difference for Peter:

“Because we’re ISO-certified, secure hosting is a must. We need to back that up with proof. When we moved from shared hosting to SRE (Site Reliability Engineering), we demanded guarantees.

For tenders, we had to prove we use an Intrusion Detection System (IDS). That’s when it’s crucial that Combell, as our hosting partner, can provide the right evidence. You’re a safe hosting provider, helping us inspire trust with our customers.”

A smooth migration, with some funny language twists

The collaboration began after a hosting takeover. Migration projects can be tricky, but both founders are very pleased with Combell’s support.

“Once we got our own Slack channel to communicate directly, things really clicked,” says Wouter. “We now run on an excellent platform with tons of technical possibilities, enabling us to grow further as a company.

With Combell, it’s a real partnership. It’s not just paying for a product every month. I’m super happy with it!”

You need to be able to develop the best product; hosting should never be an obstacle.

CTO Peter Esser

Peter laughs: “As Dutchies, we sometimes run into mini language barriers. You think you mean the same thing, but the words differ. Hearing the SREs talk about ‘scrubbing’ the servers cracked us up; it’s basically the Belgian-Dutch term ‘opkuisen’, normal with you in Belgium, odd to use here in the Netherlands. But the Slack communication is so smooth and solution-oriented that we’re even considering rolling it out to our own customers.”

The SRE team doesn’t just keep Procademy’s infrastructure running 24/7, they also dive into the platform’s code from a DevOps perspective, setting up automations, tailoring solutions. For Procademy, it’s been the perfect match.

Carefree testing, continuous innovation

Thanks to those short communication lines, Procademy can safely experiment in test environments. Peter explains:

“We’re currently testing a kind of ‘medical search engine.’ At first, I thought it would be a simple installation. But Combell immediately asked smart questions: what about patch management? Does our platform need an upgrade?

Another brilliant example is the table-top test. Claiming 100% uptime is nothing special anymore. But by simulating disaster scenarios, Combell actually proves that uptime remains intact.”

Combell provides us with sufficient flexibility and peace of mind, a combination that is not often found.

CTO Peter Esser

“Don’t look for the lowest price, look for quality”

What should organizations prioritize when choosing a hosting partner? Wouter doesn’t hesitate:

“Don’t chase the lowest price, but the highest quality. In hosting, you’ll meet ‘cowboys’ throwing gigabytes at you, stay away. Choose a robust provider that’s transparent about where your data is stored.

Given the uncertainty from the US, it’s increasingly important to work with a reliable European partner. We process sensitive personal data, including medical data. Customers wouldn’t accept hosting that with some anonymous provider outside Europe. You need a partner who understands the issues and solves problems.”

"Communication and configuration"

Peter adds: *“For me, communication and configuration - the two C’s - are crucial. Combell really pampers us. We now enjoy both flexibility and peace of mind, a rare combination.

Think carefully about the hosting you need and what a provider offers. Be willing to explore. At the end of the day, you must be able to develop the best product, hosting should never stand in the way.”

Like Procademy, build top-level products and services backed by Combell hosting.