From a local start-up to an international scale-up: discover how it all began

A leap into the unknown, but with a flashlight in hand!

In 1998, our founders, Karel Hendrickx and Janik Thorez, crossed paths for the first time in the workplace. They had worked together for over ten years in an organization implementing the Oracle ERP system. With their accumulated experience and insights, Karel and Janik felt it was time for a new adventure. Odoo, a brand-new, open-source, and intuitive ERP package, had recently been launched and caught their attention. 

"As the 'new kid on the block,' Odoo managed to capture attention and position itself as a reliable player, and we were more than willing to ride this wave of change."

In 2011, they made the decision to embark on their journey as Odoo integrators. "We explored the market in search of better business software, specifically for SMEs. That's how we came across OpenERP, now known as Odoo," Karel explained. Odoo emerged as a breath of fresh air in a landscape dominated by outdated ERP systems, quickly gaining acceptance among companies seeking modernization and efficiency. 

The name Dynapps - a remarkable origin 

"The name Dynapps originated on the E17," Janik revealed. While Karel and Janik were deep in conversation, a car passed by with various slogans plastered on it. The exact words eluded them, but what stuck in their minds was "Dynamic applications." By combining these words, the compound name "Dynapps" was born. Both gentlemen were quickly convinced of the powerful sound of the name, and thus Dynapps came into existence. 

Trust the process and each other

Not only Karel and Janik, but also some of their former colleagues were willing to join them in starting this new venture. Although it was hard work in the beginning. "We had almost no staff, no references, and a limited budget - but still, we managed to win our first client," Janik recalled. 

"No one knew about OpenERP (later known as Odoo), so we started approaching people based on our experience and knowledge. Selling an ERP system is not just about the software itself, but also about the approach. It's about understanding the customer's processes and empathizing with their situation. That's what matters."

One of the key reasons Dynapps achieved rapid success was its ability to respond to customer needs. "An implementation is only successful when the customer feels that we truly understand where they want to go. Supporting internal business processes and implementing the right software are crucial. If that is not managed well, it's like a failed heart surgery. Everything depends on a good ERP system," Janik explained. 

"Implementing an ERP system can be compared to a heart surgery. We are like surgeons who need to operate on the patient. As a patient, you want to go somewhere where experts know what they're doing. If something happens, you can rely on the right people. That's what Dynapps is for businesses."

In summary, a strong bond of trust quickly resulted in a large customer base, increasing revenue, and a growing group of enthusiastic employees who exude expertise and professionalism.

The sky is the limit

While the early years were primarily characterized by small-scale and startup clients, Dynapps is now also attracting larger companies. The original idea was that startups are often focused on innovation and therefore willing to try something new. However, as Odoo grew bigger and more well-known, the client base also expanded.

Internally, Dynapps decided to establish a Service Department to better serve existing customers. "It's something we excel at as an Odoo integrator to this day. Our partnership doesn't end after the implementation; thanks to our Service Department, we are there when our clients truly need us. This has resulted in an extremely high retention rate, which is something we take pride in," Karel explained.

"Once we established the Service Department, we were able to grow rapidly. Striking the right balance between projects and service made a difference compared to other partners in the market, and that remains true today."

 
Dynapps' growth and potential did not go unnoticed for long. In 2021, they welcomed Green Park Investments as a financial partner, enabling them to continue growing in the past two years. In 2022, they expanded beyond national borders, opening an additional location in Capelle aan den IJssel (Rotterdam), and in early 2023, they inaugurated their office in Ghent. "Furthermore, we completely revamped our HR policy, with special attention to thorough onboarding of new colleagues, training programs, and internal support," added Karel.

The Dynapps adventure started in an improvised home office in Ekeren, evolved to a space in the Officenter in Geel, and then grew into a full-fledged office with additional branches in Ghent, Namur and the Netherlands. "We began with ten employees, and today we have nearly 150 employees, and we are far from finished. Our ambitions to expand further across European borders have never been more tangible," Janik emphasized. Yes, you read it right, the story of Dynapps is ready for the next chapter.