Powering a Billion-Dollar Telecom Business with HCL Domino and Nomad
What we achieved
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Cut
platform costs by 20x
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Unified
systems and workflows
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Streamlined
mobile approvals
To who
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Industry Telecommunications
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Products: HCL Domino, HCL Nomad
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Region Global
Overview
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Part 1
Challenge
Siloed data and disconnected tools slowed A1’s sales cycle—especially mobile approvals and reporting—while high costs from third-party platforms limited scalability.
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Part 2
Solution
A1 extended Domino with Nomad Mobile, enabling secure mobile access, streamlined workflows, centralized data, automated reporting, and integration with existing systems—without replatforming
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Part 3
Results
A1 accelerated sales workflows, reduced third-party costs by over 20x, and empowered over 1200 users—with 150+ mobile users leveraging Domino apps via Nomad Mobile.
The Challenge
Equipping Sellers to Succeed in a Mobile World
A1’s enterprise sales division needed better coordination across pre-sales, fulfillment, and business units to close complex telecom deals. But with opportunity data stuck in individual mailboxes and high manual reporting overhead, sales cycles were slowing. Meanwhile, high licensing costs limited scalability.
Historically, reliance on email and phone calls led to siloed prospect data and knowledge transfer challenges. Furthermore, significant time spent on manual pipeline reporting detracted from valuable relationship-building activities. While A1 recognized the need for centralized and automated sales activity management, building a solution from scratch seemed too complex, and procuring a standard enterprise tool was cost-prohibitive and restrictive.
"When A1 merged with a business using HCL Domino as a rudimentary sales tool, we saw another way," Georg Schaller, Sales Information Management Leader at A1, explains. "We decided to leverage Domino's scalability, versatility and digital workflow capabilities." This initial step laid the foundation, but as the business evolved, the need for mobile access and tighter integration with other core systems became increasingly apparent to maintain efficiency and competitiveness.
The Solution
Extending Domino's Power with Nomad and Integration
A1's journey with Domino began in 2001. Recognizing its potential, they developed a sophisticated sales pipeline management application, internally known as "BS Notes," currently running on Domino 12.0.2. The Domino platform became central to their operations.
Around 2018, seeking to extend these powerful applications to mobile devices without incurring significant extra costs, A1 turned to HCL Nomad Mobile. "The key motivation was extending Domino applications to mobile cost-effectively, as Nomad Mobile is included in our CCB license," says Schaller.
The rollout of Nomad Mobile was gradual and organic. Users, particularly younger employees and managers, showed interest and were guided through downloading the app and accessing it via HCL SafeLinx, which acts as a secure proxy. "The technical setup was simple; the main hurdle was getting security approvals for SafeLinx in our protected network zones," Schaller recalls.
Today, 10-15% of the 1200 Domino users actively use Nomad Mobile on iPads, iPhones and android devices for quick actions:
- Quick updates: Sales reps update opportunity statuses or delivery dates.
- Information access: Checking client details or fiber availability at customer sites.
- Approvals on the go: Managers approve documents directly from their phones.
- Automated reminders: Accessing opportunity documents via links in automated reminder emails (e.g., for deal stages, birthdays, delivery dates).
- The system intelligently displays custom forms adapted to the user's device (desktop or mobile).
Crucially, Domino acts as the "glue", integrating disparate systems. A1 exchanges data seamlessly with a sister company's customer relationship management platform via SOAP and REST APIs (e.g., sending opportunity info, receiving calculation sheets) and integrates with an IT service management system for ticketing updates and billing validation processes within Domino/Notes.
The Results
Driving Efficiency, Mobility, and Unbeatable TCO
More than 1200 employees across A1 Telekom Austria rely on their Domino-based applications daily. "Whether it's pre-sales, post-sales, or management, Domino is at the heart of practically everything our people do," states Schaller.
The platform continues to deliver significant operational efficiencies. Automated reporting saves sales teams hours each week, allowing them to focus on building strong customer relationships. Nomad Mobile adds another layer of productivity, especially for managers who appreciate the speed of mobile approvals.
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) remains a standout benefit. A1 manages the entire platform, supporting complex workflows for 1200 users, with just two Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs). The cost comparison is stark: Domino´s licensing costs are approximately 20 times cheaper than competing platforms. This difference is highlighted whenever users from acquired companies or internal departments are transferred to Domino based applications.
Domino's adaptability also aids compliance with regulations like Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and GDPR. A1 implemented business logic changes quickly, such as automated alerts for large data exports, without downtime.
Looking ahead, A1 plans to further enhance mobile-friendly forms as another department (~300 users) is integrated. They are keenly anticipating Domino 14.5 and Domino IQ to incorporate AI capabilities, aligning with leadership's focus. They are also piloting Nomad Web to replace installed Notes clients like HCAA. While early results are promising, broader adoption depends on full support for Excel and PowerPoint exports—a critical need for managers and product teams. A1 is actively testing the latest COM plugin and plans to move forward once key export functions are validated.
Adhering to the company´s cloud strategy, A1 is running HCL Domino in a hybrid environment. While the majority of applications still run on prem, the first Domino server has been installed on A1´s Exoscale cloud. Therefore, we take advantage of running our business applications in our cloud seamlessly.
Schaller likens Domino to a versatile athlete: "Just like a decathlete needs to perform at a high level in a variety of disciplines, Domino has proven it has the versatility and agility we need." He concludes with a powerful statement on the platform's criticality: "If we switch off Domino, the business goes quiet."
About the company
Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange, A1 Telekom Austria Group is a leading provider of digital services and communications solutions in Central and Eastern Europe. The largest member of A1 Telekom Austria Group, A1 serves private consumers, small- and medium-size businesses and enterprises across the country, including approximately 6.1 million mobile customers and 2.3 million fixed-line customers.
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