skeyes Modernises HCL Domino: SAML & AD Integration Case Study 

As Belgium’s air navigation service provider, skeyes has dependability at the top of their priority list. When their reliable but outdated HCL Domino platform needed to be brought in line with modern security and integration standards, they chose to invest in its future. We helped them with a focused Domino upgrade that has reshaped the platform into a secure, forward-looking foundation for their operations. 

A strategic platform at a crossroads 

If you’re in charge of the safety of Belgium’s airspace, your technology has to be reliable and up to date. While skeyes was happy to keep using HCL Domino to run their important internal applications, their R8 environment had fallen behind the latest standards. This created a gap between the platform’s capabilities and skeyes’ needs.  

Their Chief Security Officer (CSO) decided to set new security benchmarks, and the existing HCL Domino implementation didn’t meet his requirements. For example, simple but vital functions like native HTTPS and modern user authentication were missing. There were also small inefficiencies for users, like having to keep a separate password just for Domino. 

“We were at a point where we had to look at our options,” explains Gaël Anspach, Senior IT Manager at skeyes. “We started thinking about upgrading or even replacing our platform, because our infrastructure was due for an update as well.” 

A partnership for practical modernisation 

skeyes knew the value of their existing Domino applications, so they decided that a full-scale IT modernisation project was the best path forward. They brought us in to provide the necessary expertise and handle the technical side of the project. Our main focus was on practical, high-impact changes. 

To get rid of the separate password, we introduced SAML authentication. This gave every employee a Single Sign-On (SSO) experience using their familiar Microsoft credentials. Behind the scenes, we integrated the platform with their Active Directory, which meant their IT team could now manage all user accounts from one central place. 

To improve the system’s stability, we set up a new production cluster with automatic failover. This makes the whole environment much more resilient and allows for updates without any downtime. Finally, we enabled the platform’s Domino REST API capabilities, making it easy for skeyes to connect Domino to other software in the future. 

“GroupWave took care of the entire new setup, from the architecture to the implementation,” confirms Wilfried Ombelets, Senior Software Developer at skeyes. “They also gave our technical people the advice they needed to connect everything smoothly on our end.” 

A simpler, more secure reality 

The impact of the upgrade was immediately noticeable. Their new and modernised environment met all the CSO’s security requirements, and the IT team now has a much more reliable system to work with. “The failover cluster makes it much easier for us to do server updates,” Wilfried adds. “And because of the SAML login, we don’t have to do any password maintenance in Domino anymore.” 

While it’s small compared to everything else going on behind the scenes, the SAML login is one of the most noticeable changes for employees using the system day to day. Not having to log in separately is a whole lot less hassle, and these details add up. 

In other words: the upgrade solved their old problems, but also re-established Domino as a key part of the company’s future. 

“Technology is something we review regularly, and Domino is a strategic choice for the next five years,” he concludes. “With the right support, the platform stays competitive. Developments happen quickly, the ROI is high, and maintenance is minimal.” 

Is your Domino platform ready for an upgrade? Let’s talk about a practical plan that delivers real value. Contact us to see what is possible.