Caso Galapagos

Research
Publication Date: 19 August 2009

ID Number: G00169637

Case Study: How Galapagos Evolved Nimble Global HR
Processes
Thomas Otter

Smaller multinational organizations can deploy HR systems to support global
requirements cost-effectively. HR and IT leaders can learn from Galapagos' success in
deploying a solution that helped the business and HR.
Key Findings
•

ERP systemsare not the only option for global HR systems, as a new breed of
technically advanced, specialist human capital management (HCM) vendors offer
multicountry support and provide a viable alternative to ERP systems, especially for
smaller multinational organizations.

•

Global HR projects are challenging, whether in big or small organizations. They demand
strong project management,interdepartmental collaboration and active executive
support.

•

Galapagos deployed Vizual HR to manage HR processes for its 495 employees across
seven countries.

Recommendations
•

Extend the scope for evaluation of HCM beyond ERP vendors to include specialist
vendors, especially for smaller organizations.

•

Make the use of systems compulsory, limit local deviations to what the lawrequires and
focus on value for the line manager. These are key to successful self-service adoption.

•

Align the project to help the business, not just HR. In this case, the system helped speed
up bid tender responses to clients.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Galapagos is a drug discovery and pharmaceutical service company operating in France,
Belgium, the U.S., the U.K., Holland, Switzerland and Japan. Itemploys 495 people. After
cancelling a large ERP system rollout because of cost and flexibility concerns, the company
turned to a specialist U.K.-based HR vendor, Vizual Business Tools, for a global HR system. The
system was rolled out across the business in less than nine months. The project delivered on its
key objectives of standardizing processes, reducing administration, managingcompliance,
speeding up recruitment, cutting absence costs, improving bid turnaround, and providing accurate
data to line managers, HR and employees.

CASE STUDY

Introduction
Smaller multinational companies (see Note 1), especially in knowledge-intensive industries, are
often challenged by the complexity of global HR processes and systems. They need to act
globally, as they are competing forglobal talent. Often, they need to work seamlessly with large
customers that expect consistent global service (in this case, large pharmaceutical companies).
Smaller multinational companies face significant HR and regulatory compliance-reporting
demands. However, they often don't have the numbers of employees and the technical support
infrastructure to implement and use a large ERP-based HRsolution effectively. This case study
shows how a small multinational company was able to put in place an HR system that meets its
challenging and changing global HR needs without necessarily having to resort to an ERP system
designed for much larger organizations.

The Challenge
Galapagos is a drug discovery and development company with small-molecule programs in bone
and joint diseases, bone...