certification
Within the Novalliance Group, a major player in the production and distribution of seeds adapted to tropical climates, quality is not an option: it is at the heart of the company’s industrial performance and credibility in African and tropical markets.
To support the development of its quality management system and prepare for the accreditation of its in-house laboratory, the group implemented the Agilium solution at some of its facilities, first at Technisem (industrial site) and then at Seedlab, its quality control laboratory.
Feedback from Natacha Hillairet, Quality Manager at the Seedlab laboratory and Quality Project Manager for Technisem.
A multi-entity group facing a major restructuring challenge
Novalliance brings together several companies that work in synergy
- Technisem, an industrial facility dedicated to the receipt, processing, packaging, and shipment of seeds
- Seedlab, a quality control laboratory, is a separate legal entity but is affiliated with the group
The operational unit centered around Technisem has about 100 employees, for a total of approximately 800 employees across the group. The laboratory, which is smaller, has a team of 6 to 10 people.
In this multi-site, multi-entity environment, the challenge is clear: to standardize practices, centralize information, and ensure reliable traceability, all while preparing for the laboratory’s future accreditation.
Before: a fragmented quality approach
Before the solution was deployed, quality management relied on:
- documents shared on network drives
- tracking nonconformities in Excel
- scattered attachments
- There are few links between documentation, audits, action plans, and nonconformities
An internal audit conducted in 2023 highlighted these weaknesses: a lack of traceability, documentation that was difficult to consolidate, and poorly structured oversight.
In an environment where nonconformities must be managed on a daily basis, the lack of a centralized system posed an organizational risk and hindered progress toward quality maturity.
“They were file-sharing networks, with documents scattered all over the place… non-compliance tracking in Excel spreadsheets, attachments in other files… We ended up with a whole bunch of items scattered everywhere that we couldn’t connect. We had the information… but it was scattered. Finding a document or linking a non-compliance to an action plan or an audit quickly became time-consuming.”
Agilium Deployment: Structuring, Configuring, Engaging
The Agilium platform will be officially launched at Technisem in July 2024.
The project is organized in phases:
- Module-by-Module Workshops
- Collaborative Workflow Configuration
- Specific developments (escalation of nonconformities, customized forms)
- Pilot phase with a limited number of users
- Adjustments
- Gradual rollout to all employees
“We broke it down into workshops and developed it module by module, really drawing on how we currently operate and how we wanted to reflect that… while still retaining control.”
Natacha, the platform’s lead administrator, has been trained in configuration so she can maintain control over future developments.
“Being able to adapt the tool to our operations was crucial. We built the modules based on our actual processes.”
Following the deployment at Technisem, a second, separate platform is currently being developed for Seedlab in order to adapt the tool to the laboratory’s specific needs and accreditation goals.
Non-conformity management is finally streamlined and traceable
The nonconformity management module is now used on a daily basis.
The new system allows for:
- direct reporting by users
- a dispatch sent specifically to the relevant officials
- a structured analysis
- an assessment during a steering committee meeting
- the implementation and monitoring of action plans
- a marked and documented boundary
Control screens are now used during meetings to monitor DNCs and NCs in real time.
“Today, everyone knows what they need to do. The steps are clear, visible, and well-defined. We’ve become more streamlined and efficient.”
The targeted routing of nonconformities also prevents unnecessary contact with employees who are not involved, thereby improving the relevance and responsiveness of the handling process.
Implement a quality system structured like Novalliance's
GED, audits, nonconformities, and management: all centralized on a single platform.
Centralization, consistency, and a solid foundation for accreditation
In addition to NCs, Agilium now allows you to connect:
- documentation
- audits
- nonconformities
- action plans
- process reviews (module expected sometime in 2026)
“The fact that everything is centralized… that we can access our documents, nonconformities, and audits—that everything is linked, that we have a bird’s-eye view, a comprehensive overview… it’s incredibly valuable for managing our operations.”
The platform is gradually becoming the structured repository of the quality system.
Perceived benefits:
- centralization of information
- reduction in the time spent searching for documents
- greater consistency across sites
- a solid foundation for preparing for laboratory accreditation
- a scalable tool that regularly incorporates new modules
“The platform is dynamic. It evolves regularly, even without any specific requests on our part. This reassures us of its ability to meet our future needs.”
Appreciated, Personalized Support
The configuration workshops with the Agilium team, the availability of support, and the transfer of skills were among the project’s strengths.
While full adoption by all employees remains an area for improvement, the user-friendly interface (tiles, lists, multiple access points) makes it easy for users with diverse backgrounds to get started.
“We’re working directly with someone from Agilium to set all of this up… and Ms. La Violette is available to make a few adjustments, to make sure that when we start using it, we’re fully operational.”
A quality approach that is now structured and adaptable
In less than two years, Technisem has grown from:
- a fragmented quality system
- a centralized, traceable, and manageable approach
With one platform already operational at Technisem and a second currently being deployed for Seedlab, operations now rest on a solid foundation for:
- harmonize its practices
- secure its processes
- prepare for the accreditation of its laboratory
- support its growth in tropical markets
“Agilium meets our specific needs. We now have a tool that provides structure and allows us to manage quality with much greater peace of mind.”
- EDM
- CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
“Before Agilium, our quality data was scattered across network drives and Excel files: it was difficult to link a nonconformity to an audit or an action plan. Today, everything is centralized; documents, nonconformities, and audits are all linked together, giving us a comprehensive overview—it’s incredibly valuable for managing our operations. Everyone knows what they need to do; the steps are clear and well-defined. The platform is regularly updated, which gives us confidence in its ability to meet our future needs, particularly as we prepare for our laboratory’s accreditation.”
