Hungry Minds, a Namur-based creative agency employing a team of 25 people, calls on Macs to produce everything. These computers are used in varied and challenging ways – for graphics, video, as well as digital or visual media to be printed in large formats. For years, the agency’s IT was managed on a case-by-case basis by service providers more familiar with PC systems. Since late 2024, the agency has relied on a single partner for all its IT: Lab9 Pro.

Macs pushed to their limit

Hungry Minds develops campaigns for TV, radio, posters, social networks and marketing activations for clients such as Walibi, LeTec, BigMat, Kiabi, and Chimay. Everyone on the team works on a Mac, including the graphic designers for print, web designers, developers, videographers, account managers, strategists and creative directors. “The more we can standardise the process, the easier and more efficient our work will be,” said Jérôme Vandewatere, Chief Technology Officer at Hungry Minds. “Moreover, IT is one of our biggest investments, and without doubt the most important,” he added.

The videographers extensively use Adobe software and files for just one video can be as large as several terabytes. According to Jérôme Vandewatere, “when you work on your computer for eight hours a day, it’s crucial that it can run smoothly and efficiently.”

In search of an IT partner with Mac expertise

The server, back-ups and repairs were previously handled by a company based in the same building. This was handy when problems arose, but that company mainly worked with Windows. “The work done was essentially a response,” recalled Jérôme Vandewatere. So Hungry Minds went looking for a partner that was comfortable working with the Mac ecosystem. As for the Adobe licences, they were purchased directly online, with support only provided through chat and in English.

The agency already bought its Macs from Lab9. The eureka moment came when Jérôme Vandewatere learned that Lab9 Pro also supported companies as an IT partner, and that it was an official partner of Adobe and Microsoft: “We realised that it offered all these advantages.” He then contacted Olivier Vanoudewater, Lab9 Pro’s account manager for Wallonia. During his visits, he too had noticed that the agency’s requirements went beyond just buying several new computers.

A step-by-step migration

Lab9 Pro inherited a hybrid infrastructure, with Windows servers and a non-Windows firewall. “You can’t just start again with a blank page overnight,” said Olivier Vanoudewater. “Technically speaking, this was not very complex. But it’s important to focus on people’s habits, because when you change a server, you may need to connect in a different way.” Some servers were still covered by a contract, so the fresh start had to be made in several steps.

With the help of Lab9 Pro, the agency’s former mix of equipment has been gradually replaced by cohesive infrastructure: Fortinet firewall, switches and Ruckus Wi-Fi access points, SentinelOne antivirus on each Mac, as well as licences for Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud. Lab9 Pro has also provided the printers and interactive screens for the meeting rooms, in order to present projects to clients and organise videoconferences. “The simpler the infrastructure, the better it will operate,” added Olivier Vanoudewater.

Large and protected files

The work files needed the most attention. They are numerous, very large and many people need to access them. “It looks easy, but it’s a real challenge,” admits Jérôme Vandewatere. In fact, the initial solution was later reassessed: after being used for a year, this system was changed by the agency and Lab9 Pro. “Above all else, the uses and working methods must be well understood. Afterwards, we can set up the most suitable solution,” he added.

The files are today stored on NAS Synology, file servers located in the offices, to ensure the access speed necessary for such volumes. Every night, a full copy is sent to Lab9 Pro’s datacenter in the Netherlands. In the event of fire, theft or a virus in Namur, data from the previous day remain available. “If we lost the file we were working on from one day to the next, it would be like many hours going out of the window,” said Jérôme Vandewatere.

A newly configured Mac on start-up

Lab9 Pro also deployed Jamf, a centralised management solution for Apple devices, known as MDM or Mobile Device Management. Updates, settings, and authorised software: everything is now identical on each machine. Risky downloads or data breaches can also be blocked. The agency calls on leasing and gradually renews its Macs every four years: a dozen Apple computers are replaced annually. “In previous years, everything had to be done manually. Nowadays, we turn on the computer and it’s automatically configured, with connections to our printer, our server and software that is already installed,” noted Jérôme Vandewatere.

Preventive maintenance instead of breakdowns

Once every two weeks, a Lab9 Pro technician spends half a day at Hungry Minds. He verifies the back-ups, completes the updates and answers any staff questions, including those related to good practice when faced with phishing. Olivier Vanoudewater compares this process to car maintenance: “It’s best not to wait for a car to break down before going to the garage.”

Besides these technician visits, a hotline is readily available from Monday to Friday and it can be accessed remotely. Minor requests are typically dealt with on the same day. A monitoring system – which also keeps a watchful eye on the network, firewall and hard disks – can forward alerts directly to Lab9 Pro.

“Nobody these days drops in urgently because everything is down. We’ve seen that before and it’s very stressful,” said Jérôme Vandewatere. Once or twice a year, he meets with Olivier Vanoudewater to evaluate any risks and potential improvements. They work together on budgeting projects for the next year.

As an official Adobe trainer, Lab9 Pro also organises training at Hungry Minds. Its ‘What’s New’ course, updated annually following the annual Adobe MAX conference, covers new features over a day. To handle questions about Adobe licences, which have become increasingly complex, a bilingual team of three people can be reached; previously, the agency had to use a chat line, in English.

Doubling the area without halting production

The true test came with the refitting of the offices. Hungry Minds has doubled their area: the technical space has been moved some ten metres and all the cabling has been redone. Lab9 Pro advised the electricians, moved the IT infrastructure and replaced the end-of-life equipment. “I was really worried that the servers would go offline,” admitted Jérôme Vandewatere. “The team turned up here for one or two days, and we experienced almost no break in our work.”

Good IT is invisible

Emmanuel Briard is in charge of Bright, the structure that supervises Hungry Minds. He likes this expression: the less often Bright sees Lab9 Pro, the better it runs. It clearly shows that everything is working well. Hungry Minds’ results are striking:

A future-ready infrastructure

The major work has been completed, thanks to the new file management system and refitting. The projects for 2027 will be discussed at the year’s end. Asked what sets Lab9 Pro apart, Jérôme Vandewatere highlights its knowledge of the Apple ecosystem, tailored support, preventive maintenance, the training catalogue and presence on site.

Does your graphic company work with Macs? Is it looking for a single contact for all its IT?