In the ever-evolving world of insurance, digital transformation is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. For Zilveren Kruis, one of the largest health insurance providers in the Netherlands, embracing low-code development has proven to be a pivotal move. With over 25 low-code applications built on the Mendix platform, Zilveren Kruis has set a benchmark for innovation in a traditionally steadfast industry.

A Decade of Low-Code Excellence

Since adopting Mendix in 2009, Zilveren Kruis has been leveraging low-code to extend their capacity for digital transformation. Serving over 5 million customers, their modestly sized development team has successfully built a portfolio of applications that enhance customer experience, reduce operational inefficiencies, and ensure compliance with regulatory demands—all while aligning with the broader digital ecosystem of their parent company, Achmea Group.

Responding to Industry Demands

Health insurance is a heavily regulated industry, and adapting to government mandates is a constant challenge. When new regulations necessitated a policyholder portal in 2009, traditional IT processes were too slow to meet the deadline. Turning to Mendix, the team delivered a fully functional solution on time, ensuring compliance and setting the stage for further innovation.

This first success illustrated the power of low-code for addressing time-sensitive and critical customer needs. Applications since then have ranged from replacing cumbersome shadow IT processes in Excel to separating tax-applicable charges within the system—tasks that would have been prohibitively complex using traditional development methods.

Building Teams for Innovation

Recognizing the need for scalability, Zilveren Kruis formally established a Mendix practice in 2018. Starting with a small team of four developers with no prior low-code experience, the company partnered with a Mendix partner to accelerate their learning curve. Over time, this collaboration enabled the team to transition from dependency on external partners to full autonomy, achieving a remarkable output of more than 25 applications.

Lessons Learned in Low-Code Development

Zilveren Kruis’ journey has not been without challenges. Their experience highlights valuable lessons for companies embarking on similar low-code transformations:

• Speed doesn’t solve everything: While low-code enables faster development, other stages of the lifecycle—like requirements gathering and user acceptance—also need to adapt to fully harness this speed.
• Lean teams are key: Adding resources to a struggling project often exacerbates delays. Zilveren Kruis found that small, focused teams—typically a developer, product owner, and tester—yielded the best results.
• Strategic differentiation: Many Mendix applications augment non-core processes, enabling differentiation without duplicating effort. For example, a Mendix-built cost recovery application integrates seamlessly with primary systems, streamlining secondary processes like insurance claims for car accidents.

A Platform for the Future

Today, Zilveren Kruis’ Mendix-built applications are not limited to peripheral processes. The team has modernized central systems, such as their customer base registration platform, proving that low-code is robust enough to handle high-volume, business-critical operations.

Best Practices for Low-Code Success

The success of Zilveren Kruis offers a playbook for organizations looking to integrate low-code into their development strategies:

1. Start small and build gradually.
2. Partner with experts to fast-track skills development.
3. Embrace Mendix’s platform as-is, avoiding unnecessary customization.
4. Foster an environment that encourages experimentation and learning.
5. Maintain agility at every level of the organization.
6. Prioritize stakeholder management and governance.
7. Schedule platform upgrades and maintenance proactively.
8. Integrate low-code solutions thoughtfully across the enterprise.

The Road Ahead

Zilveren Kruis’ low-code journey is a testament to what can be achieved with the right tools, teams, and mindset. By leveraging Mendix, they’ve accelerated their digital transformation, ensuring compliance, enhancing customer experiences, and staying ahead in a competitive industry.

With a culture of continuous improvement and a commitment to innovation, Zilveren Kruis is not just adapting to the future of insurance—they’re shaping it.