Why Vinmonopolet Chose Pearl for Their Most Critical IT Move
Vinmonopolet recently faced a significant challenge: their mission-critical e-commerce platform was reaching its end-of-life. They needed to move their entire online store - serving 32 million annual visitors - to the cloud. After a formal public tender, Pearl was selected for the mission. We sat down with Jorulf Beitland, Head of IT Platform & Development at Vinmonopolet, to discuss the migration, the long-term results, and the strategic road ahead.
To start with the background - you went through a formal public tender 2025 to find a partner for this migration. What were the main factors that led you to choose Pearl?
"In a public tender, everything is weighed and measured. For us, it eventually came down to a combination of price, specific competence, and proven experience. We needed a partner who had successfully moved large, complex organizations to the cloud before. Pearl had the references and the depth of expertise that gave us the confidence we needed for such a critical move."
Pearl’s technical team showed from the start that they understood that complexity.
You’ve described the old system as a 'burning platform' because it was losing support. How did that affect the technical requirements for the project?
"The pressure was definitely there. When you're managing a platform with 32 million visits a year, there is little room for downtime or errors. We needed a migration that was precise and handled with high technical skill. We were looking for architects and consultants who could look at our specific integrations and ensure that the 'lift and shift' to the cloud was seamless. Pearl’s technical team showed from the start that they understood that complexity."
IT projects of this scale often struggle with delays or complex administration. How did the team manage to keep this project on track?
"A major reason was the lack of administrative overhead. We worked as one team, using the same tools like Jira and Confluence, which meant we didn't waste time on unnecessary bureaucracy. But just as importantly, it was about the people. Pearl provided a very experienced project manager and senior architects who kept the process lean and focused. They didn't just manage the project; they drove it forward without the usual friction."
Now that the migration is successful, what does this new cloud system actually mean for Vinmonopolet’s future?
"It changes everything in terms of flexibility. Previously, we were tied down by old infrastructure. Now, we have a modern foundation that allows us to scale and innovate at a completely different pace. Now we have a system that can grow with us and handle the demands of tomorrow's retail landscape."
Looking ahead, what possibilities do you see with the new platform? Are things like AI on the horizon?
"Absolutely. The move to SAP Commerce Cloud opens doors that were previously closed. We are now in a position where we can start exploring AI-driven insights and more personalized customer journeys. For Vinmonopolet, it’s about using technology to provide better advice and a safer, more responsible shopping experience. The new platform gives us the data and the tools to actually make that happen."
You worked closely with Pearl’s team in Riga. How did that collaboration work in practice?
"The Riga delivery center was a cornerstone of this project. Their technical competence is exceptional. What impressed me most was their professionalism - it never felt like they were a 'remote' team. They were simply our colleagues who delivered with a level of precision and work ethic that was vital for us to hit our targets."
When technical hurdles appeared - which they always do in projects of this scale - the Pearl team solved them with a level of calm and precision that only comes from deep experience.
Beyond the project management, how would you describe the technical expertise Pearl brought to the table?
"That was really the foundation of our 'low shoulders' throughout the project. It wasn’t just that they knew SAP; it was the depth of their understanding of our specific integrations and the technical architecture. When technical hurdles appeared - which they always do in projects of this scale - the Pearl team solved them with a level of calm and precision that only comes from deep experience. They didn't have to 'guess' or 'research' things; they already had the answers. That level of senior expertise is what kept the project moving at such a high pace without compromising quality."
When technical hurdles appeared - which they always do in projects of this scale - the Pearl team solved them with a level of calm and precision that only comes from deep experience.
Beyond the project management, how would you describe the technical expertise Pearl brought to the table?
"That was really the foundation of our 'low shoulders' throughout the project. It wasn’t just that they knew SAP; it was the depth of their understanding of our specific integrations and the technical architecture. When technical hurdles appeared - which they always do in projects of this scale - the Pearl team solved them with a level of calm and precision that only comes from deep experience. They didn't have to 'guess' or 'research' things; they already had the answers. That level of senior expertise is what kept the project moving at such a high pace without compromising quality."
When we presented the final results, there were literal applauses in the steering committee and in Vinmonopolets Management Team.
The project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. How was that result received within Vinmonopolet?
"It’s actually the first time I can remember that an IT-project of this magnitude has delivered ahead of schedule and under budget. When we presented the final results, there were literal applauses in the steering committee and in Vinmonopolets Management Team. For me, it was a very satisfying way to show that when you have the right competence and a straightforward process, you can achieve great results without overspending."
The project is now live, but the partnership isn't ending here. Vinmonopolet has also chosen Pearl Care for the ongoing support and maintenance. Why was that a natural next step for you?
"It was a very natural choice. When you have a platform that is this critical to your business, you can't leave the support to chance. With PearlCare, we know that the people who actually built and migrated the system are also the ones keeping it healthy. It gives us a level of continuity and security that is hard to find elsewhere. We know they understand our business, our history, and our goals, which makes the ongoing management much more efficient."
In this industry, it’s easy to find vendors who just want to push as many consultant hours as possible, but Pearl is different.
Looking back at the partnership - which actually stretches back to 2015 - what is your main takeaway regarding Pearl as a company?
"What I appreciate most is Pearl’s long-term perspective. In this industry, it’s easy to find vendors who just want to push as many consultant hours as possible, but Pearl is different. They genuinely focus on what is best for us as a customer in the long run. They dare to challenge us if they see a better way, but they always listen to our needs. That honesty and commitment to a lasting relationship is rare, and it’s why our partnership has been so successful."
