How L’Échelle Européenne digitizes its franchise network with Seenaps

Digitizing a franchise network is never a trivial undertaking. How can the franchisor/franchisee relationship be effectively structured without limiting local autonomy? What tools can both unify a network and streamline daily communication? And above all, how can such a profound transformation be supported while preserving what already works?

L’Échelle Européenne, a brand specialized in height access solutions, has found concrete answers to these questions thanks to our platform Seenaps, deployed internally under the name “Échelle +”.

👉 In this article, discover the feedback from Mallaury Coutelle, network coordinator, and Pierre Guidel, Franchise, Marketing and Communication Director.

As Pierre Guidel explains, franchising “is a model that allows for rapid expansion without requiring heavy capital investment from franchisees, while ensuring recurring revenue through royalties and pooling communication efforts to accelerate network growth.”

For over 30 years, L’Échelle Européenne has relied on a proven franchise model. This strategic choice has allowed the brand to build a dense territorial presence while gradually expanding internationally. The network now includes more than 50 sales outlets and aims to open 5 new locations by the end of 2025. This strategy is also based on structured support: a four-week initial training program, operational management tools, and continuous assistance — all key levers to ensure franchisee success. Ce modèle repose aussi sur un accompagnement solide : formation initiale de quatre semaines, assistance continue, et outils de gestion opérationnelle pour chaque franchisé.

Initially, L’Échelle Européenne operated as a network of distributors specializing in height access equipment and products. But as early as 2005, the brand began a major shift toward a more integrated model: manufacturing, installation, and customer support.

“The biggest challenge was evolving from a distribution franchise model to a manufacturing franchise model,” says Pierre Guidel. “It’s a shift in the business and therefore in the skillset required from our franchisees.”

This strategic pivot requires franchisees to develop new skills in marketing and project management. The goal is to ensure consistent quality while preserving the local responsiveness of each agency.

Before deploying Seenaps, several operational roadblocks hindered the network’s transformation.
Highly focused on day-to-day operations (worksites, quotes, interventions), the agencies struggled to integrate project management tools into their routines. Informal communication via email or phone was frequent, leading to high mental load and significant information loss. The challenge was as much cultural as technical: fostering a project-based mindset that was still weakly embedded.

“Before Seenaps, we relied heavily on emails and phone calls. There was real information loss and a significant mental burden for teams,” adds Mallaury Coutelle.

Échelle +, the internal name for the Seenaps platform, has profoundly changed the daily life of the network. By centralizing all resources (documents, training materials, news, audits, etc.), it allows each employee to work more efficiently. Access to information is instant, simplified, and above all, standardized.

For a new franchisee or team member, onboarding is faster:
“A new colleague no longer needs someone to send them documents — they have direct access to everything via Échelle +,” explains the network coordinator.

The result: fewer emails, less confusion, and better visibility on franchisor actions. A precious time-saver for all network stakeholders.

The rollout of Échelle + was built step by step, with constant attention to structure and adoption.

As early as November 2023, a detailed planning phase was carried out internally to populate the platform before sharing it with the wider network. This phase was supported by Quentin, a project director at Seenaps, who effectively guided the team by sharing practical examples and giving advice on how to use the platform.

In March 2024, members of the executive committee were trained, paving the way for a broader rollout. The following month, four regional training sessions reached over 250 employees.

Today, adoption continues, particularly with project management features: task assignment, action tracking, coordination across departments. This steady ramp-up is aligned with the network’s real needs.

Internally, L’Échelle Européenne also relied on its training department, which acted as a true ambassador for the tool among franchisees. In each onboarding or upskilling session, the platform was systematically presented, helping make it second nature for users.

Thanks to Seenaps, the relationship between headquarters and franchisees has become clearer and more efficient. Interactions — once scattered across emails, calls, and ad-hoc files — are now centralized on a single platform.

This structuring helps everyone better understand the role and added value of the franchisor.

“There is now a clear view of what we provide,” says Mallaury Coutelle. “Seenaps provides a single access point that centralizes all the key information needed in everyone’s daily work,” she adds.

Network priorities are more visible, actions are better tracked, and transparency strengthens trust between stakeholders. It’s a step toward a more mature and constructive relationship.

One of Échelle +’s key benefits lies in its ability to create a common language between departments.
Communication, marketing, network development, quality — all now use the same tools, share the same information, and work in a common environment. This alignment has significantly reduced silos and streamlined internal collaboration.

“We’ve included other departments like quality, which helps foster cross-functionality and establish a shared language between teams,” says Pierre Guidel.

This new cross-functionality is a foundation for structuring projects, tracking actions, and increasing agility across the network.

The integration of the Seenaps platform has anchored a culture of continuous improvement within the network. Franchisees now have ongoing access to up-to-date content: knowledge manuals, network news, training modules, and more.

“Before, we had to send documents by email, and the risk of using different versions was high. Not to mention accidentally deleting a file,” notes Mallaury.

This autonomy encourages local skill development while allowing headquarters to identify needs based on field feedback. The tool thus becomes a strategic lever to harmonize practices, test ideas, and evolve standards.

This modernization momentum is also seen in other networks supported by Seenaps.
Each brand has its own challenges, but all share the need for a structuring tool to enhance consistency, clarity, and agility.

The deployment of Échelle + within the L’Échelle Européenne network clearly demonstrates the impact of a well-designed tool: centralization, structure, professionalism. Seenaps has helped foster a shared culture, align teams, and save time at every level.

“We’ve definitely gained in maturity,” summarizes Pierre Guidel.

The platform hasn’t just digitized processes — it has paved the way for a new, more fluid and collaborative organization.

Seenaps isn’t just a tool. It’s a sustainable transformation lever for ambitious networks.

Are you a franchisor, network manager, or executive of a growing brand?

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Founded in 1981 in Montpellier under the name Échelle 34, L’Échelle Européenne has established itself as a specialist in height access solutions. With over 50 points of sale in France and abroad, the brand offers a wide range of technical products: staircases (straight, spiral, modular), ladders, scaffolding, lifts, safety equipment (PPE, lifelines, anchors, guardrails…). Its offering targets both professionals and private individuals, with the same commitment: ensuring safety and performance at height.