With Elvio Grigiante, IoT & Customer Mobile App IT Manager at Lavazza Group, we review Lavazza’s technology innovation projects with Aeonvis, chosen for its project management and ICT governance expertise in complex projects.
Founded in Turin in 1895 by Luigi Lavazza, the Lavazza company has remained family-owned for four generations, evolving from a small grocery store at 10 Via San Tommaso to a major global player in the coffee industry.
Oggi, il Gruppo Lavazza vanta un fatturato di circa 3,35 miliardi di euro e un portafoglio di marchi prestigiosi come Lavazza, Carte Noire, Merrild e Kicking Horse. La sua presenza si estende in 140 mercati, supportata da nove stabilimenti produttivi in cinque paesi e da circa 5.500 collaboratori a livello mondiale.
Innovation has always been at the heart of Lavazza’s strategy: from the intuition of the coffee blend, to the development of innovative packaging solutions, to the first espresso in space. This ability to be ahead of the times is also reflected in the focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability, which has always been a point of reference to guide the company’s strategies.
Through Elvio Grigiante ‘s expertise, we delve into the company’s evolution in the field of Mobile Apps and the Internet of Things.
The context
In 2019, Lavazza launched the development of its first connected machines aimed at the B2B segment, targeting direct distributors and authorized retailers. The following year, the company expands its offering with a connected machine designed for the consumer segment, called Voicy, featuring native integration of the Amazon Alexa voice assistant. Along with Voicy, Lavazza is also launching the first version of the Loyalty program through the integrated Piacere Lavazza App.The 2021 marks a further step forward with the IoT platform debut, to support the many connected machines that Lavazza planned to launch on the market.Since then, the company has then continued to invest in technological innovation, leading up to today with the preview announcement at Milan Design Week 2025 of Tabli, the innovative system that redefines the way coffee is enjoyed. With Tablì, Lavazza introduces a new standard in the world of coffee: a 100% coffee, capsule-free tab, the result of a patented technology that transforms ground coffee into a solid, ready-to-use form, with no wrappers or waste.
The need and the solution
With the expansion therefore of projects related to “connected machines,” the complexity in managing activities and coordinating stakeholders has increased. This involves various stakeholders internationally, including coffee machine suppliers, internal groups responsible for requirements gathering and quality, technology suppliers for the IoT and mobile platform, as well as firmware development partners.
After an initial phase dedicated to initiating activities and involving the various project stakeholders, Lavazza is enlisting the support of Aeonvis to implement the project management model. This includes training and dissemination of the model among the internal and external stakeholders involved in the various projects. Given the technological complexity and the multiplicity of stakeholders involved, the need for specific technical oversight for IoT and Mobile development emerges, with a focus on:
- Planning Coordination of technical tables
- Management and organization of Quality Assurance.
- Supervision of major way-of-working events.
- Validation and approval of documentation
IoT & Customer Mobile App IT Manager
Lavazza Group
“Aeonvis provides a very effective service: it structures and manages the plan for the connectivity of each machine, supporting the release of the necessary components (firmware, IoT services, consumer App) within the time, cost, and quality standards stipulated in the overall production plan.”
The quality of the intervention is based on Aeonvis’ experience in integrating project management processes and its ability to dialogue effectively with stakeholders who are heterogeneous in role and language. The Hybrid-Agile model developed with Lavazza has enabled effective control of activities, ensuring that quality standards are met without compromising the time dedicated to testing and compliance audits.
Lavazza, with support from Aeonvis, is currently coordinating project plans for machine connectivity planned for launch in 2025 and 2026. The adoption of a structured governance model in way-of-working is proving essential to ensure long-term success.
The approach taken is always transversal, integrating both IT technology and functional and process aspects. Close monitoring of project and evolutionary activities is always ensured, ensuring adherence to timelines, high quality standards and, above all, active and synergistic collaboration among all stakeholders involved.
