TechLead-Story: Alexander Rosemann, CTO & Co-Founder at kpibench

TechLeadStory

Alexander Rosemann

Team

Size and Roles: The development team consists of three versatile developers, each with their unique specialization. For instance, one focuses primarily on the front end, another on the back end, and there are specific areas of expertise such as hardware for machine data acquisition and its integration into existing production systems.

Organization and Structure: Despite being a small team, the structure is flat, and bureaucracy is minimal. The team plans tasks carefully and commits to two-week sprints. The original approach involved a simplified Kanban process, but the team has transitioned to a Scrum framework, aligning well with customer-specific developments and iterative processes.

Distinctive Aspects: Each team member has roots in classical web and/or software development, complemented by expertise in electronics or statistics. This diverse knowledge, spanning from electronics and embedded hardware to microservices and large databases (Cassandra), ensures a dynamic and engaging work environment. The team's enthusiasm lies in applying their skills meaningfully in the manufacturing industry, especially in pioneering cloud and SaaS solutions.

Recruiting

Integration in Recruiting Process: Recruiting is currently handled directly within the development department. The process involves examining past projects and public code repositories rather than algorithmic tests. During interviews, discussions focus on the technical decisions made in previous projects, allowing candidates to talk about their code. Human factors play a significant role in building a successful, long-term team.

Onboarding Procedure: The onboarding process is kept streamlined. General onboarding activities, such as introductions, office tours, and setup, are completed in a morning. Once the technical environment is ready, new team members start working on specific tasks to quickly familiarize themselves with the team and its working methods.

Qualities Beyond Technical Skills: Pragmatism is highly valued. Efficient implementation and deployment take precedence over overly intricate concepts. The team appreciates candidates who see technologies as tools and emphasize practical solutions. Alongside motivation and chemistry, experience takes a back seat when building a team for long-term success.

Technologies

Technical Challenges: Managing and transforming large volumes of time-series and event data with limited physical resources poses one of the greatest challenges. Additionally, integrating third-party systems in diverse customer environments requires solutions that balance abstraction for future connections and maintainability.

Current Technologies: The technology portfolio is diverse, with the back end primarily using JVM-based technologies like Spring Boot and vert.x. The front end is a mix of PHP, jQuery, and Vue.js. Python is employed for scripting and statistical analyses are typically done using R. The team consciously selects technologies based on past positive experiences and often lives with intentionally defined limitations in technology choices.

Evolution of Technology Since Inception: Over time, the back end has shifted to JVM-based technologies, leveraging modern languages like Kotlin and Scala. In the front end, there is a transition towards Vue.js, gradually replacing legacy code. The team keeps abreast of new hardware components for data acquisition, recently exploring technologies like LoRaWAN. The JVM's popularity stems from its productivity and the extensive library ecosystem it offers.

This adaptable approach to technology reflects the team's commitment to finding effective and practical solutions, continuously evolving to meet the challenges posed by the manufacturing industry.