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‘Here everyone has their own unique expertise and that’s what makes the team so strong’

In April this year, Walloon Benjamin Jacobs began his adventure at OptimaData as a DBA consultant. With a background in systems administration and a passion for databases, he was eager to take on this new challenge. But why exactly did he choose OptimaData, how did the first few months go and what is Benjamin doing to gain new energy? In this blog, he shares his experiences.

Benjamin Jacobs

DBA Consultant en Senior Database Reliability Engineer
Benjamin Jacobs - Database Reliability Engineer
Benjamin Jacobs

From system administration to DBA consultant

My background is in systems administration, mainly focused on Linux and open source. But I have also always been fascinated by databases and wanted to explore this interest further. I had already made the jump from Belgium to Amsterdam. OptimaData is in Naarden and the step from Amsterdam to Naarden is only a small one. I decided to get in touch and I was invited for an interview with Edco. I immediately felt I was in the right place.

The first few months: a dip into new projects

Since I started in April, I have already worked on several projects. For example, I set up a new database cluster for a client. This project gave me the opportunity to learn new things and gain valuable skills. I really like working at OptimaData; the atmosphere is fun and the colleagues are all “Champions-League” database experts that I can learn a lot from.

Benjamin Jacobs - Database Reliability EngineerSince I started in April, I have already worked on several projects. For example, I set up a new (open source) database cluster for a client. This project gave me the opportunity to apply my skills and make an immediate impact. I also set up an automation project at a large organization in the offshore and dredging industry.

The goal of this project was to produce an aggregated report that allowed us to easily analyze query performance over an extended period of time. This helps detect trends in usage and performance so we can rewrite slow queries or reduce the size of underutilized Azure instances to save costs. I used the Azure API to discover all PostgreSQL instances, retrieve new statistics and query logs, and update reports incrementally. The system runs hourly and finishes in minutes thanks to parallel processing and incremental updates. It can also be deployed as a cloud native application on Kubernetes. It was a cool project! Not only was I able to put my expertise to use, it also gave me new insights and skills.

Learning from colleagues

I really like working at OptimaData; the atmosphere is fun and the colleagues are some of the best database experts in the Netherlands. Everyone has their own unique expertise and that makes the team very strong. We can always come to each other for advice and support. The open culture and willingness to share knowledge have helped me tremendously to quickly land in this role. It is inspiring to be part of a team that is so passionate about databases.

Different mindsets

Dat maakt het team zo sterk

My previous job was at a larger, international organization where everyone worked remotely. This was a totally different experience than at OptimaData. Here we work closely together in the office. The direct interaction with colleagues makes the work not only more fun, but also more effective. It’s nice to be part of a close-knit group working together on common goals.

Bicycles, woodworking and pinball machines

Outside of work hours, I like to ride my bike and I love working with wood. For example, I am building myself a sofa. I have also become an avid pinball player here in the office. It’s a nice way to relax for a while. Furthermore, I am crazy about computers, that much is obvious. I try to use my knowledge to volunteer every now and then. If I can help others, I am happy to do so.

Future plans and ambitions

I have only just started working here and find it difficult to look far into the future. The last time someone asked me that question was a long time ago. Then I said I would have my own business, but that didn’t come to pass. That’s why I’m more cautious about making predictions now, but for now I’m having a great time here.

Getting acquainted?

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