‘Here everyone has their own unique expertise and that’s what makes the team so strong’
From system administration to DBA consultant My background is in systems administration, mainly focused on Linux and open source. But…
From games to all-round engineer
I am an IT professional at heart. My love for technology started with simple modifications to a game console. I liked that so much that I decided to continue studying in that direction. I started as a system administrator, but that wasn’t enough for me. I grew into a network specialist. Later on, I discovered the world of RDBMS (Relational Database Management Systems) and became fascinated by its size and complexity. I started my career as Oracle DBA, but soon stuck with Microsoft. I have been working in ICT since 1996 and since 2007 I have been a dedicated Microsoft SQL Server DBA. I am now a real all-rounder, which means that I can answer all questions related to data and databases: stability, availability, security, performance, but also the automation of processes. I can answer all questions that come to us about data, including business intelligence.
Travel, music and DIY
In my spare time I like to work out. But I also like to travel to see, taste, smell the world. That’s a fantastic way to experience other cultures. We regularly go abroad for a walk. We also love shopping and eating out. Another passion of mine is working on music. From the moment I had my own computer, I started recording and editing music digitally. Later I also started image editing. And last but not least, I love DIY. Whether it’s small repairs or larger projects, I love to work with my hands.
DIY and renovation
It’s a good thing that I like odd jobs, because we’ve been renovating for years. During the corona time in 2020, my wife and I came across a cool house for sale during a walk. A few months later the house was ours. A lot had to be done, we knew that. But in the end it turned out to be so much work that outsourcing was not financially feasible. So we decided to do as much as possible ourselves. We are now four years later and still working. It is sometimes frustrating that not everything is in its place, but it is for a good cause: the house will be exactly the way we want it. Fortunately, we are making great strides because most projects have already been completed. For example, we are making the house completely sustainable with solar panels, a heat recovery system, underfloor heating, plastic frames with triple glazing and a new kitchen.
The connection between renovation and the work of OptimaData
During the renovation of my house, I noticed that there are many similarities between odd jobs and my work at OptimaData. To start with, you need to work with the right specialists. I can do small tasks, such as moving sockets, myself, but for adjustments in the meter cupboard, connecting the heating or milling the underfloor heating, you need someone with the right tools and expertise. This is also the case with our work as OptimaData. Our customers can do some things themselves or have them automated. For example, certain updates are carried out automatically. But for specific database challenges, the customer calls on us. You also have to be able to plan well. For our new kitchen layout, we first removed the radiators and created an empty space. Then we had two alternative designs made. We chose one design as our blueprint and then planned the work. You have to follow the right order: first install underfloor heating, then replace the window frames, plaster walls, sauce ceiling and only then install the kitchen. This way you avoid extra costs and damage. The same applies to an ICT infrastructure: you have to have a good foundation and build everything in the right order. A database is just a link in a larger whole. Actions such as integrity checks or changes to software or to the database must be well planned, as they can have consequences for the recovery strategy. In the event of malfunctions, you naturally want to be able to repair efficiently until the moment of damage. Without proper planning, you risk longer resolution times.
Challenging work never gets boring
At home, I listen to my wife’s wishes and try to exceed her expectations. Because to be honest – easy jobs are not for me. Not at home, but not at work either. I have been working at OptimaData for five years now. This is a very long time for me. Often a job gets boring for me after a while, then I start to miss the challenge. At OptimaData, I have completely found my niche. Every month they know how to excite me with a variety of projects and challenging problems with different customers. And yes, those challenges are of course annoying for the customer, but what still gives me goosebumps is when I can tackle such a challenge and solve a problem for an organization.
Looking to the future
I definitely see myself continuing to do this work in the future. My heart is still in ICT and it is a dynamic field. I sometimes compare it to the work of a doctor. A doctor has to study for a long time, because the human body and all the diseases that can occur are quite complicated. But when I look at ICT, developments are going many times faster. Imagine that a doctor suddenly gets a person with three arms or four eyes for a consultation. How do you deal with that? Working in ICT requires continuous training and updating knowledge. The code we write today will need to be replaced tomorrow. This constant learning and adapting is what continues to challenge and motivate me and I don’t see that stopping 123.
Want to know more?
Have you become curious about the possibilities and challenges at OptimaData? Would you like to know more about how we can help you with your ICT issues? Feel free to contact us, we are ready to help you!
