My tegos story: Alena

Software developer and family manager with full passion – Alena, it’s nice to have you here at tegos, sharing your story with us today.  

What’s your position at tegos?

 Solution developer.

Since when have you been a tegosian?

 Since January 2012.

What does your job involve? Please describe it in simple terms.

I’m part of the Relation and Money Management team. In addition to all tasks that fall within the area of CRM, we are primarily responsible for the heart of every ERP solution – financial accounting. It involves invoicing, receivables and payables, capital flows and key figures – it may sound boring, but it isn’t! This is where all the processes of the system come together, so every bit of programming often feels as challenging as open-heart surgery.

In addition, our team takes care of the development and maintenance of interfaces to other systems (e.g. to web services or third-party suppliers).

However, as a solution developer, you accompany a new customer specification right from the very start. We developers often support the consultants during the conception phase. If the customer specification requires a technical concept, the expertise of the developers is required. Of course, programming always ends with a successful test and customer documentation – the developer is responsible for both. The entire development process is characterised by close coordination with consultants, product owners and project managers.

What project are you currently working on?

Alongside other renowned companies and IT services from the waste management industry, the tegos Group is currently involved in the project ‘Austausch von auftragsbezogenen Leistungsdaten’ (AvaL – exchange of order-related performance data). The project was initiated by the Federal Association of the German Waste Management, Water and Raw Materials Industry, and aims to provide a standardised interface for communication between waste management companies and to simplify data exchange with customers and authorities. As a solution developer, I’m currently playing an essential role in integrating this interface into our software solution, developing it further and servicing it – a truly exciting project.

What brought you to tegos and what did you do before?

After finishing the German equivalent of A levels in 2007, I trained as an IT specialist for application development at an IT full-service provider. Then I decided to do a degree in computer science alongside my job, which is where I first came into contact with the Dynamics NAV ERP system. My enthusiasm and interest were instantly sparked, so that I specifically looked for a new challenge in exactly this area. And tegos just happened to be a partner of my university of applied sciences at the time. And so, one thing led to another.

Which aspect of your job do you most enjoy?

I like the fact that the developers don’t just have to monotonously program a predefined project, but are asked to develop customer-friendly and serviceable solutions.

Faulty code isn’t usually anything good, but it’s still always a challenge understanding certain system behaviours and analysing complex source code.

Plus, our job never gets boring. Things here never come to a standstill and new technologies are being developed all the time, giving us exciting new topics again and again.

And is there anything you don’t like? If so, what?

Job-wise, it was always of the utmost importance for me to passionately do what I do. In my opinion, that’s the only way you can be successful. I think there’s nothing worse than going to work anxious or constantly checking the time during working hours and longing for the day to end. So, long story short. tegos offers me the entire package, so unfortunately, I have nothing to add here!

What, in your opinion, is special about tegos and the tegos staff?

Definitely the cohesion! The employee is not only seen as such, but as an important part of the team and as a person with their own strengths and weaknesses. I’m particularly aware of this when I look back at the past two years. When I was pregnant with my daughter, she was diagnosed with Down’s syndrome and a serious heart defect as a consequence of the disease. At that time, it was very difficult for me to admit to myself that I couldn’t always give 100 per cent. But together with management and my colleagues, we found a way for me to be flexible when it came to doctor’s appointments and to do my job justice at the same time. And if you have something on your mind, the management always has time to listen to you.

Based on your experience, what tips can you offer young people for their careers?

Be enthusiastic about what you are doing, or better yet, take exactly the path that inspires you! Decide on a career (training or degree, it doesn’t matter which) that fits your interests and drives your ambition. Show initiative, but don’t be afraid to dig deeper if you want to know more about something. If you don’t look at the time when you’re working, then you’re on the right track!

What do you like to do in your free time? What are your personal interests?

At the moment, my daughter takes priority in my daily life. But when I find the time, I enjoy sewing, a new hobby for me. I’m not especially good at it yet, but it’s a nice contrast to my very technical job.

You can also always spark my interest with good food – no matter whether I cook it myself or someone cooks for me. 😉

And to break the cliché of the lazy computer scientist a bit, going on a bike ride now and then clears my mind for new thoughts and challenges.

Alena, thank you very much for these insights and for your time!