I started as an intern and have grown a lot since
I joined Ferrologic as an intern about three years ago and had an opportunity to continue as a full-time employee after. I think that was one of the best decisions ever. Now we are part of Solita’s community in Central Europe, with more opportunities to work and grow.
These days I work as an integration consultant; I help clients achieve their goals by integrating existing capabilities while enabling the business to innovate at a faster pace. We are often at the core of whatever needs to be connected, so I think this is a good place to be with regards to the future. My work is not limited to technical implementation: I’m also helping the customer establish a good repository of analysis assets. I’m actively learning about new design principles that could give me an edge on current and future assignments. Being proficient at the analysis discipline helps me understand clients’ needs and requirements.
As an example of a recent project, we helped realise the Mobile Trucker App called “Route 1700” for DP World Antwerp to guide the drivers in the terminal. Thousands of trucks go through the terminal every day to pick up or drop off their containers. The whole truck flow was digitalised, and as a result, the process became smoother and more efficient. The drivers and the terminal operators got a nicer work environment when the chaos in the terminal decreased. “Route 1700” won the award of “ICT/Digital Project of the Year 2019” in the “Small Projects” category.
Learning more about the world and business motivates me
What really motivates me in my job is to learn about the big picture; gain revelations on what makes the business successful and where the value comes from. It inspires me if I can learn more about the world and how business works. It also brings you closer to the purpose; why we do this and why our work is valuable. Understanding the impact makes me feel fulfilled. Or course the feeling of accomplishment after a successful project is great as well.
I’m curious by nature, and I have a desire to widen my professional field and learn more. I really like the growth mentality here, and I feel like my growth has been noticed and acknowledged. I’ve got more stimulating opportunities, and that has pushed me forward. I wanted to learn more about the analysis discipline of integration, and I was encouraged to do so. It’s not a competition, but a win-win situation, where everyone can grow. I think that when people are happy and inspired, they do a great job.
I enjoy challenging myself
I think that my ingredients for success and growth are my can-do attitude and courage. I’m ready to challenge myself, and I try to enable people to do great work around me. In this culture, also curiosity and the ability to collaborate are very appreciated. It also helps if you don’t take yourself too seriously, joking around and having nice social encounters brighten my workdays.
While Ferrologic was a reasonably small company, Solita has grown to an impressive size of over 1000 employees. However, Solita still feels like a small community that engages with each other. You are not lost in the masses but surrounded by caring and compassionate people. That’s quite unique.
Solitans are great people, and there are many similarities with the two cultures; I think that great minds think alike. I’m looking forward to doing more projects together and get to know people across the company.
Simon Alen is an Integration Consultant who works at Solita’s Belgian Community. The Community joined Solita’s workforce in November 2019 when Solita and Ferrologic formed a North European leader in data-driven digital transformation.