The KODE Internship Experience

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at KODE Labs in Detroit, Michigan. As someone passionate about smart building technology, sustainability and digital innovation, I couldn’t have imagined a more fitting place to grow and learn. Working alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry, my time at KODE Labs has been nothing short of transformative.

Why I Chose KODE Labs

When I first heard about KODE Labs, I was immediately drawn to their mission of revolutionizing building management through cutting-edge technology. The prospect of working with a team that’s leading the charge in the smart building sector was both exciting and intimidating. Learning about the journey of KODE Labs and its founders— Edi Demaj , Etrit Demaj & Gentrit Gojani —was truly inspiring.

There's nothing better than being part of a startup that's been profitable from day one! With the recent $30 million Series B funding, the company is expanding rapidly, delivering its services across multiple countries and continents. I'm thrilled to be part of KODE’s aim to become the Salesforce of commercial building automation.

My Role and Responsibilities

During my internship in the role of Data Platform Engineer Intern, I was assigned to the Product Analytics team, working specifically on the Fault Detection and Diagnostics product of KODE OS.

KODE OS is a smart building management platform developed by the company which serves as a SaaS solution, integrating data from BMS, IoT and operational systems into a single cloud-based platform. FDD is a highly competitive sub-domain of the smart buildings industry, used to identify and diagnose problems in various systems and buildings, built on a set of data-driven rules.

One of my key responsibilities was performing the migration of the FDD module and ensuring a smooth transition from the Events module, which is scheduled to be rolled off. As a part of this major task, I was successfully able to migrate platform data for 6 major clients across the United States and Canada. One of the clients was Detroit's biggest real-estate company, which owns 90% of the properties in Downtown Detroit and has a large portfolio of 66 live buildings!

The fault detection and diagnostics module a routine workflow architecture at its core, which is supported by various notification policies, configurations, simulations, building ontologies, HVAC equipment diagnosis, pertinent visualizations and more. I was responsible for developing a FDD configuration guide document for the routine creation process. This document, bundled with 4 different types of KODE FDD Library training routine packages, is something that the company was always looking to create, and which will surely make things easier for the Product team at KODE and provide customizability to the clients who have opted for its FDD services. Some of the core objectives of the internship were to make the FDD product more robust and exploring possible technologies and domains where it could be expanded in the Smart Buildings market.

Of course, the experience wasn’t without its challenges. Learning to navigate complex systems and troubleshooting real-time data issues tested my problem-solving abilities. However, with the support of my team and a bit of perseverance, I was able to overcome these obstacles and deliver solutions that added real value to the company.

Additionally, I was also involved in the company's initial exploration for application of Gen AI in FDD. With the help of generative artificial intelligence, the FDD product has the potential of becoming more insightful, intelligent and optimized. Backed by AI, the number of faults and the time is takes to resolve them will surely improve, resulting in higher savings and enhanced building health.

Learning and Growth

One of the most significant takeaways from my time at KODE Labs was the importance of adaptability. Having a background in CS, pursuing a masters in MIS, and a previous work experience in Consulting and Healthcare, I was very new to the smart buildings industry. However, I was able to learn quickly and adapt myself in order to achieve the objectives set the beginning of the internship.

My mentor at KODE Labs, Michael Kovalcik, the Director of Operations, played a pivotal role in my growth. His guidance helped me refine not only my technical skills but also my approach to problem-solving and product management. The insights and feedback I received were instrumental in shaping my professional development. Michael is a wonderful person to work with, and his long-term vision and ability to lead are admirable. He is surely someone I look up to in life.

Cross-team Collaborations

Working with Nicole Mancino , the VP of Product Marketing at KODE Labs and getting to know her has been an absolute delight! Under her guidance, I had the opportunity to briefly collaborate with the Anne Devlin, MSc , which helped the company in understanding and building its marketing strategy and database.

I also got the chance to work on ROI Estimation based on square-footage and pricing plan for portfolios while working with Kevin Avenius , the Director of Channel Sales at KODE. I was fortunate to also work under the guidance of Walter Amicucci , the Client Retention lead at KODE.

One of the most vital and impactful things that I worked on was the KODE API Library Analysis, building two python-based script tools for KODE API reporting analytics and Use-case generation for Sales and Mission Control teams. These tools are something that the company was trying to implement since a very long time. Under the guidance of Ard Stavileci , Product Manager at KODE's Kosovo branch, I got to build automated and standardized tools which involved 17 API technologies, 100+ APIs, 400+ data points, 110+ use cases and 7 categories & solutions.

It's all about Data!

During my time at KODE Labs, I witnessed firsthand the critical role that data plays in driving informed business decisions across all sectors. KODE’s innovative approach to smart building technology relies heavily on the seamless integration of data, technology, and business insights, making it a perfect example of how these elements can work together to create impactful solutions. My internship underscored the importance of having professionals who can bridge the gap between people, technology, and business—roles that a Master’s in Management Information Systems (MIS) is uniquely designed to prepare you for. With an MIS degree, you gain the technical expertise to manage complex data systems and the business acumen to translate those insights into strategies that align with organizational goals. A lot of courses that I learned at the University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business helped me during this internship, enabling me in becoming a quick learner, who is able to work hands-on with minimal supervision and can deliver impactful data-driven solutions.

The People that made the Experience Special

One of the most rewarding aspects of my internship at KODE Labs was the opportunity to collaborate with an incredibly talented and diverse group of people. From day one, I was surrounded by individuals who were not only experts in their fields but also passionate about sharing their knowledge and helping others grow. Whether it was brainstorming solutions to complex problems, sharing insights during team meetings, or simply exchanging ideas over lunch, I found myself constantly inspired by the creativity, dedication, and camaraderie of my colleagues. Their willingness to support and mentor me played a crucial role in my development, and I am truly grateful for the friendships and connections I made during my time at KODE Labs.

I would also like to mention the names of a few people, who guided me at KODE and helped me in various ways, making my journey more heartwarming and impactful - Hali Sanderlin , Saurabh Jain , Michael Lubbering , August Lindsay , Mike MacNeil , Saruf Alam , Megan McCarroll and Eris ?unaku .

Additionally, getting the chance of spending 3 months in Downtown Detroit has been absolutely fascinating. Gaining in-person work experience in the States is truly valuable, and a big push for me in my career.

Impact on My Career Goals

This internship has been a defining moment in my career, deepening my interest in smart building technology while reaffirming my commitment to a career centered around data and analytics. It has also broadened my professional network, connecting me with industry leaders and peers who share my passion for technology, data and innovation.

Conclusion

Looking back, my internship at KODE Labs has been a truly enriching experience. It has equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take on new challenges as I move forward in my career. For anyone considering an internship in a tech-forward, dynamic environment, I can’t recommend KODE Labs enough. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to learn more about my experience or discuss potential opportunities in the smart building sector.