People of LOGEX vol. 6

We continue with our series of interview called #peopleoflogex and in October let′s get to know more about Jirka, our database developer, who was the fifth person in Logex Solution Center in Brno. What is his project about and how does he spend his free time? Start reading :)

As the introduction can you tell us how long have you worked at LOGEX?

It has been 2.5 year, I started in February 2018. Actually I think I was the fifth employee indeed.

What have you done before LOGEX?

After my graduation I was at university “jobfair” where I met an international company using technologies that I had already known from the school so I started my first job there and I was a full-stack developer. But as the time went by I realized that it wasn’t what I expected. By coincidence, one of my friends had been already working at Logex. Logex was searching for a database developer and I decided to make a change. After 2 months of holiday I started as a database developer.

And why did you choose to start at LOGEX?

I already knew some people and I was fascinated by the product Logex was developing. And moreover, here I can have a real impact on the project I am involved in, unlike the previous company where the job was not fulfilling.

Before you were in a kind of corporate, could you compare with the current small company?

It is a more agile way of working here and less bureaucracy, not needed so many approvals. We don’t develop the software according to the client's requirements but based on their feedback we produce our own software so there is more freedom in what we do. And it makes sense so I am happy for that.

What did you want to become as a child?

Actually, I don′t remember a lot but I think it was something like an astronaut. But my father used to work as a business consultant so he already led me to this field of technologies. When I was 8 I got my first computer and I made a simple website so the direction towards programming was somehow intended and I kept it till now.

You work as a Database Developer, can you describe your role and which project you are working on now?

I work on the project “Budgeting Tool” for the Dutch clients. It is a tool where our customers (hospitals) can prepare budgets for upcoming years based on varied inputs, for example evaluation from insurance companies, comparison with previous periods, forecast for next year etc. So generally we set the budget for next year and it is one of the main Logex tools. There are all developers and testers in our team in Brno and the product owner is in the Netherlands, they define the workflow because they are in contact with the hospitals and know its requirements. The development team is settled in Brno and the cooperation all of us is very good. And we work with up-to-date technologies.

According to the current situation with covid-19 our office has limited mode so how do you spend your home office, do you take any advantages from that?

It is quite ok for me. We agreed with our team to come to the office the same two days ( note: the interview was done before government′s made changes in the restrictions) and the rest we work remotely. We keep this mode, it means we have two days of personal interaction so we can solve everything quickly

And the rest of days I work from home where I furnished and equipped my workspace. I have a big screen there so it is comfortable for me to work with that.

And on the other hand what do you miss by mainly working remotely?

I actually miss lunches when I work from home, my girlfriend (now already wife - congratulation) is a teacher so during spring lockdown she was home but now in autumn period she still works at school so I have to cook by myself ( note: the interview was done before October 12). And of course I miss the personal contact with my colleagues.

What do you like about LOGEX and its working environment/company culture?

The team of people that we have is the most important for me. This is the biggest benefit for me, also the project I’m currently involved is technically implemented very well. There are very experienced people working on the project so I am happy to work with them on that.

What I appreciate most is that I can come with any ideas, present and implement them. For example I supervise bachelor and diploma thesis.

If you should say only one thing which is the best thing at LOGEX?

It's very hard to say and I think I already said it before, it is about the people I work with. There exist companies which do business for business but we do it in different way, we work on helping hospitals how to get better and more quality healthcare and it is a good feeling.

On the other hand, is there anything you would like to change in LOGEX?

I need to think first.. Oh I know, sometimes there is running out of dark chocolate in the kitchen ?? And parking spots but it is a general problem through Brno itself. 

What do you do in your free time?

My work is my hobby so it's quite hard to say what my hobby is :) I also have my own project I am working on. But I also ride a bike spending the most time on the way to work and back and in winter I like skiing and swimming.

Can you tell more about your own project?

My project is an application to support e-shops and provide data exchange between the e-shops. I have been working on that for 10 years, I started already during my university studies as the app just for me. As the time went some customers started to show their interest in and I got my first customers so I do it for them, but mainly for myself because I can implicate my knowledge which I don’t use at work and I can try and test new skills and experience which I might use late at work as well. I do enjoy it a lot.

Why would you recommend LOGEX to others?

Good people, good place in Brno, nice office, a lot of food and coffee and you get to work on a variety of projects, the company is stable and growing.

Thank you for your time, Jirka :)