More than a Job: Thomas on 25 Years of Passion for Software

Thomas has been part of Kontron AIS for more than two decades. During this time, he has not only driven technological developments but also significantly shaped our company. From young software developer to Head of R&D, from the first project in Singapore to smart PV integration at home: in this interview he shares insights into his work, his motivation, and his view on technological trends like artificial intelligence.

In this interview with Susann, Marketing Manager at Kontron AIS, he talks about his passion for software, international experiences, and the curiosity that hasn’t faded after 25 years. The full interview is also available as a video right below the text.

Susann:
Hello Thomas, how are you and how has your day been so far?

Thomas:
The day has been very good so far. As usual, I drove to the office early in the morning. The morning was filled with meetings – I spoke with our customers and discussed new projects. The EquipmentCloud^® team in particular had a lot going on today because it’s rollout day. That means new functions are being integrated into the solution. For the team, this involves intensive testing and a thorough review before everything goes live.

Susann:
How do you keep yourself up to date with new developments and trends in industrial software?

Thomas:
In everyday work, that’s actually often quite difficult. That’s why I use the evenings to catch up on new technologies. I think about how we could use them in our products – or whether they might even spark new research topics.

Susann:
Which project did you have the most respect for?

Thomas:
A project from 2005 has particularly stayed in my memory. At that time, we designed a fully automated factory for a manufacturer of photovoltaic products – completely without operating personnel. The challenge: every part on the production line was supposed to be unique, a true one-piece flow. That was completely new territory for us back then.

Susann:
Who or what inspires you in your daily life?

Thomas:
I’m very interested in new technologies – even if the specific application isn’t clear yet. At the moment, AI is a very exciting topic. I often think about how we can create synergies with our software products. Besides product development, we also focus on research. Together with customers and partners, we develop new solutions that are often still at a very early stage. In every project we try to bring in innovative ideas and test their viability – even if some initially only serve as a concept.

Susann:
You’ve been part of our team for more than 25 years. What was your path to us?

Thomas:
Yes, I’ve been here for a long time! My path to Kontron AIS was pretty straightforward. I studied electrical engineering in Dresden and wrote my diploma thesis at TU Dresden. My two supervisors had close contacts with Kontron AIS and recommended that I apply there. That’s what I did – and they were right: it’s a good company. I’ve stayed ever since and never felt the desire to do anything else. I started out as a software developer, like many here. Over time, bigger projects followed – for example, managing a comprehensive monitoring system at a semiconductor manufacturer in Singapore. That project later even became a standalone product. As the projects grew, so did the team, and at some point, I took on leadership responsibilities. I became a group leader – and grew with the company until I eventually became Head of R&D. 

Susann:
How big is your team?

Thomas:
In research and development we currently have over 40 team members, divided into six teams for our individual products. In addition, we have a dedicated quality assurance team – both for the products and for our project work. Then we have an IT team that takes care of our internal infrastructure. And support is firmly integrated as well: because a project doesn’t end when the programmer finishes – the system continues running and needs to be supported. That’s why we also have a support team that’s available 24/7.

Susann:
Which hobbies and interests are important to you?

Thomas:
Fortunately, there’s still a bit of time for leisure. I’ve always been fascinated by software development. Because of my leadership responsibilities, I rarely get to do it in everyday work – that’s why it’s a retreat for me in my free time. I work on private projects like a smart home control system or an app for recording the weather data from my own weather station. My latest project: surplus charging of my PV system with the electric car – in other words, charging the car directly with solar power.

Susann:
You also enjoy traveling – where are you headed next, or what would be your absolute dream destination?

Thomas:
Yes, I really like traveling – mainly because it’s exciting to get to know new cultures and people. The world is big and there’s a lot to discover. Our next destination is in Europe, though: in just under two weeks we’re going to Portugal – we’ll visit Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, and travel a bit around the country. My dream destination is South America. That’s still a blank spot on the map for me. I’ve been to many places, but unfortunately not there yet. That’s also because you need a bit more time for it – and even 30 vacation days aren’t quite enough for such a trip. Let’s see if we can still make it happen.

Susann:
Which country impressed you the most when traveling to our customers?

Thomas:
That’s a tough question – actually, all cultures impressed me. But one experience that was particularly formative was my first longer stay in Asia, specifically in Singapore. I spent almost half a year there working for a large semiconductor manufacturer and setting up a monitoring system. I got to know the country and its people intensively. This experience left a lasting impression on me – especially seeing how different life and work can be in other cultures. It broadened my perspective and showed me what we might still improve here as well.

Susann:
Thank you very much, Thomas!

Thomas:
My pleasure!

Anyone who wants to experience Thomas live can get an authentic impression of him in the video below…

“I’m still here – and I haven’t seen a reason to do anything else.”

A sentence that says a lot about Thomas. And about what makes our work at Kontron AIS: curiosity, continuity, team spirit – and the joy of moving things forward together.

Curious how the story continues? In the second part of the interview, we talk with Thomas about challenges in leadership, the future of industrial software – and why curiosity is his most important driving force.

Follow us to catch the next part – or take a look at our careers page right now. Maybe you’ll soon be writing your own story with us.