catworkx behind the scenes: Our developers – IT specialists with heart and mind

The profession of software developer is more in demand than ever. They are the architects behind functioning software systems. Days can be long, so it's all the more important to work in an environment where you feel comfortable. We asked our ‘boys’ what they do all day and what they have to ‘stand for’ at catworkx. Our developer Jörn answered our questions.

Jörn: My name is Jörn, I am a software engineer (FH) and now 47 years old. I have been a developer at catworkx for 20 years.

Once the requirements have been defined and documented, i.e. ‘the customer is ready to place the order’, we start with the app design. This means we create the software design in order to be able to specify a rough implementation path. This is then used to estimate the effort required. Once the customer has approved the cost estimate, the next step is the implementation phase, where we actually get to do the programming (many people think that this is the only task of a developer ;-)). This phase naturally also includes testing (but this is not the final acceptance, which always comes from the customer). That's almost the end of the story.

Then, of course, we are also responsible for supporting the apps. If there is a problem with the app, the feedback goes to the consultant, who then contacts us and we support them in evaluating the errors and take care of the bug fix(es). This also applies to active apps on the Atlassian Marketplace – here, we are of course also available for support in the event of complaints or problems.

Jörn: We come into play whenever a customer cannot find the solution they need on the Atlassian Marketplace and requires a customised solution.

Jörn: The only challenge is the wide range of tasks ...  ?. As well as the deadlines and sometimes the chaos around you, but that's all part of the job and you just have to take it with a sense of humour.

Jörn: Personally, I like the workshops with customers and the problem solving that goes with them... I like gathering requirements, but I particularly appreciate the humor in the development department, which prevails here in the team.

Jörn: Turn on the computer, work through the issues, turn off the computer :-). We work on tasks every day – and every day is different. Sometimes there are days when you can do a lot of programming again. Like recently...

Jörn: At work, I have an Eclipse environment for programming, everything we can support in terms of databases, Jira, Confluence from Atlassian – of course. ;-) Jira for our tasks, Confluence for documentation and/or requirements, and app design. We also use Bitbucket from Atlassian. And, of course, Zoom – a really useful tool in these times of Covid and working from home. 

Jörn: I am always in favor of people studying computer science. Then they have the necessary IT understanding (at least for software development) and the necessary knowledge—the rest can be learned.

Jörn: There is a new development—with the takeover by the TIMETOACT GROUP—and a lot is changing right now. Nevertheless, catworkx is like a family to me. I feel at home here.