What does the “cloud-first” strategy mean for a healthcare company? And how is it implemented? In this interview, Tobias Eckers, Lead Cloud Architect at Fresenius Digital Technology, explains the team’s contribution to Fresenius’ future.
I am a Lead Cloud Architect. This means that I design our cloud platform so it is future-ready, secure and scalable. I help shape the technical design of the cloud services and so have more of an overarching role, connecting the various areas together. I support the business with specific projects and, as part of this, continuously adapt the cloud platform so it can cope with the constantly changing requirements. I also provide recommendations regarding the technical development of the cloud strategy.
I like the technical challenges. We deal with lots of different issues – security, identity, networks, and more. As such, the work is really varied, diverse, and forward-looking. I think it is really good that we are clearly pursuing a cloud-first strategy. A few exceptions aside, nothing really works without the cloud anymore, so it is clearly the correct path to take. The job is fast-paced, everything is constantly changing and you have to keep your ear to the ground. I like this aspect and enjoy the multi-layered nature of the topics.
We all want to move forward. We try to provide technical opportunities to the business areas so they can develop further. To do this, we all need to have the desire to implement new things, to familiarize ourselves with new technologies and, sometimes, to tackle resistance. I also enjoy all the interactions with the different departments – I have to work with them and coordinate with them all the time. For example, it goes without saying that we have to make sure that everything we develop and implement fits the global IT strategy. We can't just go ahead and implement any applications.
After training as an IT specialist in system integration, I started off my career working in data centers and infrastructure. From 2015, I provided technical support to customers in-house and then later worked as a consultant on transformation projects. Even then, my role was about transferring existing structures to the cloud. During this time, I worked for Fresenius as an external consultant. I have been an integral part of the Fresenius family since June 2021.
I’m proud of how cloud services have developed since I’ve been at Fresenius. Our current position and how our offers and services are accepted by the business units is really good. Our work is really well-accepted within the group as a whole.