Natural Born Problem Solver and Solution Finder
On Ensto scale I am a newcomer as in March 2022 it will be 5 years since I started working here. As Product and Service Manager I am responsible for the smart technology products and solutions within network automation and power quality.
A Tech Student with a Vision
During my studies I focused on automation and robotics control and new technologies, and my scope was not purely in machines, but also in software development and autonomous decision-making systems. Already when I started at the Gdansk Technical University, I knew I didn’t want to be the IT guy sitting in front of the computer all the time. I wanted to combine two interfaces: the technical one and the human one.
My Way to Ensto
After graduation I worked some years as an embedded software developer and later as system design and technical support engineer both on the software and hardware side. It is a funny story about how I found Ensto. I worked within a VHF/UHF digital radio project for remote monitoring and SCADA control applications and when making a pilot installation of the finalized product on the field, I met a guy from Ensto Poland, and we started discussing. I remember it was a windy and rainy day and I had the opportunity to feel what the implementation of smart products in distribution grid looks like. I was not planning to change the company but as we found numerous win-win factors, I truly got interested. Finally, I realized having started at Ensto and am very happy as here I can combine my earlier experience, the IT expertise, and the hands-on field work with the end customers.
Everything Can Be Learned
I have always been interested in new technologies and as I joined Ensto, the business strategy was all about becoming a new smart technology company. To be honest, I didn’t have too much experience in medium voltage electricity as such but a lot of knowledge on IT and new technologies instead. I believe that if you want to become an expert on something you need to spend more than 10 000 hours learning and training. I truly have learned a lot about electricity during the Ensto years and I’m open to new challenges!
To Support Is My Mission
True support is my mission and I see that the close connection with customers is the prerequisite for finding proper smart solutions together. When working on the field I learn about the customers’ needs and problems. I am of course responsible for products and devices but for me the most important thing is that these really meet the needs of the customers. As I discuss with them about their problems, I instantly start analyzing what is the best support I can provide.
Wide Scope of Service Thinking
I see that we need to offer services to show the customers how they can get the most out of our smart products. For me service is a word of many meanings. I provide the customers with materials but also train them and help them in configuring the devices and maintaining them. Usually, I meet line installers and service team members of distribution system operators and teach them how to install the devices and how to check everything is ok before the commissioning. The customers also often need analysis not only on our products but also on other companies’ products and solutions.
The One Who Shares the Knowledge Has the Power
I think that we should share our knowledge more and be more open as that usually is the advantage of everybody. The information already is there but many times we do not know who has it! I am not only talking about product information and marketing materials but also about all other information the customers need to be able to make decisions for example on investments. We need to learn to utilize all the data that is available for the best of all of us. Today the one who shares the knowledge has the power!
Artificial Intelligence – Threat or Opportunity?
The first words of my professor in the university were: “I want to teach you how to bring electricity and people together, in other words how to receive the information from the users and combine that with technology.” That is why I always start with listening to the end users. Let’s take artificial intelligence, for example. We are many times afraid of it but, it actually is about making systems smarter. It will be part of our everyday lives – it is designed to help us. Let’s face it: we simply need a digital hand of algorithms in analyzing the huge data masses easily and quickly.
Cooperation Is the Key
Everything happens more and more quickly in the world we live in. Hence, we need to develop things together instead of working in separate foxholes. Only in cooperation can we more quickly find solutions, and this goes to all functions in all companies. If we are open minded enough, we can discover totally new viewpoints – with the help of technology – to find new ways of solving problems with less effort. I believe we could learn so much by observing nature and its mechanisms. We just need to learn to utilize them with new technologies. We people tend to make everything in a difficult way instead of simplifying it all.
Roman Jałoza
The writer of the blog, Roman Jałoza works as Product and Service Manager in Poland. He is responsible for new smart technologies in network automation and power quality solutions.