Name: Bernd Meser
Position: IT Architect
Worked at Orange Business since: 2011 with a short break during 2016
Based: Karlsruhe remotely, Germany

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you first came in contact with Orange Business?
I began my journey with Orange Business (then former Login Consultants) back in 2011, so I have been with the company for quite a while. I took a short break for about a year in 2016 but quickly realized how much I enjoyed being part of Orange Business, so I decided to return. Having been part of the company for so long, I have witnessed and experienced many different phases within the company over the years.

Can you tell us a bit about your position as an IT Architect (within Digital Workplace)? What are your responsibilities, and what are you currently working on? What does it entail and what are your responsibilities?
I have a background working with Citrix but have transitioned to Microsoft over the past few years. Today, I am a certified Microsoft Azure Architect Expert, focusing primarily on everything related to Microsoft Azure within Digital Workspace, which is my passion.

At the moment, I am working on a project for a major Chemical company. They have traditionally relied heavily on Citrix but are now exploring other options, including Microsoft Azure. The project involves migrating parts of their environment from on-premises to Azure. My responsibility is to present Azure alternatives, design, create and follow through the transformation of the environment. Given the company´s high-security standard, we are integrating both on-premises and Azure technologies to develop the best solutions tailored to their needs. This project allows me to apply my experience while also learning new things

What do you enjoy the most about your work and your position?
As an IT Architect, I love designing the environments we build for our clients. Additionally, I enjoy being the one bringing these designs to life, ensuring they integrate seamlessly with already existing environments and vendors. Creating the best possible solution for our clients and making everything work together is what makes my job challenging and enjoyable.

What education and background do you have to be able to do this job and what was the latest training or certification you took?
I have an educational background in IT System Electronics and began my IT career in second- and third-level support, specializing in Citrix and terminal Services. I transitioned from a support role to classical consulting relatively quickly, gaining several years of experience before joining Orange. Initially, my focus was on Citrix technologies for many years, but I later shifted to Microsoft technologies. The experience I gained with Citrix has been invaluable in making the switch, and I am grateful for the years I spent working with those technologies.

What do you personally enjoy the most about working at Orange Business, the Digital Services business line?
I have enjoyed working on projects like the Microsoft Copilot initiative that has been worked on across borders. I hope to continue working and collaborating with colleagues from other countries in the Orange Business universe. It is a great way to get to know the company better and learn from others, whether they are working with similar technologies or entirely different technical solutions. Collaborating with others brings us all closer together!