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ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)

professionals in Germany in minutes from 15,000 CVs with the power of AI.

ISTQB CTFL holders bring a solid grasp of test design, defect reporting, test levels, and core quality concepts. They are useful in agile teams, release testing, and cross-functional delivery. Get fast, precise matching with vetted freelancers who hold this certification.

Meet FRATCH ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany

Verified expert

Loic N.

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Sales & Technical Project Manager | Customer Success | OT/IT Integration | DevOps & Cloud

Werl
Loic N.

Last position:

Senior System Engineer at AG Solution

  • Create and lead roadmap forecasting of support opportunities, including colleague training, process design and improvement, and new hire onboarding.
  • Collaborate seamlessly with cross-functional teams including Professional Services, Support, Product, Sales, and Solution Engineering.
  • Manage business and financial KPIs in alignment with overall business objectives.
  • Industrial IT & Data Integration: Implement, configure, and integrate OT/IT systems and data flows, connecting control-layer sources (DCS, PLC, SCADA) to historians, data platforms, and enterprise systems through APIs and standard interfaces.
  • AVEVA PI & Historian: Configure, maintain, and extend AVEVA PI (PI Data Archive, Asset Framework, interfaces/connectors) to capture, contextualize, and serve real-time and historical operational data.
  • Alarm Management: Support and optimize alarm management systems – e.g. Honeywell Alarm Management – including alarm rationalization, classification, and the analysis of alarm performance, critical alarms, and alarm floods.
  • Connectivity & Protocols: Set up and troubleshoot industrial connectivity using OPC UA and OPC A&E, including the configuration of tunnelers / wrappers to bridge OT data sources securely and reliably.
  • Production Data Flow: Ensure seamless, secure, and well-structured data flow across the industrial IT landscape, transforming raw operational data into meaningful information for operations and decision-making.
  • System Support & Troubleshooting: Provide ongoing support for OT/IT applications, troubleshooting issues across networks, software, and data integrations to keep systems running efficiently.
  • Knowledge Management & Best Practices: Contribute to internal documentation, best practices, and troubleshooting guides, and help continuously improve how we deliver industrial IT and data solutions.

Tools & Software: Aveva PI, Salesforce, Active Directory, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Jira, Microsoft, Scrum, DevOps, Docker, CI/CD, Jenkins, GitHub.

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Amit S.

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Senior IT Project Manager | IT Transformation | Program & Delivery Management

Düsseldorf
Amit S.

Last position:

IT Project Manager – SAP S/4 HANA Delivery Consultant at CHG Meridian UK Limited

  • Managed the integrated SAP S/4HANA delivery plan for 12 BTS workstreams, including milestone, dependency, and governance management.
  • Coordinated end-to-end delivery across Business, IT, and Operations, focusing on execution, readiness, and issue resolution.
  • Responsible for RAID, test, cutover, and deployment management to ensure a successful go-live.
  • Implemented KPI tracking, status reporting, and PMO governance to provide transparent management of performance, risks, and escalations.
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Kathrin S.

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Requirements Engineer | Business Analyst | Agile Coach

Bremen
Kathrin S.

Last position:

Requirements Engineer at Governikus GmbH & Co. KG

  • Impact: Structured requirements analysis and quality assurance as a foundation for the further development of a software solution.
  • Analysis, documentation, and coordination of requirements. Conducting stakeholder analyses, interviews, and workshops to gather and validate requirements. Conducting requirements reviews and working closely with business departments and development teams.

Techniques & Tools: Requirements Engineering, Stakeholder Management, Workshop Facilitation, System Context Modeling, Requirements Reviews, Quality Scenarios, Miro, Jira, Confluence

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Felix B.

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Program, Portfolio & Transformation Management

Essen
Felix B.

Last position:

Digital Consultant and Solution Manager at Vorwerk SE & Co. KG

  • Introduction of a new digital product to the Chinese market as part of a global growth strategy.

  • Point of contact and coordinating interface between central product management, local Chinese teams and international stakeholders.

  • Management of the entire program to coordinate complex digital projects.

  • Successful market launch of a digital product in China (including successful certification for the Chinese market).

  • Balancing local requirements with global priorities while taking tax and regulatory requirements into account.

  • Introduction of a new way of working to improve collaboration and coordination across locations.

  • Development and implementation of a scaling strategy for the digital business model in China.

  • Use of Jira, Confluence, Miro, Scrum, agile working, SAFe.

  • Project language: English.

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Joachim A.

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HubSpot Project Manager, Tracking + Analytics Expert

Frankfurt am Main
Joachim A.

Last position:

HubSpot Project Manager, Tracking + Analytics Expert at Swiss Post

  • Create a tracking concept for Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics, including the data layer, events, triggers, and reporting
  • Manage the project team (developers, designers, performance)
  • Communication interface between stakeholders and digital specialist departments
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Michael H.

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Product Owner & Project Manager | from concept to go-live - structured, hands-on and strong on delivery

Leipzig
Michael H.

Last position:

Senior Consultant Retail & POS (LS One) at Gebr. Heinemann SE & Co. KG

Analysis and structuring of business and technical requirements for the further development of the LS One checkout system. Designing solution proposals and translating them into precise implementation tasks for international development teams. Prioritizing and coordinating requirements from a functional perspective, taking business and legal requirements into account. Quality assurance through reviewing, testing and evaluating the implementation based on defined acceptance criteria. Functional support for international deployments and rollouts, as well as analysis of feedback from locations for release planning.

Additionally: Supporting the integration of Anybill to provide digital receipts, as well as coordinating business and technical requirements within the existing POS environment.

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Falko M.

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Senior Product & Delivery Lead

Heusenstamm
Falko M.

Last position:

Requirements Manager at Private company - for Umweltbundesamt

  • Functional requirements management for DIVID, the Umweltbundesamt platform for administering the single-use plastics fund. Focus: entitled parties, sub-entitled parties, and benefit reports.
  • Consolidation and analysis of specifications, Jira, Confluence, functional concepts, and UX designs. Independent structuring and delimitation of requirements, as well as identification of contradictions, gaps, and dependencies.
  • Creation and quality assurance of implementable user stories with clear, testable acceptance criteria. Preparation of decision alternatives and coordination with business, development, UX, and QA through team refinement.
  • Conducting manual and technically assisted accessibility tests. Coordinating findings with QA and the Product Owner for further planning and implementation.
  • Result: more consistent requirements, clearly defined processes and stories, and transparent open decisions. Separation of assumptions from confirmed requirements; better basis for implementation, refinements, and QA test cases.

Tools used: Jira, Confluence

Verified expert

Onur K.

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AI & Automation Consultant · Project Manager for AI Projects

Braunschweig
Onur K.

Last position:

Project Manager & Outsourcing Manager at SENEC GmbH (EnBW Group)

  • Built a scalable nearshore IT developer hub (Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland) as an independent company through a BOT model (Build – Operate – Transfer)
  • Identified, selected, and managed full-service agencies; introduced management and control mechanisms, including KPIs, SLAs, and regular service reviews
  • Prepared and reviewed data processing agreements and framework contracts in coordination with Legal & Compliance; integrated regulatory requirements (including KRITIS) into process design
  • Advised on cloud vs. on-premise strategies, data storage, and authorization concepts; supported Procurement with tendering and service provider evaluations
  • Managed change and process harmonization between internal teams and nearshore partners; reported to executive management, CFO, and CIO

Result: Scalable IT developer hub with an audit-ready governance model, reduced operating costs, and accelerated product development.

Verified expert

Frank A.

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Business Analysis, Process Optimization, Requirements Engineering, Documentation, Training, Support

Trochtelfingen
Frank A.

Last position:

Business Analysis, Process Optimization, Requirements Engineering, Documentation, Training, Support at Private sector, small businesses, partnerships

  • Restructuring of the network architecture/topology, followed by installation, setup and testing of the network at a small business.
  • Resolution of server (permissions and roles) and connection problems (WAN, (V)LAN, WLAN).
  • Infrastructure support and maintenance.
  • Creation of documents such as manuals, architecture documents and design documents.
  • Revision of manuals and technical documents, as well as creation of VBA macros.
  • Use of AI and basic prompting, as well as formulation of AI requests.
  • Adjustment of workflows due to legal requirements and optimization of existing workflows.
  • Delivery of courses and training for adaptations, new features and changed workflows.
  • Modeling basis: BPMN.
  • System environment: MS Office 2019/365, Win10/11, Teams, Netgear (Switch), QNAP, Synology (NAS), Linux (Ubuntu).
Verified expert

Elif A.

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Business Analyst Professional

Düsseldorf
Elif A.

Last position:

Business Analyst Professional at HES

  • Requirements Engineering
  • Process optimization and introduction of collaborative working models
  • Process modeling with BPMN
  • Analysis, specification, and documentation of logistics processes, IT systems, and data models
  • Development of conceptual solutions
  • Use case creation and documentation
  • Data analysis with SQL
  • Administration of Jira & Confluence
Verified expert

Johannes H.

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Business Analyst for insurance/banking sales and contract administration processes

Munich
Johannes H.

Last position:

Business Analyst for Riester subsidy management migration at Insurance company

  • Analysis of the Riester subsidy GeVos for provider change 2.0 in the AZUR subsidy management system
  • Representation of the GeVos in BPMN 2.0 with Draw.io and Adonis
  • Analysis of the data sets exchanged with the life insurance policy administration system and migration to the msg data sets
  • Design and mapping of the interfaces to the new msg.ZulagenVerwaltung for various Riester subsidy GeVos at data field level
Verified expert

Eric B.

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Quality Manager / Test Manager / Senior Test Analyst / Senior Data Analyst / Statistical Programmer

Kelkheim (Taunus)
Eric B.

Last position:

Quality Assurance Manager (QSV) at Federal Employment Agency

  • Supporting the International Web Presence of the BA (IntWeb) project in the area of quality management, with the aim of taking responsibility for the quality of processes and project results while considering BA standards. The main objectives of the project are to give professionals abroad a quick overview of their opportunities for moving to Germany and to enable them to take the necessary steps consistently and with digital support by providing access to services.

  • Defining the general guidelines in the QA handbook

  • Summarising test results in QA reports for PLA

  • Analysing project results for improvement opportunities

  • Quality management of requirements analysis (particularly processes, methods, and tools)

  • Ensuring compliance with SERA requirements

  • Creating a cross-project test concept

  • Agreeing on sprint completion reports

  • Formal review of work results in accordance with requirements and/or the project plan

  • Contact person for internal audit, external audits by auditors, or BRH (Federal Court of Audit)

  • Technologies: JIRA, Confluence, MS Office, GitLab, Kubernetes

Verified expert

Björn A.

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Senior Project Manager | Head of PMO

Frankfurt am Main
Björn A.

Last position:

Project Manager at DB InfraGO

  • Elevator emergency call reorganization project: Project to evaluate and define a new technical solution for connecting elevator emergency calls for all facilities of DB InfraGO passenger stations.

  • Objectives: Secure, redundant connection of all locations across Germany. Definition of the technical solution, documentation, subject-matter support and management of specialist and line organizations.

  • Identification and commissioning of technical solutions.

  • Management of documentation and approval of the technical solution in DB regulations.

  • Definition and tracking of the roadmap for describing the solution.

  • Preparation of a rollout plan to avoid shutdowns.

  • Coordination and implementation of decision proposals for steering committees.

  • Communication of the solution to all committees and regional areas.

Verified expert

Ljubomir O.

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Senior Test Automation Engineer | QA Engineer

München
Ljubomir O.

Last position:

Senior Software Test Engineer at Keil KTM GmbH

Temporary employment

  • System black-box integration tests (BBIT, IVVQ): Execution of regression, release, confirmation and conformity tests for safety-critical braking control units in the railway industry
  • Software Test Application & Integration: Runtime configuration of software components and libraries, validation of interfaces, configuration dependencies and component interactions
  • Test Automation (FEAT Framework): Co-development and further development of an automated test framework for test execution, reporting and result analysis
  • Functional Safety (SiL4, FuSi): Ensuring compliance with safety requirements, traceability and coverage as well as conformity with EN50126/28/29
  • Test Automation for Communication Components: Configuration and validation of fieldbus (CAN) and Ethernet-based TCMS data communication interfaces (TRDP and CIP)
  • Requirements Analysis & Shift-Left (PTC Windchill ALM): Analysis of software and system artifacts to identify gaps, ambiguities and redundancies early in the SDLC
  • Test Design & Test Case Development: Derivation of test conditions and coverage strategies and implementation of data-driven test cases (DDT) including reusable test data fixtures
  • CI/CD & Automation (Python, PowerShell, Jenkins, SVN): Automation of build, test and HIL deployment processes as well as integration into CI/CD pipelines
  • Test Data & Configuration Management (XML): Maintenance and adjustment of XML test vectors and system configurations with automated integration into test environments
  • Non-Functional Testing: Execution of performance and load tests to assess stability and system behavior
  • Agile Development & Defect Management (JIRA, Confluence): Work in Scrum teams, test coordination, review of test artifacts as well as defect tracking and root-cause analysis
  • Error Analysis & Debugging (CANoe, CANalyzer): Analysis of errors and message flows across multiple system levels (application to bus)
  • Model-Based Analysis (UML, Enterprise Architect): Specification of SUT/SOW and support for systematic test control
  • Process & Test Documentation: Creation of integration and test documentation according to internal quality and certification requirements

Discover over 15,000 top freelancers

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) statistics

Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.

Experience

20 years

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany have 20 years of professional experience on average.

Position duration

1.9 years

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany stay in a single position for 1.9 years on average.

Positions per freelancer

14

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany have completed 14 positions on average over the course of their careers.

Top business areas

Quality Assurance, Information Technology, Product Development

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany have gathered most of their hands-on project experience in Quality Assurance, Information Technology, and Product Development.

Top industries

Information Technology, Banking and Finance, Automotive

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany are most in demand in Information Technology, Banking and Finance, and Automotive.

Certification focus areas

Quality Assurance, Information Technology, Project Management

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany earn their certifications most often in Quality Assurance, Information Technology, and Project Management.

Bachelor's degree or higher

91%

91% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany hold at least a Bachelor's degree.

Master's degree or higher

53%

53% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany hold at least a Master's degree.

Doctorate

6%

6% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany have a doctorate (PhD).

Certifications per freelancer

6

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany hold 6 professional certifications on average.

Most common languages

German, English, French

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany most often speak German, English, and French.

Speak two or more languages

97%

97% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany speak two or more languages.

Based on our profile pool as of 26 Oct 2026.

Daily rate distribution

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
1% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany charge less than €400 per day.
52% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany charge between €400 and €800 per day.
41% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany charge between €800 and €1200 per day.
4% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany charge between €1200 and €1600 per day.
1% of ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts in Germany charge €1600 or more per day.
<€400 €400-​800 €800-​1200 €1200-​1600 €1600+

The chart shows how the daily rates of experts holding this certification in Germany are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows the share of experts charging within that range.

Discover detailed ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) rate benchmarks:

Explore rate insights

Average rates for ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany

Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.

800
600
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Rate comparison chart
Daily rate avg. 758 €

The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.

800
600
400
200
Rate comparison chart
Median rate 760 €

The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.

Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 26 Oct 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) experts industry focus

See which industries our matched freelancers work in most often — every figure is calculated live from the freelancers on FRATCH.

  • Information Technology (86%)
  • Banking and Finance (51%)
  • Automotive (48%)
  • Manufacturing (45%)
  • Professional Services (36%)
  • Telecommunication (36%)
  • Government and Administration (32%)
  • Healthcare (31%)

Please note that freelancers can work across multiple industries, so percentages overlap.

About the certification

What CTFL means

The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) is the entry certification in the ISTQB testing track. It shows that a tester understands the language of software quality and can work with structured testing methods. For companies, it is a clear signal that a freelancer knows the basics of professional test work and can join delivery teams with a shared framework.

Core skills

  • Test principles and the purpose of testing
  • Test design techniques and how to choose test cases
  • Defect reporting and clear communication with developers
  • Test levels, test types, and the role of regression testing
  • Risk-based thinking and what makes a good test approach
  • Basic test management ideas, tools, and test documentation

Typical holders

CTFL is common among junior and mid-level testers, QA specialists, business analysts who support testing, and consultants moving into quality roles. In Germany, it is often seen on profiles for freelancers who work with product teams, delivery leads, or internal QA departments. The certification helps show that the freelancer understands more than ad hoc checking and can contribute in a structured way.

What it tells companies

A freelancer with the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level has a shared vocabulary for test planning, execution, and reporting. That matters when you need someone who can document issues clearly, follow agreed test processes, and collaborate with developers and product owners. It is especially useful in projects where test work must fit into sprint cycles, release trains, or formal acceptance work.

Where it fits

The CTFL is relevant in many settings, from web and mobile products to enterprise software, system integration, and regulated environments. It is not tied to one tool or one method. Instead, it gives a practical base for manual testing, exploratory work, and the first step into broader QA responsibilities. For German teams working across languages or with distributed delivery, it also helps because the concepts are internationally recognized.

Why it matters for hiring

If you need a tester who can start quickly, ask the right questions, and report issues in a disciplined way, CTFL is a useful filter. It does not replace project experience, domain knowledge, or tool skills. But it does tell you that the freelancer has passed through a recognized foundation in software testing and is ready for real project work, whether on site in Germany or remote.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything clients usually want to know about ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL), in one place.

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) validates a solid grounding in software testing. It covers the ideas, methods, and language that testers use to plan, design, execute, and report tests. For hiring teams, that means a freelancer should be able to fit into a structured QA process without needing basic concepts explained first.

CTFL is the foundation level, so it focuses on core concepts rather than deep specialization. More advanced ISTQB paths go further into areas like test management, test analysis, or technical testing. If you need someone for hands-on delivery, CTFL shows the person has the base knowledge; if you need leadership or specialist depth, you may want a higher level as well.

CTFL is a good fit for software testers, QA engineers, business analysts who support testing, and consultants who work closely with delivery teams. It is also common for people who are building a testing career and want a recognized starting point. Companies often look for it when they need reliable manual testing and clear defect reporting.

The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level is designed as an entry certification, so it does not assume years of specialist experience. That said, people usually prepare better if they have seen real test work, even in a small project or internship. The exam itself checks understanding of concepts, not only memorized terms.

In Germany, CTFL is often useful when teams mix local staff, international colleagues, and freelance specialists. The certification gives a common testing vocabulary that helps in both remote collaboration and on-site work. It is especially helpful when German companies want a freelancer who can join structured QA processes quickly.

Preparation usually combines study of the official syllabus with practice questions and simple test scenarios. The focus is on understanding terminology, test design techniques, and the purpose of each test level and test type. Many candidates also review how defects are written and how test cases are structured in real projects.

CTFL is part of the ISTQB Foundation track, and holders should always check the current ISTQB rules for any updates. In practice, the main point is that the certificate is widely recognized as a baseline qualification for testing work. For hiring, the key question is less about renewal and more about whether the freelancer still uses the concepts in current projects.

The certification matters most in projects where testing needs structure, traceability, and clear communication. That includes software releases, regression cycles, system integration work, and acceptance testing in enterprise environments. It is useful wherever a team needs a freelancer who can test carefully and report problems in a way developers and product owners can act on.

The average hourly rate for freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany is 95 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 758 € based on an 8-hour working day.

Of the freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany, 91% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 53% hold at least a Master's degree, and 6% hold a doctorate.

On average, freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany have 20 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 1.9 years.

The most common languages among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany are German (100%), English (96%), and French (27%).

The most common industries among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany are Information Technology (86%), Banking and Finance (51%), and Automotive (48%).

The most common business areas among freelancers with ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) in Germany are Quality Assurance (95%), Information Technology (95%), and Product Development (76%).

FRATCH ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) main locations

Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.

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