Cisco Expert

With more than 30 years of experience in enterprise IT sales, managing strategic major accounts, and successfully leading complex transformation projects, I have a deep understanding of demanding customer organizations and their digital development goals. In my current role as an independent consultant, I was responsible for sales of enterprise cloud, data, and transformation solutions across the DACH region. My focus is particularly on building lasting customer relationships at C-level and successfully supporting complex sales cycles in highly regulated and technologically demanding environments.

My career includes roles at Bechtle, Insight Technology Solutions, and Intershop, where I gained many years of experience building and developing strategic enterprise accounts and delivering large-scale IT projects. In addition, as managing director of my own company, I took on broad responsibility for sales, operations, and business development.

What especially interests me about the advertised position is the combination of cybersecurity, transformation, and enterprise sales. I see this as an environment where I can make the most of my experience advising decision-makers, developing customer strategies, and building sustainable growth opportunities.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my experience in more detail in a personal conversation.

Task: Operator development and observability

Technologies and skills: Kubernetes, Valkey-Operator, Crossplane, Backstage, OpenPortal, OTEL, Grafana Cloud, Azure DevOps, Artifactory, Flux, Alloy, Prometheus, Grafana, Loki, OCF, Copilot

What I did:

• Evaluated/developed Valkey-Operator
• Set up OpenTelemetry
• Integrated it with OpenPortal/Backstage/CrossPlane

• Ticket automation for smart devices; SharePoint
• Python, JavaScript, Java, Gradle
• CI/CD Git pipeline and secure programming

• Architected, Deployed and Supported hosted email solutions in Linux and Windows environments with enterprise-grade anti-spam and security architecture for service-provider environments.
• Managed Microsoft Azure environments including Virtual Machines, VNets, Storage, VPN, and Firewall configuration.
• Administered Microsoft Exchange Server (2010-2019), Microsoft Exchange Server SE, Active Directory, PKI, Hyper-V and Zimbra environments with disaster recovery planning and operational support.
• Led Microsoft 365 onboarding and migration projects from Exchange, IMAP, and Zimbra platforms to Microsoft 365.
• Prepare security and compliance to support Microsoft 365 Copilot.
• Implement information protection and data loss prevention by using Microsoft Purview.
• Implement retention, eDiscovery, and communication compliance in Microsoft Purview.
• Integrated Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), and Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS).
• Delivered secure hybrid infrastructure solutions integrating Microsoft Windows Server and Linux-based enterprise environments.
• Supported enterprise integration projects involving Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, Red Hat, Barracuda ESG, Qmail and Zimbra Platforms.

Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform

Scope:

• Operation and configuration of the Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform, including network, storage, and security design.
• Implementation of centralized observability solutions (Prometheus, Grafana, alerting).
• Development of CI/CD pipelines, GitOps workflows, and automation frameworks.
• Training and enablement of operations and development teams.

Result: Accelerated service delivery, transparent operational metrics, and sustainable knowledge transfer.

"Reasoning Models: From LLM Foundations to NOC Automation."

As a Council Member at GLG (Gerson Lehrman Group), the world’s leading expert network, I provide organizations, investment firms, and consulting companies with expert discussions on demand – wherever specialized knowledge in information security, IT governance, and regulatory compliance is needed.

My assessments are based on many years of practical experience in highly regulated industries: from building and implementing information security management systems (ISMS according to ISO 27001), IT risk and vulnerability management, and business continuity (ISO 22301) to the practical implementation of European regulations such as DORA, NIS2, BAIT, and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).

The cooperation is project- and discussion-based. I provide decision-makers with a practical perspective gained from real-world experience on cyber risks, security governance, and operational resilience – exactly when it is needed.

Oracle Project Management and Automation

As part of the project, the operation of an Oracle infrastructure was automated through the development and enhancement of Puppet modules and the migration of existing Bash scripts to a standardized configuration management solution.

The project aimed to standardize and automate administrative processes, improve the maintainability of the Oracle platform, and increase the efficiency and traceability of infrastructure management through the use of Infrastructure as Code.

• Analyzed and migrated existing Bash shell scripts to a Puppet-based automation solution
• Developed and enhanced Puppet modules for Oracle environments
• Automated installation, configuration, and operational processes using Infrastructure as Code
• Standardized and optimized configuration management for Oracle systems
• Created and maintained technical and operational documentation
• Planned, coordinated, and provided technical support for project implementation
• Operated and automated Oracle systems on x86-based Linux server platforms
• Tested and ensured the quality of the developed Puppet modules
• Analyzed and resolved technical issues related to automation and migration
• Worked closely with business units and infrastructure teams to implement automation requirements

Technologies used: Puppet 7/8, SLES 15, Oracle 19, Oracle Grid, SVN, Windows Server, Confluence, VS Code, Ruby, Bash, Pass

• Technical design, prioritization, and hands-on implementation of AI automation, conversational AI, voice AI, and private AI solutions.
• Translation of business requirements into system architecture, conversation/workflow logic, APIs, data flows, and production-ready AI workflows.
• Development of backend and integration components with Python/FastAPI, PostgreSQL/pgvector, Redis, REST APIs, webhooks, and background jobs.
• Design and implementation of RAG architectures with local/private LLMs, embeddings, document processing, semantic search, and controlled access to company knowledge.
• Prompt engineering for LLM and voice/conversational AI applications; iterative optimization based on real processes, system responses, and quality requirements.
• Practical work with ElevenLabs and its APIs in a voice AI project, as well as technical evaluation and integration of voice AI components.
• Deployment and operation of Docker-based systems on Linux with Nginx, CI/CD, monitoring/logging, backup/restore, and reproducible deployment processes.

Project management and process consulting in the field of Building Information Modelling (BIM)

Participation in various projects related to the development and introduction of new telecommunications products in the mobile communications and fixed-line sectors, with a focus on 5G, wholesale and IPv6 technologies.

• Planning, coordination and execution of product development projects, particularly in the 5G and fixed-line environments
• Support for the rollout of new offerings, including test management and quality assurance
• Participation in the development of wholesale products and eSIM solutions
• Close coordination with internal departments (technology, marketing, operations) and external partners
• Use of agile tools and methods for project management and collaboration

Tools: JIRA, MS Office, MS Project

Technologies: 5G, 5G Campus Networks, Fixed Network (FixNet), IPv6, eSIM, Wholesale product development

CS-APN 5G NSA – IPv6 / Dual-Stack for B2B Customers

Ensuring the use of CS-APNs in dual-stack mode (IPv4/IPv6) in combination with MPLS VPN and IPSEC VPN.

• Project management including test planning, test coordination and go-live management
• Technical coordination for activating IPv6 functionality for B2B connections

eSIM Manager – Product Development for B2B Customers

Development of a tool for the fast and scalable provision of eSIM profiles for business customers.

• Product design and process definition for activating eSIMs on different device types (smartphones, IoT, laptops)
• Collaboration with partners to integrate the solution into existing infrastructures

eSIM Handling B2B – Blanco eSIM Process Integration

Optimization of the eSIM provisioning process through the introduction of dynamic Blanco eSIM processes.

• Definition of new processes for issuing non-activated eSIMs (Blanco) via the frontend and partner community
• Design of the integration into service and IT systems

All-IP 5G NSA – Mobile Access for B2B Internet/Voice Services

Expansion of the All-IP portfolio with mobile 5G access offering higher bandwidth for business customers. (5G Indoor Coverage).

• Project management including test management and go-live preparation
• Interface coordination for introducing Local-SIM-based solutions

5G PN – Campus Roaming / Private Networks

Development and introduction of 5G Private Network (PN) solutions with a focus on industrial applications (IIoT).

• Design and definition of business use cases
• Development of SIM/eSIM processes for 5GPN, including roaming between private and public networks

IPv6 for B2B – Introduction in Mobile and Fixed-Line Products

Introduction of IPv6 support for All-IP products and M2M services in the B2B environment.

• Product and process development for integrating IPv6 (in accordance with RIPE-554)
• Implementation for large customers such as retail chains with several thousand branches in Germany and abroad

• IT interim management
• Functional leadership, establishment and management of the local IT team
• Responsibility for all IT services (e.g. server, storage, backup, network, security and OT services), including planning, setup and operation of these services for the site
• Responsibility for all business services (ERP, sales / configuration, development), including planning, setup and operation of these services for the site
• Ensuring the overall strategic direction of the IT team and integrating this team into the overarching holding functions
• Budgeting and execution of controlling processes, including risk analyses
• Supporting the development of project management standards and methods
• Supporting IT project portfolio management, including the continuous improvement of portfolio standards and methods
• Developing and aligning standards and methods for process management
• Responsible for the availability, capacity and continuity of the relevant IT services
• Responsibility for IT resource management processes
• Project management for various infrastructure projects:
• Storage migration from NetApp to Huawei
• Windows 11 rollout
• Rebuilding a Citrix environment

Tools/Werkzeuge/Methoden: Confluence, Jira

Hardware: HP servers, Fortigate NGFW, storage: Huawei OceanStor, network: HP and Huawei switches, Fortinet WLAN

Software: VMware vSphere, network: Dell switches, Fortinet WLAN, Windows 11, Citrix

Applications: Office-Suite M365, Exchange Online, Azure AD / Entra ID

Project: Rollout of new infrastructure components

• Defined and managed the implementation of an overarching management framework with clear roles and responsibilities as part of the hardware rollout.
• Designed and established governance and control mechanisms, including the development of compliance requirements and processes for continuous quality assurance, supported by ServiceNow.
• Coordinated technical activities between service, infrastructure and specialist teams to ensure the smooth delivery and commissioning of printers and notebooks.
• Created a detailed rollout plan with specific timelines, milestones and responsibilities.
• Managed the procurement, delivery, testing, configuration, installation and on-site commissioning of hardware, including integration into existing IT systems.
• Established and continuously optimized processes for the procurement, distribution and use of printers and notebooks.
• Developed and implemented standardized provisioning processes, analyzed existing procedures, harmonized the processes involved and ensured compliance with security, compliance and quality requirements.
• Introduced agile methods to continuously improve the hardware provisioning process.
• Promoted collaboration through clear responsibilities and communication structures between internal IT teams and external service providers.
• Documented and monitored rollout progress, created rollout reports and tracked hardware implementation in real time.
• Supported change management and organized and delivered training sessions for end users.
• Created user manuals and online resources.
• Analyzed the existing hardware landscape, created hardware inventories, assessed current equipment and checked hardware compatibility.
• Developed detailed infrastructure mappings.
• Planned, organized and conducted structured interviews with key stakeholders and created requirements documents.

Europe-wide re-platforming & centralization

• Independently created the migration concept and implementation plan for the Europe-wide centralization and consolidation of IT services for around 20 European companies as part of a re-platforming program.
• Migration assessment: analysis of the existing IT, infrastructure, application, and service landscapes of the companies as the basis for the migration strategy.
• Development of the centralized target vision and target architecture based on a modern technology stack, taking platform and containerization approaches into account.
• Design of a highly available central infrastructure in an active-active model across two data centers; consideration of cloud, infrastructure, application, CMDB, and IAM services.
• Development of the migration and transformation roadmap, including defining migration waves, dependencies, requirements, and priorities for the move from decentralized services to the central platform.
• Analysis of technical and organizational dependencies, identification of migration risks, and development of a structured approach for step-by-step migration and centralization.
• Creation of target, solution, and implementation views for each service domain; design of the end-to-end join-move-leave process as a blueprint for the European rollout (Jira/Jira Asset Management).
• Alignment of migration strategy and roadmap with European companies, management, IT, providers, and other stakeholders; presentation of the 12-month roadmap to the Managing Director Europe.