KONE elevators challenge even the seasoned programmers
Customer
KONE
Industry
Manufacturing
Services
Embedded and IoT
Technologies
C/C++, Python, Embedded Linux, Yocto
Implementing solutions in cities and buildings – both now and in the future – requires extensive programming, data and expertise. KONE and Rakettitiede have been collaborating since 2012 to meet these demands.
KONE is one of the world's leading companies in the elevator and escalator industry. In addition to elevators and escalators, the company provides many smart solutions for the world's largest cities and their buildings. Rakettitiede's programmers are involved in demanding product development work.
Several Rakettitiede software developers have worked at KONE in different teams, with top-level expertise in areas including C/C++, IoT, cloud technologies and build systems such as Yocto. Rakettitiede consultants work on demanding product development, including elevator control logic and special-purpose lifts.
Robert Taylor, Product Owner for the Linux platform at KONE, has been pleased with Rakettitiede.
“Rakettitiede's developers have been key people in our teams. They have brought ideas both to the products and to the way we work, and have taken on roles such as Scrum Masters,” Taylor says.
CHALLENGE
The development of modern solutions is a long-term endeavor and requires a lot from the developer.
Demanding product development work
Robert Taylor says Rakettitiede ensures things run smoothly by consistently asking for feedback.
“Rakettitiede clearly has good internal processes and, for example, transparency about salaries, as they know how to engage people. From the customer’s perspective, it is very significant that the consultants are happy and want to stay with us,” Robert Taylor says.
Taylor says that what he values in a software developer is attitude and that they care – whether it is about the quality of the work or the smoothness of the process.
“There is a big difference between whether a person genuinely cares or is just doing the job. When there is a real attitude and a desire to improve, it is possible to achieve a lot. That is quite rare, too. Of course, trust and creativity are also important things. The best people are distinguished precisely by the fact that they think more broadly than individual tasks and bring the work together,” Taylor says.
According to Robert Taylor, the best people are distinguished by thinking more broadly than about individual tasks and by bringing the work together. “When there is a real attitude and a desire to improve, it is possible to achieve a lot,” he says.
SOLUTION
In addition to extensive technical expertise, quality is ensured through creativity, effective communication, the right attitude, and a comprehensive understanding of the big picture.
A professional programmer cares about their work
Robert Taylor says Rakettitiede ensures things run smoothly by consistently asking for feedback.
“Rocket Science clearly has good internal processes and, for example, transparency about salaries, because they know how to engage people. From the client’s perspective, it is very important that consultants are happy and want to stay with us,” Robert Taylor says.
Taylor says that in a software developer he values attitude and the fact that they care – whether it concerns the quality of the work or the smoothness of the process.
“There is a big difference between whether a person truly cares or is just doing the job. When there is a genuine attitude and a desire to improve, it is possible to achieve a lot. That is quite rare too. Of course, trust and creativity are also important things. The best people stand out precisely because they think more broadly than individual tasks and bring everything together,” Taylor says.
FINAL RESULT
Smooth transportation, high-quality user experiences and energy efficiency.
A holistic approach and communication guarantee quality
Programmers are also challenged in KONE's projects by the architecture of different buildings and by the fact that the sector is tightly regulated, because movement must always be safe. Robert Taylor values good communication and a holistic way of working. Yet he does not believe in the familiar saying that a person should be willing to go the “extra mile”.
“The way of working must be so professional and persistent that no extra mile is even needed. For some, that kind of development work simply does not suit them. If, for example, you leave things uncorrected along the way, you will always find a mess in front of you,” Taylor says.
“Professionalism is shown in that the person doing the work ensures during the process that things are good and sensible. Then you know that you can trust the results,” he states.
“With the right attitude and desire to improve, the sky’s the limit, but having those qualities is pretty rare. What sets the best experts apart is that they think beyond individual tasks and know how to bring different elements together.”
Robert Taylor, Product Owner, KONE
“A person’s professionalism becomes apparent in how they ensure that everything is in order and well thought-out throughout the process. That’s when you know you can trust the quality of the outcome as well.”
Robert Taylor, Product Owner, KONE
