Interview "V-ZUG AG"

What is your name?
Stefan Jenni
Which department do you work in?
IT
What is your function and your activity within the company / department?
Head of IT
What were the deciding factors for seeking cooperation with object XP?
We started our project ZUG-Home almost two years ago. This project is aiming for a complete networking of household appliances.
In those days, we started from scratch and did not have the required know-how. That’s why we were looking for an innovative partner. There are few companies that offer IT solutions of this kind. We decided in favour of a large European provider of OSGi server products that had already realized similar customer projects. However, during cooperation, the geographical distance between the software developer and V-ZUG AG proved to be too great for such a project.
With such new solutions, many things only become evident during the creation process and cannot be anticipated in the design. For this reason, the external partner’s close proximity to its customers was very important to us. This created the need for us to find a partner who would bridge the gap between the appliances and the networked world and support us on site in the development of our internal competencies.
The deciding factor for cooperating with object XP was its practical experience in a similar reference project, as well as the professional and competent conduct of object XP’s employees.
Were there any alternative solutions, such as a different provider or an in-house solution, and why were these abandoned?
In Switzerland, there are hardly any providers that develop solutions in the OSGi domain. object XP has found a niche here.
As for realizing an in-house solution, on the one hand, we did not have the required know-how, since the networking of household appliances, as well as t heir central control, is very complex. On the other hand, the IT department did not have enough people available for the job, since many of them had already been assigned to other important projects. For these reasons, we were looking for a combined solution with a small internal project team and an external partner in innovation. object XP was exactly suited for this kind of cooperation.
Why did you, or rather your company, opt for open source? What are the advantages and disadvantages offered by open source?
In the project ZUG-Home, where networking possibilities are supposed to be open, we did not want any proprietary IT solutions. At the same time, we wanted to orientate ourselves to the market and focus accordingly.
OSGi is an open standard with clear interface specifications, which enable networking and integration of various partial areas or networks.
But OSGi is only a standard that served as a base for our gateway. It is just as important that our networked appliances support the CHAIN standard. This is set up by the standardizing committees of the white goods producers (kitchen and utility room appliances), in which ZUG plays an active part.
For us, in comparison to other technologies, OSGi is still the best and most flexible solution.
How would you characterise cooperation with object XP in general and what are the advantages and disadvantages arising out of cooperation with object XP?
object XP’s employees identify very strongly with the project and with the company of V-ZUG AG, almost like our own employees. A lot depends on the two employees of object XP we have on site, and they have a certain key function within the project described. They are committed to finding the required solutions and alternatives in the overall project, as well as in the development of applications. object XP’s employees do not just settle for the first and easiest solutions that come to hand. In my view, object XP’s employees are an important addition to our internal IT team.
In which area / project are object XP’s IT solutions / services used in your company?
In the project ZUG-Home. This project facilitates the mobile operation of networked household appliances in a we browser and is connected to the Internet. We also intend to offer additional services, such as a data bank for recipes which will continuously offer new cooking recipes. ZUG-Home is under on-going development with the support of object XP. Thanks to the open OSGi architecture, even existing customers can profit from these further developments.
Could you briefly describe which specific services within the area/project described earlier you are using from object XP and which role object XP is playing in this?
We make use of a wide range of services. This basically includes consulting, development of concepts, technical project management, development of applications (based on OSGi and embedded Linux), coaching and testing/final verifications of the corresponding solutions.
For us, object XP is also a facilitat of innovation and know-how in the electronic or networking domain.
What is the significance of object XP’s performance for your company? Could it be characterized as strategic and pioneering?
For us, the project ZUG-Home has a strategic and pioneering character. Today we are just on the threshold of home networking, in particular when it comes to networking household appliances with each other and with the Internet. I am convinced, however, that in a few years’ time, the importance of networking household appliances will increas greatly and I am happy that ZUG, with the assistance of object XP is a leader in this area, too.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of object XP’s IT solutions and services?
object XP’s employees work well under high pressure and have both a well-founded and comprehensive IT knowledge. On top of this, they recognise the vital importance of the economic side of a project.
How would you assess the degree of innovation of the service used / the solutions they worked out?
In my view, their applications and solutions in the OSGi domain and embedded Linux are extremely progressive.
How would you evaluate the quality and completeness of object XP’s solutions and services?
The solutions and services provided to us by object XP are of a very high quality. object XP’s employees are very demanding and have an acute sense for quality.
How would you assess object XP’s general competency for projects?
As I observe object XP’s employees on site, it is obvious that they have a very good and comprehensive specialist knowledge in the area of IT as well as in project management. They have the necessary competencies required for the realisation of a project of this size involving various international parties. They are able to handle the necessary tasks of coordination and facilitation. All this is very important for us and of great benefit.
How would you assess object XP’s competency for solving problems?
Their competencies in this area are very good. Any problems that crop up are analysed in a focused way and solved quickly and at a high level of competency. As I mentioned before, they do not just settle for the first solutions that come to hand.
In your experience, how is the cooperation with object XP, or rather with the employee in charge?
The employees on site display the following characteristics:
- Focused
- Comprehensive and specialist IT knowledge
- Team-oriented
- Good transference of know-how / training
- Good coordination and communication within the project
- High flexibility and no bureaucracy
How would you assess object XP’s adherence to deadlines? Do they keep to the promised dates and times?
object XP is an absolutely reliable partner.
Are you essentially happy with object XP as a company and the services and solutions they provide?
Yes, I am very happy.
Will you recommend object XP to others?
No (with a laugh). Otherwise, object XP’s employees won’t be available for me any more.
Do you have any general suggestions or requests for future cooperation?
Up to now, our cooperation has been very informal and uncomplicated, while remaining at a very high level of quality. I would like to keep it that way.

Stefan Jenni was interviewed by Christian Neeser in August 2005.

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