Philidor joined Pyramid in 2008 and now leads the Project Management Office.
In this interview, Philidor reviews his journey through the company. He worked as a product manager for 10 years and tells us what makes a job there so exciting, which world-wide innovation he played a major role in developing, and what he likes so much about the atmosphere at Pyramid.
How long have you been on board at Pyramid?
Since 2008! At that time, I started my training as an IT systems electronics technician at Pyramid. In 2011, after I finished, I switched to product management right away, where I worked until the middle of 2021.
How did you become aware of Pyramid back then?
After graduating from secondary school, I completed a one-year vocational college program in information electronics. After that, I looked around here in Freiburg for suitable jobs in the IT industry or electrical engineering. After that, I looked around here in Freiburg for suitable jobs in the IT industry or electrical engineering. In the end, I applied and started my training as an IT systems electronics technician.
What made you decide to pursue a career in IT?
There was no one particular reason. At 16 or 17, you don’t really know where you want to go. I think my father was a role model for me at the time, because he also works in the electrical industry.
So, about your work in PM. What exactly happens there?
PM develops customer projects. Essentially, it makes sure that products get turned from ideas into being ready for the market and serialization, and can begin to be mass-produced. After that process, product maintenance and the integration of the product into our ERP system are also our job.
In addition, PM researches exciting new technologies and checks out whether or how we can integrate them into our own developments. Depending on our interest or on a customer requirement, any new hardware has to be put through its paces.
Depending on our interest or on a customer requirement, any new hardware has to be put through its paces.
Could you please describe that process, “from idea to serialization” in more detail and name a project that you worked on that you’re proud of?
Sure, I’ll describe my final project in 2010/2011. At that time, a colleague and I were significantly involved in the development of the world’s first 32″ all-in-one multitouch system. At the time, this was a world-wide innovation, and a huge step forward for us as a company. This was because the POS division had only just developed and still had to be integrated into the company structure at the time, which consisted only of the “classic” server and IPC divisions.
This was because the POS division had only just developed and still had to be integrated into the company structure at the time, which consisted only of the “classic” server and IPC divisions. This required a lot of technical research: What is actually available on the market? Which standards have to be met? Which standards have to be met? That’s how the finished product came into being, step by step.
What’s a classic working day in PM like? Does that even exist?
Yes and no. I think that’s the beauty of IT: there’s always something new coming up. New products are constantly coming onto the market.
But the daily routine is, I think, not that different from other departments: internal meetings or meetings with customers and project work. Otherwise, conducting technical tests, qualifications, and writing evaluations. Otherwise, conducting technical tests, qualifications, and writing evaluations.
What did you enjoy most as a product manager?
The variety , because there are new challenges you have to solve every day. I also really enjoyed the direct contact with customers. The more, the better.
Did you learn anything about yourself during your time at Pyramid?
I got the chance to deal with customers independently and responsibly at an early stage, and was allowed to try a lot of things As a result, I was able to take a lot with me.
Were you able to contribute a skill that you didn’t think was relevant when you started at Pyramid?
My strong communication skills. Also, knowledge that I acquired in my school education is still very useful to me: a deeper understanding of electrical engineering, circuit board design, and manual skills such as soldering.
Please describe Pyramid briefly and to the point!
What are the three top characteristics of PM?
How would you describe the atmosphere at Pyramid?
If you could only take three things with you to an island, what would they be?
A Wilson volleyball, of course! And good friends, and a crate of Rothaus beer.
If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?
Flying.
What else would you like to do in your profession?
Advanced training in CAD design
What do you wish for your professional future?
In fact, I’m where I want to be: at Pyramid.
If you could work in another department for a day, where would it be and why?
In Sales, because I already take care of customers, and so there’s some overlap with sales work. I’m not that unfamiliar with it, and I know I would enjoy it.
At Pyramid, employees can design and manage their own work, and they also have self-imposed high quality standards. Would you say that this statement applies to PM?
Yes, 100% – especially to PM You’re just told the essential framework, and then you’re autonomously responsible for performing and developing the project.
Either-or questions:
© 2021 -2023 Pyramid Computer GmbH. All rights reserved
