Always moving forward
However, the development of the R&S Cloud does not mean that the work is done. New solutions in the world of cloud technologies are sprouting up practically on a weekly basis. To stay on top of the latest developments and offer our colleagues the best possible service, the digital platform needs to keep developing and improving. That takes a lot of time and knowledge. Because Josef Meier doesn't want to implement every supposedly innovative tool that comes along: "A holistic approach is very important to us. That means that we curate new approaches before training our colleagues to use them." Josef Meier and his team spot new ideas in the feedback they get from R&S Cloud users, but also through their proactive technology scouting in meetups and blogs.
First products created
The first commercial digital products developed under our seed strategic program have since been launched. One of them is R&S Cloud4Testing, the company's first "software as a service" offering in the test and measurement segment. The underlying idea: providing employees with easy access to T&M and analysis software by Rohde & Schwarz so they can use it regardless of their location. Josef Meier's cloud service also plays an essential role in the implementation process, as product owner Sascha Laumann explains: "The R&S Cloud is the fuel for R&S Cloud4Testing. Without it, we couldn't make this product available to our customers." Our software developers are also thrilled with the conditions created by seed for the development of digital products and services. "With seed, our communication pathways are now shorter. For example, if we have problems with the R&S Cloud, we have somebody from Josef Meier's team on the line in no time to deal with the situation," says Michael Hutterer, cloud solution architect of R&S Cloud4Testing.
Openness as the key to collaboration
Along with the generous input and conditions generated by the seed program, one factor is decisive: the openness and willingness of the employees to embrace the idea of collaboration. "I love this let's-tackle-this-together attitude at Rohde & Schwarz," says product owner Sascha Laumann. Josef Meier also appreciates how quickly a Rohde & Schwarz employee with a good idea can find enthusiastic supporters. Why is that so important? "It's essential to have support and the freedom to work through issues. Because in my view, if the culture doesn't fit, innovation will not take place either," he says. So in the end, it's all interconnected: our trust in the employees, the necessary freedom to be creative, and the openness to cross-departmental collaboration. On that basis, we can then create new products and services, all of which are supported by people who want to work together to shape the future – and it's goodbye to the silos!
