While the federal government is debating laws on data protection in connection with the digitalization of the administrative structures, more and more smart and digital solutions are finding their way into public authorities. For something to change, it must move. In the following interview, Anton Thome explains why digitalization is a matter of conviction and how it can enrich not only our everyday lives, but also our professional lives.
My first big project was a replacement of an existing employee survey of all tax authorities within an IT department of the Ministry of Finance. Every two years, the employees of the tax authorities are asked to give feedback in a digital employee survey. This data is then stored in a database. My task was to map the employees’ answers in visually appealing standard reports and to automate the process accordingly.
This was a very exciting project. You had to work very precisely and make sure that the result did not distinguish from the initial situation. After all, there are several thousand people who supply and access the data. Those who work with this data afterwards should be able to use the platform just like they did before. In the end, no queries could arise, so that no one had to do too much educational work. After this first project, I have worked on several other government projects in the meantime. For some time now, however, I have been working again with my first client in a new exciting project, in the area of controlling.
It is a difference to working in the office. In the beginning I was on site with my client a few days a week. It is always exciting to get to know a new city. Even if you are staying in a hotel, you quickly make friends with your colleagues. For example, appointments to play soccer after work are quickly made. Nevertheless, you notice the difference between working in the head office in Karlsruhe and working in a public authority. There you do not have a coffee machine or a grill on the terrace.
There are many aspects of my job at virtual7 that I really appreciate. For example, the opportunities for further education. If you have a special wish or need, you can do the training at any time after consulting your Team Development and you will be supported. Further training does not necessarily mean education, you can also use your existing training budget to go to a conference. If you are familiar with Oracle and Data Warehouse, there is of course no need for further training in this area, but a conference can be very useful. That’s why I used my budget for further training to attend a conference of the German ORACLE User Group (DOAG) and thus acquire knowledge. I believe that further development of other skills is also very important. I also used the budget for further training to participate in a training for better presentation skills. There I learned how to lead workshops and make them as interesting as possible. That was two years ago now and looking back I can say that the quality of my workshops has improved significantly.
For me, digitalization does not only mean innovation, automation and the conversion of analog processes into digital ones. The connection between digitalization and the potential for saving time and effort are synonymous for me. Digitalization creates added value in many areas.
In my private life there are digital and smart products that I do not want to miss anymore. For example, I switch on my light from the couch and save myself the trip to the light switch or start the vacuum cleaner with a voice assistant. Digital products are a matter of conviction, once you see the added value, you won’t want the previous products back. I am convinced that this is not only due to household gadgets but also to systems within the public authorities. As long as the product in digital form makes sense and offers added value, you should consider acquiring it.
In the long run, I am motivated by sustainable projects. In my opinion it is important to approach every project thoughtfully. I like to think about what might be required of the project in one or two years and then try to implement it as future-oriented and sustainable as possible.
My idea of digitalization is based on what is already possible in other European countries. The German government has already taken the step of offering as many documents as possible in digital form in the future. I would also like to avoid having to go to the citizens’ office every now and then in the future. Perhaps at some point, my language assistant will remind me to renew my passport and apply for it directly. This is still a dream, but who knows what will be possible in the future. Ultimately, it is not about digitalizing all areas without exception, but about supporting the people who work in these areas and making their work much easier. By this I do not just mean taking the effort off their shoulders, but also offering digital support and assistance in decision-making.
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