Robert de Waal Celebrates 10 Years at IRIS

This month marks a significant milestone for our valued colleague, Robert de Waal, who celebrates his ten-year work anniversary with IRIS. His journey mirrors the evolution and innovation that has transpired within our organization. We sat down with Robert to reflect on his experiences, insights, and the road ahead.

This shift didn’t lessen our enthusiasm but directed it in ways that benefit both our clients and our own growth. The mix of professionalism with our initial excitement for technology has created a culture of ongoing learning and improvement. In my opinion, this change has not only made us better technically but has also helped us understand and meet our clients’ needs in a more reliable way. The positive impact of this change is felt in every project we handle and in the innovative solutions we now offer. It shows our ability to adapt, grow, and deliver high-quality information management solutions.”

“In my time at IRIS, I’ve been at the helm of various major upgrades, each with its own set of challenges. One project that stands out is the OpenText upgrade we carried out for SABIC. This wasn’t just a routine upgrade; it was a substantial undertaking due to several factors. SABIC had a large database and a vast collection of documents housed on an outdated Content Server. The sheer volume of data and the outdated system made this upgrade a complex task that required meticulous planning and execution.

The process spanned several days which wasn’t just about transitioning to a newer version but also enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of SABIC’s Document Management System (DMS).

Our goal was clear: streamline the DMS to ensure a smoother, more efficient operation, and enable SABIC to consolidate its DMS operations worldwide into a unified global system. The global consolidation aimed at fostering better communication, data management, and operational efficiency across all SABIC’s locations.

The successful upgrade was not only modernized SABIC’s DMS but also laid a strong foundation for a global system that would serve them well into the future. It was a clear demonstration of how a well-executed project could drive success and add value for our client.

This project was a testament to the kind of challenges we are ready to take on at IRIS, and the positive impact such projects have on our client’s success. The experience garnered from this project has been invaluable, and the satisfaction derived from seeing our client benefit from our efforts is immeasurable.”

Moreover, the open communication and the freedom to express ideas and concerns have always made me feel valued. It’s reassuring to know that your input matters and can lead to real change or solutions. This environment of trust, combined with the opportunity to continuously learn and grow, has not only kept me going but also made my time here enjoyable and fulfilling.

Additionally, being able to see the direct impact of our work on our clients’ operations is hugely motivating. It provides a sense of accomplishment knowing that we are making a difference by helping our clients streamline their processes and overcome their challenges.

Each project brings a new set of challenges and learning opportunities, which has kept my job exciting and rewarding over the years. The culture at IRIS promotes learning and growth, which has been instrumental in not just retaining me but helping me evolve in my role. The more I engage with diverse projects and client needs, the more I learn and grow, and that’s a big part of why I have stayed with IRIS for a decade.”

“Over the years, I’ve seen a shift in what our customers need and expect from us. It used to be that we’d sell and install a product, and that was largely the extent of our engagement. However, as time went on, it became clear that our customers were looking for more. They wanted to offload more of their work and have us take on a more active role in ensuring the systems were running smoothly even after the installation was done.

It wasn’t just about delivering a one-time solution anymore; it was about being a continuous partner in their operations. This change in customer needs pushed us at IRIS to think beyond just product sales and look into offering ongoing services that would help our customers even more.

One way we’ve adapted to this change is by introducing new services like monitoring the environments and performing regular health checks. These services weren’t something we offered in the past, but now they’ve become a part of our routine offerings. By pro-actively monitoring the environments, we can identify and fix issues before they become bigger problems. And with regular health checks, we ensure that everything is working as it should, and we’re able to provide recommendations for any necessary upgrades or improvements.

I feel this shift has brought us closer to our customers. Now we’re not just a vendor; we’re a part of their ongoing operations, a strategic partner they rely on. It’s a more fulfilling and engaging way to work. It also keeps us on our toes, as we need to stay updated with the latest advancements in our field to continue providing valuable services.

Additionally, as we took on more of this ongoing work, we also started learning more about our customers’ day-to-day challenges, which in turn helped us to develop and tailor our solutions better to meet their needs. This cycle of learning, adapting, and improving has not only benefited our customers but has also driven a lot of growth and innovation within IRIS.

This change in our approach and the continuous effort to adapt to the evolving needs of our customers is something I find really exciting and rewarding. It shows how IRIS is committed to growing and evolving with the industry to provide the best possible service to our clients.”

“When I think about the future of IRIS, especially in the context of the fast-paced digital transformations happening around the globe, I see a lot of potential and exciting avenues for growth. Over the next decade, I envision IRIS introducing new products that will make operations even simpler for our customers. Automation is going to be a big part of this change, helping to streamline processes and make things more efficient.

I also see Artificial Intelligence (AI) playing a significant role in how we evolve. The world is rapidly moving towards harnessing the power of AI to solve complex problems and to make businesses run more smoothly. It’s an exciting field with a lot of potential, and I think IRIS is well-positioned to integrate AI into our solutions.

As we move forward, I see us not just keeping up with the digital transformations but being a part of driving those changes. By staying ahead of the curve and understanding the latest technologies and how they can benefit our clients, we can continue to provide top-notch services and solutions.

Furthermore, I believe there will be more emphasis on providing holistic solutions to our clients. It won’t just be about selling a product or a service, but about understanding our clients’ challenges thoroughly and providing comprehensive solutions that address those challenges from all angles. This holistic approach will help us in forging stronger relationships with our clients and being their go-to partner for all their information management needs.

Additionally, the scope of the projects we undertake might broaden. With the integration of AI and other emerging technologies, our projects could become more complex and impactful, bringing about substantial positive change for our clients.

I’m genuinely excited about what the future holds for IRIS. The pace at which technology is advancing is exhilarating, and the possibilities are endless. With the right approach, a dedicated team, and a focus on innovation, I believe IRIS will continue to grow and succeed, delivering unparalleled value to our clients and staying at the forefront of the industry.”