DataStore interview with Markus Wolf
Markus Wolf has been DataStore’s Cyber Security Team Leader and Senior Sales Manager since April 2022. In this interview, he reveals which projects he is particularly enthusiastic about and why individuality is so important to him when it comes to teamwork.
Why and how did you end up in the IT industry and ultimately at DataStore?
As is so often the case in life, a number of coincidences happened in just the right order. After I completed my apprenticeship as an electrician, I did further training both as a business economist with an advanced degree in business administration and as a mechanical engineer (at technical school). My employer at the time (1984) invested in a CAD (computer-aided design) project and bought two workstations for just under CHF 1 million. Of course, I immediately registered as a user in what was initially a small group of developers who replaced the drawing board with these incredibly expensive computers and programmed 3D edge models. And we did this with just a fraction of the computing power that is built into every single smartphone today.
After gaining this initial experience, I was so interested in the world of CAD IT that I switched to technical support for a manufacturer, doing pre-sales and sales. Over the years that followed, I became a LOGOCAD, AUTOCAD, SDRC I-DEAS, and UNIGRAPHICS CAD/CAE/CAM specialist. After that, the world of IT took me to UNIX, network technology, and platforms.
But then the time came to take the next step and put my energy into a new field. And what a field that was! When I got the opportunity to become Cyber Security Team Leader at DataStore, I was immediately thrilled. The idea of being involved in such an important field and using my skills at a company like DataStore was just too enticing.
What arguments convinced you to switch to DataStore?
Cyber security is a very important issue for every single company and our society as a whole when it comes to protecting our future. And now, after a year in this dynamic environment, I can happily say it was the best decision of my life. The work at DataStore is really fascinating and the possibilities are endless. I am proud to be part of a team that is actively committed to the safety of companies and society as a whole.
I am able to learn so much every day, dedicate myself to a highly complex subject with great specialists, and enjoy the fun that comes with sales.
What five characteristics would your colleagues use to describe you?
That’s definitely a good question! Everyone has their own idea of what successful, friendly collaboration looks like, so each partnership has to be individual. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. A good team is successful when the individual profiles of the people in the team complement each other perfectly and expert, motivated employees are able to contribute to each issue. It’s like a puzzle: if all the pieces were “edge pieces”, it would be impossible to create something that had a bigger impact than the pieces individually.
Traits that are generally valued are based on this understanding of collaboration: individuality is accepted, different points of view are tolerated, interactions are fair and transparent, people are motivated to achieve common goals and provide mutual support in day-to-day business through real added value.
How do you relax and enjoy yourself outside work?
I could easily write an entire book about that. I am always interested in new topics as they help to broaden my range of experience. My wife and children would laugh at that.
I love technology on the roads and in the air (DJI drones), enjoy going on diving adventures all around the world, develop technical constructions (on CAD, F360 of course), and build unique technical items in my well-equipped workshop. In addition to a milling machine, a top-quality drill, and a lathe, I currently enjoy playing with my high-precision Atomstack7 cutting laser. And to round things off, I’m currently weighing up buying a reasonable, affordable 3D copier, but the “internal family procurement process” is still one that’s ongoing.
Which IT product best describes you as a person?
CAD software. With today’s computer-aided design solutions, you can design almost anything without any limits. For example, we could build vehicles with 40,000 individual parts in a single model, simulate product behavior down to the very last detail, and test an entire production process for an IT solution before we even start realizing it. The level of highly complex software that human beings have developed is impressive! Today, based on this experience, I believe that we can achieve incredible things if we acquire the right skills, set innovative goals, and work tirelessly.
Any questions? You can contact Markus here:
Markus Wolf
Team Leader & Senior Sales Manager Cybersecurity
E-Mail: