With contagious passion for DevOps, Chay stands out at dbi services. Through a unique mix of innovation, foresight, and humour, he shares his career path and the joys of his job. From early experiences with Docker Swarm to enriching conversations at dbi, Chay embodies a new generation of DevOps consultants, visionary and committed to sharing.
Can you generally explain your role, your missions...
I have been working as a DevOps Consultant for almost two years at dbi services. I joined the team, which already had a core group consisting of Arnaud, Jean-Philippe, and Nicolas Meunier.
Can you choose 3 words that describe your role, your missions?
I have been working as a DevOps Consultant for almost two years at dbi services. I joined the team, which already had a core group consisting of Arnaud, Jean-Philippe, and Nicolas Meunier.
If I had to describe my role or DevOps as a whole, three words come to mind:
- First, innovation: we can work on innovative products and technologies that are constantly evolving, as well as the partners we work with. For example, I started working on Docker Swarm, but today, containerization is done on Kubernetes.
- Secondly, I think "Vision" is an appropriate term when thinking and implementing DevOps. In a way, the DevOps world pushes us to rethink the work of a system engineer. It is an evolution of the profession in which we must be able to project ourselves to optimize recurring tasks and make the tools used to deliver and support a product more reliable.
- The third word that comes to mind is "Fun". What comes out of discussions and conversations in the DevOps world is that it is a fun profession. I share this opinion; I find that we have a lot of fun. There is a real desire to have fun at work while still being very focused. This is reflected in the products, marketing logos, and commands used, for example.
What do you prefer in your work?
I have a very Cartesian and mathematical approach, there are two things I particularly appreciate about my job: understanding and transmitting. Sharing is natural at dbi services, whether with colleagues or with clients. I hate the unpleasant feeling of leaving a subject unresolved, without fully understanding it. So it is very important for me to go to the end of the explanations.
If you had to give advice to new hires, what would it be?
No matter your position, don't worry about your integration. Everything will be done to welcome you in the best possible conditions, and you will be supported both technically and managerially. People are kind and will be eager to share with you.
"No matter your position, don't worry about your integration. Everything will be done to welcome you in the best possible conditions"
What is your best anecdote?
Well, let me tell you how I got to know dbi services (laugh). I crossed paths with Arnaud a few years ago during one of his consultant missions at a company where I was working. I wasn't working directly with him, but I was amazed by the positive feedback I received regarding his technical expertise. I didn't even know he was working at dbi services at the time, it was only later that I made the connection. As soon as I learned this, I did what I had to do to join his team and today we are colleagues. Similarly, I had heard about a highly competent "guru" in his field, it was when I arrived at dbi that I realized it was Daniel Westermann (laugh).
If you could put yourself in a colleague's shoes for a day, who would it be?
I would say I would put myself in the place of Pierre-Yves and Pascal for the commercial part. Exchanging with clients about their needs and observing how the business is developing would be things that I would enjoy greatly.
If you had an Aladdin lamp, what wishes would you make?
My greatest wish would be to show my children the wonders of the world. I had the chance to travel a lot before their birth and I dream of sharing with them everything I have seen and appreciated through different cultures and the people I have met. I think it's a natural desire to want to pass on to one's children what one has appreciated, while giving them the freedom to develop at their own pace.
Could you tell us few words about your passions?
I am a big fan of football. I started playing this sport as soon as I was old enough to walk.
I am part of that generation of enthusiasts who even played with tennis balls in the absence of immediate solutions (laugh).
All the gear of the enthusiast, from the famous ball with the panels removed to the shoes punctured by the macadam (laugh).
If you had to choose a mentor, who would it be?
I don't really have a mentor, but I am rather inspired by a philosophy, that of following one's own path. This can be compared to "one's nindo" in the manga Naruto. The idea is that everyone can be their own hero by positioning themselves at a given moment and taking a different perspective.
What is your favorite Film or series?
Without hesitation, I am an unconditional fan of the "Back to the Future" trilogy. My entourage knows it well. I tolerate no criticism, even constructive, on this work (laugh). I find the idea of acting on the present and knowing the future brilliant.
What do you think about Sequotech?
I am very interested in the evolution of Sequotech. As you probably know, mergers are not always well received, but in this case, I see a lot of positive things for dbi services as well as for UDITIS. For me, it is really a logic of partnership, and I had the chance to have very good experiences with CSEM thanks to the support of UDITIS on the Kubernetes technology.
It also seems that there are other projects in progress. It is now important to determine our specificities in terms of expertise and to continue exchanging and valuing ourselves.