After successfully graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science (focus on Visual Computing/Media Informatics) from the University of Applied Sciences Worms, Jan Benold began his professional journey with mbi in 2022.
Since joining our team, Jan Benold has contributed to the continuous advancement of our software solutions and now leads the WINPACCS development department. His expertise lies particularly in technical implementation and process optimisation within the application and in agile project management.
Jan, you lead the WINPACCS development team, so you spend a lot of time with the product. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working with WINPACCS?
Obviously I enjoy working with WINPACCS, and developing is not just my job but also a hobby. As my degree in Applied Computer Science and my role as a software developer – which is how I started at mbi – might suggest, I’m a bit of a tech nerd, particularly when it comes to the practical side of things. In my spare time, I enjoy tinkering with my Raspberry Pi, a small mini‑computer I use for running small server projects. I also like programming small applications for fun or personal use.
I’m generally interested in technical gadgets and devices, and in the latest developments and innovations in this field. For example, I recently bought a 3D printer, which I’ve been spending a lot of time with and using to experiment creatively. And like many others, I’ve been exploring various AI tools and trying out all sorts of things. Another passion I’ve had since childhood is playing computer games, which for me is a lovely and relaxing way to unwind from work during the week, even if, ironically, it also takes place on a computer.
Besides all that, I enjoy cycling, making and listening to music, watching films and TV series, spending time with my fiancée and friends, and I absolutely love cooking – especially for others. So, lots of interests and I try to make time for each of them whenever I can.
How has working so closely on WINPACCS influenced the way you think about software development and leadership?
I have been working at mbi since 2022, but I only joined the WINPACCS department in 2024. Before that, I worked as a software developer in our Digital Platforms department. In this department, we develop software as a service provider, which is why the software projects and their requirements are mainly specified by the client.
At WINPACCS, I’ve come to understand software development in a completely different way. As WINPACCS is our own software, we also have to take care of all the processes surrounding the actual development, such as conception, training, marketing, sales, customer service, consulting, support and much more, which has allowed me to gain an understanding of the entire software lifecycle on a much broader level.
I have also learnt a lot about leadership through WINPACCS. Previously, I headed a smaller team and was responsible for just two people. In the WINPACCS development team, I am now responsible for significantly more people, who also have very different levels of experience and come from different age groups. The close collaboration with many people from the other WINPACCS departments was also quite new to me, and I was able to learn a lot for my work as a team leader, but also for my own personal development. I really enjoy working with this fantastic and diverse team!
As Head of WINPACCS Development, what would you say is your departments “superpower” from your perspective?
I would say that the superpower of WINPACCS development is ‘transformation’. Every day, our developers transform our concepts and our customers’ valuable ideas into actual functionality within WINPACCS. Besides, our developers apply this superpower to themselves every day too – one moment they’re developers writing code, and the next they’re supporters solving our customers’ technical problems.
This combination of technical expertise and genuine interaction with our customers is something I truly value, just like our supportive team culture. I find all of that incredibly impressive and inspiring!
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