Renke Grunwald
Software Architect
Experience
Software Architect
Open Knowledge GmbH
Materialmeister
Industry: Architecture and Construction Client: Die Holzbauprofis
Materialmeister is a portal aiming to digitize the entire procurement process in trades (first focusing on roofing and carpentry). The project focused on developing an MVP. Die Holzbauprofis is a carpentry firm specializing in home extensions on existing buildings at the southern edge of the Ruhr area. They plan, produce, and install home extensions, from full additions and roof lifts to attic conversions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Designing the cloud architecture
- Planning and designing CI/CD pipelines and IaC
- Advising on tool selection
- Advising and designing the cloud-native application
Technical Focus:
- AWS, Terraform, Linux
Software Architect
Open Knowledge GmbH
Requirements Specification for ERP Interface
Industry: Industrial Engineering Client: Semcoglas Holding GmbH
At the start, electronic data exchange for important Semcoglas transactions was not satisfactory. There were different interfaces partly supporting data exchange between Semcoglas group customers and ERP systems at Semco branches, but no unified, high-performance, flexible standard solution. open knowledge GmbH helped Semcoglas Holding GmbH create a requirements document for this interface. Beyond abstract requirements, the project defines the core of a modern, powerful interface specification. This includes analyzing technical and business requirements, designing a RESTful API per OpenAPI 3 standard, and documenting identified requirements in a specification. Semcoglas Holding GmbH is in flat glass production and finishing. Headquartered in Westerstede, Germany, it operates over 20 sites, making or marketing glazing products. Semco is also part of a float glass plant producing much of the raw material needed at its sites.
Key Responsibilities:
- Requirement analysis for a modern ordering interface in the glass industry
- Sketching the interface with OpenAPI
Technical Focus:
- OpenAPI
Software Architect
Open Knowledge GmbH
Storepick
Industry: Transport and Logistics Client: Vanderlande B.V.
STOREPICK is an end-to-end, robot-supported warehouse solution for automated carton picking, optimizing processes across the value chain. It ensures efficient handling of incoming and outgoing goods and supports retailer-friendly delivery in various store setups. Vanderlande B.V. is a leading global contractor for warehouse process automation and a market leader in airport and parcel logistics automation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Digitizing warehouse logistics processes
- Advising and designing architecture for efficient, cloud-native microservices applications
- Advising on event-driven architectures for asynchronous business communication and designing event pipelines
- Advising and implementing Continuous Deployment (CD) and Continuous Integration (CI) with GitOps
- Leading Kubernetes workshops and advising on microservices orchestration
- Implementing the solution
Technical Focus:
- Java, Kafka, Kubernetes, GitOps, Microservices, Quarkus, Linux
Software Architect
Open Knowledge GmbH
ETS Cloud
Industry: Internet, IT and Multimedia Client: KNX Association cvba
Porting the ETS desktop software to a web application and building a cloud platform to expand the KNX ecosystem. KNX is a standard for building automation. KNX Association cvba is a group of companies (mainly building technology manufacturers) driving and marketing the standard and its specifications.
Key Responsibilities:
- Web-based platform for configuring commercial home automation systems
- Designing microservice application architecture
- Planning port of existing software to the cloud platform
- Advising and implementing CD and CI with GitOps (Flux)
- Building and evolving the solution
Technical Focus:
- Cloud platform, AWS, Kotlin, DevOps, Kubernetes, GitOps (Flux), Microservices
Software Developer/Architect
Open Knowledge GmbH
One Dispatch
Industry: Transport and Logistics Client: Schenker AG
OneDispatch is an app supporting land transport operations by digitizing and optimizing existing processes. DB Schenker AG is an integrated logistics provider with global supply chains, serving industry and trade with land transport, air and sea freight, contract logistics, and supply chain management.
Key Responsibilities:
- Digitizing logistics processes for truck routing
- Advising and designing architecture for efficient, cloud-native microservices applications
- Implementing the solution
Technical Focus:
- Cloud technologies, Kotlin, Spring, TypeScript, Angular, CSS, HTML, Kafka, Microservices
Software Developer/Architect
Open Knowledge GmbH
Connect2Terminal
Industry: Transport and Logistics Client: Schenker AG
Connect2Terminal is an app supporting land transport operations, letting terminal users register and handle goods. The easy-to-use web and mobile app supports terminals in multiple countries. It looks modern in the new DB Schenker style and is functional and smart. The app was developed closely with business reps from concept to implementation. It lets terminal staff log events at the parcel and shipment levels. DB Schenker AG is an integrated logistics provider with global supply chains.
Key Responsibilities:
- Digitizing warehouse logistics processes
- Advising and designing architecture for efficient, cloud-native microservices applications
- Implementing the solution
Technical Focus:
- Cloud technologies, Kotlin, Spring, TypeScript, Angular, CSS, HTML, Kafka, Microservices
Software Developer/Architect
Open Knowledge GmbH
ECO
Industry: Transport and Logistics Client: Schenker AG
ECO’s main task is optimizing delivery processes. It helps dispatchers coordinate routes efficiently and allocate resources. A key part was integrating an AI-driven routing engine that takes order data and vehicle availability to create an optimal plan for a delivery region. Inputs included opening hours, vehicle limits, and special requirements. The project also built interfaces to feed data to the engine and visualized results for dispatchers. It covered complex address management, duplicate detection, async job handling for simulations, route visualization, simulation data charts, and managing address restrictions. ECO lets Schenker AG run deliveries more efficiently. DB Schenker AG is an integrated logistics provider with global supply chains.
Key Responsibilities:
- Analyzing and optimizing truck tours
- Building a geo-based address management system
Technical Focus:
- Kotlin, Spring, TypeScript, Angular, CSS, HTML, Microservices
Cloud Architect, Cloud Consultant, Trainer
Open Knowledge GmbH
Conducting Various Client Workshops
Industry: Various Clients: Various
Ran workshops for clients on cloud architectures and migrating applications to the cloud. This included architecture reviews or sketching possible designs for each client environment. Topics covered infrastructure automation with IaC, designing CI/CD pipelines in the cloud, evaluating technologies, and training on needed tools.
Key Responsibilities:
- Advising on cloud technologies and architectures
- Evaluating technologies in client contexts
- Designing CI/CD pipelines and IaC automation
- Advising and designing cloud-native applications
- Teaching and training
Technical Focus:
- Various cloud technologies with an AWS focus, IaC, DevOps, cloud architectures, cloud-native development
Software Developer/Architect
Open Knowledge GmbH
eForwarder
Industry: Transport and Logistics Client: Schenker AG
The eSchenker web portal merges existing eSchenker online features with new eServices on one platform. It manages logistics processes efficiently and comfortably with one login. The web app covers all transport modes, from land to air, sea freight, and contract logistics. It has tools for every supply chain step: scheduling, pricing, booking, tracking, invoicing, and reporting. eForwarder lets DB Schenker AG customers request quotes for domestic and international transport.
Key Responsibilities:
- Building a modular system for flexible wizards (frontend/backend)
- Integrating with external systems/interfaces
Technical Focus:
- Java, Spring, TypeScript, Angular, Postgres, Reactive
Software Developer
Open Knowledge GmbH
Next Generation eServices
Industry: Transport and Logistics Client: Schenker AG
The eSchenker web portal combines established online eSchenker features with new eServices on one platform, enabling efficient logistics management. It connects all transport modes in one portal. Tools cover every transport step: scheduling, pricing, booking, tracking, invoicing, and reporting. The international dev team builds new features and helps subsidiaries migrate to the portal. A flexible permission model adapts to regional needs. DB Schenker AG is an integrated logistics provider with global supply chains.
Key Responsibilities:
- Improving architecture and code quality
- Refactoring from Angular.js to Angular
- Implementing analytics
Technical Focus:
- Java, Spring, Angular.js, Angular
Software Developer
Open Knowledge GmbH
Yet Another Frontend
Industry: Telecommunications Client: NetCologne GmbH
Developed a tablet-based wizard for new customer internet sign-up. NetCologne is a regional telecom provider and ISP with its own network in the Cologne/Bonn region, headquartered at the Coloneum in Cologne-Ossendorf.
Key Responsibilities:
- Building a React-based, tablet-first wizard for ordering internet connections by new customers
Technical Focus:
- JavaScript, React, Redux, Neo4J, CSS, HTML, Linux
Software Developer
Open Knowledge GmbH
IZAR@Mobile 5" GUI Development
Industry: Other Services Client: Diehl Metering
Alongside IZAR@NET V2 software, a 5" GUI was developed for mobile use. IZAR@Mobile V2 was tailored to a rugged device for field technicians reading thermal energy meters. The app needed core functions to simplify meter reading. Diehl Metering, part of Diehl Group in Nuremberg, makes measuring devices and systems for energy consumption data.
Key Responsibilities:
- Data transfer between browser and mobile device via USB cable for field use
Technical Focus:
- JavaScript, USB, Chrome extensions, Linux
Software Developer
Open Knowledge GmbH
IPS
Industry: Media and Publishing Client: CEWE Stiftung & Co. KGaA
Further development of the white-label photo platform. CEWE is Europe’s largest photo finisher.
Key Responsibilities:
- Implementing new user-facing features for photo ordering
Technical Focus:
- Java, JSP, JSF, JavaScript, HTML, CSS
Software Developer
Open Knowledge GmbH
IAV AMeDA Data Platform
Industry: Automotive Client: IAV GmbH
The AMeDA data platform by IAV is used by major automakers to manage all measurement data info. The project updates the platform and AMeDA Analysis apps to a new functional and technical level using current JEE standards. IAV, a global engineering partner, develops future mobility, combining automotive and IT, hardware and software, product and service with over 35 years of experience.
Key Responsibilities:
- Building a job engine based on Docker containers
Technical Focus:
- Java, Docker
Software Developer
Open Knowledge GmbH
VSA Migration Tool
Industry: Pharma and Medical Technology Client: VSA GmbH
The VSA product “jump” is built on the proprietary UI framework “Marvin.” The project automates migrating over 1,500 screens from Swing to JavaFX. The goal is a toolset for configurable method replacements and custom code for specific migrations. VSA GmbH is a market leader in pharmacy management software.
Key Responsibilities:
- Analyzing and implementing automated refactorings/transforms from Swing to JavaFX
Technical Focus:
- Java, Eclipse EMF
Summary
Renke Grunwald is an experienced software architect with a deep understanding of building and maintaining mission-critical enterprise applications in monolithic, event-driven, and microservice-focused architectures.
In his role as Head of Cloud Solutions, he advises clients on cloud topics, especially AWS Cloud, for which he is also a Certified Solutions Architect. With his proven knowledge from many client projects, he helps companies choose the right technology and architecture when creating or extending old and new applications.
He shares this expertise as a speaker at conferences and as a regular author in IT Spektrum and other publications.
Languages
Certifications & licenses
Certified Solutions Architect
AWS
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