Interview with

Jürgen Brandstätter

In this interview, you’ll learn how Hans Jürgen’s journey from a small start-up to a global corporation reflects the exciting evolution of the IT industry. He shares his career highlights, insights into Axians’ team culture, and advice for thriving in the ever-changing world of technology.

Interview

Hello Hans Jürgen, thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Could you please briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your current position in the company?

Yes, of course. My name is Hans Jürgen Brandstätter. I am married and have two adult sons. I have been with Axians since 2003, or rather, I joined the predecessor company ILS Consult at the time. I am currently working as an account manager and have spent most of my career working in project management and sales/account management.

Can you tell us something about your career path? How did you get to your current position?

I originally attended a technical school, the HTL, and then went on to complete a degree in economics. It was clear to me from the very beginning that I wanted to combine both technology and business knowledge. So I entered the IT industry in 1989. My first job was at Porsche IT in Salzburg. Since then, I have experienced the entire development of the industry, from the Windows PC to today’s artificial intelligence.

How did you come to join Axians and what motivated you to start here?

I joined ILS Consult, the predecessor company of Axians, in 2003. At the time, it was a small company with about 40 employees: a very successful start-up that worked mainly as an IBM business partner. Over the years, the company has changed, grown rapidly and ultimately become part of Axians. It was exciting for me to experience this transformation from a small IT company to a large corporation.

How would you describe the Axians culture? What makes the company special?

“Axians is all about teamwork – every project brings new and exciting constellations.”

Hans Jürgen Brandstätter
Account Manager at Axians Austria

What makes Axians special is the strong team spirit. Teams are usually formed on a project-by-project basis, with different specialists such as account managers, systems engineers and IT architects. Each project brings new team constellations, which I find very positive, it never gets monotonous. In addition, we are increasingly working across national borders, for example with colleagues from Germany or Slovenia, which makes our collaboration even more diverse.

Have you faced any particular challenges in your career and how did you overcome them?

One challenge was definitely the transition from a small company to a large corporation. In a small company, decisions are made quickly and flexibly, but it can sometimes be chaotic. In a corporation, on the other hand, a high level of professionalism is required, but there are more processes and rules to follow. You have to accept that and adapt to a certain extent. Lifelong learning is also an important issue. You have to be willing to develop yourself because technologies are constantly changing.

Can you share a success story from your time at Axians?

I can think of a project with IBM POWER systems at MAN Nutzfahrzeuge. Initially, the head buyer in Munich wouldn’t meet with me because he didn’t know us. Through persistence, I was able to introduce him to the company and the project. On my way home from Munich to Linz, he called me and said he would choose us. Moments like that are motivating and give you a sense of achievement – when you start the race as the underdog and end up winning the contract.

What advice would you give to new employees joining us?

The most important advice is to choose the right industry – in our case, the IT industry. An affinity for technology is a basic requirement, and you should be willing to constantly learn new things. IT is a very dynamic industry where there is no such thing as routine. Those who are prepared to learn for life and remain flexible will thrive here.

Thank you for your time and the valuable insights you have shared with us!