Interview with XTRAS Forward Thinking Software Developers: From Initial Tasks to Complex Projects
Klaudia: Hello Artur, would you like to briefly introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background?
Artur: Sure, I am 27 years old and work as a software developer at XTRAS forward thinking. Programming fascinates me because it allows me to turn ideas into something complete and tangible. I especially appreciate working in a creative team where everyone contributes their part.
I studied computer science with a focus on teleinformatics and earned an engineering degree. Initially, my focus was on cybersecurity, but it soon became clear that my passion is primarily for logical thinking and structured problem solving.
Klaudia: So your enthusiasm for mathematics and brain teasers led you to IT?
Artur: Exactly, that’s a good way to put it. Logical thinking is a big strength of mine, and I enjoy tackling and solving complex challenges. Besides computer science, I also studied personnel management to develop my leadership skills and prepare for a potential team leader role.
Klaudia: How did you experience entering software development?
Artur: I started as an intern, which helped me get to know day-to-day work and gain initial practical experience. After thorough onboarding, I was increasingly involved and expanded my knowledge step by step through learning by doing. Independent learning and gradually taking on new tasks were very important to me. The projects became more complex, but I could always rely on the support of my colleagues and supervisors — that was a great backbone for me.
Klaudia: At XTRAS you supervised two important projects — the customer portal with Track & Trace and the CRM system. Could you tell us about your tasks and what stood out to you?
Artur: Gladly. For the customer portal with Track & Trace, I led the development of a web-based system that communicates in real-time with our forwarding software Xfreight. The goal was to offer customers transparent, up-to-date information on the shipment status and reduce communication workload. We also integrated a booking function to make the process even simpler for customers.
The CRM project aimed to consolidate all important customer information in one place. This makes sales much more efficient because all relevant data is quickly accessible. At the same time, the system fosters long-term customer relationships and improves team collaboration through greater transparency and optimized workflows.
Klaudia: XTRAS software solutions are based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. What makes this platform special from your point of view, and what challenges arise in development?
Artur: Business Central is a modular and highly adaptable platform that allows flexible customizations with the AL programming language without changing the core. The great thing is the integration of modern tools like Visual Studio Code and Azure DevOps, which simplify processes like version control, continuous integration, and deployment, making them more secure.
The challenge lies in implementing complex requirements in a way that the system remains stable and performant. Overall, Business Central provides a great foundation to map and continuously develop individual business processes.
Klaudia: Your willingness to learn is impressive. What drives you?
Artur: For me, it’s important to keep moving — both professionally and personally. Learning new technologies and languages excites me a lot. I am also interested in how to bring teams together better and understand people. This broadens my horizon and helps me constantly evolve — that motivates me every day.
Klaudia: And how do you find balance to work? What are your main hobbies?
Artur: Sports are simply part of my life. Jogging and gym workouts give me new energy and keep my body fit and healthy. When running, I can clear my head and organize my thoughts — it’s like a little break for me. Besides sports, I discovered tattooing for myself. I’ve always loved drawing, and tattooing today is a wonderful way for me to be creative and escape daily life. It combines intense concentration with deep, relaxing calm — a special mix that really lets me feel grounded. And when I really want to switch off, I engage with investments, especially stocks and cryptocurrencies. I find the dynamism and constant evolution in this field exciting and motivating.
Klaudia: That sounds very exciting. Is there something you wish for your future?
Artur: Staying healthy and fit is most important to me since that forms the basis for everything else. At the same time, I want to continuously develop — personally and professionally. I want to stay open to new things, embrace challenges, and always learn something new. That way, I can grow long-term and stay passionate and energetic.
Klaudia: I wish you all the best with that Thank you for the chat!
Artur: Thank you!
