The SRB Bridge Builder: Manfred Scheiner
He is Team Lead Integrated Digital Maintenance, ski slope collector, and speed junkie. He marks the start of our new, small series 'Inside SRB', where we want to introduce our employees to you.
He is Team Lead Integrated Digital Maintenance, ski slope collector, and speed junkie. His name: Manfred Scheiner. He marks the start of our new, small series 'Inside SRB', where we want to introduce our employees to you.
Manfred Scheiner can hardly remember how it all began with IT. He only knows one thing: he has always been enthusiastic about technology. 'I must have been about four when I discovered my parents' PC for myself,' says the current Team Lead Integrated Digital Maintenance at SRB. For him, it was less about colourful games and more about understanding how this grey box on the desk does exactly what it does or is supposed to do.
His passion for ones and zeros was awakened. And although his career path in his birthplace Mannersdorf could have been predetermined – his family's business included a farm and a forwarding company – Manfred followed his heart. The logical (school) path for the now 30-year-old: HTL, and after graduation, developing apps. Both independently and as an employee. He had his fingers in the development of ORF TVThek, the Hitradio Ö3 app, and other apps for various local newspapers.
'The iPhone changed a lot, even for me. In the past, you were just a nerd if you were interested in IT. As an iOS app developer, you suddenly became cool. That certainly intrigued me,' Scheiner recalls with a wink about his professional beginnings.
App experiences still help today
This versatile app experience also benefited him in 2013 when he joined SRB. Notably with the Brau Union app, which manages the field service for the beverage manufacturer and revolutionised customer service there. Since it was one of his first major projects based on SAP, Manfred poured a lot of sweat and heart into it, even in his own free time. 'A passion project,' as he summarises briefly. Although the project has long been completed for him and he is no longer responsible, he still takes care of the app's maintenance in the background.
He has never really let go of the app area anyway. At OMV, it was about digitising turnarounds – and that was to happen mobile via iOS. A case for Scheiner, and the beginning of deeper insights into the topic of maintenance. And when the new position for Team Lead Integrated Digital Maintenance was to be filled in 2021, SRB did not have to look far. The solution was already working in-house.
'I am excited to restructure and drive this area forward,' describes Manfred his new role. A market with potential, as he knows and explains: 'The inquiries and interest in digital maintenance are there and are increasing, as more and more recognise the advantages of digital solutions in this area. Now it is up to us, and in a way to me, to serve the market and meet the requirements with our own products and tailored services,' Scheiner states. A clear focus and full commitment should help. Manfred's goal: by the end of 2023, a dedicated SRB business unit should be established and staffed with five people. At least.
Love for IT
One believes Scheiner will succeed when speaking with him. His eyes light up, and one can feel his enthusiasm for his job. He values the variety the most. 'Working in IT is flexible, special, and interesting. You are always working on new things and seeing places that others are denied,' describes Manfred the 'magic of IT.'
The opportunity to create something oneself and then not only see it but show it to someone and help them with it is what drives Scheiner. 'The application itself was never that interesting to me,' admits the creative mind candidly.
In his projects, he sees himself primarily as a bridge builder. 'My personal 'special feature', if you will, is to balance the requirements, the corresponding management guidelines, the wishes of the users, and the technical possibilities,' describes Manfred.
Ski slopes, speed, and MA2412
Like in his professional life, Scheiner knows only one thing privately: full throttle. In motorsport as well as skiing. In his early years, he was active in motorised racing but has taken it a bit easier in recent years. However, he has never completely lost the 'need for speed'. His dream: to participate in the KTM X-Bow Cup® summer cup.
Until that time comes – perhaps then with a flashy car with SRB branding – he is first collecting something else unusual: ski resorts. Manfred's goal here: to ski in as many countries as possible. Italy is on his list for next year. Nothing unusual for the confirmed Tiramisu lover.
Even though he seems to have shed the nerdy side as an app developer, he has retained one thing from those 'old' times: the love for the cult TV series 'MA2412'. 'If you tell me the name of an 'MA2412' episode, I can recite it by heart and describe the scenes,' Scheiner shows confidence. We will surely test that soon.
Inside SRB
Every month, we introduce one of our SRB employees in more detail here on the blog. We look behind make-up, business outfits, and PowerPoint slides and want to bring you closer to the people who make up our SRB expertise. Together we are SRB.
