QOCO's Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Partner, Sami Pylkkänen, brings several years of experience in the IT software business to the company. As CTO, Sami is responsible for leading a high-performing engineering team, developing and implementing technical strategy, roadmap, and architecture, driving innovation and continuous improvement across the technology stack, aligning technology efforts with the overall business strategy as part of the Executive Leadership Team and many other important tasks.  

Prior to joining QOCO, Sami had been working in the IT software business for several years in various roles, including working in IT companies focused on Pulp & Paper Industry, as well as those focused on invoice handling and payments.

Although Sami had already accumulated many years of working experience in the IT industry after completing his bachelor’s degree in IT in 2002, In pursuit of greater knowledge and understanding within this field he began work towards his master’s degree several years ago. Presently, he is engrossed in the writing of his master’s thesis and will soon be adding yet another milestone to his professional accomplishments!

Sami's expertise lies in long-term sustainable products that can stand the test of time. With decades of success in product development experience, he makes sure every project has a vision for tomorrow and beyond. Rather than merely executing projects, he is a responsible visionary builder of sustainable IT solutions for the future.

When did you start at QOCO and what were your roles?

I joined QOCO in 2020 as an Senior Architect and Product Owner for the Rolls-Royce EngineData.io project, where I was responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the product. As time went by, my role gradually expanded to include other products as well. With my extensive experience in software building and product development, I was able to provide valuable insights and guidance to our product development team, which enabled us to deliver innovative solutions that exceeded our client’s expectations. Throughout my time at QOCO, I have been fortunate to work with some of the brightest and most talented individuals in the industry, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the success of QOCO in the future.

What motivates you in your job?

What motivates me most in my job is the satisfaction of seeing a product evolve and grow over the years. I take great pride in developing long-term solutions that not only meet the current needs of clients but also anticipate their future requirements. Furthermore, nothing brings me more joy than seeing a software development team work together as a cohesive unit towards a common goal. Witnessing the team's progress and growth is something that motivates and inspires me. Lastly, I appreciate the freedom and responsibility that my job provides me. It allows me to be creative and innovative, and at the same time, it requires me to take ownership of my work and be accountable for its success. The combination of these factors makes every day at work challenging, exciting, and ultimately rewarding.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

During my leisure time, I love spending time in nature. In the summer months, I relish the opportunity to go lake paddling and cycle on forest paths. I enjoy outdoor activities with my dog, exploring the beautiful natural surroundings together. Additionally, I am a fan of road cycling during the warmer months and skiing during winter. I also find great pleasure in listening to music and podcasts. It allows me to discover new genres and learn new things, all while relaxing in the comfort of my own space. These hobbies help me balance my work and personal life, allowing me to maintain a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.

How do we safeguard our data in an increasingly digital age?

At QOCO, we understand the importance of security and data privacy in today's digital landscape. As a testament to our commitment to these issues, we have achieved ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications. These certifications demonstrate our dedication to following internationally recognized standards for quality management and information security management. To uphold these standards, we continuously monitor and improve our processes related to security and data privacy concerns. Our goal is to provide our clients with the highest level of protection for their sensitive information, ensuring that it is secure and private at all times. By prioritizing security and data privacy, we can build trust with our clients, increase their confidence in our services, and ultimately contribute to a safer environment for all.

What is the main focus of QOCO’s technology strategy for 2023?  

QOCO's technology strategy for 2023 revolves around leveraging the latest advancements in AI to enhance our daily operations and drive innovation in the aviation digitalization domain. Specifically, we are focused on optimizing data exchange and improving the user experience of our aircraft maintenance through cutting-edge software solutions. Our commitment to staying at the forefront of AI research and development underscores our dedication to delivering exceptional service and value to our customers.

What is the role of QOCO in the innovating aviation industry? Why our clients need us?  

QOCO is at the forefront of driving innovation in the aviation industry. Our expertise in the aviation domain and aircraft maintenance processes is seamlessly blended with modern agile techniques to deliver state-of-the-art solutions in MRO digitalization and digital data exchange between industry stakeholders. Our clients rely on us for our unique ability to understand their specific needs and tailor our solutions to meet those needs precisely. With a deep commitment to excellence, QOCO is dedicated to helping our clients achieve their goals and remain at the forefront of the aviation industry.

What processes are used at QOCO to ensure that new features are developed to meet customer needs?  

At QOCO, we recognize that our customers' needs are constantly evolving, and we are committed to staying ahead of the curve to deliver solutions that meet their unique requirements. To ensure that we are meeting our customers' needs effectively, we utilize the Agile development methodology for our product development process. Through this approach, we work closely with our customers to gather feedback and define the functionalities required to meet their specific needs. We value open communication and collaboration, and we are always striving to better understand our customers' pain points and challenges. By working hand-in-hand with our customers throughout the development process, we can create solutions that truly address their needs and deliver real value.

How do you manage expectations when it comes to delivery timelines for new features or products?  

We believe that clear communication is key when managing expectations around delivery timelines for new features or products. To ensure that our customers are informed and up-to-date, we have established a clear roadmap and release schedule for our products. Our roadmap is developed through a collaborative process that involves hearing the voices of all stakeholders. By prioritizing feedback and requirements from all relevant parties, we can ensure that our roadmap accurately reflects the needs and expectations of our customers. For some unexpected circumstances may arise that could potentially affect our delivery timelines. In such instances, we are dedicated to maintaining transparency and taking a proactive approach to communicating any changes or delays to our customers in a timely and open manner. Our goal is to ensure that our customers are fully aware of any developments and are able to plan accordingly. By prioritizing clear and effective communication, we can work collaboratively with our customers to overcome any challenges and ensure the successful delivery of our products and services.

What do you think about emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing?  

Aviation, being regulated industry, traditionally comes a little behind, what comes to the adoption of new technologies. With the recent, extremely rapid advancements in the AI technologies, such as Large Language Models (LLM), we believe the industry will see relevant implementations in the not-too-distant future. However, many of the emerging technologies are depending on availability, sharing, and exchanging of data, which is still mostly in its infancy within the industry. With solutions like Aviadex.io, we are enabling the foundation for the adoption of these technologies.  

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