The „WE“ is ondeso: Martin Stemplinger

Martin Stemplinger is CTO and one of the founders of ondeso. As a creative decision-maker, Martin not only manages the company together with Peter Lukesch, but also the development of our software. With his innovative way of thinking, he ensures that our developers find the right solutions to shape the future of our products.

We’re excited to see what else Martin reveals about himself in the interview. Here we go:

Let’s start with a quick Q&A session:

Which invention of the last 100 years fascinates you the most?
It may be just over 100 years ago, but for me it’s the automobile! When you think about the social change this achievement has brought, I find it more fascinating than the computer. However, looking to the here and now, the next piece in humanoid robotics is sure to emerge, whether it’s the ‘Optimus by Tesla’, ‘Kepler Forerunner’, ‘Unitree H1’ or ‘Fourier GR-1’. I think this will create the next gigantic milestone in history, but it will also put the responsibility of the manufacturer center stage.

If you could invite a famous person to dinner, who would it be and what would you talk about?
I recently had a fictitious meeting with Elon Musk – completely hypothetical, of course. It was about the latest developments at SpaceX and this humanoid robot ‘Optimus’ that Tesla is currently building. We had a relaxed chat about technological innovations, what might be possible in the future and how a robot like this might one day be used in everyday life or in industry. Of course, SpaceX’s grand visions – from Mars missions to new propulsion technologies – were also on the agenda. And in this little thought bubble, we even considered what a strategic partnership might look like. A bit of science fiction, a bit of dreams of the future – but definitely an exciting mental excursion.

What are you known for at ondeso?
At ondeso, I’m a bit of a driving force when it comes to technology, product development and innovation. I love finding new ways with my team, thinking things differently and developing creative solutions for complex challenges. Of course, I don’t want to miss out on the fun – a good mood is simply part of it for me. My goal is to actively help shape the technological future of ondeso while continuously bringing in fresh ideas.

What is your favourite sport?
In winter, I like to go skiing, in summer I go running, swim a few rounds in the pool or get on my e-bike – simply anything that clears my head and offers a good balance to everyday life. If the weather doesn’t play along, I switch on the WaterRower at home and afterwards I reward myself with a sauna. For me, that’s the perfect combination of exercise and relaxation.

If you could visit any city in the world for a day, where would you go and why?
One destination that is at the top of my list is Auckland in New Zealand. I would definitely go on a whale safari in the Hauraki Gulf – a real nature experience where, with a bit of luck, you can see humpback whales, dolphins or even orcas in the wild. But Auckland also has a lot to offer in other respects: From the beaches on the west coast to the view from the Sky Tower and the relaxed cafés in Ponsonby – the city combines nature, culture and urban lifestyle in a really cool way.

If I am drawn further afield, South Africa is also high on my list. A safari through Kruger National Park or a trip along the Garden Route would be absolute highlights. And Cape Town with Table Mountain and the view of the sea is a dream destination anyway. For me, travelling is a way of gaining new perspectives and recharging my batteries at the same time – especially when nature and adventure are at the forefront.

Now it’s getting serious:

What exactly is your job at ondeso and what does a typical working day look like for you?

I am CTO at ondeso. On the one hand, this includes the classic tasks of a managing director, which of course have to be done. On the other hand, I love coming up with new product ideas, analysing their technical possibilities and thinking about how we can use them sensibly and practically. This combination of strategic thinking and creative tinkering is what makes my day-to-day work at ondeso so exciting. The ideas and technical issues usually stay with me even after work, they accompany me throughout the working day and often beyond.

How would your employees describe you?

I think my team would describe me as a cheerful and open boss – someone who values a positive atmosphere and works on innovations with real passion. It’s important to me to communicate as equals and always have an open ear for ideas and challenges. I try to motivate my team to think in a solution-orientated way and simply think outside the box from time to time. What I enjoy most is when we discover and implement new technological approaches together – with creativity, team spirit and a good dose of fun.

What did you want to be as a child and what brought you to ondeso?

Perhaps my fascination with cars comes from my childhood – back then I really wanted to be a racing driver. I even had my first successes in go-karts, but my mum quickly put a stop to my dream … looking back, probably not such a bad decision after all.

Instead of the racetrack, I went to Regensburg University of Applied Sciences, where I studied information science, specialising in economics. I founded my first company while I was still studying – initially it was mainly about hardware solutions. After graduating, I went straight into self-employment as a freelancer focusing on supporting major customers. I was lucky enough to work with exciting companies – including Compaq Europe, which later merged into HP, as well as customers such as Deutsche Telekom, Deutsche Bahn, Siemens, Siemens VDO, Schaeffler and Continental. At Continental in particular, the product ‘PatchMan’ in 2005 laid the foundation for what later became ondeso.

Encouraged by this experience, the decision was made to found a company. Our aim was to develop a product that would fulfil the special requirements of client management for production computers. The name “ondeso” originally came from ‘on demand software’ or ‘on demand solution’, which fitted in well with our core idea at the time. Since production security was a key focus from the very beginning for example when it came to software deployment and patch management, we chose a logo that resembles a safe’s locking wheel. The name and logo are still in use today, albeit in a slightly revised form.

Looking back, I have been working in the field of OT – operational technology – for a good 20 years now, and with growing enthusiasm. It is fascinating to see how this area has developed and how much potential still lies ahead of us.

Thank you for your time, Martin!

If you would like to find out more about Martin Stemplinger and his work at ondeso, follow him on LinkedIn.