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Our IT colleagues are committed to ensuring that all systems and important infrastructure components are available so that we can work together securely and well-connected across different locations and at all times. As long as everything works, we don’t often see just how much technical work this entails. PSW IT gives a few selected insights into the most important IT projects from the past year. In 2022, the prevention of increasing cyber risks and projects for digital collaboration shaped their to-do lists, as CIO Marcus Wieseckel explains in the following interview. The great challenge is to realise the introduction of new technologies and the necessary continuous updating of the IT environment as quietly and as free from disruptions as possible.
Securely connected
Expanding the technical tools of the trade
“With the increasing levels of threats over the years, cyber security has become a permanent topic on our agenda. In 2022 we focused on IT security tools and specifically made upgrades here,” reports Marcus. On the one hand, the IT staff have introduced a solution for continuous vulnerability management. They can use the tool to automatically check software components for outdated versions and known security issues. The IT department has also rolled out a solution to identify critical activity on the PSW network. This software runs on all devices and raises an alarm if there is a suspicion of untoward activity. “According to the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), hackers access a network for an average of around 270 days before they strike and as a result are able to prepare their attacks well. Our challenge is to keep this period of time as short as possible and to take appropriate countermeasures as soon as possible,” explains Marcus. “In addition, we are very proud to have received certification for our information management system according to the ISO standard (ISO 27001) and that no minor or major deviations were identified.”
Hardware for mobile working
In May 2022, the “Mobile Working” works agreement was approved. It enables all PSW employees to work anywhere in Germany, provided their job allows this. Among other things, the works agreement stipulates that employees can apply for a technology package for mobile working. Our IT team was very busy dealing with our staff’s IT equipment needs. “First, we helped put together the technology package, analysed the current stocks of equipment and the financial effects before making all the necessary arrangements with our suppliers to handle this volume of orders,” explains Marcus. “At the same time, the hardware components were not available for several months.” In the meantime, however, many PSW staff have received the first wave of devices. The IT staff will continue to deal with the topic of mobile working: “With the technology packages, we have significantly more IT devices, which of course are going to have to be replaced at some point. This will keep us busy,” reports Marcus.
O365 rollout in three months
O365 was also rolled out in 2022 for more networking when working across locations. The IT team checked in advance which prioritised functionalities should be directly available in order to reduce complexity. In coordination with the management and the works council, it was decided to introduce the system in two phases. Staff were informed about the new tools and subsequent test options at information events. In pilot groups, they could try out Microsoft Teams and other O365 apps, for example. “It took just under three months from day one, when we received approval for the rollout, to the comprehensive implementation. “We are particularly proud of how things went so smoothly and that everyone got involved so well. A strong team performance from the employees, the works council and the IT staff,” says Marcus happily.
Well-prepared as a team for the future
The IT team has further important projects in mind for 2023. Firstly, IT security remains a top priority and Marcus would like to work with his team to further optimise internal processes. In addition, a platform is to be introduced to digitise current paper-based processes in the company and to make them more comprehensible. Marcus and his IT colleagues see themselves well prepared to tackle their long to-do list: “We have super qualified people here who know our systems and know exactly where to look when problem-solving. Our collaboration is based on trust, and I feel in very good hands.”
On the way to a new world of work
However, collaboration as we have known it is not only changing from a technical perspective. With the “NewWork@PSW” project, PSW is making its way into the working world of the future and re-examining mindset, culture and working methods. What's behind all of this? In order to empower both staff and line-managers to make the journey to a new work environment, appropriate measures must gradually be developed in a mutual dialogue – and this is exactly the approach that PSW is pursuing.
Long-term mobile working
An important step towards new ways of working together at PSW was the company agreement on mobile working that was concluded in 2022. This guarantees all employees the opportunity to work long-term regardless of location within Germany. Jens Nuthmann, Chairman of the Works Council at PSW, is particularly pleased with the great flexibility that PSW offers its employees: “We don't have any fixed days where you have to be on-site. If the job allows, employees can work remotely whenever they want. A brief consultation with your line-manager is sufficient. I think this is a very attractive arrangement and promotes work-life balance and the ability to reconcile career and family life.” In addition, all employees whose work requires it receive a comprehensive IT package to set up their mobile workplace.
“The future is hybrid work,” says Sascha Hattemer, Board Member for Personnel, Legal and Organization. “With our company agreement, we have created an important basis for this, but the path to a new working environment does not end there. We have to deal long-term with how we want to work digitally and across locations yet closely together in the future. For this purpose, we have launched the NewWork@PSW project and are discussing with employees, line-managers and employee representatives what requirements we have as a company.”
“In the past few months, around 250 colleagues have had the opportunity to take part in the project at various work meetings,” says Markus Dick, Head of Training / Further Education / Organization.
There is a long list of questions to be answered: “Where the work is done is one thing. In addition, ways of communication are changing. Creative collaboration in the digital space is a challenge we want to master together.”
We will be dealing long-term with how we want to work together in the future.
Flexible, digital and modern
The “NewWork@PSW” project is split into three main focal points: work spaces and work environments, equipment and digital technologies, and organization and culture. In the area of work environments, for example, desk sharing concepts are currently being examined. “As we understand it, there is great potential for new space design concepts,” says Sascha Hattemer. “We would like to create new incentives to get together on-site.”
Courageous together
In the area of organization and culture of the NewWork@PSW project, as many colleagues as possible should contribute their ideas and wishes for collaborative ways of working in the future. For this purpose, topic-based workshops are to be held on-site at the Gaimersheim and Neckarsulm facilities to provide impetus for the further development of the project. Qualification measures are also part of the project: line-managers in particular are supported in leading their teams in a hybrid working environment. “Further development of our corporate culture is an essential part of the project. Our lean company structure and the familiarity arising from many joint activities, be it the UNICEF run or our summer party, help us to have a dialogue among equals,” says Sascha Hattemer.
