The interview series with employees of the dataglobal Group

How long have you been working for the dataglobal Group?

I started at dataglobal GmbH on June 1, 2009 as a Senior Consultant.

What core services do we offer?

We offer data center operation services at the levels of infrastructure, operating systems, network, user management, data management, containers/cybernetes, databases and SAP Basis.

The ITIL service management processes and roles form the basis for our services.

We deliver all phases of the managed service from conception, takeover/transition, operation to the return of the services.

How do you guarantee the security and compliance of managed services?

In the two very important areas of security and compliance, we plan, manage and monitor the following measures on an ongoing basis:

1. safety measures

✅ Network security:

• Firewalls, IDS/IPS (Intrusion Detection & Prevention Systems)
• VPNs & Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
• Segmentation to minimize the attack surface

✅ Data and access protection:

• Encryption
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Least privilege principle for users and services

✅ Security Monitoring & Incident Response:

• SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) for the detection of anomalies
• 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC)
• Automated response mechanisms for incidents

✅ Patching & vulnerability management:

• Regular updates & patching cycles
• Vulnerability scans and penetration tests

2. compliance & regulatory requirements

✅ Standards & certifications:

• TISAX, ITIL
• Data protection law such as DSGVO

✅ Audits & documentation:

• Regular internal & external audits
• Logging and traceability of all security-relevant actions

✅ Data storage & backup strategies:

• Georedundant backups with regular recovery tests
• Retention policies for compliance with legal requirements

How do you ensure that our services are continuously improved and adapted to customer requirements?

We divide the continuous improvement and adaptation of our services to customer requirements into the following three areas of action:

1. ITSM & Continuous Service Improvement (CSI)

✅ ITIL-based service optimization

• Regular service reviews to identify improvements
• Problem and incident analyses to eliminate causes
• Service level management to ensure customer satisfaction

✅ Measurement & KPIs

• SLA (Service Level Agreements) for checking service quality
• KPIs such as response time, resolution time
• Monitoring of system performance and availability

2. customer-centric customization

✅ Direct customer feedback & surveys

• Regular feedback meetings with customers

✅ Adaptation to business requirements

• Flexibility in scaling services according to demand

3. automation & increased efficiency

✅ Automatic scaling & resource management

• Use of cloud technologies for dynamic scaling
• Optimizing the use of resources for cost and energy efficiency

What challenges do you face on a day-to-day basis when providing managed services?

We face the following challenges with the associated solutions in Managed Service:

1. security & compliance challenges

🔴 Ensuring data security

• Sensitive customer data must be protected against cyber attacks.
• Solution: Encryption, zero-trust models, regular penetration tests.

🔴 Compliance with regulatory requirements

• Various compliance requirements (GDPR, TISAX, ISO 27001, etc.) must be met.
• Solution: Automated compliance checks, audits, documentation.

🔴 Recognizing and responding to security incidents

• Cyber threats are constantly evolving.
• Solution: SIEM systems, 24/7 monitoring, incident response plans.

2. technical challenges

🔴 Integration into existing customer infrastructures

• Heterogeneous IT landscapes with different systems and technologies.
• Solution: API-supported integrations, standardized interfaces.

🔴 Service availability & performance problems

• Customers expect high availability and fast response times.
• Solution: Load balancing, high-availability architectures, automatic scaling.

🔴 Regular updates & patching without interrupting operations

• Critical updates must be installed without disrupting operations.
• Solution: Maintenance window, rolling updates

3. organizational & customer-related challenges

🔴 Expectation management & SLA compliance

• Customers often have high availability and response time requirements.
• Solution: Clear communication, realistic SLAs, regular service reviews.

🔴 Fast response to customer requirements

• Change requests or new features should often be implemented immediately.
• Solution: Agile methods, change management, DevOps practices.

🔴 Lack of qualified specialists

• IT experts are often hard to find.
• Solution: Automation, training, nearshore concepts

What qualifications are particularly important for successful work in the field of managed services?

A combination of technical skills, process understanding and soft skills is crucial for successful work in the field of managed services:

1. technical qualifications

✅ IT infrastructure & network technology

• Knowledge of Windows & Linux servers, virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V)
• Network technologies such as VPN, firewalls, load balancing, DNS, TCP/IP

✅ Automation

• Scripting with PowerShell, Bash or Python for automation
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC), for example with Ansible

✅ Security & compliance knowledge

• ISO 27001, GDPR, TISAX for data protection & security
• Security tools such as SIEM, IDS/IPS, MFA

✅ ITSM & Service Management

• ITIL certification (Foundation level is often sufficient)
• Experience with incident, problem & change management processes
• Security policies & audit logging in MOVEit

2. process & management skills

✅ Monitoring & Troubleshooting

• Ability to quickly identify and solve problems
• Tools such as Nagios, PRTG, Splunk, Grafana for performance monitoring

✅ Project & customer management

• Ability to understand and implement customer requirements
• Experience with SLA management & customer communication

✅ IT compliance & documentation

• Experience with audits & reporting
• Ability for structured documentation & process optimization

3. soft skills & mindset

✅ Analytical thinking & problem-solving skills

• Ability to systematically solve complex technical problems

✅ Customer orientation & strong communication skills

• Important characteristic for dealing with customers and internal teams

✅ Flexibility & willingness to learn

• IT is constantly evolving – continuous learning is a must

✅ Ability to work in a team & stress resistance

• Managed services are often time-critical – working calmly under pressure is important

How is the cooperation with colleagues in the Managed Services team and in the entire Group?

A working world in which people can work easily and on the move from anywhere in the world – safely, efficiently and conveniently. This vision is what drives us.

WHAT do we do? Strengthening companies with intelligent software and service solutions

WHY are we doing this? Connect, Collaborate, Protect

HOW do we do that? Simple, intuitive and intelligent – process-oriented and shirt-sleeved

Thank you very much for the interview, Karsten!

Apply now to the dataglobal Group

Are you interested in becoming part of the dataglobal Group and working with us to realize the vision of the Digital Workplace for our customers? We are always on the lookout for new talent, whether in software development or in other areas such as sales, consulting, etc.

Take a look at our current vacancies and see if there is a suitable position for you. We look forward to hearing from you!

The way in which companies create, send and process invoices has changed considerably in recent years as a result of technological progress. With the introduction of mandatory e-invoicing, another significant change is imminent that will affect many companies. In this article, we highlight the benefits of digital invoice processing and explain why it makes sense to switch to digital processes at an early stage.

What does the e-invoicing obligation mean and when does it come into force?

The e-invoicing obligation brings fundamental changes to invoicing processes and drives digitization in Germany. From January 1, 2025, a phased introduction will begin to prepare companies for the transition to structured, electronic invoice formats.

From January 1, 2025: First phase of mandatory e-invoicing

From this date, all companies in Germany are obliged to be able to receive and evaluate electronic invoices – regardless of whether they operate in the public or private sector. Invoices must be in a structured format such as the XRechnung standard or the ZUGFeRD format.
Companies that provide goods or services to public clients are also required to issue and send invoices in electronic form. Paper and PDF invoices are no longer recognized in this context.

From January 1, 2027: mandatory shipping for larger companies

In the second phase of the e-invoicing obligation, all German companies with an annual turnover of more than 800,000 euros must send their invoices electronically. This applies to the B2B sector.

The advantages of digital invoice processing

The introduction of digital invoicing processes represents an important milestone in the modern business world. It involves far more than just switching from paper to electronic formats and brings with it a wide range of benefits that promote efficiency, transparency and sustainability. The key aspects of digital invoice processing and their far-reaching effects are examined in more detail below:

1. time and cost savings

Digital invoice processing reduces the effort involved in manual processes:

• No more manual data entry: invoices are automatically imported into the accounting system, minimizing human error.
• Faster processing: invoices can be validated and processed in just a few seconds.
• Lower paper and printing costs: companies save money on printing, postage and archiving.

It is estimated that the automation of invoicing processes can save up to 60-80% of the costs associated with conventional processes.

2. improved compliance and legal certainty

Thanks to its standardized formats, the e-bill meets all legal requirements. Companies benefit from this through:

• Legally compliant archiving: Digital invoices can be stored in accordance with the requirements of the GoBD (principles for the proper management and storage of books, records and documents in electronic form).
• Tax transparency: Automatic validation of invoice data ensures that tax regulations are complied with.

In addition, electronic processing makes audits by tax authorities more efficient and transparent.

3. sustainability and environmental friendliness

Digital invoice processing significantly reduces paper consumption, which not only saves costs but also protects the environment:

• Conserving resources: less paper, printer ink and energy consumption.
• CO₂ reduction: elimination of physical postal routes and logistics costs.

By switching to digital processes, companies can improve their ecological footprint and position themselves as sustainable organizations.

4. increased transparency and traceability

Digital systems allow all invoices to be tracked in real time. The advantages include

Simple audits: Audits by internal or external bodies can be carried out faster and more precisely.

Better overview: All invoices are stored centrally and can be easily searched.

Tracking and status tracking: Companies know exactly when an invoice has been sent, received and paid.

5. scalability and integration

Digital invoicing processes can be easily adapted to the needs of a growing company.

Flexibility with volume fluctuations: Whether a small company processes 50 invoices a month or a large corporation processes several thousand – digital systems are scalable.

6. minimization of errors and fraud risks

Connection to other systems: Digital invoice platforms can be integrated with ERP and accounting systems, which optimizes the entire workflow.

Manual invoice processing is prone to errors such as incorrect amounts, duplicate invoices or transmission errors. Digital solutions offer considerable advantages here:

Protection against fraud: Unique identifiers and encrypted transmission paths significantly reduce the risk of invoice fraud.

Automated validation: systems check invoices for formal and content-related correctness.

Conclusion: An investment in the future

The introduction of mandatory e-invoicing is not only a legal challenge, but also an opportunity for companies to modernize their internal processes. The benefits of digital invoice processing – from cost savings and sustainability to compliance and scalability – far outweigh the initial conversion costs.

Investing in digital technologies at an early stage is therefore a decisive step towards remaining competitive and benefiting from efficiency gains. Companies that use e-invoicing as an opportunity to optimize their invoicing processes not only ensure legally compliant processing, but also create the basis for a future-proof organization.

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