Tapio
Pitkäranta

Tapio is a brilliant down-to-earth visionary, a true software technology professional in spirit and deed. His core strength is a superb eye for the possible and for the sensible. I remained time and again impressed by his pragmatic attitude in advocating sustainable, maintainable, and life cycle-considerate architectural choices. He made one think once more before committing to a technology choice with longer-term ramifications.

Tapio is a very analytical and his advice and decisions are based on careful fact and experience-based consideration. Where something highly advanced and even experimental really is needed, the knowledge is there. As a person Tapio is fair, tranquil and reliable. He often sees quite well how state of affairs will develop forward which allows for better proactive plan of actions.

Tapio and I worked together at RELEX Solutions during heavy internationalization. He was one of my trusted mentors, having rare combination of deep/wide technical and business process understanding. Tapio is one of the best I've ever seen in systems thinking. In addition to excellent technical skills, Tapio is an inspiring leader who was always the go-to guy when strategical guidance was needed.

I found him to be a capable leader and an amiable, highly respected colleague. He is an effective communicator with an ability to build teams, manage complexity, and solve problems with creativity and persistence. Tapio brings both hard and soft skills to the table, understanding people and team dynamics as much as he understands technology and systems.

Tapsa was one of the early employees at RELEX. He has excellent understanding of complex technical/technology questions and has a convincing track record of leading, building and hiring large technical teams during the scaling from a start-up phase with ~10 employees to a fast growing global technology company with 500+ employees.

Most IT professionals seem to have a good understanding of either hardware or software, but Tapio understands both, which is rare. Tapio is exceptionally good at breaking large and complicated topics into smaller, manageable parts. He communicates clearly, and his presentations are easy to grasp.

I know Tapsa as a kind and calm professional. He is — in his own Finnish way — an excellent inspirator to his team and an exceptional problem solver. No matter what technical challenge you have, Tapsa will find a way which works for all parties without compromising quality. If you get the chance to get Tapsa on your team — take it!

Tapio has a rare ability to match both technical expertise and sense of customer contact. His relational openness to ask the most relevant questions, find attentive listening and drive each case in order to fit all parts constraints and goals. On internal side, his kindness makes that every special request always finds an attentive listening. Always a pleasure to work with Tapio.

I worked with Tapio on several large and strategic deals. Tapio handled the technical aspects of the RELEX solution with many tier 1 clients in the UK both remotely and face to face. Tapio was instrumental in getting the client to sign off, and quickly, on their InfoSec requirements.

I know Tapio as an absolute hardware and systems expert, who has always provided valuable support in my sales tasks. Tapio has the overview, the patience and calm to explain differences and to answer differentiated complex questions. He is also a very sympathetic and reliable colleague.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Tapsa throughout our time together at RELEX. He is extremely helpful and appreciative of the demanding and dynamic nature of sales and account management related discussions and places an important focus on really understanding the customer needs in order to create solutions and build mutual confidence.

Tapsa has a broad knowledge of technology and thus is a good influencer. He also knows how to grow other people around him by taking a calm but firm attitude to work, people and their development, building mutual respect.

Tapsa is a great person to work with. I've worked with him nearly a decade with various roles, and he has been always able to lend his hand when needed, guide you to right direction, spar with you when facing challenges and in general sharing his wisdom. I've always admired his open-mindedness and willingness to try out new things.

Tapio has been my team lead for 4 years. He approaches challenges very analytically and stays calm and collected in any situation. As a team lead, he guides others when needed but doesn't micromanage. He has a solid understanding of the latest technologies relevant for delivering SaaS services.

Tapio is an excellent person to work with. He is highly skilled and is always there to help you out. He manages people in a very good way trusting them and making sure they have all the needed tools to get things done. He has a wide range of knowledge on all technical matters from software development to infrastructure.

Tapio is a true leader who let people grow and take responsibility. He is a good listener and always ready to help.

Tapio is an extremely fast and efficient computer scientist. His core skills range at least from specification to implementation and testing. He knows both research and commercial aspects of developing good software.