• THE PEOPLE BEHIND US

• THE INTERVIEW

Facts

• Name: Eva Wahlberg-Jäntti
• Position: Project Manager
• Office: Turku

“- My years at Ålandsbanken were characterized by the fact that we were a small group who were responsible for the bank's entire computer system, both operations and development.”

As a project manager, Eva Wahlberg-Jäntti always follows her own motto: It is not the thought that counts - it's the action. For over 30 years, she has regularly rolled up her sleeves and tackled difficult assignments. - I just want things to happen, she says calmly.

Faithful servant, old timer or veteran. Regardless of the epithet you put on Eva Wahlberg-Jäntti, the point is still the same. She has a depth of experience that few can match, either at Crosskey or across the industry.

When she started as an RPG programmer at Ålandsbanken in 1983, the computer department consisted of just a handful of experts. To prepare her for the task, she not only had a master's degree in computer science from Åbo Akademi University, she had also managed to develop a booking system for Sally Shipping's Commodore Cruise Line.

- My years at Ålandsbanken were characterized by the fact that we were a small group who were responsible for the bank's entire computer system, both operations and development.We were a dedicated group with knowledge of the entire banking system, and we all knew each other.

- As businesses grow, there is a risk that they may lose some of the close contact that exists between the staff, and that there is no longer an overview of the entire picture. Nevertheless, I think that at Crosskey we have managed that challenge relatively well.

During the years at Ålandsbanken, Eva advanced to both team leader and department manager. However, her new duties reduced the time she could devote to development. Over time, Eva's coding skills became less important, but she still kept an eye on the trends in technology, and this has benefited her greatly today.

- Now that I have been a project manager for 4 years, I think I benefit from my understanding of how developers think. I hope that I can contribute with ideas, both about how to approach a problem and how to design a solution. But I don't get involved in the actual coding.

- Today my job is to provide the project team with the best possible conditions to deliver according to a plan and to ensure that the customers receive what they want. The challenge is to understand both the customer and the project team and to make sure that the collaboration runs smoothly.

It is not surprising that Eva describes herself as solution-focused, proactive and impatient. When she has an order, she insists that the delivery is made on time. It is essential that the project timetable is not derailed due to changes and new features that are not well anchored in the project.

- It's essential to keep your eye on the ball. Every delivery is made to a real live person, and I want them to be satisfied. That person will then be able to report with a clear conscience that we have delivered what we promised.

Furthermore, the requirements for the banking industry are even more stringent than usual.

- After all, it's about people's money! Therefore, it's absolutely vitally important that everything is correct.

Eva Wahlberg-Jäntti wasn't surprised by the news that Ålandsbanken's computer department was to be spun off. On the contrary, she says. The explanation is that during the 1990s, Ålandsbanken assisted Handelsbanken with data services.

- The fact that we assisted a competitor was considered to be an impossible idea. But that's probably typical for Åland. If you live on an island, you need to give extra careful consideration to how you will manage.

- Crosskey was a natural progression that felt just right. As an independent system supplier with banking expertise, their credibility was high and it remains so today.

For Eva personally, the separation from Ålandsbanken was undramatic. She continued working in the same way at the office in Åbo, where she is now stationed, and she has always viewed herself as a system developer, not as a bank employee. Nevertheless, the transfer of personnel was emotional. The staff resources had to be shared, so that some remained at the bank and others were transferred to Crosskey.

- For us it was very important that we brought banking specialists with us as a solid basis to build upon. I regard it as one of the most important challenges for the future that we maintain and constantly develop our banking expertise.

When Eva looks back over the first 10 years, the process of up-skilling stands out most clearly. Today's project models and development processes are entirely different from the working methods employed in the company when it was newly formed.

- The whole process has become much more professional and we can see an increase in skills at all levels, including those of our customers. Naturally, a smoother project process leads to more satisfied customers and it also makes the job seem even more inspiring.

So what should Crosskey be most proud of? Eva doesn't have to think about her answer for long.

- It was incredibly nice to welcome S-Pankki as a customer. That a large enterprise like the S-group decided to engage with a relatively small systems supplier was an important sign of confidence and a clear signal to the outside world.

It is more difficult to make predictions about the future. But Eva can foresee a possible scenario. So far, a number of EU adaptations have required a great deal of development resources throughout the industry. If the level of adjustments is reduced, the time and resources available for other developments should increase at Crosskey and at the company's customers.

- I hope that this will lead to exciting innovations. Each banking system has a lot of information that we can utilize to create services to make people's lives easier.