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Jean-Pierre Gehrig

A Day to Remember at AWS Cloud Day Zürich

For the third consecutive year, our team graced the grounds of the AWS annual extravaganza in Zurich. This year, we stepped up as a gold sponsor, occupying a grander booth. And, the results? Absolutely rewarding! With a footfall surpassing 1,800 attendees, our booth buzzed with energy and engagement throughout the day.

This year, we had the privilege of spotlighting the innovative solutions we've been co-creating with some of our top-tier clients. This includes notable names like MagicBook, Dormakaba, ARM, Akenza, and Eurotech. These collaborations underscore the breadth and depth of our expertise, spanning across MLOps, IoT/Edge computing, application modernization, and cloud migration.

In addition, the AWS Partner Theater witnessed insights from our very own Jochen Zender and Khaled Souf, who delved into the topic, "Securing the Modern Developer". But it wasn’t all work and no play! Our Sion-based brigade serving an impressive 20kg of authentic raclette and quenching thirsts with 300 bottles of our signature CloudCraft beer. Our #RacletteOPS sticker, a quirky twist to the day, was an instant hit and found its way onto many attendees' laptops.

Lastly, not only did our internal team excel, but we also experienced a strong sense of camaraderie. The venue's local staff provided unwavering support, working alongside us until late hours to ensure the event was truly remarkable.

Customer references

Magicbook: AI-driven photo book designer

Evolved from a human-driven solution, Magicbook is an independent software vendor (ISV) that builds an AI-powered platform for creating photobooks. This platform allows major brands to offer their own customized versions. By uploading their pictures, users can automatically generate a photobook in under a minute. This is made possible by specialized machine learning (ML) and AI software built on AWS. To achieve this, we have developed a combination of algorithms that run on various services, including Amazon SageMaker, Rekognition, and some in-house TensorFlow models running on AWS Lambdas orchestrated by AWS Step Functions. The platform's multi-tenant architecture is backed by DynamoDB, resulting in a highly scalable platform capable of analyzing millions of images per hour to produce more than 10,000 individual books.

Akenza: Cloud-Native IoT Use Case

In the IoT Edge and Platform space, we had the opportunity to showcase a Proof of Concept (PoC) that we are currently working on with our partners. The demo showcased Akenza's IoT Platform and how it manages and collects data from a connected RTU-based industrial energy meter. We used AWS IoT Core to connect Eurotech's ReliaGATE 10-14 Gateway and integrated it with Akenza's IoT platform. Additionally, we highlighted the platform's capability to seamlessly integrate with AWS services like Kinesis. The Eurotech Industrial Gateway supports ModBus RTU as well as other field bus protocols. It also has a secure hardware platform that is PSA Certified to Level 1. Executives and engineers from both Eurotech and Akenza were present at the booth to engage with potential customers and gather direct feedback.

Dormakaba: Cloud-based hospitality management system

We hosted a secure IoT demo at our booth featuring the door access hotel solution Ambiance from dormakaba, a Swiss company with a long history. We have been working together on a project for over a year to bring their successful hospitality management system, Ambiance, to the cloud. The project involves connecting the hotel front desk management appalication to the cloud and implementing a multi-tenancy architecture, which presents interesting challenges in the world of IoT and legacy application modernization. The project includes migrating on-prem applications to the cloud and implementing Edge IoT engineering. We showcased one of the cloud applications managing multiple hotels running on AWS, which is a future SaaS offering that we are developing in collaboration with dormakaba.

From DevSecOps to RacletteOps

A sizable part of the 56k.cloud team is located in Sion. Naturally, showcasing Raclette was high on our list. This regional connection doesn’t just enable us to speak multiple languages seamlessly; it's also a magnet for top-tier talent. After all, who wouldn’t want to live and work in the beautiful Valais?

Our team’s enthusiasm isn't confined to DevOps, Cloud-Native tools, groundbreaking tech, or AI/ML. We’re equally passionate about savoring a slice of rich cheese with a glass of wine or beer. Keeping that spirit alive, we treated attendees to a classic Valais raclette and introduced them to our unique 56k.Cloud beers at Oerlikon Halle 550.

A big shout-out to our dedicated team and the ever-accommodating staff of Halle 550. Their unwavering support, even at the eleventh hour, combined with their top-notch facilities, was invaluable. And the result? A whopping 20kg of raclette served and 300 beers enjoyed!

"...I heard from multiple attendees that the 56k Team was really present and the most motivated bunch of people throughout the day…” — Frank Beer

Conclusion

First and foremost, our heartfelt thanks go to CCF Valais. Their support was indispensable on this memorable day. If you're considering an office location, Valais is a top recommendation from us. And while you're at it, partnering with the CCF team is a decision you won't regret; their expertise and assistance are top-notch.

That wraps up this year for us. But watch out! We're already brainstorming how to make an even grander splash next year. If you stopped by our booth at the AWS Cloud Day, we're truly grateful. Let’s keep the conversation going. You're always welcome to pop into one of our offices or join our lively meetups. Heads up - our next treat will be Raclette at Socrates 2024 in Ilanz, Graubunden. And yes, we're on the lookout for sponsors for this gathering.

Stay in the loop with everything 56K.Cloud. Schedule a time to chat. We're always keen to engage and collaborate.


About Eurotech

Eurotech is a global company that specializes in the design, development, and production of high-performance embedded computing platforms for a variety of industries. With a keen focus on the Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing solutions, Eurotech collaborates with its customers to offer tailored systems that fit specific requirements. Their advanced devices and software solutions support industries like transportation, defense, energy, and healthcare. Committed to innovation, Eurotech continuously pushes the boundaries of what's possible in embedded systems.

About Akenza

Akenza is a leading IoT platform provider that empowers businesses to bring their digital transformation visions to life. Built for scalability and efficiency, the Akenza platform enables companies to effortlessly create, deploy, and manage smart IoT solutions. From device integration to data visualization, Akenza offers a streamlined approach to the Internet of Things, facilitating the swift development of applications across diverse industries. With a focus on innovation and user experience, Akenza is shaping the future of connected technology.

About Dormakaba

Dormakaba is a global leader in access solutions. Committed to developing innovative solutions for secure access to buildings & rooms, their offerings range from door hardware, entrance systems to electronic access & data. Founded through a merger of Dorma and Kaba in 2015, the company combines 150+ years of experience. Operating in over 130 countries, Dormakaba's mission is to be a trusted partner for high-quality products, solutions & services, making access in life smart & secure.

About 56K.Cloud

Founded in Winterthur in 2016, 56k.cloud has rapidly ascended as a prominent AWS partner since 2018. With a prestigious clientele including Siemens, Swisscom, Sunrise, Docker, and ARM, our focus is on cloud product acceleration. Through expert services in cloud-native migration, security, developer tooling, and community engagement, we empower our clients to seamlessly transition to DevOps and Agile practices. Our collaboration with Eurotech enhances our AWS-centric offering, making IoT and Edge Computing accessible. Embracing a cloud-native IT strategy is at the core of our offerings, ensuring clients stay ahead in the digital transformation journey.

Jean-Pierre Gehrig

Jean-Pierre Gehrig

Chief Executive Officer

"JP nurtures curiosity and a commitment to engineering excellence, ensuring we reach new heights and achieve our goals."