Community Spotlight - Michel

Hey all,

Welcome everybody to a new feature here in our community, the Community Spotlight series, where we'll regularly shine a light and get to know more about our wonderful members! Kicking off the series is ​@Michel, one of our most active and helpful members when it comes to all things Android Enterprise so much so that you’ll often see him on the Top Contributors section.

Grab a coffee (or beverage of your choice) and get to know him a bit better.

View Michel's profile

How long have you been part of the Android Enterprise Community and why did you join?

I believe I've registered pretty quickly after launching, according to my profile it was on July 3rd, 2023. But I wasn't that active in the beginning, I think because there wasn't much interaction and people here. But that all changed in 2024 when I came back with a question, or cry, for help. And from that point on I've never left.

How long have you been working with Android Enterprise? What prompted the start of your journey with the product and what does your day-to-day look like now?

I've been working with Android Enterprise now for about 5 years, I think. Before that I was all over the place with things I did, I've touched almost all aspects of IT, but this one is sticking with me the longest. It started after we acquired a company focused on the alternative brand. That resulted in setting up a team for device support for that brand. My history was Microsoft, and from a personal perspective, Android. Combine that with working with Samsung as a partner, and it resulted in me making sure that Android would be a part of this new team. And now, 5 years on, it's a full-time job working with Android Enterprise implementations. My day-to-day is a combination of being a team lead and offering consultancy services to our customers. Supporting them with problems, but also with selecting hardware, management options, and helping them set up company policies. We do this for multiple brands, like Samsung, Fairphone, Motorola, Zebra, and some more.
 

When you are not working, what do you like doing?

Besides working in IT, I also own a company focusing on animal photography and developing training aids for search and detection dogs. What started as combining two hobbies is now growing bigger and bigger. The rest of the time is spent with my wife, daughter, and dogs.

An interesting fact about yourself (could be your favourite movie, tv show, album or something entirely random!)

I use a 3D printer for making the dog training aids, but it's been running non-stop ever since I've had it. It's printing so much stuff for my daughter, me, and all kinds of things in the house. If people have any suggestions for designs, please let me know! I'm looking for a second printer already.

What is the one thing you cannot live without?

Besides wife and daughter? Dog(s)! I can live without technology (or I'd like to think so), but I love working and being with dogs. And I would like to keep the pizza oven (see food topic about making pizza here, haha).

What's your soft spot when it comes to food?

As mentioned above, pizza. But also meat. I'd rather eat the meat than the vegetables. And there is always room for chocolate dessert.

To wrap it up, do you have a favourite tip on using Android Enterprise that you would like to share?

There is no one-size-fits-all when looking at device management. Make sure the device works for the end user, the person who is actually using the device. Happy end user, happy IT department.
 

Huge thanks to ​@Michel for taking the time to answer these and for being such a fixture in this community. Fancy asking him something yourself? And if you’re interested in spilling the beans about yourself please do let me know via direct message!
 

Cheers,
Kirk