Meet the ADEPT Decisions Management Team – Jason Kretzmann
Introduction
The entire ADEPT Decisions team has always prided itself on providing the ‘personal touch’ to our clients; whether it means going the extra mile on a project, accommodating short-notice configuration changes, or just providing a sounding board to the credit risk team.
We believe that this flexible, ‘can do’ attitude is one of the aspects of ADEPT Decisions which set us apart from larger and less accommodating corporate vendors.
With this in mind, we decided it was a suitable time to shine a light on the unique personalities behind the ADEPT Decisions software. This is a management team which prides itself on delivering above and beyond the call of duty!
Describe your role at ADEPT Decisions
As the Solution Architect at ADEPT Decisions, I have played a key role in designing and developing our flagship ADP platform. My team and I have worked tirelessly to understand the unique needs and challenges faced by our clients, and have leveraged our deep expertise in software development and system architecture to design a platform that addresses those needs head-on. The ADEPT Decisions Platform is the result of years of collaboration between cross-functional teams, including developers, business analysts, and project managers, and my role as Solution Architect has been critical in ensuring that the platform is scalable, secure, and meets industry standards. I am proud to have been a part of the effort that has brought this game-changing platform to market, and I look forward to continuing to leverage my skills and expertise to drive innovation and growth for our clients.
How long have you been with the company?
As a member of the ADEPT Decisions team since inception in 2015, I have been fortunate to play a key role in designing our powerful multi-tenant platform. From the early stages of development, I have worked alongside our talented engineers to ensure that our platform provides unparalleled levels of scalability, flexibility, and security. With my passion for innovative technology and my deep understanding of our clients’ needs, I believe that I have been able to make valuable contributions to ADEPT Decisions’ growth and success.
What led you to join ADEPT Decisions?
My extensive experience working with retail credit systems has always piqued my interest in designing an efficient and effective decision engine. Over the years, I became fascinated with the complex algorithms and analytical tools that power these systems and the impact they have on businesses’ bottom lines. I knew that I wanted to be part of a team that could create a decision engine that could optimize and automate decision-making processes across different industries.
I had a chance meeting with the founders of a promising startup that was looking to build just that. They were impressed with my knowledge and expertise and offered me the opportunity to join their team as the solution architect. With my background in retail credit systems, I was able to bring a unique perspective to the table and collaborate with the team to design and develop a powerful decision engine that could transform the way businesses make critical decisions. It has been an exciting and fulfilling journey!
What are the biggest challenges you have faced so far?
One of the biggest challenges we faced as a team was implementing a solution designed for the cloud as an on-premises solution during the earlier releases of our software. The cloud solution was designed to take advantage of the benefits of manageability, elasticity, scalability, and flexibility, which made it less rewarding to implement on-premises. We had to overcome several challenges around setting up, configuring, and managing systems in a corporate environment, particularly with what was perceived as box ticking exercises.
Firstly, we had to ensure that the hardware and software used by our clients met the system requirements to support the solution’s functionality. This meant that we had to work with the clients’ IT teams to identify any hardware or software limitations and find ways to overcome them.
Secondly, we had to design a deployment process that could be automated and repeatable. We had to ensure that the solution was deployed consistently across different client environments while accommodating different customisation requirements.
Lastly, we had to provide support for the solution in a way that met the clients’ strict security and compliance requirements. This meant implementing various security measures such as encryption, access control, and auditing to ensure that sensitive data was protected.
Overall, these challenges required us to work closely with our clients and their IT teams, be flexible in our approach, and constantly adapt to evolving client needs. Through collaboration and perseverance, we were able to successfully implement the solution on-premises, and this experience has made us better equipped to deliver solutions that meet clients’ needs, regardless of their environment.
What is your background?
My passion for computers started at a young age. I was only 7 years old when I first started tinkering with computers, teaching myself how to use DOS and eventually Windows. By the time I was 15, I had started my own computer repair business, fixing and selling PCs. As I got older, my interest in computers turned towards software development. I started building my own software solutions from the age of 19, and eventually decided to pursue a career in technology. After finishing high school, I obtained an Honours degree in Computer Science and Information Systems, which gave me a solid foundation in software development and engineering.
How did you start in the industry?
After spending a few years after university writing and managing a freight forwarding logistics platform, I landed a job as a contracted senior developer and thereafter technical lead for Foschini Data and Retail Credit Solutions origination systems. In this role, I was responsible for designing and running the originations systems, which included a built-in “scoring” module (a precursor for decision engines). I gained valuable experience in working with large-scale systems and developing solutions that met complex business requirements.
Later, I also had the opportunity to work closely with FICO specialists who were experts in decision modelling and decision management. As part of my role, I spent time with these specialists at various client sites, helping them to design and implement solutions that leveraged FICO’s decision modelling and decision management tools.
What changes have you seen over the years?
Over the past few years, there has been a significant shift in the credit decision space towards the adoption of cloud platforms and the use of machine learning and AI technologies. In the past, traditional credit scoring models relied heavily on manual processes and data analysis, which limited the speed and accuracy of credit decisions.
However, with the advent of cloud platforms, credit decision-makers now have access to vast amounts of data and powerful computing resources, allowing them to build more sophisticated models and automate decision-making processes. This has led to faster, more accurate credit decisions, which in turn has led to improved customer experiences and increased business efficiency.
What advice would you give to those starting out in the industry?
As a solution architect, it’s essential to develop a culture of constant learning to stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends and best practices. Some of the pointers that I’ve followed for developing this habit are:
- Stay curious: Always be curious about new technology trends and industry developments. Follow industry thought leaders and engage with them on social media or attend industry events.
- Build a learning plan: Develop a learning plan that includes the skills you want to acquire, the resources you’ll use, and a timeline for achieving your goals. Your learning plan should be tailored to your specific needs and interests.
- Make time for learning: Set aside time every week for learning. This could be reading industry blogs, attending webinars, or working on personal projects that allow you to explore new technologies.
- Collaborate with others: Work with other architects, developers, and stakeholders to learn from their experiences and perspectives. This can help you gain new insights into how technology is being used and how it can be leveraged in your work.
- Stay current: Keep up-to-date with the latest technology trends by regularly reading industry publications, attending webinars, and attending conferences. This will help you stay ahead of the curve and ensure that your solutions are always at the forefront.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love to travel, explore new places, and try new things. One of my favourite activities is scuba diving, which allows me to explore the beautiful underwater world and observe fascinating marine life. I’m also an avid kite surfer, and enjoy the adrenaline rush of being propelled across the water by the wind. These activities have taken me to some amazing locations around the world, and I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting places to explore.
Another passion of mine is international cuisine, and I love trying new dishes from different cultures. Whether it’s street food from a local market or a high-end restaurant, I’m always up for trying something new and experiencing the local flavours. In fact, I often try to recreate some of my favourite dishes at home, experimenting with new ingredients and techniques to create interesting and delicious meals.
What’s your favourite quote?
“What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.“
~ Christopher Hitchens.
The idea behind Hitchens Razor is to encourage critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning. It reminds us that claims should be supported by evidence, and that unsupported claims should not be taken seriously. This principle is particularly relevant in today’s world of misinformation and “fake news” where it is all too easy for unsupported claims to gain traction and be accepted as truth.
What’s a little known fact about you?
I can play the B-flat clarinet.
About the Author
Jason Kretzmann is the Solution Architect of ADEPT Decisions and has had a passion for technology since 1987.
About ADEPT Decisions
We disrupt the status quo in the lending industry by providing lenders with customer decisioning, credit risk consulting and advanced analytics to level the playing field, promote financial inclusion and support a new generation of financial products.
