Cognos

A decade. Hundreds of conversations, ideas, and inspirations. And we're celebrating with a meetup that truly delivers. Three exceptional speakers, topics that matter, and plenty of room for what has made this meetup special for 10 years: real people, real conversations, real networking. **The Evening at a Glance** 17:30 Doors open, first drinks, familiar faces and new ones 18:00 Welcome and a brief look back at 10 years of DevOps Meetup Zurich 18:15–18:45 **Claws in the Dark: Bringing DevSecOps to Legacy Hardware with Robotics and Playwright** by Alexander Friesen 18:45–19:15 **Beyond Agile: Structuring Organizations for Real Autonomy** by Lea Düker 19:15–19:25 Short break 19:25–19:55 **From Bottlenecks to Flow: OKRs, Value Stream Management, and Governance Done Right** by Vasileios Konofaos 19:55–20:15 Panel discussion with all three speakers 20:15 Networking, Open Space, snacks, drinks, and anniversary cake 🎂 **Claws in the Dark: Bringing DevSecOps to Legacy Hardware with Robotics and Playwright** What do you do when your software’s "deployment target" is a piece of security hardware embedded in a concrete wall for 20 years? In the world of access control, we don't have the luxury of "move fast and break things"—if the integration fails, the door stays locked. For decades, hardware development at Primion relied on manual bit-shifting, incomplete specifications, and the "read, write, and pray" method. When the pandemic decentralized our R&D department—scattering 60 developers across Europe—the traditional model of physical bench testing collapsed. We couldn't send a lab to everyone’s home, so we brought the developers to the lab through robotics. In this session, we deep-dive into how we bridged the physical-digital divide by building a fully automated hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing farm. We will explore: * The Architecture: How we orchestrate GitLab CI, Azure ephemeral environments, and Playwright to drive physical interactions. * The Hardware Hack: How a 200 CHF robotic claw replaced manual testing, allowing developers to "touch" hardware from anywhere in the world. * The Shift-Left Strategy: Moving from "praying for compatibility" to robust integration testing that catches bit-level errors before they ever hit the factory floor. * Scaling on a Budget: How a single working student scaled our setup to 20+ (and rising) automated test cells. Join us to see how "claws moving in the dark" turned hardware debugging from a nightmare into a breeze, and learn how to apply DevSecOps principles to the most stubborn, physical environments. **Alexander Friesen** Aexander is a **Lead IT Architect** with over a decade of experience in software architecture and technical leadership. He specializes in building and scaling modern ecosystems for major enterprises like **Swisscard** and **Siemens**. DevOps & Platform Engineering Highlights * **Platform Leadership:** Directed technical strategy for Siemens’ IoT flagship "BuildingX" and managed multi-million dollar budgets for large-scale SAFe trains. * **Automation & Compliance:** Expert in **DevSecOps**, achieving ISO27000 compliance through automated CI/CD pipelines and security scanning. * **Efficiency Gains:** Improved software team productivity by **30%** through the implementation of AI Ops and Internal Developer Platforms. * **Cloud Native Stack:** Certified **AWS Architect** with deep expertise in Kubernetes, Terraform, Serverless, and **Data Mesh** architectures. * **Global Teams:** Proven track record of leading cross-functional engineering teams across Switzerland, Germany, the USA, and India. **Beyond Agile: Structuring Organizations for Real Autonomy** Many organizations invest in agile methods, DevOps, and new technologies, and yet the desired impact on collaboration, accountability, and decision-making often fails to materialize. A key lever for change lies in how organizations are structured. This talk provides an introduction to Holacracy as a model for radical self-organization and places it within the broader landscape of organizational development. It explains what defines Holacracy, the principles behind it, and the problems it aims to address. The focus, however, is not solely on the organizational model. The talk also presents concrete tools and practices of self-organization, such as clear role definitions, structured decision-making processes, and transparent governance, that can be applied regardless of the organizational structure in place. **Lea Düker** * Since 2024: IT Project Manager and Scrum Master at digital agency Unic AG * 2021–2024: Project Manager and Deputy Head of IT at the Building Department of the City of Zurich * 2018–2021: Consultant for Process Management at Join GmbH * 2016–2018: Master's degree in Business Management with a specialization in Process Management **From Bottlenecks to Flow: OKRs, Value Stream Management, and Governance Done Right** In our session, we'll be delving into the advanced flow engineering practices we've implemented at KPMG CH for our Cloud Platform. These methods have truly transformed how we deliver outcomes—faster, safer, and with an even greater level of satisfaction. During the session, we'll take a closer look at how we leverage OKRs to align teams and drive strategic goals, and how Value Stream Management helps us optimize workflow and eliminate bottlenecks. Our robust Governance model will also be discussed, highlighting how we maintain compliance without sacrificing agility. Beyond sharing the technical details, we'll reflect on the lessons learned and valuable insights we've gained throughout our journey. Our goal is to provide actionable takeaways that will benefit the DevOps community and inspire organizations seeking to enhance their delivery pipelines and nurture a culture of continuous improvement. **Vasileios Konofaos** Head of Business Services CH Group Digital Vasileios Konofaos is a seasoned technology leader with more than 20 years of experience driving large‑scale software engineering, cloud infrastructure, and digital transformation initiatives. As Director of Business Services CH Group Digital at KPMG Switzerland, he leads high‑impact programs that advance innovation, operational excellence, and AI‑enabled capabilities across the organization. His career spans senior roles in global financial institutions and consulting firms, where he has successfully delivered complex projects in software development, automation, DevOps, and machine learning. Certified in Azure, ITIL, PMP, PRINCE2, and Scrum, Vasileios is recognized for his strategic mindset, strong leadership, and ability to empower teams to achieve exceptional results. He brings deep expertise in systems analysis, project delivery, and process improvement, consistently enabling organizations to scale technology solutions with quality and precision. Many thanks to our **sponsors**: * Catering and Location Sponsor: **KPMG** https://kpmg.com/

**WALK THE TALK** Zurich Toastmasters is the place to be if you want to improve your public speaking, communication, and leadership skills. **Walk the Talk** offers a friendly and inspirational environment for all levels of public speaking experience. Guests and new members are always welcome! A typical meeting includes 1–3 prepared speeches by members, evaluations of the speeches, and Table Topics – impromptu speaking. This meeting is Hybrid. "You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart." John Ford DISCLAIMER: We may take pictures/videos of our events and share them online or on social media. If you do not wish to be in the pictures, please let us know before the meeting starts. We will do our best to respect your wishes.

**Welcome to Top Notch Toastmasters Zurich!** [www.topnotch.toastmastersclubs.org](http://www.topnotch.toastmastersclubs.org) \*\* Please arrive 15 minutes before, meeting begin \*\* **When & Where** Every Wednesday, 10–15 members and guests meet **in person** to practice public speaking and leadership skills in a friendly, dynamic environment. *(Please note: members don’t RSVP via Meetup.)* **What to Expect** ✅ Self-paced learning—advance at your own speed ✅ Hands-on experience—speak, lead, and grow ✅ Supportive feedback from peers ✅ Guidance from experienced mentors ✅ Monthly workshops—every last Wednesday on communication and public speaking topics **Who We Are** Part of **Toastmasters International**, a global network of over 352,000 members dedicated to helping peoplecommunicate with confidence and discover their leadership potential. **Drinks & Socializing** After each meeting, we head to a nearby bar to relax and connect—perfect for networking and great conversation. Come visit us! Our welcoming team is excited to show you how Toastmasters can help you grow personally and professionally. ✨ **We can’t wait to meet you!** ✨

**[⚠️>>Ticket needed (click here)<<](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/sport-fitness/yoga/yoga-sound-healing-7437531987315800493.html) or** **[www.social-circle.ch](http://www.social-circle.ch/)** 🌿 **Social Circle Yin Yoga & Soundbath – Reset & Reconnect** 🌿 Join the Social Circle community for a deeply restorative evening designed to help you slow down, reset, and reconnect — with yourself and with others. 💖✨ 📲 Join our WhatsApp chat to keep up with the event: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/EsTccDt6vB2A8z3OXbPUbW](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EsTccDt6vB2A8z3OXbPUbW) (if you run into trouble open it in WhatsApp Web on your desktop) We’ll begin with a gentle **Yin Yoga practice**, featuring long-held, calming postures that release tension and soothe the nervous system. No rush, no pressure — just space to arrive and soften. 🧘‍♀️ As you rest into stillness, you’ll be immersed in the healing vibrations of a **soundbath** with crystal and Tibetan bowls. The sounds will guide you into a meditative state, helping you drop out of your head and into your body. 🎶 After the workshop we will go in a cafe for a drink to relax and socialize. This combination of Yin Yoga and sound healing is perfect if you’re looking to: 🌸 unwind after a busy week 🌸 calm your nervous system 🌸 reconnect with yourself in a warm, welcoming group setting **What to bring:** – Comfortable, loose clothing – A bottle of water Come as you are. Leave feeling grounded, relaxed, and gently connected. 🌙💫 We’re looking forward to creating a calm and supportive space together as part of Social Circle. ​📸 Photos and short videos may be taken during the event. Let the host know if you prefer not to be in them. Tickets are non refundable. Want more events like this? Join our community! [https://chat.whatsapp.com/DaGFCvKs6iu62pftk5cotM](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DaGFCvKs6iu62pftk5cotM)

As it is sometimes difficult in Switzerland to practice high german, in 2010 we decided to organize a conversation group that is free to everyone who wants to practice german and socialize. WhatsApp group for easier contact: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KmMkpiQxs291vTPv2RBNm4

### Daily Evening Meditation ##### For all peace lovers and others, for beginners and advanced meditators. We love silence. We meditate with our eyes open—or closed, if you prefer. Come and enjoy the powerful vibrations of peace. We are happy to offer guided meditation upon request. **Welcome—join the wave of peace!** [www.brahmakumaris.ch](www.brahmakumaris.ch)

Map the World, Change the World. Join Our Mapathon! Got a laptop? Ready to make a difference? 💥 We're on a mission to create life-saving maps for disaster response, and we need YOU. No experience? No problem. Whether you're a mapping newbie or an OpenStreetMap Pro, you'll learn, collaborate, and help create maps that matter. What to bring? Your laptop (mouse = bonus points!) Why join? Learn cool mapping skills Make a real impact in crisis zones Meet like-minded change-makers Ready to map for good? Let’s do this.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Update 25.03.: We are fully booked.** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Hi everyone — I'm Michael from **Digitec Galaxus**, where I'm responsible for the integration of recommender systems. Together with my colleagues at Digitec Galaxus' recommendations team, we’ve recently taken over the **Zurich Recommendation Systems** meet-up group and consider reviving it as a regular series. To kick things off, we're joining forces with the **Digitec Galaxus Product Development Meet-Up** for an evening on recommender systems in practice. We will present two talks: * **Max Nolte (Migros Genossenschaftsbund)**, amongst other things, on four years of building and operating the engine behind personalized Cumulus coupons — covering data, models, measurement, and the practical realities of running it day to day at a brick-and-mortar retailer. * **Michael Weiss and Robert Rosenbach (Digitec Galaxus)** on the full recommendation stack in Switzerlands leading e-commerce platform — from the engineering architecture that keeps things fast, scalable, and maintainable, to insights from model training: what to optimize for and which inputs matter the most. Each presentation will take roughly 30 minutes, including questions, leaving plenty of time for discussion and exchange afterwards. To participate, please sign up for the events in both groups: * **Digitec Galaxus Product Development Meet-Up** — Primary organizer: This is the sign-up that counts, and you’ll also find a more comprehensive announcement of the talks there ;-) [https://www.meetup.com/digitec-galaxus-zuerich/events/313707996](https://www.meetup.com/digitec-galaxus-zuerich/events/313707996) * **Zurich Recommendation Systems** (i.e., this event) — to help us gauge interest in running this as a continuous series going forward Looking forward to seeing you there!

It all sounded straight forward. Then the project started... Join us for an informal evening with fellow Agile practitioners, Scrum Masters, project managers, coaches, and anyone working with change, delivery, or transformation. We’ll meet at a local pizzeria, have some good food, and talk about the things that usually come up once the theory meets reality — challenges, lessons learned, different approaches, and questions we’re still figuring out. Nothing formal, just a chance to exchange ideas, meet people from the community, and have interesting conversations. Because some of the best discussions don’t happen in meeting rooms. They happen in the second floor private room of a pizzeria. 🍕 **The venue:** Da Raffaele brings a slice of Naples to the heart of Zürich's Altstadt. Think 48-hour dough, a 500°C wood-fired oven, and an amazing pizza. Two minutes from Central, close to HB — easy for everyone coming from across the city or the S-Bahn.

Apéro Mensuel

Welcome to the Competitive Play Session. This session takes place every Saturday from 10:45 to 12:15 at the Yonex Badminton Hall Hardbrücke. The number of players on the waitlist one week in advance determines the number of courts booked. If you are on the waitlist but can no longer attend, please remove yourself as early as possible. Players are accepted into the session based on skill suitability. This session is for experienced players looking for quality games. Play is focused on doubles with a competitive mindset and consistent rallies. You should be comfortable smashing, return smashes and keeping up a moderate tempo throughout the session. New players and those who are new to badminton are welcome to join the PM Session (Open Level Play). Payment can be made via TWINT after the session.

# Aura Kamera und Analyse deiner Aura * Kraft, Farbe, Grösse Ihrer Aura & Eigenschaften * Diagnose der Chakren (Gleichgewicht & Aktivität) * Harmonisierung gestresster & blockierter Chakren * Gleichgewicht zwischen Verstand, Seele & Körper * Energie-Attacken und Energielöcher erkennen * Yin-Yang-Gleichgewicht * Emotionales Gleichgewicht * Bericht über die Ergebnisse PICTURE OF AURA & ANALYSIS * Power, color, size of your aura & characteristics * Diagnostics the balance & activity of your chakras * Harmonize stressed or blocked energy centers * Jin-Jang balance * Balance between mind, spirit & body * Emotional balance * See energy attaks and energy holes * Report of results Mit dieser erstaunlichen Methode können Sie die Energie-niveaus in Ihren Chakren messen, den aktuellen Zustand Ihrer Aura bestimmen und mögliche Probleme erkennen. Diese Informationen sind ein wertvolles Hilfsmittel für alle, die sich auf dem Weg der Selbsterkenntnis befinden und bereit sind, sich spirituell weiterzuentwickeln. Die angebotenen Anleitungen und Methoden zielen darauf ab, eine höhere Bewusstseinsebene zu erreichen und eine harmonische Entwicklung der körperlichen, geistigen und seelischen Gesundheit zu fördern. Mithilfe der Aurakamera können Sie eine Energie- und Gesundheitsdiagnose durchführen. Dabei erhalten Sie Einblick in die unsichtbare Welt der Energien. Sie lernen die Farbe Ihrer Aura kennen, verstehen die Funktionsweise Ihrer Chakren und erfahren, wie Sie diese harmonisieren können. Sie gewinnen neue Erkenntnisse über sich selbst und sehen die Welt mit anderen Augen. Die Aura-Untersuchung von Kindern ab vier Jahren ist vollkommen sicher, da der Sensor ausschliesslich die elektromagnetischen Wellen des Körpers misst Die Aurakamera liefert dabei wertvolle Informationen übe den Charakter und den Energiezustand des Kindes. Anmeldung unter [info@om-center.ch](mailto:info@om-center.ch) oder 076 2626329

The Fellowship of the Star Schema: Transforming OLTP Data for Power BI One does not simply build reports on OLTP data. Join us on an epic journey from the depths of raw, normalized tables to the shining halls of a well-modeled star schema fit for Power BI greatness. We will demystify the differences between OLTP and OLAP, walk through star schema vs snowflake (and why Power BI has a clear favorite), and show you the compression differences between normalized and columnar storage that will make you never look at an OLTP model the same way again. We will cover the different types of dimensions, when to use them, and how to handle Slowly Changing Dimensions without losing your mind. You will leave knowing exactly how to identify a bad model, how to convert OLTP data into a clean star schema, and how to forge relationships that rule them all. Whether you are a data wizard, a curious hobbit, or somewhere in between, your models will never be the same.

**The Data-Driven Brand: Using Analytics to Shape Perception** Can you use analytics to improve tacos? This being CBUSDAW, we think the answer is probably “yes”, but we’re not sure how to implement or test this theory. For our April meetup we’ve got Sara Kear, CMO of Condado Tacos, to investigate this delicious question. Sara will explore how she blends quantitative data and qualitative customer feedback to shape brand positioning and drive business decisions. We all know that marketing and analytics go way beyond attribution. Sara will show how Condado uses customer insights to inform product and pricing strategy. She’ll also highlight how Condado leverages customer feedback at scale to influence operational priorities, positioning marketing as the voice of the customer across the organization. In the last 12 years Condado has gone from one location in Columbus to 52 locations across 10 states, so we’re guessing there’s more to that growth than really good guac (though the guac probably helps). Ultimately, this talk focuses on the intersection of art and science—using data to inform creativity and build a brand that resonates with customers in a measurable way. **About Our Speaker** Sara Kear is Chief Marketing Officer at Condado Tacos, where she oversees brand, restaurant design, menu and pricing strategy, off-premise including catering, and customer data strategy. Since joining in 2021, she has helped grow the brand from 19 to 52 locations while building a data-driven marketing organization focused on loyalty and customer insights. Condado has since been named to the Inc. 5000, recognized as Breakout Retailer by Chain Store Age, and consistently ranked among FastCasual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

Pay attention! We’re delaying a week for those of you who may be on Spring break and/or celebrating the holiday. Ok, no pancakes, but waffles-a-plenty. Join the local UX and Digital Design community for a casual monthly breakfast. Look for us upstairs!

We're bringing the community together for a casual happy hour with ServiceNow-themed trivia, food and drinks, and great conversation. Details coming soon - for now, save the date and plan to join us for connection and fun.

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/55umjqta)

The global Azure community is coming together again, and Columbus is officially on the map. View the session lineup and speakers at [Global Azure Columbus 2026](https://coazure.github.io/cbus-global-azure-2026/) On **Saturday, April 18, 2026**, the Azure Columbus Meetup, DevOps Meetup, and Code and Coffee Meetup are hosting our local edition of Global Azure 2026. This is a free, community-driven event packed with learning, networking, and all things Microsoft Azure. Whether you’re building modern cloud-native apps, experimenting with AI agents, deploying containers, automating infrastructure, or just beginning your Azure journey, this event is for you! **What to Expect** * Engaging technical sessions * Real-world Azure architecture & cloud-native patterns * AI, agents, automation, and modern DevOps * Food and drinks (because learning burns calories) * Time to connect with fellow engineers, architects, and cloud enthusiasts **Who Should Attend?** * Software engineers (any language, any stack) * Cloud architects * DevOps engineers * Data professionals * AI explorers * Platform builders * Anyone who loves solving hard problems with great tools If you build, deploy, automate, scale, monitor, or optimize in Azure, you’ll feel right at home. **Why Global Azure?** Global Azure is a worldwide community event where Azure user groups host learning sessions on the same day across the globe. It’s grassroots. It’s technical. It’s practical. And it’s powered by people who genuinely love sharing what they’ve learned. And yes, it’s free to attend!

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** GitHub Copilot is powerful, but what if you could scale from a solo AI assistant to an entire team of specialized agents working in parallel? This session introduces Squad: an open-source framework for multi-agent orchestration that lets you define teams of AI agents with specific roles, responsibilities, and expertise. We'll progress from Copilot basics to the Copilot CLI, explore how Agents add autonomy, and see how Instructions and Skills let you customize agent behavior. Then, the climax: a live demo where a Squad team of 3 agents (Lead, Developer, Tester) stands up and builds a working application in real-time, showcasing true multi-agent collaboration. Whether you're new to AI or exploring how to scale your use of Copilot, this session will show you what's possible when agents work as a team. **YouTube Link** TBD