Iteray ApS

Hello ;-)

I'm Jacob Lauemøller and I build software. For the web, for me, for fun, for money. For you?

I can help you build great web applications that are easy to pick up and hard to put down.

As a seasoned developer with strong agile development skills and solid experience in creating modern web applications using HTML, CSS, Javascript, Java, and Ruby on Rails, I know what it takes to get your project across the finish line. On time and on budget.

Working on projects ranging in size from just a single developer to more than a hundred have taught me how to lead and succeed with agile development teams -- I can be the one-man army you need or fit right into your existing team.

I'm based near Copenhagen, Denmark, but take assignments from around the globe.

Experience

Here are a few stories about selected past assignments.

Financial Data Warehouse Application

Zendesk, San Francisco. 4 months.

I helped Zendesk develop a new extract-transform-load application for their financial data warehouse. I documented the existing system, including the data model and algorithms, interviewed users, and created the architecture and design for a new system that offered easier extension and maintenance. As the only developer on the project I handled planning, documentation, and programming, including data extraction from Salesforce.com and MySQL, transformation and loading of data, calculation of facts and dimensions, and data transfer to GoodData.com for visualization and reporting. The system was implemented as a Unix command-line Ruby application based on selected parts of the Rails stack (ActiveSupport and ActiveRecord).

  • Ruby
  • Ruby on Rails
  • RSpec
  • Cucumber
  • Git
  • MySQL
  • SQL
  • Linux
  • Mac OS X

iPad Application

Iteray ApS. Ongoing.

I'm developing a native iPad application that will make it easy and exciting to discover what's going on at a certain location through social media such as Twitter

  • iOS
  • Cocoa Touch
  • Objective-C
  • Git

Advanced Software Distribution System

Nokia for 7N A/S. 31/2 years.

Nokia needed a next-generation version of their existing solution for internal software distribution and I participated in the design, development, and planning of what is today considered a mission critical project. The solution was built using Ruby on Rails and had a modern user interface and a REST-based API. I helped the team pick up agile development methods, participated in the general solution design and architecture decisions, and I was the main force behind the design and implementation of the user interface and the REST API. I also developed a number of Ruby extensions in C and I created a tool for parallel deployment via Capistrano.

  • Ruby on Rails
  • Javascript
  • HTML5
  • CSS3
  • MySQL
  • PostgreSQL
  • Subversion
  • Ajax
  • Prototype
  • Scriptaculous
  • REST
  • Scrum
  • Linux
  • Mac OS X

Mass Print Solution for Letpension A/S

Letpension A/S for 7N A/S. 1 year.

I participated in the design and development of a mass print solution for Letpension's SOA-based retirement fund software platform. The solution was built as a web service running inside IBM WebSphere and produced PDF and HTML documents. I contributed to the solution design and the ensuing Java-based web service development. I also developed a web based test application which allowed Letpension to perform extensive validation and acceptance testing of the print service long before the rest of the SOA architecture was in place. The test application exposed the web service via an easy to use web interface and included Ajax-based as-you-type XML validation and test case management. Finally, I developed a suite of automated test generators generating and executing tests based on web service XML Schemas and Java type inference.

  • JEE
  • WebSphere
  • Hibernate
  • Spring
  • Scriptaculous
  • Prototype
  • Javascript
  • XHTML
  • CSS
  • Ajax
  • ClearCase
  • SOA

Social Networking Site

Iteray ApS. 4 months.

I particpated in the design and prototype development of a social networking site (never released). The site was built using Ruby on Rails and worked with a MySQL database. My main responsibility was developing the user interface.

  • Ruby on Rails
  • Scriptaculous
  • Prototype
  • Javascript
  • XHTML
  • CSS
  • Ajax
  • MySQL
  • Subversion

Totalkredit's XPortal

Nykredit for Bridge IT ApS. 1 year.

I participated in the extension of Totalkredit's XPortal (at Nykredit). The system was realized as a JEE application running on the BEA Portal Server platform. My work included Java and Javascript programming related to the user interface (primarily through Netui) and integration to the corporate web service architecture. I was responsible for two main areas of the portal.

  • Java
  • JEE
  • BEA Portal Server
  • Netui
  • JSP
  • XML
  • web services
  • Javascript
  • HTML
  • Ajax
  • Axis
  • XML Beans
  • CVS

Web-based Configuration System

Copenhagen Airports. 1 month.

I developed a web-based system for configuration of internal production systems. The system guided the user through a number of steps and finally created an XML configuration file ready for download and use. As the sole developer, I designed the user interface, created the overall application architecture and design, and performed Java programming and deployment.

  • Java
  • JEE
  • Velocity
  • Hibernate
  • Wicket
  • XML
  • Tomcat
  • MySQL
  • Oracle
  • CVS

Web-based System for GPS Tracking of Vehicles

Copenhagen Airports. 1 month.

I developed a web-based system for GPS tracking of airport vehicles (busses). The assignment consisted of analysis, design, and development of a browser-based frontend and a JEE server. The system used Ajax to exchange data and Javascript to create and maintain the situation display in the browser. I designed and created the user interface, and performed the Java and Javascript programmning.

  • Java
  • JEE
  • Spring
  • Tapestry
  • Scriptaculous
  • Prototype
  • Javascript
  • XML
  • HTML
  • Ajax
  • Tomcat
  • GPS
  • CVS
Jacob Lauemøller

If you ask me...

... the interface is the application: A great backend built for performance and rock solid day-to-day operation; an application that doesn't cost a fortune to maintain or expand; standards compliance. Those are all important things. But they only mean something if your users come back for more.

Nearly 20 years of experience in developing applications for the desktop and the web has taught me an important lesson: it's all about good interaction design and a user interface that goes the extra mile to help users achieve their primary goal (which embarrassingly often isn't using your application). Fail at that, and nobody will care just how fabulous your setup behind the scenes really is.

Creating applications with great user interfaces and solid backends is anything but easy. It requires an open minded approach to development and planning, and the courage to admit when favorite features have to change. Some probably won't make it past their initial encounter with real users. And some, that nobody thought of when the application was just a whiteboard dream, will suddenly be the ones you can't live without.

We need processes and tools that are agile enough to facilitate, even encourage, change throughout the project. Not chaotic, uncontrolled, panic driven change. But carefully thought out course corrections at well defined moments. That's why I promote and use agile development methods like Scrum and fantastic tools such as Ruby on Rails.

... and Iteray ApS

Iteray ApS is my freelance consulting business. I founded it in 2005 and have been working as its sole employee ever since.