A team that helps you move forward

Cédric Ally, Technical Designer Connected Engagement

Six years ago, Cédric Ally joined Cegeka with no prior knowledge of CRM. Today, he’s a Technical Designer in the Connected Engagement team and a true expert in his field. In this interview, he shares his passion for technology, the warm and supportive team culture, and his ambitions for the future. An inspiring story for anyone considering a career at Cegeka.

 

I started out in a team of fewer than ten people. Today, we’re more than fifty, and I’m proud to have played a part in that growth. The culture within team is open, collaborative, and highly supportive. We lift each other up and prioritize team success over individual achievements.

Cédric Ally, Technical Designer Connected Engagement

Cédric’s path to CRM expert

How did you end up in this role?
I began my career with a Bachelor's degree in Electronics/ICT from Odisee University of Applied Sciences in Ghent. Shortly after graduating, I joined Cegeka as a Technical Software Engineer in the Connected Engagement team—already six years ago!

When I started, I had no prior knowledge of CRM. I was drawn into the field after a compelling presentation by the team lead at the time. Over the years, I’ve immersed myself in the CRM landscape and gradually built up my expertise. Today, I’m proud to call myself a specialist in the field. In recognition of my growth, I was promoted to Technical Designer in 2022.

Which technologies and tools do you work with most?
In my role, I primarily work with C# and JavaScript to support a wide range of business processes—but my toolbox extends far beyond those two languages.

I have a strong passion for data. I help clients migrate from legacy systems or other CRM platforms to Dynamics 365 in the Cloud. For these migrations, we mainly use the ETL tool SSIS in combination with KingswaySoft.

To design solutions, I rely heavily on Visio, which allows me to clearly map out processes and make them easily understandable for both clients and colleagues. For more complex integrations—such as connecting data with external systems—we use the Azure stack, selecting the right components for each specific need.

We also use Azure DevOps for source control and to manage our CI/CD pipelines, ensuring everything is centralized and deployed efficiently and reliably.

How would you describe the team culture at Connected Engagement?
There’s a strong culture of continuous learning. We host monthly knowledge-sharing sessions where team members present on a wide range of topics—from advanced technical deep-dives to practical tips & tricks and updates from the Dynamics ecosystem. Everyone is encouraged to contribute and share their insights.

We don’t have mandatory office days—everyone manages their own schedule. That said, we do encourage in-person collaboration, and colleagues often coordinate to be in the office on the same days. This flexibility contributes to a healthy work-life balance.

Each year, we also organize a team weekend, where we head off to a fun location for a few days of activities and team bonding. It’s a great opportunity to connect on a more personal level and strengthen our collaboration even further.

What are your ambitions for the coming years?
I want to continue growing in my role and take on even more responsibilities. This includes progressing toward the next step in my career—Technical Architect—as well as expanding my involvement within the team.

When I joined, we were fewer than ten people. Today, we’re over fifty! I’ve been part of that growth and know the team’s operations inside and out. Because of that, I’ve already taken on additional responsibilities to help improve the team’s (technical) performance. I’d like to build on that by mentoring new colleagues and gradually stepping into a more leadership-oriented role.

What would you say to someone considering applying to Cegeka?
GO FOR IT! Personally, I truly believe Cegeka is one of the best employers out there. The open atmosphere, the many initiatives, and the freedom to contribute your own ideas make every day exciting.

I’ve been working here for years with great pleasure and have witnessed our team grow from fewer than ten people to over fifty. That kind of rapid growth brings a lot of responsibility—but also a team of colleagues who genuinely support each other.

Cegeka also offers countless opportunities to shape your career. Not feeling at home in your role as a Technical Designer? Thanks to the “CEO of Your Own Career” initiative, you can explore other roles within Cegeka that might suit you better.

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