Hi, I’m Rick, and I’ve spent the last 27 years navigating the wild, wonderful, and sometimes completely chaotic world of IT and architecture.

You name it, I’ve probably done it: Enterprise Architect, CTO, Solution Architect, Software Architect, Integration Architect, IT Manager, Technical Manager, and even Software Development Manager (yes, I’ve willingly led developers). I’ve worn so many hats that at this point, I might as well open my own hat shop.

But here’s the thing: I love architecture. Not the “let’s draw a beautiful diagram and call it a day” kind, but the kind that actually enables businesses to succeed. Architecture isn’t about slowing things down with PowerPoint slides—it’s about making technology work for your business, not against it.

Technology Agnostic, Microsoft Specialist

Yes, I have deep expertise in Microsoft technologies—but before you roll your eyes and assume I’m just another .NET fanatic, let me clarify: I’m technology-agnostic. Whether it’s Azure, AWS, Mendix, Power Platform, .NET, JavaScript, SQL, or even the magical world of low-code, my approach is simple:

Use the right technology for the job, not just the one you’re comfortable with.

Because let’s be honest—clinging to a single tech stack in today’s world is like insisting on using a flip phone in 2025.

What I Actually Do (Other Than Drinking Coffee and Explaining Things in Meetings)

🔹 Enterprise & Solution Architecture – Helping companies design systems that don’t collapse under their own weight.

🔹 Digital Transformation – Making sure businesses evolve with technology, not just react to it.

🔹 Cloud Migrations (Azure) – Moving systems to the cloud without creating an expensive dumpster fire.

🔹 Integration Solutions (AIS, APIs, Service Bus) – Ensuring systems talk to each other like civilized adults instead of throwing random data at each other.

🔹 Software Development & Quality – Making sure code doesn’t look like it was written by a caffeinated squirrel.

🔹 Coaching & Advisory – Helping teams and management understand that good architecture isn’t an optional luxury—it’s a necessity.

The Toolbox (Yes, I Actually Know How to Use These)

🔹 Architecture & Design - TOGAF, Digital Strategy, Solution Design, C4 Model, UML, Structurizr, Diagram.net

🔹 Software Developer & Cloud - Azure DevOps (CI/CD), .NET Core, C#, ASP.NET MVC, Angular, JavaScript, jQuery, REST APIs, SQL Server, Cosmos DB, Azure (Durable) Functions, Azure KeyVault, Azure Cognitive Services, AIS (Azure Integration Services), Logic Apps, API Management

🔹 Low-Code platforms - Mendix, OutSystems, PowerApps

🔹 Software Quality & Security - Code Reviews, CI/CD, Fortify, Nexus IQ, SonarQube, ReSharper, StyleCop, TDD (because writing tests before coding is still a revolutionary concept for some developers)

Companies That Trusted Me (and Somehow Survived)

Over the years, I’ve worked with banks, insurers, energy companies, government agencies, logistics firms, and tech giants—and no, I didn’t break anything (permanently). Some of the names include:

🏢 Royal IHC, Cegeka, PZEM, Pro Persona, DAS Legal Assistance, Rabobank, APM Terminals, Eneco, ASR Insurance, ProRail, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Unit4, Atos, and more.

If you’ve read this far, congratulations! You clearly have the patience required to deal with enterprise architecture.

Welcome to The Architecture Chronicles—where I share real-world experiences, lessons learned, and a fair amount of humor, because let’s face it—IT is already complex enough; we don’t need our explanations to be dull too.

Let’s Rethink Architecture together! 🚀