What makes OTTRA different from other GitLab consultants?

OTTRA is GitLab's longest-standing Select Partner with over 5 years of partnership. We combine deep GitLab expertise with Team Topologies certification and multilingual support across English, Spanish, German, and Dutch. Our ISO 27001 certification ensures the highest security standards.

What is OTTRA's approach to software delivery transformation?

We optimize the harmony between people, processes, and technology using proven methodologies like Team Topologies. Our approach focuses on psychological safety, technical excellence, and measurable business outcomes to create lasting organizational change.

What languages does OTTRA support?

OTTRA provides native speaker consultancy services in English, Spanish, German, and Dutch, enabling us to serve diverse markets while understanding local regulations and cultural nuances.

About OTTRA

Europe's Leading GitLab Experts & Team Topologies Consultants

For over 5 years, OTTRA has been transforming how software teams build better software. As GitLab's longest-standing Select Partner and certified Team Topologies practitioners, we're your partners in creating lasting change through optimised people, processes, and technology.

Our Industry Leading Engineering Leads

Our diverse team of certified GitLab experts brings decades of combined experience in DevOps, software delivery, and enterprise transformation. Each team member contributes unique expertise and perspectives, united by our commitment to helping organisations build better software.

Sander Brienen

Languages: Dutch, English, German

Sander brings over a decade of experience building and scaling technical consultancy teams. As a former Customer Success Manager for GitLab in the DACH region, he managed some of GitLab's largest enterprise accounts. Previously, he built an Atlassian consultancy practice from scratch to a 14-person team generating multi-million Euro revenue. Sander excels at converting complex customer challenges into elegant, automated solutions that deliver real business value.

Expertise: Enterprise GitLab implementations, automation architecture, customer solution design

David Tacheny

Languages: English

David is a seasoned technical leader with deep GitLab expertise gained from years at GitLab Inc. As former Senior Manager of Professional Services, he built and led a 15-person global team while driving enterprise transformations. His experience includes architecting GitLab solutions for 30,000+ user deployments at government security organisations and leading major financial sector transformations. David holds an extensive portfolio of GitLab trainer certifications across CI/CD, security, and system administration.

Expertise: Enterprise architecture, large-scale GitLab deployments, professional services leadership

Nick Lotz

Languages: English, French

Nick combines startup innovation experience with enterprise GitLab expertise from his time in GitLab's professional services organisation. Specialising in DevSecOps consulting and machine learning applications, he brings cutting-edge perspectives on infrastructure automation and AI-driven developer productivity. As a certified GitLab trainer across multiple disciplines, Nick believes that user education and understanding accounts for 80% of software value realisation.

Expertise: Infrastructure automation (Terraform), machine learning/AI, cyberphysical systems, training & enablement

Neil Douek

Languages: English

Neil brings extensive enterprise experience from leading financial and technology organisations including Fujitsu, London Stock Exchange Group, Deutsche Börse, ICAP, and Publicis. As a certified GitLab Solution Architect, he combines deep technical knowledge with strategic thinking to guide organisations through their DevOps transformations. Neil specialises in thought leadership around the evolution of software engineering practices and the future of DevOps.

Expertise: Solution architecture, financial services, DevOps strategy & thought leadership

Sujeevan Vijayakumaran

Languages: German, English

Sujeevan is a certified GitLab Implementation and Migration Services Professional with extensive experience across the cloud-native ecosystem. His expertise spans GitLab, Kubernetes, Jenkins, and observability tools like Prometheus and Grafana. A strong advocate for the DevOps principle of 'People over Processes over Tools,' Sujeevan ensures that technical implementations are always aligned with organisational culture and team dynamics for sustainable transformation.

Expertise: GitLab implementations & migrations, Kubernetes, cloud-native tooling, observability

Chris Van Bael

Languages: Dutch, English

Chris brings 25 years of quality assurance expertise, specialising in the technical aspects of testing including automation, performance, and security. His impressive portfolio includes work with industry leaders like Philips, Ericsson, Vanderlande, and Volvo on complex technical systems from payment terminals to airport luggage handling. As a certified GitLab Security Essentials Trainer and freelance consultant since 2017, Chris combines deep testing knowledge with hands-on training delivery.

Expertise: Quality assurance, test automation, performance testing, security testing & training

Our Story: 5+ Years of GitLab Excellence

OTTRA was founded with a simple belief: software teams shouldn't have to choose between speed, security, and quality. As GitLab's longest-standing Select Partner with over 5 years of partnership, we've witnessed firsthand how the right combination of people, processes, and technology can transform organisations across Europe and beyond.

What started as a specialised GitLab consultancy has evolved into a comprehensive software delivery transformation practice. We've successfully completed over 200 projects, helping organisations from high-growth startups to large enterprises optimise their development workflows and achieve measurable improvements in delivery speed, security, and cost efficiency.

Today, we combine deep technical GitLab expertise with proven methodologies like Team Topologies to create holistic transformations that deliver lasting results. Our ISO 27001 certification and multilingual support across English, Spanish, German, and Dutch enable us to serve diverse international markets whilst maintaining the highest standards of security and quality.

Mission & Vision: Transforming Software Delivery

Our Mission

To empower software teams to build better software by optimising the harmony between people, processes, and technology. We believe that cohesive and efficient workflows drive innovation, ensuring faster delivery, enhanced security, reduced costs, and comprehensive observability for sustainable competitive advantage.

Our Vision

A world where every software team can focus on creating value rather than fighting their tools and processes. We envision organisations where psychological safety, technical excellence, and business outcomes work in perfect alignment to drive continuous innovation and sustainable success.

The OTTRA Values: Our Cultural Foundation

The OTTRA values guide everything we do, from how we work with clients to how we support each other as a team. These principles shape our culture and define our human-centered approach to technical transformation.

Open

We believe in radical transparency. All information is shared by default, creating trust and enabling better decision-making. Openness builds stronger relationships with our clients and within our team, fostering innovation and continuous improvement.

Trust

We foster psychological safety where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities. We trust each team member to do their best work and create environments where innovation can flourish through experimentation and continuous learning.

Teamwork

We collaborate effectively across functions, leveraging diverse perspectives to create better solutions. Great software is built by great teams, and we help organisations unlock their collaborative potential through optimized team structures and workflows.

Results

We measure our success by the measurable outcomes we deliver for customers. We prioritise impact over activity, focusing on tangible improvements in delivery speed, security posture, and cost efficiency that drive real business value.

Amicable

We create a friendly, enjoyable work environment where relationships matter. We approach our work with warmth, good humour, and genuine care for one another whilst delivering technical excellence and lasting transformation.

Our Proven Expertise: Results That Matter

Years as GitLab Select Partner

GitLab's longest-standing Select Partner in Europe

200+

Successfully Completed Projects

From high-growth startups to large enterprises

Languages Supported

Native speakers: English, Spanish, German, Dutch

Average Delivery Speed Increase

Measurable improvement in software delivery velocity

67%

Security Vulnerability Reduction

Average reduction in security vulnerabilities

40%

Operational Cost Savings

Average reduction in operational expenses

Our Expert Team & Proven Approach

We combine deep technical excellence with human-centred methodologies to create transformations that work for real teams in real organisations, delivering measurable and sustainable results.

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GitLab Platform Specialists

Deep platform expertise spanning implementation to advanced CI/CD pipelines. Our certified team knows GitLab inside and out, enabling sophisticated solutions that scale with your needs. Explore our CI/CD services.

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Team Topologies Certified Practitioners

Certified practitioners who understand how to design effective team structures that optimize for flow. We help organisations create teams that deliver value efficiently and sustainably. Learn about Team Topologies.

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Multilingual European Support

Native speakers providing expert consultancy in English, Spanish, German, and Dutch. We understand local markets, compliance requirements, and cultural nuances across diverse European regions, ensuring effective communication and implementation.

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Security-First Methodology

ISO 27001 certified processes ensure the highest standards of information security management, providing confidence in data protection and security practices. Our approach integrates security throughout the entire software delivery lifecycle.

Trusted Expertise & Industry Certifications

Our certifications and partnerships demonstrate our commitment to excellence and industry-leading practices.

GitLab Select Partner Team Topologies Certified

Multilingual Support

Ready to Transform Your Software Delivery?

Join over 200 organisations already transforming their software delivery with OTTRA. Let's discuss how we can help you build better software, faster, more securely, and at lower cost through our proven expertise.

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