Gilles Crofils

Gilles Crofils

Hands-On Chief Technology Officer

Based in Western Europe, I'm a tech enthusiast with a track record of successfully leading digital projects for both local and global companies.1974 Birth.
1984 Delved into coding.
1999 Failed my First Startup in Science Popularization.
2010 Co-founded an IT Services Company in Paris/Beijing.
2017 Led a Transformation Plan for SwitchUp in Berlin.
May 2025 Eager to Build the Next Milestone Together with You.

Revolutionizing Living Spaces with IoT

Abstract:

The integration of IoT technologies in residential environments heralds a new era in home management and personal convenience. This revolution is not merely about automating routine tasks but involves creating a cohesive system that enhances security, energy efficiency, and the overall quality of life. Through the use of interconnected devices, from smart thermostats to voice-controlled assistants, homeowners gain unprecedented control over their living spaces. This transformation extends beyond convenience, offering insights into energy consumption patterns and enabling proactive maintenance, ultimately contributing to more sustainable living practices. For technology leaders, this signals a fertile ground for innovation, opening avenues for creating more intuitive and intelligent environments that respond to the occupants' needs and preferences. Understanding these advancements is crucial for those at the helm of tech enterprises, as it shapes future trends and sets the course for the development of user-centric solutions.

Envision a modern, abstract home setting immersed in calm blues symbolizing the advanced integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Illustrate the effortless interaction between a diverse set of individuals, such as a Caucasian woman and a Middle-Eastern man, with various interconnected gadgets - from a smart thermostat modifying the room temperature to a voice-activated assistant floating, its structure fluid and interactive. The backdrop should feature translucent charts and softly glowing lines indicating the understanding of power usage and plan for proactive upkeep. This visual should be more than a mere illustration of convenience, but rather embody a harmonious fusion of security, energy conservation, and enhanced quality of living, all residing within an intelligent and intuitive environment. Highlight the future-oriented aspect by introducing abstract structures and outlines symbolizing innovation and the progressive mentality of tech trailblazers architecting user-friendly solutions. The total ambiance should inspire a feeling of peace, sustainable habitation, and an impactful influence of IoT technologies on domestic life.
Revolutionizing Living Spaces with IoT

As a Chief Technology Officer, I've seen firsthand the transformative impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) on various sectors, but the revolution within residential spaces holds a particularly exciting promise. The integration of IoT technologies into homes is not just about turning up the air conditioning without leaving the couch or having refrigerators that remind you to buy milk. It's about constructing an intelligent ecosystem that elevates home management to an art form. This ecosystem prioritizes security, boosts energy efficiency, and, most importantly, enhances the overall quality of life. Imagine living in a space that not only understands your needs but anticipates them. That's the future we're building towards, and it's closer than you might think.

The magic of IoT in the home lies in its ability to bring disparate devices together into a cohesive, intelligent system. From smart thermostats that learn your preferred temperature settings to voice-controlled assistants that manage your tasks, the power is quite literally at your fingertips. It's about giving homeowners unprecedented control over their living spaces. This control extends beyond simple convenience; it opens up a new dimension of interaction with our homes, where every device works in harmony to create a living environment that is not just smart, but also intuitive.

But the revolution doesn't stop at convenience. One of the most significant benefits of integrating IoT into our homes is the insight it provides into our energy consumption. With smart meters and energy-efficient appliances, we can see exactly where our energy is going and make informed decisions about how to reduce waste. This isn't just good for our wallets; it's good for the planet. Furthermore, IoT technologies enable proactive maintenance, alerting us to potential issues with our appliances before they become major problems. This not only extends the life of our devices but also contributes to a more sustainable and eco-friendly home.

For technology leaders like myself, the integration of IoT into residential spaces represents a fertile ground for innovation. It challenges us to think beyond the conventional, to create environments that are not just reactive, but proactive—spaces that adapt to and anticipate the needs of their occupants. It's an exciting time to be at the forefront of this field, as we have the opportunity to set the course for the development of user-centric solutions that truly make a difference in people's lives. This requires a deep understanding of the technologies at our disposal, as well as a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation.

The advancements in IoT are shaping future trends and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in home automation and management. As we move forward, the key will be to maintain a focus on creating intuitive and intelligent environments that enhance the quality of life for their occupants. This isn't just about the next cool gadget or app; it's about building a future where our living spaces are as smart as the devices within them. And, as I often joke with my team, we're working towards a world where our homes might just know us better than we know ourselves. The journey there is filled with challenges, but the potential rewards are immense. After all, who wouldn't want to live in a home that takes care of itself and its occupants with minimal human intervention?

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25 Years in IT: A Journey of Expertise

2024-

My Own Adventures
(Lisbon/Remote)

AI Enthusiast & Explorer
As Head of My Own Adventures, I’ve delved into AI, not just as a hobby but as a full-blown quest. I’ve led ambitious personal projects, challenged the frontiers of my own curiosity, and explored the vast realms of machine learning. No deadlines or stress—just the occasional existential crisis about AI taking over the world.

2017 - 2023

SwitchUp
(Berlin/Remote)

Hands-On Chief Technology Officer
For this rapidly growing startup, established in 2014 and focused on developing a smart assistant for managing energy subscription plans, I led a transformative initiative to shift from a monolithic Rails application to a scalable, high-load architecture based on microservices.
More...

2010 - 2017

Second Bureau
(Beijing/Paris)

CTO / Managing Director Asia
I played a pivotal role as a CTO and Managing director of this IT Services company, where we specialized in assisting local, state-owned, and international companies in crafting and implementing their digital marketing strategies. I hired and managed a team of 17 engineers.
More...

SwitchUp Logo

SwitchUp
SwitchUp is dedicated to creating a smart assistant designed to oversee customer energy contracts, consistently searching the market for better offers.

In 2017, I joined the company to lead a transformation plan towards a scalable solution. Since then, the company has grown to manage 200,000 regular customers, with the capacity to optimize up to 30,000 plans each month.Role:
In my role as Hands-On CTO, I:
- Architected a future-proof microservices-based solution.
- Developed and championed a multi-year roadmap for tech development.
- Built and managed a high-performing engineering team.
- Contributed directly to maintaining and evolving the legacy system for optimal performance.
Challenges:
Balancing short-term needs with long-term vision was crucial for this rapidly scaling business. Resource constraints demanded strategic prioritization. Addressing urgent requirements like launching new collaborations quickly could compromise long-term architectural stability and scalability, potentially hindering future integration and codebase sustainability.
Technologies:
Proficient in Ruby (versions 2 and 3), Ruby on Rails (versions 4 to 7), AWS, Heroku, Redis, Tailwind CSS, JWT, and implementing microservices architectures.

Arik Meyer's Endorsement of Gilles Crofils
Second Bureau Logo

Second Bureau
Second Bureau was a French company that I founded with a partner experienced in the e-retail.
Rooted in agile methods, we assisted our clients in making or optimizing their internet presence - e-commerce, m-commerce and social marketing. Our multicultural teams located in Beijing and Paris supported French companies in their ventures into the Chinese market

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