IKEA at GIDS 2024: Unleashing My Experience
In April 2024, I had the privilege of attending the prestigious Great International Developer Summit (GIDS). This event served as a gathering point for distinguished professionals from various corners of the software industry, providing an invaluable opportunity to acquire new knowledge, engage with industry peers, and refine our skills.
To gear up for GIDS, we at IKEA set out to ensure that our co-workers could extract maximum value from the conference, with a focus on both professional growth and relationship building. A dedicated team, including members from our Cybersecurity Team, Product Teams, P&C partners, and various other teams, came together to plan and coordinate our activities. This ensured that everyone benefited from our time at the event.
As a Platinum sponsor, we at IKEA were at the heart of GIDS, demonstrating our commitment to innovation and excellence in the tech industry. Our participation was not just about learning and networking; it was about nurturing meaningful connections and propelling our collective growth and success.
At GIDS, we dove into a wide array of sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities, all aimed at boosting our knowledge and skills. This preparation not only made our conference experience more rewarding but also highlighted the power of strategic planning and teamwork in achieving our goals.
Introduction to GIDS Conference
The Great International Developer Summit (GIDS) is a premier event in the Asia-Pacific region, celebrated as one of the biggest software developer summits. This multi-track conference and expo is known for its international speakers, in-depth workshops, inspiring keynotes, and hundreds of breakout sessions.
GIDS has been the driving force for over 72,000 attendees across 16 extraordinary editions. It’s a platform that embraces new projects, tools, services, platforms, languages, software, and standards that define the region’s software developer ecosystem.
The four-day program at GIDS is a mix of technical talks, conversations, and experiences, featuring some of the most talented and influential figures in software engineering and architecture. It also provides ample opportunities to learn about companies that are at the forefront of creating products that developers have come to use and love in their projects at work.
IKEA at GIDS?
Many visitors were initially surprised to see IKEA at a tech conference. The curiosity was palpable as people wondered, “What is IKEA doing at GIDS?”. It was a question we heard time and again, and we were more than happy to answer.
IKEA is not just about furniture; we’re about improving everyday life of people, and technology plays a significant role in that mission.
At GIDS, we were able to showcase how IKEA is integrating technology into its offerings and how we’re contributing to the tech community.
The response from developers and attendees at GIDS was overwhelmingly positive. They were intrigued by IKEA’s presence at a tech conference and showed great interest in our tech initiatives.
Developers were particularly excited about our open-source contributions and the potential for future collaborations. The interactive games at our booth also drew a lot of attention, making our booth a popular spot at the conference.
Keynote Speech by Aravindhan Raju
Aravindhan Raju, the Senior Domain Engineering Manager of IKEA’s Fulfilment & Core Services, delivered a keynote speech that was one of the highlights of GIDS 2024. His talk provided valuable insights into how IKEA is using technology to enhance the customer experience.
He discussed how IKEA is using drones for inventory management. This innovative approach has resulted in a more efficient and accurate system, reducing errors and improving customer service.
Aravindhan also touched upon our interactive room design initiatives. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing customer engagement and personalizing the shopping experience. By allowing customers to visualize how different IKEA products would look in their homes, we’re helping them make more informed decisions.
Finally, he spoke about our use of Augmented Reality (AR) for home planning. This technology is revolutionizing the way our customers shop for their homes. By providing a virtual representation of how our products would look in their spaces, we’re creating a more immersive and enjoyable shopping experience.
Fun and Games at the IKEA Booth
IKEA’s Ingka Digital team was proud to establish a booth at GIDS 2024. Our goal was to showcase the innovative work we’re doing in various domains within Ingka Digital. We’re not just about creating beautiful and functional furniture; we’re also about leveraging technology to improve everyday life for our customers.
Our booth was a hub of activity throughout the conference. Attendees, intrigued by our presence, flocked to our booth, eager to learn more about our initiatives. We fielded questions, shared insights, and discussed potential collaborations. The enthusiasm and curiosity of the attendees were truly inspiring.
At IKEA, we believe in creating a better everyday life, and that includes having a bit of fun! Our booth at GIDS was no exception. We hosted several games, including an assembly and disassembly challenge of IKEA furniture. This game was not only fun but also highlighted the simplicity and user-friendliness of our products.
The selfie booth was another crowd favorite. Attendees enjoyed capturing their memories of GIDS 2024 against a fun IKEA backdrop. It was a joy to see the attendees’ creativity come alive as they posed with our products.
Highlights from GIDS 2024: Inspiring Talks and Insightful Sessions
The Kubernetes Session: Security
“The Kubernetes Session: Security” was a wake-up call to take security seriously. The session highlighted the various attack vectors and discussed how to mitigate these attacks to make our Kubernetes cluster more secure. The session covered a range of topics including what and where your Kubernetes can be attacked, what to do if they get in, how to lock down containers, and how to monitor pods.
Resilient Cybersecurity Strategies: Exploring Zero Trust, Threat Intelligence, and Secure SDLC
The session on “Resilient Cybersecurity Strategies: Exploring Zero Trust, Threat Intelligence, and Secure SDLC” was a comprehensive overview of the current Cybersecurity landscape. It emphasized the importance of designing with security in mind and discussed how resilience is about being prepared for an inevitable breach. The session provided insights into various strategies such as Zero Trust, Threat Intelligence, and Secure SDLC that can help build resilience to address both today’s threats and the challenges of tomorrow.
Observing Applications in Production
The session on “Observing Applications in Production” was a deep dive into the challenges and solutions of managing microservices on cloud. The session emphasized the importance of having clear view of the status of applications in production, which can make a difference between smooth operation and chaos. Various tools and techniques were discussed that can help keep a close eye on applications in production and leverage their powers for a successful production environment.
Overall Experience
As a representative of IKEA at GIDS 2024, I found myself immersed in a sea of knowledge and innovation. The sessions were enlightening, providing insights into the latest trends and innovations in the tech industry. It was inspiring to see how technology is being leveraged across various industries, and it reaffirmed IKEA’s commitment to staying at the forefront of these advancements.
The event also provided a unique opportunity to interact with a diverse group of attendees, ranging from developers and tech enthusiasts to industry leaders. These interactions offered fresh perspectives and ideas, enriching my understanding and broadening my horizons. I believe these insights will be invaluable in our journey at Ingka Digital, as we continue to innovate and transform the home furnishing retail industry.
In conclusion, GIDS 2024 was more than just a summit. It was a celebration of technology, innovation, and engagement. As I reflect on my experience, I am filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the future of IKEA. The endless possibilities that lie ahead in the realm of digital innovation are truly inspiring. I am looking forward to bringing these learnings back to IKEA and contributing to our mission of creating a better everyday life for the many people.
