[Manager Interview] What are the Infrastructure Unit and Beyond System Solutions Department?

Hello. This is Komatsu from the Public Relations Department. It's spring! 🌸 and it's getting warmer!

This time, we're featuring manager interviews!
Please see below for the previous interview with the HR manager.

[Manager Interview] Beyond's HR manager explains Beyond's new graduate recruitment process

This time, we interviewed Mr. Kashiwagi, the head of the System Solutions Department (hereinafter referred to as the SS Department)

Beyond's SS Department is where infrastructure engineers work. Kashiwagi-san was originally a systems development engineer. He was later put in charge of server infrastructure, and when the Canadian office was opened, he became the head of the SS Department

We will be digging deeper into the SS department overseen by Kashiwagi, so be sure to watch until the end!

Infrastructure engineers work in the service industry

Komatsu: Please tell us about the appeal and strengths of the SS Club

Kashiwagi: The basic premise is that infrastructure engineers are very much like in the service industry. Even though I'm an infrastructure engineer, I often communicate with customers (albeit chat-based), so I think it's simply an interesting job. I think being able to work with customers in mind is very appealing.

On the other hand, if you're someone who wants to be a full-fledged engineer, this might not be the right fit for you. In that case, I personally think that system development, such as programming, would be a better fit

The work we infrastructure engineers do as managed service providers (MSPs) probably involves more interaction with customers than system development, and it feels very much like the service industry. For example, an operator of some kind will respond when something happens and communicate with customers about solutions. That's how service industries and MSPs are closely related

Operation/construction/education

Komatsu: Please tell us about Beyond's infrastructure engineers

Kashiwagi: Basically, we are divided into three teams for daily operations: the operations team, the development team, and the education team .

The operations team is Beyond's main business, MSP (the most service-oriented), the construction team is like "the engineers" who build infrastructure, and the education team is the team that trains infrastructure engineers. Although the teams are separate, the work itself is not divided; everyone is involved in all work. Everyone operates and maintains the servers, and depending on the timing, they may be assigned to construction work

The reason for dividing the teams is to improve and manage the work. For example, each team is thinking about how they can improve their current work, such as whether there is a slightly different way to make the work easier. Each team has a sub-leader and leader, so I hope they will gain strength and grow into sub-leaders and leaders

It is often thought that construction is more difficult than operation, but I think the opposite is true. Construction work involves creating what you are told to do, and there is usually a predecessor. There are people who are already doing the same or similar things, so you can take advantage of that and skillfully modify and arrange it in your own way to move forward

In contrast, operations work requires improvisation when you don't know what's going to happen, and when something does happen, you have to be able to respond. Of course, there are times when you can respond according to the manual, but often times that doesn't apply. In those cases, you need the ability to improvise, as well as the person's innate technical and customer service skills, so I feel that it's quite difficult

There are deadlines for construction work, so there are times when it is difficult to meet those deadlines, but the operations team has an endless number of worries as long as the customer's server is running. At Beyond, operations is the star of the job!

Leader-centered team organization with unique characteristics

Komatsu: What is the atmosphere like in the SS department?

Kashiwagi: First of all, we're young! Recently, each team has been led by a leader, and I feel like we've become a good team. There are a lot of young people on the team, so sometimes I feel like I'm the only old guy (laughs). But because there are so many young people, there are many aspects that feel fresh, and some members say they want to do what they want to do. This is true not only for the SS Club, but for Beyond as a whole.

Because the SS department revolves around the leader, it has a good atmosphere and I feel that the members' opinions are easily conveyed to the leader . Even without my involvement, there are many areas that I can leave to the leader, as the department is self-sustaining and driven by the leader.

Komatsu: What are the colors of each SS team?

Kashiwagi: Each team has its own unique characteristics, such as a homely team that operates with a spirit of mutual help, a team that is a group of small warriors, a team where the leader is still working hard to pull the pulleys, and a team where everyone works hard and competes with each other.

The team that trains engineers is a little different from others, and has a bit of a school-like atmosphere. Each team differs depending on the atmosphere of the leader, but it's interesting because each team has its own strengths and characteristics

Honest and never gives up

Komatsu : What kind of people would you like to work with?

Kashiwagi: I think that an engineer needs the parameter of straightforwardness to be able to accept what others say,

Also, although rare, there are times when major problems occur and the atmosphere between customers and team members becomes tense. Sometimes problems occur where the cause is not immediately clear. At times like these, I think it's important to not give up until the end and to be able to deal with customers, so I would like to work with people who have the spirit to never give up. In conclusion, someone who is honest and doesn't give up !

An organization that grows naturally

Komatsu: Recently, many new graduates have joined the company. What are your impressions?

Kashiwagi: I simply feel that the number of people has increased. It's good to have more people, isn't it? I think it's a good cycle to have a certain number of new graduates joining every year.

Of course, sometimes an incredibly capable person suddenly joins the organization and reforms occur, but this doesn't happen often, and I personally feel that it's rather an unnatural system. If that's the case, I think it would be fresh and natural to watch if the organization is optimized through a cycle of new people joining. Of course, if major changes are needed, I don't think there's any problem with someone bringing in reforms

However, I personally feel that it is a natural progression for Beyond right now to have new, young people join the company, gradually grow, and improve their abilities

I believe it is my role to lay the foundation for the department to run smoothly when new graduates join. From there, I personally think it would be best for the leader to take the lead in building the department

Creating an atmosphere that encourages communication

Komatsu: Do things like Kashiwagi's hobbies and hairstyle have anything to do with team building?

Kashiwagi: That's true (laughs). I'm not good at communication to begin with... (laughs). I use some kind of tool as an opportunity to communicate.

Another thing is that I want to be known as " that guy is strange ." I work extremely hard, but I want to be known as a slightly strange person in everyday life. The reason is that "until now, when I concentrate too much on my work, people around me would say, 'It's scary because you end up with a frightening look on your face.'" I'm trying to come up with ways to make the atmosphere a little more relaxed and to reduce unnecessary stress on my superiors.

As a result, I've started changing my hair color, finding new hobbies to talk about with the other members, and creating a slightly eccentric character, all while creating an environment where it's easier to communicate with the other members. Once I started doing things like that, I feel like the atmosphere in the SS club has changed for the better, even if only a little

lastly

Thank you for reading to the end!

This was an interview with Kashiwagi-san, the head of the SS department, which oversees Beyond's main business, the server infrastructure business. In this interview, I was able to learn more about Beyond's infrastructure engineers, and also learn more about the manager who values ​​communication with his team members and oversees the SS department. (I never knew he was creating a character...lol)

I would be happy if even one person reads this blog and is inspired to work with us at Beyond, to create Beyond together as a colleague

In addition to this blog, there is a lot of content that will allow you to learn more about Beyond, such as blogs written by other members and YouTube. We hope you will take a look at the various content and gain a better understanding of Beyond. And if you think Beyond might be right for you, we look forward to meeting you in the future!

Beyond Co., Ltd. is currently recruiting new graduates to work with us in the 2025 graduate program

If you are interested, please visit our recruitment website

Beyond Co., Ltd. Recruitment Site - Making the world a little easier -