Q&A with Andreas Deakin

With PlanStudio starting to make a name for itself in Germany and our audience growing in Europe, we thought it was time to introduce our very own native German speaker, Andreas Deakin.

Andreas has been part of Locatrix for 8 years and during his time here he has seen the company grow from an Australian fire safety provider to supporting the fire safety industry globally with our industry specific software, PlanStudio & PlanSafe.

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A keen and avid traveller, Andreas is quite often hopping on the plane to far flung parts of the globe, all in the name of fire safety.

But what we all want to know is, what does he think of PlanStudio in Germany? Is it a good fit? Is it what the people of Germany are looking for?

Let’s find out why if you live, breathe and work fire safety in Germany you should talk to Andreas and partner with Locatrix.

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Q: What’s your background and what brought you to Fire Safety?

A: Apart from being native German of course. My background has been in IT for the last 25 years. Starting in infrastructure roles before moving into software for hazardous materials and then ultimately Fire Safety for the last 8 years.

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Q: Why partner with Locatrix, what are the benefits?

A: One answer is that our products are purpose built for the fire industry which has a unique benefit. The other is that we at Locatrix don't want to work with our clients in a “Supplier-client relationship. We want to work together as partners and achieve a joint outcome for the end-user.

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Q: Why is PlanStudio the best option to draft floor plans?

A: Because it is a drafting tool designed for non-drafters. Even though that sounds counter-intuitive this is the reason why it’s easy to create floorplans. The focus is on the automation and the workflow which makes it the best and most efficient tool for the industry.

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Q: What are the similarities between legislation in Australia and Germany?

A: Both legislations, in particular the standards around Evacuation Signs is very similar. Whether standardised icons, diagram templates or the way the egress path is being configured is pretty much the same. PlanStudio only needed a couple of tweakings or customisations to make it work in Europe as well.

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Q: If you’re in Australia, how can you support a German company to onboard successfully?

A: First of all, because PlanStudio is so easy to use there is not a lot of training required. All instructions and training videos are available in German as well. Secondly, we have a colleague in Germany now to help with specific training needs and questions during the on-boarding process. Despite the fact that we are far away, we still practice our famous “Locatrix handholding” during onboarding to give our partners the perfect and seamless start they deserve.

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Q: Where do you see Locatrix heading in the future in Europe?

A: The good thing for Locatrix and/or PlanStudio is that the same standards apply to most of Europe. I can clearly see a time where Locatrix products will be available in most European countries.

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We thought we would take this opportunity to get to know Andreas, not just as our Exec International Consulting, but as the person behind all the persuasive talk.

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Q: What makes you nostalgic?

A: Family: Gathering around the dinner table, and great summer holidays.

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Q: If you had a clone, what would you have your clone do?

A: Probably the same what I do now. I love what I am doing. Personally, and professionally.

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Q: What’s something you never leave home without?

A: Keys and wallet.

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Q: The best place you have ever visited in the world?

A: Outside from Cologne and Brisbane, that is a very difficult question.

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