René Thorny
Specialist and Leader Driving Innovation, Efficiency, and Customer Satisfaction through Technology and Collaboration
Professional Status
Employed
Open to opportunities
About Me
CONTACT INFORMATION
René Thorny | skovdiget 56 | 2880 Bagsværd | 40 8008 05 | rene@xolsen.com
Business and technology leader operating at the intersection of enterprise governance, intelligent automation, and application management in regulated environments.
My background combines application development, application management, enterprise architecture, and cross-border leadership. I specialize in aligning business priorities, data and process optimization, and platform evolution into scalable, compliant, and resilient solutions.
I have led multidisciplinary teams, modernized legacy landscapes into cloud-based and API-driven architectures, strengthened data governance and compliance frameworks, and enabled automation capabilities through structured roadmap development and vendor collaboration.
My approach integrates strategic clarity, operational discipline, and servant leadership to create sustainable performance in complex organizational settings.
René Thorny | skovdiget 56 | 2880 Bagsværd | 40 8008 05 | rene@xolsen.com
Business and technology leader operating at the intersection of enterprise governance, intelligent automation, and application management in regulated environments.
My background combines application development, application management, enterprise architecture, and cross-border leadership. I specialize in aligning business priorities, data and process optimization, and platform evolution into scalable, compliant, and resilient solutions.
I have led multidisciplinary teams, modernized legacy landscapes into cloud-based and API-driven architectures, strengthened data governance and compliance frameworks, and enabled automation capabilities through structured roadmap development and vendor collaboration.
My approach integrates strategic clarity, operational discipline, and servant leadership to create sustainable performance in complex organizational settings.
Team Lead and Product Manager
Kraks Forlag A/S
August 1997
to January 2007
Full-time
Copenhagen
Denmark
- As a central figure in Krak's leadership team and principal architect of its groundbreaking online mapping solutions, I played a crucial role in the creation and progression of Krak Solution, which became a key strategic and financial asset.
► Strategic Business Unit Leadership
► Innovative Product and Integration Development
► Government Contract Acquisition for VIRK.dk
► Key Account and Partnership Management
Under my leadership, Krak Solution soared to a significant market achievement with revenues surpassing 35 million DKK, providing state-of-the-art mapping solutions to Denmark's elite real estate agencies. I led the development of pioneering products, integrating Krak with Microsoft Office and foundational CRM and ERP systems, and in collaboration with IBM, secured the tender for the development and hosting of VIRK.dk.
This strategic expansion not only exponentially increased revenue but also fortified Krak's market presence, enhancing its reputation as a digital innovator and a trusted public sector partner.
Skills:
Strategic Business Development | Revenue Generation | Product Innovation and Technology Integration | High-Value Tender Wins and Project Management | Collaborative Ventures with Industry Giants like IBM | Leadership in Key Account and Partnership Management
Detailed Description
- As Product Manager, I spearheaded the development of several innovative products, including Krak’s Web Maps and Web Service platform. In 2003, I negotiated a proof-of-concept (POC) agreement with Microsoft on behalf of Krak, which later evolved into a full-fledged product. This solution enabled the integration of Krak’s maps and data directly into Microsoft Outlook, making Krak one of the first companies to leverage the newly established web service in Microsoft Office. Krak was subsequently featured on stage with Microsoft in both the U.S. and Denmark (at the Bella Center during the Office 2003 launch).
- Following this success, I collaborated closely with a highly skilled development team, who built upon the results of our POC to create Krak’s Web Maps products. These products became the foundation for Krak’s Solutions and grew into a successful, standalone product line. At the height of our success, nearly all real estate agents used our services for map and route calculation, form filling, and branch locator functions. Many also utilized Krak’s Driving Log, which became a popular tool for tracking mileage and transportation data.
- The development utilized a range of Microsoft-based technologies and frameworks, including ArcGIS for spatial analysis and mapping, ASP.NET for web application development, and SOAP-based web services for integration with Microsoft Office applications. Additionally, SQL Server was used for database management to ensure robust data handling across platforms.
- However, when Google Maps launched in 2006 with free access to mapping services, it became increasingly challenging to sell our products, which now faced competition from Google’s free offerings. The competition intensified, and as Google established a professional reseller platform with a strong administrative infrastructure, the market became difficult for Krak. The business eventually ceased operations a few years later, as Google solidified its position as the market leader.
- Throughout this process, I utilized user-driven innovation techniques, conducting extensive analyses and usability testing related to map solutions—including static image solutions, embedded links, and iframes. Numerous mock-ups and user tests were created to optimize user experience and validate product concepts.
