Our IoT Heroes: Leena Sudhakar - Senior Software Architect

What were your main reasons and motivations to join us?

Before joining Azena, I’ve spent several years leading cross-functional teams in software development as a lead software engineer. Since I specialize in Android app development, it was a perfect match as Azena’s open camera OS is also built based on Android. Furthermore, you only get the chance once to help create such a groundbreaking product from scratch. So I didn't have to think twice and joined in.

What are the central values in your working environment?

At Azena in Pittsburgh, U.S., you'll find small, agile teams, working hard and passionate to provide the best possible support for app developers using Azena. Communication and operations are very straightforward, no rigid hierarchies or bureaucracy to keep you from taking your own initiative. Even though Azena is no longer a small startup, the atmosphere is very familiar and everyone is burning for our common vision.

“What excites me every day is how Azena combines the agility of a tech startup with the professionalism of a blue chip.”

What superhero power can you draw on when you need it?

As a software architect in a fast-paced business environment, I have learned to always focus on the essentials, avoid waste of time and resources, separate must-have from nice-to-have. This is especially crucial in agile software development. As a team leader, I use my agile working skills to help each individual on my team to stay focused, even when things get crazy. Having worked in various team roles, I can empathize very well with each individual in my team and know what they need to be successful and have fun.

What are the most interesting topics you will work on here and what will be the hardest tasks to solve?

My team and I strive to make it as simple as possible for software developers to turn their ideas into innovative camera apps that can be sold in our Application Store. Even though we consider Android as the preferred choice for IoT development, many developers need to be convinced first to join. To ease this, we're building huge libraries of components for a wide range of video analytics apps developers can easily pick and combine to get results faster.

“Azena offers app developers (and those looking to get into app development) an easy and quick way to expand their product portfolio”

What do you see as the main trends in IoT in a business context and from your perspective as Software Architect?

IoT is an extremely fast-moving environment where speed is key. Technology is evolving at lightspeed, as are user requirements. For developers building applications for IoT, this is both an opportunity and a challenge. The market for security IoT is growing and offers a lot of business potential developers can benefit from a lot if they manage to get the most out of their clients’ IoT devices. We help them create new apps for IoT cameras faster and more efficiently.

Leena, thank you very much for the chat!