Nathan Vant
Solution Consultant
What does your role at LAKE involve?
I'm an application consultant. I primarily work with SAP Business One. Essentially my role comes into play when the sales team have finalised a sale of SAP and the kind of software that's included, I will then pick up the project to help them to implement SAP. So I will help with whatever they need from the systems, for example, what customisations they might need. Once that is done, I will do the build phase with them, do any kind of end user training and then it will be time to go live. At that point, I will pass the project onto support.
How long have you been with LAKE and what did you do before you joined?
I have been with LAKE since 2018. Before I joined, I worked for six years on the support desk for another company supporting SAP Business One.
What do you enjoy most about the work you do?
The fact that I get to work with so many different businesses, how they operate, and getting to know the people from those businesses. One month I could be working with a leading eSports business, the next could be an animal feed company and then the month after, a manufacturer of orthotics. This variety makes me feel like I'm learning something new every day.
If you had to pick out three achievements or pieces of work that you're particularly proud of from your time at LAKE, what would they be?
Top of the list would be completion of my first SAP Business One implementation project for a leading international eSports business. This was the first project that I took the reins on from start to finish. After that one, it's hard to differentiate, as I value all the customers equally and I'm proud of all the projects I've helped deliver. The most recent ones that come to mind would be SAP Business One projects that we delivered for a Scottish distillery and a manufacturing business. I enjoyed both these from start to finish and we had really pleasing feedback from both customers.
What does your background, experience and knowledge mean for customers?
I think it helps them quite a lot personally. I've been working with SAP Business One technology for 10 years now, so the depth of knowledge that I have built up is reassuring to customers. They know that I know what I'm doing as I know the system inside out. So even if it's a very specific and unique request, we can very often configure the software in some way to fulfil that requirement. Without the years of experience under my belt, I don't think I'd be able to say that.
What excites you most when you think about LAKE's future plans and the future of business systems in general?
I think what excites me most is the fact that the market is moving more towards the cloud and LAKE is ahead of its competitors in this area, so I feel sure this will open lots of opportunities for more exciting projects in the future.
What do you do when you're not working?
Two things mainly. I love gaming, especially FIFA and Football Manager. I also love watching Football.
What is one item on your bucket list?
I want to do diving with great white sharks in South Africa.
What would your specialist Mastermind subject be?
Football would be my category, specifically Chelsea FC.
