Welcome to the sixth of our People Behind Pro-Sapien series! In these Q&A articles, we’re speaking to members of the team to learn more about life at Pro-Sapien.
This time we caught up with Dieter Visser who drives Pro-Sapien’s product development. Originally from South Africa, he brings over 20 years of experience and has facilitated significant technological improvements such as the ability to support multiple languages.
When he’s not working with code, you’ll find Dieter outdoors, either riding one of the highest motorable roads in the world (Khardung La Pass) or competing in local Scottish Enduros. We caught up with him on all things EHS software, his takes on the industry, and valuable pieces of advice from his career.
Mountain biking, surfing, rock climbing – do you find your work as dynamic as your hobbies, or do you have a daily routine?
My hobbies might seem dynamic, but they’re all part of a carefully structured training plan I created with my coach Richard Lord from Triathlonworkx, specifically for my mountain biking. I follow a detailed year-long schedule, with my targeted races mapped out in advance. Every ride, gym session, even surfing, and the occasional rock climbing session, is accounted for.
I bring the same level of focus and planning to my work. However, just like in competitive sports, I’ve learned the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and resilience when faced with challenges.
My day starts at 7 a.m. when I clear my inbox and schedule follow-ups. From there, we focus on user stories and execute well-planned sprints, all aligned with our longer-term roadmap. Yet, I approach each day with the understanding that things can change—whether it’s new technology emerging or existing software becoming outdated. Every day is a “go” for me, and that mindset keeps me prepared for whatever comes next.
How has the EHS software industry evolved since you started your career?
The EHS software industry has transformed significantly since I began my career, largely driven by growing regulatory demands.
Cloud-based platforms now dominate the market, offering real-time data access, scalability, and seamless integration. Mobile solutions have also seen major advancements, enabling frontline workers to efficiently report incidents, conduct inspections, and perform audits on the go.
Additionally, there’s been a rising demand for customizable solutions that cater to the specific needs of industries like manufacturing, energy, and construction.
You have a full day off – no calls, no anything – how would you spend it?
If I had a full day off with no calls or commitments, I’d head straight to the mountains for a day of biking – with friends or solo.
When you grew up, did you always think about a career in software development, or did you dream about a completely different job?
When I was growing up, my career aspirations were far from software development. I imagined myself as a pilot, a pirate, or even a soldier.
If you could have dinner with any tech leader, who would it be and why?
Scott Hanselman. I find him incredibly inspirational, not only because of his deep knowledge of technology but also because of his positive attitude and outlook on life. One of his quotes that resonates with me is, ‘The less you do, the more of it you can do.’
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received in your career?
My dad used to say, ‘A lazy man will always carry himself to death.’ I think what he meant was that a lazy person will procrastinate and then try to complete a huge task all at once, which often leads to disaster.
Another way to interpret it is that over time, a lack of initiative or motivation can be self-destructive. To avoid that, I believe it’s important to constantly challenge yourself—whether it’s trying something new, daring, or even just stepping out of your comfort zone. It doesn’t always have to be something big like bungee jumping, but small, consistent steps can make all the difference.
If you could add one feature to Pro-Sapien’s software without any limitations, what would it be?
If I could add one feature, it’d be an exciting element we’re actually already working on. I can’t say much yet, but we’ll share more information about it soon.
How do you see the future of EHS software development with AI becoming smarter and smarter?
I see AI as just another tool – however, a powerful one: AI can significantly enhance workers’ ability to report incidents more efficiently, provide more accurate and actionable observations, and even predict risks using data analytics and machine learning.
It can really enhance the future of EHS software development. By automating routine tasks and minimizing human error, AI allows EHS professionals to focus on proactive safety measures, which aligns perfectly with our goal of creating a safer workplace.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be and why?
If I could have any superpower to help me in my job, it would be the ability to learn faster and retain information more effectively. With more knowledge at my fingertips, I could tackle challenges and achieve my goals much more efficiently.
Find out more about how we work and the life at Pro-Sapien. And if it sounds like the kind of place you’d love to work, have a look at our careers page! See you at the next post in our People Behind Pro-Sapien series.
