Thanks for stopping by. I’m Jeff Baumgarn, and this is where I share thoughts on software development, manufacturing technology, and the intersection of the two.

What I Do

I’m a Senior Programming Analyst at North American Lighting, where I’ve spent the last 9+ years building software solutions for automotive manufacturing. With over 20 years of experience in software development, my work focuses on creating custom business applications that solve real operational challenges—the kind of problems that don’t have off-the-shelf solutions.

I work primarily with .NET technologies, SQL Server, and Oracle systems, but lately I’ve been diving deep into Palantir Foundry for data engineering and analytics. Most of my day involves writing code, managing database integrations, coordinating with offshore contractors, and finding ways to make manufacturing processes more efficient through technology.

The Kind of Work I Enjoy

Over the years, I’ve built several custom applications that have made a measurable difference:

Virtual Kanban – A system that helps manage material flow and inventory without relying on expensive third-party contractors.

Material Handling Solutions – Applications that streamline how materials move through our facilities, reducing manual tracking and improving accuracy.

Skill Matrix Systems – Tools that help track workforce capabilities and training requirements, making it easier to match people with the right work.

What I love about this kind of development is that it’s not abstract. When you build software for manufacturing, you see the impact immediately. A process that took four hours now takes thirty minutes. A manual spreadsheet that caused errors becomes an automated system that just works. That direct connection between code and business results keeps things interesting.

Why This Blog?

I have a 40-minute commute to work each day. During those drives, I think about technology, development patterns, business problems, and better ways to approach the work I do. I’ve been capturing these thoughts as voice notes for a while now, and I figured it might be worth sharing some of them here.

This blog is a place to:

• Document interesting technical solutions and patterns I’ve learned
• Share insights about building software in manufacturing environments
• Explore ideas about how IT can drive business value
• Connect with other developers solving similar problems

I’m not claiming to have all the answers. I’m just someone who’s been doing this long enough to have learned a few things worth passing along.

What You’ll Find Here

I’ll be writing about topics like:

• Custom application development in .NET
• Working with enterprise data systems (SQL Server, Oracle, Palantir Foundry)
• Practical approaches to solving manufacturing technology challenges
• Lessons learned from years of building business applications
• How to position technical work to deliver business value

My goal is to keep things practical and grounded in real experience. No theoretical frameworks or buzzwords for the sake of it—just useful insights from someone in the trenches.

Let’s Connect

If you work in manufacturing technology, develop custom business applications, or just find this kind of work interesting, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out through the contact page or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Thanks for reading, and welcome aboard.

—Jeff