A Bit of history

The people behind OakSoft are our co-founders Henk Eikelboom and his partner Geert van Erven. They started the software company in 2009 after both of them have been at the head of a software company specializing in judicial software for over 10 years. With over 160 law and notary firms both gentlemen became very important players on the Dutch market, until, in 2006, both of them decided to resign as directors and leave the organization.

They both knew that leaving the organization did not mean that their partnership ended. Henk Eikelboom immediately started working on a completely new toolkit together with a colleague, which would make sure that the new applications database would be independent. This also ensured high quality and productivity. Besides this, both Henk and Geert were confident, as what they have achieved in their careers was very unique. Apart from this, OakSoft runs its company on the basis of trust; the so-called ‘click’ that exists and in which both directors are standing with their boots in the dirt themselves. Most software companies are run by entrepreneurs without any background in automation. They are often account managers, as they were skilled in selling products and eventually grow into a top function. A programmer is simply a nerd, should not be taken too seriously and has no idea how things work in the real world outside the little room where he does his programming.

How are we different?
Automation is a skill on its own. In order to run a software company you really need to know the ins and outs of automation; where are the problems? Where the possibilities? “I used to hire new programmers on a regular basis who liked to tell me in elaborate ways how much work an adjustment was or what was and wasn’t possible. Which meant they were in trouble, as Henk and myself knew exactly what programming was.’ Says director Geert van Erven.