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Saša Vidaković

Osijek, Croatia

Saša Vidaković

Software Engineer & Technology Architect

More than 25 years of building and running software and infrastructure — from telecommunications software at Siemens to university IT systems and web platforms for clients in Croatia and abroad.

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Portrait of Saša Vidaković

Profile

Software engineer and technology architect with more than 25 years of professional experience in IT.

Started in telecommunications software development at Siemens in Osijek, then moved into university IT at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the Department of Physics in Osijek, working on systems, networks, identity management and web services.

Through minimal.media, active since 2005 and run alongside other roles, the work extends to web platforms, backend development, infrastructure, CRM integrations and automation for clients in Croatia and abroad. International experience includes work for Deal Studio in the United States in the business brokerage industry, and current work includes dealGate, a platform for that industry which is in development.

The work covers the full path from requirements to a system that is running, documented and maintained.

Areas of Expertise

Software Development

Telecommunications and business software, web applications, testing and documentation.

  • Java — J2EE, Swing, CORBA
  • CHILL (EWSD)
  • PHP
  • SQL — Oracle, MySQL
  • Unix and Linux shell scripting
  • Test specifications and test cases
  • User documentation

Systems Administration & IT Infrastructure

Servers, networks and institutional IT services, from installation to long-term operation.

  • Linux — CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu, Gentoo, SUSE, Red Hat
  • Solaris, Windows and macOS
  • Web and application servers — Apache, Nginx, PHP‑FPM, Tomcat
  • Databases — MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, Oracle
  • Network services — DNS, Postfix, Samba, SSH, FTP
  • Network security — firewalls, DMZ, VPN
  • IPv6; Cisco routing and switching
  • Backup and replication — Bacula, file servers
  • AWS administration
  • Office 365 and Google Apps administration

Solution Architecture & Integrations

Connecting systems, identities and data so that platforms work together.

  • Multi-tenant and white-label platform architecture (dealGate, in development)
  • CRM integration
  • Identity federation — AAI@EduHR with Office 365 and Google Apps
  • LDAP directories
  • n-tier Java systems
  • Database migration

Web Platforms & Backend Development

Websites and web applications for institutions and businesses, built and maintained over many years.

  • PHP and MySQL backends
  • Multilingual CMS environments with multiple sites and users
  • Magento backend development
  • J2EE web applications — JSP, Servlets, Struts, EJB, JBoss
  • HTML and CSS
  • Web server setup and hosting
  • Visual design for web and print — Adobe Creative Suite, CorelDRAW

AI-Assisted Software Engineering

Practical use of AI tools throughout development — from requirements and planning to implementation, review and testing.

  • AI-assisted development and implementation
  • Prompt engineering and structuring complex technical requirements
  • Software architecture and solution planning with AI support
  • AI-assisted debugging, troubleshooting and code analysis
  • Testing, reviewing and validating AI-assisted implementations
  • Workflow optimisation and business process improvement

Development & Technology Platforms

The tools and platforms behind current work, including the development of dealGate.

  • AI assistants — ChatGPT, Claude
  • Application development — Base44, used in developing dealGate
  • Backend and data — Supabase
  • Code and collaboration — GitHub
  • Deployment and hosting — Vercel

CRM & Business Automation

CRM systems and automation that support day‑to‑day operations, particularly in business brokerage.

  • CRM customisation and integration
  • Business process automation
  • Listing and pipeline synchronisation
  • NDA and document access workflows
  • Reporting
  • GoHighLevel (GHL) — CRM and marketing automation
  • Zapier — workflow automation and integrations between business applications

Technical Project Delivery

Taking technical work from requirements to a documented, maintained result.

  • Implementation of customer requirements
  • Testing and user documentation
  • Project lead — faculty data backup system
  • Client communication and technical delivery
  • Long-term maintenance and user support

Professional Experience

Most recent first. From 2005 onwards several roles have run in parallel: minimal.media continues alongside employment and other engagements.

  1. dealGate

    In development

    Platform development

    Engineering work on a business brokerage platform that connects buyer, seller and broker workflows. Details are under Selected Projects.

    dealgate-web.vercel.app (opens in a new tab)

  2. Deal Studio

    Web platforms, integrations and CRM systems · United States

    International work for the business brokerage industry.

    • Development and maintenance of web platforms
    • Integrations and automation, including CRM systems
    • Infrastructure and technical solutions supporting these platforms

    deal-studio.com (opens in a new tab)

  3. LAB Digital Agency

    2015

    Magento backend development · AWS administration

    • Backend development on the Magento platform
    • Administration of AWS infrastructure

    lab.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

  4. minimal.media

    From 2005

    Founder · Osijek

    In parallel with other roles

    Web and backend development, systems and infrastructure, CRM integrations, automation, design and technical delivery for clients in Croatia and abroad.

    • Websites and web applications for university units, public institutions and businesses, including websites for EU co-funded projects
    • Server and network environments for client organisations
    • CRM integrations and business process automation
    • Visual identity and design for web and print
    • Technical client delivery — from requirements to launch and maintenance

    minimal.com.hr (opens in a new tab)

  5. Department of Physics, University of Osijek

    From 2005

    CARNet System Administrator · Osijek

    • Server, workstation and network administration for the department
    • Identity and user management: AAI@EduHR accounts, LDAP directory and e-mail for students and staff
    • Office 365 and Google Apps administration connected to AAI@EduHR
    • Department security policy and network gateway (greenGate)
    • User support for staff and students; Microsoft coordinator for the department
    • Administration of MOZVAG (curriculum planning)
    • Web development: the department’s multilingual website with multiple sites and users, a map of radon measurements in Croatia and a projects database for the University of Osijek
    • Design of the department logo

    fizika.unios.hr (opens in a new tab)

  6. Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Osijek

    2003–2005

    Systems, networks and software projects · Osijek

    • Participation in the design, implementation, configuration and launch of Studomat, a J2EE web system for students
    • Project lead for the faculty’s data backup system (Solaris, Bacula)
    • Administration of the faculty’s IPv6 connection to Zagreb within a CARNet IPv6 project on security and privacy; project website
    • Linux firewall and DMZ configuration; web interface for remote router administration over HTTPS and SSHv2
    • Administration of the faculty website
    • Laboratory exercises in fundamentals of computer applications (C++) and operating systems

    ferit.unios.hr (opens in a new tab)

  7. Siemens d.d.

    2000–2003

    Software Developer, Mobile Product Solutions (MPS) team · Osijek

    • Development of EWSD applications for mobile networks in CHILL
    • VoMSXpress — n-tier Java system for ordering, control and administration of prepaid vouchers; Java Swing user interfaces with CORBA
    • Implementation of specific customer requirements and testing of running software
    • Test specifications, test cases and user documentation
    • Database migration for a GSM operator in Indonesia — Unix shell and Oracle SQL scripts

    siemens.com (opens in a new tab)

Selected Projects

A platform in development and a small selection of earlier work.

dealGate

In development

A platform for business brokerage operations

dealGate brings buyer, seller and broker workflows together in one platform for business brokerage firms.

Development areas

Multi-tenant architecture
Separate data and settings for each brokerage firm.
White-label interfaces
Firm-specific branding, colours and domains.
Listing synchronisation
Keeping listings consistent between the platform and connected systems.
CRM integration
Connecting brokerage CRM pipelines with platform data.
NDA workflows
A confidentiality agreement as a step before access to deal information.
Access management
Layered, role-based access for buyers, sellers and brokers.
Reporting
Activity and progress reports for sellers and brokers.

dealGate is under active development. The areas above describe the scope of ongoing work and are not presented as a finished commercial product.

Project site (opens in a new tab)

Earlier work

VoMSXpress

Siemens d.d. · Prepaid voucher management

2000–2003

Software development on an n-tier Java system for ordering, controlling and administering prepaid vouchers in mobile telecommunications, including Java Swing user interfaces with CORBA.

  • Java
  • Swing
  • CORBA

Studomat

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Osijek · Student web services

2003–2005

Participation in the design, implementation, configuration and launch of a J2EE web system for students: exam registration and withdrawal, enrolment in the next year of study and requests for official certificates.

  • J2EE 1.3
  • JSP
  • Servlets
  • Struts
  • EJB
  • JBoss

greenGate

Network infrastructure · Linux gateway

Design, implementation and maintenance of a custom Linux router and network security gateway. Configurations included WAN, LAN, Wi‑Fi and DMZ interfaces and VPN connections; deployed at the Department of Physics and the Faculty of Medicine in Osijek, and for a private client.

  • Linux
  • Routing
  • Firewall
  • VPN

Education

1992–1997

Electrical Engineering

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Osijek

Qualification: ing. elektrotehnike (Electrical Engineer)

2007

Cisco networking training (CCNA programme)

CARNet, Zagreb · Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Osijek

Networking fundamentals (PAN, LAN, WAN, MAN); configuration and administration of Cisco routers and switches.

Additional training

  • CHILL programming

    Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, Zagreb

  • Advanced Unix

    Coting d.o.o., Zagreb

  • Object-oriented technology and concepts

    Coting d.o.o., Zagreb

Languages

  • Croatian — native
  • English
  • Hungarian — basic communication
  • German — basic communication

Contact

Email is the best way to get in touch.

Email: sasa.vidakovic@gmail.com

Phone
+385 98 473 557
Website
minimal.com.hr (opens in a new tab)
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/sasavidakovic (opens in a new tab)
Location
Osijek, Croatia