Mews R&D Check-In

— A Mews R&D Check-In on the evolution of frontend observability, migrating complex data platforms, and building a culture of engineering proactivity.In this episode, our host sits down with Alex Ratman, Senior Software Engineer at Mews and a self-proclaimed observability enthusiast. Alex shares the story of how a performance gap on the customer side led his team to build the first true observability solution for frontend engineering at Mews—moving from being "blind" to having eyes on every interaction.The conversation goes deep into the "Why" behind the massive migration from New Relic to Coralogix. Alex explains the three-pronged decision: solving the cost problem, closing data gaps that large-scale platforms often miss, and finding a partner that offers the support needed to teach developers a whole new discipline.They also discuss the human side of tech: The Frontend Observability Kindergarten. Alex breaks down why he started a "kindergarten" to teach the basics, his tips for running a successful engineering guild, and how his team uses AI (and Coralogix' MCP server) to create POCs that give engineers hints on where to start an investigation.To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

— A Mews R&D Check-In on service design, organizational systems, and the art of intentional discovery at scale.In this episode, our host Jan Meissner sits down with Sofía Santos, Staff Service Designer in the Growth Tribe at Mews. Sofía shares her unique perspective on what it means to design for the entire customer journey—from the first interaction with a brand to the complex onboarding and support systems that keep a product running.The conversation explores how a service designer's way of thinking bleeds into everyday life, including Sofía's habit of prototyping her own kitchen to optimize human interaction with space. She unpacks the common misconceptions of the role, explaining why the real value of a service designer lies not in the "sticky notes" of a workshop, but in the deep discovery, visual mapping of pain points, and strategic alignment that happens behind the scenes.They dive into the challenges of designing for a massive ecosystem, the importance of "signals" in mapping a vision for 2026, and how to balance structured experimentation with a sense of playfulness. Sofía also shares how she leverages AI as a "critical thought partner" to stress-test ideas and build high-fidelity narratives for future-state journeys.--------------------------------------------------------------------------Music by Music Unlimited from PixabayTo learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on product thinking, platform complexity, and building a unified experience at scaleIn this episode, our host Jan Meissner sits down with Rui Oliveira, Senior Product Manager in Mews Platform Enablement Tribe. Rui shares his unconventional path into product—from studying electrical engineering and building betting automations at his university, to shaping product across industries like e-commerce, agriculture, manufacturing, and now hospitality at Mews.The conversation dives into what it really means to build products for both internal and external users, and why these groups require different ways of gathering feedback and understanding their needs. Rui also unpacks the surprising complexity of hotel operations, the long journey behind our long-awaited granular permissions project, and how improving user roles and access control ties directly into reducing phishing risks across the industry.They discuss the challenge of integrating acquired products into a seamless ecosystem, why consistent identity and permissions matter across the suite, and how all of this feeds into the vision for the M-Suite: one login, one identity, and one unified experience for every customer and team.Check Rui's recent blog post on granular permissions.To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on data, AI realities, and the rise of semantic intelligenceIn this episode, our host Jan Meissner sits down with Jiří Vinárek, our Staff Data Scientist, to demystify the world of data. What’s the real difference between data engineers, analysts, and scientists? How do these roles work together to transform raw information into powerful insights? And why does good data feel a bit like high-octane fuel for AI?Jiří shares his journey from studying math and physics at university to becoming one of the earliest data people at Mews—building dashboards, prediction models, and even a CO₂-monitoring pet project back when the whole company fit in one room. He breaks down what AI can do, what it really can’t, and why understanding models (and your data) matters far more than pressing “generate.”They dive into the hype versus reality of GenAI, why arguing with an LLM is pointless, and how emerging concepts like semantic layers and agentic AI will shape the next wave of hospitality tech. Along the way, Jiří reflects on teaching beginners through Czechitas, the surprising joy of relearning fundamentals, and why diverse backgrounds strengthen product teams.To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on security, trust, and protecting the ecosystemIn this episode, our host sits down with Roger Ribas, Senior Engineering Manager of Technical Security at Mews, to explore how building a proactive security program can protect both products and customers. Roger shares how his team approaches security beyond development, tackling live threats, phishing, AI risks, and operational resilience, while enabling product teams to innovate safely.They discuss the journey of turning security from a perceived “cost center” into a profit protector, why humans aren’t the only weak link in the AI era, and how embedding security seamlessly into the development lifecycle strengthens trust and reliability. Along the way, Roger reflects on his path from telecommunications engineering to cybersecurity leadership—and what it means to make security an enabler, not a blocker.A forward-looking conversation on how people, processes, and AI come together to safeguard products, customers, and growth.To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on knowledge, learning, and the evolving user experienceIn this episode, our host sits down with Stephan Delbos, Senior Director of Product Knowledge Activation at Mews, to explore how bringing documentation, education, and knowledge management together can transform the user experience. Stephan shares how his team is shaping an AI-first approach to content creation, from internal GPT-powered documentation to smarter onboarding through Mews University and in-product learning.They discuss the journey toward self-supporting users, designing content that both customers and AI can understand, and why measuring the business impact of words matters as much as the words themselves. Along the way, Stephan reflects on how his background in literature informs leadership in tech—and what it means to make learning part of the product, not an afterthought.A forward-looking conversation on how documentation, data, and creativity come together to drive growth and a more intuitive user journey.---Music by Music Unlimited from PixabayTo learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

In this episode, R&D Community Lead Jan Meissner sits down with Yael Barak and Joel Ndreu, two new leaders at Mews with very different journeys—one through fintech, the other through real estate and big tech.From early online payments and designing the World Trade Center to stints at Facebook and Zoom, they share what drew them to hospitality tech, why 1,500 people feels like the “right size,” and how to keep engineers focused on impact (not just perfect code).They also touch on the future of payments, scaling challenges, and yes—that Mews might have the best socks yet. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on building developer experience, tooling, and and improving how teams work togetherWelcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build.In this episode, our host chats with Richard Schäfer, Director of Developer Experience at Mews, about what it takes to create a seamless experience for engineers and how developer tooling can scale with a growing company. From his journey from engineer to DX leader to why small teams don’t always need dedicated DX, Richard shares candid insights on leadership, cross-team collaboration, and measuring the impact of work that often happens “behind the scenes.”They dive into Mews’ design system, how adoption affects the customer experience, and the ways DX balances listening to engineers with shaping scalable solutions. There’s also discussion on community building within engineering teams, the role of AI in speeding up development, and why experimentation and adaptability are key to a thriving tech organization.A reflection, hands-on guidance, and a touch of playful curiosity—showing that enhancing the developer experience can be just as creative and impactful as crafting the products themselves.---Music by Music Unlimited from PixabayTo learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on leading, learning, and staying paranoid (in a good way)Welcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build.In this episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, goes freestyle with Mews founder Richard Valtr in what might just be our first-ever “mini–maxi” podcast. From what a founder’s day really looks like to why staying connected to customers of all sizes matters, Richard shares candid thoughts on leadership, culture, and the fine balance between chasing Goliaths and avoiding becoming one.They explore how AI could reshape work (inside and outside hospitality), why experience still trumps pure automation, and the importance of questioning everything—even the founders. There’s also talk of sports fandom, optimism for the future, and why Richard prefers to keep some passions as hobbies rather than turning them into jobs.It’s part reflection, part future-gazing, and part playful banter—proof that big ideas can come from conversations without a set agenda.To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on team engagement, managing remotely & learning from experienceWelcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build.In this episode, Jan Meissner sits down with Vladimír Pinďura, Engineering Manager in Connectivity, to explore the challenges and rewards of leading a distributed team. Vladimír shares how he keeps his team engaged across distances, measures success beyond numbers, and fosters continuous learning through dedicated sessions. They discuss the impact of visiting customers in person — what it means for team motivation and connection to the product — and reflect on strategies Vladimír thought would work but ended up rethinking.To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on engineering growth, backend switch-ups & building multicurrencyWelcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build.In this episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, talks with Magdalena Piątek, Senior Software Engineer at Mews, about her inspiring transition from frontend to backend — and how that shift led her to lead the development of our multicurrency feature in the fintech domain.Magda shares how curiosity, a supportive team, pair coding sessions, and real-world learning (including online courses and hands-on development) helped her grow into her new role. She dives into the mindset shift between frontend and backend, how working closely with PMs, support teams, and even Stripe has expanded her business thinking.The conversation also touches on mentorship, developing soft skills, and the value of stepping outside the comfort zone — both within Mews and through her involvement with Czechitas.To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on what it takes to design for guests — inside a B2B productWelcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build.In this episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, talks with Adi Tamches, Senior Product Designer at Mews, who focuses on crafting the guest experience — from check-in to check-out and beyond.Adi dives into what it means to design for B2C users in a predominantly B2B product, and how real guest feedback and close collaboration with hospitality-savvy colleagues inform the work. She also touches on how even occasional team exposure to the product in real-world contexts can offer valuable perspective — helping the team stay aligned with the needs of both guests and operators.To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast about turning hospitality insights into product impactWelcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build.In this episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, chats with Sylvia Tang, Product Manager in the Connectivity team at Mews. Sylvia shares her journey—from studying at hotel school to starting in Mews customer support, all the way to her current role in product.With a deep passion for numbers and systems thinking, Sylvia found her way into product management not by working directly with the Mews system, but by working around it—closely collaborating with customers, integration partners, and third-party developers to shape how Mews connects with the wider hospitality ecosystem.To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast about one engineer’s journey through roles in backend and managementWelcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build.In this episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, sits down with Ondra Heřmánek, Staff Backend Engineer and true Mews veteran. Together, they explore Ondra’s fascinating career path — from hands-on backend engineering to leading teams as Head of Backend and Engineering Manager, and ultimately returning to his roots as a Staff Engineer.What drives someone to step away from management and back into code? What lessons does Ondra carry from each role? And how does it shape the way he works today?To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

In this episode, R&D Community Lead Jan Meissner sits down with our CEO, Matt Welle, for a behind-the-scenes look at how Mews evolved from whiteboard wireframes to a leading hospitality platform used by thousands.From launching a PMS with zero lines of code to learning what it really takes to set up a product team, Matt shares how deep hospitality pain and constant iteration shaped Mews' tech DNA.One moment that might surprise you: Matt didn't go for the obvious choice when asked which R&D team he’d join as an engineer. You’ll have to listen to find out.To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

— A Mews R&D podcast on mechanical keyboards and developer obsessionWelcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build.In this new episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, chats with Václav Kučera, our Staff Backend Engineer and passionate mechanical keyboard enthusiast. They dive deep into Václav’s love for custom keyboards, his role as a Czech mechanical keyboard meetup organizer, and why this niche hobby resonates so strongly with engineers. Get ready for clicky switches, keycap talk, and a whole lot of keyboard nerdery.To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

Welcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series!Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build.In this first episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, chats with Hugo Oliveira, our Director of R&D Enablement. They dive into Hugo’s journey, the role of enablement in tech organizations, and what it really takes to make engineering teams thrive.--------------------------------------------------------------------------To learn more about Mews R&D team, go to:  / mewsrnd    / mewsrnd  https://developers.mews.com/To learn more about Jan and Hugo, go to:  / jan-meissner    / hugo-oliveira-pmp-csm/--------------------------------------------------------------------------Music by Music Unlimited from PixabayTo learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

In this episode, Jan chats with our Director of Design Operations, Diego Nuñez.Diego is one of the latest additions to the team, but his experience and fresh eyes to what we do in Mews made him a perfect guest. You may notice we changed beer for water. It has its reasons, but who knows, maybe the next guest will have the same treatment.Apart from beer, we covered Diego's path from a marketing guy for the Renault F1 team to design system. How does he view the role of UX research, design system and other roles. And what does design and a trip from Alicante to Ibiza has in common?One quote that defines the discussion and Diego's world view is: "We're not artists, we're designers."To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

In this episode, Jan Meissner, our R&D Community Lead chats with our VPs of Engineering—Ryan Tomlinson, who leads the Platform team, and Conor Winders, who leads the Product team—about their journey to Mews and how they collaborate.Ryan and Conor have been with Mews for about two years. They both came from large corporations but have experience with small startups. They are avid runners and smart home fans, and they are both committed to delivering excellent products with exceptional teams. What are the dynamics of their collaboration, and is there anything they disagree on?To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram

In this episode, Jan talks to Víťa Samek, Director of Engineering, about his career at Mews.Vita started as a Backend engineer in 2015 and grew into the role of director of the Connectivity tribe, a team that oversees the public API, which is used by 1000+ partners to enhance Mews's functionality.To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our:websiteLinkedInInstagram