node/identity rev 1.0 online

Dennis van der Stelt

Software developer Solution Architect Conference speaker Trainer Microsoft Certified Trainer Open Source maintainer Software developer

Building distributed systems and crafting solutions that scale. Turning complexity into clarity, one system at a time.

The story of a software developer
01 / About
airmail · compilesoftware.nl
Dennis van der Stelt
Dennis

Consultant in distributed systems.
Two decades in the craft.

I've spent over twenty years writing software for banks, startups, ministries, energy companies and everything in between, long enough to know that the interesting problems are rarely about the code. They live in the seams between systems, teams and time zones.

These days I work mostly on and with NServiceBus, helping companies design distributed systems that actually hold up under load, and under change. I still take on audits, architecture reviews and the occasional deep-dive engagement under my own name, Compile Software.

Complexity is rarely essential; most of it is accidental. My job is to find the difference, and then remove it.

I teach, I write, I speak at conferences. I founded BloggingAbout.NET back when .NET blogs still felt like a movement. I hold an MCT certification from my Class-A years. I live in the Netherlands. I fly a lot of paper planes.

24
Years shipping
9
Companies
∞
Retries
02 / Experience · git log
git log --graph --oneline --decorate --all --author=dvdstelt 33 commits · 9 branches
  1. a3f91e2 HEAD → main teaching teams, shipping distributed systems 2025
    HEAD · main2025
    The current chapter. Running Compile Software, working with Particular on NServiceBus, and teaching engineering teams how to draw service boundaries that hold.
  2. 8ba7f1b IBM MQ transport for NServiceBus 2022
    branch · particular2022
    Built and maintained the IBM MQ transport so NServiceBus endpoints can talk to existing mainframe-adjacent infrastructure without re-platforming.
  3. 42ec980 Vertical Slice Workshop launched at NDC 2021
    branch · compile software2021
    Two-day hands-on workshop on vertical slice architecture, event-driven systems, and the Saga pattern. Built around implementing a working order-management system end to end.
  4. 1ff5921 origin/particular MessagingBridge v1 released 2021
    branch · particular2021
    MessagingBridge connects NServiceBus endpoints across transports (and across clouds) without forcing translation code into the endpoints themselves.
  5. 14fb0de wrapped up the community chapter 2020
    main · merge2020
    The community chapter ends. BloggingAbout.NET continues as a personal blog from here on, folded back into the main line.
  6. 74d0a12 community BloggingAbout.NET transitions to personal blog 2020
    branch · community2020
    After 17 years, community activity winds down. Members moved on. The site continues as my personal blog from this point on.
  7. f0dd4e2 compile software architecture audits and reviews 2020
    branch · compile software2016 – now
    Architecture audits and reviews at BlueCielo, DSW, Vecozo, NBraceIT and others. Longer-running coaching and advisory work for teams building on messaging and distributed systems.
  8. c4bef02 went independent 2014
    mainMay 2014
    Founded Compile Software as an independent consultancy. The compile software branch spins up here, collecting customer engagements and Dennis's own products. The particular sub-branch (NServiceBus work with Particular Software) forks off later. In parallel, worked at Move4U on mobility SaaS from May 2014 to December 2015.
  9. d34ff02 promoted to Manager of Development 2012
    branch · tellusDec 2012 – Jan 2014
    Added management responsibilities on top of the architect role. Grew the team while keeping one foot in the architecture work.
  10. d3aaef2 Advanced Distributed Systems Design (Udi Dahan) 2011
    certSan Francisco
    Advanced Distributed Systems Design, taught by Udi Dahan in San Francisco. The course that shaped how I think about service boundaries.
  11. ee3a901 tellus joined as Software Architect 2009
    branch · tellusNov 2009
    Joined Tellus as Software Architect with a focus on distributed systems and messaging architecture.
  12. 5aa6b01 moved on 2009
    mainOct 2009
    End of the Class-A chapter after four years of training, audits, and coaching. Start of the Tellus chapter as Software Architect.
  13. 3f80aa1 first-in-world Azure Storage course 2008
    branch · class-a2008
    Developed and delivered Class-A's Azure Storage course: the first Microsoft Azure course offered anywhere in the world.
  14. ad0e912 Microsoft Certified Trainer 2007
    certIssued by Microsoft
    Microsoft Certified Trainer, earned while at Class-A.
  15. 9c2a21e developed Windows Communication Foundation course 2005
    branch · class-a2005
    Owned the WCF course curriculum. Trained developer teams on building service-oriented systems with WCF.
  16. c19f8b2 class-a joined as Trainer 2005
    branch · class-aDec 2005 – Oct 2009
    Joined Class-A. Custom trainings, audits, and team coaching across the Dutch .NET scene. Coached developer teams on-site at customers.
  17. 7d2e198 moved on 2005
    mainDec 2005
    End of the CMG chapter after nearly five years across industry, transport, finance, public, and government. Start of the Class-A chapter as trainer and coach.
  18. 5e11d2a Shell production triage 2004
    branch · cmg2004
    Brought in as expert at Shell to investigate and resolve production issues.
  19. f02715e Fortis mainframe-to-BI pipeline 2003
    branch · cmg2003
    Transformed data coming from a mainframe at Fortis into a system for Business Intelligence reporting.
  20. ba3a19c community founded BloggingAbout.NET 2003
    branch · community2003
    A community website for .NET bloggers worldwide, founded when blogging about .NET was still in its early days and no alternative existed.
  21. c3bfc44 Rabobank international money-transfer webservices 2002
    branch · cmg2002
    Built webservices and worked with messaging solutions to modernize systems handling international money transfer at Rabobank.
  22. 5d0b771 won internal .NET beta competition 2001
    branch · cmg2001
    Won an internal .NET development competition with a code-sharing platform built on web services, brand new at the time.
  23. e80b145 EB-Online flexible employment benefits 2001
    branch · cmg2001
    First project at CMG, joined the team building a product for flexible employment benefits at EB-Online. Hands-on with VB and the early days of .NET, before the in-house beta competition came along.
  24. 91aa230 cmg joined as Software Developer 2001
    branch · cmgMar 2001
    Joined CMG as a developer. Started in VB, moved to .NET from the betas. Work spanned industry, transport, finance, public sector, and government.
  25. b15df3c moved on 2001
    mainMar 2001
    End of SysOpt. Start of CMG, where the .NET chapter begins (and, soon after, BloggingAbout.NET).
  26. 8e4a172 Euronext Amsterdam database migration 2001
    branch · sysopt2001
    Database migration project at Euronext Amsterdam.
  27. 3d8f9b2 led VB6 development team 2000
    branch · sysopt2000
    Led a team of three developers and helped set up a web development practice.
  28. a1e2f0c sysopt joined as Application Developer 2000
    branch · sysoptJan 2000 – Feb 2001
    Application Developer in VB6 at SysOpt.
  29. 2f8c5a1 moved on 2000
    mainJan 2000
    End of the first chapter. Start of SysOpt and the first team-lead role.
  30. 7c2d4a6 Performed Y2K audits at Foreign Affairs and Groningen 1999
    branch · brunel1999
    Investigated the Y2K (millennium) bug in a proprietary messaging infrastructure at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in software for the municipality of Groningen.
  31. 5b1e248 Built Visual Basic 6 apps for KPN call-centre 1998
    branch · brunel1998
    Telemarketer applications at a KPN call-centre in Rotterdam, used to handle inbound calls. Customers included Opel and Fleurop.
  32. 9e4a672 brunel joined as Software Developer 1998
    branch · brunelAug 1998 – Dec 1999
    First full-time developer role.
  33. 0001a7e initial commit 1998
    mainAug 1998
    Career begins. First full-time job at Brunel IT.
03 / Services
DVDSTELT(1) Compile Software Manual DVDSTELT(1)

NAME

dvdstelt — a developer & solution architect available for select engagements

SYNOPSIS

dvdstelt [--audit] [--architect] [--build] [--workshop] [--hotline] [--speak] <problem>

DESCRIPTION

A senior consultant with 24 years of field experience across banking, energy, telecom, government and startups. Specialises in distributed systems, messaging architectures, and NServiceBus. Engages by the day, by the project, or as a long-term embedded partner.

OPTIONS

--audit

Architecture Audits

Deep review of your (distributed) system. Clear report, concrete actions, no hand-waving.

--architect

Solution Architecture

Designing message-driven, service-oriented, event-driven systems that survive real-world load and change.

--build

Hands-on Consulting

Short or long-term engagements embedded with your team. Code reviews, pairing, shipping.

--workshop

Workshops & Training

Hands-on training on distributed systems, messaging, and vertical slices. Conferences or in-house.

--hotline

Hotline Support

Direct expert access for the moments that matter: production incidents, architectural Q&A, post-incident analysis.

--speak

Conference Talks

Talks on messaging, NServiceBus, architecture, and what actually works in the trenches.

TRAINING TOPICS

Distributed Systems Design Vertical Slice Architecture Event-Driven Architecture Messaging Patterns Bounded Contexts (DDD) CQRS & Event Sourcing The Saga Pattern Microservices & Modular Monoliths Eventual Consistency SOA Done Right Message Design NServiceBus deep-dives RabbitMQ Azure Service Bus Amazon SQS

AVAILABILITY

Currently booking Q3–Q4 2026. Remote, or on-site in EU. Email [email protected] or send a message.

04 / Testimonials

git blame: kind words from good people.

Worked together with Dennis at different customers on various projects. He is a great high-level thinker and very business focused. Always looks at software solutions in the great scheme of things and knows how to challenge (technical) decisions from a business/domain perspective. His understanding of (large) system design and decoupling is what wants me to work on more projects with him in the future.

Ramon Smits
Ramon Smits
NBraceIT

Understanding and working with the well designed software infrastructure Dennis created for us has been a great experience for me. His teaching skills and patience helped me a lot in the way. He is always willing to share his deep knowledge and he always welcomes you to speak up your ideas. It has been an honor and pleasure to work with him.

Tuba Kaya
Tuba Kaya
Blue Cielo
01 / 02
05 / Speaking & Workshops
Flagship workshop

Event Driven microservices in vertical slices

Two days, hands-on. Vertical Slice Architecture, Event-Driven systems, and the Saga pattern, applied to a working order-management system end to end. You leave with service boundaries that hold and patterns you can ship the next day.

2 days
Duration
4–16
Participants
Hands-on
Format
Vertical Slices Bounded Contexts Event-Driven SOA NServiceBus Sagas
View on GitHub → Book for your team
06 / Side Projects · ~/projects

Things I build on the side ls -la

A working portfolio of repos, experiments, and products in motion. Some are open source today; some will be soon.

open source

OmNomNom

A reference implementation of a distributed system built using vertical slices and bounded contexts. Companion to the workshop.

distributed-systems→
live

Scoracle

A live product. Source going public once it is in a viewable state. Building in the open, eventually.

product · .nl→
building

Dagtekst

A daily Bible text in Dutch for youth: a small piece every day, with references and links encouraging them to read more.

building→
open source

Hyperhawk

A side experiment in performance and protocol ergonomics. Part research, part scratch-your-own-itch.

experiment→
open source

NetIdent

Network identity indicator showing external IP, VPN status, Tailscale, DNS, routing, and all active connections.

.net · utility→
open source

Vertical Slice Workshop

Materials, exercises, and code for the Vertical Slice Workshop. Open source and used in paid engagements.

workshop→
07 / Community
★ Founded · 2003
BloggingAbout
.NET
Community · EST. 2003
A corner of the early .NET web

Where developers shared what they were really learning.

Founded BloggingAbout.NET when .NET blogs still felt like a movement. Developers from around the world wrote about their experiences (real ones, not the polished kind) and for a long stretch it was a small corner of the web that punched above its weight.

40+
Writers
17y
Years active
09 / Writing

Notes from the field

All posts →
2026.03.23 Introducing HyperHawk project 2026.02.27 Autonomous mode and a git push I almost missed agents 2026.02.26 Sticking with Claude Code ai 2026.02.26 From Claude-specific to agent-agnostic agents 2026.02.26 Adding OpenCode to the Docker toolbox tooling
10 / Contact

Let's talk
systems.

Looking for a consultant, a workshop host, a speaker, or a second opinion on your architecture? Drop a line, I read everything.

[email protected] ↗ github.com/dvdstelt ↗ linkedin.com/in/dvdstelt ↗ @dvdstelt ↗