In a no-obligation conversation, we'll figure out together how we can best support you. Concrete next steps, no sales pitch.
Mertkan Henden
Freelancer and senior consultant for Microsoft Azure and software development
In my enterprise projects I saw how much energy gets lost between PowerPoint strategy and shipping code. I founded Henden Consulting to bring both back together: architectural depth and hands-on delivery. Instead of 60-page concepts, you get Terraform modules running in production on Monday.
— Mertkan Henden
Experience from corporate and mid-market projects
5+
Years of cloud and software work
Senior experience from corporate and mid-market projects. No junior consultants sent to learn on your dime.
9
Active certifications
Microsoft Azure focus (Expert, Administrator, Developer), plus AWS, iSAQB software architecture and TOGAF.
23+
Articles published
Practical knowledge in the open: Azure governance, Terraform refactoring, cloud architecture.
3x
LinkedIn posts per week
Active knowledge sharing on Azure, IaC and architecture. You see how I think before the intro call.
Heilbronn is not Germany's AI hub by accident. Global corporate headquarters, one of Europe's most modern education campuses and a vibrant mid-market all converge here. This is where I'm at home.
Heilbronn, in the heart of the Heilbronn-Franken economic region, about 50 minutes from Stuttgart.
Heilbronn AI hub
With the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI), Heilbronn is becoming a nationally recognised AI hub with cross-regional impact.
World-class education campus
TUM, DHBW, Heilbronn University and 42 Heilbronn on a single campus, with over 9,000 students and a growing tech ecosystem on our doorstep.
Strong corporates, strong mid-market
Global headquarters and a vibrant mid-market shape the region. Few consulting megaphones, many hidden champions, short decision paths.
Locally available
Heilbronn, Stuttgart, Mannheim and Karlsruhe are reachable in under 90 minutes. I combine targeted on-site days with focused remote work.
My commitment to the region
From my point of view, the most exciting cloud and software projects often happen with the hidden champions in Heilbronn-Franken. My goal is to make real senior cloud and software expertise locally available to this region, without unnecessary travel costs and without constantly changing contacts.
At the core, I am Henden Consulting. When a project needs more hands or different specialisation, I bring in Deniz and Ruben, two freelancers from my network with whom we form a tight team. You still get one invoice and one point of contact.
Mertkan Henden
Microsoft Azure and software development
Cloud architecture and code from a single source.
Senior consultant with Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Administrator and Developer Associate. I take architecture, governance and implementation in one mandate, rather than splitting them across three consultant groups.
Focus
Deniz Özcan
Marketing and AI automation
Marketing and conversion with real IT depth.
Founder of ADBEAM. Brings Google Ads, SEO, landing pages, AI content and custom software together. My call when a project needs a marketing or conversion lever.
Focus
Ruben Troina
Workflow automation and AI integration
Digitises processes and integrates AI into the existing landscape.
Founder of Run-Automations. Over nine years of automation experience, more than 1,100 integrated tools. Augments our cloud architectures with intelligent workflow and AI layers.
Focus
How we work together
You hire me, I own delivery. When a project benefits from marketing, automation or other specialist expertise, I proactively suggest Deniz, Ruben or another freelancer from my network. You keep one point of contact and one invoice; I coordinate internally.
I'm deliberately small and personal. That is exactly the advantage for my clients.
You don't get someone who only draws architecture. I sketch the concept, write the Terraform module and merge the pull request myself.
I know audit requirements from regulated enterprise environments, and I work as pragmatically as the mid-market needs. No over-architecting.
When a project needs additional skills like AI automation, marketing or frontend, I bring in curated freelancers I know personally.
Day rates, scope and risks are on the table before the first kickoff. No change-request trap, no hidden subcontractors.
Values are what remains when nobody is watching. These four shape how I work with code, clients and partners.
Best practice is good. Best practice that fits team maturity and works on Monday is better. I deliver solutions your team can keep evolving long after I leave.
Deadlines, commitments, code quality. I'd rather say 'no' or 'later' than overpromise, and I deliver what I promised.
I say it when a project should be scoped differently, when a technology choice is awkward, or when I can recommend someone better suited. Long-term relationships beat short-term revenue.
To the region, to my partners, to the tech community. I publish open content regularly and share what I know, because the Heilbronn-Franken economy thrives on it.
I post three times a week on Azure architecture, Terraform patterns, governance topics and lessons learned from active projects. If you want to know how I think technically, my LinkedIn content is the most honest preview before the intro call.
Posting cadence
3x per week, for over two years
Topics
Follow on LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/mertkan-henden
Over 23 articles are linked as deep dives in the blog, if you prefer the long form.
To the tech blog