Among the areas of expertise he developed during this phase are the following:

• in developing software packages for certain companies,
• in developing testing equipment for a new home computer for Data Applications International (DAI), Brussels,
• in developing programs for testing CAMAC modules and for the realisation of a demo-unit for KineticSystems Corp. in Lockport (USA) where he also was responsible for the design of a network architecture and protocols to be used for real-time process control.
• as an expert for the Court of Commerce in order to clarify technical aspects in litigious cases.

He started his professional career as a project manager responsible for the Tradelink system of Bank Brussel Lambert.

In January 1987, on behalf of a large Belgian bank and a business information publisher, he was appointed General Manager of a new start-up company "INFOTRADE" which he managed for 4 years. He brought with his team a level of professionalism, dynamism and knowledge to the Belgian online scene.

In 1990 he wrote : "As a firm believer in the importance of information in our world, I want to continue to play a significant role in the business information field. My current position has allowed me to have a good understanding of the market of information both in Belgium and abroad. With this knowledge, a general strategy was developed and successfully implemented in order to bring Infotrade to the number 1 position with regard to business information in Belgium. The implementation of that strategy however, has been limited to Belgium only. A pan-European approach seems absolutely essential to me in order to be successful in the 1990’s. It is my ambition to be instrumental in the creation and elaboration of a pan-European, multi media business information company."

He achieved this ambition when he was approached in January 1991 to start up a new joint-venture : HOPPENSTEDT-BONNIER INFORMATION, created by Hoppenstedt Verlag of Germany and Bonnier Information Services of Sweden both leading information publishers. From his new base in Darmstadt, Germany, he was in the process of building up Europe-wide coverage of business information.

He had scarcely had a chance to build on his early progress, when he met an untimely death in Mannheim, Germany, on October 23rd, 1992, at the age of only 31.

The many who were fortunate enough to work with Jos keep the memory of someone who was above all a man of integrity, loyalty and intellectual honesty. If something wasn’t right, it didn’t get done; if it was, it did, regardless of the obstacles. With his experience, knowledge, great work capacity and personal engagement Jos injected a spirit of vitality into the company he worked for.

His friends, employers, colleagues and business partners are grateful for having known him; in recognition of his achievements, they created the "JOS SCHEPENS MEMORIAL FUND".