20 years experience mostly in financial and logistics systems. Good knowledge of IBM ISeries (AS400, AS/400), Linux and Microsoft Windows platforms. Strong in every aspect of Internet technologies. Owner of several active Web sites based on Linux/Java platform.

Effective communicator at all levels. Helps clients define information system requirements, select/develop software and implement systems. Engagements typically involve substantial business analysis on a formal project basis. Highly focused on simplicity and value-for-money in IT. Excellent at system rescue - for performance problems particularly.

British citizen. Resident in the Isle of Man, United Kingdom for 15 years. Prior to that, lived in Republic of South Africa for 25 years. Other relevant work experience in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Canada. Initial employment with Andersen Consulting in Johannesburg - subsequent ongoing experience with many other system consulting organisations.

Roles:

• Systems development manager
• Project manager / team leader
• Technical architect
• Systems accountant

Qualifications:

• Business degree
• Qualified accountant
• British Computer Society member

Business expertise:

• Banking - 6 years
• Insurance - 7 years
• Logistics - 7 years

Countries worked in:

• UK
• South Africa
• Hong Kong
• Indonesia
• Canada
• Isle of Man

Platform expertise:

• IBM ISeries - 18 years
• Microsoft Windows - 8 years
• Linux - 6 years

Development Skills:

• RPG and CL - 16 years
• Java - 7 years
• C++ - 3 years
• Advantage 2E (Cool:2E, Synon/2) - 12 years
• Eclipse, Tomcat and Struts - 4 years

• Owner of several valuable domain names. Ongoing tracking of 'domain monetisation' options.
• Implemented inbound/outbound SMS service on both Windows and Linux using GSM modem and 3rd-party Java package.
• Developed data transfer solution from mobile phone (Symbian OS) to Windows host using Java midlets.
• Technical lead at international life assurance company for two projects on ISeries: 1) rebranding of main trading company to fit in with new international group identity, 2) ground-up rework of accounting and actuarial systems to meet new stricter financial reporting standards and deadlines.
• Implementation of new ISeries direct on the Internet. Full range of IP services (HTTP, FTP, SMTP, IMAP). Development of Java-based (J2EE) applications for 6 businesses. Configuration of IBM HTTP Server and Websphere to support these Java applications using JDBC, servlets, EJBs, SSL, real-time credit card processing.
• Migration of entire ISeries configuration above to RedHat Linux running on Dell server - using Apache HTTP server, Tomcat servlet engine, Jakarta Struts and PostgreSQL database.
• Developed Internet-based web site monitoring system. TCP/IP sockets programming to support HTTP/HTTPS protocols.
• Y2K project technical lead. Development of 'time travel' utilities to identify and age dates in large ISeries application databases to verify functionality over the Year 2000 boundary.
• Senior consultant for new Internet-based global shipment tracking system for use by customers and staff of international freight-forwarder. Design and implementation of real-time solution based on Visual Basic and Web Server front-ends, local communication via TCP/IP sockets and ISeries server-series data repository. CGI programming in C++. Full project management responsibility. See my Sockets Overview for ISeries IT managers
• Consultant for new supplier-focused EDI system at large consumer goods retailer. EDI software evaluation, selection and implementation. Support to business users and liaison with suppliers. Managed implementation projects with various suppliers.
• Development and marketing of specialised JavaBean (certified 100% pure Java) for use in financial sector.
• Senior analyst at international life assurance company. Support and clean-up of older systems. Development of new internal administrative systems (diary/post management) on ISeries using Advantage 2E (Cool:2E, Synon/2).
• Senior technical analyst at large retailer (800 store, each 40,000 stock items). Advice to 15-person project team implementing and customising package solutions for logistics systems on new ISeries machines. Principal responsibility: security, integrity, recoverability and performance of ISeries modules and links to in-store systems.
• Development of linkable C++ object libraries providing low-level emulation of ISeries RPG functions. Parallel development of linkage to proprietary server on AS/400 via APPC.
• Systems development manager for fresh foods distribution company with 20 networked ISeries at 8 locations. Supervision of development efforts by 12 staff to rewrite core transaction systems from S/36 to native ISeries using Advantage 2E.
• Senior Advantage 2E consultant to Canadian software house implementing new large securities trading back-office system on AS/400. Design of physical and logical database to replace two existing systems running on System/38 and IBM mainframe. Design and implementation of cross-platform data dictionary and software tools to support on-going systems integration requirements.
• Development and marketing in S.E. Asia and Europe of new complete ISeries (Advantage 2E) property management application. Primary responsibility for on-going system development and documentation. Negotiation of joint marketing arrangements with local software houses.
• Senior consultant to project team implementing Kapiti system at large Indonesian state bank on IBM 4300 in Jakarta. Project part of comprehensive consulting assignment by Booz Allen Hamilton.
• Co-ordination of installation of System/38 and implementation of Kapiti banking system for new bank. Principal responsibility for conversion of one-half of the banks accounts and staff to new centralised system.
• Review of compatibility of systems at two subsidiaries for management of holding company. Companies involved in manufacture and distribution of aluminium and plastic household wares and building industry supplies.
• Systems planning exercise for distributor of automotive spares and accessories. Review of logistics and financial systems requirements and issue of a tender document. Proposal evaluation and contract negotiation.
• Requirements review and detailed system design for life assurance company in government sector. System scope: Policy and policy-holder record maintenance; premium, bonus and loan accounting.
• Implementation of large general ledger package to provide head office consolidated financial analysis and reporting for quoted company operating in chemicals and explosives industries..
• Systems planning exercise for a distributor of pharmaceutical and allied products. Review of logistics and marketing information requirements. Evaluation of alternative data processing strategies and issue of a tender document. Proposal evaluation and vendor selection.

IBM rebranded the AS/400 - some users called it AS400 - to ISeries several years ago. All 3 names - ISeries, AS/400, AS400 - refer to exactly the same system.

Computer Associates now owns the development platform Advantage 2E, that at one time was branded Cool:2E and started life as Synon/2. All these names refer to exactly the same CASE tool.