Senior Developer

• Mar 2022 - Present

Analyst / Support Programmer

• Oct 2014 - Feb 2022

Developing custom modules and supporting the in house intranet application which is based on Deltek's PIM product. The custom modules either extended the products default functionality or were completely new but used the products business logic and controls. This product was written in .Net 4.5 and C#.To enrich our data, I wrote functions that automatically updated our database from 3rd party providers. This was either by direct database linking using stored procedures, importing XML file or through REST API calls over the internet. These functions saved time chasing and inputting data when it was updated at the 3rd party’s end. The connection to the DVSA to get MOT information meant that the fleet manager had accurate information about the status of our vehicles. Connections to Builder’s Profile, CHAS and SMAS gave the Subcontractor Manager and Estimators accurate and up to date information on the certification status, insurance information, maximum project value, regions and sectors that our supply chain work in.Over the course of 2 years, all historic customised content that was written in classic ASP I rewrote into ASP.NET. I had to pay close attention to the logical steps overcome differences in the two languages so that the pages continued to operate as they had done previously. Once complete, this allowed the core product to be upgraded to newer version and become cross browser compatible and move away from its reliance on IE11. A bespoke report generator also went out of support with the upgrade. This required a migration to Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services of all existing reports. While completing this project, I tool the opportunity to convert the many Crystal Reports that our accounts department use to SSRS.Languages used include C#, MSSQL, MYSQL, JavaScript, PHP.My skills from my previous role were often call upon to provide additional support to the 3rd Line team from time to time. Show less

3rd Line Technical Support

• Feb 2006 - Oct 2014

In addition to being an escalation point for the service desk, my responsibilities included managing and maintaining the IT infrastructure of the company across 8 regional offices, 50 construction sites and remote access for individuals.Each construction site needed to have IT access from day 1. New sites were project managed from capacity scoping to ordering and installation of the connectivity and hardware. The construction sites ranged from existing buildings to green field sites. By being in control of the ordering process and using terminal pillars for the phone line installation, we were able get the installation time down from 12 weeks to 8.The 3rd line team consisted of 2 members so I was heavily involved with every project as well as sharing the day to day admin of the network. All sites shared resources which included AD, Exchange, In house intranet based on IIS + MS-SQL, Citrix XenApp, NAS/SAN file shares, Windows Servers, Email and Web filtering. The network consisted of Cisco routers and HP switches across a multi-site WAN. Construction sites were connected to the corporate network using hardware based VPN connecting to Cisco or CheckPoint firewalls.Projects included:Installation of central door access system using Paxton access control across all officesDesign, roll out and manage a cloud based VoIP phone system using Polycom handsets and BroadSoft hosted PBX. The project included installation of PoE switches, QOS policies on WANImplement a Citrix server farmPrint release systemMigration of firewalls from Cisco PIX to CheckPointMigration of local servers to central data centreInstallation of back up data centreImplemented and migrated physical servers to virtual servers using Microsoft Virtual Server, Citrix Xen Server and finally VMWareManage Group Policy and automated software installation and configurationDeveloped automated process and tools written in VBS. Show less

1st/2nd Line Support Analyst

• Feb 2005 - Feb 2006

Feb 2005 – Feb 2006 1st/2nd Line Support AnalystWorking in a team of 4, I provided remote desktop support for 500 employees on Windows 2000/XP, Office 2000, Asta PowerProject and other desktop apps. As I was the first point of contact with the IT department, I often had to handle very frustrated customers. Being friendly and knowledgeable put the customers at ease and led to swift resolutions. Support calls logged by telephone were triaged and attempted to be fixed within the first 10 minutes before logging in Hornbill SupportWorks issue tracking system. This also included visits to regional offices to proved face to face support.Key duties • Provide remote support during business hours • Attend site/regional offices to provide face to face support • Spot trends in incoming support cases and relay to the 3rd Line Team • Build new starters laptops and user accounts and send out to regional offices in time for 1st day • Manage requests for new peripherals Show less

Senior Systems Administrator

• Aug 1997 - Feb 2005

Initially, I was employed in an admin role but I soon developed a keen interest in computing. My role changed to classroom set up full time along with general IT support based in the Exeter Office. The value my role brought to the company saw it change from being the sole IT support to leading a team over the two offices and being responsible for the domain and all hardware. Training courses were normally in house but occasionally would be off site. A classroom would consist of up to 15 computers that would need to have been cleanly built before the start of the course. Courses could be 1-5 days long with anything from 1 to 15 customers. A completely different course could be run in a room the next day with different hardware requirements so I had to manage the distribution of hardware between the 2 offices to allow the set up of the next day's course to be achieved before the end of the working day. This was not always possible so there were many late nights and weekend working to make sure everything was ready from the computers on desk to the arrangement of the stationery and the all important bowl of sweets. In the rapidly changing world of IT, the hardware requirements of each new Microsoft course needed to met in order to deliver the courses and to maintain the Microsoft Learning Partner certification. This meant that we sourced components and built the PCs that were used as well as upgrading where possible. I was also responsible for the ordering and distribution of courseware for both offices. This was usually done two weeks in advance but I often had to source additional copies at a couple of days notice due to late bookings. During my employment, I gained my MCSE in Windows NT 4 and in Windows 2000. I also led the upgrade of the company’s domain from Windows NT 4 to Windows 2000 and migrated the office’s connections from private leased lines to ADSL. The two offices were connected by VPN and they each had a local proxy server for internet access. Show less