Consultant Technical Architect

-In my role as a Consultant Technical Architect, I provide architectural consultancy to clients on web, cloud and mobile software solutions with emphasis on Microsoft Azure and the .NETtechnology stack. I also help clients break free from the tyranny of slow, manual, error-prone software processes with Continuous Integration and Delivery (CI/CD) best practices, providing a pathway forward for legacy monolithic applications.

A PROJECT I’M REALLY PROUD OF:

- I designed, developed and delivered IKEA's mobile Goods Flow: a mobile solution for paperless IKEA warehouse operations to K3 Retail client in Den Haag, Netherlands. It’s now in production use by IKEA Malaysia. It features an Entity Framework core, Asp.net core 2 web API, AngularJS -- all powered by Azure goodness. The solution emphasised a rich mobile user experience and Continuous Integration.

- Designed an original workflow algorithm builder to allow .NET developers to rapidly write mobile applications from business requirements without any knowledge of mobile application development

Technical Architect (interim Tech Lead)

Baxter Healthcare is a Fortune 500 American healthcare company with a presence in the UK. It’s a leading supplier to the NHS.

They had a number of legacy applications that needed updating. I was asked to help provide technical leadership through the design, prototyping and development of solutions to businessrequirements.

I was able to retrofit modern software engineering tools, practices and standards to those legacy applications. I introduced CI/ CD pipelines for SQLserver databases, WinFormsapplications, TopShelf windows services and web applications using Team Foundation Server(TFS/Azure DevOps Server). The result was that I transformed 2+ hour error-prone processes to an automated workflow able to deploy code in under 5 minutes from a pull request.

I also developed internationalisation (I18N, multi-language support) support for the legacy windows application, featuring metaprogramming with Roslyn for extraction and transformation, Angular 5 front end backed by asp.net web API for translation maintenance.

Senior Software Engineer

Brady PLC is a leading European provider of software solutions for energy and commodities trading.

They required micro-services for their commodities trading platform. I developed these micro-services, including Concentrates and Assay Exchange management, usingNHibernate, F#, Topshelf, NancyFx and KnockoutJs.

I also delivered a MiFIDII regulatory compliance reporting solution for the London Metal Exchange (LME) Tradable Instruments written primarily in C# and F# and designed and developed a Quartz.net based scheduling service. While part of Brady PLC, I also mentored permanent development team members.

Software Engineer /Software Architect

K3 Syspro are focused on delivering enterprise resource planning for UK based manufacturing and distribution companies.

They needed several “learning” translators and reporting systems, which I was able to provide.

First, I created a homegrown EDI/XML “learning” translator featuring an Entity Framework, WCF, WPF and NancyFX.

I also built an ASP.net web-based Crystal reporting solution, with barcoding, warehouse labels, payslips, P60s and other statutory reports. The architecture allowed embedding reportsin legacy HR, warehousing and ERP clients. It’s currently producing over 24,000payslips a month stored in the cloud. Turners haulage is just one of over 150 happy customers.

Next, I developed a homegrown EDI/XML “learning” translator featuring an Entity Framework, WCF, WPF and NancyFX. I MigratedK3’s legacy Warehouse Management System, Orchard, from Delphi XE5 win32 thick client to a multi-tiered .Net solution featuring WCF and Web API and Entity Framework. Applying the strangler application pattern allowed new functionality, including a native mobile client, to be introducedwithout interrupting deliveries. It was deployed in several large distributors, including Westland Horticultural.

I also embedded a data capture app written in Python to interact with http service, and enabled production line automation with RFID in high-volume warehouse operation.

Senior Software Engineer

Elevate Credit develops tech-enabled online credit products. They required significant development support, including a queuing system for SMS messaging. I was able to help.

I designed, developed and implemented Azure Service Bus based queuing for SMS messaging hosted as a Topshelf Windows service. Deployed as part of a failover cluster, this service handles over 650,000 SMS messages a month. It features an algorithm that load-balances SMS providers with the best value, saving the company up to £5,000 per month. I provided an in-house React.js SMS inbox with real-time message deliverynotifications using SignalR for QA team.

While part of the Elevate Credit team, I saw an opportunity to provide technical leadership and mentoring for senior PHP developers learning C#

I led the test-driven development of ASP.Net Web API back end to large public facing website, and delivered Provenir integrated Bankvision service for intelligentrisk management for loan approvals.- Designed, developed and implemented Azure Service Bus basedqueuing for SMS messaging hosted as a Topshelf Windows service.Deployed as part of a failover cluster, this service handles over650,000 SMS messages a month. Featuring an algorithm that loadbalances SMS providers with the best value, leading to savings ofup to £5,000 per month.

Elevate also asked me to introduce Continuous Integration pipelines with MicrosoftVisual Studio Team Services (Azure DevOps) and extensive PowerShell for IIS applications and Windows services. This commits trigger automated builds and deployments to over 135 distinct QA and developer environments with unique IIS configurations anddatabase settings ready for regression testing and live deployment

Software Architect

TROX Malaysia manufactures leading technologies and components for ventilation and indoor climate control.

They required a solution for automating fire dampers

I delivered a .Net based solution for automating fire damper drawings in AutoCAD as the sole contractor for TROX Malaysia. The solution draws fire dampers for duct sizes up to 5000mm x 5000mm in under 30 seconds. It has so far produced over US $5,000,000 worth offire dampers and is consistently accurate

Systems Engineer/Teaching company associate (Knowledge transfer)

TROX UK is a global leader in the development, production and sale of components and systems for ventilation and air conditioning.

They required an automation solution for fire dampers and other air-handling products.

I delivered rule-based CAD/CAM automation for fire dampers and other air-handling products using Visual basic 6, C, and C# in AutoCAD and Inventor..