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Work Background
HSBCMQ and Automation Engineer
Apr. 2024London Area, United KingdomTechnical SME for MQ on the Hybrid Integration Platform
MidVision CloudLead MQ AWS consultant
Jun. 2019Working with multiple clients across the globe (US, UK, Australia) I have been the lead consultant implementing resilient and scalable solutions using IBM MQ on AWS using both Multi-Instance Queue Managers, and Replicated Data Queue Managers, to enable connectivity with external systems. I gather requirements and translate those into a coherent design. This design is then the basis for a scripted MQ configuration allowing repeatable creation of multiple environments for development and testing, as well as production. I have also developed a bespoke MQ monitoring solution which is highly flexible and adaptable for integration with existing monitoring/alerting solutions. I have developed certificate management and monitoring scripts for end clients.
NatWest GroupConsultant WebSphere MQ SME and Solutions Architect
Nov. 2013 - Apr. 2024London, United KingdomDuring my time with NWG I have piloted and implemented MQ clustering, Uniform clustering of client connections, and RDQM HA as a replacement for Infoscale, and I defined the standards and best practices for MQ on Linux for Natwest Group. I have managed the technical adoption of new versions of MQ on Linux for the whole Group – including scripting installations of software, support scripts run under sudo, and TLS certificate management scripts. I have been the lead MQ designer on all the major programmes at Natwest Group over the last 12 years. I have also resolved multiple production P1 incidents even though I was not in a support role – demonstrating my work ethic and “get the job done” attitude. For the last 4 years I have been working on the bank’s major Payments Transformation Programme, implementing new centralised payments infrastructure in a service based architecture and integrating with Swift Alliance Messaging Hub managing a team of MQ admins, assisting with application solutions design, scripting deployments and installations on a portfolio of systems including 200 queue managers, 120 MQ virtual machines, split into multiple environments on different levels of code and infrastructure config, servicing a total of 10 different applications. My wealth of experience outside of the MQ area and “out of the box” thinking allowed me to come up with multiple tactical solutions for both infrastructure and software related issues, and I was considered the “go to” person when things are not going to plan. I have also worked as the MQ technical lead SME on multiple other major programmes of work involving service replatforming, tactical migrations, MQ upgrades, creation of a bespoke monitoring solution, and creation of a bespoke traffic profiling solution.
Magenta7Solutions Architect, Web Systems
Jul. 2012 - Apr. 2024London, United KingdomWorked on setting up the infrastructure side of a variety of web systems for Magenta7's clients. The work involved producing design diagrams and documentation, and setting up shared infrastruture to service multiple websites. I maintain an ongoing relationship with Magenta7 and continue to advise on infrastructure design and solutions.
Royal Bank of ScotlandConsultant WebSphere and MQ SME and Solutions Architect
Aug. 2011 - Jul. 2012LondonI was the MQ technical lead for the bank's major data centre exit programme, responsible for a team of 5 other MQ administrators. I worked as an MQ SME and Solutions Architect responsible for the design and build of a new production and pre-production environment as part of the Amstelveen Data Centre Exit programme. I was also responsible for the migration of existing test environments from Amstelveen in the Netherlands to Edinburgh. I worked on multiple projects one of which required me to perform the same SME/Solutions Architect role for IBM on a project outsourced to them. As part of the IBM project I was also required to provide input and support relating to WebSphere Application Server, Portal, and Edge. My role involved:
• Producing high level design documentation for review by design governance
• Working alongside 3rd party software suppliers
• Gathering information on undocumented existing environments
• Building managing and supporting multiple environments including production
• Scripting and automation
• Resilience testing, high availability design using both Veritas Cluster Server and Red Hat Cluster Suite
• Defining and executing test scenarios to act as quality gates for handover from 3rd party suppliers
• Raising defects with software suppliers and following through to resolution
Domestic & GeneralWebSphere and RapidDeploy Consultant
Jun. 2011 - Jul. 2011Wimbledon, LondonInstalled and configured RapidDeploy to install multiple WebSphere Application Server environments in a new data centre.
Short term contract for a specific set of tasks.
IBMSpecialist WebSphere Consultant
Aug. 2010 - Jun. 2011I worked as a WebSphere Specialist covering a wide range of WebSphere products for multiple clients in the BeNeLux region, in the outsourcing division of IBM Belgium. I was the lead SME for 3 major clients in the retail, shipping and manufacturing sectors respectively, and am also involved with clients in other sectors.
My work at IBM involved learning new skills quickly, picking up the administration and configuration of multiple WebSphere products. My role involved:
• Gathering business requirements
• Working alongside business resources and coordinating with 3rd party software suppliers
• Building managing and supporting multiple environments including production
• Scripting and automation
• Resilience testing, high availability (HA) design, disaster recovery (DR) and scalability planning
• Defining and executing test scenarios to recreate reported production issues
• Raising defects with software suppliers and following through to resolution Skills Used: WebSphere Application Server (5.1, 6.1, 7.0), WebSphere Portal Server 6.1, WebSphere MQ (6, 7), WebSphere Content Manager 6.1, WebSphere Edge Components 7.0, AIX, Windows, Linux
RazorfishWebSphere Specialist
Jul. 2010 - Jul. 2010I was brought in at short notice to troubleshoot an existing application which was being secured with SSL.
The application team had been trying to implement SSL for over 4 months with no success. There were multiple issues which I worked through logically and successfully resolved the problems in 1 day. I made recommendations for management of SSL certificates and requests and also implemented some URL rewrite rules in Apache to redirect users under specific circumstances. My role involved: • Logical problem solving
• Mentoring and teaching
• Apache, SSL, WebSphere Application Server 6.1
Lloyds Banking GroupConsultant WebSphere Specialist
Oct. 2009 - Jun. 2010I was a senior consultant WebSphere specialist in the Service Delivery Middleware team, using WebSphere Application server versions 5.1 and 6.1, and WebSphere MQ version 6 on AIX. I was the lead WebSphere designer and administrator for the integration of HBOS mortgages products into Lloyds Banking Group infrastructure. I also worked on various scaling projects related to increasing capacity in existing LBG systems and uplifting them to WAS 6.1, in order that they be ready for the integration of HBOS systems, users and customers. My role involved: • Infrastructure architecture design and scalability planning from development through to live
• WebSphere AppServer administration and environment management, installation and configuration, including MQ and WAS clustering.
• Development of standards and processes
• Automation of tasks using scripting languages
• Working with offshore developers to debug code and recommend possible fixes
• Command line and GUI use of ClearCase for source control, use of ClearQuest for issue resolution tracking
• Use of RapidDeploy and CruiseControl for code build and deployment
LogicaCMGConsultant WebSphere Specialist
Aug. 2009 - Oct. 2009Ministry of Interior, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia I was brought in at short notice as a consultant Middleware Architect and troubleshooter to solve some long standing urgent issues within the MQ and middleware infrastructure of the highly critical National ID card system. Within 4 days I had identified all the issues which existed in the clustered publish / subscribe MQ setup, and also within the system architecture. I submitted my recommendations and implemented the required changes to the live system over a weekend outage period. The system is now stable and performing correctly. I also consulted on a proposed change in the design of one of the WebSphere applications which interfaces with MQ, the new solution should improve message throughput and system reliability. I was brought back a month later to diagnose some further problems, which I also fixed and the MQ cluster is now stable.
BTMQ Solutions Designer
Aug. 2006 - Jul. 2009I was a senior consultant Middleware Architect / Administrator in the BT Design team, using WebSphere MQ 5.3, 6 and 7 on a variety of platforms including Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, and Windows. I was responsible for WebSphere MQ cluster architecture, design and implementation, defining standards and processes, training and mentoring permanent staff. I was the lead MQ designer for BT Wholesale and Global Services, and was heavily involved in development of an Enterprise Messaging Backbone to allow provision of Messaging as a Service. I was also tasked with testing and evaluating MQ V7 in order to capitalise on MQ client improvements which have been incorporated into the new release. One of my key skills which was utilised extensively at BT is my ability to interface between offshore teams in India and the U.S., and onshore teams. I often found myself in more of a project management role for each piece of work, dealing with many component teams and bringing together all of their various requirements to produce a coherent design. My role involved: • Infrastructure architecture design and resilience testing, HA design and scalability planning • WebSphere MQ Administration and environment management on Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, Windows and Z/OS • Installation and configuration on all platforms, including MQ clustering and management of remote Queue Managers • Development of standards and processes for MQ • Liaising with all levels of management and offshore suppliers
Cable & WirelessSystems Administrator and Solutions Architect
Jul. 2005 - Aug. 2006I was consultant WebSphere Architect / Administrator in the Cable & Wireless Web Technology Group, using WebSphere Application Server 4 & 5, Solaris, Apache (IHS), WebSphere MQ 5.3, and third party applications. I worked on the Real Time Nostro banking project which provides nostro agents and account holders with a single view of their nostro positions in multiple currencies across worldwide bank accounts either directly or via a Swift gateway. I was responsible for the WebSphere Application and MQ cluster architecture and design, migration from WebSphere AppServer 4 to 5, automation of processes, defining standards. My role involved: • WebSphere AppServer / MQ / Apache Administration and environment management on Solaris, installation and configuration, including MQ clustering and management of remote Queue Managers • Migration from WebSphere 4 to 5.1 • Infrastructure architecture design and resilience testing • JACL / WSADMIN / SQL / shell scripting for automated deployment, software installation, and WebSphere environment build • Development of standards for WebSphere and MQ • Live problem resolution • Liaising with all levels of management and third party vendors and client in multiple countries around the globe
Miles & Miles Consulting LtdDirector
Oct. 2004
RBSWebSphere Specialist
Aug. 2004 - May. 2005I was a consultant WebSphere Architect / Administrator in RBS Group Technology’s Eservices department, using WebSphere, AIX, IIS (Win2K) and third party applications. I worked on multiple internal projects through the full lifecycle, responsible for the WebSphere architecture and design, and automation of processes. My role involved: • WebSphere / IIS Administration and environment management • Infrastructure architecture design from Development through to Production • TCL / WSCP / shell scripting for automated deployment, software installation, and WebSphere environment build • Training permanent staff in WebSphere, AIX, and scripting. • Development of standards for WebSphere • Second line support of Development and Test environments, troubleshooting, and live problem resolution • Representing the department at project board meetings • Liasing with all levels of management • Setup of JMS using MQ
Camelot Group plcWebSphere Specialist and Applications Administrator
Jan. 2002 - Jan. 2004I was the senior Applications Administrator in Camelot’s Interactive Department, managing the National Lottery website, using WebSphere, Apache (IBM HTTP Server), AIX, and third party applications. I was initially the sole WebSphere Administrator in Phase 2 of the Interactive Project, and quickly learned the skills necessary to manage and build multiple environments. I rapidly progressed to Team Leader becoming involved with architectural decisions, interviews, training, and taking on responsibility for all applications and interfaces on all platforms within an expanding infrastructure. My role involved: • WebSphere / Apache Administration and environment management • Infrastructure architecture design from Development through to Production • Workload management, load balancing. • Scripting for automated deployment and software installation • Managing processes, procedures, people and recruitment • 3rd party application and interface administration, using online transaction authorisation and processing, client authentication and credit rating, client data transfer via XML, website traffic statistics. • Support of live operations, troubleshooting, and problem resolution • Liasing with all levels of management and representatives from external vendors • Basic SQL queries and updates to tables. Updating SQL scripts. • AIX administration including Open-SSH setup, environment build, system performance monitoring, problem determination and resolution
Merrill Lynch HSBCJava Developer
Sep. 2000 - Jul. 2002An integral part of a dynamic Middleware team at Merrill Lynch HSBC, an internet based banking/broking project. I quickly gained experience in a complex legacy systems environment involving AIX, OS390 and AS400, in order to assess future development within the middle tier. I was the key developer involved in the architectural review of middle-tier applications, and was appointed the Rapid Applications Developer for the team. This gave me exposure to the full project life cycle, RFI/ITT process. My role involved: • Research and development • Shell scripting on AIX to allow automated installation and set-up of custom Netscape Enterprise / WebSphere software • Supporting Live operations, fast prototyping and problem resolution • Development of monitoring tools • End-user education
HSBCDeveloper
Nov. 1999 - Sep. 2000I joined HSBC on the IT graduate scheme and became a member of the Information Services department as a trainee developer.
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