~ ICT Infrastructure Management ~ IT Governance ~ Technical Architect ~
SENIOR LEVEL IT PROFESSIONAL
IT Infrastructure, Service Management and Business Continuity
PROFESSIONAL SNAPSHOT
ICT Infrastructure professional with over 25 years of experience in Infrastructure involving Strategic Planning, Development, Project Management, Service Delivery & Disaster Recovery spanning varied roles & Responsibilities for assignments within multi-cultural environments and geographically spread across India, UAE, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi, Kenya and Europe
Experienced in Enterprise systems, Databases, LAN/WAN Networks, Security, Virtualization & Storage technologies, Microsoft Windows & Exchange Servers, Microsoft Desktop applications, and supporting products providing services for large user base across multiple locations
Technical expertise in Hands-On Implementation, Operations and Support functions of mission-critical business solutions using ICT in line with strategic plans of the business and aligned to the regulatory & compliance needs of the Business environment
Adept at consensus building, Vendor, Server, Network and Asset Management. Comprehensive technical skill set and proficiency in handling Servers, Databases and Windows platform technologies
Concurrently managed implementation of multiple Infrastructure Hardware and Software projects as well as datacenters build-out involving multiple internal and external teams
Appreciation of varied work culture leveraged in building relationships and an experienced communicator with stakeholders across all levels of management
COMPETENCY MATRIX
IT Governance
• Developed, deployed and sustained an effective IT Governance Policy, Processes, Tools and Metrics
• Assured the successful planning, deployment and integration of IT initiatives in collaboration with business
IT Operations
• Involved in ICT Infrastructure designing, implementation and maintenance
• Managing Data Centre, End-user, Network, Facility Management & IT Security Operations remotely across sites
• Oversaw operations involved in setting up targets, SOPs & SLAs and provided high quality operational support to improve overall customer satisfaction
IT Budgeting:
• Budget tracking, resource planning, Assets, License & Vendor management, hardware and support contracting
• Forecasting new areas of improvements, budgeting and implementing changes as per company needs
DRP/Business Continuity Planning
• Creating and testing comprehensive business continuity plan procedures, auditing all critical paths, receiving approval of internal and external stakeholders and managing disaster recovery drills
COST OPTIMIZATION INITIATIVES
Instrumental in making strong Infrastructure backbone for the organizations and taking initiative to ensure that the Business concentrates on Strategy while the Technology drives to supplement the Business always taking into consideration cost optimizations. Few initiatives taken are :
Server Virtualization : From a total of 25 physical servers, VMWare virtualization was implemented locally resulting in, only 3 high-end VMware ESXi Certified Dell Servers
? Tangible savings˜Dhs. 1 Million on Hardware/Operating System/AMC
? Intangible savings˜Reduced Downtime,Upgradability & Robust Data centre
Unified Communications : Implementation of Video conferencing (Polycom & Cisco) and recent MS Office 2013 migration to O365 enabling Lync (Skype for Business) with features such as chat, web conferencing, desktop & data sharing
? Tangible savings ˜ Dhs. 2 Million in Travel Costs
? Intangible savings ˜ Zero travel time & Optimum resource utilization
IVR : Initiated internally an Open Source IVR solution for Customers resulting in cancellation of a costly Contract with a 3rd party Call Centre Company
? Tangible savings ˜ Dhs. 0.89 Million in Contract
? Intangible savings ˜ Zero human involvement & quicker response time
Mitel Telephony : Under pressure from Central ICT to install the standard yet costly Cisco VOIP Telephony solution, case study undertaken for the economical Mitel solution
? Tangible savings ˜ 1/3rd cost for Mitel as compared to Cisco
? Intangible savings ˜ 1/4th reduction in AMC as well as dedicated & continual vendor involvement throughout/after the project
ORGANISATIONAL DETAILS
Since Jan’ 16 : BinHendi Enterprises (Dubai-UAE) Group IT Manager
Role/Responsibilities:
• Have taken up this assignment to transform the IT landscape of the company
• Created a Roadmap of where IT should be in the next 2 - 3 years by looking into the "As Is" of current IT
• IT Budget 2016 – 17 (planning & submission)
• Evaluated the IT Strategy where BinHendi Group should be able to operate with a lean IT Team w.r.t. :
- Secure Network Infrastructure Management
- Bring down operational Costs by empowerment of services to Business Users/Vendors (Microsoft/Wipro)
- Business Process re-mapping including but not limited to :
SAP HANA on Cloud, Time & Attendance integration with HRM, Centralized IT purchasing, Vendor Management, Web security enhancements, Vendors Deliverables & SLAs, Physical storage solution, UTM (Unified Threat Management) renewal on hardware (Firewalls installed in HO & All outlets), Re-building the IT Infrastructure involving a High availability DR solution for on premises Servers hosting various applications including Micros/Fidelio, Visual Enterprise, Avaya, Access control, Active directory, etc.
Sep’ 02 – Jan ’16 : Canon Middle East FZ LLC (Dubai-UAE) IT Team Lead – Local Support & Operations (MENA)
Role/Responsibilities:
• Handling the Infrastructure systems and IT operations for Canon Middle East reporting to IT Director in Holland and Finance Director in UAE. Managing a team of 3 professionals and outsourced vendor IT teams of approximately 12 People
• Member of the core team migrating MS Office to O365 on cloud (experience in Cloud infrastructure)
• Introducing Citrix, NAS/Tandberg/NetApp and VMware, Lync (Skype for Business), Cisco SX60/ Polycom Video Conferencing, SharePoint, Mitel, Avaya & many new technologies for enhancing efficiency
• Coordinated the new Data centre built-up & migration of 850+ servers in Europe for Virtualisation with the central team
• Hands-on user support including back-end issues related to Windows Servers (2008/2012R2), Network, Telephony (Mitel and Cisco) etc. as per Canon standard policies and guidelines. Coordinated installation of Orion ERP package and Backups (Symantec Backup Exec)
• Enterprise Mobility Management – Central initiative implemented locally for BYOD devices incorporating a robust MDM approach
• Virtual Private Network (VPN) implementation enabling remote users local access (Citrix & Cisco)
• Formulated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on DRP, IT Policies & Local Support
• Facilitating procurement and authorization for hardware and software purchases
• ICT Capital Planning, Budget and Expenditure. License & Contract management in coordination with Central IT/Local Management
• Anchored successful ICT Audits & SOX compliance (including for local and central ICT
Attainments:
• Played an active role on behalf of Canon M.E. in all major international Canon Inc. IT forums for arriving at standard IT policies, procedures & projects to be implemented across all Offices specially and more specifically for O365 & BYOD implementation for all Canon offices
• Conferred with various awards from Central & Local Management
• Delivered a Hands-on user support for back-end issues related to Servers, Network, Telephony (Mitel and Cisco), etc. as per Canon worldwide guidelines
• Individually spearheaded the strategic IT Architecture and planned an execution supporting for large scale projects and ensured the completion of the same within the defined parameters and guidelines from the scratch
Dec ‘00 – Aug ’02: Cartier Middle East (Dubai-UAE) as Systems Manager
Role/Responsibilities:
• Supervised administration and maintenance of Legacy systems, Lotus Notes Mail Server, Intranet DB Management, Windows NT Server incl. troubleshooting, user profile management, data backups and H/W & S/W maintenance
• Vendor Management on multiple projects
• Formulated and implemented the Disaster Recovery Plan for Cartier offices
Attainments:
• Selected as Core Member of the Middle East IT Implementation Team for the IT Infrastructure of the new Group Offices to be opened in Dubai-Piaget, Baume & Mercier, Vacheron Constantin and Mont Blanc
Jan’ 99 – Nov ’00: Majid Al Futtaim Group (Dubai-UAE) as Y2K Project Leader & Systems Coordinator
Role/Responsibilities:
• Administered complete IT Infrastructure and Project Management functions in the company
• Worked on all aspects of project management including Project Planning, RFP creation, Vendor analysis and selection with resource allocations
• Liaised with the External Consultant for ensuring timely completion of Y2K project whilst checking processes, remediation and contingency planning for the entire Group
• Reviewed future IT needs of the company [including Sofitel Group of Hotels (Micros/Fidelio)]
• Handled complete systems administration for a network of over 275 computers
• Contributed to the development of the City Centre web site for MAF and its conversion into an e-commerce platform
• Provided database recovery, back up and restoration support on a daily, weekly and monthly basis on AS/400, Win NT (Exchange) and Novell NetWare platform
Attainments:
• Appointed by the CEO as the Central Project Coordinator - Y2K Task Force due to in-depth knowledge of Y2K solutions to coordinate with 20 operating units of the Group
• Significantly contributed to the development of the City Centre website for MAF and its conversion into an e-commerce platform
Jun’ 91 – Dec’ 98: Hindustan Thompson Associates Ltd. (Mumbai-India) as IT Operations Manager - All India
Role/Responsibilities:
• Provided key inputs for formulating major IT strategies incl. DRP procedures for IT
• Designed and implemented Structured cabling necessary hardware, software & network for over 650 computers & 850 computer literates
• Budgeting of Hardware, Software and Networking orders. Ensured implementation of projects within time and cost parameters with a Hands-On approach in all projects
• Contributed to installation, implementation maintenance of the Lotus Domino server, Oracle Financials, VSAT technology, EPABX, application software & user trainings
• Involved in Disaster Recovery Planning and implementation for large infrastructure set-up across India
Attainments:
• Distinction of being nominated to Global IT Advisory Committee for preparing the IT infrastructure standards for implementation across the globe
• Acted as main decision taker, after evaluation of related technologies and played a pivotal role in the decision and implementation of a strong EPABX network
Apr’ 86 – May’ 91 : Seahorse Systems Pvt. Ltd. (Mumbai-India) as Assistant EDP Manager
Role/Responsibilities:
• Liaised with hardware and software vendors for the procurement, installation and maintenance of necessary hardware & software for clients
• Supervised a large team of data-handlers for the data processing work for Multi-National companies in India whilst ensuring smooth day-to-day operations of all EDP and non-EDP related functions
Attainment:
• Assessed and implemented IT requirements regarding OS, programming, data processing and database management and provided end-user training to clients on these concepts
ACADEMIA
• 2004 MBA (MIS & Technology) from Caroline University, USA
• 1986 Diploma in Computer Science and Management from CTC, Mumbai
• 1985 B.Sc. (Physics) from Mumbai University, Mumbai
• 1979 Diploma in Mass Communication & Media from St. Xavier’s College of Communications,
Mumbai, India
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
• PMP Certification Training completed (Exam to be given) – Blue Ocean Academy, Feb 2016
• ITIL V3 Certified – Learning Tree Worldwide, Feb 2009
• ITIL Foundation Certified through SMME (previously ITIL Heads), April 2006
• DET Norske Veritas (DNV) – Certificate of Training in Environment Management System, Mar 2007
TRAININGS ATTENDED
• Various Technology and Managerial courses undertaken from time to time (1986 – date)
• Corporate Security, Win2003, Exchange 2000 & Win2000 Server, Executrain, Dubai; 2002 – 2006
• MCP & MCSE course undertaken - Cambridge Institute (Accredited to University of Cambridge), Dubai; 2000
• Windows NT with IIS, SQL Server and DBA - SSI Ltd, Mumbai; 1999
• Win NT Administration & Configuration - Synergetics Corp, Mumbai; 1998
• NetWare Installation & Configuration, TCP/IP Service & Support and Networking Technologies - Karrox Technologies Inc., Mumbai; 1997
• Advance System Manager Netware V3.11 - SMILE, Mumbai; 1992
• Network Management - Bureau of Information Technology Studies, Mumbai; 1991
TECHNICAL SKILLS/TOOLS
• OS: OS/400, V4R4, Mac OS 7.x, MS DOS, PSIX, NetWare 3.x/4.x, MAC OS, OS/2, Windows 95/98/ME/NT 4.0/ME/XP Pro/2000/2003/2008/2012 R2
• RDBMS: MS SQL Server, Centura SQL Base Server, Cognos Power Play & Impromptu
• Security: Sonic Wall and Symantec Anti-virus (End Point) Client/Server Software, BYOD (MobileIron/MP-1 Cryptocard)
• Servers: Lotus Notes 4.x/5.x (Domino), Exchange 5.5/2000/2003/2007/2010/2013, O365, Arcserve, Veritas & Symantec Backup exec, Fax Server and FTP, Micros/Fidelio, SAP (Basic), POS
• Others: Mail, MS Office 97/XP/2K/2K3/2K10/2K13/ProPlus, Lotus SmartSuite 2000, PC Anywhere, VMware virtualization software, Veritas, Adobe Products, CODA Financials (ERP) and Orion (ERP), Citrix, Cloud Infrastructure
• Hardware: Intel processor-based PCs, laptops and Servers (IBM, HP, Compaq, Dell) & Macintosh, NAS/Tandberg and NetApp storage, Projectors (Audio/Video), Cisco routers and Cisco Switches
PERSONAL DOSSIER
Nationality : Indian
Linguistic Abilities : English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and Basic French
Marital Status : Married
References : Upon Request
Member of MS TechNet and various technology driven groups & Web Sites and regular attendee to seminars on various new technologies to keep abreast with latest IT trends (including the latest MS Azure Product seminar in Dubai in November 2015)