Asim Chowdhry

Work with various stakeholders at all levels of organization and create strong relationships to understand technology needs and providing cost effective solutions, within organization’s mission and strategic goals.
•Providing leadership and direct supervision to a staff of Web/SharePoint Developer, Application Support & DBA, and Data Entry personnel; including resource planning, yearly evaluation, and training.
•Annual budget planning and management
•Work on strategy and setting goals for the department in align with organization’s goals.
•Evaluating school wide reporting needs and work on strategy for developing a BI reporting solution, using SSIS for ETL and SSRS / excel services on MS-SQL & SharePoint. Lead and project management (using agile methodologies) of a BI implementation project; this included requirement gathering from various stakeholders and oversee design & implementation of the reporting solution.
•Manage and oversee all aspects of data requirements and various database applications with strong working knowledge of educational administrative systems; including (not limited to): fundraising system (BlackBaud - Raiser’s Edge), student information system - SIS (BlackBaud - Education Edge/Financial Edge), and online student registration system (summer camps and school registration), etc.
•Project Management, with strong understanding of development platforms, on numerous SharePoint application development projects as well as SharePoint 2007 to 2010 to 2013, migration project. This included scoping, design specification, and managing development of various custom apps (using .NET) on SharePoint. Some apps including PO approval system with integration to SIS and EMR (electronic medical records) for the school health center.
•Work with systems team and Microsoft in evaluating & deploying cloud solution, using SharePoint 2013, Office 2013, and Azure.
•Evaluate all different standalone databases & application using MS-Access, used for reporting and analysis, scope and manage projects to migrate these applications to central SQL database server.
•Evaluate various HR systems and did a cost-benefits analysis, along with project charter, to migrate to a complete HR system (including Payroll) from ADP.
•Solid experience and understanding of database systems and technologies: SQL Server, ETL processes, data warehousing & reporting, business intelligence, and SSIS SSAS & SSRS.
•Worked with different vendors and negotiated various contracts for software licenses renewals/purchases and photocopier leases. As well as, consultants on number of development projects.

Managed (2007) ERP/MRP upgrade/implementation project (from MAS 200 to MAS 500), with CRM and PLM (product lifecycle management) integration
•Managed (from start to finish) a complex system upgrade project; migration from Windows 2003 SBS to Windows 2003 standard environment. This included managing and working with various vendors for software & hardware purchases and system implementation.
•Collaborated with Accounting and all business units to analyze company needs and assist in implementing ERP/MRP system, using MAS 200
•Evaluate needs and do business analysis for monitoring quality on company’s product line; Scope out the project and design a custom database, using SQL that is linked to the MRP system and used for examining performance on the unit manufactured, sold, and installed
•Prepared annual and five year projected budgets, addressing IT needs for all business units requirements
•Worked with Marketing; provide expertise and evaluate various options to redesign company’s website and manage its development. Requests quotes from vendors for development
•Performed IT audit to evaluate software & hardware usage and ensure compliance
•Manage consultants and contracts for various system related issues and its maintenance
•Managed project to test and create disaster recovery plan
•Negotiated, selected, and manage vendors for company’s phone system. This involved choosing the appropriate cost effective solution, upgrading service, and resolving quality issues.
•Chose and implemented the cell phone (with data) plans, in accordance with technology compatibility to corporate e-mail systems.

Worked on different customized database projects for these clients; including complete order entry and inventory management system using MS-Access and product/catalogue system with SQL back-end and web front-end, with XML output for web
•Managed different projects and provide technical expertise for designing web front-end for the databases, and e-commerce solution
•Consulting on system analysis and design

Reported to VP Finance and, periodically, presented to senior management
•Prepared and implemented a short / long term IT operating & strategic plan and policies & procedures
•Prepared and implemented annual budgets (over $200K); maintain IT infrastructure within budget. Used appropriate technology to cut cost that significantly improved efficiency and security
•Negotiated contracts for purchase & maintenance with various suppliers/vendors, including SLA. Doing so, saving significant amount of money
•Conducted cost benefit analysis for upgrading accounting system (AccPac), and select back-end database
•Supervised IT staff (programmers and sys admin); Motivate and coach reporting staff
•Managed project for successful migration and deployment of Exchange 2003 on Windows 2003 infrastructure, using Active Directory, from Windows NT running Exchange 5.5. This was done with minimal downtime and no interruption
•Administered Windows 2003 & NT network with Exchange 2003 and Terminal Services. Also, ensure system reliability / security and Implement disaster recovery plan

Analysed and evaluated company's old Information System (running on UNIX/DIBOL) by Interacting with end users to determine needs and requirements for the new system.
•Made recommendation and play an active role on re-design & decision making process in selection of the new (client server) environment, using SQL server as back-end database
Technical and user documentation:
•Created all application’s user and technical documentation, and system specification for migration to a relational database.

Worked on warehouse management / distribution software, using DBL under VMS
•Administrating Windows NT LAN and system support for the Toronto office
•Involved in code conversion from VMS to UNIX (DG & AIX); developed shell scripts for both UNIX and VMS to help automate the process, also debugging RTLs (run time libraries) re-written in C++ from DBL as part of conversion process.
•Worked on development of Intranet
•Worked on the development of HR application using VB 4.0 (interface for MS-SQL & Access)

Managed computer labs on campus
•Performing payroll, assessment, evaluation, and supervision of more than 40 lab aides (setting & managing their semester work schedules), and providing computer and software usage training. Also, involved in the hiring process of new lab aides
•Developed database for the labs (hardware, software, and lab aides)

Worked on development of Hospital Information System (MARQUIS) and Corrective Active System (CAS) for KODAK using Unify Accell (ids & 2000), on UNIX & Sun Sparc micro-systems
•Wrote complex SQL for data manipulation and developed various reports
•Designed and developed a data conversion program, using C, for Kodak
•Also responsible for administrating the UNIX (System V) & Sun OS

Help users with various software, UNIX & VMS usage, and looking after the computer lab.

Instructed an evening class (Introduction to UNIX) to a class of 40 students
•Taught shell programming using Bourne shell on IBM Risc 6000 machines

Analyzed and performed QA on development and deployment of Sales Force Automation (SFA) System. SFA is integrated with Oracle and their current J.D. Edwards Financial system
•Lead various projects for designing automation tasks for data transfer and integration between various systems
•Met with client to analyze needs and information gathering, do Business Analysis and create project charter for designing drug maintenance system

Managed and lead various projects (from scoping to closing) with different deadlines for design of information system (all business units) including on-line project application and evaluation system linked to ProGrid, with hands-on (Plan, Design, and Implement) involvement. This user friendly system significantly cut down application process time and allowed users to access all information electronically.
•Delegate, prioritise, and schedule tasks on various projects. Thus, ensuing timely completion of all tasks & projects with minimal or no downtime
Problem Analysis & Strategic Business Planning:
•Involved in the complete System Development Life Cycle - SDLC
•Interact with end users to determine needs and requirements, on regular basis. This helped in making the system more efficient
•Analyzed day-to-day and long term business and developed IT strategy to get work done efficiently
Database Management, Design and Warehousing:
•Designed & developed various databases and web site with database connectivity, Using MS-SQL as the back-end with Access front-end (using Visual Basic) and Web front-end (using ASP). The system allowed powerful historical and statistical analysis for all project and research activities.
•Deployed ProGrid system for project application evaluation
•Designed e-commerce system for online membership / event sign-up and payment. The system helped customers to effectively pay for various services
•Designed Budget database, used for inputting information into AccPac and linking budget information with other key databases for statistical & historical analysis. This helped senior management in making key decisions on research funding
•Used DTS to transfer data back and forth and automate jobs using store procedures
•Responsible for database administration and its maintenance. Thus, ensuring un-interrupted data access