Manager IT Infrastructure
MEDGULF
Total years of experience :29 years, 2 Months
Insurance sector. Leading IT Infrastructure. Responsibilities include:
* Manage and maintain all IT Infrastructure services including Network, Systems, Messaging, UC, Storage and Backup/Archiving.
* Play strategic role to provide an SLA driven 99.5% availability of Services.
* Handle annual technology budget in excess of US$5mn.
* Lead teams for IT Systems, Storage, Data Protection, Databases, Unified Communications, Data Center Operations and Network.
* Work with Internal and External IT Auditors for compliance.
* Document IT related company standards and procedures.
Project Execution & Management in MEDGULF
* Designed and implemented highly available Exchange 2016 service with Cisco Ironport ESA integrated with Azure and Exchange Online.
* Redesigned and upgraded to Active Directory on Windows Server 2016.
* Implemented MS Lync to replace old telephony system and provide UC solution in different branches with centralized deployment.
* VMWare vSphere implementation and later upgrade in Main Site, DR Site and Regional Offices resulting over 90% servers’ virtualization.
* Deployed Sophos UTM in all branches with centralized management.
* Complete setup of three branches and move from old to new buildings. Activities included site preparation for IT services, Surveillance, Data Center preparation, networking, connectivity and servers.
* IT Disaster Recovery setup on a co-hosted site as per SLA with Business.
* Citrix XenApp implementation. Replaced 5 different environments with centralized cluster resulting improved resource utilization.
* Implemented Right Fax for different departments (80+ Fax lines).
* Deployed Internet Security Bay comprising of Juniper Firewalls, multiple DMZs, F5 link Controllers and F5 Load Balancers.
* Implemented Nutanix Hyper-converged solution in regional offices.
* Deployment of SCOM and SCCM for majority of IT devices.
* Complete network replacement project using Juniper technologies.
* Identity management project to synchronize identities across multiple platforms. Replaced numerous manual processes.
* Multiple deployments of EMC Clariion, VNX and Hitachi Unified storage.
* Project member for connecting all Point of Sales to the Head Office.
* Managed Printing Service with very strong SLA for all POS sites.
* Implemented end-point protection solution with dual protection from McAfee and Malwarebytes.
* Designed and deployed private cloud integrated with third party hosted services segregated for different security levels.
* Deployed Backup and Archive service for all systems using Commvault.
NDC is a part of ADNOC group with several on-shore and off-shore inter-connected locations. Running Active Directory, SAP and Exchange Server 2003 environment.
* Top level administration of Active Directory, Exchange and related services.
* Demonstrable technical expertise in deploying MS Technologies such as Windows Server, Active Directory, Exchange Server, ISA, MOM, SMS, Network security, Internet/Intranet etc
* Upgrading servers to newer operating systems and server software and maintaining a baseline.
* Process Tenders and Customer inquiries and Design/Propose cost effective LAN/WAN solutions and Software
* Managing all physical and virtual servers of the data center.
* Responsible of developing Systems’ backup/recovery strategies and Disaster Recovery.
* Work with Internal and External IT Auditors to ensure the compliance of company standards and procedures.
* System resource monitoring and planning
Project Execution & Management in NDC
* Project Leader for upgrading Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007 SP1 in High Availability scenario.
* Project leader for Virtualization and Consolidation project. The goal of the project is to introduce virtualization technology in the current environment and optimize the utilization of hardware resources. Due to the project, 35% of the hardware was reclaimed. The technologies used were Virtual Server 2005 and Hyper-V.
* Microsoft Infrastructure Re-Design including AD, Exchange and Server Farm redesign to accommodate the rapid increase in number of users.
* Deployment of Pushmail using Microsoft Exchange Server with ActiveSync.
* Patch and software updates for servers and desktops. A comprehensive project designed from scratch to apply the security updates and patches on all machines in the network. Due to the formalization of this project, 98% of the systems were updated within the first month.
* SCOM Design and Implementation for monitoring the Infrastructure
SABIC is one of the largest groups in the Kingdom. There are 18 affiliates located within the kingdom and outside. Based at the Headquarters, I am leading a team of 16 System Administrators. I have completed a number of projects involving Infrastructure Redesign, Security Policies creation and implementation, Remote Administration infrastructure, number of Upgrades to Windows 2003, Designing and auditing Group Policies, Implementing New IP Schemes and so on. I am responsible to:
- Ensure providing run and maintain Microsoft Windows/Exchange based system administration infrastructure.
- Enterprise level administration of Active Directory for SABIC forest.
- Lead the design/implementation of projects involving commissioning of new servers and upgrades.
- Evaluate technical proposals, study their feasibility, and exploit the potential of new technologies to improve business performance.
- Conduct periodic capacity planning and ensure all IT resources are adequate for current and future needs.
- Design and maintain of Disaster Recovery Plans for critical IT services.
- Lead efforts to reduce vendor costs, improve service levels, and monitor vendor performance.
- Creating strategies and guidelines for patch management for all servers, and reporting the patch status.
- Monitor and audit overall IT security, and participate in IT security assessments.
- Monitor and analyze the performance of servers using BMC Patrol.
- Perform well planned acceptance testing for hardware/software changes before deployment.
- Develop and maintain operational standards, procedures, and documentation for configuration, troubleshooting and problem resolution.
- Liaise with Microsoft for Premier Support Services cases to resolve issues.
- Facilitate security incident investigation processes, review reported security incidents, and follow up corrective security measures with other IT Functions
- Member of Corporate IT Security Team.
Working as Team Lead in System and Support Section. VROOM Technologies is a Software Development Company with offices in Denver, USA and Lahore, Pakistan. LAN comprised of over 125 nodes including Windows 2000/NT Servers, Windows NT Workstations, Sun Solaris 2.7 Server and Linux boxes. Connectivity to the Internet and consequently to remote offices is through I Mbps shared link through PTCL. Security is maintained with Altiga VPN Box and Cisco PIX firewall. Responsibilities include:
- Planning and implementation of network strategies providing users trouble-free environment.
- Management of Shared circuit, dialup and ISDN Internet connections with the PTCL and different ISP’s for Internet services.
- Maintenance and troubleshooting of Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5.
- Management of DNS, WINS, DHCP and other Network Services.
- Installation and maintenance of Routers, VPN Box, Firewall, Switches and Hubs.
- Maintenance and troubleshooting of Windows NT/2000, Sun Solaris and Linux servers.
- Managing secure access to overseas office over Virtual Private Network (VPN).
- Installation and distribution of Security Patches and Service Packs.
- Administration of IIS and Microsoft SQL Server 7 based corporate wide Intranet web site.
- Design and implement backup and restore strategies.
- Documentation of procedures for quality management as per CMM standards.
Environment: LAN/WAN, Altiga VPN, PIX Firewall, DXX, BRI, Cisco 2600 Series Routers, HP Switches, Sun Ultrasparc 10 server, Omni View Pro KVM Switch, HP Netserver, IBM Netfinity Servers, .
Windows NT/2000, Windows 9x/ME, Solaris 7, IIS, Exchange Server 5.5, Veritas Backup Exec, MCAfee VirusScan, Visio.
Overall In-Charge of high tech professional training institute. INT offers training, vendor testing, software development and network integration services. I was involved in setting up the institute. Also planned, designed and installed the Computer Networking and Training Facilities for Microsoft, Cisco and Oracle Certifications. As Operations Manager, I was responsible to:
- Lead a team of Network Administrators for networks installation, configuration and troubleshooting.
- Plan and Provide integrated solutions to corporate clients with Microsoft Proxy Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, Internet Information Server and Microsoft SQL Server.
- Plan, Supervise and Conduct professional training activities.
- Supervise VUE Testing system.
- Liaise with hardware and software vendors.
- Advise top management on development and marketing issues.
Environment: LAN, UTP Cat V and Coaxial cabling, Cisco 2500 Series Router.
Windows NT, Windows 9x, IIS, Exchange Server.
Gulistan Group is one of the leading textile groups in Pakistan with 19 plants throughout the country. In-charge of over 150-node computer network based on Novell NetWare, Unix and Windows NT with multi-vendor hardware including HP, IBM. Designed, Setup and implemented the new infrastructure to interact with the existing AS/400 system and other corporate offices, and sites. Also responsible to:
- Design and Implement group wide Network among Corporate Offices.
- Administer the VSat link based network between Lahore and Karachi offices.
- Administer and Troubleshoot Network Servers running Novell Netware and Windows NT 4.0
- User and Printer Administration and assignment of proper rights and permissions on network resources.
- Provide Software and Hardware support to network users.
- Management of Router and 10/100 mbps switches.
- Create and maintain the Backup/Restore plan for Novell NetWare servers.
- Administer and Troubleshoot UUCP based Mail server.
- Create and implement company wide network related policies.
- Liaise with hardware vendors for purchases and maintenance of equipment.
Environment: LAN/WAN, UTP Cat V and Coaxial cabling, Cisco 1600 Series Router.
Novell NetWare 3.12, Windows NT, Windows 3.x/9x, Microsoft Mail, Norton Antivirus.
CGL is an ISO-9002 certified denim manufacturing multinational concern. Involved in establishing the 40+ node network at Head Office connected through VSAT with 100+ node network at Plant. The network includes COMPAQ Proliant servers and HP network printers. Major responsibilities included:
- Administration of VSAT based WAN between Head Office and Plant.
- Supervision of Data Communication between Head Office, Plant Site and other associate offices.
- Installation, Maintenance and Troubleshooting of Network, Hardware and Software.
- Administration of Internet Web and Mail server.
- User Administration and controlling access to network resources.
- As part of Disaster Response Team, maintain and test Disaster Recovery Procedures.
- Design and Implement TCP/IP protocol replacing IPX/SPX for Internet related services.
- Distribution of Company wide Virus Definition Database for desktops and servers.
- Documentation of procedures in ISO 9000 format and their implementation.
- Designing new software using Microsoft FoxPro.
- Designing and Conducting Training Courses for Company Officials.
Environment: LAN/WAN, UTP Cat V and Coaxial cabling, Cisco 2500 Series Router.
Novell NetWare 3.12, Windows 3.x/9x, Linux, Pegasus Mail, MCAfee VirusScan, Novaback, Squid Proxy, Apache Web Server, Visio Technical.
Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with majors in Management.
Did bachelors in science from University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
FoxPro and Computer Programming.
One Year Diploma in Computer Applications.