Integration & Configuration Management Group Manager
Tetra Ireland
Total years of experience :13 years, 5 Months
Tetra Ireland (09/10 - Present) Integration & Configuration Management Group Manager
Tetra Ireland - Tetra Ireland run an "own operate" model Tetra Radio System providing secure encrypted communications to Blue Light agencies and governmental organisations. Tetra Ireland provide additional Tetra related services such as.
• GPS Updates and Asset tracking
• Voice Recording Solution
• MiBAS (Billing and Provisioning) & iTM
• Nationwide Unified ICCS Gateway (Multiple Customers on a single ICCS)
• CAD Interfaces
• Telephony Interface
• Lone Worker Solution
• Paging System
• Organisational Messaging System
The system deployed is a multi-cluster Gen 2 Dimetra Platform using Vortex consoles.
This is a multi-faceted role providing the lead technical interface for the organisation. This role is responsible for developing and continually up skilling a multi-disciplined team capable of supporting a Nationwide switching environment with high availability requirements. Engender a preventative / proactive network management philosophy with an ownership culture. Provide the technical lead on new bids, designs, upgrades or requirement changes. I provide the lead on change management approving any changes to the network.
I also manage the Corporate IT network (excluding PC support) and data centre environment.
The core skills of the team reflect the system complexity with experience in RF Design, Planning, Networking, SQL, Transmission, MTS, Windows and Linux OS, AuC management, AV deployment and MOM integration.
I have responsibility for problem management and provide on-call support for technical or senior management issues.
I represent Tetra Ireland at the Dimetra Users Forum, have regular interactions with customers (existing and potential), suppliers, other operators and government officials.
I manage the Tetra Ireland and Motorola review of existing C3 cases and have a strong working relationship with the Customer Support Manager (CSM), ESSC team and system engineers.
Motorola (10/08 - 09/10) Systems Engineer
My role as a systems engineer within Motorola was to ensure on the ground in-country experience existed on a Tetra Dimetra platform prior to system go-live. I was responsible for ensuring an existing Network Operations Centre (NOC) had the training, procedures and processes necessary to manage a critical communications network.
I was responsible for leading the MTS installation, commissioning and acceptance activities from both a NM and MTS perspective. Provide a technical lead on terminal provisioning via MiBAS.
I developed a backup regime to ensure all system backups were current.
I led the integration of Netcool Manager of Managers into Dimetra: Developing alarm translation; event correlation; and Severity Optimisation
I developed a conclusive list of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) enabling the current Network Management tools to meet the new operational requirements. I tested and accepted a unique MSO synchronisation mechanism to enable DR Functionality of Tetra Ireland's unique architecture.
I developed or modified MoCa and switch configurations to reflect design changes and variations.
I was responsible for the on-going maintenance of the MSO environments throughout roll-out and commissioning.
I developed a working group between various stakeholders to ensure all parties communicated effectively, developing a team environment to reduce outage duration and encourage ongoing learning & development.
I managed the customer interface between Tetra Ireland management and Motorola's ESSC via a weekly C3 case review.
Thales Group (06/01 - 10/08) Various Roles
I worked in 3 different roles within Thales, initially as a Radio Design Engineer then a Senior Radio Design. In 2005 I was asked to move into the O&M organisation as Integration and Configuration Manager to ensure Thales was well placed to manage the newly accepted Dimetra network.
Integration & Configuration Manager / Deputy NMC Manager
This role was created to ensure Thales was operationally prepared to begin maintenance of a Dimetra Radio network within London Underground Limited (LUL) called Connect. The Connect System was a single cluster 5 zone Dimetra Gen 1 System using Centracom. My main responsibilities included:
• Create the structures to ensure a new NMC could operate and deliver contractual targets
• C3 Case & Problem Management
• Design reviews
• Trend Analysis
• Develop and Deliver Staff Training
• Develop Backup Regime
• Radiating cable and RF equipment inspections
• Technical lead for Airwave Deployment within Connect
• Deliver system modifications as required
Senior Radio Design Engineer
This role was focused on two projects: The provision of Tetra & BTP communications to Heathrow Terminal 5; and the provision of RF infrastructure to Channel Tunnel Rail Link Phase 2.
My main responsibilities included:
• Design system extension for Connect to incorporate the newly built Heathrow Terminal 5 campus into the LUL system from a Radio perspective
• Design RF Infrastructure for extension
• Identify suitable infrastructure to support the design (radiating cable, RF Splitters/Combiners/Cell-Enhancers)
• Oversee re-design of existing legacy storno radio system to allow Heathrow loop closure, whilst still providing Legacy and Tetra communications
• Oversee loop closure and redesign
• Document interface documents to ensure civil builds matched requirements
• Provide coverage for all emergency escape-ways, cross-passages and sidings.
• Oversaw ITT for installation outsourcing
• Provided budgetary costings for project
• Weekly on-site meetings with stakeholders to address technical concerns as they arose
Radio Design Engineer
This role was specific to a single project. This was to accept the LUL Connect Tetra Radio and Nice Voice Recording System into Operations & Maintenance.
My main responsibilities included:
• Ensure system maintainability
• Ensure functional requirements were met
• Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)
• Ensure system redundancy was maintained throughout the design
• Identify Single Point of Failures and mitigate where possible
• Accept the NM Suite (FullVision) and ensure it readily identified failed units accurately.
• Sign-off on design and installation processes
• Ensure maintenance regimes identified were incorporated into proposed NMC within O&M organisation.
• Repeated testing during in-build system upgrades (R4.x to 5.x)