Muhammad Sohail Safdar Ali

RABIAH & NASSAR GROUP (RANCO GROUP) - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia December 2013 - Present
IT MANAGER
Capitalized on system/network administration background to play key role in leading all IT staff members and SAP consultants to develop new technologies, define strategy, prioritize resources, and envision and execute technology solutions to streamline business processes and deliver great customer experiences, while exceeding client expectations. Manage all IT operations such as SAP and Infrastructure teams. Validate and verify all business processes with BPOs. Liaise and negotiate with vendors with respect to formulating price schedules, annual maintenance contract, discount rates, services, and deadlines.

 Maximized ROI with information resources that support different phases of SAP ERP, from planning and installation to operation, by successfully implementing Go Live SAP EHP7 ERP with FICO, SD, MM, HCM, PS, RE, and BOBJ.
 Set up IT and SAP Steering committee meetings; led the strategic planning, organization, prioritization, investment, and decision-making activities in all areas of IT, lead improvements in business processes, IT systems, and culture.
 Enhanced the quality/effectiveness of strategic goals and operational efficiency by evaluating and implementing IT solutions, policies, and initiatives.
 Eliminated duplication in master data by setting up a Master Data department through a portal access with automated approvals through email workflows.
 Cut IT overhead costs by leading in-house migration and implementation of Office 365 E4, E1, E#, and Power BI Cloud-based Enterprise Subscription and Data Migration.
 Allowed management to set goals and objectives for the business by creating a 5-year strategic plan with yearly planning benchmarks and keeping business-related enhancements and automation.
 Improved team collaboration and communication enhancement through SharePoint and Microsoft Lync for web conferencing, and implemented 3CX as a core IP telephony system with Snom VoIP Phones and Patton Gateways.
 Facilitated continuous improvement via KPI’s calculation and scorecard implementation with a consulting company.
 Enabled robust forecasts of future infrastructure capacity requirements through enhancement features and design.
 Reduced IT support costs and met customer demand by establishing an automated helpdesk for end-user support.
 Satisfied regulatory compliance requirements and mitigated risk by implementing IT security and audit policies.
 Saved time by implementing a Fixed Asset Management (FAM) solution, e.g., bar code printing and scanning.

Reported to the General Manager / CFO. Oversaw IT infrastructure development and operations, as well as the WAN administration and maintenance of the company’s infrastructure. Managed IT budgeting, purchasing, and contracts for yearly capital expenditures. Led the entire team through proper recommendations for planning, design, and implementation of the information technologies and application systems. Created MIS forms and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and integrated important theories and concepts to provide solutions to various issues. Developed and modified databases in SQL and Oracle, added tables/queries, and designed forms/reports using VB.NET, Crystal Reports, Visual Studio 2008, and Relativity. Maintained Active Directory and troubleshot Windows 2003/2008 servers.
 Maximized efficiency by evaluating the performance and coordinating the activities of the team office in order to support the goals of the organization.
 Saved company money and time by successfully implementing Cloud Messaging System Google Apps for Business with Intranet Sites by internal team.
 Increased business continuity and disaster recovery by implementing an in-house designed automated backup solution with different site replication.
 Improved scalability in a cost-effective way by designing and establishing site-to-site connectivity for multiple branches, and securing VPN for centralized servers and ERP access through an internal team.
 Achieved optimal return on employee investment by integrating home-grown HRMS system with ERP system.
 Streamlined production and inventory data collection by implementing bar code scanning for inventory.
 Optimized datacenter operations through integrated virtualization of in-house servers by internal team.
 Ensured end-to-end delivery of key projects by introducing and instituting CAPEX and OPEX for the IT department.
 Enhanced reporting capabilities for leadership by designing Dynamic Management reports through Crystal Reports.

Designed and implemented intricate cost-effective LAN/WAN/WLAN networks using various innovative solutions and techniques catering to the exact needs of the clients with appropriate considerations for future expansion.

 Delivered the latest communication features by implementing a complete network for an organization containing D-Link IP PABX, Access Points (DWL-7700AP, DWL-3200AP), Outdoor Antenna 15 dbi Omni directional, and Air premier 8-port wireless switch with PoE and IP phones.
 Developed a business from China to import fiber optic cables, patch panels, patch cords, and fiber optic tool kits at a very economical price.
 Established excellent relations and gained breadth of knowledge for all kinds of national and international distributors and dealers across the Saudi Arabia Kingdom, including Al-Jammaz, Abdula Fouad, Alfalak, Aptec, Minerwa, Talent, Majdaf, SACS, Aircord, ICC, Noornet, Nesma, AwalNet, SOL, Al-Hasoob and Al-Jassim, as well as some international vendors for specialty wireless products.

Served as primary point of contact for all IT operations, technology, and technical troubleshooting. Oversaw network planning and design of the LAN/WAN infrastructure consisting of Cisco routers and Extreme Layer III switches.

 Maintained a high availability cluster and redundant environment by designing and configuring an Active Directory.
 Improved system functionality by planning and designing a Domain Model in the enterprise environment.
 Ensured network security by joining domains, implementing trust relationships, and maintaining User Account Management, Group Management, and Security Policy Management.