Manager - IT Infrastructure
Gulf Air
مجموع سنوات الخبرة :27 years, 2 أشهر
The organization is one of the leading airlines companies in Middle East, having world-wide network covering 50 cities in 30 countries.
Inducted as IT Infrastructure Consultant, charted a phenomenal growth curve through exceptional performance to merit promotion as IT Infrastructure Manager.
Designation Chronology:
• Mar ' 08 - Present: IT Infrastructure Manager
• Sept '06 - Feb '08: IT Infrastructure Consultant
Highlights:
• Enhanced WAN connectivity of the company across 37 countries, augmented consistency and performance resulting in significant cost saving totaling to USD 2 million per annum on communication links.
• Devised and integrated VOIP technology in several branches of the company throughout the world and ensured glitch-free communication services in the company.
Overall Responsibilities:
• Providing global technology vision and leadership for formulating, evaluating, and implementing IT solutions, policies and initiatives to enhance the quality/effectiveness of strategic goals and operational efficiency.
• Serving as a sole point of contact for IT infrastructure support/facilities across 30 countries encompassing remote offices, town offices, airports, cargo, engineering and GSA locations.
• Managing IT operations in a 24X7X365 business critical environment by creating turnkey network and server solutions relating to Departure Control Systems (DCS), Falcon, Common User Terminal Equipments (CUTE) and several other infrastructural applications across all airports.
• Establishing annual IT budgets, assessing the application of funds for IT infrastructure equipments, ensuring the adherence of the policies & procedures as well as negotiating with contractors for securing beneficial annual maintenance contract terms.
• Constantly liaising with vendors and numerous departments to troubleshoot outstation infrastructural equipments as well as providing cost effective connective solutions for server consolidation.
Key Projects to Credit:
• Jan '09 - Present: Voice over IP (VoIP) implementation.
- Devising VOIP, connecting HDQ at Bahrain with several cities throughout the world viz. Shanghai, Paris, Bangkok, Frankfurt, Istanbul.
• Jan '08 - Present: Implementing CUTE (Common User Terminal Equipment) Infrastructure across all the airports check-in area.
- Working in synchronization SITA & local airport authority to implement CUTE system across 42 airports. Installing IT infrastructure and telecommunication link with given time frame.
• Mar '07 - Present: Standardization of desktops.
- Escalating the requirement for desktops and laptops and drafted the configuration of the systems to be purchased.
• Jan '09 - Nov '09: IT Infrastructure for new terminal in London
- Provided infrastructural facilities by installing internet connection and proffering IT support services at terminal 4 of London Heathrow airport in coordination with several vendors viz. BAA, BT and SITA.
• Jan '08 - Oct 2009: Station roll-out Shanghai, Hyderabad & Iraq.
- Spearheaded implementation of infrastructure facilities for airports, town office & cargo.
• Jun '07- Dec 2009: WAN Master plan.
- Played an instrumental role in devising WAN Master plan for migrating network connectivity from X.25 connections to IP connectivity based on SITA IPVPN, Select DSL and secure VPN network.
- Replaced 253 old Videocom terminals with PC based system to facilitate migration of IP network in all the GF/GSA offices.
• Sept '06 - May '08: E-Ticketing Infrastructure
- Played a pivotal role in providing IT infrastructure including internet connectivity in several locations.
• Jan '07 - Jun '07: Server & Storage consolidation
- Consolidated 60 Intel servers and 40 UNIX servers considering road map for HP, IBM & SUN servers as well as calculated the processing power of each server in alignment with GFIT strategy.
- Assessed and evaluated blade server solution from HP and IBM.
M.A. Kharafi is one of the eminent private sector groups in Kuwait with diverse business activities in construction, oil & gas, information technology, travel and food & beverages.
Highlights:
• Maintained, troubleshot and upgraded complete IT infrastructure facilities for the company and executed remedy helpdesk & Oracle Financials in order to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Devised and implemented centralized e-mail/internet services for Kharafi Group companies and subsidiaries, resulting in cost saving of 12, 500 KD
Key Responsibilities:
• Planned, organized, and managed the team and overall operations to provide IT infrastructural support services. Developing, maintaining, supporting, and optimizing servers and network for critical business applications.
• Administered company’s LAN/WAN equipments, internet and optical fiber network, troubleshot and provided rectification for network issues, and recommended product upgrades/enhancements to enhance network environment.
• Established strong relations with major vendors/suppliers, conferred with them regarding project plans and requirements and ensured that the procurement is favorable to the company's purchase terms.
• Provided team leadership to technical personnel including Network Administrators, PC support personnel, PC technicians and helpdesk teams to meet ever-increasing demands of 24x7 environment and to ensure services are scalable and highly available.
Key Projects to Credit:
• Upgradation of IT Infrastructure for Kharafi group.
- Configured CISCO Core switch 3750, distribution switches, implemented security solutions viz. CISCO PIX Firewall, CCTV facility and optical fiber cabling to link remote locations to the corporate office.
• Re-organization and facility management of the server room.
- Upgraded facility management of the server room by implementing server and network cabinets, proper air-conditioning and UPS facility.
Alghanim Industries is one of the leading private sector groups in Kuwait with diversified business activities in electronics, automotive, engineering, travel, finance and retail sector.
Highlights:
• Accomplished 99.54% uptime for vital business servers by providing sophisticated network and server solutions.
• Implemented IP telephony and FAX services, integrated with e-mail and thereby reduced the communication cost by 50%.
Key Responsibilities:
• Organized requirements definition for, and selection of, productivity enhancing technologies and their application for business process optimization in alignment with the organization's core objectives.
• Analyzed, documented application requirements and business process flows, obtained consensus on project deliverables and MIS resources, cost, milestones and schedule to delineate project approach /scope. Submitted weekly reports to the senior management to provide updates regarding the project progress.
• Created project implementation plans, estimates, forecasts and assigned tasks to team members for on-time delivery of client deliverables. Ensured accurate estimates are prepared for maintenance, enhancement and development work.
• Defined standards for system safety and security including backups. Monitored and maintained application/database operations and tuned settings for optimal system performance.
Key Projects to Credit:
• Jan '01- Dec '02: Installed and configured 11Mbps Wireless & DSL Networks covering 27 Wide Area locations (WAN) for online access of business critical applications.
• Jan '03 - Dec '03: Spearheaded the execution of mySAP Retail ERP module encompassing 8 retail showrooms and 2 Warehouses. Installed and maintained digital UNIX server and CISCO access point for local area Wireless Network.
• Jun '03- Dec '03: Designed and implemented CISCO routers, core backbone switch catalyst 5500, 3COM core switch 7700 for gigabit Ethernet backbone network.
Tata steel is an integral part of Tata group which is the largest business house in India.
Highlights:
• Configured, installed and maintained Satellite Communication network (VSAT) for 61 locations, all over India.
• Developed and implemented 16 Mbps Token Ring Optical Fiber network covering 24 Kms at Jamshedpur Steel Works.
Key Responsibilities:
• Analyzed requirements pertaining to existing systems to evaluate effectiveness, procedures and problems and improve existing business systems of Information Technology and Telecommunication Department.
• Involved in the design/management of LAN/WAN within the organization, introduced and developed integration of Enterprise Networking and Communication system consisting of VSAT, IBM main frame ES 9000, AS 400, Email, ATM, and Optical fiber token ring network.
• Scrutinized organizational N/W requirement, recommended suitable N/W infrastructure plan, deployed clustering solution and parallel connectivity in addition to an optimum solution for WAN connection backup.
• Provided network solutions, formulated hardware and software specification for executing SAP R/3 in marketing and sales department all over India.
• Assessed project requirement and accordingly formulated technical and commercial tender specifications. Monitored the performance of the projects and ensured the completion of the projects within the given timeframe.
• Strived to enhance administrative procedures in IT Department. Supervised modifications in existent applications in view of evolving business needs and market requirements.
• Actively participated in creating/maintaining operational procedures and documentation to accomplish greater operational effectiveness/efficiency.
• Reviewed performance and skills set of team members, provided recommendations to senior management on areas of improvements/training needed, motivated the team to meet/surpass established targets.
Key Responsibilities:
• Analyzed and assessed technical/financial viability of the projects relating to power, telecommunication and optical fiber and ascertained that the project leads to minimization of cost and maximization of profitability to the business.
• Devised tender specification for privatization of telecommunication sector in India, both for basic services and value added services with Malaysia and Canada telecom industries.
• Drafted technical and commercial tenders for Independent Power Purchase (IPP) agreements in India.
Previous Professional Experience:
Sept '90 - Aug '93: Testing Engineer, Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation Ltd
Key Responsibility:
• Assessed, evaluated, monitored and troubleshot several electrical systems ensuring glitch free operations.
Nov '88 - Sept '90: Telecommunication Engineer, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC).
Key Responsibility:
• Oversaw telecommunication infrastructure facilities, construction of communications facilities and coordinated with other departments related telecommunications to maintain full technological functionality.
Bestowed with His Majesty King's scholarship from Royal Thai Government. Scored CGPA of 3.2 out of 4.
Stood second in the class. Scored CGPA of 9.0 out of 10.0
Other Professional Certifications: • Project Management Professional (PMP), Certificate No- 1309191(Dec '09). • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certificate No- 0651887 (Nov '06). • IT Service Management, ITIL (Sept '04). Major International Publications: • Global Networking ‘97, Calgary, Canada (Jun '97): The impact of Social and Economic Parameters in Telecommunication Network Planning (The Case of Thailand).