AXA Group Operations Philippines

October, 2020 to December, 2021 ( 1 year , 2 months ) - Philippines

As an integral part of AXA, we create innovative technology and data solutions to help AXA fulfil its ambition of being a customer-focused, tech-led company.

Axa Group Operations is a young and dynamic division launched in 2019 and comprises 8,000 employees across 17 countries all around the globe from Paris to Pune.

Problem

More adoption and successful implementation of all DevOps processes and team identity.

Lack of defined struture in technical and soft skills requirement in development teams.

Non production cloud environments needing to be defined and managed.

Increase modern source and version control adoption.

Legacy web applications needing authorization and access control refactoring.

Peer review of new move to cloud initiatives, and write up reports of results.

Action

Create a regional monthly DevOps forum, Promote the benefits of DevOps, Introduce the IEEE Standard for DevOps IEEE 2675-2021.

Build interal hands-on traning courses centered around OpenShift and AWS native services

Define a regional Developer Standard for both internal and external vendor development resources

Develop POC infrastructure as code systems and processes for data export and import into AWS cloud databases

Create a central repository initiative in github and introduce it to technical team leads.

Perform full stack web development and Kubernetes/Openshift deployment upgrades and updates.

Perform project reviews and reports - code, deployment processes, backup and disaster recovery.

Result

Improved development teams and leads on Container systems and implement CI deployment pipelines with a focus on industry best practices and standards.

Updated, migrated and upgraded legacy web apps to a newer Openshift platform

Reduced running costs through implementation of ondemand resources instead of provisioned.

Set the group service on a path toward improved development teams and improved cloud native systems

Instilled a culture of continuous improvement in the team and the organization.

Grand Red Consulting

July, 2019 to September, 2020 ( 1 year , 2 months ) - Hong Kong

Grand Red Limited provides Software Development, Software Consulting and Back Office Business Processes.

Problem

A rapidly growing International BPO company needing a Management Information System (MIS) for help with decision-making.

The MIS system requirements also are to aide the coordination, control, analysis, and visualization of the organizations Operations and HR data.

Centralized web app(s) required for key MIS components and UI.

An existing monolithic web application to be migrated to the AWS platform.

A Business Intelligence pipeline is needed to ingest, store and report on the BPO client projects.

Action

Create a Restful AWS Lambda API service to generate advanced SQL powered CSV reports for Google Sheets ingestion

Use Google Apps Script to generate dynamic Pivot table reports for key data

Develop and deploy a ReactJS static site using GatsbyJS for secure hosting of micro web apps on the Caspio.com platform

Migrate an existing monolithic PHP/Jquery web application to the AWS platform, implemented with Devops configuration management and a CI/CD pipeline

Architect and create new multi environment stage AWS VPCs, migrate to AWS RDS, implement proper application secrets management

Implement web development and web operations procedures to perform operations as code and to practice failure scenarios.

Build and deploy distinct separate CI/CD processes for serverless APIs, single page apps and monolithic web apps

Create an automated end-to-end testing suite to enable rapid feedback on the flow of changes into production

Develop resilient and cost effective data backup and scheduled tested disaster recovery procedures

Create technical on-boarding materials and establish best practice processes for new team members

Result

Established an MIS system used on a daily basis by management and senior staff.

Improved management visibility into daily company operations, thus improving decision making processes

Improved the HR pipeline for new and existing staff

Reduced the monthly technology portfolio expenses

Development of a CI/CD architecture that enabled developers more quickly and independently develop, test, and deploy value safely and reliably.

Enhanced and evolved the technology portfolio to deliver higher performance, reliability, security posture and operational business value.

Viseo

December, 2018 to July, 2019 ( 6 months ) - Hong Kong

Viseo is a digital solutions company providing consulting to operations.

Problem

Lead Viseo's Digital Innovation Practice in Hong Kong

Lead and Manage the Digital Squad (team of 2 to 5 Developers)

Provide consulting advice to clients as requested.

Support Presales activities (presentation demos, ppts, POCs, ideas, etc.)

Support sales putting proposals together.

For new client projects help put a team together to deliver (ie. Nearshoring to Philippines, or hire developers in Hong Kong or leverage Hong Kong digital squad).

Anything regarding Technical Hires - interviews and vetting candidates.

Push BlockChain & NLP in Chatbots - eg. Drive and/or participate at Thought Leadership Events, do internal and client POCs.

Manage an internal Product Backlog of innovation that can be showcased.

Support Partners' solutions when required - Docker Inc., Salesforce.com primarily

Supporting colleagues in SCO and Salesforce.com with high level solutions architecture when integrations are required.

Staying abreast with latest technologies.

Mentor and prepare training to Digital Squad staff.

Facilitate and participate in Design Thinking workshops.

Action

Establish a new Organizational level code repository for the regional Innovation Team

Built an open source containerized CI/CD web application for use in corporate demonstrations and public presentations

Do CI/CD presentations and demonstrations for clients and public gatherings (Cloud Expo Asia Hong Kong, Docker User Groups Hong Kong)

Participated in the design and development of POC serverless single page app using ReactJS and AWS Lambda with the new Innovation squad for a client RFC

Consult for, architect and create a POC serverless asynchronous event driven application on AWS for large scale metrics ingestion and post processing

Result

Expanded Viseo's presence, footprint and influence in Hong Kong

Increased new client lead generation

Integral in bringing in and creating new clients for Viseo Asia

Successful RFC and POC projects leading directly to new client accounts for Viseo

AXA Group Solutions

April, 2016 to July, 2017 ( 1 year , 2 months ) - Hong Kong

AXA Group Solutions is an AXA Group company which serves most of AXA’s entities.

Problem

Create a core Agile team to develop technical solutions for AXA Asia region entities.

Develop HTTP Rest APIs required Asian regional systems integration.

Focus on Agile methodologies with disciplined work process, accountability, visibility and product delivery's.

Liaise and work with other teams, stakeholders, Actuaries, and eCommerce partners.

Action

Implement Restful HTTP APIs with Node.JS using Strongloop API technology.

Develop secure productive local containerized developer work environments enabling rapid onboarding.

Establish Continuous Integration and Delivery pipelines that incorporate local pre-release penetration testing.

Docker build process deployed into a regional data center running on the OpenShift platform for container orchestration.

Develop Site Reliability Playbooks for application maintenance and support.

Result

Successfully delivered phase one the digital transformation process for regional identity management and access.

Set an example of proper devops and engineering practices, workflow and delivery for other teams to learn from and also use.

Mentored junior developers helping to up-skill and improve their skills and critical thinking.

Ride Share Market

November, 2014 to June, 2016 ( 1 year , 6 months ) - Bangkok, Thailand (remote)

Ride Share Market is free to use ride sharing web and mobile site.

The site is currently offline, unable to gain enough traction the stakeholders have ceased the project.

Problem

Greenfield single page web application project.

Plan out, develop and deploy an open source free to use ridesharing app.

Required emphasis on solid documentation and a repeatable build proccess with Continuous Integration and Delivery (CI and CD).

Action

Devised a micro service architecture centered on Docker (multiple environments from development to production).

Developed backend HTTP RESTful Web API with NodeJS, MongoDB and Couchbase.

Single Page App (SPA) front-end programing AngularJS and Material Design.

Front-end Javascript build system with GulpJS, CI with TravisCI and Jenkins.

Implement Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) environments with Amazon Web Services.

Developed configuration management systems with Chef Solo and Chef Server.

Implement web operations monitoring systems (Prometheus, ELK).

Implement front-end instrumentation with Google Analytics.

Setup client support systems.

Implemented agile story-based project planning with Pivotal Tracker.

Result

An MVP for the application specs produced and deployed on time and within budget.

Leveraged open source projects all the way from system OS, config management, back-end and front-end to keep operations expenses to an absolute minimum.

Open source contributions produced from the project for Oauth, application logging and AMQP RPC messaging.

Community help blog posts for Docker security and Elasticsearch evolved from the project.

Klixplus Pty Ltd

December, 2014 to April, 2015 ( 3 months ) - Queensland, Australia (remote)

KlixPlus specializes in high-end website design, digital media, corporate branding and creative marketing.

Problem

Migrate a cluster of http servers, proxies and databases from the US to EU.

This cluster must move from running on bare metal to a multiple staged environment mix of Virtual machines and new bare metal servers.

Zero downtime is required.

Action

Planned out a Build and Deploy system centered on detailed documentation and repeatable build processes.

Devised and implement a configuration management system.

Created a Local Developer Virtual Machine setup for programmers and design team.

Created a repeatable build Staging environment on Virtual machines at digitalocean.com.

Configuration management for all environments including bare metal hardware.

Web Development with PHP, Python, Javascript, HTML, CSS, PHP, PosgtreSQL and Couchbase.

Devops/Configuration management with Vagrant/Virtualbox, Chef Solo and Chef Server.

Migrated highly available caching systems with Varnish Cache and Couchbase 3.0.

Migrated highly available replicating Database systems using PostgreSql.

Implemented advanced network security process with Iptables, SSH tunneling and port knocking.

Deployed a new unified logging solution with Elasticsearch, Logstash and Kibana (ELK).

Deployed a new systems monitoring solution with Graphite/StatsD and Consul.

Result

Reduced operational expenses by moving the web cluster to more affordable and higher quality hosting hardware.

Zero extra investment required for software services or licensing.

Successfully transitioned a single stage web app cluster into a multi staged developer workflow.

Implemented repeatable build systems with Open source technology.

Clearly detailed and documented deployment and backup systems so the stakeholders have a better grip of day to day activity.

Reduced technical debt - the application stakeholders no longer have a black box and have confidence they can quickly recover from data or systems breakdown.

AJAM Holdings LLC

August, 2013 to June, 2014 ( 9 months ) - Illinois, United States (remote)

Front-End and back-End web application programming plus Linux systems administration for a suite of online Nutraceutical stores.

Problem

Tasked with maintenance and bug fixing for a pre-existing affiliate sales program and WordPress sites.

Action

Orientated myself on how the systems integrate (various scheduled tasks for billing, web hooks, report generation).

Implement price point updates, template system updates that integrate with a custom USPS product delivery service.

Fix intermittent 3rd party payment processors bugs and issues.

Fix various intermittent custom USPS shipping issues.

General Linux systems administration, such as system updates and backups.

Implement a unified logging system with loggly.com

Sales data mining and reports production.

Result

Continued smooth operation, online sales and rebilling for the web application stakeholders.

Improved documentation.

Implemented a browser testing suite with WebDriver and Selenium.

SSC Group LLC

December, 2012 to August, 2013 ( 7 months ) - California, United States (remote)

SSC Groupt LLC is an internet entertainment and publishing company specializing in online entertainment services, publishing, branding, and traffic generation.

Problem

Join and contribute to an existing Web Development team of Rails developers, PHP developers and HTML/CSS designers.

Develop and maintain a suite of streaming video and traffic generation web and mobile sites.

Maintenance of a pre-existing PHP based affiliate program and integration with third party payment processors.

Action

Implemented code fixes, updates and additions to existing PHP, Node.js, Ruby on Rails, Javascript, HTML code.

Integrated application code with Mysql, PostgreSQL and MongoDB databases.

Developed a PHP REST API, PHP Smarty templating updates and bug fixes.

Linux systems admin, Virtual Machine setup/admin/integration.

Result

Continued smooth operation and online sales for the web application stakeholders.

Improved legacy systems development and maintenance workflows leveraging Virtual Machines

Improved documentation.

Kinetic Business Solutions

April, 2012 to July, 2012 ( 2 months ) - Manila, Philippines

Kinetic Business Solutions provides full service offshore call center services for companies in all trades of business.

Fluent English speaking agents provide success with either inbound customer service or outbound telemarketing.

Problem

Consulting service to review and advise a Business Process Outsource (BPO) Call Center.

Action

Reviewed Network access and security.

Reviewed call center VOIP inbound and outbound ViciDial systems.

Assisted with implementation of additional VOIP service provider.

Result

Lowered overall cost of VOIP operations.

Added VOIP redundancy.

Sargas, Inc

January, 2012 to July, 2012 ( 5 months ) - Pampanga, Philippines

Sargas, Inc. is a provider of 24/7 call center and business process outsourcing services.

Problem

Establish a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Start Up.

Action

Found and fitted out an office location for business operations.

Setup a new network of Unix servers and Agent workstations

VOIP operations setup using Suse Linux VidiDial (inbound and outbound)

Implement advanced Linux Routing, Firewalling and Network security.

Implement a Thin Client Solution (Diskless Workstations) for Linux Ubuntu operating systems (12 workstations with LTSP).

Microsoft Windows client workstation cluster setup and administration (12 workstations).

Result

Successful BPO creation and up and running

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) kept to a minimum using open source software.

Hyper Focus Media

October, 2010 to June, 2012 ( 1 year , 8 months ) - Queensland, Australia (remote)

Hyper Focus Media (HFM) is an Internet content media production company, streaming video, SEO and affiliate review site network.

HFM was established after the acquisition of my previous employment at IMP, I joined with the founders.

Problem

HFM required a Front-end and Back-end developer with Devops and Unix Systems admin skills.

The company has a small suite of existing web and mobile apps, including high traffic review site, with CMS backend, and a free streaming media sites.

Action

Oversaw and participated primarily in PHP and Python back-end and Javascript front-end web development.

Re-implemented improved front-end build systems and deployment processes.

Web app project management with RedMine (installation, admin and use).

Developed CDN integration of video content and image media.

Smarty PHP templating systems development, maintenance and bug fixes.

Linux systems admin, Virtual Machine setup/admin/integration.

Highly available HTTP service using Nginx, Apache and Varnish cache.

Distributed Version Control System using Git.

PostgreSQL database administration - highly available replicating primary/secondary.

Result

Day to day running, development and maintenance of the web and mobile sites remained smooth and profitable.

Total cost of ownership remained low, as almost all software used is open source

Hosting costs were reduced with the implementation of caching systems (primarily Varnish cache).

Local developer productivity greatly improved with the implementation of development virtual machines.

Design team work flow and productivity improved by implementation of improved build and deployment processes.

Internet Media Productions

February, 2004 to July, 2010 ( 6 years , 4 months ) - Queensland, Australia (On-site and remote)

Internet Media Productions (IMP) is a content media production company, web and mobile streaming video media provider plus network review site.

Problem

Join a rapidly growing team of Web Developers, Designers and Encoders.

Required Front-end and Back-end development of a multimedia CMS web app system.

Required administration of a content affiliation web application.

Required Linux and FreeBSD devops and systems administration.

Action

Oversaw and participated in Web Development with PHP, Javascript, HTML and CSS.

Database development and administration of Mysql and PostgreSQL including HA primary/secondary.

Affiliate program development, Template systems development.

Content management systems for affiliates.

Integration with 3rd party payment processors.

Linux systems administration and Database administration.

Result

Successful rapid growth, operation and sales for the company stakeholders.

Over the course of several years we built, profited and sold several web applications

Ultimately the company was acquired and I moved with the founders to my next job.

First Alliance Pty Ltd

March, 2001 to November, 2003 ( 2 years , 8 months ) - Queensland, Australia

First Alliance is a boutique brokerage house licensed in Australia since 1999.

The brokerage stakeholders also pursued some start web sites ranging from e-commerce, immigration, fun quizzes and social media.

Problem

First Alliance required a Front-end and Back-end developer with Devops and Unix Systems admin skills.

Action

Senior Web Developer and Systems Administrator.

Development with Coldfusion, PHP, Javascript, HTML and CSS.

Database development with PostgreSQL.

Content management systems, domain name registration web app.

Integration with 3rd party payment processors.

Linux systems administration and Database administration.

Result

Several web sites build and launched successfully for the stakeholders and external clients.

Initially developed on bare metal hosted on-site then migrated to cloud providers which lowered total cost of ownership

• Koa JSON Logger - Logging middleware for Koa HTTP server.
• AMQP Node RPC Factory - Node.js AMQP RPC Consumer and Publisher Factory.
• Koa JSON-API Headers - Validate JSON-API Request Headers middleware for Koa HTTP Server.
• Oauth2 Facebook - Node.js oauth2 Facebook sign in module.
• Oauth2 Google - Node.js oauth2 Google sign in module.
• Oauth2 LinkedIn - Node.js oauth2 LinkedInk sign in module.
• Generator NgPack - Yeoman Generator for AngularJS with Material Design and Webpack.
• Require Walk - Node.js recursively require common js modules.
• Jenkins Build Essential - Docker Jenkins CI Image with Build Essential added.
• Ride Share Market App - Ride Share Market AngularJS App.
• Ride Share Market Data - Node.js RabbitMQ MongoDB data layer.
• Ride Share Market DevOps - Ride Share Market Chef Configuration Management.
• MEANR Full Stack - MEANR (MongoDB, Express, AngularJS, Node.js, Redis) stack with Chef for DevOps and Capistrano for Deployment.

• Elasticsearch v2 Geolocation search made easy with Docker (Technical Tutorial)
• ELK Docker Setup (Technical Tutorial)
• Personal Blog - Web Development, Web Operations, Devops (Technical Tutorials)

• CB020 Fundamentals of NoSQL Data Management - Couchbase, Inc.
• CB030 Essentials of Couchbase NoSQL Technology - Couchbase, Inc.
• M101JS: MongoDB for Node.js Developers - MongoDB, Inc.
• M102: MongoDB for DBAs - MongoDB, Inc.
• M202: MongoDB Advanced Deployment and Operations - MongoDB, Inc.
• Diploma of Applied Science - Horticulture - Brisbane Institute of TAFE
• Permaculture Design Consultant - Permaculture Institute
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language - The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language: Business English - The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language: Grammar Awareness - The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council
• Plural Sight Online Courses - Plural Sight
1. Practical Design Patterns in JavaScript
2. Getting Started With Elasticsearch for .NET Developers
3. Yeoman Fundamentals
4. Administering an Elasticsearch Cluster
5. AWS VPC Operations
6. An AngularJS Playbook
7. Angular Directives Fundamentals
8. Webpack Fundamentals
9. Fundamentals of Typography
10. Visual Studio Code
11. Introduction to Wireshark
12. Concurrent Programming with Go
13. Building Realtime Angular Controls
14. Web Security and the OWASP Top 10: The Big Picture
15. Date and Time Fundamentals
16. Math for Programmers
• Egg Head Online Courses - Egg Head
1. Angular and Webpack for Modular Applications
2. AngularJS Authentication with JWT
• Lynda.com Online Courses - Lynda.com
1. Up and Running with Slack
2. Agile at Work: Building Your Agile Team
• Code School Online Courses - Code School
1. Git Real
2. Rails Best Practices
3. CSS Cross-Country
4. Functional HTML5
5. Rails Testing for Zombies
6. Anatomy of Backbone.js
7. CoffeeScript
8. Real-time Web with Node.js
9. Testing with RSpec
10. Ruby Bits
11. Assembling Sass
12. Ruby Bits Part 2
13. Discover DevTools
14. Shaping up with Angular.js
15. Try R
16. Try Git