Brian Benz

IT architect, project manager, team lead, analyst, developer, author, and trainer

 

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Phone +1 702 940 6572 / Fax +1 347 412 0806 / email: brianbenz@brianbenz.com

Summary of Qualifications:

-20+ years IT experience including project management, architecture, analysis, development and training

-Owned an operated an IT Service Business/IBM Lotus Business Partnership for 10 years

-15 years experience with Lotus Notes, Domino and related technologies, recognized expert in the field.

-Thousands of developers have used my book, article, and seminar code examples in mission-critical applications

-Co-Author of the Notes and Domino 6 Programming Bible (ISBN: 0764526111, John Wiley & Sons, Apr 2003)

-Co-Author of the IBM Redbook XML: Powered by Domino (ISBN: 073842109, IBM, Nov 2000)

-Author of the XML Programming Bible (ISBN: 0764538292, John Wiley & Sons, Sept 2003)

-Author of dozens of technical articles in industry publications

-Conducted technical seminars and training for IBM, Lotus, Advisor Media and others at worldwide events

-Certified IBM Instructor, IBM e-business solutions architect and solutions advisor

-Certified IBM Lotus Notes and Domino principal developer (PCLP), and an administrator (CLP)

-Author of the popular Blog, Software Soapbox (http://www.softwaresoapbox.com)

 

Skills Matrix (In alphabetical Order)

IT and Leadership Skills	Experience	Technical Skills	Experience
Systems analysis	20 years	IBM Lotus Notes and Domino	15 years
Systems architecture	20 years	SQL	15 years
Project management	15 Years	SQLXML	3 years
SOA	4 years	XML, XSL, XSD, DTD	7 years
Social software	15 years	Web Services, SOA	6 years
Application & project audits	15 years	ETL Tools	12 years
Application integration/ETL	10 years	IBM WebSphere	5 years
Application migration	10 years	Java/J2EE	7 years
Budget planning and control	11 years	IBM DB2	17 years
Building teams	11 years	IBM DB2 XML Extender	3 years
Change control and management	11 years	Oracle	9 years
CMM/SCM	3 years	Oracle XDK	2 years
Content management	15 years	MS SQL Server	7 years
CRM	15 years	Web Application Technologies	12 years
Data integration	15 years	Altova XMLSpy	3 years
Defining goals and assumptions	20 years	.NET	4 years
Encryption and PKIs	11 years	Documentum eRoom	2 years
ERP and financials	20 years	LotusScript	7 years
Investment justification	20 years	JavaScript, VBScript, ASP	7 years
IT Infrastructure	20 years	MS Exchange	4 years
IT Security	15 years	MS FoxPro	17 years
Knowledge Management	15 Years	MS IIS	7 years
Leading teams and meetings	20 years	MS Office	17 years
Management presentations	15 years	MS Project	15 years
Managing expectations	20 years	MS Visio	12 years
Messaging migration	11 years	MS Visual Basic	7 years
Progress tracking and reporting	15 years	MS Visual Studio.NET	4 years
Requirements development	20 years	SMTP, POP, IMAP	7 years
Resolving conflicts and issues	20 years	TCP/IP	12 years
Setting standards and policies	20 years	Windows Server (all versions)	15 years

 

Experience:

 

Principal Consultant

IBM Corporation 9/2007 to Present

Accomplishments: Principal consultants work with customers, business partners, IBM sales, project managers, and legal and implementation teams to manage relationships and ensure customer satisfaction during IBM product and service engagements. They also develop project estimation and planning tools, negotiate contracts, and identify and develop opportunities for customer references.

Benefits: I�m using my many years experience selling, influencing and managing IT projects to improve sales cycles, negotiate services contracts, and ensure customer satisfaction and referencability.

 

Senior Consultant

IBM Corporation 3/2006 to 9/2007

Accomplishments: Provided consulting services to clients of the IBM Entity Analytic Solutions Group. Participated in and supported multiple projects for government and the private sector, including creation of project plans. Created an XML Schema for loading data into EAS tools. Provided testing and documentation assistance to Engineering and QA for the latest EAS release. Produced extensive documentation on EAS products for zDB2.

Benefits: I�m using my many years experience of relational databases, XML, SQL, J2EE, and related technologies to deliver projects on time and on budget, as well as enhance products, offerings, an processes in-house.

 

Systems Architect

Bechtel SAIC Corporation 3/2004 to 3/2006

Accomplishments: Responsible for an application that archives mail and application data to XML with version tracking for regulatory purposes. Created project plans and completed multiple projects with tight deadlines and complex deliverables on time and on budget. Provided training and mentoring to development and admin teams. Designed and implemented n Software Configuration Management (SCM) process for Domino applications. Created an implementation plan for the migration of 2500 users of email and applications to a new version of Lotus Notes

Benefits: The XML archiving system provides a daily record of 3GB of application data and approximately 500MB of email data, exceeding the regulatory requirements for tracking this data. The SCM process is improving the quality and efficiency of Domino development efforts and assisted in receiving CMM level 2 certification for the IT group.

 

CEO, Owner, Systems Architect, Project Manager, Team Lead, Analyst, and Developer

Benz Technologies, Inc. 9/1994 to 9/2004

Accomplishments: Owned and operated an IT Consulting Business / IBM Business Partnership. Leveraged more than 20 years of technology industry experience to provide services to various projects to companies worldwide. Services included project management, consulting, systems architecture, application development, systems administration, messaging/application migration/upgrades, and user/developer training.

Benefits: Numerous complex projects were delivered on time and on budget. Thousands of developers have read my software development books and articles, attended my seminars, and have used my best practices and code examples to successfully complete their own projects.

 

(Highlights of BenzTech projects are listed below:)

 

Migration Architect

Wachovia Bank 11/2003 to 3/2004

Accomplishments: Created and implemented the project plan and architecture for the migration of 6500 users to a new version of Lotus Notes and Domino 6.03. Designed the project strategy, procedures and acceptance test plans. Authored documentation and provided training and mentoring to deployment teams. Developed and customized applications and code for the migration process.

Benefits: The architecture is proving efficient and the project was delivered on time and on budget with no disruptions to the user�s working schedules.

 

Author, The XML Programming Bible

John Wiley and Sons 1/2003 to 10/2003

Accomplishments: Authored most of the book, and coordinated the rest of the content among several authors. Developed hundreds of original code examples based on real-world experience.

Benefits: Thousands of developers have used the knowledge, best practices, and code examples in this book to successfully complete their own projects.

 

Co-author, The Notes and Domino 6 Programming Bible

John Wiley and Sons 9/2002 to 1/2003

Accomplishments: Authored 60% of the book content, and coordinated the rest of the content among several authors. Developed dozens of original sample applications based on previous project experience.

Benefits: Thousands of developers have used the knowledge, best practices, and code examples in this book to successfully complete their own projects.

 

Team Lead, Systems Architect and Developer

Panasonic 1/2002 to 3/2003

Accomplishments: Planned and implemented a multi-tier Web application that tracks customer assets during the warranty repair process. Provided SQL server data analysis and normalization services and assisted on upgrading a related VB application.

Benefits: Panasonic and their contracted repair centers were able to cut costs on returned items and the repair process. The application was sold to other Panasonic business units for other repair tracking needs, which more than covered the cost of development.

 

Systems Architect, Auditor and Developer

IBM Canada 5/2001 to 6/2001

Accomplishments: Provided planning, systems architecture, systems audit, and development services for Web application that is a key component of the IBM Business Partner Web site.

Benefits: IBM is able to distribute content from a central location to several Web sites. The localized and international Web sites are able to dynamically convert this content to customized languages and formats.

 

Team Lead, Systems Architect and Developer

Lexis-Nexis 1/2001 to 5/2001

Accomplishments: Provided planning, architecture, design and development services for a new product that adds XML and Web functionality to Lexis-Nexis' popular applications for syndicated content delivery. Provided on-site support as a team leader and mentor to developers, Web designers, and administrators.

Benefits: The new application delivers a larger market at a lower cost, via the Web and XML syndication. Previously, Lexis-Nexis� content was only available via expensive custom client software. Now, it is available to anyone with a Web browser.

 

Co-author, IBM Redbook - XML: Powered by Domino

IBM 9/2000 to 1/2001

Accomplishments: Authored 30% of the book, coordinated content among three other developers, and coded dozens of original examples based on previous client experience.

Benefits: Thousands of developers have used the knowledge, best practices, and code examples in this book to successfully complete their software development projects.

 

 

Seminar Presenter and Producer

The View 6/1999 to 1/2001

Accomplishments: Developed original presentation content, organized the seminar schedule, then presented the content to thousands of software developers in 23 cities across the USA, Canada and Europe.

Benefits: Attendees have used the knowledge, best practices, and code examples from these seminars to successfully complete their own application development and Domino upgrade projects.

 

Systems Architect and Developer

The Institute for Policy Innovation 6/1999 to 7/2002

Accomplishments: Responsible for the ipi.org Web site and several applications. Managed projects among multiple vendor development teams to provide customer relationship management (CRM), group faxing, Web newsletters, content management, mailing list management, and publishing capabilities to the organization. Upgraded the messaging system and applications to a new version of Lotus Notes an Domino, and provided administration services for all IPI servers.

Benefits: IPI reduced costs by managing their Web site and software applications using non-technical staff working via custom client interfaces. IPI conducts almost all of its business online and through applications, including publication development and publishing, press releases, contact management, event organization and online sales and donation solicitation through the ipi.org Web site.

 

Certification Requirements Specification Developer - e-business certifications

IBM 2/1999 to 8/1999

Accomplishments: Assisted IBM in developing the certification requirements for the new IBM e-business Solution Advisor and Solution Designer partner certifications. Advised and participated in the full process, from certification requirements analysis to exam question selection.

Benefits: Thousands of developers, systems architects, and IBM business partners (including myself) have attained these certifications.

 

Systems Architect, Auditor and Developer

NEC USA 1/1999 to 7/1999

Accomplishments: Conducted a systems audit and developed an infrastructure consolidation, migration and growth plan for NEC USA's Intranet. Created and executed project plans for messaging and application upgrades and migrations, and a content management application for the NEC USA Web site,

Benefits: Improved internal communications via a fully integrated application infrastructure and Web site. No systems interruptions during a smooth transition to Notes and Domino 5.

 

Systems Architect, Webmaster, and Developer

BellSouth 10/1997 to 11/1998

Accomplishments: Managed a staff of five for a messaging and application upgrade for 4000 users. Developed an application for managing the upgrade process, and provided ongoing post-upgrade administration services. Provided development services for Notes and Web applications for content management, customer management, marketing communication, and planning.

Benefits: Bellsouth was able to reduce software and maintenance costs by serving 4000 users with the new intranet. They were also able to upgrade to a newer messaging and application platform with no service interruptions.

 

Project Manager, Architect, and Developer

Bell Canada 9/1995 to 12/1997

Accomplishments: Managed an administration staff of three. Responsible for several applications for process management, workflow, user support, product development, new business opportunity evaluation, corporate budgeting, and project proposal management. Responsible for developing a competitive intelligence and enterprise management system that delivers daily news briefs to user�s desktops.

Benefits: This system influences Bell Canada�s strategic planning on a daily basis by delivering information when they need it to make informed decisions. Bell Canada�s top executives and board members are able to have important and sensitive strategic and competitor news securely delivered to their desktops.

 

Project Manager, Systems Development

Air Liquide 3/1993 to 9/1995

Accomplishments: Managed a staff of seven developers and administrators that implemented a messaging and groupware infrastructure, and migrated messaging systems. Created applications for sales and lead management, collections tracking, safety information (MSDS) distribution, and help desk support. Developed the corporate intranet. Managed an eight-person team to customize a data warehouse and operations system. Planned, developed and implemented a distributed accounting system for order entry, invoicing, inventory, purchasing, payables and general ledger.

Benefits: The new systems resulted in a 35% cost reduction by increasing process efficiencies. The implementation of the new messaging and groupware systems reduced travel and administration costs by exploiting new ways of communication and access to information within the company and with customers.

 

Certifications:

IBM Lotus Notes/Domino certified instructor (CLI), IBM e-business solutions architect, IBM e-business solutions advisor, IBM Lotus Notes/Domino principal application developer (PCLP), and IBM Lotus Notes/Domino systems administrator(CLP).