Examples of Projects I have worked on

See also resume for other projects

Custom SQL Class for Non-Profit on SQL Server
Responding to a query on LinkedIn, provided a proposal that won a training contract for business users and technical staff. Had to balance varied levels of proficiency and experience during the presentation. Created custom material in the form of handouts, along with slideshow and supplementary documents.
Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Enterprise Manager, Powerpoint, Word

Repurposing Web Content into Video
Client was doing a grand opening event, and wanted a slideshow type of display to enrich the visitor experience. Took contents from web site and blended in customer feedback along with transitions and callouts to create a compelling video. Turned the requirement around within two days of work.
Powerpoint, Camtasia, Photoshop

PowerBuilder Enhancement / Support / Skills Transfer / Documentation
Large insurance and real estate company in Newark needed help with app written by consultants whose contract had ended.  In house staff needed better understanding of PowerBuilder functionality, PFC, and some database issues.  Provided flexible classes, flexible hours, well-focused application of skills to address all issues.  Helped clients with migration of application to new version of PowerBuilder, mentored the creation of a new module, and analyzed and corrected problems found in the application.
PowerBuilder, Powersoft Foundation Classes (PFC) Versions 5, 6, 7

HR Data conversion Project for Large Financial Company in Northern New Jersey
Created menu-driven utilities for exporting normalized HR data from a non-relational database to a SQL Server database product from ADP.  Using knowledge of that niche product (Ceridian HR product based on AREV) and knowledge of mainstream RDBMS technology, created user-friendly export routines.  Saved users several days of effort during the process, and finished ahead of schedule. Documented process, assumptions. Provided step-by-step instructions user guides and proper sequence for export, for on-demand usage of export regime, as users wanted to run entire export in a batch as late as possible to capture up-to-date data when they 'turned the key'.
Advanced Revelation, R/Basic, ADP's HRizon, Microsoft Access, SQL Server

HR Data archive Project for Large Financial Company in Central New Jersey
As organization moved to a new platform, the need was identified to allow archival reporting for prior years; data was not to be ported to new environment, per management decision. Archived main tables, and split out multi-valued (one-to-many-to-many relationships) into separate archive files. Analyzed which optional auxiliary tables of dozens had actually been populated over the lifetime of the application's usage. Presented analysis and recommendations to management. Created custom programs to glean out non-normalized data in nonstandard format, and produce Excel files from that data using an Excel export utility, using automated processes that ran overnight, due to high volume of data. Over the course of several days, imported that Excel data into Access, verified the data, and password protected it. Related AREV files were also linked in Access for proper reporting. Field names were carried over into Access automatically. In cases where data was too voluminous to fit into one Excel file, split out the data into sibling files. Error checking and other constraints were programmed.
Advanced Revelation, R/Basic, Microsoft Access, Excel

Consumer Web Site Architecture for Retail Kiosk System Integrators
Asked by CTO of Canadian-based company to specify a combination of products which would permit existing kiosk-based system to leverage open web standards for a richer, more easily customized kiosk experience, and would be scaleable, platform-neutral, support EJB, and centralize business rules regardless of client (Java, HTML, COM/DCOM, CORBA.) Delivered specs on time, under budget. Also created a promotional website.
HTML, NetObjects Fusion, Sybase Enterprise Application Studio, Javascript

Training backbone for large corporations migration from MVS/CICS/Cobol to Oracle/GUI
As crucial training component of large corporate culture and technology change, provided several months of training to entire IT staff, from senior management through analyst, SME and down to production programmer.  Supplemented standard courseware with about 150 pages of supplemental reading and walkthroughs, and also used email to keep topics in their minds as they moved from one set of responsibilities to another.
SQL*Plus, Query Builder, Schema Builder, Oracle Forms and Reports, TOAD, Oracle 8.1

Helped IT staff migrate from PowerBuilder to Java
Worked with departmental staff to bring PowerBuilder developers and managers up to speed with Java concepts, possibilities.  Used analogies, similar design choices, to make transition easier.  Part of the material for that class is found in the PowerBuilder-to-Java Tutorial on this web site.  Did some servlets, but mostly focused on applets and RMI. Database connectivity using JDBC brought the process to a useful fruition.
PowerBuilder 6.5, Oracle 7.0.3, Textpad, JDK 1.3

Architect a Java - JDBC - RDBMS -HTML solution to survey requirement
Working with end users, and championing the project through all levels of signoff and approval, was able to create an extensible and abstract framework for handling surveys of various contents and formats.
Java, Tomcat, XML, HTML, Servlet API

Provide timely and effective training to internal staff
Evolved an approach for delivering timely and focused inspection of areas of interest to staff during migration from mainframe to Oracle apps infrastructure.  Classes met infrequently, but means were used to keep relevant people involved in the flow.  Very well received, and the object of much praise.
SQL*Plus, whiteboard, flipchart

Migrate AREV app to Sybase
Using expertise in  AREV gained through 8 1/2 years with leading provider of Pick solutions, was able to use R/Basic, SQL, Arev symbolics and Unix to facilitate a modular migration of app, data store.  Using knowledge of the nature of the Pick/RevG/Arev environment, was able to create a robust export architecture for moving data, business logic, business processes, to new environment.   Database is now addressable with web clients.
AREV, isql, SAF, SQL Server 4.9.1, Unix

Web Site Development for Artists, Small Businesses, Organizations
Have prototyped, coordinated, tested, and deployed customer sites since 1999.  Some sites have scanned photos. For some, created original artwork as needed.  Created concept for a multilingual site, to include appropriate marketing verbiage, for a translation services firm.  An important part of the success of most of these sites was the assurance that well-focused, professional, compelling text content was provided for each client, thus promoting image that the client wished to convey.
Net Objects Fusion, CuteHTML, Dreamweaver, ftp, HTML

Custom HTML Design Class for Department in Law Firm in Newark, NJ
Half-day class in web site architecture and design for leading law firm's Director of Development and staff; we covered how to understand the Web, save pages from the corporate site for modification, make changes.  Law firm wanted to move routine web site updates inhouse to save money, shorten turnaround time for updates, upgrade skills. A followon visit ensured that client got their money's worth. Note: due to stringent security provisions, normal publishing behavior was not possible. While on site, I worked out a modus vivendi with all parties to make the publishing/review process work.
Netscape Page Composer

Custom SQL Reporting Class for Sybase Adaptive Server in New York
Investment firm in New York needed  training for analysts for database of client accounts, transactions. Database had millions of rows, lots of custom reports.  Class took novices from standard queries through Sybase functions, aggregates, joins, outer joins, nested queries and general overview of stored procedures.  Class was given in 1998 and 1999; very well received and useful.
Sylvain Faust's SQL-Programmer, Sybase Adaptive Server 115

Sales Contact Database for Packaging Engineers Sales Organization
Custom Application for Sales Reps for Packaging Equipment Vendors, with sales territories spanning entire eastern portion of North America. 
Advanced Revelation, Excel, ACT!

Conversion of Plant Management System from Legacy/LAN to PowerBuilder/Oracle, others
Converted DOS-based and non-relational application to Windows and web clients, with the design permitting various versions of SQL 'back ends' such as mSQL, Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft, Centura, mySQL, PostGRESql, others. System was multi-lingual, highly customizable, with clients able to specify local business rules for validation of input.  System permits maintenance tracking, inventory, work orders, timekeeping, cost accounting.  As many languages as are desired can be used in operating the client portion of the application.
PowerBuilder, SQL Server, SQL Anywhere, ERwin, HTML (for help)

HR Application Technical Support and Customization
Human Resources functions of several Ceridian package clients needed occasional utility programs, Y2K compliance enhancements, screen customization, dictionary maintenance. Clients included international petrochemical company, international financial corporation, and Television network.
Advanced Revelation R/Basic (Ceridian HR/Benefits software ), PGP, ftp