David Cole
North Weald,UK
Summary
Accomplished Cisco Unified Communications System Engineer experienced in configuring Cisco Cube, managing Cisco UCS Servers B & C series, and utilising UC Troubleshooting Tools like Wireshark. Delivered effective problem-solving and communication under pressure while maintaining high-quality service and consistent results. Committed to advancing expertise in Microsoft Direct Routing and Ribbon SBCs to enhance unified communications solutions.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
2011
2011
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Associate Business Consultant
TechMahindra
2024.09 - 2026.02
- Resourced to Vodafone as a UC Technical Solution Architect. Involved in the migration of customers from Vodafone's Cisco HCS platform to other vendor platforms, WebEx-DI, RingCentral, Storm.
UC Solutions Architect
Telstra
2018.06 - 2024.09
- As a member of the Unified Communications Team, responsible for design and implementation of on premise (UCS CPE) and Hosted (HCS) Cisco Unified Communications solutions.
- I take ownership of the overall technical implementation of multiple customer solutions, in the domestic and global arenas, working with stakeholders across onshore and offshore teams creating a One team culture.
- I deliver the best possible customer experience, adhering to the ‘Customer Required Date and Standard Provisioning Times' and performance KPIs.
- My Role is to build customer advocacy by ensuring we get it right first time and on time, while meeting quality requirements across a high volume of concurrent implementations. Manage the technical challenges by maintaining superior technical skills in Cisco Collaboration products and the capability to support complex customer requirements.
- I maintain relationships with Telstra Global Sales teams, Product Managers, Project Management and Operations stakeholders. I ensure ongoing feedback and immediate response to escalations and the I have the ability to resolve complex issues and challenges with Telstra IP and UC product portfolio.
- I maintain and manage relationships with Telstra's customers and vendors/suppliers, including Cisco and numerous Telstra Channel Partners.
Senior Engineer
Vodafone UK
2013.01 - 2018.06
- I was part of the Network Specialist Team, working on IPT projects and providing consultancy for various Public/Private organisations. This was mainly in the Cisco arena with products such as Cisco HCS (VOSS) VoneC, Cisco UCS Servers, Cisco Unified Communication Manager (CUCM) v10.x, Cisco Unity Connections (CUCX) v10.x, Cisco Unified Communication Manager IM & Presence v10x (Jabber), ARC Premium Suite v6, Voice Gateways, Routing and Switching, DPNSS converters. I have experience with FMC, IMS and NGIN.
- I predominately dealt with Cisco Voice solutions but can deliver Data LAN / WAN deployments.
- I gained various Security Clearances - SC Security Clearance and NPPV Level Clearance for 5 years.
Senior IPT Engineer
2e2
2007.01 - 2013.01
- I was part of a projects team that provides IPT solutions and Consultancy for many large Blue chip companies. Mainly in the Cisco arena with products such as Cisco Unified Callmanager (CUCM), Cisco Unity Connections (CUCX), ARC Premium Suite, Redbox recorders, Voice Gateways, Routing and Switching, DPNSS converters.
Technical Specialist
BT PLC
1989.01 - 2007.01
- I worked as part of a close-knit team looking after the main database holding records of the telephone copper network.
- I was involved in writing procedures, statistical reports and computer programmes for the team.
- I changed divisions to become more involved in desktop/server support for internal customers.
- I became temporary manager of the group looking after 12 team members.
- I was heavily involved in the roll out of the trial ADSL customer installations.
- I supported BarclayB2B as the onsite engineer looking after 150 – 200 members of staff for 20 months. The customer's Desktop and LAN requirements were mainly around Windows desktops, applications and servers.
- I became a Network Field Specialist involved in small company LAN installations for external customers. This involved Cisco configurations, server and desktop solutions. I also installed Cisco IPT products and Nortel VOIP solutions. Gaining knowledge of Cisco Unity, ARC and Westell DPNS products.
- I joined the Technical Specialist team, providing support for field engineers and consultancy work predominately in the Cisco IPT and Nortel VOIP products.
Education
BSC Honours Degree - Computing
Open University
Post-Graduate Diploma - Advanced Networking
Open University
Diploma - Computing
Open University
BTEC National Certificate - Computer Studies
North West Kent College of Technology
BTEC First Certificate - Engineering
Mid Kent College
CSE - English, French, Humanities, Environmental Studies, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Human Biology and Health
Skills
- Cisco Networking LAN / WAN
- Cisco Unified Communications System Engineer (UCSE)
- Cisco Cube Configuration
- UC Troubleshooting Tools (Wireshark etc)
- SIP Trunk Solutions
- DPNSS Convertors
- Redbox Recorders
- Cisco UCS Servers B & C series
- Cisco HCS
- Cisco Unified Communications Manager v14x
- Cisco Unified Communications Manager IM & Presence v14x
- ARC Operator Console v6
- Cisco Unity Connections v14x
- Polycom Accreditations
- VOSS 817 Admin Engineer, Bulk Loader and Dial Plan
- Vmware ESXI
- Microsoft Direct Routing
- Ribbon SBC's
- Zoom Voice
- Calm under pressure
- Problem-solving
- Communication skills
Certification
- I have completed the following Cisco accreditations –
- CCNP Collaboration
- Implementing and Operating Cisco Collaboration Core Technologies (350-801)
- Implementing Cisco Advanced Call Control and Mobility Services (300-815)
- I have completed the following Microsoft accreditations –
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administration Associate (AZ-104)
- Microsoft Certified: Teams Administrator Associate (MS-700)
- Microsoft Certified: Teams Voice Engineer Expert
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate
Timeline
Associate Business Consultant
TechMahindra
2024.09 - 2026.02
UC Solutions Architect
Telstra
2018.06 - 2024.09
Senior Engineer
Vodafone UK
2013.01 - 2018.06
Senior IPT Engineer
2e2
2007.01 - 2013.01
Technical Specialist
BT PLC
1989.01 - 2007.01
Post-Graduate Diploma - Advanced Networking
Open University
Diploma - Computing
Open University
BTEC National Certificate - Computer Studies
North West Kent College of Technology
BTEC First Certificate - Engineering
Mid Kent College
CSE - English, French, Humanities, Environmental Studies, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Human Biology and Health
BSC Honours Degree - Computing
Open University