Michael Horne
Summary
In the last 20 years I have gained experience in support, engineering and programming roles. I have provided on site customer support and maintenance improvising resolutions to hardware, software and networking issue. I have designed a complete network infrastructure solution, as well as improving existing networks. I have successfully setup my own business, so my management skills are proven and are of the highest standard. Having experience in contract work dealing with various companies, managing my own time and projects has given me confidence and improved my communication skills. My future aspirations are to continue to Support all aspects of IT Infrastructure and write / implement new software for businesses.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Software Developer
Reuben Digital Ltd
06.2018 - Current
- This role took me into the gift carding section for a new client that Reuben had acquired. I was solely responsible for working with this client developing Full cycle API’s / Web CMS / Third party processor integration, dealing with major retailers locally and across the globe. The system would allow full activation / redemption of gift cards (digital and physical) for multiple partners real-time which meant the system had to be fast / functional / stable 24x7.
- The main system I developed was an Order API which allowed all partners to connect via REST / SOAP, supporting Json / XML requesting activations / redemptions of gift cards for multiple retailers (which involved connecting to multiple different processors to complete this). All different processors had different API methods / responses, so the Order API would standardise these into the one response back to the partners.
- The software was mainly written in VB / C# .Net with the main core system written in a DLL for cross platform usage. Also, WCF was used supporting multiple connection methods. A CMS web site was written using Blazor technology allowing for maintaining of gift cards. The running environment was two azure servers. One running IIS and the other SQL Server. I responsible for the setup / configuration / maintaining them.
- This has given me the opportunity to do full cycle both hardware and software for this application. The client is now very well established in the gift card industry.
IT Contractor
06.2009 - 01.2018
- I have completed projects for small and corporate businesses which includes
- Tony Valentine Golf Centre (2009 – 2017) - Developed a full stock epos system for a retail using VB6, VB .NET 2012 / 2013, C#, SQL Server 2014 (site to site replication).
- Swindon Powertrain (2011) - Completed a full IT Installation, PC / Server Hardware and Software, Windows, Linux Firewall configuration, network cabling and infrastructure and currently still do ad-hoc IT Support.
- Swindon Engines (2013) - www.swindonpowertrain.com - Multilanguage website written in ASP C# .NET & Javascript. Elcome Ltd (2012 – 2013 – worked on various sites using ASP classic and .NET, VB & C# .NET & Javascript & Transact-SQL. Various Websites (2010 – 2015) – www.chineseexperience.co.uk, www.marks-kitchen.com, www.elbmar.co.uk, www.setsquarejoinery.co.uk, www.safe-soft.com, www.trishrawlins.co.uk which were all done using ASP .NET VB / C#, javascript / PHP.
- IT Support (2010 – 2017) - Supporting Home / Business users with Hardware & Software related issues, Windows Servers, networking, security, Active Directory.
- My Mouse Mat (2017 – 2017) – Website design in C# asp / javascript, running on IIS. www.mymousemat.com
Support / Analyst Programmer
3D Computers Ltd
09.2004 - 06.2009
- My main duty in this role was setting up new businesses full cycle IT systems, as well as maintaining / upgrading existing customers IT systems. The setup of new businesses included full management of the design, infrastructure and implementation, which involved installation of server (windows 2000 / 2003, Linux Firewall) and client pc's (Windows XP, Vista, 98), as well configuring network infrastructure (IP Design, Broadband, Managed Switches, Routers etc).
- The configuration side included roaming profiles, home drives, off line file, Exchange 2000 / 2003 advanced, ISA Server 2000 / 2004, Group Policy / IIS 6 & 7, and Symantec Backup Exec.
- Using both Visual Basic 6 and 2005 .NET I have designed and wrote a number of software applications using both Access and SQL Server as backend databases.
- The company supported all aspects of IT including PC repairs / builds, network and server configuration, onsite and remote support, in which the data was spread over various applications. My main duty was to design and implement a complex system called sedulous using MySQL database to amalgamate these applications. I also wrote a number of other applications for Corsham Town Council, ISC Ltd. I was solely responsible for the design and implementation of these applications.
Support / Analyst Programmer
TS Tech UK Ltd
01.2002 - 09.2004
- I was asked to contract and to implement full cycle Windows Clustering for data protection. This involved design from scratch, Sanbox configuration, External Storage Configuration (all connected via fibre), installation Windows 2003 Enterprise on 2 Nodes and creating the cluster (shares, print share). I Also completed installation of Domino Server onto the cluster and have detailed documentation to show this.
- I also wrote them a Stock Take system in Visual Studio 6 using SQL Server 2005, and setup Intranet site, and Share Point using IIS 6.
- I was responsible for keeping the IT systems up and running, as well as upgrading servers, client PC's etc.
- I performed upgrades from Windows NT4 to 2003 Active Directory, I created a secure VPN link to the 2 site they had. I had to provide documentation of IT system, as well as managing the IT budget. This job was very pressurized as the company makes car seats for Honda, so downtime wasn't an option. I had to have the ability to solve problems immediately, which I achieved. I also designed and wrote and in-house stock take system using Visual Studio 2002 with SQL Server backend database, which they still use to date.
Tech Support Engineer
AMEC Utilities Ltd
01.2000 - 01.2002
- I was responsible for traveling around the country setting up full life cycle of IT Systems of new sites. Setting up a site comprised of, Purchasing Hardware relevant for their needs, Installing Windows 2000 / 2003 Server (Active Directory), Installing Exchange Server 2000 / 2003 and the creation of user accounts (roaming profiles, login scripts, email address). I also created shares and security, Configuring DHCP Server and DNS Server, Installing and Configuring Clients to Connect to server, Installing Printers (Local and Shared), Configuring Internet Using either ISA Server or Cisco firewall. I also had to solve IT issues, including server crashes, PC repairs.
Support / Programmer
Historical Collections PLC
08.1997 - 09.1999
- I was appointed at the Head office site as support person. Responsible for diagnostics and trouble shooting of related hardware and software, which also involved some traveling to other sites. This included a wide range of duties, network infrastructure faults, repairing PC’s, printers and monitors, installation of NT Server and workstation (setting up users and profiles), Novell (Setting up Users, and rights), Windows 3.11 / 95 /98 (Configuring for network), DOS and also the guidance and training of users.
- In addition to that I was supporting and writing new programs for 2 in house written software packages, a warehouse and stock control system. They were written in BASIC for DOS using BTRIEVE. It was upgraded to Visual Basic 6 using SQL. I was involved in the project from start to finish.
Education
BTEC National Diploma -
Computer Studies
01-1994
R.S.A Level II -
Computer Systems
01-1993
G.C.S.E - Maths, English, Science, Computer Studies, French
01-1992
Skills
- Visual Studio
- Web Development
- Visual Basic
- IPhone Development
- Android Development
- Microsoft Basic For DOS
- Visual C#
- Visual C
- Cobol
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Office
- MySQL
- Windows Operating Systems
- Active Directory
- Microsoft Azure
- DevOps
- Exchange
- IIS
- RAID Configuration
- Transact-TSQL Stored Procedures
Timeline
Software Developer
Reuben Digital Ltd
06.2018 - Current
IT Contractor
06.2009 - 01.2018
Support / Analyst Programmer
3D Computers Ltd
09.2004 - 06.2009
Support / Analyst Programmer
TS Tech UK Ltd
01.2002 - 09.2004
Tech Support Engineer
AMEC Utilities Ltd
01.2000 - 01.2002
Support / Programmer
Historical Collections PLC
08.1997 - 09.1999
BTEC National Diploma -
Computer Studies
R.S.A Level II -
Computer Systems