Tom Howard
Swindon
Summary
IT professional with extensive experience in virtualisation and cloud computing, specializing in technology integration to improve infrastructure. Proven expertise in operating systems and application testing, facilitating smooth technology transitions. Proficient in hardware installation and troubleshooting, ensuring peak system performance. Committed to technological innovation and improvement to enhance organizational efficiency and growth.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Senior Lab Support Engineer – Global Services
Dell Technologies
Remote
2017.09 - 2025.10
- Primarily responsibility for the administration and management of a VMware Virtual Learning Platform (VLP), on a cloud hosted virtual data centre.
- Worked remotely in a dedicated support team spread across the US, Germany and the UK, providing technical support for customer training environments using the full suite of Dell and VMware products.
- Building enterprise storage solutions in the form of virtual applications (vApps) that could be redeployed on demand from templates stored across clusters and catalogs.
- Support for customers with the installation and implementation of a range of VMware solutions including VSAN, VCF, VCD, NSX-T, SD-WAN.
- Deployment of VMware infrastructure ESXi, VC, NSX, and working within vCloud Director.
- Competent with storage mobility and recovery solutions such as VPLEX and RecoverPoint.
- My background includes a broad knowledge of SAN architecture including VNX/VMAX storage arrays, and the configuration of Cisco/Brocade FC and IP switches.
- I worked on-call (on rotation) providing 24/7 global support to technical instructors to providing quick resolutions to critical issues.
- Software testing and troubleshooting labs in the development stage.
- Optimised operations through regular review of lab processes.
- Close collaboration with Delivery Managers, Portfolio Managers and Developers to meet target dates for Production.
- Working together with other team members, I identified areas for performance improvement and automation and worked to implement changes and upgrades.
- Courses attended:
- VMware vSphere: Install, Configure Manage v8
- RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines
- VMware Aria Automation
- VMware vRealize Automation: Orchestration and Extensibility
- NSX-T Data Center: Install, Configure, Manage v3.2
- NSX-T Data Center: Multisite Deployments with Federation
Technical Support Team EMEA - Education Services
EMC Computer Systems Ltd – London
London
2006.05 - 2017.09
- Primary responsibility was the administration and management of a physical data centre with global customer access.
- Management and support for a Citrix front end platform providing customers with access to servers and infrastructure.
- Build of SAN networks using EMC software and hardware.
- Implementation and management of VNX/VMAX storage arrays.
- Bare metal installs/upgrades of various hosts and servers including Windows, Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, IBM AIX and VMware
- Fibre channel cabling and the configuration of fabrics on Brocade and Cisco MDS switches
- Configuration of Cisco access switches and routers - vLANs, trunks and interfaces.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- My role required travel to setup new EMC training sites throughout EMEA, and I attended conferences abroad where I created and supported networks to host Proven Profession exams.
- Other duties included the documentation of implementation and software cleanup/reset procedures
- Hardware rotation of consignment equipment, primarily storage arrays.
- Upgrades and patches.
- Courses attended:
- VNX Administration
- VPLEX Implementation
- RecoverPoint Implementation
- SAN – Host to Storage Implementation
IT Assistant Manager
Cotswold Outdoor - Cirencester
Cirencester
2000.05 - 2006.05
- ICT support for the head office of a UK retail company
- Remote support of 20+ branch networks
- Creation of new branch networks, including the planning of the structured cabling
- Administration and reporting on an HP ERP, and the administration a Windows AD Server and MS Exchange Server
- Support for Point-of-Sale systems
- PBX telephone systems
- Hardware installation and upgrades
- Site visits, testing and evaluation
Education
Cisco Certified Network Administrator -
BA Hons - Graphic Design
Southampton University
3 x A Levels - undefined
10 x GCSEs - undefined
Skills
- Virtualization technologies
- Cloud computing services
- Operating systems expertise
- Application testing
- Technology integration
- Hardware installation
- Complex troubleshooting
- Infrastructure enhancement
References
Available upon request
Affiliations
- Trail Running
- Cycling
- Open Water Swimmng
- Nature and Wildlife
Certification
Cisco Certified Network Associate 2006
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Lab Support Engineer – Global Services
Dell Technologies
2017.09 - 2025.10
Technical Support Team EMEA - Education Services
EMC Computer Systems Ltd – London
2006.05 - 2017.09
IT Assistant Manager
Cotswold Outdoor - Cirencester
2000.05 - 2006.05
3 x A Levels - undefined
10 x GCSEs - undefined
Cisco Certified Network Administrator -
BA Hons - Graphic Design
Southampton University