Canada Colors and Chemicals Limited (CCC)

With the implementation of a new out-sourced ERP system I have transitioned to our Elmira plant where among other things I manage our packaged chemical business.  The product suite is mainly sulphuric acid of grades from 10% to 99% plus nitric, hydrochloric, and hydrofluoric acids and sodium bisulfite.  The total annual volume is in excess of 3 million kg.  Additionally, I support the operation of our bulk business and plant production as part of the admin team.

I still keep my hand in with technology having built our video surveillance system out of existing and new cameras managed by open source software at a small fraction of the cost quoted.  I also lend a hand where necessary to our remaining IT team and will often mine the available information to help in making better decisions.

Administrative Process Manager

Over the years I've been with CCC I've seen technology and the way business gets done transition.  I've been privileged to be a driving force for change and also a steadying influence keeping the lights on and product shipping out the door.

For many of the years I've been with CCC I have primarily worked with enabling business processes with technology and solid effective procedures.  This has given me exposure to all aspects of the business from the filling line, through warehousing, distribution, sales, marketing etc.

In recent times my role has transitioned to engage me more directly in the day to day processes where I now work directly with staff, vendors and customers in planning and order fulfillment.  It's not a role that has well defined boundaries, nor well defined hours.  I have found this a stimulating addition to the technology focus that I had been working with.

Senior Solutions Architect

A. Butchart Consulting

Working both as an independent and along with other professional services providers, I serviced a number of accounts mainly in the manufacturing and distribution industries.  Working both on-site and off, I provided a number of services from general IT support for an organization, to supporting various legacy system and developing new systems.

Dealing with a large number of companies and systems during this time has given me a depth and breadth of experience that is hard to match.  The different environments also would each have their own mix of technologies meaning that I was constantly learning and adapting.

For clarity, a number of these engagements have been split out as their own entries on my profile.

Primary Technologies Used:
MS-Access
SQL
ASP
Visual Basic
Paradox
Synergy DBL
COBOL
Open VMS
UNIX

Principal Consultant

Ignite Software Inc

Work with the team at Ignite Software on a variety of projects including plant floor data collection and web development.  Clients included Toyota Canada and Pillers Fine Foods.

Primary Technologies Used:
.NET
ASP

Consultant

Parker Hannifin

Developed and supported a variety of applications for the Owen Sound, Ontario facility.  Specifically in integrating sales order information with CNC machinery and plant floor data collection.

Primary Technologies Used:
ASP
Visual Basic
Paradox
Terminal Emulation Scripting

Consultant - Software Development

RMS Equipment Company

Design, develop, and support ERP software running on a variety of platforms.  This included constructing interfaces from the ERP software to multiple external systems at both internal and external firms.
Supported the migration of the custom legacy ERP application to Cincom Control and the worked on customizing Cincom Control to fit the needs of RMS.

Primary Technologies Used:
COBOL
RPG
MS-Access
ASP
UNIX
System 36/SSP

Descartes Systems Group

Descartes Systems (now HighJump Software) is a provider of delivery management solutions for the direct-store-delivery of consumer packaged goods.  While there I worked in a senior role as part of the team that supported such brands as Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Anheuser Busch across three continents.  While there I was responsible for several improvements to the software including improved receiving processes and supported the companies sales and marketing efforts.

Primary Technologies Used:
Synergy DBL
Open VMS

Ballantyne & Associates

As a sub-contractor with Ballantyne Systems Group, I worked with a variety of companies and industries in developing, implementing, and supporting software solutions that helped meet the clients' needs.

Primary Technologies Used:
Synergy DBL
Open VMS

Webber Business Systems

Design, develop and maintain applications for clients on micro and mini-computer platforms.  Preparation of quotes, training and supervision of junior staff, and act as an information resource for the retail store attached to the business.

Primary Technologies Used:
RPG
System 36/SSP
Clipper

Project Manager

Noranda

At Noranda, I was part of their internal consulting group where I was involved with a number of projects with subsidiary companies.  My main focus was working with their operation in Matagami Mines where I created and supported several systems running on their IBM System 36 computer and on PC systems in Paradox.
I also worked with other companies such as Canada Wire and Cable where I created sales support tools and Federated Genco where I supported accounting applications.  Beyond that I performed consulting services doing process review and providing recommendations for other companies such as Canadian Copper Refineries and SaniVan (a hazardous goods cleanup company).
Additionally, I was involved in research projects such as reviews of early wireless technologies, provided training on data communication technologies, and supported internal collaboration systems.

Primary Technologies Used:
COBOL
Paradox
System 36/SSP

EDS is a professional services company that had been bought by General Motors.
Working directly in the General Motors facility in Oshawa I designed, developed and maintained applications for General Motors/Service and Parts using COBOL on IBM 8100, 3084 and 3090 systems. I had primary responsibility for applications running at the remote warehouses on IBM 8100's.

These applications included item picking, shipping, and receiving.  The picking and shipping applications were batch operations, while the receiving operation was performed using on-line bar-code technology.  

Other responsibilities involved some training of operations personnel, creation of documentation standards and managing a 3 person systems maintenance team.

Primary Technologies Used:
COBOL
TSO/SPF
IBM 8100/DPPX
IBM 3084/3090

Systems Engineer

Specializing in legacy system integration in industrial environments has given me lots of opportunities to learn and evolve over the years.  It's amazing how just a little lipstick can make a pig pretty and useful.

I've always focused on delivering results that matter to the business and do what is needed to get that done.  I'm flexible and adaptable.

Getting stuff done that needs to be done.

In recent years I've partially pivoted away from technology and I am currently managing our packaged acids business along with working as part of the team supporting our bulk acid operation.

I do still keep my hand in, building tools that I and other members of the team here use.  I also have a home lab where I am probably spending far too much time building home automations that are intended to make my life run smoother.

And yes - I do have quite a few bow ties.

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