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Amon Consulting

PO Box 952, Nelson, New Zealand

www.amon.co.nz   info@amon.co.nz

Since my initial training as a COBOL programmer in 1977, I have worked within the Information Technology industry in several roles, including Systems Programmer, Systems Analyst, IT Manager, Project Manager, Product Manager, Quality Assurance Manager and general consultancy. I have worked as an independent consultant for the majority of my career.

My extensive experience in Pick–based Advanced Revelation system design and programming includes over twenty assignments converting data from Revelation into the required formats for input to alternate applications and databases. I currently market self-developed Revelation export software internationally, with in excess of one hundred sales to-date.

The majority of my experience in data cleaning and conversion has been into MS Access and MS SQL Server. I have in-depth experience in data conversion from AS400 file formats to MS Access and have developed software to automate this process. I have also developed a generic Visual Basic program to create MS Access databases based on metadata input as CSV/MS Excel files. Another self-developed generic program can then load/reload data into the database.

A recent long term assignment has been the installation of the Labware Laboratory Information System for a commercial and research laboratory. This three year assignment was mostly worked full-time in the role of systems analyst/programmer. Software development was done using Labware Lims Basic which is a derivation of the Visual Basic programming language.

In 2008 I completed my tertiary studies at the Nelson-Marlborough Institute of Technology where I attained a Bachelor of Information Technology degree.

I am currently developing and marketing legal systems software for Legal-e Software Limited.

Jocelyn Amon: Work Experience

• 
  www.legal-e.co.nz Legal-e Software Limited
• Nelson
• February 2008 - present
• Delphi
• Business partner and co-developer of Legal-e's Legal Office Practice Management System currently installed at two legal practice offices.

• 
  www.nmdhb.govt.nz Nelson Marlborough Health Services
• Nelson
• January 2008 - September 2008
• MS ACCESS 2000
• This contract assignment involved working with many of the organisation's MS Access applications, primarily related to Accident Compensation Corporation funding and medical audit data analysis. Work involved setting priorities, working with hospital staff at all levels, resolving problems and working pro-actively in improving software functionality and user interfaces.

• 
  www.crop.cri.nz Crop and Food Research
• Palmerston North
• June 2005
• Advanced Revelation, MS Access, Visual Basic
• Worked with Crop and Food staff to produce a data model for their legacy Food Composition application.
  Assisted in data migration to the newly developed platform

• 
  www.cawthron.org.nz Cawthron Institute
• Nelson
• February 2002 - June 2005
• Labware Lims, Lims Basic, Labstation, MS Access 97, MS SQL Server, Crystal Reports, Adobe Acrobat Distiller
• Installation of the LabWare LIMS laboratory management application.
  Developed several comprehensive programs, using LIMS Basic, including
  • Sample data loading and detailed results analysis for the Perkin & Elmer ICP-OES instrument
  • Labware Labstation configuration
  • Developing subroutines, analyses, products and batches
  • Setting up the scheduler process to automatically execute routine tasks such as reporting, invoicing, authorisation (result, test, sample, project), email of Adobe Acrobat PDF reports to customers, exception reporting and logging.
  • Major enhancement to the Charge Manager Module for revenue analysis, invoicing requirements, complex charge options, price adjustments and development of batch interfaces to the Rees and BST accounting packages.
  Other tasks included:
  • Automated customer export documentation
  • Automated emailing of customer test results
  • Crystal Reports development
  • Adobe Acrobat Distiller integration
  • Complex printer configuration
  • User support and trouble shooting
  • Provision of computer staff training for the Labware system and in Lims Basic programming

• 
  www.dowagro.com/au Dow Chemical (Australia) Limited
• Melbourne
• July - August 2002
• MS Access 97, Advanced Revelation
• Conversion of a chemical product management system from Advanced Revelation to MS Access
  The conversion involved the redevelopment of input forms, programs, data conversion and loading

• 
  www.amon.co.nz/exportr ExportR
• (an In-House Development)
• October - December 2001
• Visual Basic 6.0, MS Access 97
• Developed a Visual Basic program to create and build an Access database using metadata (field information) input via a DOS file in CSV format
  Any number of MS Access tables and fields can be created, limited only by the definitions supplied within the input file. Fields are created with optimal datatypes and field sizes and, where they exist, values for decimal places and field descriptions
  A further Visual Basic program was created to load and reload data into the Access database. Data can be loaded regardless of any subsequent changes to Access
  • table names
  • field names
  • field sizes
    and/or
  • data types
  The program will also create an Access validation table to record data load statistics and any data load exceptions
  This software has been successfully marketed via the internet to more than 100 organisations internationally.
  In addition, I have completed over 20 conversions on behalf of customers. These conversions included data cleaning, data mapping and data conversion from multi-value format to MS Access and/or MS SQL Server

• 
  www.machineandtool.co.nz Machine & Tool Co Ltd
• Nelson
• August 2001 - present
• MS Access 97, Visual Basic
• Migrate an application written in Revelation to a MS Access platform and convert all data
  The application matches an inventory of heavy machinery with potential buyers and vice versa and produces quotes and notification of customer request matches which can either be emailed, faxed or printed
  I currently provide ongoing support for this site

• 
  www.aucklandcity.govt.nz Auckland City Council
• Auckland
• May - June 200
• AS400 OS, AS400 Client Access, MS SQL Server 7, MS Access 97, Visual Basic
• Researched data integrity issues within the AS400 TCS application. Subject areas covered included Rates, Valuations, Infringements, Water, Property and Dog Registration.
  Interviewed representatives from each subject area and documented the data issues raised. Worked with GEAC Australia in identifying potential problems in conversion of data out of the council's TCS AS/400 application.
  Investigated solutions to name and address duplication within the system. This involved identifying third party software to resolve this and looking at current data entry practice.
  Designed and developed download software using Visual Basic to automatically re-create all AS400 TCS data file layouts into a MS Access database (450 data files in total). The routine automates the download of data from the AS400 into MS Access using the AS400 Client Access batch feature. The procedure was written to run as often as required, create/download all files or a specified file and download all records or a specified number of sample records. Details of data not matching defined data types are logged to a MS Access validations table.
  Produced a report of all findings regarding data issues found and user comments. The report included possible solutions to current issues and how further problems could be minimised or prevented. Documented the methodology to be used in locating current data issues in data files through use of the download software developed for this purpose.

• 
  www.mfat.govt.nz Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade
• Wellington
• May - June 2001
• Advanced Revelation Data Conversion
• This assignment was worked remotely and involved the conversion of the Treaty recording application.
  Current data files and fields were identified and converted to DOS in CSV format.
  After client checking of output and subsequent conversion adjustments, a conversion script was provided so that the conversion could be run on site, against current data, as and when required.

• 
  www.natroad.co.nz National Road Carriers (Inc)
• Auckland
• March 2001
• OpenInsight/Advanced Revelation Data Conversion
• This assignment was worked remotely and involved identification of all current OpenInsight and Revelation data files and fields.
  Subsequently, data was converted to DOS in CSV format for two databases, one for the North Island and one for the South Island.
  Conversion scripts were provided so that conversions could be run on site, against current data, as and when required.

• 
  www.racp.edu.au Royal Australasian College of Physicians
• Sydney
• January - June 2001
• Advanced Revelation
• This assignment was initially based on-site in Sydney and subsequently teleworked to provide ad-hoc support.
  Involved solving various Advanced Revelation issues and providing assistance with conversion of data to a newly developed Clarion application.

• 
  www.candle.co.nz Candle IT&T Recruitment
• Wellington & Auckland
• April - December 2000
• Advanced Revelation, MS Access 97, Visual Basic, SQL Server 7
• This project involved assessing the differences between the new and old recruitment applications, reporting on conversion issues requiring resolution, liaison with recruitment consultants, management and technical staff plus the full responsibility for the data migration phase.
  Data migration included export of Candle's Auckland and Wellington Recruitment Application data from Advanced Revelation 3.1 to an MS SQL Server 7 database. Data was exported into ASCII CSV and imported to MS Access 97 for export to SQL Server 7 using Visual Basic conversion scripts, Activex, MS SQL DTS functions and SQL.
  Conversion scripts, for both export and import, were designed to run as often as required so that conversions could be fully tested prior to going live.
• Auckland
• January - February 2001
• Development of an MS Access/Visual Basic application to interface with the MS SQL Server 7 database and select advertisement text and record details for various publications.

• 
  www.nelsonrentals.co.nz Rental Homes
• Nelson
• September - November 2000
• MS Access 97, Visual Basic
• Developed an application to manage rental properties, landlords and tenants.
  The application will match properties with tenants and vice-versa, matching on
  • availability
  • rent
  • area
    and
  • number of bedrooms

• 
  www.shoof.co.nz Shoof International Limited
• Cambridge, NZ
• March - May 2000
• Advanced Revelation
• Shoof's accounting system required modification for Australian GST requirements.
  In addition, various system enhancements were made to the system including modifications to the inventory and billing systems to handle billing of material items and bar code printing

• 
  www.sanford.co.nz Sanford (NZ) Limited
• Nelson
• June 1999 - April 2002
• Advanced Revelation, Microsoft NT
• Sanford's network conversion from Novell Netware to Microsoft NT required my being on standby to assist with any problems that arose within their fish management system.
  Software changes were required to handle different print set ups and report formats. The fish scales weight reading software also required alteration to work correctly and a new weigh-in docket printer was installed to the COM port and the print software was configured accordingly.

• 
  www.turnerconstruction.com The Turner Corporation
• New York
• May - June 1999
• Revelation G2B
• This teleworked assignment involved auditing applications for Y2K exceptions and producing a formal report of the problems found.
  
  

• 
  www.telstraclear.co.nz Saturn Communications Limited
• Petone
• March - April 1999
• Sybase SQL, Panorama, Microsoft NT, GroupWise
• 
  NB Saturn has since been bought out by telstraclear
  
  This assignment involved the reconciliation and audit of the customer care, service order and installation applications for Saturn's telephone subscriber network.
  The project came under the supervision of the Chief Financial Officer and the objective was to assist management in understanding the reports and figures produced by the IT department
  I was also required to investigate and report on data anomalies, integrity issues and reconcile key performance indicators
  The work involved the writing of complex SQL statements to interrogate the Sybase database, analyse the structure of the PANDORA data warehouse developed using Panorama data warehousing software and analyse the structure and output from the JonesCyber ICSS and Kenan ARBOR/BP telephone billing and accounting applications
  The assignment required that I work with management and staff at all levels within the organisation and produce a report of findings and recommendations which was then formally presented to IT staff and company management

• 
  www.nmdhb.govt.nz Nelson Marlborough Health Services
• Nelson
• July 1997 - August 1998
• Advanced Revelation
• The export of surgical audit outpatient data for import into a newly developed application
  This involved documenting existing formats, liaison with the developer of the new system regarding requirements, formatting of data and electronic export of data to the new application

• 
  www.westpac.co.nz Westpac Banking Corporation
• Wellington
• September 1997 - September 1998
• Advanced Revelation
• This teleworking assignment with Westpac involved assessing the bank's business customer on-line banking package (DeskBank) for Year 2000 compliance. This application enables customers to perform banking transactions, both domestic and international, and is used by a large number of businesses and government departments throughout New Zealand
  On completion of the above assessment, my contract was extended to include additional Advanced Revelation and Revelation G2B applications in use by the bank. These were as follows:
  • Nominees
  • Mortgage Repayment Insurance
  • Bonds
  • Loan Cover Insurance
  • Employee Time Recording
  To provide a systematic approach for these assessments and to reduce the time taken, generic Year 2000 scan software was developed:
  • This software identifies all date items (fields) for all data files used by the application
  • These dictionary items and associated field numbers are then used as code scan triggers
  • Other literal trigger values are also used
  • All triggered items are weighted depending on their likelihood of containing Year 2000 exceptions
  • Triggered items are sorted depending on weight value
  • Relevant source code lines are then reported (printed or displayed) for checking purposes
  To identify all application components and logic paths, comprehensive application item cross-reference and recompilation software was developed. This allowed for identification of missing source-code, mismatched source and object code and redundant items e.g. files, routines and entry screens.
  Elimination of redundant items and identification of menu items no longer used, considerably reduced the time required for these assessments
  In addition, I also identified and documented the points of interface between applications and external systems which could involve dates (e.g. SWIFT ), in particular those involving two-digit years

• 
  www.portnelson.co.nz Port Nelson Limited
• Nelson
• March - June 1997
• Package Software Evaluation
• Due to the Port's increased cargo throughput, a need for computerisation was identified
  In particular, a requirement for improved customer service and additional container terminal facilities
  My assignment with the Port involved evaluating software suitable for container terminal management
  Several options were identified and investigated
  A report was prepared for the Board which included possible solutions, costings and my final recommendation
  Port Nelson accepted my recommendation of the Cardinal Port Management System, which was subsequently installed at the port offices.
  Following their acceptance of this product, Centreport Wellington has implemented the same solution

• EnergyTech Limited
• Nelson
• August - November 1996
• Oracle Server, SQL Server, MS Access, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project, ODBC
• My assignment with EnergyTech included:
  • gaining an understanding of the complexities of the electricity industry
    • metering
    • points of supply
    • time zones
    • transmission
    • billing
    • energy brokerage
  • collating of company documentation
  • software installation and setup
    • Oracle Server
    • SQL server
  • vertical market software testing

• 
  www.sealord.com Sealord Products Limited
• Nelson
• March - May 1996
• Wang/VS, PACE, Microsoft NT, MS Excel, MS Word, MS Access, SAS, Oracle Express, Cognos Powerplay/Impromptu, Internet, WWW, ODBC
• This assignment involved evaluation and recommendation of data warehouse products to meet Sealord's reporting and OLAP requirements.
  Products assessed included:
  • SAS/EIS
  • Oracle Express/Financial Analyzer
  • Cognos Powerplay/Impromptu
  Prototypes were developed using live-sales and production data extracted from the Wang/VS operational system. Demonstrations of two prototyped solutions were organised for IT and Head Office staff to evaluate
  Internet World Wide Web products were evaluated as a means of providing 'thin-client' solutions to international sites
  A report was produced, giving definitions of the data warehousing terminology, an outline of where the technology is at present, where the technology is heading and an analysis of the various products available

Development Expertise

Business Systems

• Audience Research
• Bureau Management
• Feasibility Reporting
• Fees Management
• Hire Purchase
• Human Resources
  • Personnel
  • Employee Skills Management
  • Recruitment
  • Wide Area Networking
• Marketing
• Manufacturing
• Money Market
• Mortgage
• Inventory Control
• Payroll
• Quality Control
• Retail
• Sales Analysis
• Time & Cost
• Wholesaling

Information Systems

• Application Product Management
• E-commerce
• Hardware Evaluation
• Networking:
  • Local Area Networking
  • Wide Area Networking
• Package Conversion
• Programming
• Project Management
  • Team Leader
• Quality Control
• Software Evaluation
• Systems Analysis
• Systems Design
• Systems Programming
• Telecommunications
• Training
• Wholesaling
• Web Authoring

Industry Experience

Government

• Accident Compensation
• Education
• Health
  • Patient Records
• Justice
• Museum
• Postal
• State Services
• Survey and Land Information

Private Sector

• Accounting
  • Accounts Receivable (Debtors)
  • Accounts Payable (Creditors)
  • General Ledger
  • Legal Accounting
• Agriculture
• Banking
• Electricity
• Finance
• Fishing
• Insurance
• Legal
• Performing Arts
  • Broadcasting
  • Drama Production
  • Radio Programming
• Science
  • Laboratory Information Management Industries
  • Laboratory Instrumentation
• Transport
  • Motor Vehicle
  • Oil
  • Port and Container Management

Computing Experience

Applications

• Adobe Acrobat Distiller/Writer
• COGNOS
  • Impromptu
  • Powerplay
• Crystal Reports
• FTP
• Groupwise
• MS Exchange
• Office
  • MS Word
  • MS Excel
  • MS Outlook
  • Open Office Writer
  • Open Office Calc
  • Thunderbird
• ORACLE Server
• ORACLE Server
• OS/2
• SQL Server 7
• SQL Advantage
• ORACLE/CASE

Hardware

Mainframes

• ICL System 4
• IBM
  • 360, 370
  • 3081, 3090
  • 4341, 4361

Minicomputers

• AS400
• DG MV4000
• DG/UX
• GEC 4000
• Honeywell Level 6
• HP 807
• QANTEL
• RS6000
• WANG/VS

Microcomputers

• Apple Macintosh
• IBM PS/2
• Intel based PCs

Languages

• ActiveX
• Advanced Revelation
• BASIC
• CBASIC
• Cardinal JADE
• COBOL
• COSMOS R/BASIC (RBASIC)
• COSMOS Revelation G2B
• HTML
• ICL Babbage
• IBM Assembler
• IBM REXX
• Ingres
• JES2
• LabWare LIMS Basic (LimsBasic)
• MARKIV
• Panorama
• QICBASIC
• RPG II
• SAS
• SCRIPT
• SQL
• Sybase
• Visual Basic
• VBA (MS Access 97, 2000, 2003)
• ZIM

Methodologies

• Structured Programming
• Information Engineering
• Business Process Re engineering
• CASE Methodology
• Data Warehousing

Extreme Programming

Operating Systems

• AOS
• AS
• DOS
• DOS/VSE
• GATEWAY
• MS 9x
• MS NT
• MS XP
• MS Vista
• Novell Netware
• OS
• OS/VS
• OS/2
• OS/400
• PICK
• POWER V/S
• TSO/MVS
• UNIX (DG/UX-BASH)
• VM/CMS
• WANG/VS

Skills Summary

• business analysis
• data conversion
• data modeling
• general consultancy
• hardware configuration
• journalism
• marketing
• package software development
• pc helpdesk
• pc networking
• product management (microsoft)
• quality control
• software installation
• systems design
• systems programming
• technical documentation
• telecommunications
• user documentation
• wide area networking
• web development
• web site maintenance