My Junk Drawer

Mood: mmm

EDITS

 

Introduction.

G'Day, my name is Peter, this is my web site and is a regular activity for me. I have chosen to use this space to write about two topics I know about:- my work memories & Multiple Sclerosis.

I have retired on ‘disability benefits’ from some twenty years in Information Technology. During that time, I did my best to climb the “Corporate Ladder”, and worked for, or consulted to, a number of memorable organisations including: Netscape (Australia H.Q.), Compaq, IBM, ..... the list is long, A 20 year journey.

I worked predominately in sales which turned into a specialised role with a more “people”/technical focus. My target market was often, THE IMPOSSIBLE DEALS. I loved my work, worked very hard (and smart) and had great success within my target market of [Corporate or Government, often via tender, or because of a Complex Large Project,  ...]

 

http://web.eng.ubu.ac.th/~m_eng_pd/WebCD%20on%20CNC-CAD-CAM%20(Charoenc)/courses/9dots.gif

My success was more based on providing an elusive mystery solution to an identified business need, rather than on the 'technology' itself, or on any “fad”. My most successful tool in I.T. Sales ("together with my two ears") was the “Whiteboard” and 'whiteboard marker', this was my domain.

I often used graphical representations of solutions to help my clients better understand their options.

[diag] 

 

RAAF WSLM

 

One of my large projects for the Royal Australian Air Force was famous for having my conceptual LAN/WAN diagrams duplicated, spread around the country and appearing on whiteboards and in documents.

The WSLM project involved the design, supply and installation of an infrastructure capable of delivering all the services required by each RAAF Base'.

Several hundred RAAF personnel were re-located to each base from Australian capital cities. Each WSLM required a Local Area Network ("LAN"), various office systems (email, scheduling, Project Management etc.) and a connection to the Wide Area Network ("WAN"), various redundant links, and the various available hosts..

I designed and installed an appropriate cable plant at each site. Voice and data were both catered for. Computer Room cable plant, racks and patch panels were also installed.

1992. The final solution that was chosen included: IBM PS/2 Model 95 File Servers, Novell Netware, Microcom compression bridges, Synoptics Hubs and LAN management software, various protocols (ipx, tcp/ip).

I have several highlights stuck in the memory banks that relate to this project.

• Being awarded this contract in the first place
  
  • Outside of Desine Contract.
• Securing IBM Access Pass & Photo I.D.
• Securing a lockable office at IBM,
• Being allocated an IBM Host & 'Profs' login.
• Securing Department of Defense Contractor I.D.
• Negotiating the terms and conditions of a conttract between IBM 'Professional Services' and 'Power Pack Group' (my own company).

[diag]

 

 

ANZ Global Roll-out

Competing against the open market and the long term encumbant, IBM Australia, I secured the contract for the supply of desktops, notebooks and file-servers to forty three (43+) countries around the world, all out of Melbourme.

The supply contract was as tight as I have seen and included adherence to a collection of conditions including latent defects and support for all currency conversions and Foreign Exchange "FX" rates.

Several other projects born out of various other clients such as they were, also bring pleasant memories. (Defense Department or Security Related: AANX, SG-LAN, DSD, ASIS, Caplog etc.)

Early Retirement

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1998, and was a wheelchair user, by necessity, by 2000.

I was given Optic Neuritis as a side-order which is not uncommon. A recent visit to the Melbourne Eye and Ear hospital and a range of tests confirmed that my vision (on a bad day, at the right time of day) has degraded enough for me to be classified as ‘Legally Blind’.

This site is like a hand coded WEB Log ("blog"), it allows me to keep track of some of my ‘stuff’, and is a blank canvas where I can practise my coding.

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