Alan Chambers Email & Phone Number

London

The client had a requirement to synchronise processing of customer records across applications running concurrently on WebSphere Application Server in two data centres. In discussion with IBM they decided to use IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale in a "Shared application state" pattern, and also engaged IBM Software Services for WebSphere (ISSW) to provide consultancy and mentoring with the design and implementation of the solution.ISSW have very few skills in this technology but were aware that I have them, so engaged me for the project. My contributions so far have included:- Designing and documenting the run-time topology for the two data-centre solution- Training Service Delivery and Application Development staff in WXS- Advising on WXS grid configuration- Advising and assisting with details of code design relating to propagation of transaction contexts, etc..- Developing a WXS Patterns document for the bank to help them identify other applications for the technology.The project is continuing well and is on track to meet its implementation deadline.

London

As an expert in IBM's WebSphere eXtreme Scale technology, I became aware of both its increasing popularity as a highly scalable caching solution and the lack of training courses available in the UK. IBM have a course but it is not offered as standard in the UK. In 2012 a customer request to IBM for this course resulted in my being asked to teach it.My course is a two day course, with hands-on exercises, that I offer either directly or via the companies I work with. In particular, the course is included in the catalogue of Verhoef Training, and is available on request from Orbital Integrated Solutions.

Various

I have been working with Orbital, an IBM Business Partner, performing pre- and post-sales consultancy related to WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere eXtreme Scale, to their clients. In 2011/12 I was engaged to advise and mentor a client in the retail travel sector on the implementation of WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere eXtreme Scale.I have provided consultancy and mentoring to several of Orbital's clients implementing or upgrading their WebSphere Application Server configurations.In 2012, I investigated and diagnosed JVM heap size and memory leak issues with WebSphere Application Server for one of Obital's clients, applying IBM's Java Monitoring and Diagnostic Tools such as Health Center, Memory Analyzer and Pattern Modeling and Analysis Tool for Java Garbage Collector (PMAT).In 2013 I led a campaign to encourage and support WebSphere customers to migrate from V6.1 to V8.5 - conducting pre-sales customer meetings and supporting their subsequent migration projects.

My first project for a Diegesis client was in 2011, and involved developing the user interface component of a rich web application, using the Eclipse Rich Ajax Platform (RAP), a web-based derivative of the eclipse Rich Client Platform (RCP) that uses Javascript and Ajax in a browser to implement a subset of the eclipse RCP programming model. This project applies my existing Java skills, extending my previous RCP knowledge and enabling me to develop new a new skill in RAP.Working with the Diegesis team I have since expanded my skills by becoming certified in IBM SPSS Modeler software.

London, United Kingdom

I am contracted with Arrow ECS (who are the sole providers of IBM Training in the UK) as an associate instructor for several of their courses related to WebSphere Application Server and associated products.In February 2011, I delivered a three-day one-customer course on WebSphere Virtual Enterprise (WVE) to an IBM customer. There are still relatively few people in the UK with significant skills in WVE - of whom I am one - and IBM does not have any instructors in-house able to deliver this course. The course was successful with good feedback from students.In 2013 I have successfully delivered IBM's new WebSphere Application Server Administration course (WA585GB) and am booked to run it again later in the year.

In Q4 2010, I delivered two WebSphere Application Server courses, with hands-on exercises, using existing Verhoef course materials - one at the V6.1 level and another using this material but with some additions I made to provide the particular audience with introduction to the capabilities of V7. Verhoef subsequently engaged me to re-work the WAS materials for V7, updating and re-emphasising parts of the course, based on my prior experience with WAS customers.I am now Verhoef's lead trainer for WebSphere Application Server and run courses regularly at client sites and at Verhoef's Bath location.

After leaving IBM in January 2010, I was looking for the opportunity to continue to work on interesting technologies, with flexible working patterns, reasonable earning power - and fun. I was very widely known as a WebSphere Application Server guru at IBM, so I decided try and build a portfolio of short-term and part-time engagements doing WebSphere consultancy, architecture, enablement & training, allowing me to exploit and build on my existing skills.To provide a platform for these activities, I formed my own company, Kupono Consulting Ltd. My teaching skills and WebSphere knowledge are been applied to good effect in my work with Verhoef Training, for whom I have delivered some WebSphere Application Server training courses, and worked on updating some of their WAS related teaching materials. I have also delivered a WVE training course for IBM Training. My relationships with Diegesis and Orbital are providing interesting and challenging client engagements. I am continuing to work on a consultancy basis with the WebSphere User Group, which I founded in 2001.

I founded the independent WebSphere User Group in 2001 while working at IBM, to encourage users of IBM's WebSphere Application Server product to network and share their experiences, and to provide an opportunity for them to learn from IBM and other experts at events it would organise. I continued as it's "IBM Representative" until I left IBM but in the latter years had been doing an increasing proportion of the practical work of organising its events. These events took place twice a year - one in London with usually around 250 attendees, and another in Edinburgh with around 150.After I left IBM, I continued this work for the WUG as a consultant to organise the events each time and more recently as Acting Chairman. My extensive network within IBM and its community of business partners gives me excellent access to potential speakers, and to companies who are willing to pay to exhibit at our events. Since leaving IBM, despite the difficult economic climate, I have succeeded in increasing the WUG's revenue from exhibitors and maintained high levels of attendance at WUG events.

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Four "A" Levels At Grade A, Plus Grade 1 In Two "S" Level Exams