Chris Drage

Chris Drage Email and Phone Number

Technical Project and Programme Manager - Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business @ Generation-e
Sydney, NSW, AU
Chris Drage's Location
Greater Sydney Area, Australia
Chris Drage's Contact Details

Chris Drage personal email

About Chris Drage

Senior Manager with substantial technical, managerial, commercial and operational experience in Unified Communications, O365 Cloud, Networking and Microsoft technology companies encompassing strategy, architecture, programme and project management, product management and development, professional services, presales, operations, engineering, consultancy, technical support and business functions. My success derives from ability to lead, organise and motivate teams towards a common goal, either as line manager or as project/programme manager. Business orientated, customer-centric and pragmatic approach. Able to quickly assimilate complex issues, determine the way forward and execute.Specialities: Project and Programme Management, Customer Service Management, Technical Operations, Product Management and Development, Engineering, Business Transformation, Business Development, Technical Marketing, IP Network Architecture, Service Delivery, Service Assurance and Consultancy.

Chris Drage's Current Company Details
Generation-e

Generation-E

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Technical Project and Programme Manager - Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business
Sydney, NSW, AU
Employees:
80
Chris Drage Work Experience Details
  • Generation-E
    Technical Project And Programme Manager - Microsoft Teams And Skype For Business
    Generation-E
    Sydney, Nsw, Au
  • Generation-E
    Technical Project / Programme Manager - Microsoft Teams And Skype For Business
    Generation-E May 2019 - Present
    Sydney
    Generation-e is the progressive leader in Cloud, Unified Communications, Collaboration, Networking and Audio Visual technology. Our pioneering approach has been setting the standard for the delivery of Modern Productivity for over 15 years.Generation-e partnerships include Microsoft Gold Partner and Telstra Enterprise Partner. These technologies allow us to deliver solutions that empower people to communicate and collaborate whether they are in the boardroom, the café or their kitchen. Our clients choose Generation-e because our deep expertise and experience empowers their people to achieve to their potential.Generation-e is one of the largest dedicated Microsoft Skype-for-Business and Microsoft Teams integrators in Australia and Asia Pacific with over 2.6 million Office 365 and over 250,000 Skype-for-Business seats deployed.
  • Modality Systems
    Technical Project And Engagement Manager - Microsoft Teams And Skype For Business
    Modality Systems Mar 2016 - Apr 2019
    Sydney, Australia
    Modality Systems is one of the largest dedicated Microsoft Lync Skype for Business professional services practices in the world. We leverage Microsoft technology to offer a complete end-to-end service wrap for business communications and collaboration, built around three core value pillars - Usage, Health and Future - designed to maximise utilisation, maintain a healthy and reliable environment and support the future goals of the organisation.I joined Modality UK in March 2016 delivering Skype for Business initiatives, programmes and projects across the UK and USA before transferring to the Sydney office in January 2018.
  • Cisilion - Microsoft Lync, Skype And Cisco Unified Communications, Security And Networking
    Technical Project / Programme Manager - Unified Communications
    Cisilion - Microsoft Lync, Skype And Cisco Unified Communications, Security And Networking Mar 2014 - Mar 2016
    London
    I initially joined Updata (since acquired by Capita IT) but later head-hunted by Cisilion, to successfully programme manage the implementation and rollout of over 6000 seats Microsoft Lync including Enterprise Voice telephony and PBX integration to a major public sector organisation. Since then, I have led numerous successful projects and programmes specialising in Unified Communications utilising both Microsoft Lync (Skype for Business) and Cisco (Call Manager and Contact Centre) technology, some with complex integration, into a variety of public and enterprise sector clients.
  • Alwayson - Lync (Skype For Business) Unified Communications And Networking
    Technical Service Delivery And Projects Director
    Alwayson - Lync (Skype For Business) Unified Communications And Networking Apr 2012 - Feb 2014
    Reading
    AlwaysON specialises in cloud-based solutions for Microsoft Lync unified communications, CaaS hosted telephony and managed IP network services. I was overall responsible for all technical service delivery functions.On joining, I defined and executed cloud strategy for Microsoft Lync 2013 Unified Communications leveraging Hyper-V virtual server environment and HP server technology. I instigated and implemented improvements to customer services function and delivered an extensive core MPLS network technology refresh.
  • Talktalk Business
    Technical Head For Voice And Data Managed Services
    Talktalk Business Apr 2011 - Apr 2012
    Stoke Mandeville
    TalkTalk Business is the B2B arm of TalkTalk providing a broad range of voice and data services. Of this, £22Mpa is provided by Managed IP network services and a further £7Mpa from VoIP Telephony and CaaS/Cloud Unified Communications.For these two product lines, I was directly responsible for all fulfilment and technical functions from customer service management, service delivery and support including Prince2 project management, liaison with 3rd party carriers including Openreach, BT Wholesale and TalkTalk Technology, Equipment configuration of Cisco, Draytek router and Mitel and other IP PBX, Testing and handover. 24x7 support, incident handling and fault management.Notable achievements include the creation of a Centre of Excellence providing engineering, consultancy, design, operational delivery and support for VoIP Telephony and Unified Communications and appointing a 3rd party outsource partner to provide field engineering installations and maintenance
  • Easynet Global Services
    Head Of Service Delivery
    Easynet Global Services Jul 2007 - Apr 2011
    London
    Promoted to direct UK operations for managed networking, colocation, data centre and IaaS managed hosting. Responsible for all fulfilment and technical functions from order entry through to service delivery and support. Delivery comprises Prince2 project management, order entry, provisioning, liaison with 3rd party carriers, Cisco CPE router configuration, inventory updates, testing and handover. Assurance comprises 1st and 2nd line network incident and fault management, problem management. Data Centre and Hosting Operations. Customer Service Management. In addition to BAU, achievements include directing technical teams across EMEA to establish colocation and IaaS/Cloud managed hosting services in two new data centres (Milton Keynes and Slough) and their underlying support organisations and ITIL processes. Also, rearchitected and deployed an updated e-safety web-filtering solution for schools and education sector.
  • Easynet Global Services
    Head Of Emea Customer Solutions
    Easynet Global Services Jun 2006 - Jul 2007
    London
    Founded and led the technical function of the newly formed B2B division targeting the public and corporate sector (as opposed to Sky Broadband consumer) with wide area network services. Line manager for the EMEA bespoke complex customer solution and UK backbone infrastructure teams. Founded and led the technical function to provide the public and corporate B2B sector with managed network and colocation data centre services. Line manager for the EMEA bespoke complex customer solution and UK backbone infrastructure teams. Matrix manager for coordination and escalation point for the entire UK technical community – Presales, Product Management, Customer Service Management, Service Delivery and Service Assurance.A major achievement during this period was the implementation of a $15M next generation backbone network providing stable and scalable network services in support of company growth and strategy.
  • Panduit Emea
    Head Of Technology, Support And Product Management
    Panduit Emea Jan 2005 - Jun 2006
    London
    Defined and executed EMEA Product and Technology Strategy. Directly responsible for Product Management, Consultancy, Solution Development, Marketing Communications, Pricing, Strategic Alliances, Pre- and Post-Sales Technical Support teams. Created a complete portfolio of strategic plans (one for each product line) defining the technical and commercial direction in support of data centre, networking and electrical product sales across EMEA.
  • Capgemini
    Head Of Ip Networking Technical Architects And Consultancy
    Capgemini Jan 2002 - Nov 2004
    London
    Led the Network Technical Architecture and Solutions Consultancy Group providing IP network (including VoIP and WiFi) data-communications and security solutions. The group provided technology thought-leadership and consultancy and was involved at all stages from presales, proposals, architectural design and costing and through to the technical management, project management, delivery and acceptance of implementations. Directly responsible leading key assignments - acting as bid manager, project manager and technical consultant on numerous projects including Project Managing a £2M network technology refresh (migration from Frame Relay to MPLS) for a financial institution within the Aviva Group.
  • Capgemini
    Lead Technical Architect For Triple-Play Ip Services
    Capgemini Apr 2001 - Dec 2001
    Woking
    Organised and directed a multidisciplinary technical design team in developing an architecture and solution providing real-time broadcast and pay-per-view video, IP telephony, and ISP/ASP data services via ADSL to up to 3.2 million home and SME subscribers using TV set-top boxes, PCs and/or telephony devices. The team comprised over 40 specialists with members from Cisco, HP, Starvox, FutureTV and others representing all functional areas - video services, voice services, ISP/ASP services, messaging, IP and DSL network, OSS and integration, Billing, CRM, Security and service development.
  • Capgemini
    Head Of Centre Of Excellence For Telco Ip Services Oss
    Capgemini Jan 2000 - Mar 2001
    Woking
    Joined as a founder member of the management team of a new joint venture between Cisco and Capgemini targeting the Telco, Mobile, Service Providers and the Media sector. The OSS Centre of Excellence comprised consultants, pre and post-sales technical product specialists, software development and systems integration experts to provide Operational Support Systems (OSS) solutions for Telco and Service Providers. Functionality included Network Management, Service Management, Provisioning, Configuration and Performance.
  • Viglen
    Head Of Technical Support And Development
    Viglen Dec 1997 - Dec 1999
    London
    Defined and drove technical initiatives in support of Viglen’s corporate strategy to diversify from PC Manufacturer to a provider of networking solutions and Microsoft Windows and Intel servers. Directly responsible for Project Management, R&D and Technical Support (48 staff) and major contributor into Product Strategy and Marketing.Particular focus in the Schools Education sector - Shaped the definition and developed ClassLink - a software suite providing a complete client-server solution including Internet connectivity, security print quota and email connectivity for schools.
  • Madge Networks
    Head Of Lan & Ip Switching Products And Software Development
    Madge Networks Jun 1992 - Nov 1997
    Slough
    Provided technical leadership of the LAN & IP Switching Products and Software development teams during a period of dynamic growth in the LAN switching market. Responsibilities encompassed hardware and software development, product management, project management and business planning. Matrix manager for escalation and co-ordination of technical support, sales account managers, marcomms and 3rd party suppliers.
  • Madge Networks
    Product Manager - Network Management
    Madge Networks Mar 1991 - Jun 1992
    Slough
    Joined start-up in the field of Local Area Networking (LAN), to formulate strategy and drive through the delivery of Madge’s first Network Management products.

Chris Drage Skills

Telecommunications Ip Voip Managed Services Mpls Service Delivery Data Center Product Management Cloud Computing Pre Sales Unified Communications Program Management Cisco Technologies Project Management Business Transformation Integration Wan Networking Telephony Product Development Itil Strategy Operations Management Business Development Routers Broadband Technical Management Technical Support Saas Engineering Technology Management Network Architecture Internet Protocol Ip Networking Ip Telephony Product Marketing Switches Dsl Network Administration Common Sense Documentation Interpersonal Communication Managing Meetings Managing Technical Personnel Multiprotocol Label Switching Personnel Leadership Personnel Management Resiliency Technical Documentation Managed Data Services

Chris Drage Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Chris Drage

What company does Chris Drage work for?

Chris Drage works for Generation-E

What is Chris Drage's role at the current company?

Chris Drage's current role is Technical Project and Programme Manager - Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business.

What is Chris Drage's email address?

Chris Drage's email address is ch****@****ail.com

What schools did Chris Drage attend?

Chris Drage attended Henley Management College, Imperial College, Itil V3 Foundation Accreditation, Prince2 Practitioner.

What skills is Chris Drage known for?

Chris Drage has skills like Telecommunications, Ip, Voip, Managed Services, Mpls, Service Delivery, Data Center, Product Management, Cloud Computing, Pre Sales, Unified Communications, Program Management.

Who are Chris Drage's colleagues?

Chris Drage's colleagues are Scott Nielsen, Paul Ivory, Liam Farquharson, Jenny Peña, Maisie Cutcheon, Malcolm Edwards, Sean Hartman.

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