MI Interface and ReportingI was tasked with making changes to programs and queries (both Query/400 and SQL). The changes were to meet the demands of various customers. There were also changes made to accommodate customers in the interface to the data warehouse. I also assisted in some of the maintenance work around the iSeries. In this industry, time is very critical. A lot of time was spent fine tuning the programs and queries. Some investigation was required, but I did… Show more MI Interface and ReportingI was tasked with making changes to programs and queries (both Query/400 and SQL). The changes were to meet the demands of various customers. There were also changes made to accommodate customers in the interface to the data warehouse. I also assisted in some of the maintenance work around the iSeries. In this industry, time is very critical. A lot of time was spent fine tuning the programs and queries. Some investigation was required, but I did manage to get some performance enhancements. The systems here are mainly written in COBOL with a large number of queries. I introduced SQL into the processes. All of these run in the iSeries platform. Competencies used: iSeries, COBOL, MQ Series, SQL, DB2. Show less

Upon my return to The SPAR Group (left SPAR on 17 November 2006), I have been involved in system changes required for a DC (Distribution Centre) move. Although the changes have not been excessive, they did seek out advice on how some aspects of the move should be handled. This took place mid April 2008.I am also involved in the upgrade of SCM (Supply Chain Manager) to version 1.9. This included the Debtors and Creditors applications written in Synon.Once the move is… Show more Upon my return to The SPAR Group (left SPAR on 17 November 2006), I have been involved in system changes required for a DC (Distribution Centre) move. Although the changes have not been excessive, they did seek out advice on how some aspects of the move should be handled. This took place mid April 2008.I am also involved in the upgrade of SCM (Supply Chain Manager) to version 1.9. This included the Debtors and Creditors applications written in Synon.Once the move is complete, I will get involved in upgrading the application portion of Websphere MQ. I was originally involved in this when SPAR moved to MQ Series as the messaging tool.The primary system is a package from Aquitec UK and are written in COBOL. There are a lot of ancillary processes, which are written in Synon. This is where a lot of my focus was. All of these systems run on the iSeries platform.The reason for coming back to SPAR is that I can be with my family before going off to the United Kingdom.Competencies used: iSeries, COBOL, RPG, Synon, MQ Series, SQL, DB2. Show less

I have been involved in the writing of the Technical System Specification (TSS) for the originations portion of a new product that will be due for implementation early next year. The investigation for the TSS gave me a good insight into the way that loans are originated within the banking industry. I have been spending time learning about the mainframe and its operating system. This is the first time that I am spending any significant time on the mainframe. I have also been… Show more I have been involved in the writing of the Technical System Specification (TSS) for the originations portion of a new product that will be due for implementation early next year. The investigation for the TSS gave me a good insight into the way that loans are originated within the banking industry. I have been spending time learning about the mainframe and its operating system. This is the first time that I am spending any significant time on the mainframe. I have also been involved in one little change that was required. I have also done some other documentation regarding the products that are being created. In the last three months of this contract, I was quite heavily involved in the changes required for the collections system, CACS (Computer Assisted Collections System). I left Standard Bank because of my intention to start working in the United Kingdom/European Community. The SPAR Group offered my post back so that I could spend time with my family before leaving South Africa. The systems that I was working on were written in COBOL, using both CICS and DB2. These systems run on the mainframe platform. Competencies used: COBOL, SQL, DB2(z/OS). Show less

I was, mainly, involved in maintaining the existing SPAR software and WCSS. This also includes the creating of new functionality within these systems. I work mainly using COBOL, but I am not restricted to COBOL. I kept my skills in RPG up by writing small ultility programs.SPAR's Debtors and Creditors systems are written in Synon. I did get involved in changes in this area, including designing, developing and implementing changes. I also wrote a small system that monitors… Show more I was, mainly, involved in maintaining the existing SPAR software and WCSS. This also includes the creating of new functionality within these systems. I work mainly using COBOL, but I am not restricted to COBOL. I kept my skills in RPG up by writing small ultility programs.SPAR's Debtors and Creditors systems are written in Synon. I did get involved in changes in this area, including designing, developing and implementing changes. I also wrote a small system that monitors batch/asynchronous jobs. This was written almost exclusively in Synon.I was involved in the decision making during the recent RF Project (to change the software to accommodate Spar's specific requirements in their wireless application). I had started out as the project leader, but, as I ended up on the critical path, I reluctantly had to pass the project leadership onto another person.I have been involved, as a system designer and developer, in a number of projects. These are the latest RF Project, the National Numbering Project, the National Marketing System Project and the software upgrade required for Year 2000. Show less

Competencies used: iSeries, COBOL, RPG, Synon, MQ Series, SQL, DB2.; I was initially contracted to assist with the setting up and automation of the AS/400. However, due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to fulfil this task. I did learn a little bit of JDE 7.2. Subsequently, I have been writing an enquiry subsystem that links directly to the JDE database. During this contract, I spent two days at Metro and three days at SPAR. The contract was not renewed due to shortage of work at… Show more Competencies used: iSeries, COBOL, RPG, Synon, MQ Series, SQL, DB2.; I was initially contracted to assist with the setting up and automation of the AS/400. However, due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to fulfil this task. I did learn a little bit of JDE 7.2. Subsequently, I have been writing an enquiry subsystem that links directly to the JDE database. During this contract, I spent two days at Metro and three days at SPAR. The contract was not renewed due to shortage of work at that time. The version of JDE that I was working with ran on the iSeries platform. The remainder of my work was done using RPG.Competencies used: iSeries, RPG, SQL. Show less

I was contracted to maintain the existing systems, on their AS/400, System 38 and System 36, while the current IS staff were implementing SAP/R3, in which I was not involved. However, during the course of the year, some new projects were started which had to be accommodated on the AS/400 systems. These were :- converting their despatch scanning to Janus 2020 Radio Frequency scanners (this is where I got some of my knowledge of TCP/IP and DCM/2), the receiving of pallets from production using… Show more I was contracted to maintain the existing systems, on their AS/400, System 38 and System 36, while the current IS staff were implementing SAP/R3, in which I was not involved. However, during the course of the year, some new projects were started which had to be accommodated on the AS/400 systems. These were :- converting their despatch scanning to Janus 2020 Radio Frequency scanners (this is where I got some of my knowledge of TCP/IP and DCM/2), the receiving of pallets from production using the Janus 2020 scanners, and the receiving of production details from a new Shop Floor Control system. I was called on, from time to time, to solve problems with a PC based weighbridge system written in Clarion. I was involved in scanned stock takes during my tenure. When Mondi went live with SAP/R3, I was kept on because my knowledge of the business was of value to them. My contract came to an end once some of the other IS staff gained similar knowledge. The systems that I was working on were on the iSeries, System/38 and System/36. These all used various versions of RPG.Competencies used: iSeries, RPG. Show less

Initially, I was contracted to pick up on a backlog that the development team had got themselves into. I then became involved in the amalgamation of the two Order Entry systems that Adcock had in use at the time. This included interfaces between their own systems as well as outside enterprises. The latter part of my contract was very interesting as I had never worked with such outside enterprises before. I left because my contract was up for renewal when the offer at Mondi came… Show more Initially, I was contracted to pick up on a backlog that the development team had got themselves into. I then became involved in the amalgamation of the two Order Entry systems that Adcock had in use at the time. This included interfaces between their own systems as well as outside enterprises. The latter part of my contract was very interesting as I had never worked with such outside enterprises before. I left because my contract was up for renewal when the offer at Mondi came through.The systems here were all home written using RPG in the iSeries. My experience the iSeries goes back to my tenure with KwaZulu Finance and Investment Corporation. My experience with RPG goes back to my tenure with David Whiteheads, which was on the System/38.Competencies used: iSeries, RPG. Show less