Edwin Francis Email & Phone Number

Chennai Area, India

As a System Architect at Cisco Systems, I design and deliver high-performance network architectures that help businesses optimize operations and achieve strategic goals. I work closely with clients, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.Key competencies:- Network Architecture & Design 🌐: Crafting scalable, high-performance network solutions with Cisco technologies like routing, switching, and SD-WAN.- Cloud & Hybrid Solutions ☁️: Designing hybrid cloud environments and integrating on-premise systems with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Cisco Cloud.- Security & Compliance 🔒: Implementing Cisco security solutions (firewalls, VPNs, IAM) to ensure compliance and robust network protection.- Solution Delivery 🛠️: Leading technical discussions and ensuring solutions align with business requirements while meeting timelines and budgets.- Cross-Functional Collaboration 🤝: Partnering with sales teams, engineers, and product managers to ensure successful project delivery.Key achievements:- Leading ACI design & deployment for banks for their DC and DR sites besides SD-WAN solution design & deployment for large enterprises, reducing operational costs by 30%.- Revamping Manufacturing Plants involving both IT/IOT networks complying to industry 5.0.- Completed Firewall Refresh for a few major banks.- Worked in a security opportunity leading it to an enterprise agreement.- Migrating networks to hybrid cloud environments, cutting infrastructure costs by 20%.- Designing high-availability architectures that ensure zero downtime for critical systems.- Implementing robust security solutions, passing third-party audits & improving network security.Specialties:Cisco Network Architecture 🔌: Expertise in routing, switching, and SD-WAN.Cloud & Hybrid Architecture ☁️: Seamless integration with AWS, Azure, and Cisco Cloud.Security Solutions 🛡️: Firewalls, VPNs, and network access control.Automation & Orchestration 🤖: Cisco ACI, Ansible, Python.

As a former Solution Architect, I specialized in designing innovative, client-centric solutions that met both functional and non-functional requirements. Collaborating with business development teams, clients, and internal delivery teams, I ensured our solutions aligned with strategic objectives and industry best practices.Key responsibilities included:- Client Collaboration 🤝: Led meetings and workshops with clients to capture their requirements and design tailored solutions.- Due Diligence & Pre-Bid Support 📊: Participated in due diligence and pre-bid exercises to set the foundation for successful proposals.- Solution Articulation 📝: Delivered clear, compelling presentations to internal and external stakeholders, defending solution components.- Solution Leadership 💡: Led internal solution discussions and technical assessments to ensure solution deliverability.- Proposal Development 🏗️: Developed detailed proposals and scope of work documents, leveraging IBM’s capabilities to create integrated solutions.- Customer Interaction 🎤: Delivered presentations that aligned with client needs, ensuring clarity and understanding.- Resource & Risk Management ⚖️: Provided accurate resource estimations, risk assessments, and key assumptions, aligning with customer expectations.- Knowledge Sharing 📚: Contributed to the internal knowledge base, streamlining processes and work products.- Solution Ownership 🔧: Coordinated with multiple IBM business units to deliver integrated solutions for complex, large-scale bids.- Quality Assurance ✅: Performed comprehensive quality checks on proposals, scope of work, and presentations to ensure accuracy and quality.Technologies and products I worked with included:- SDN 🌐: Cisco ACI, VMware NSX, Cisco SDA, Juniper QFabric- SD-WAN 🚀: Cisco iWAN, Cisco Viptela, VMware Velocloud, Juniper NFV- Network Products 🔌: Cisco Nexus, Catalyst, ASA, Firepower, Checkpoint NGFW, Palo Alto NGFW, F5 Big IP, and more.

Chennai Area, India

As a Network Consultant at Citi Architecture & Technology Engineering (CATE), I played a pivotal role in optimizing Citi’s network infrastructure to support various business needs. My focus was on ensuring network readiness, designing scalable solutions, and collaborating with multiple teams to deliver high-quality outcomes.Key responsibilities included:- Network Readiness & Assessment 🛠️: Used CMDB tools (Netinfo) to assess and understand the existing network infrastructure and verify readiness for IP Telephony deployment. - WAN Bandwidth Analysis 📊: Conducted bandwidth analysis using performance tools (Infovista) to ensure optimal network performance and alignment with business requirements.- Network Design & BoM Creation 💻: Designed new network layouts and developed Bills of Materials (BoM) for the replacement of End-of-Life (EoL) devices, adhering to Citi’s standards.- Cross-Team Collaboration 🤝: Worked closely with various teams (Voice Solutions, Trade Floor, Project Managers) to gather requirements for LAN and WAN bandwidth, ensuring seamless communication and alignment across all stakeholders.- Technical Clarifications & Reviews 📝: Addressed any design clarifications raised by other teams or during the CDA review process, ensuring accurate and thorough network solutions.- Configuration & Change Management 🔄: Produced network device configurations, raised change controls, and obtained necessary approvals for network updates.- Implementation Support ⚙️: Coordinated with in-country teams for rack-and-stack activities and ensured readiness for change implementation.- Device Configuration & Handover ⚡: Configured routers and switches, and successfully handed over network configurations to the operations team for ongoing management.This role allowed me to enhance Citi’s network infrastructure and deliver reliable, scalable solutions that aligned with both business and technical requirements.

As a Technical Consultant at Wipro Technologies, I gained valuable experience and expertise in network optimization and virtualization, particularly in the areas of Windows on WAAS and network application management.Key responsibilities and achievements include:- Windows on WAAS Expertise 💻: Gained deep technical knowledge and hands-on experience working with Windows on WAAS (Wide Area Application Services), focusing on network optimization and performance enhancements.- Virtualization & Coexistence 🌐: Explored the coexistence of NAM (Network Application Management) with Windows on WAAS in a virtualized environment, leveraging the virtual blade concept to optimize network performance.- Knowledge Sharing & Skill Development 📚: Took advantage of cool-off periods to deepen understanding of advanced network technologies and share insights with the team, contributing to continuous learning and skill development.This role helped strengthen my foundation in network optimization and virtualization, preparing me for future challenges in delivering high-quality IT solutions.

London, United Kingdom

As a Consultant in Network Engineering Services at Macquarie Bank, I was involved in the design and deployment of a high-performance Data Center network, focused on secure and reliable connectivity for major stock exchanges and trading companies across Europe. Key responsibilities and achievements include:- Data Center Network Design 🖥️: Contributed to the design and build of the Data Center network in Frankfurt, ensuring high availability, scalability, and performance for critical financial services.- Connectivity Integration 🌐: Worked on interfacing the Data Center with multiple connectivity solutions from leading service providers, optimizing performance and reliability for key stakeholders.- Security Policy Implementation 🔒: Played a key role in implementing robust security policies to meet the unique requirements of major stock exchanges and trading firms, ensuring compliance with European standards, particularly in Germany.- Cross-functional Collaboration 🤝: Collaborated closely with a diverse team of engineers, security experts, and service providers to successfully deliver a cutting-edge network infrastructure that supported high-volume trading operations.This experience enhanced my expertise in data center networking, connectivity, and security, as well as working in high-pressure environments with stringent requirements for financial institutions.

Reading, United Kingdom

As a Network Consultant at Thames Water, I was responsible for designing and implementing an Access Control Services (ACS) solution, integrating over 2000 network devices with the ACS and Active Directory (AD) server farm. Key responsibilities and achievements include:- ACS Solution Design 🔐: Designed the Access Control Services solution with Fiber Optic (FO) connectivity, ensuring secure network access control for critical systems.- High & Low-Level Design 📐: Developed both high-level and low-level designs for the ACS deployment, focusing on scalability and integration with the existing IT infrastructure.- Device Integration 🌐: Successfully integrated more than 2000 network devices with the ACS, ensuring seamless connectivity and secure access.- Documentation & Support 📑: Created comprehensive deployment and support documentation, ensuring smooth ongoing operations and future scalability.- Best Practices & Knowledge Sharing 💡: Presented the design, deployment strategies, and best practices to the team, fostering knowledge sharing and process improvements.This project gave me valuable experience in network security, large-scale device integration, and technical documentation, and allowed me to contribute to the successful implementation of a critical infrastructure solution.

Melbourne, Australia

As a Senior Designer at Telstra, I successfully designed and implemented the EES Lab in Melbourne, contributing to the development of a critical infrastructure environment.Key responsibilities and achievements include:- EES Lab Design & Implementation 🏗️: Designed and implemented the EES Lab, enabling Telstra to test and validate network configurations and systems.- Low-Level Design 📑: Created detailed low-level design documents, ensuring accurate specifications for the lab setup and configurations.- Switch Configuration 🔌: Configured Virtual Switching System (VSS) on Cisco 6500 series switches, ensuring high availability and optimized performance.- Security & Load Balancing 🔐: Configured FWSM FO (Firewall Services Module) and ACE FO (Application Control Engine) for secure traffic management and load balancing.- Knowledge Sharing & Training 📚: Presented the lab design and deployment strategies to a team of 20 Telstra personnel, ensuring alignment and understanding across technical teams.This project allowed me to leverage my expertise in network design, security, and system integration while contributing to Telstra's successful lab deployment.

Richmond, Virginia Area

As a Network Architect at Capital One, I played a pivotal role in ensuring network standards and best practices were maintained across enterprise network designs. My work involved collaborating with various teams and vendors to drive innovation and efficiency in network architecture.Key responsibilities and achievements include:- Network Design Standards & Best Practices 🛠️: Verified and maintained network design standards across enterprise networks, ensuring high quality and compliance with best practices.- Data Center Network Consolidation & Migration 🏢: Contributed to the Data Center Network (DCN) consolidation and migration project, streamlining operations and enhancing scalability.- Vendor Selection Process 🤝: Participated in multiple vendor selection processes, ensuring the right solutions were chosen to meet enterprise requirements.- Enterprise Architecture Drafting 📝: Gained hands-on experience in drafting enterprise architecture and supporting architecture review processes to optimize network efficiency.This role provided valuable experience in enterprise-level network design and architecture review, contributing to Capital One’s strategic infrastructure advancements.

As Assistant Manager at VSNL, I gained comprehensive experience across multiple departments, including Network Operations, Planning & Implementation, and TIEBU. My role involved hands-on design, planning, and execution of key network infrastructure projects, particularly focused on MPLS technologies.Key responsibilities and achievements include:- MPLS Backbone Deployment 🌐: Led the rollout of the MPLS Backbone for Tata Internet Services Ltd (TISL), enhancing the company’s network performance and scalability.- IPVPN to MPLS Migration 🔄: Successfully migrated IPVPN customers to MPLS VPN, optimizing connectivity and network efficiency.- Network Design & Implementation 📊: Worked as part of the Metro Area Network & MPLS POP team, handling planning, design, and implementation tasks for cutting-edge network solutions.- Pre-Sales Solution Architect 💼: Acted as a Pre-sales Solution Architect for Tata Indicom Enterprise Business Unit, helping design and pitch tailored network solutions to potential clients.This role provided me with a strong foundation in network design, implementation, and client-facing solutions, playing a key part in shaping the future of VSNL's network offerings.

At HCL Infosystems, I started my career as a Customer Engineer, gaining valuable experience in both SSO (System Support Operations) and HCL Infinet operations. Over the course of 3 years, I developed a strong technical foundation and expertise in network operations and customer support.Key highlights from my role:- SSO & Infinet Operations 🔧: Initially worked in SSO, providing system support and troubleshooting. Later, transitioned to HCL Infinet operations, managing network infrastructure and ensuring seamless connectivity for clients.- Customer Support & Troubleshooting 🛠️: Delivered high-quality customer service, resolving technical issues and optimizing network performance for HCL’s clients.- Technical Skill Development 📚: Gained hands-on experience with a wide range of network systems, which laid the groundwork for my future roles in network design and architecture.This role helped me build a solid understanding of network operations, customer service, and technical support, which set the stage for my future career in network engineering and architecture.

Bs, Information System

Education record