Currently contracting through Working SA as IM Solutions Architect at one of the largest Mining Houses. Defining and documenting of Standards for various IT Solutions and initiating, implementation of various projects within the mining environment, both IT and OT.Over the initial 17 years, working for Iscor (now ArcelorMittal), then the IT Department privatized into ITI, then becoming AST, Gijima AST and eventually Gijima I managed to grow my technical knowledge in fields ranging from mainframe terminal and printer support, through desktop to network support. During this period, I established the Network Operation Centre where I set up the monitoring systems and provided high level network support throughout the ArcelorMittal environment. This network support extended to other ArcelorMittal branches including Vaal Works as well as various external clients. Over this period, I designed and implemented several network solutions in both public as well as plant control environments. This period of my life exposed me to various technologies other than the Nortel Networks, including HP, Hirschmann, Cisco, D-Link and many others, allowing me to diversify my field of knowledge. With over 17 years of hands on experience in the IT mainframe and data networks environments in the Metals and Manufacturing industry as well as various other industries (in a lesser capacity), I was afforded the opportunity to expand my knowledge and further utilize the experience I gained during the years in the Mining Industry. Now on the demand side of the fence, I was able to provide educated input into an environment which had limited guidance in terms of IT Networking strategy. As the Lonmin IT Infrastructure Architect, Network Architecture, I am primarily responsible for the long term strategic planning in terms of Network Infrastructure (LAN, WAN and Control & Instrumentation Network) as well as the IP Telephony environment. Furthermore, my responsibilities include Project Management, Service Management and Change Management as well as R&D into related technologies such as Video Conferencing, Mobility, Converged Communication etc.