Michael Arthur Thomas

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Atlanta, GA area
Email: michael@michael-thomas.com  (personal)
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Last Updated: April 26, 2010

Work Summary

Mr. Thomas is an IT Architect for IBM Global Services.  Since ’99 (10 years) he has participated in the architecting, developing, integrating and implementation of web-based eLearning solutions.  His current focus is on e-learning solutions applying Java, server-side JavaScript, client-side JavaScript, HTML, XML, ASP, VBScript, SQL, other technologies to web solutions that run on MS IIS and has been the primary contact for server issues (Win 2000 & 2003) interfacing with hosting.  He has also worked with Tomcat (Struts) and WebSphere web servers using DB2, MS SQL and Oracle DBMS systems.  He has developed a way to identify SQL statements that that may hang applications (solid or temporarily) running on MS SQL servers. In 1999 he became a Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP).

Since '99 he has worked with LMS (Learning Management Systems) systems in the eLearning space.  In 2010 he installed Centra 7.6 SP2 and integrated to Saba using the VLE connector. From 2003 to 2010 he worked with the SumTotal Docent 6.5 LMS for two different companies (Cellular & Automotive) performing massive LMS customizations, applied large service packs (SP3) & hotfixes, courseware integrations (AICC/Scorm), learning administrative duties, custom reporting, implemented SSL, migrating other LMS systems to Docent and integrated 2 Portals to Docent.  He has worked with the following LMS applications:  SumTotal Docent 6.5 (7 yrs), Saba (in the first Level One Partner Certification Program, did 4mos of LMS customizations & version upgrades), Lotus Learning Space (customizations, content integration and created 3 DHTML frameworks for building courseware with Dreamweaver ), Pathware and Teds (created a java app that created a materials list - GUI & automated tasks ).  He developed an all Flash courseware framework & mini LMS  (Java based) that ran on Windows and Mac OS which used XML data persistence per client specifications.  He started a Knowledge Portal which used Tomcat w/ Struts and handed the project off to another team. Later he took a Struts w/ Tomcat Portal application and ported it to WSAD, converted the application to conform to IBM's internal GWA web standards and then deployed to IBM's CDT running Struts on a WebSphere server using DB2.

Industries:  Mr. Thomas has worked in the following industries:  Learning, Automotive, Cellular, Health Insurance, Telecommunications (Long Distance), Engineering & Construction, State Taxes and Hardware Maintenance.

Key Skills:
Java, server-side JavaScript, client-side JavaScript, VBScript, HTML, XML, JSP, ASP, .Net, SQL and other technologies to web solutions that run on MS IIS, Tomcat (Struts), or WebSphere web servers using DB2, MS SQL and Oracle DBMS systems.

Key courses and training:

• Processor Server Workshop - WebSphere Server (2006) (80 hrs)

• SOA Workshop (SOA Deep Architect Program) (2006) (40 hrs)

• WebSphere Business Modeler v6.0 (Jan 2007) (24hrs)

• SOA Bootcamp (SOAWS10) - (July 2006) (24hrs)

• StrutsOS (Struts on Steroids) - (May 2005) (40hrs)

• Eclipse RCP (Rich Client Platform) - (Sept 2005) (40hrs)

• Intro to OOAD IBM Global Services Methods (July 2005) (40hrs)

• Analysis and Design with PanDOORA (2005) (24hrs)

Education:

• Double major in Bible & Practical Ministries
  Southeastern College, United States of America, 1980
   

Certifications & Licenses

• Sun Certifications
  • Sun Certified Programmer for the Java Platform - SCJP (5/14/99)
    Java JDK 1.1 Exam # 310-023 for IBM Employees. Same as 310-022.
• BrainBench Certifications. 
  • JavaScript Programmer (12/21/00) (96% above other test takers.) - valid for 1yr.
  • HTML 4.0 (1/15/02) (91% above other test takers.) - valid for 1yr.
• FCC First Class License- 1982

Summary of Skills

Professional Development Plan - My professional development plan.
Professional Priorities - What I value in a work environment.

Personal Business Mission Statement: 
"To leave a legacy by helping other IT professionals enjoy success."
Personal Mission Statement: 
To build interdependent relationships around the 4 L's of life: to Love, to Live, to Learn, to leave a Legacy.

Experience and Accomplishments

LMS (Learning Management System) Summary

• LMS (Learning Management Systems) – Worked with Pathware 3.0 Lan, Pathware 4.0, LS 4.0 (Lotus Learning Space), LS 5.0, Saba (in the first group of level 1 certified partners), Teds and Docent 6.5 (since 2003).  Michael installed, performed admin tasks, made customizations and integrated courseware with the LMS applications.  He also created a mini web server (Java based) and mini LMS that integrated with Flash framework courseware that ran on both Windows and Mac OS. (1999-2003)

IBM Global Business Services,   4/98-Present

2005 – Service Excellence Award for an Automotive Industry project.
1999 – Team Award for Prudential project

IT Architect

7/99 - Present  Atlanta, GA (IBM Global Business Services (GBS) -> Application Services -> Application Innovation Services)

Architect client's business requirements into specific system, application, or process designs.  Architect e-business/e-learning and other IT solutions for client's distance learning services and electronic support systems.  Job profile includes architecting eLearning solutions and working working with "Learning Management Systems (LMS,EMS)",  Authoring Technologies (WBT, CBT, ILT), and IT Specialist Technologies (HTML, JavaScript, XML, Java (applets, servlets),  JSP (Java Server Pages), and SQL (DB2, MS SQL, Oracle).  Many applications use n-tier technology.

2003 - Present

• Centra install/integration with Saba – Installed Centra 7.6 (SP2) in QA and PROD and integrated with Saba via the Saba VLE connector. (April 2010)
• Docent Customizations for an Automotive client’s University – massive LMS customizations, custom reporting and problem resolutions using server side JavaScript using MS SQL DB.  Also worked with Crystal Reports v10.  Customized Docent Outliner templates. Worked with content integrations: Lectora, Harvard Business, NetG and MateryNet.  (2005 – March 2010)
• Learning Administrator for cellular company’s University using Docent LMS version 6.5x with Centra (7.1) for live and recorded events, and Analytics (also DashBoard2) for enhanced reporting.  Made customizations/enhancements to the LMS and implemented Docent SP3.  Built new screen for easier data entry, created new todo’s, and made other customizations.  Developed many SQL scripts for LMS maintenance and enhanced reporting.  Integrated courseware from several vendors:  Docent Outliner, PrimeLearning, Trivantis, KP, and SimPro. Supported all HelpDesk calls not handled by level 2 and for 1 year handled all level 2 calls. Applied SSL to the login screens.  Created DTS packages and FTP data nightly to a Data Warehouse application.  Production Docent 6.5 server implementation: 1 Docent Web Server, 1 Docent Backend Server, 1 Docent Admin Server, 1 DB Server, 1 Centra Server.  (2003-2005)
• Docent LMS technology:  Built on server-side JavaScript and client-side HTML/JavaScript.  Worked with IIS and an ISAPI plugin.  Docent also supports SunOne/iPlanet with an NSAPI plug-in or Apache with a CGI plug-in.  Java is used in the SCORM API and import/parsing of AICC/SCORM course structure files. (2003-2007)
• Centra 6.1 & 7.0 - Used this application for recorded courses, eMeetings, and Conferences.
• LMS (Learning Management Systems) – Worked with Pathware 3.0 Lan, Pathware 4.0, LS 4.0, LS 5.0, Saba (in the first group of level 1 certified partners).  I’ve installed, performed admin tasks, and customized the applications.   Currently working with Docent 6.5. (1999-2003)
• Took a Struts w/ Tomcat application and ported it to WSAD.  Converted the application to conform to IBM's internal GWA web standards and deployed to the CDT running Struts on a WebSphere server using DB2.  Made many enhancements and changes to the app.  I tested the app using the WSAD WebSphere test server. (Jan-May). (2003)
  Took a Struts-OS (IBM’s Struts On-Steriods) online ILT class (May 2005)
• Created a mini Java server that could handle HTTP Posts from Flash5.  The Flash5 application saved & retrieved persistent XML data via the Java server. (2002)
• Created a Java interface between LS5 and MQSeries.  Had to use RMI (Remote Method Invocation) because one system required had to run under MS J++ (1.1 JDK) and MQSeries required 1.2 JDK and above.  Since data had to flow both ways, 2 RMI servers & clients had to be created. (2002)
• Interfaced JSP pages running under Tomcat with ASP pages running under MS IIS and used JavaScript for DHTML update of forms. (2002)
• Worked with many web applications integrating technologies: DHTML (JavaScript, Applets, Flash, etc…), Java, JSP, ASP, SQL, XML, etc….  Used application web servers: Tomcat, WSAD and MS IIS. (2002)
• Developed a Knowledge Portal using Struts Framework (under Apache's Jakarta project).  Used MVC (Model View Controller) framework using XML config files, JSP (Java Server Pages) for front end and Java Servlets with SQL for the backend.  Application server was Tomcat with DB2 as the database engine. (2001)
• Developed a small primitive LMS (Learning Management System) system which included a Java Application GUI management tool with XML storage of data using JDOM (Java Document Object Model for XML) and a Socket server (Java) which connected to learning content create with Flash 5.  I used the Flash 5 XML socket object to save/retrieve learning data to the socket server.  Specs required that system could run without a web server and must run on Windows and MAC machines but training content must be web ready for the future.  (2001)
• Created a DHTML web based courseware creation framework (content and assessment tests) which used Dreamweaver w/Coursebuilder and a custom built JavaScript navigation engine.  The client then created content and assessment tests using Dreamweaver w/Coursebuilder.  The student’s progress and test scores were sent to a LMS system (Pathware & Learning Space 4).  Developed a multi-frame solution with one persistent frame storing scores, tries, time, and question selection.  Test questions had coaching layers (suggested answer and why) that would appear directly after pre test questions and in the post test session would appear after the test was completed in a review session.  To help streamline the building of test questions, I created Templates with editable/non-editable regions.  The custom JavaScript was store in .js files.  Technologies involved - HTML, JavaScript, interface to Java Applet to send data to LMS system.  (2000)

2002

• Developed an interface between Flash5 courseware (KPFlash 6) and LMS systems (AICC/HACP and ADL/SCORM).  LMS system was Learning Space.  Data, book marking, and page states were stored in the LMS and repopulated in Flash5 (Action Script programs).

• Dreamweaver/Coursebuilder - Fixed problems with connectivity and post to LMS systems.
• Created a mini Java server that could handle HTTP Posts from Flash5.  The Flash5 application saved & retrieved persistent XML data via the Java server.
• Created a Java interface between LS5 and MQSeries.  Had to use RMI (Remote Method Invocation) because one system required had to run under MS J++ (1.1 JDK) and MQSeries required 1.2 JDK and above.  Since data had to flow both ways, 2 RMI servers & clients had to be created.
• Created a courseware framework using Dreamweaver's templates for courseware that required a pull down menu system.  Cookies was used for menu completion status.  A JavaScript engine interfaced with the menu system.
• Created ASP pages to handle custom reporting for Lotus Learning Space LMS.
• Interfaced JSP pages running under Tomcat with ASP pages running under MS IIS and used JavaScript for DHTML update of forms.
• Worked on various Java applications.

2001

• Developed a Knowledge Portal using Struts Framework (under Apache's Jakarta project).  Used MVC (Model View Controller) framework using XML config files, JSP (Java Server Pages) for front end and Java Servlets with SQL for the backend.  Application server was Tomcat with DB2 as the database engine. (2001)
• Developed a small primitive LMS (Learning Management System) system which included a Java Application GUI management tool with XML storage of data using JDOM (Java Document Object Model for XML) and a Socket server (Java) which connected to learning content create with Flash 5.  I used the Flash 5 XML socket object to save/retrieve learning data to the socket server.  Specs required that system could run without a web server and must run on Windows and MAC machines but training content must be web ready for the future.  Also create a Posting version of the socket server and interfaced with Flash5 XML post methods.  (2001)
• Created a Java Application that created a materials feed for the Teds LMS system. (2001)

• Created a DHTML web based courseware creation framework (content and assessment tests) which uses Dreamweaver w/Coursebuilder and a custom built JavaScript navigation engine.  The client created their own content and assessment tests using Dreamweaver w/Coursebuilder.  The students progress and test scores were sent to a LMS system (Pathware & Learning Space 4).  Developed a multi-frame solution with one persistent frame storing scores, tries, time, and question selection.  Test questions had coaching layers (suggested answer and why) that would appear directly after pre test questions and in the post test session would appear after the test was completed in a review session.  To help streamline the building of test questions, I created Templates with editable/non-editable regions.  The custom JavaScript was store in .js files.  Technologies involved - HTML, JavaScript, interface to Java Applet to send data to LMS system.  2 (2000)
• Worked with a Mobilization effort for SOA (Sell Off and Auction).  Prepared to teach a 2 week course focusing on the Web Development training using Websphere's eCommerce Suite's (Net.Commerce v4.1) Auction command API and Net.Data script pages to serve HTML & JavaScript to the browser. (2000)