Ajay Bhargava
Seeking
a senior, hands-on role in product management, consulting, or R&D in an
established company or a startup, in software products or IT business. Possess broad, largely US-based, experience
with software industry in consulting, product development, and R&D. Willing to relocate internationally.
Areas of Interest (not restricted
to): Business Intelligence, Data Warehouse, Data Mining, Analytics,
and CRM.
The
Adjunct Assistant Professor
08/2001 –
05/2005
·
Taught an undergraduate
course on database design to a class of students from at least 15 different
majors, with an average class size of 30 students in 8 semesters. Topics include
Database Design (Conceptual, Logical, and Physical), Normalization, SQL, Stored
Procedures and Triggers, SDLC, Concurrency Controls, and Data Warehouse
Principles. Every student was required to do a group
project using SQL Server and Java.
·
Constantly
working with the CS department to improve the student experience in the Elements Program.
DataCubix
Inc., Austin. (Independent
Consultant)
(Customer: Best Buy,
Data
Warehouse Consultant
08/2005 –
10/2005
·
Responsible for optimizing
the Teradata queries from MicroStrategy reports. The optimized queries were
then migrated to Business Objects environment as command objects.
·
Strategies for
optimization included
1.
Creating
aggregate tables.
2.
Creating
secondary indices.
3.
Collecting
statistics on composite columns.
4.
Modifying
embedded SQL.
·
Optimization
resulted in a total savings of more than 180,000 CPU Seconds/Day, with 20 to 99%
improvements in total report run times. Resulting changes required no change in
the MicroStrategy environment.
·
The Analysis
included MicroStrategy (Enterprise Manager Reports), Teradata (Query Log
Analysis), and Business Objects timing measurements.
·
Worked with DBA,
ETL, and QA teams in implementing RFC’s associated with the improvements in
production.
·
Analyzed report
performance improvements due to Teradata upgrade.
(Customer: Roundy’s,
Milwaukee, WI)
Data
Warehouse Consultant
04/2005 –
06/2005
·
Responsible for
architecting and developing “Cost-based” reports for sales and gross margins,
promotions, assortment productivity, and vendor performance. This involved
analyzing the existing enterprise-wide data model (Based on Teradata Retail Logical
Data Model) across 3 different chains (PickNSave, Rainbow, and Copps) across
150 stores nationwide.
·
Facilitated
best-practices and sound development environment for report development.
·
Based on user
feedback (category managers, VP of Merchandising, CIO), implemented UI
enhancements to these reports.
·
Managed offshore
resource and test requirements.
·
Suggested and
implemented various UI enhancements to existing reports, to enhance the
end-user experience.
·
Modeled
surrogate key implementation in MicroStrategy environment, without impacting
hundreds of user filters, thus saving the company considerable time and effort.
(Customer: ToysRUs, Wayne NJ)
Data
Warehouse Consultant
05/2004 –
01/2005
·
Responsible for
architecting and developing various “Merchandise Transformation” subject-area
reports, including sales and inventory, stock ledger, item performance, and
assortment strategy. This involved analyzing the existing enterprise-wide data
model (Based on Teradata Retail Logical Data Model) across 4 different chains
(ToysRUs, BabiesRUs, KidsRUs, and ToysRUs.com) across 1500 stores worldwide.
·
Worked with
business analysts and directors in educating them the capabilities of the tool,
as well as offering design options that
·
Made the tool
easy-to-use for internal customers, who were new to MicroStrategy tools.
·
Provided
consistent look-and-feel on the web interface, thus reducing the learning
curve.
·
Worked
iteratively, to achieve design objectives, without compromising on performance.
·
Built
Proof-of-Concepts to show multiple design alternatives.
·
Provide optimum
layout, with each set of minimal metrics contributing towards business
objectives.
·
Worked with data
modelers and database administrators to
·
Ensure that
appropriate views are established to support a dimensional data model.
·
Communicated
various pros/cons of design choices (especially with respect to optimization)
to the management team.
·
Ensure that
optimized SQL is generated when multiple design choices existed.
·
Incorporated
design changes due to SOX compliance.
·
Worked with
other members of the team in establishing MicroStrategy development and
UAT/Production migration environment and best practices.
·
As part of a
full SDLC, delivered System Design, Unit Test Plans, and Detailed Design
documents across releases.
·
Executed test
plans before and after Teradata upgrade. Migrated Test Data from Access to
Teradata.
·
Constantly
achieved high level of communication within team (both onsite and offsite), by
phone, email, IM, conference calls/meetings, and design documents.
(Customer:
Application Architect
12/2003 – 04/2004
·
Responsible for
architecting the reporting system for the largest and oldest retailer in
·
Assisted in
resolving various design challenges keeping the new MicroStrategy tool in mind,
as well as adhering to sound data warehousing principles. This was achieved by
bringing business analysts, development, and information systems department
together in coming up with a workable solution.
·
Worked with the
corporate architect, development team, and system administrators in developing
sound processes and practices in a multi-user, budget and time constrained
development environment.
·
Advised on
various aspects of technical architecture, including report development
methodology, security, caching, performance tuning, scheduling and delivery as
part of overall data warehouse architecture, to achieve the objectives of
clear, actionable reports. As a result, documented key aspects of the technical
architecture.
·
Advised and
assisted project manager on schedule tracking, estimate breakdowns, resource
staffing and recruiting, and all the aspects of development and project
delivery in a full data warehouse life cycle.
·
Developed ETL
scripts for loading of Retail/Non-Retail, GP/Non-GP, and FSB Indicators.
·
Migrated
Cross-Purchase report from RDS Systems into the continuum data model.
Daman
Consulting,
Principal Consultant
09/2003 – 12/2003
·
Responsible for
design, implementation, and delivery of reporting systems across two releases.
·
Implemented bug
fixes, architected solutions for reporting in the first 2 weeks to assist in
delivery of product.
·
As part of
overall data warehouse architecture, cleaned up existing data model,
established security practices, and provided suggestions for improvement on
performance and ETL related issues.
·
Designed,
Prototyped, and Developed 5 “Mean Time” reports. Starting from requirements
clarifications with internal customers, to interfacing with user interface and
ETL teams, was responsible for communicating various aspects of the reporting
tool, including drilling, graphs, and audit reporting to internal customers and
QA.
·
Architected a
test coverage strategy for all the new reports and templates.
iOLAP,
Principal Consultant / Project Manager
03/2003 – 06/2003
·
Managed the data
warehouse implementation for all eCommerce and direct channel orders for one of
the largest wireless communications service provider, including managing
resources, release plan, and weekly status meetings.
·
As data
architect, performed impact assessment of changes in UI and OLTP systems.
Designed ensuing multidimensional data model enhancements (logical and
physical) using ERWin and implemented in SQL Server.
·
As MicroStrategy
7.2.x report developer, interfaced with internal customers to define, develop,
test, and migrated reports to production. Also, developed narrowcast schedules
and deliver reports to various business users.
·
Documented
procedures and processes for knowledge transfer within iOLAP and customer.
Net
Perceptions,
Principal Consultant / Engagement Manager
05/2001 – 01/2003
Retail
Discovery Suite (RDS) Migration Project
·
Migrated RDS
product (based on MicroStrategy v5.x) to a complete MicroStrategy v7.x
solution. This involved migration and enhancement of 12 RDS reports for the 14th
largest retailer (Fortune 100 Company) in
·
Provided
suggestions, design options, and thought leadership on issues on a weekly
basis.
·
Coordinated testing and delivery of solution with remote customer
(project manager and DBA) on a daily basis.
·
Worked with MicroStrategy on resolving 7.x issues.
Ad Advisor Implementation Project
·
Led a team to successfully implement Ad Advisor product implementation at
the 14th largest retailer in
·
Managed expectations internally and with the customer, using a project
plan (MS-Project), weekly status meeting and status reports, tracking action
items, issues, and milestone dates and deliverables. A geographically dispersed
team of professionals accomplished it by onsite implementation/presentations,
and connecting remotely via VPN.
·
Estimated the hours needed for
preparing statement of work for each sub-phase, based on system development
life cycle steps of Detailed Design, Prototyping, Testing, Implementation and
Production, followed by Training.
·
Taught a 1-week internal class on “MicroStrategy v7.x Reporting
and Analysis” in Nov’01.
·
Assisted development team in
QA and Configuration Management
·
Managed QA and CM activities, and successfully released NetP v7.1, and
subsequent patch release v7.1.1.
·
Coordinated QA activities with development staff of 30 engineers in
Austin TX,
·
Product was subjected to the most rigorous testing done so far (by the
entire development staff) at Net Perceptions.
·
Evaluated and
interviewed 2 consulting companies’ onsite in
Wavefly
Corporation, Austin.
Director
06/2000 – 03/2001
·
Created and established the department, and laid the framework for
providing a recurring revenue stream from Internet Services. The services
included eCommerce, eContent subscriptions, personalization, advertising, and mining
related activities from consumers enjoying music, radio, and other eContent off
the wireless player product.
·
Delivered an 18-month roadmap based on business priorities, along with a
white paper, for implementing services under a tight budget. Articulated/iterated/refined
this plans, and updated the business plan accordingly.
·
Designed database schemas for tracking user, music, radio, and photo
content of consumers using ERWin. The physical implementation was done by
creating star schemas in SQL Server 7.0.
·
Represented Wavefly at the Consumer Electronics Show (01/01) and gave
demos of product and technology to senior executives from companies such as
3Com, Sony, Intel, and Panasonic resulting in huge interest.
·
Chaired and presented at the first Wavefly software developers
conference.
·
Formulated a
plan to build the infrastructure for selling our products online, using MS IIS
and SQL Server.
Net
Perceptions,
Business Applications Team Lead
04/1998 – 04/2000
·
Created the
“Business Applications Team”, responsible for defining requirements from the
customer(s) to documenting, designing, prototyping, and implementing vertical
business solutions.
·
Directly
responsible to VP of Marketing for specifying the requirements, working with
the customers, and clearly articulating them to Engineering. Similarly,
directly responsible to VP of Engineering in building the data model, and
delivering prototypes, along with final implementation of “Advertising Advisor”
product.
·
Designed and
developed 10 report families along with their relevant business metrics.
·
Designed and
developed the “Data Model” at logical/physical level using ERWin, Teradata
DBMS, and ROLAP techniques using MicroStrategy v6.x products. Also, laid the
groundwork for E-Commerce data model and reports.
Retail Discovery Suite Product
·
Responsible for
implementation of business logic for the next generation of DSS reports in RDS.
RDS is an enterprise-level product that helps end-users understand customer
purchase behavior identifying the most profitable customers and products at the
item/transaction level.
·
Designed and
implemented the business logic involved using Micro Strategy’s ROLAP engine and
Visual Basic and C++ as the development language. Used Rational Rose product
for class diagrams and use cases.
·
Analyzed complex
SQL queries in the design and testing of various code paths for implementation.
·
Created and
implemented Customer Segmentation Reports resulting in significant quarterly
revenue for the company.
BMC
Software,
Senior Software Engineer
11/1996 – 04/1998
Windows-based client-server product
·
Designed,
prototyped, implemented, and shipped a new Windows 95/NT product with DB2 on
backend.
·
Implemented the
Windows-based client to give the same “look and feel” as existing family of
products using GUI guidelines, while providing equivalent functionality of the
existing server product.
·
Produced and
reviewed design documents with the team, prototyped and obtained customer
feedback at early stages of design, coordinated test plans, and provided
feature/functionality/usage scenarios to documentation.
Pervasive
Software,
Project Lead / Senior Software Engineer
08/1989 – 11/1996
ODBC Driver
·
Managed the
release of all ODBC driver products. Led a team of six off-site software
developers in the design and development of 16 and 32-bit ODBC drivers for
Btrieve products.
·
Managed and
coordinated the design and implementation of database services modules of
Pervasive.SQL.
·
Led a team of
four engineers in the design, prototyping, class designs and reiterations,
design documents, code reviews, and development of data definition SQL
statements, security, and new data types.
Pervasive SQL RDBMS Engine
·
Designed and
implemented the internals of Pervasive.SQL. This involved producing the
software requirements specification, coordinated project modules across team
members, and implemented the design using OOAD and C++.
·
Designed and
implemented a GUI record-viewer tool for Btrieve on Windows 2.1.
Standard Committees and Developer Conferences
·
Technical
Architect – IDAPI. Designed preliminary specification of the IDAPI
architecture, working with architects from Borland, IBM, and WordPerfect.
Applied first-hand, the art of negotiation and compromise in solving problems.
·
Technical
Representative - SAG and X/Open committee. Participated in the design of CLI
and SQL CAE Specifications, worked with engineers from leading DBMS vendors,
and reviewed and submitted change proposals. API specifications such as ODBC,
IDAPI, and JDBC have been built using CLI as foundation.
·
Represented
Novell at DRDA conference, Database World, with in-depth presentations in
MacWorld92, Pervasive Software developer’s conference, and Novell’s
BrainShare’94.
TOOLS
Business
Intelligence: MicroStrategy 5.x, 6.x, and 7.x DSS tools,
Business Objects, ERWin, SQL Assistant (Queryman), Toad, Retail Discovery
Suite, and ODBC.
DBMS: Teradata, SQL Server,
Oracle, Access, DB2, Btrieve, Pervasive SQL.
Management:
Languages: C++, C, Visual Basic,
HTML, Pascal, FORTRAN, UML, SQL.
Development: Visual Studio, Rational Rose, SourceSafe, Vantive, WinCVS, FTP,
VNC, VPN, StarTeam, and Lotus Notes.
TRAINING
·
Successfully
completed the following classes: MicroStrategy v7.x Reporting Essentials and
Advanced Reporting class, MicroStrategy v5.x DSS Tools, MicroStrategy v5.x SQL
Engine Generation class, MS Project training class, DB2 Database design and
administration Workshop, JAVA-Sun Developer’s Camp, Object-oriented
Architecture and Idioms, C++, Successful Business Relations, Presentation
Skills, Time Management, Performance Management.
·
In 06/99, taught
the following 3 courses (on a temporary assignment) at CompuTech Services:
A. Database
Fundamentals and Design B.
Introduction to SQL C.
Introduction to Oracle’s PL/SQL
·
Taught
team-education classes on various database and networking tools and products
in-house at Novell.
· Presented “Query Optimization” at Novell’s developer conference in BrainShare’94.
EDUCATION
·
M.S. Computer Science,
·
M.S. Aerospace Engineering,
·
B.Tech. Aeronautical Engineering, Indian Institute of
Technology (I.I.T.), Mumbai. 05/1984
PERSONAL
·
Married, with 2
children.
·
Age: 43.
Career Highlights: http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/ajay/cv/ajay_bhargava_high.html