I am an experienced Database Administration (DBA) Professional. My specialty is Oracle though I also work on other database platforms including SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL and others.
My TECHNOLOGY focus includes:
- Quickly identifying broken and/or misconfigured systems & remediate them for improved stability & performance.
- Analyze & document database infrastructures to leverage untapped potential, eliminate waste & non-compliance.
- Identify & resolve performance bottlenecks for faster response times & increased transaction throughput.
- Implement repeatable processes & automation to drive efficiency gains & speed of delivery.
My BUSINESS focus includes:
- Leveraging different technologies to best achieve the business objectives & support company growth.
- Solve complex technical issues to mitigate operational risk & system downtime.
- Design, plan and execute seamless database migrations to new platforms for increased cost savings.
- Investigate new configurations & functionality to provide a roadmap for upgrades & competitive advantage.
Leading by example, sharing knowledge, team work and effective communication are other ways I help make the database infrastructure an even more valuable resource.
To contact me click here.
A Brief Professional History.
I graduated with an Honors Degree in Computer Science from De Montfort University in Leicester (UK). My immediate ambition was to be a computer programmer. I achieved that with my first proper job, writing Application Master 4GL and COBOL for ICL mainframes. I was good at it, but quickly discovered I didn’t want to be a computer programmer for the rest of my life! Who knew?
My second job out of college was an Information Center Analyst which involved general IT infrastructure support. Within a year, I was chosen to support my then employer’s Business Process Re-engineering project, which was undertaken by business consultants from Oracle Corporation (UK). The role required extensive knowledge of the Oracle Database and the Oracle CASE tools, neither of which I had at the time. Over the next several months I was sent on multiple Oracle training courses and thus, an Oracle career was born. What a lucky break!
Since then my DBA career has been quite varied. I have worked as both a full time staff DBA as well as a DBA consultant for companies across the US and UK. I ran my own consulting company in the UK for a few years which was a lot of fun. It was through working for myself I had the opportunity to work for one of my clients directly in the US. I have lived and worked in America ever since.
Some of the household names I have worked for or with include:
- IBM
- Nokia
- Europcar
- Schlumberger
- Deutsche Bank
- JP Morgan Chase
- Thomson Reuters
- Sun Microsystems
- Target Corporation
- Apache Corporation
- Allianz Cornhill Insurance
- Intel Professional Services
My Oracle Database experience covers Oracle Version 6 up to and including Oracle Database 19c. I have also worked on practically every operating system Oracle has ever supported. I am a long time supporter of Oracle’s Database Administration Certification. I hold Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) DBA credentials for Oracle Database 12c and all prior Oracle Database versions back to Oracle7.3 inclusive. In Spring 2020, I started studying for my first cloud technology certification and passed the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Foundations 2020 Certified Associate exam in June. In December ’20, I passed the OCI Certified Architect Associate exam. I also have a SQL Server certification which needs some serious updating if I’m honest. Working on that!
I am deeply committed to my specialty. If you mention the word database you’ll usually have my attention.
The Fun Stuff.
My company name NuDais is pronounced “new day-is”. I get asked this all the time, so probably not a stroke of marketing genius by me. That said, it’s derived from my love of music. 🎵
Nu comes from the musical genius the world knows as Gary Numan. Many will only know of him by his massive worldwide 1979 hit single, Cars. There’s so much more to his innovative, pioneering and influential career which is still going strong. His 2017 album Savage (Songs From A Broken World) reached #2 in the official UK album chart as did his 2021 album, Intruder. In November 2018, he performed a sold out show with a full orchestra at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Nice. I’ve seen him play live over 100 times and even got to work with him in his recording studio back in 1993. Pretty cool, huh? For more recent Numan output, check out When The World Comes Apart from Savage.
Dais comes from the lyrics of a song called Chessboards recorded by my favorite band, Killing Joke. It means ‘a raised or higher platform’ (hence new higher platform consulting – get it?). The song is taken from their 1986 album, Brighter Than A Thousand Suns, which is epic and genius. Killing Joke continue to be a massive influence on the music industry and have enjoyed a prolonged career of prophetic and apocalyptic excellence. I have seen them play live many times and in September 2018 actually got to meet the band for the first time. Jaz Coleman (lead singer) was amazing as were Big Paul (drums) and Youth (bass). Killing Joke’s music is as beautiful as it is brutal. Check out Euphoria from their 2015 album, Pylon.
My own music collection gets added to on an ongoing basis. Naturally everything is cataloged in an Oracle Database.😉 Latest totals are (as of December 2020):
| Format | Including | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Discs | CD, DVD Audio, Video CD | 1,782 |
| Vinyl | 7", 10", 12", Colored Discs, Picture Discs, Shaped Discs | 370 |
| Downloaded Music | FLAC, WMA, MP3, WAV, etc. | 260 |
| TOTAL NUMBER of TITLES | 2,412 | |
Latest Addition(s):
01. The Ghosts of Pripyat by Steve Rothery (CD, 2015)
02. Diamonds by The Birthday Massacre (CD, 2020)
03. Thanks For Everything by Third Eye Blind (CD, 2018)
04. Early Stages: The Highlights by Marillion (CD, 2013)
05. In Shadow by Fader (CD, 2019)
06. chasing after shadows…living with the ghosts by Hammock (CD, 2010)
07. raising your voice…trying to stop an echo by Hammock (CD, 2011)
08. Living In Extraordinary Times by James (CD, 2018)
09. Howl by John Foxx And The Maths (CD, 2020)
10. The Road of Bones (Special Edition) by IQ (CD, 2014)
11. Asleep in the Downlights by Hammock (CD, 2011)
12. The New Frontier by Ultravox (CD, 2005)
I also have a modest recording setup at home comprised of several guitars, synthesizers, effects units and a drum machine. Everything I need to write and record a ground breaking and best selling electronic/rock album. One day. 🤣 Pride of place in my setup is my cherry sunburst Gibson Les Paul Standard. 🎸
My other interests include creating content for this website which takes ages, but makes me learn new things about my chosen technologies. And way more about WordPress than I really want to know. 😕
I’m a Certified Spinning Instructor and in the past have taught public Spinning classes at LA Fitness. These days I workout at home on my own Spinner Elite bike. There’s nothing like doing a hard interval ride in your garage in 100° F and 80% humidity conditions. Feel the burn! 🚴
I don’t mind a bit of video game action from time to time. I really only play first person shooters. 🎮
Currently Playing:
Far Cry 3 on Xbox 360
When I’m not working or creating website content or buying / listening to / playing music or working out (while listening to music) or playing video games, I like to read horror novels. Favorite authors include Richard Laymon, Shaun Hutson and James Herbert. For something a little less violent, Arthur Hailey, Jeffrey Archer and Sue Grafton keep me entertained. 📚
Currently Reading:
Afternoons with the Blinds Drawn
by Brett Anderson (lead singer of Suede)