A brief synopsis of several recent applications I've developed is provided here. I hope these will give you a view into my capabilities and experience. Since I have many years of experience programming, I have chosen some of my more recent efforts as representative of my current skill level and current areas of expertise. You will note that my use of the Microsoft Office suite of tools to provide rapid development of automated office solutions is rather extensive. Besides being a professional programmer, I am a Microsoft Certified Expert User with Word, Excel and Access.
These are but a few of many products developed for these customers and others. Not mentioned here are project management tools, mass storage cataloging and retrieval systems, business contact management, project cost estimating and accounting, and time accounting systems built for them and other organizations.
ESP
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ESP (Electronic Specification Package) is the next generation tool designed to
replace the Excel- based AutoTEO package with an Access-based application
providing more robust functionality, meeting all internal Southwestern Bell
requirements for specification package contents, and providing a new level of
product consistency and accuracy. The system is used by Network Engineers
to generate the basic contents for an equipment requirements specification using
Microsoft Access as the means of data entry. Available equipment lists are
maintained in a centralized Access database file, while project management
information is obtained from an Oracle database. At the end of the
specification building process the system prepares an Excel workbook from the
data for distribution and can optionally send an equipment ordering message for
use by the automated equipment ordering system.
Special Capabilities: Direct communications with an Oracle database, indirect communications with the equipment ordering system (DPOMS), networked and stand-alone operating modes, and data exchange with Microsoft Excel through OLE automation. Full user documentation is available for the product, with formal training provided by SBC.
VRF
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Developed for the SBC Corporation, the Vendor Request Form system originally
consisted of two custom Excel packages and several Microsoft Access support
applications. These two Excel 97 based packages provide automated
preparation of the Vendor Request Forms. One is used by the Ameritech
Corporation and the second one is used by all other members of the SBC
Corporation. The Telephone Equipment Engineer initiates the package and
forwards it to the Cluster Vendor who completes it. Many costs associated
with the request are automatically obtained using built-in lookup tables and
pre-defined cost calculations. All appropriate cost calculations are
'rolled up' to the VRF Summary page. In August 2002 the two Excel
packages were combined into a single package, providing one unified tool for use
by the hundreds of SBC network engineers in all 13 states they operate in.
Ancillary applications, developed in MS Access, extract data from VRF specification packages emailed to a central location, validate the information and add it to a central database. A reporting tool, also MS Access based, can be used by remote users to extract detailed information at any level of activity from a single region to the entire corporate level. Reports include monthly detailed equipment use, cost savings comparisons, goal acquisition and more. The reports are provided as an MS Excel package for easy 'what if' examination and distribution.
The data extraction application operates continuously in an unattended mode and monitors a specially designated email address inbox. Upon detecting new email messages, it then separates the attached Excel workbook(s) and validates their type and content. After successful validation it extracts required information from the Excel workbook and stores it in a central MS Access database. In the event that there are simple format or content errors in the package, an email is generated identifying the error and sent to the original sender. In the event of a severe problem the system automatically generates notification emails that are sent to the system monitor and to the system maintenance personnel for their attention. A copy of the activity log and the problem Excel file are attached to this automatic notification email.
C.L. Frates Insurance Projects
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Initially I began working with C.L. Frates Insurance assisting them in
correcting the numerous errors in a custom policy management system that they
had contracted for. Upon delivery the application was non-functional and
the original developer was unwilling to provide any corrective action.
There are two systems differing only in the type of policies managed; one is
used to manage policies issued to Health Care Centers (as hospitals) and the
other to manage policies issued to Resident Health Care facilities. These
are policy issuing and tracking systems used to determine policy costs and
publish printed copies of the policies with appropriate riders and limiting
documents along with a detailed statement of costs and benefits.
QuikRef.MDB provides the C.L. Frates Insurance Company with a rapid method of identifying services available along with specific information regarding issuing companies, brokers and general policy requirements and costs. This application accesses a centrally stored database and provides the user interface for the database maintenance. Bottom line: it is a help or information desk tool used to provide information to clients about availability of services.
The C.L. Frates OPN Physician's Directory. Originally this was an in-house developed Microsoft Access application intended to be used to publish a physician's directory. However, the design was not conducive to that end and I was requested to assist in making it work. I modified the in-house developed application to provide an output suitable for publishing as their HMO physician's directory. Additionally, the data structure was revised to provide a more robust application. The program is now used to prepare camera ready copy for the printer to use to print the distributed physician's directory.
The American Indian Education, Training and
Employment Center Client Tracking System
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This is a Microsoft Access 97 based application with a central
database serving 10 users. The application replaces a previous dBase
system. The Applicant Tracking And Reporting System (ATARS) provides a
complete applicant tracking system for services provided by the American Indian
Education, Training and Education Center (AIETEC). By providing historical
information on all applicants, ATARS is capable of generating required reports
to the Department of Labor for Title II and Title IV education and training
projects. The required forms are maintained using Microsoft Word to
provide correct appearance and easy maintenance. The system was brought on
line in Oklahoma City on July 01, 1999.