About Ben

Ben at his desk

I am a software developer and life long techie who lives in Langley, BC. I have a broad range of experience and a passion for technology in business. I often refer to myself as the perfect balance between the geek in IT and the strategist in business management. I enjoy both the thrill of getting a newly developed solution online and the challenge of business development.

Objective

I am currently employed full time, but always open to inquiries. Please use the Contact Ben Swayne page to leave me a message.

Summary of Qualifications

Development

  • C# .net framework 2.0, 3.5, LINQ
  • .net compact framework (.netCF) on WinCE 5.X/6.X, Windows Mobile 5/6
  • .net micro framework (.netMF) for embedded microcontrollers
  • SQL/T-SQL views, functions, stored procedures
  • OPOS/UPOS/POS.net
  • ANSI C including embedded development
  • JavaScript/jQuery
  • Web Services and AJAX
  • XML, XSL/XSLT, HTML/XHTML, CSS
  • VB.net, VBA
  • ZenDesk integration API

Systems

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003/2008
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005/2008
  • Microsoft Exchange 2007
  • Microsoft Office 2000/2003/2007/2010
  • Microsoft Project and Visio
  • AspDotNetStorefront eCommerce Platform
  • Umbraco Content Management System
  • Zendesk Support Center

Tools

  • Microsoft Visual Studio 2005/2008
  • Developers Express libraries
  • InstallShield 2008-2010
  • AppLife Update
  • N Software Communications Libraries
  • Doc2Help Documentation Authoring
  • FlowPlayer video player for the web

Professional

  • Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and people skills.
  • Leadership Skills: Lead and train other team members.
  • Business Skills: Public Speaking, Presentations, Sales, Customer Service
  • Excellent business presentation skills - comfortable presenting in front of audiences.
  • Skilled problem solver.
  • Strong analytic skills.

Work Experience

Software Developer at Frozen Mountain Software (2011-Current, Surrey, BC)
My role is to maintain and develop new features for Frozen Mountain's flagship product WebSync. WebSync is an implementation of the Bayeux protocol for the Microsoft technology stack (Windows, SQL Server, IIS, ASP.net).

Software Developer at Advanced Nutrients (2010-2011, Abbottsford, BC)
My primary role at Advanced Nutrients was to develop an internal CRM application to replace the expensive SalesForce.com subscription service. With the size of their sales team, the cost of the subscription CRM service was beginning to look like a programmers salary and didn't provide many significant benefits other than convenience of access. By developing our own inhouse solution it greatly simplified our ability to write new reports, perform better analysis and integrate with a variety of other systems such as Sage MAS500 accounting software. My solution was based on an application framework from Developer's Express called XAF. XAF inturn was built on a data layer/model called XPO. These technologies allowed rapid development of a full featured CRM application in about 3-6 months (of course there were other daily responsibilities that prevented 100% attention to this project).

Senior Software Developer at CipherLab, USA (2007-2010, Plano, TX)
Developed custom mobile device and desktop software for CipherLab embedded data collection devices including windows and non-windows mobile devices and barcode scanners. Performed VAR programming support for CipherLab windows SDK. Regularly attended and presented products at both Canadian and American industry tradeshows. This telecommuting position required exceptional team work and communication skills.

IT/Administration at Advance Engineered Products Ltd. (2005-2007, Surrey, BC)
Developed custom database software with MS Acess and C#.net to help manage data entry for inventory and time cards using barcode and RFID technology. Also performed daily tasks with SAP ERP system. Administrated Windows NT4.0, later Small Busines Server 2008, server for network of 8 client workstations and 3 networked HP laser printers.

Information Technology Specialist at ST Security Sales Ltd. (2004-2005, Vancouver, BC)
Administrated Microsoft Windows based digital video recording appliances for commercial video surveillance security systems. This involved TCP/IP networking, internet gateways/routers, RAID storage systems on the appliances themselves. I also performed installation tasks such as pulling and crimping network wires (CAT5/5e and RJ45), alarm wires (CAT3 and RJ11), video coax (RG59/RG6 and F/BNC).

Self Employed Free Lance Computer Consultant (1998-2004, Vancouver, BC)
Administrated windows based computer networks for private and independent elementary and secondary schools in the Greater Vancouver area. This was usually between 20 and 45 client workstations connected to 1 or more Microsoft Windows NT4 or 2000 servers.

Education

Ben Swayne - Langara College Business Management Diploma Ben Swayne - Langara College Bachelors of Business Administration Degree

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Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (Computer Science Minor) at Langara College (2007-2011, Vancouver, BC)
Graduated with Distinction (>3.67 GPA in last 30 credits)

Business Administration Diploma at Langara College (2004-2007, Vancouver, BC)
Graduated with Distinction (>3.67 GPA in last 30 credits)

Certificates and Other Training

Ben Swayne - First Aid Certificate

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Completed First Aid OFA Level 1 Equivalent on February 8th, 2011 at St. John Ambulance. Valid until Feb 8th, 2014.

Awards/Recognitions

Ben Swayne - CipherLab Value Engineering Commission Certificate

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In March 2009, I was asked to sit on CipherLab's Value Engineering Commision. This commission was assembled with a mix of internal employees, contractors and important resellers to provide strategic recommendations for CipherLab's product development. As one of two members selected from North America, this recognizes my knowledge and value within the AIDC industry.

Reading List

These are all books that I found particularly contributed to my capabilities as a software systems professional. I'll be honest and say I rarely read a book page-by-page front-to-back anymore. Most of the time I gleen from about 25% of a book to fill in the gaps in my knowledge when working on a particular problem. This does however mean that book titles can give you a pretty good idea of what I've been working on and where my most recent experience has been.

  • Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture
    by Martin Fowler
  • Programming .Net Security
    by Adam Freeman, Allen Jones