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MY WORK
About Me and Technology
On the first part of
the journey
I truly became computer aware in 1988 when I arrived at my office one
morning to find a strange looking, putty-colored metal box along with what
looked like a small TV and a stack of manuals and 5" envelopes with
something called floppies propped atop my desk. "Meet your new
secretary," they said.
My world would be changed forever! Bye-bye typewriter. Bye-bye dictation.
Bye-bye hand-written letters to the secretarial pool. I had been conscripted
into service and now compelled to learn some foreign language called MS-DOS, deal
with my rusty typing skills in some weird, on-screen gizmo called WordStar and
translate my paper-based spreadsheets and reports into a computerized
version.
Nights spent reading and days of trial and error mixed with some frustration
over this IBM thing thrust upon me, I finally began to get it. Work started to
flow out of the printer. I could now share results with my colleagues regardless
of what office or part of the country they were in. Was I actually becoming
something of a geek?
Recognized an an achiever with my developing computer skills, I was rewarded
with software training sessions and seminars for industry applications. Soon
thereafter I was working with the new IT department and helping to architect our
new promotions tracking program on the MAI Basic4 mini-mainframe. We saved
hundreds of thousands of dollars from that one!
Yes, the computer had changed my life. I soon began computing from home and then
back to the office via sneakernet (define)
as my day-to-day work work was increasingly computer-based.
Another evolution
Thanks to an early introduction to the 7" screen, all-in-one-box Apple by a
mentor, Keng Ho Chong, the military attaché to France from South Korea who had
recently returned from Europe, I next found myself immersed into the Macintosh
environment in 1992. While still performing similar tasks of reports and
spreadsheets, I was dazzled with the ease of computing in this graphic user
interface (GUI) environment and the speedy 16mhz processor. It was in 1994 that
I took the next step up to my new Mac with a 32mhz processor and loaded with new
software tools from Adobe and Quark. I was evolving into into the desktop
publishing revolution and soon found myself communicating files with colleagues
via modem connection and learning to work with new-fangled peripherals.
Like others, I was also forced to deal with cross-platform issues and business
conditions compelled me to now run two systems. My desk grew to include the Mac
and a new Windows-based computer. I began switching back and forth using the
Windows solution and its MS Office products for business functions and the Mac
for my increasingly complex creative productions and the burgeoning digital
printing industry. I was crossing the chasm (reference to Geoffrey
Moore's book) in this new digital world.
The technology industry and I began working relationships in 1995 when I was
approached to research and then market various products for a steady list
clients. Phone switching systems, multi-media products on the new VHS format,
information kiosks with touch screens and such were parading in and meetings
with engineers, programmers and production facilities followed. I became
immersed in not only the technologies of these new products but the business
systems required to support them as well. Then there was another new technology
to contend with; something being referred to as the information super
highway.
In 1997, I left my consulting business for the technology industry and the world
of software development. It was like Christmas and I was a kid opening new gifts
of knowledge and experience with each new day. I was interfacing with code
warriors on the next release, technical writers on manual updates, production
staff on duplication and packaging, and other software companies on interface
and alliance opportunities. Aside from the day-to-day desktop, there were also
the new technologies involving databases, contact solutions, enterprise
management and server solutions for running the business.
By 1988 I was being rapidly introduced to new technology solutions and products
in a VAR environment (define).
Interfacing now with what seemed like a veritable warehouse of code developers
and software and hardware specialists, I used my consultative skills in the
discovery and definition of solutions for small-to-medium size businesses (SMB define)
and larger mid-tier enterprises through custom software and products from
companies like Microsoft, Compaq, Cognos, Goldmine, and Great Plains. My
knowledge base was expanding with servers and data storage solutions, business
intelligence systems, document management, managing contacts and accounting
solutions, to name a few, as well as a host of client business models and
applying these technologies.
I was also very active in the development and launch of two vertical software
products during this same period. The first being a patented technology for
transmitting image files and an Internet-based ordering solution for the digital
printing industry. The second being a turnkey solution for the leasing industry
which included features such as online application submittal, automated credit
decisioning, document management and end-to-end workflow. Both products were
classed as 'big ticket" solutions and required extensive client interface.
The leasing solution was adopted by financial institutions including giant
American Express. Variations on the underlying technologies of these products
would later find application in the credit and insurance industries among
others.
In 1999, I architected my first commercial web site. Using MS Excel and its hyperlink
capabilities, I devised the navigational structure, created and organized the
content in that application for presentation to our management team. They
quickly adopted the idea and immediately assigned a team of developers to work
with me in its implementation. The site was soon launched and would continue to
evolve over the years. I would later go on to work with numerous web sites,
developers and ever-changing technologies from industry-specific applications to
E-Learning and more.
Fast-forward nearly twenty years to current times and I am still immersed with
technology as a part of my everyday personal and business life. From that
strange looking, putty-colored metal box to having recently help complete the
launch of a large Ecommerce site, my life has been forever changed by
technology. It's been an exciting journey and I've become quite adept along the
way at understanding and working with new technologies, even
the new age, social networking (read)
scene along with the wikis, blogs, forums, and video networking.
I am unsure just where exactly this technological journey may take me next. In
the meanwhile, I'll just keep learning and adding to my
skills and knowledge gained through my experiences in preparation for the
next new challenge.
Applications experience includes, but is not limited to:
Microsoft: Office Suite, Project, Visio
Adobe: Creative Suite
QuarkXpress
CRM: Goldmine, ACT, Outlook and others
and much more
Want to know more?
Just call me! (714) 508-8982, or
email:
zipyaj@gmail.com
page updated: 15-Feb-08
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