Darren Chitty B.Sc. MIEE

5 Bardsey Close Porthcawl South Wales  CF36 3TN Darren.chitty@DSL.PIPEX.COM

Date of Birth 24^th September 1973                                                                                                 

Currently hold a full UK Driving license with no convictions and a full British Passport.

Professional Membership.

Member of the Institute of Electronics Engineers.

Employment History

Lloyds TSB Asset Finance Division  (October 1997 To Present ) Lead Consultant

Key Duties - Lead Consultant for the me2u and FastTrack retail Point Of Sale system. Me2u is an internet technology based finance application and document printing system.  FastTrack is the me2u system with the front end stripped away and an XML conduit used to receive data from a retailers own order entry system

I have been working on the me2u system since it’s inception initially as a junior programmer working on the specification and front end coding. I have progressed to being the Lead consultant for the system with responsibility for hardware and communication in addition to core code, front end design and coding and XML specification and Implementation. I am responsible for the tasks of two staff working with me on BAU and project work in addition to support of live issues.

Within me2u we use Mercury’s WinRunner, LoadRunner and TestDirector to plan and action our testing.  LoadRunner proved vital  in the testing of the application before go live and for subsequent release’s.

me2u  is written in Active Server Pages and JavaScript  using Visual Basic and the Attachmate Host Publishing System to screen scrape the existing mainframe legacy application, storing transient and print data on SQL Server 2000, and runs on a windows 2000 server Platform. The system is both internet and leased line based using 2 factor authentication Via secure ID and Firewall-1.  We are currently investigating replacing HPS with Attachmate connectors and various .NET languages in line with  complete rewrite to move to a new host.

We are currently undertaking a large project to merge our two internet based  loan proposal and payout systems me2u and eQuips. 

Me2u provides instant credit applications, decisions, printing and payouts to the retail sector including DFS, Allied Carpets, Sky and Panasonic. The me2u system currently front ends Experian's mainframe system Autoscore.

eQuips provides instant credit applications, decisions, printing to the motor sector including Honda, Mitsubishi and Lotus.  This front ends the LTSBAFD division mainframe system PALIS.

Previously to this I worked on the year 2000 project, reviewing  various systems that are in use within the company and identifying problems with date manipulation. Once identified I had to recode the date manipulation on the mainframe in COBOL and  HOGAN and fully document and test before moving the code live.   Within the year 2000 Project I was tasked with learning and implementing automated testing using Winrunner and Testdirector with great success which greatly helped with the successful conclusion of the project.

Orb Electrical Steels (July 1995 To September 1996)  IT Placement Student

Key Duties  During my time at ORB I multi skilled between IT Support which involved PC and network installation, software installation and software support. The software supported was PowerLAN, Windows 3.11, Windows 95 Lotus Smart Suite and Microsoft Office.  This area of my duties also included all forms of PC repair including non fatal monitor repair, Hard disk diagnostics repair and replacement as well as Memory Upgrades. Also during my first month at Orb I was heavily involved in the upgrade and extension of the Corporate network.  The existing ARCNet system had to be replaced with an Ethernet 10baseT setup which implemented Hewlett Packard Hubs along the main backbone and from each hub OSCA cabling was installed by British Telecom to allow connection of each workstation to the network.      

The other main area of work was programming software for use on the PC network.  Three main programs were created, the first was to produce a complete business package for a department running as a separate company.  The package had to record inquires, produce invoices, advice notes and work cards. Along with this was the ability to produce split orders and to keep track of stock.  The package was written in Lotus Smartsuite.  

The second program was a network database of staff details such as telephone numbers fax machines.  This program was written in Visual Basic 2 and accesses an access database stored on the main server.  The program after completion was extended to include a database of all the area code telephone numbers for the United Kingdom.  The final project was a secure relational database written in MS Access using Visual Basic For Applications, which was served over the corporate network. The need for additional security was requested due to Access security not meeting the requirements of the company and also so that a single user, password data base could be used for all other network applications which were to be written within the company. The database had to be updated daily by means of an email from the Swedish steel plant of alterations in ASCII which was imported and then checked to orders previously dealt with.  All records could then be brought up and the accounting staff at Llanwern could follow up outstanding debts.  The program then printed out a report of all accounts dealt with and produced an ASCII report which could be returned to the Swedish plant.

I was also asked to produce an online version of  a datasheet which I created for the Logicor product range.  This was carried out by converting all the DTP files over to HTML and accessed  on  the server by using internet explorer.

Other duties included desktop publishing, server backup and backup routine design, network cabling, mainframe cabling, photocopier maintenance and fax machine maintenance.  I also carried out all stock control for the department and carried out all warranty fault callouts for any new or existing equipment. 

Sommerfield/Gateway (October 1991To July 1995)  Deli assistant/supervisor

Key Duties - Started as a delicatessen assistant serving customers. After the first year I started multi skilling on all departments while still staying based on the Deli. After the refit when the shop became Sommerfield I became Deli Bakery weekend supervisor,  After two months the current supervisor became ill and I took full Bakery/Deli supervisor position As supervisor of the Deli/Bakery departments I had to carry out stock and order and stock quality and also maintain health and safety on the two departments.  I had approximately 30 part time staff under me and reported directly to the store manager. Due to the illness of the dairy department manager, I then took on a supervisory role over the dairy department during her absence.

Hidden Hearing (June 1993 To September 1993) IT Consultancy Short Contract

Key Duties   Brought in to upgrade and maintain a new computer system and also to write and maintain Lotus 123 and database macros for mailing lists and accounting during the upgrade.

Rainbow Corner (June 1991 To October 1991) Sales Assistant

Key Duties  Opened up shop or stall and sell items to the public. I was in charge of my own float and stock and had to cash up at the end of the trading day, close the shop or stall and take the money to the main shop. I had to order stock when required and also I had to set the prices for items, depending on how well a certain item is selling.                        

Sony UK (September 1990 To June 1991) Electronics Apprentice

Key Duties  Carried out a year of basic training in Bridgend Collage Of Technology.  The basic training included Welding to EITB Level 1, Electronics to EITB Level 3, Engineering to EITB level 2,  Electrical Wiring to Level 3.   Also included in this training was an ONC 1^st year in Electronics assembly and wiring.

 

Non work related experience.

I have been building my own computers from parts bought from various suppliers.  As I have required more computing power I have carried out upgrades as I see necessary.  During my time in computing I have also had extensive use of the Microsoft office suite, Corel draw 5-6, visual basic, windows 3.1-95b, turbo pascal, Internet explorer, 3D studio, paint shop pro, Microsoft front Page and Adobe PhotoShop 4.  I have also been creating and editing the Porthcawl Powerboat and Ski Club web site which is hosted at www.pps-club.com.  The pages include frames, backgrounds, Background sounds and music and active X (VB Script). The main content of the pages is created and edited using Macromedia Dream Weaver.   My main use for my home computer is now Video Editing which I do as a Hobby.

Hobbies and Interests.

I regularly participate in water skiing, water tubing and wake boarding and I am currently an active member of the Porthcawl Powerboat and Ski Club.  During the summer months I also enjoy mountain biking and swimming in the sea.  During the winter I swim at a local swimming pool. 

I am currently renovating my 1966 Wolsey Hornet car which includes renovating the engine and suspension system.  I also carry out all the maintenance on my speedboat including the engine.

Recently I have started to do video editing for my holiday movies and am thinking about making a short film with a few friends.