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Azhar Altaf
Verified Expert in Engineering
Software Architect and Developer
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Toptal member since March 27, 2023
Bio
Azhar is a software architect offering over 20 years of solid experience in cutting-edge technologies in niche areas. He has extensive knowledge of OutSystems and Java, both in web and desktop applications, in the fields of psychometrics, education, banking, and warehouse systems. He's a hands-on technology geek comfortable creating prototypes and leading teams to the final delivery. Azhar is a team player with a demonstrated ability to adapt quickly to new technologies and environments.
Portfolio
OutSystems
OutSystems, Databases, Amazon RDS
InsightzClub
Vue, Node.js, MongoDB, Heroku, Software Architecture
Candela Labs
Java, Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Experience
- Web Development - 20 years
- Databases - 20 years
- Java - 16 years
- Software Architecture - 15 years
- MongoDB - 5 years
- Node.js - 5 years
- Slack - 5 years
- OutSystems - 3 years
Preferred Environment
Slack, Teams
The most amazing...
...thing I've developed is one of a kind real-time martech engine based on survey data.
Work Experience
Lead Architect
2020 - PRESENT
OutSystems
- Served as a senior expert member of the architecture and development team and OutSystems expert.
- Designed solutions and provided technical guidance to ensure performance, lifecycle, maintainability, and governance for applications built on top of the OutSystems platform.
- Acted as a certified OutSystems 11 professional web and mobile developer, advising, consulting and empoweriing teams to deliver world-class enterprise-grade business solutions using the OutSystems platform.
- Joined the customer success and prof services team focusing on expert services to add value to each customer, especially in their digital transformation and journey with OutSystems.
- Contributed to custom expert OutSystems development engagements. Held architecture workshops and training, guiding, coaching, and mentoring other colleagues.
Technologies: OutSystems, Databases, Amazon RDS
Head of Engineering
2018 - 2020
InsightzClub
- Acted as a head of engineering, providing technology leadership in terms of technologies and modes of execution. I was in charge of technical execution, product planning, product architecture, database design, and UML modeling.
- Built an in-house real-time BI tool using Vue.js, Node.js, Express, and MongoDB, along with Highcharts. Multiple APIs were created for external and internal vendor integrations.
- Helped develop InsightzClub dashboard, one of the products which are unique in the market as it provides real-time data analytics capabilities to the customers by automatically cleansing the data based on configurable parameters.
- Contributed to the development of InsightzClub mobile app, an invite-based app capturing user interactions and lifestyle preferences. Respondents have multiple data submission formats, from standard form inputs to camera capture to taking surveys.
Technologies: Vue, Node.js, MongoDB, Heroku, Software Architecture
Senior Technical Project Manager
2018 - 2018
Candela Labs
- Implemented robotic process automation for customers in Malaysia to scan and process insurance claims automatically. Time and cost saving and of higher quality by at least 50%.
- Contributed to the technical decisions of the overall entity.
- Conducted POCs on Docker platform to cut the migration of solutions between environments.
- Evaluated and incorporated Activiti BPM engine over IBM BPM for cost saving to customers yet getting the same functionality.
Technologies: Java, Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Senior Solution Architect
2014 - 2018
Mimos
- Architected and implemented Malaysia's first psychometrics assessment system with cutting-edge features.
- Automated the manual verification process of time-consuming tests, saving around 100% of the time and costs.
- Set the best practices to use for development using Java and Spring frameworks.
- Implemented Jasper reporting for dynamic report creation.
- Added capabilities to make the software as a service (SaaS) product using databases as the bases for configurations.
- Handled the deployment of the applications onto the cloud infrastructure.
- Architected the secure APIs, which are easily extendable APIs creating an ecosystem whereby the application could feed data to relevant parties.
Technologies: Java, Spring Core, jQuery, PostgreSQL
Project Lead
2011 - 2014
Tech Mahindra
- Acted as a project lead for a Mastercard project, namely In Control. Implemented solutions using Spring, Struts, jQuery, WebSphere, and Tomcat. Handled interviewing of candidates for the Java tier.
- Played a key role in handling and winning Mastercard's In Control project, for which I won a prestigious Bravo Award from Tech Mahindra.
- Implemented custom components for Mastercard International.
Technologies: Java, Spring Core, Apache Struts 2, Oracle, jQuery
Senior Java Developer
2010 - 2011
Experian
- Implemented JBPM 4.3 with support for Db2, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft SQL. I also implemented Logback.
- Built an AXB JPDL exporter for conversion of NetBeans workflow GUI objects to XML.
- Created JBPM handlers for business needs. Conducted MBean monitoring through JMX.
- Conducted performance testing and bottleneck analysis. Performed code reviews and attended architecture discussions.
Technologies: Java, NetBeans RCP, PostgreSQL
Systems Consultant
2007 - 2009
Infopro
- Worked on ICBA10, an internal research and development project for banking institutions around the world. The product handles everything that happens inside the bank and is developed on open-source technologies and using the best practices.
- Served as a team lead for the common business services module from inception to completion with on-time delivery.
- Designed and developed core banking modules, such as receipting, payment, checklist, collateral, product structure, price and charge structure, notifications and reminders, and accounting module.
- Refactored and enhanced the dynamic forms whereby forms were generated based on configuration stored in the database.
- Designed RSA of most common business service use cases and planned and integrated the common business module with other modules.
- Implemented SOA into the common business services module.
- Held knowledge transfer sessions among colleagues to share and put into practice best practices.
- Modified the Open Adaptor API to enable retrieving, deleting, and updating of the existing records in the database. By default, Open Adaptor only allows inserting records.
- Implemented SuperCSV for auto data binding of CSV records to domain objects based on a configuration.
- Created DatabaseFactory to enable application to be porter over multiple databases seamlessly.
Technologies: Java, SwingX, Oracle, IBM Db2, EJB3
Development Team Lead
2004 - 2007
Logistics Consulting Asia
- Helped develop the DOME system to cater to the client's logistics needs. The system can cater to unlimited users and user types to whom roles are assigned as per position held.
- Worked on a system that centralizes all inbound and outbound warehouse activities. Stock levels are automatically managed by the system, and if the ordered quantity exceeds the inventory level, the system will allow users to modify the quantity.
- Implemented a web-based system testing tool named Selenium.
- Enabled autogeneration of the invoices for the system. This system is capable of running any business to any level.
- Implemented an MVC framework known as Symfony for PHP to implement the OOP concepts and principles into practice.
Technologies: Java, PHP, Selenium, PostgreSQL
Software Engineer
2003 - 2004
RALNET
- Set up a web-based system for Parlimen Malaysia to manage their documents. This PAKSI system has eight subsystems, of which I handled three, namely the Hansard System, E-Lib System, and Inventory Maintenance and Control System.
- Conducted requirement gathering, specification, and design of the Parlimen system using UML methodology.
- Managed two junior staff members in the implementation process, including doing some implementations and coordinating with another group that designed the user interface.
Technologies: PHP, MySQL
Experience
Real-time Martech Dashboard
Helped build and launch a real-time dashboard, which did not exist for this domain at the time. I am a firm believer in automation and customer-first approach, so I took the challenge head-on to automate the manual process of data processing and dashboard creation.
New tools were used to come up with mechanisms for the real-time feature to work, and customers appreciated this as before this, they had to wait months to see the campaign progress and data inclinations.
New tools were used to come up with mechanisms for the real-time feature to work, and customers appreciated this as before this, they had to wait months to see the campaign progress and data inclinations.
Real-time Dashboard for Martech
Marketing technology uses rely on gathering responses from respondents and then processing this data after the campaigns are over. This was a time-consuming task, and most of the time, the clients would have no information on the data skewness.
I came up with the idea of using the technology to its best use and created a real-time dashboard that would allow customers to view the data from day one and make decisions and amendments to their campaigns if needed. Technologies I used on this project included webhooks, Vue.js, Node.js, MongoDB, and Heroku for hosting the solutions.
I came up with the idea of using the technology to its best use and created a real-time dashboard that would allow customers to view the data from day one and make decisions and amendments to their campaigns if needed. Technologies I used on this project included webhooks, Vue.js, Node.js, MongoDB, and Heroku for hosting the solutions.
Psychometric Assessment System
The psychometric assessment system is widely used in the Malaysian government sector for the selection and promotion of police, immigration, and other agencies. The system has a couple of components that were developed from scratch, namely, a question bank, test-taking, reporting, and dashboards.
I served as the senior solution architect for this project and managed a team of 20 people who worked on development, testing, and deployment.
I served as the senior solution architect for this project and managed a team of 20 people who worked on development, testing, and deployment.
Education
2004 - 2007
Master's Degree in Software Engineering
University of Malaya - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2000 - 2003
Bachelor's Degree in Management Information Systems
International Islamic University Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Skills
Libraries/APIs
Node.js, Vue, Vue 2, jQuery, Highcharts, SwingX
Tools
Slack
Languages
Java, C++, Java 6, PHP
Storage
Databases, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, IBM Db2, MySQL
Frameworks
Spring 5, Spring Core, Spring MVC, Apache Struts 2, Selenium
Platforms
Heroku, Oracle, NetBeans RCP
Other
Software Architecture, Web Development, OutSystems, Usability, Teams, IT Project Management, Multimedia Design, Amazon RDS, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), EJB3, Webhooks, Porter
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