Francis is available for hire
Hire FrancisFrancis Gordon
Verified Expert in Engineering
Consulting Developer
Location
Galway, Ireland
Toptal Member Since
June 18, 2020
Frank is a talented Oracle DBA and developer who has thirty years of experience. Frank understands the value of data and how to keep it safe and accurate. He has worked in many countries and has superb consulting skills.
Portfolio
PGCL
Oracle, Linux
ATA International (via Toptal)
Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle 10g
PGCL:Vodafone
Oracle ASM, Oracle RAC
Experience
Availability
Part-time
Preferred Environment
SQL, Vim Text Editor, Windows, Linux
The most amazing...
...thing I've written is a C program to extract corrupted data from an Oracle database using dynamic method-4.
Work Experience
Consultant DBA
2000 - PRESENT
PGCL
- Managed databases for companies of all sizes.
- Rewrote a backup for over 2,000 databases using RMAN and bash.
- Solved a variety of performance problems using Statspack and AWR.
- Managed Oracle Applications instances and trained staff in its use.
- Programmed large messaging systems in PL/SQL for a financial institution.
Technologies: Oracle, Linux
Oracle DBA
2017 - 2017
ATA International (via Toptal)
- Converted data from Oracle to Microsoft SQL Server.
- Utilized Oracle internals.
- Documented the project.
Technologies: Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle 10g
Managed Service DBA
2013 - 2014
PGCL:Vodafone
- Architected managed service databases using Remedy ITIL.
- Troubleshot performance across RAC clusters and multiple applications.
- Clarified how to report measure performance when 40+ databases are installed on the same server.
- Worked with rare combinations of Oracle RAC (9i) and HP-UX over Veritas cluster manager.
- Worked with a variety of Oracle versions from 7 to 11g.
Technologies: Oracle ASM, Oracle RAC
Managed Service DBA
2011 - 2013
United Health Group
- Rewrote the backup for 2000+ databases using PL/SQL and bash.
- Assisted in the upgrade to OEM-12c.
- Changed controls as part of normal DBA tasks.
- Handled performance tuning, advising application teams on the correct way to use sequences.
- Managed performance data across 2k+ databases.
Technologies: Oracle Database
Oracle DBA/Developer
2006 - 2008
PGCL: Airtricity
- Programmed in PL/SQL for an energy billing application.
- Used Oracle Analytical functions to estimate customers' bills.
- Advised a third-party supplier on Oracle usage.
- Wrote VB applications to extract data from MS SQL.
Technologies: Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Perl, AIX, PL/SQL
DBA/Developer
2002 - 2008
PGCL: Bank of Ireland
- Designed and wrote a messaging system using Oracle, PL/SQL, IBM MQSI, and Swift Network.
- Wrote a data mart for Basel 2 compliance.
- Created data and process models for a messaging system.
- Used Oracle on Vax VMS basics, eventually helping migrate the database to Solaris.
- Used VMS Cobol to schedule jobs.
- Debugged Pro*C code taking data from a Reuters feed.
- Used Oracle XML to store messages.
- Wrote simple Oracle forms and reports for the front-end.
Technologies: IBM MQ, Oracle, Oracle Designer, Solaris, VMS
Oracle Developer
2006 - 2006
PGCL: Department of Social Welfare
- Trusted with the most confidential data in the state: every citizen's name, address, date of birth, and national identifier.
- Extracted data from the core government database for use in identity management.
- Used ERWIN modeling tool to design and document the solution.
- Configured Oracle replication for a reporting instance.
- Interfaced to MS SQL using Oracle's ODBC Gateway.
- Used VSS to manage source code.
Technologies: PL/SQL, VSS, Oracle9i
Applications DBA
2003 - 2004
PGCL: Irish Department of Environment
- Managed Oracle applications' R11 databases for the department.
- Trained departments staff in ongoing Oracle DBA tasks.
- Cloned databases using CommVault (Dell) Galaxy.
- Trained department staff in Solaris tasks.
Technologies: Oracle, Apache, Solaris
Oracle DBA/Developer
2002 - 2003
SX3-Viridian
- Trained a team of fifteen developers in Oracle PL/SQL and forms.
- Recovered corrupted data using Oracle Pro*C.
- Used Oracle Designer to document the system.
Technologies: Unix, C, PL/SQL, Reports, Forms
Consultant
1997 - 2000
Oracle Corporation
- Worked as a consultant for Oracle Applications.
- Wrote large PL/SQL programs (20k+ lines) to speed up order taking.
- Wrote Oracle workflows for a purchasing system, globally implemented.
- Gained exposure to many Oracle Applications modules.
Technologies: Applications, Oracle
Europe Lead DBA
1993 - 1995
DHL Systems
- Led database architecture for Oracle AR rollout across 20 countries.
- Architected Informix databases taken on as a temporary measure.
- Wrote a simple database deployment program in C.
- Supported application benchmarking efforts.
Technologies: IBM Informix, Oracle
Oracle DBA
1992 - 1993
Kalamozoo
- Architected an Oracle database for a garage management system.
- Supported the development team, especially with Oracle Pro*C.
- Made on-site visits to customers for upgrades and ongoing monitoring.
Technologies: Forms, Oracle
DBA/Developer
1991 - 1992
Biffa Waste Services
- Wrote accounting programs in Pro*C.
Technologies: Oracle, Pro*C
Oracle Developer
1990 - 1991
Ove Arup Partners
- Wrote Pro*C programs for Oracle on Primos.
- Ported Pro*C programs to SunOS.
- Wrote Oracle Forms programs to support a project costing system.
Technologies: Oracle, Oracle Forms, Pro*C
Developer
1988 - 1990
Planning, Research, and Systems
- Wrote Oracle Forms and SQL to support a automotive statistics database.
Technologies: Oracle
Operator
1987 - 1988
Valentina of London
- Operated a Northstar Dimension computer to support a clothing manufacturer.
Technologies: BASIC
Developer/Operator
1985 - 1987
Camden and Islington NHS
- Wrote a simple appointments system using Open Access database on an Apricot Xi for Chiropodists in the health authority area.
- Carried out day to day administration tasks.
Technologies: dBASE
Experience
OCI Code for Accessing a Database
Accessing data using low level C calls.
My Own Programming Language
Using Lex an Yacc. It's a very safe language. And it's unambigious.
Skills
Platforms
Oracle, Windows, Linux, Solaris, AIX, Oracle Database, Unix
Storage
PL/SQL, Oracle PL/SQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle9i, IBM Informix, Oracle 10g
Other
Consulting, Software Development, Documentation, Oracle ASM, VMS, Forms, Reports, Applications
Languages
SQL, Perl, Pro*C, BASIC, dBASE, C
Tools
Vim Text Editor, Oracle RAC, Apache, Oracle Designer, IBM MQ, VSS, Oracle Forms
Education
2007 - 2008
Certificate in Computing
DIT - Dublin
2006 - 2007
CCNA in Networking
DIT - Dublin
1986 - 1987
Certificate in SSADM and C Programming
West London Business School - Isleworth, London
1986 - 1987
Professional Training in Computers (PROLOG/FORTRAN and LISP)
North London Poly - Holloway Road, London
1883 - 1985
Certificate in Computing
Sligo Regional Tech - Sligo
Collaboration That Works
How to Work with Toptal
Toptal matches you directly with global industry experts from our network in hours—not weeks or months.
1
Share your needs
Discuss your requirements and refine your scope in a call with a Toptal domain expert.
2
Choose your talent
Get a short list of expertly matched talent within 24 hours to review, interview, and choose from.
3
Start your risk-free talent trial
Work with your chosen talent on a trial basis for up to two weeks. Pay only if you decide to hire them.
Top talent is in high demand.
Start hiring