1. Key Projects Completed at Vodafone
EDN Upgrade - Management of the upgrade to the strategic core enterprise data
network comprising the update of switchgear, hardware and software, to return
systems into vendor (Cisco) support. Project includes additional physical diversity
with fibre routes between switch rooms. Works had significant business impact with
the temporary shutdown or suspension of critical systems and applications requiring
the management of stakeholders from IT, Customer Care, Retail, Regional
Operations and Technology. Project completed overnight on Saturday as agreed by
business stakeholders, this required the co-ordinated shutdown and re-start of over
365 systems and applications by 120 people. 11/05-03/06
Installation of SigTran (SS7 over IP) to alleviate capacity issues with redundant legacy
equipment. Project consists of three phases; 1 – Upgrades to existing hardware, 2-
Installation of new switchgear and migration of legacy systems, 3 – New hardware
for SMS delivery systems. The project introduces a new equipment vendor (Cisco)
and technology requiring the management of training requirements for first and
second line maintenance teams, the setup up of maintenance and support contracts
for reactive fault fix, including hardware replacement, plus planned maintenance
and ongoing support activities. Management of a complex list of dependencies
including other new technologies and new products and services, balancing the
requirements for system stability against the need for additional capacity and
utilisation of the MPLS/DWDM network. 03/06-05/07
Delivery of two new variant hardware platforms (HP servers) into remote data
centres (MTX), incorporating physical access, DC power and earthing, network
connectivity, on site acceptance testing and network integration. Production of
specifications and methodology for platform introduction and type approval for
platform variant. 11/04-03/05
Work stream management for the migration of prepay services from obsolete
hardware to new HP service execution points (servers), works include the cutover
and removal of traffic from the 64 existing prepayment control manager platforms
and physical removal of end of life equipment from the network. Removal of
equipment from site, safe disconnection of power supplies and removal of cabling
from within a working switch room. Planning includes the removal of geographical
resilience simplifying physical connections and maintenance. 02/05-07/05
Management of the delivery of a new software release and hardware upgrade for
Nortel GGSN (switch). The project is a ‘Verification Offer’ of pre customer release
software providing final testing in a live environment prior to general customer
release. Verification and testing of software in both lab and ‘live’ network conditions
to both UK and Global Vodafone standards. Project was completed under a
partnership agreement with a collocated team from Nortel and Vodafone working to
an agreed combined plan. Project completed by national rollout to all six Nortel
GGSNs. 04/05-12/05