Solution Architect
Function
The Solution Architect (SDA):
· Leads the definition of scope and structure of a solution provided to a customer.
· As required, provides technical leadership for bids.
· Provides technical support to the project team on matters of interpretation of standards & requirements and on details of the end to end solution being delivered.
· Supports the account team during the pre & post contract phases in defining the detailed requirements and in ensuring the customer’s expectations for the solution can be met.
· Identifies opportunities to position eServGlobal products and services.
· Is a customer-oriented role and delivers solutions worldwide.
Duties and Responsibilities
The key function of this role is to lead in the definition of solutions which meet customer’s needs and which can be deployed with minimal cost and provide optimal performance.
· Sales/Bid Support
o Out of the box product proposals, the SDAs involvement is limited to:
§ Review and verify technical proposal supplied the Technical Sales. Review includes:
· Architecture
· Dimensioning Workbook
· Technical Compliance
· Suitability of eSG Product suite to meet requirements
· Viability of any customization
· Bill of material (BoM)
· Input to DB sizings (if required)
· Input to project planning
· Liaise with Development team (if required)
· Ensure reliability and redundancy requirements are met
System or IN replacement can be much more complex and the SDAs involvement is required to a more in-depth level. As well as the listed tasks above, support to the Sales team can involve:
Input to the solution design which require customisation to meet a customer’s existing needs.
Work closely with the Labs to ensure business requirements are met by the technical solution.
· Project
o Champion the design, which includes such responsibilities as:
§ Attend customer/third party workshops
Collect and document requirements
Provide input into Project Planning
Point of contact for customer solution inquires
Point of contact for internal solution inquires
Management of customer and third party solution expectations
Review of Solution Implementation Plan (SIP), Test Strategy/Plans and Lab SRS (if required)
o Produce required project deliverables associated for with the SDA role, i.e.:
Solution Design
Migration Strategy (if required)
· Change Request (CR)
Determine customer requirements associated with the change.
If appropriate, suggest an alternative solution. Reasons for changing the requested solution can include:
Cleaner technical solution with less modification of the eSG product.
Better solution involving less customization, hence cost.
Possible upgrade or up-sell opportunity to bring the customer into line with current product version.
Document requirements via standard CR documentation.
Liaise with Labs to determine the best technical solution from the software architectural perspective.
Obtain agreement with the customer regarding the final requirements and complete and submit the required documentation for the Labs to quote.
Liaise with Project Manager/Account Manager handling of the CR from an account management/sales strategy point of view.
Potentially liaise with the Product Manager if the requested change significantly impacts the behavior of the product.
Seek Product Managers approval for such changes.
Review completed CR documentation from the Labs.
Liaise as required with the project team to determine the change meets operational requirements (e.g. Alarms, logging, ease of configuration, on going manageability, etc).
Review Acceptance Test Plans. Ensure transfer of knowledge as relevant to the project team regarding the proposed change and actual implementation.
· General
o Partner activities (Technical Planning/Roadmap).
o Manage general customer and internal questions relating to eSG solutions.
o Input to Product Strategies (new features, etc).
o Liaise with the Sales Team.
§ Sales Strategies
§ New opportunities
§ Upgrade paths for the customer.
· Communication & Reporting
o Identify, analyse, and promptly highlight as relevant, any key issues and/or risks.
o Provide detailed input as required on product- and customer-specific functionality, configuration, and usage for training and documentation purposes.
· Teamwork
o Self-managing, take initiative and be pro-active in everything you do.
o Participate in the up-skilling and training of colleagues and new staff.
o Provide support and encouragement to other team members.
· Other
o Ensure relevant, effective working relationships and effective communication with all relevant customer, third party and eSG staff.
o Able to travel as and when reasonably requested.
o Understand, follow and improve upon all formally-communicated methodologies, processes, policies, and values.
o Always focus on delivering consistent, reliable, repeatable and scalable outcomes.
o All other duties as reasonably requested.
Essential skills and Experience
Knowledge & Experience
o Experience with Intelligent Networks or Value Added Systems components in a mobile or fixed Telecommunications environment.
o In-depth knowledge of one or more eServGlobal products and platforms.
o High level of competence and experience with computing technologies used in Telecommunications Intelligent Networks.
o Good knowledge of Oracle and/or Informix database concepts and operation.
o Experienced in a number of the protocols used by eServGlobal including TCP/IP, SS7, INAP, CAMEL, Sigtran, SNMP, SIP, SMPP
o Experienced in the software development lifecycle and the software development basics
o Good knowledge of test strategies, plans, and scripts.
o Good knowledge of project lifecycle.
o Knowledge of project scoping
· Skills
o Excellent English oral and written communications skills. Particularly in the areas of technical presentation and technical document writing.
o Quickly learn and become an expert in new technical subject matter.
o Quickly gain credibility and build successful relationships with customers, third parties, and eSG staff. This is especially so at a technical level.
o Work effectively with people across multiple organisational, functional, geographic and cultural boundaries, and across a wide spectrum of technical and professional skills.
o Work autonomously as and when required.
· Attitudes
o Pragmatic and delivery focused.
o Set standards and lead by example.
o Self-motivated.
o Customer-focused and professional.
o Constantly seek to improve themselves, their team and eSG.
o A team player.
o Structured, clear, and logical thinking with a focus on delivering quality on time.
Please send your complete resume to:
hrd.eservglobal@gmail.com
Deadline; 16 May 2008
