Mark Bruins
Ecopreneur, Eco Analysts
A list of my working life as far as positions attained:-
Ecopreneur, Script Writer, Residential Property Developer, Founder and Trustee of several Trusts, University Lecturer, Network Design Engineer, Network Supervisor, Network Rollout Co-ordinator, Project Engineer, Network Administrator, Company Director, Technical Support, Sales Manager, Product Evaluation, Software & Hardware Training, End User Support, Help-Desk, Field Engineering, Data-Communications, Computer Operating and Programming.
Business Address
Mark Bruins's Professional details
Current Position(s)
Owner / Director | Eco Analysts
Garden Route, South Africa | 2009 - present
Environment and Conservation
I founded the organization and am in charge of our team’s long-term strategy and vision. Forging alliances with critical business partners, research and development. I am also in charge of all the in-house training material and marketing strategies. Wayne and I develop the two websites, and I do most of the scripting of the modules or edit the ones that Nidhi writes. Frans then edits the videos and converts them into final high quality training videos that I upload to our website.
Previous Position(s)
Business Development Manager Garden Route | Global Carbon Exchange
George | 2009 - 2009
Environment and Conservation
My duties were to educate myself on climate change and the sales process with the help of documentation and attending training sessions. During my training I had to setup a road-show for our launch in the Garden Route for my manager and I to visit prospects and inform them about our company, products and services. It was a great success and I then had to start with the follow-up process of sending quotations and related documents for them to peruse.
Building, Construction and Engineering
I have in the past owned twenty-one houses and flats that I bought to renovate and then rent to earn passive income. I started a company with thirteen staff called Oudtshoorn Boukontrakteurs Bk and bought eight properties in Oudtshoorn with the intention of renovating and then renting them out. For almost a year we stripped the houses of everything and put in new bathrooms, kitchens, cupboards, broke down walls to make open-plan kitchens and did extensive landscaping and even put in swimming pools and barbecues.
Network Design Engineer | Middelsex University
London | 2003 - 2003
ICT and Telecommunications
My role was the project leader of sixteen Middelsex University staff members, working closely with IBM in the migration of all servers and devices from Midnet1 (existing Middelsex University network) to Midnet 2 (new IBM designed infrastructure). I emailed RFC’s to all staff members requesting information regarding computers that were on the corporate network. These details I then incorporated in a spreadsheet and issued new private and public IP addresses. These details were then forwarded to all staff, as well as the UNIX, NetWare and Windows administrators who updated the DNS entries as well as the static NAT entries into the DMZ. I chaired meetings and documented feedback regarding the status of the migrations which I had split into three phases.
I was also involved in the NetWare side of the server relocation from Bounds Green to the Hendon campus project. RFC collection and MS-Project updates, as well as co-ordinating backups, downtime windows and rack layout design and allocation formed the basis of my responsibilities. The Internet Boundary project as far as the NetWare environment went was also my responsibility for the Greenford campus.
Network Supervisor | Leeds City Council
Leeds | 2002 - 2003
Government, Public Administration and Defence
One of 6 engineers supporting over 140 NetWare 4 and 5 servers, over 20 NT 4 and 2000 servers and at least 12,500 workstations. ZENWorks 1.1 and 2 with applications delivered by NAL. All servers were Compaq ProLiant 6000, 370, 570 and the new blade servers. Standardisation of all hardware, SCSI raid array controllers and Adaptec ultra-wide SCSI-3 storage adapters. Standardisation of all Compaq and NetWare support paq's and drivers, including management agents for Compaq Insight Manager 7. Building new 2nd generation ML370 & 570 servers with NetWare and all server software, including ZENWorks, PowerChute, InoculateIT, ArcServe, Insight Manager Agents and relevant support paq's. Introduce server into the live NDS tree, create partition replica's and setup access rights. The projects that I produced and managed include:- anti-virus procedures, tape backup procedures, standard driver roll-out, server build documentation, time-synchronisation standards and TCP/IP address range distribution. I created a test lab to emulate problems or upgrades before they were to be introduced into the live environment. I was involved in a management role resolving a network slowness issue that had been ongoing for a few years at one of the city councils major sites.
Network Engineer / Rollout Co-ordinator | Sita
Hong Kong | 2001 - 2001
ICT and Telecommunications
One of fourteen CNE's working as part of a large team replacing Ericsson dumb terminals with Compaq servers and workstations for Cathay Pacific Airlines worldwide. I was personally involved with the installation, setup and configuration of a total of fifty-seven file servers and over eight hundred workstations in nine cities. The work included building the Compaq racks and installing two NetWare and one NT servers per office, including all cable management. The servers where then configured, added to the directory services and backup procedures where setup and managed. Various tests were completed to ensure that all customer requirements had been met and standards adhered to. Training room setup, workstation quality assurance procedures and workstation rebuilding with Norton Ghost where then taught to the local support companies, mostly Compaq and T.I.D. Final handover to the local airport manager and sign-off was then duly completed after all issues had been resolved.
Novell Project Engineer | JP Morgan Chase
Bournemouth, United Kingdom | 2000 - 2001
ICT and Telecommunications
Senior member of a six-person team creating and modifying NAL applications for use within the banking environment on a Windows NT4 operating system platform. Extensive application reporting and management feedback with Lotus Notes version 5. Testing of applications within a test environment according to stringent rules laid down by Chase Head Office in New York. Close customer liaison to ensure application was functioning correctly within the environment it was created for. Participating in forums discussing the Chase and JP Morgan merger and the implementation of the Windows 2000 desktop operating system platform for all users worldwide.
Senior Network Engineer | Dimension Data Holdings Plc
Observatory, South Africa | 2000 - 2000
ICT and Telecommunications
Senior member of an eighty-person team rolling-out WAN solutions to major corporations. Trouble-shooting and solution implementing of various software and hardware issues. Configured multiple NetWare clusters attached to Compaq Storage Area Network within a GroupWise environment . Used NAI sniffer tool to detect and resolve Cisco and 3-Com router errors. Installed and configured Cisco 1600, 2600 and 3600 series routers as well as 1900 and 2900XL series switches. Configured NetWare on Compaq ProLiant DL and ML range of servers. Setup Symantec anti-virus in a NT environment with pull technology on the server and workstations. Rollout of NetWare service packs in a multiple server WAN environment. Resolved NDS replication and authentication issues for the same WAN. Performed multiple server migration from NetWare 4.11 to Windows 2000 environment.
ICT and Telecommunications
Project 1 - Part of a four-member team rolling-out the Total Virus Defence suite to 12,000 users for KLM worldwide on all operating system platforms. Procedure creation, documentation and testing for the distribution of applications, virus signature file updates and log collection for network administrators to follow utilising 'push' technology. Management reporting via spreadsheets and graphs on the successful detection and immunisation of viruses. Re-creation and ongoing maintenance of the Virus Information Centre's intranet homepage using notepad and FrontPage 2000. Second-line support for system administrators to resolve initial rollout problems and queries.
Project 2 - Part of the six member fms-iws team involved in the packaged software application acceptance intake according to KLM standards. Applications are installed with Microsoft SMS on standard workstation configurations in a test environment to determine if they meet certain criteria. Successful applications are then packaged with kix scripts for remote distribution by network administrators within the various KLM departments. The test workstations are created using Norton's Ghost software, enabling rapid deployment of a KLM standard workstation configuration.
Owner / Director | Internet Wizard
Milnerton, South Africa | 1997 - 1998
Online Media, Internet and E-Commerce
Connected companies and homeowners to the internet to our iw.co.za domain. Modem and software installations, set-up and training. 35 companies connected and trained in total. Homepage design. Multi-Media upgrades. LAN and intranet connectivity solutions.
Owner / Director | NetWin Solutions
Milnerton, South Africa | 1994 - 1998
ICT and Telecommunications
Managed engineers and a secretary to sell, implement and support Novell NetWare LAN's and WAN's to a select corporate client database (22 when I sold the company). Novell, Microsoft, Lotus, IBM, Compaq, ACER, Seagate, Canon and Hewlett Packard Authorised Reseller since 1995. Upgraded hardware, software, operating systems and applications. Implemented IPX gateways to connect intranets to the internet. Installed and configured GroupWise and MS-Exchange for local and international mail, browsing and file FTP.; Installed and configured NetWare 4.1 and database sharing over WAN's. Extensive communications and problem solving with the help of Novell Gold and Platinum resellers. Implementation, documentation and management of thorough data protection and recovery procedures for our main clients consisting of mirroring, anti-virus and off-site storage. Attended all Novell, Microsoft and Seagate launches, seminars and presentations with selective clients. Emulated client problems on our in-house LAN, solved them and implemented the solution via modem login. Trained clients on NetWare, Windows, GroupWise, Corel WordPerfect Suite, MS-Office, Lotus SmartSuite and 123, internet and data protection procedures.
Senior Network Technician | Dimension Data Holdings Plc
Observatory, South Africa | 1993 - 1994
ICT and Telecommunications
South Africa's largest computer network distributor. Hourly-charge rate for P.C. repairs, upgrades and new installations. Each morning receive jobs for the day to be shared among 6 Engineers. All Novell and WAN problems were allocated to myself. Close liaison with Dimension Data staff for cabling and router etc. problems. Quote users for repairs/upgrades, then order products and install and test them.
LAN Administrator | ASTRA Pharmaceuticals
Sydney, Australia | 1993 - 1993
Medical, Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
In-house support of 100 Wang PC's and 35 printers, 2 Novell Ethernet 3.11 file servers, dedicated CC-Mail file server and international X25 gateway. Support 14-unit tower CDROM. Connectivity to VAX mini system. Upgrade and re-configure existing PC's. Add new users to the network. Analyse, report, install Intel LanProtect anti-virus. Network input at Millennium software implementation. Configure multiple-input-one-output video/keyboard black box. Upgrade all users to 386 minimum specifications.
ICT and Telecommunications
Sole in-house support of 45 PC's. Manage Novell 3.11 Ethernet network. Configure and connect 12 new users. Upgrade 286 to 486 VESA motherboards. Determine appropriate network analysing software and the installation thereof. Configuration and installation of Intel Netport print servers. General file server house-keeping. Attend PC conferences and exhibitions. Standardise all software, hardware and network interfaces. Install Intel LanProtect NLM anti-virus software. Install and management reporting on LANalyze network monitoring software. Configure and test backup file server. Determine most appropriate word processor - MS-Word. Detect and eliminate serious Windows kernel errors. Upgrade all operating systems and application software. Extensive management reporting on all of the above.
Government, Public Administration and Defence
Administer 17 file servers and 6 print servers. Extensive problem solving on various routers and bridges. Complex memory pool assignments. Adding new users to the network and assigning rights. Adding users to print servers and print queues. Various hardware & software problem solving through help-desk automation tools. Standardise Department of Justice anti-virus. Install and configure LAN Workplace for DOS.
Senior Technician / Sales Administrator | BMI Computers
Sydney, Australia | 1991 - 1992
ICT and Telecommunications
Software and hardware sales. Telephonic end-user support. Received Apple software & hardware training. Diagnostic testing in workshop. Rebuilding PC's and printers. Removing viruses. Dealer liaison. Re-organise storeroom and workshop. Management and owner reporting.
LAN Administrator | African Oxygen Limited
Bedfordview, South Africa | 1990 - 1991
Mining, Energy and Natural Resources
Ensure efficient PC usage throughout the company. Purchase, load software, install and support PC's, modems and printers. Software and hardware problem solving. Train end-users. Create, train and maintain team of anti-virus doctors nationally. Manage and control in-house Banyan Vines network system. Manage drawing office Versacad on Banyan network. Extensive end-user and client liaison. Attend user meetings and dealer presentations. Produce monthly newsletter. AS400 and IBM System 36 connectivity, set-up and maintenance. Standardise network connectivity software.
Software Specialist | Protea Data Systems
Johannesburg, South Africa | 1988 - 1990
ICT and Telecommunications
Support all software to enhance our range of ACER, Dataproducts and Star products. Liaison with end-users and a large dealer network. Setting-up, tweaking and tuning software to maximise performance. Contributing to the installing and setting-up of the in-house Novell LAN. Research into virus' and various anti-virus techniques. Installation and set-up of LAN's at numerous computer exhibitions. Complete OS/2 review and management presentation.
Computer User Support Analyst | British Petroleum
Town | 1986 - 1988
Mining, Energy and Natural Resources
Sole support and maintenance of all IBM mainframe terminals, DEC VAX Mini Systems, IBM Word Processors, PC's and Data Communications equipment for B. P. Northern region (450 user's). Purchase, evaluate, and test software and hardware. Set-up printers, install equipment and set-up users. Software & hardware field support for modems, error-correctors, printers, terminals and PC's. Software & hardware cost benefit analysis. Monthly management reporting through various office automation tools. Conversion of Displaywriters to PC's. Re-wire 17 floors for IBM mainframe terminals with co-ax RG62 and multiplexors.
Senior Programmer | Bankorp Data | Bankorp Holdings Limited
Bellville | 1983 - 1985
Accounting, Banking and Finance
Unpack, set-up and analyse new IBM P.C. for terminal replacement purposes. Order software & hardware, install and test for increased company performance in operation. Cost / benefit analysis for management on all software & hardware purchases. Demo and train users on all approved products. Converted assembler programs into Cobol in the A.T.M. team. Continued P.C. support and training to all staff.
