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Hi, I'm Joe.

I am Data Nerd...Develeoper & so much more.

Data Matters

Data is how organizations go from average to excellent. It matters a ton. Organizations that use data increase revenues and lower expenses generating more profits. It doesn't happen by accident. It takes intentionality.

What I do is to ensure that people have the right data at the right time at the right destination in the right format..

My Story

I was formally educated in Urban Planning and switched to technology early on. I have a cross-functional skill set which includes the disciplines of Data Architecture, Data Engineering , Software Engineering and Data Analysis. I have now been working with data for 20 years and writing code for 12 doing more than 80 projects along the way.

I am Certified Data Management Professional and believe data done right can make the difference in any organization.

Focus Area

My focus area is in Data Architecture and Data Engineering. Data is like building a city and this helps me because I am a former city planner.

In the world of city planning there is concept called a Master Planned Community that mixes uses including residential, commercial and recreational. It is large-scale, self contained and comprehensive.

It reminds me very much of Data Architecture. In this world you have to do strategic planning that is comprehensive and affects the entire organization and how it operates. And many systems effect others and need to be integrated together to serve the customer well.

This is why the Data Management process is important. It ensures that good planning happens.

Data Management

I believe in the value of Data Quality and Data Standards and the entire data management process.

My quick summarization of the process includes 3 phases.

  • Data Architecture & Strategy sets standards and rules for data use.
  • Data Engineering uses those standard to build a robust infrastructure.
  • Robust infrastructure enables the building of technology products that are easy to use for the end user.

I have seen time and again that when these steps are skipped, organizations encounter Data Problems.

Common Data Problems

I see the same data problems repeatedly. Fortunately, there is a solution to all of them.

  • Spreadsheets don't scale.
  • Messy data. Worst I've seen is 22 versions of the same term.
  • Inappropriate access controls.
  • Insufficient data security & privacy.
  • Disconnected systems aka data silos.
  • No strategy. Organizations are winging it and it shows.

The solution is a unified Data Platform that is based on quality Data Architecture and Engineering.

Data Platform

I am most interested in Data Architecture and Engineering and what I am most interested in building is a comprehensive Data Platform that involves:

  • Data quality based on standards
  • Data model that supports the business
  • Centralized storage and Master Data
  • Scalable infrastructure
  • Data pipelines & ETL that enables integration
  • Automated data cleaning & enrichment
  • Data security involving data privacy, role based access controls and encryption of sensitive data
  • Data products that are easy to use
  • Automated & self-service reporting

Portfolio

For the last many years I primarily built SaaS style ERP applications that streamline business operations and the data infrastructure that powers them.

They are delivered through a private cloud and use a common database for shared information, aka Master Data. They are integrated using a hub-and-spoke model and have multiple modules, each with its own focus. This is similar to the illustration.

The full list of my capabilities involves:

  • Developing data standards and data quality rules
  • Robust data infrastructure with integration
  • ERP data apps
  • Websites that are mobile friendly, secure, built for SEO and UX
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • IT that is adjacent to my focus area including password management, 2FA, email setup and support and data backups