Plato IT Computers

Preparation, migration, packaging and testing of over 600 bespoke, off-the-shelf and web applications onto the new XP/Windows 2003 from Windows NT/2000 & Novell platform for roll-out across the company worldwide. Experienced in providing advice relating to testing. Producing test scripts, plans as well as defect co-ordination.

General Role and Achievements

• First point of call for technical advice, trouble shooting and advice on standard procedures (Quality Control) for documenting and testing application both off-the-shelf (COTS) and developed In-House
• Fix errors found in the testing process
• Record test results
• Move applications on through the test process
• Fix and record errors found when applications are packaged into msi’s and returned for testing
• Liaise with third party vendors where necessary on off-the-shelf software
• Liaise with developers when researching and documenting in-house applications and reporting errors
• Liaise with business area contacts
• Advise the rest of the test team on technical problems that may arise
• Convert and test older versions of Microsoft Access databases to Office XP
• Migrate and package applications from legacy Novell Zen Works system to the new BlueWeb proprietary platform
• Quality Assurance of MSI Packaging
• Review of packaging documentation

Pre-Test Role

• Create and maintain structure on code servers for application code, install guides and test results
• Create step by step install guides as necessary and proof read those created by others
• Document registry changes and fixes required
• Check install paths and start menu locations adhere to company standards
• Check and certify applications work on the designated XP platform
• Record information for each application into the certification spreadsheet, like results from the event log and any details recorded in the Application Verifier Tool
• Record the application details set out in the pre-test role in the Application Inventory according to agreed standards
• Prepare and send applications for packaging into msi’s by IBM packagers according to set standards

System Functional Testing

• Write test scripts and test functionality of a particular application as far as possible
• Record errors found and liaise with the IBM packaging team for possible repackaging of an application and further regression testing
• Execute pre-defined tests against MSI packages
• Deploy msi packages in a live-like test environment.

User Acceptance & Integration Testing

• Test and record individual applications in the test environment with the actual users of the application
• Test integration of applications for a group of users under a test environment with the actual users of the application
• Record errors found and liaise with the IBM packaging team for possible repackaging of an application and further regression testing
• Configuration management of  Application Packages that have been released into the live environment

Software/Automation Testing Tools Used

• In-House spreadsheets (configuration management tools) for recording test results, automating tests, fact finding, assembling code and install guides in preparation for msi packaging by Romanian Packagers, adhering to standards by automating capture of information (form filling).
• Incident Management Tool (MSSM) – sole point of contact and responsible for tracking status and application defects for the UK business
• Web based application inventory – responsible for updating the inventory and specifying location of media, application guides, pre-requisites, applications paths etc. according to agreed standards
• Backup and restore utilities – use and documentation of tools like Ghost, Partition Magic and Altiris used in regression, system and user testing to return hardware to a clean state once testing is complete
• Application Verifier (V 2.5) – part of the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT)
• Software Distribution Mechanism – IBM BlueWeb platform for distributing finished applications to an individuals desktop
• Test Director/Quick Test Pro/LoadRunner – Familiarity with use and application in the testing arena
• Ghost – O/S re-imaging tool. Used for roll-back of operating system to prior test state

Portfolio

Our latest client asked us to create a website offering information on discount and promotional codes giving money off on purchases from online businesses in the UK. We develop www.webpricewatch.com using the free blog software from Wordpress. They are now able to update the website themselves from the admin area on the website. By offering this information they earn money by affiliating with other companies and earning a percentage of each sale.

Portfolio

The Retreat Guesthouse A small business website created from a template design and customised to keep down costs. The owners own photographs and room descriptions were added. Reviews from guests posted onto the website via Trip Advisor are automatically updated onto the website using rss. A booking system was also installed along with a google map of the area and guesthouse.

The website, during and after building, was optimised to appear high in Search Engine results. The Retreat Guesthouse now appears in the top ten of natural search results in Google and Yahoo! for the search words “guest house southsea” and “guest house portsmouth“. The site’s index page also has a pagerank of 3 at this moment in time and all other pages appear in Google search results with a pagerank of 2.

Portfolio

Arts In Residence required a simple bespoke website design that showcases their musical appreciation residential courses. We created the design to provide easy navigation for both users and the search engines. As a result most of the key pages have a Google pagerank of 3 and 65 of the website pages have been indexed by Google.

Portfolio