Stephen Astles

Background

About Stephen Astles

An experienced pre- and post-sales Solutions Architect with expertise in storage, virtualisation, networking, Microsoft technologies, server and client virtualisation, Cisco, Citrix, backup and project management Fully capable of managing projects from initial customer meeting through to project finalisation including design, proof of concept, pilot, implementation and testing for project sign off Highly analytical team player with the aptitude for quickly scrutinising environments to identify and prioritise needs/risks and develop solutions Enthusiastic, committed, punctual self starter, eager to meet challenges and quickly assimilates the newest and latest technologies, skills, concepts and ideas Well versed in working at the top levels including IT Directors/Managers and senior Technical Architects Works well with sales staff to close deals Fully conversant in migrating physical servers into virtual environments including P2V, V2V, file server and Exchange migrations Well versed in designing, planning, leading and implementing complex multi-site, multi-vendor solutions Experienced project lead and experienced in leading groups of technical staff in the successful implementation of projects Pre-sales consultancy including initial customer meetings design, kit lists and project initiation Post-sales implementation of complex projects that include multi vendor solutions Mentoring of junior staff Implementing and testing proof of concept environments prior to project initiation with particular emphasis on using virtualisation Client training and post installation handover Excellent documentation skills Experienced in working in large data centres and server farms Excellent all round troubleshooting skills Considerable experience in network infrastructures and firewall deployment Well versed in large WAN infrastructures Specialties: All things HP, Networking, Virtualisation,Microsoft, Citrix (XenApp, XenDesktop, XenServer, VDI-in-a-Box), Wireless Technologies, Cloud Technologies, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Active Directory, Hyper-V, VMware (ESX, vSphere, Site Recovery Manager, View)