Data Center Critical

Deon Pöhl

Mobile: 082-***-**** Email: ad5njc@r.postjobfree.com

Critical Facilities Management

My offering is 23 years within the Facilities / Operations Management domain of large Corporate Institutions (ABSA and Standard Bank) and other entities. This includes the upgrade, management, and maintenance of all the infrastructure of Critical Data Centers / Buildings / Campus sites nationally. My portfolios incorporated overall Building Maintenance / Upgrades, inclusive of Mechanical and Electrical Systems, Building Management Systems, Security & Related systems, Health & Safety, Data Center Infrastructure, Soft Services, Gardens, Fleet Vehicles, SLA management, Special Projects, and the day-to-day management of external vendor/contractor activities as well as Financial Management, Staff Management, Budgeting, Procurement, Policies & Procedures. I am a natural leader with a passion for people and demonstrate strong leadership abilities to mobilise people to achieve the required results.

CAREER HISTORY

Critical Data Center Facilities and Operations Manager – BCX 15 Dec 2022 to 31 Dec 2023.

Responsibilities: I led a team of 3 to Implement Policies, Procedures, SOPs, and Critical Data Center Management Regimes, I was also responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, and operations functions necessary to ensure the efficient operation of the client’s DC to get it to Tier III Compliance on behalf of BCX.

Achievements:

Written and Implemented Policies, Procedures, SOPs, EOPs and MOPs for the client.

Drawn up a complete as-is DC Floor layout with precise floor and ceiling grid, PDU, Busbar, Cabinet, Lights, Sensor, and Sprinkler head positions and made a Floor layout proposal regarding aisle containment.

Populated all Critical Data Center Facility components i.e., Generators, UPSs, Batteries, Changeovers, Chillers, Pumps, CRACs, AHUs, FCUs and the Fire Detection & Protection Equipment on an Asset List.

Drawn up a PPM (Preventative Planned Maintenance) Schedule for all the Critical Data Center Facility components to be followed by the Client.

Identified and compiled an action list in sequence of criticality with budgeted costs from External and Internal Audit Documents for the Client.

Conducted various efficiency exercises like Lux metering, Airflow metering, Phase balancing on Busbars, PDU Utilisation, PUE measurement, and PDU / Isle Infrared Scanning.

Reason for leaving: End of BCX’s fixed-term contract with the client.

Senior Consultant - Data Centers, Facilities & Properties – Iya Ku Consulting (1 Aug 2017 to Current) Responsibilities: Consulting for/with various Clients regarding Facilities and Data Centre / Server room problems/compliance issues/builds/upgrades/rectifications. (Clients included Sizwe Africa IT Group, Interconnect Systems, Taboo Data Centre Services, IFM (Independent Facilities Management), and PAIX – Pan African Internet Exchange Data Centers.)

Achievements:

Assisted IFM and SIZWE to secure a Facilities tender for the SA Police Service.

Written and Implemented SOPs for IFM operations at ACSA-Upington Airport.

Consulted & managed multiple client Server Room / Data Center builds/upgrades/rectifications for Interconnect Systems and Taboo Data Center Services.

Wrote and managed the rollout of Data Center SOPs for PAIX’s Nairobi Data Center.

Conducted final pre-handover Inspections for M&T Developments.

Reason for leaving: The consulting market was slow after COVID-19 was offered a 1-year fixed contract by BCX.

Acting – Head of Operations, Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) - (1 Oct 2019 – 30 April 2021) Responsibilities: Provided strategic leadership and Managed operational execution of the Academy's support functions, The ICT, Facilities, Security, Transport & Catering departments in support of the Academy’s academic mission situated on a 21-hectare property with 28 Buildings and a total permanent complement of 40 and onsite vendor/contractor staff compliment of 54.

Achievements:

Appointed a Security and an ICT Manager for the Academy.

Conducted a complete security risk assessment for the entire campus.

Upgraded the Access Control and CCTV Systems.

Introduced an Official H&S Policy and System.

Upgraded the Wi-Fi network and Firewall systems.

Introduced and deployed a Facilities Helpdesk system for logging FM-related calls.

Reviewed Contractor/Vendor contracts ito onsite staff numbers & achieved an R 1,5 million saving pa.

Reason for leaving: End of a 1-year fixed-term contract that was extended due to COVID.

Manager – Critical Data Center Facilities & Operations, Standard Bank SA Group Technology Infrastructure - (1 June 2010 to 31 July 2017) Responsibilities: As head of Critical Facilities, I managed two Data Center Facilities Managers (Samrand (15MW) & River Club (4MW) Data Centers), two Data Center optimisation consultants and one Facilities Soft Services Manager (Bidvest) with a total staff complement of 45, Consisting of 12 FTE’s, 19 Security Staff and 14 Full-time Contractors. This included Professional Technical Staff, Semiskilled Technical Staff, Admin Staff, Security Staff, Cleaners and Fleet vehicles plus all Vendors, Subcontractors, and other suppliers. DC Facilities support for the regions – Johannesburg CBD, Bloemfontein, Durban, Port Elizabeth & Cape Town. I served on the board of directors of the Samrand Property Owners Association from Aug 2015 till Aug 2017 as Chairperson.

Achievements:

100% Uptime over 7 years

Consistently rated as an A and B+ performer

Managed as Project Sponsor the optimisation of the Data Centers and Server Rooms, reduced the footprint by 66% - savings - R30 Mil in electrical consumption & R9 Mil in rental cost pa. Improved Data Centre Energy Optimization – PUE of 1.2.

Managed as Project Sponsor the upgrading of cooling capacities of the Data Centers, upgraded AHU (Air Handling Units) to enhance humidity control, installation of VSDs (Variable speed drives) on the CRACs and Isle containment resulting in a 40% increase in efficiency.

Established a world-class Maintenance Program for Tier III and Tier IV Data Centers.

Managed as Project Sponsor the GSM Monitoring System Project – implemented a new GSM monitoring system throughout critical environments – reducing the response time on callouts.

•Managed as Project Sponsor a Gen Set Replacement Project –replacement of 2 x 1.5 MVA Generator sets in live environments without any downtime or business impact.

Part of a worldwide panel that had set up DCOS – Data Centre Operations Standards Document for EPI.

Reason for leaving: Retrenched.

Head - IT Facilities & Operations, ABSA Group Information Technology - (1 February 2001 to 31 May 2010)

Responsibilities: Managed two Data Center Technical Facilities Site Managers (Tower South and 270 Republic Rd, Data Centers), one Facilities Accommodation Manager, one Facilities Technical Consultant and a total staff complement of forty-seven consisting of 22 FTEs and 25 Contractors. This included Professional Technical Staff, Semi-skilled Technical Staff, Admin Staff, Security Staff, Canteen Staff and Cleaners as well as all Vendors, Subcontractors, and other suppliers. DC Facilities support for the regions – Bloemfontein, Durban, Port Elizabeth & Cape Town.

Achievements:

•99.9% Uptime over 9 years

•Consistently rated as an A and B+ performer

•Managed as Project Sponsor the revamp & restack of a 10-floor office block at 270 Republic Rd.

•Managed as Project Sponsor the revamp of 2 X Data Centers Electro-Mechanically in live environments without any downtime or business impact.

•Implemented a GSM remote monitoring/alerting system to reduce call-out response times.

•Project managed various office / Server room moves.

•Created Maintenance Program in MS Excel for the Data Centers and related Server Rooms.

Reason for leaving: Headhunted by Standard Bank.

Business Manager: Services & Support, Vesta Technologies (Pty) Ltd (1 July 2000 – 31 January 2001) Responsibilities: Managed 2 Regional Managers each with account managers, Project Managers, and Field Engineers doing onsite support via a Helpdesk, Procurement staff and Sales staff concentrating on Hardware & Software sales, a total staff complement of 41 people.

Manager: Technical Services, Vesta Technologies (Pty) Ltd (1 April 1999 – 30 June 2000)

Responsibilities: Managed a Project Manager, 9 Field Engineers, a Person doing technical buying and Sales, as well as a person staffing the Helpdesk. A total staff complement of 13 people. Where I have had Technical and Account management duties.

Achievements:

Secured the LAFARGE SA Y2k rectification contract, signed and managed the subsequent ongoing maintenance contract.

Managed the roll-out and maintenance of the MAP MQ Series to all NPS/SAMEX and STRATE accounts on a national basis.

Reason for leaving: Was offered a change in my career path by ABSA.

Persetel / Q Data Consulting (1 December 1996 to 31 March 1999)

I was subcontracted to two clients as Data Centre Operations Manager and Project Manager - Technical Infrastructures via Persetel/Q Data.

Project Manager - Technical Infrastructure, SAMCOR (1 Dec 1997 – 31 March 1999)

Responsibilities: Reported to the QDC Programme Manager and was responsible for the complete Technical Infrastructure (Facilities) of the SAMCOR Y2K Rectification Project.

Reason for leaving: Offered a permanent position by Vesta Technologies.

Data Centre Operations Manager, The Department of Finance - Chief Directorate: Pensions Administration (1 Dec 1996 – 30 Nov 1997)

Responsibilities: Day-to-day running of Data Center Operations and Facilities, Helpdesk Function, Network and Desktop Support for the GEPF – Government Employees Pension Fund Head Office.

Reason for leaving: End of Persetel’s contract, moved to SAMCOR Y2K contract for Persetel.

Systems Programming Ltd (1 May 1992 to 30 Nov 1996).

Manager: Operations Support (1 March 1994 to 30 Nov 1996), Operations Analyst / Planner (1 Aug 1992 to Feb 1994), Operations Supervisor (1 May 1992 to July 1992),

Reason for leaving: Offered a promotion in position by Persetel.

Saambou Bank Information Technology (1 October 1989 to 30 April 1992).

Operations Supervisor (1 Apr 1991 to 30 Apr 1992),

Operations Controller (1 Oct 1989 to 31 March 1991),

Reason for leaving: Saambou Bank outsourced its IT Operations to SPL.

INFOPLAN (1 Sept 1986 to 31 Aug 1989). Junior Operator/Operator/Senior Operator.

Reason for leaving: Offered a promotion in position by Saambou Bank.

VOLKSKAS BANK (1 Dec 1982 to 31 Aug 1986). Bank Clerk.

Reason for leaving: Offered a career in IT by Infoplan.

EDUCATION

Certificate - Professional Career Skills, IBMI (International Business Management Institute), 2023

Certificate - Critical Facility: Critical Infrastructure, Alison 2023

Certificate - Critical Facility: Power Supply Management, Alison, 2023

Certificate - Data Center Infrastructure Design, Ûdemy, 2023

Certificate - Data Center Facility Operations and Maintenance Training, Ûdemy, 2023

Certificate - Data Center Essentials - General Intro, Mechanical/Cooling, Power/Electrical, Ûdemy, 2023

Certificate – Operations Management – Facilities Planning & Management, Udemy, 2023

Certificate - CDFOM / Certified Data Center Facilities/Operations Manager, EPI /EXIN, 2016

Certificate - CDCS / Certified Data Center Specialist, EPI/EXIN, 2015

Certificate - Program in Maintenance Management, CE@UP, 2004

Certificate - MDP - ABSA Management Program, GIBS, 2002

Certificate - Advanced Project Management, PQ Academy, 1998

Certificate - Secondary Schooling (Grade 12), Verwoerdburg High School, 1982. Subjects: Afrikaans; English; Mathematics; Accountancy; Economics & Biology

Certificates available at interview.

COMPUTER LITERACY

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) - (Intermediate)

SAP – Coupa & Procure to Pay - (Intermediate)

PERSONAL DETAILS

Date of Birth. : 1965-02-04

Languages. : English, Afrikaans

Availability. : 2 Weeks

Driver’s License. : Codes A & EB

Address. : Centurion, Gauteng – Willing to relocate.

Alternate contact no. : 083-***-****

REFERENCES

SBSA Manager / Later @ BCX - Leon Gerber - 082-***-****

Interconnect Systems - Harry Meintjies - 082-***-****

HR Manager OWLAG - June Hilton - 076-***-****

BCX Line Manger - Dolf Grobler – 081-***-****

Contact this candidate