Peter Thorn
Project: Enhancements for a city's school administration office
Experience
Project: Enhancements for a city's school administration office
ILSE Software GmbH & Co. KG
- Revised the picking lists (print images)
- Issued reservation slips
- Created a routing plan
- Managed schools as storage locations so it’s always clear which school has which equipment
Project: Major performance improvements for warehouse manager
ILSE Software GmbH & Co. KG
Since the warehouse manager is now hosted (database in a data center), extensive changes to the database were needed.
Local network installs can ignore performance issues, but it’s different when the SQL Server is in a remote data center.
I worked extensively on:
- Checking that needed indexes are set correctly (especially on FK tables)
- Avoiding SELECT * and naming fields explicitly
- Reviewing SQL queries in detail
- Breaking the 3-tier architecture for bulk data (using direct INSERT SQL instead of objects)
- No longer filling lists of objects (especially when each object has its own DB access) but presenting them as recordsets
The client was very pleased with the work. They were satisfied with the performance and didn’t look for a new system.
Project for the pharmaceutical industry
ILSE Software GmbH & Co. KG
2023 was all about the pharmaceutical industry. Our last client had special documentation requirements that had to be added to the program.
Software developer / Project manager for an organic food producer
ILSE Software GmbH & Co. KG
Extended the ILSE warehouse manager with ERP functions (quote, order, purchase, incoming/outgoing invoices, reminders) for an organic food producer.
Added features for the food industry (best before dates, batches, supplier checks, empty container management, etc.) for the same client.
Development, database enhancements, project management (with two other developers involved).
Software developer / Consultant
ILSE Software GmbH & Co. KG
Extensive additions to the ILSE warehouse manager for creating export documents and using multiple currencies (Euro, Dollar).
We generate detailed documents, perform detailed imports, and implement calculations for commission payments. The ILSE warehouse manager remains the base.
Implemented extensive customizations in our standard software without losing update capability through detailed configuration.
Software developer / Project manager
ILSE Software GmbH & Co. KG
Extended the ILSE warehouse manager with ERP functions (quote, order, purchase, incoming/outgoing invoices, reminders).
Second phase: added food industry requirements (best before dates, batches, supplier checks, empty container management, etc.).
Development, database enhancements, project management (with two other developers involved).
Subproject leader / Software developer
ILSE Software GmbH & Co. KG
Developed a production control system.
We built a system to manage goods receipt, goods issue, inventory, and recipes. The key was creating production orders: selecting components and sending them to a central controller (S7). We also sent mixing speed and temperature to production. The system received production results (quantity, various measurements).
Tasks covered the full spectrum: effort estimation, requirements spec, implementation, coordination with client and other firms, on-site testing (4 weeks in Switzerland), acceptance, ongoing support.
Initially used MS Access, later replaced by MS SQL Server. Central controller was S7 (Siemens), communication via WinCC (read/write variables).
This software became the basis for the ILSE warehouse manager, still in use.
Managing Director / Lead Developer
ILSE Software GmbH & Co. KG
In April 2006 Mr. Popp asked if I was interested in buying his company, which made software for industrial scale integration and tire storage.
After evaluation, I took over the company under my firm (implements GmbH).
Our market products (my focus on ILSE warehouse manager):
- ILSE wheel manager
- ILSE warehouse manager
My general tasks:
- Further development of standard software (VB6, VB.net, MS SQL Server from simple queries to complex stored procedures)
- List & Label for report design
- SQLite for software on mobile devices
- Sales
- Intensive client contact
- Developing and reviewing concepts with clients
- Finding creative solutions to meet client needs
Client contact and software development are equally important. I also create concepts for internal enhancements.
In development, besides a clear UI, database design is crucial. The ILSE warehouse manager uses about 50 tables, all following the same principles. Record IDs are GUIDs. Naming conventions and internal fields (created date, creator, last change) follow a syntax.
Another key is SQL queries: complex queries go into stored procedures or functions. These can be used by mobile devices (scanners).
Poor database design can break project performance (e.g., missing indexes).
The ILSE warehouse manager is mainly used by small and medium businesses. Notably, Framatome uses it at two locations. Two food producers also use our software, with customizations that keep update capability.
Software developer
Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG
Built a planning tool for Lidl Stiftung to consolidate individual business areas.
The software focuses on the GUI. All database procedures are packaged.
My tasks:
- Development (.net, Oracle PL/SQL 10), debugging packages with Oracle Raptor, SQL Plus
Software: VB.net 2003, VB.net 2005, Oracle 10, PL/SQL, Oracle Raptor, SQL Plus
Software developer / Consultant
Fa. Billhöfer Maschinenfabrik
Completed software for an ERP system.
An ERP vendor went bankrupt. We finished the software, fixed bugs, and then added new modules.
Project size:
- 586 forms, 300 database tables, no documentation
Tasks included programming, requirements spec creation, and documentation.
Software: VB 6.0, VB.net, ADO, ADO.net, MS SQL Server 7/2000, caseStudio (Charonware), Document!X (Innovasis)
Architect / Software developer
Marketing Agency
Textile database project (since 09/2003):
CRM project to give textile retailers consolidated data for comparing themselves with others.
Analysis of customer buying behavior for better forecasts.
Strategic project where I lead architecture and implementation. Team size: 3–5.
Data from various sources merged into the “textile database”.
Database: ~500,000 customers, ~3,000,000 line items.
Created reports with Crystal Reports 8.5.
Automated customer import project (07–09/2003):
Previously manual import from external systems. Automated the process with error logs and import reports.
Software: VB.net, MS SQL 2000, caseStudio 2.0, Visio (class modeling), Crystal Reports.
Note: My software uses a class model based on 3-tier architecture. The UI only knows business objects; the BOs know the database. This allows reuse of the same business objects in VB and ASP.net. It also simplifies maintenance and handoffs to other developers.
Project manager / Software developer
In‐house development
Developed a time‐tracking software.
The product now runs successfully in several companies. I led the project and coordination, did development, UI and database design (05/2002–06/2003 full‐time).
We focused on a clean class design to enable a 3‐tier application.
Software: Delphi 6.0, Interbase 6.0.1, Star Designer, IB Expert
Software developer / Consultant
Dresdner Bank AG
BUS 2.0 (Advisor Support System) for Dresdner Bank AG.
- Maintenance and enhancement of the BUS project
- Developed workflows and business services
- Data extraction to synchronize Siebel and host
- Bug fixing
- Created technical concepts for new requirements
- Contributed to the master plan for loan modules
- Worked on “Basel II” project: technical concept, analysis, workflow design
- Extensive scripting (eScript, Siebel VB)
Software: Siebel 6.3, Siebel Tools, MS Access 97
Consultant / Software developer
Siemens AG
- Evaluated installation options for Siebel 99.5
- Integrated Siebel as an OLE server in Visual Basic apps
- Installed Siebel clients (Thin, Remote, Tools)
Software: Siebel 99.5 Server, Siebel Tools, VB 6.0
Software developer / Designer
Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe
Visualized insurance data.
- Designed, implemented, and tested new modules
- 3-tier architecture
- Business objects embedded as OCX files
- Type library generated by Rational Rose 98
- UML
Tasks:
- Conception
- Implementation
- Class and interface design
- Documentation
Software: VB 6.0 Enterprise, Oracle 8.0, Rational Rose 98, WinNT 4.0, Farpoint Spread 3.0
Software developer
ADIG Luxembourg S. A.
Fund management system.
- Designed and implemented change requests from business units.
Tasks:
- Conception
- Programming
Software: Clipper 5.2e, Novell/WinNT 4.0
Software developer / Designer
Deutsche Bundesbank
Automated bidding system.
- Designed, implemented, tested, and documented a subproject (bid workstation) to manage banks’ bids.
- MDI app, object-oriented VB framework, 3-tier architecture.
- Used UML for technical docs and class design.
- Used S-Designer for database design.
- Team size: 7
Tasks:
- Conception
- Class design
- Table design
- Implementation
- Testing
- Documentation
Software: Client: WinNT 4.0 WS; Server: WinNT Server, Oracle 8.05, Rational Rose 97, Star-Designer 5.1, VB 5.0 Enterprise, Farpoint Spread 3.0
Software developer
Siemens AG
Class modeling and tool creation.
- Needed VB classes for integrating VB code into Siebel’s SAM marketing software.
- Built a tool to read data from a CD and load into Oracle DB.
Tasks:
- Conception
- Implementation
- Testing
- Documentation
Software: Siebel Automation Marketing (SAM), Oracle, MS Access 97, VB 5.0, PL/SQL, Excel VBA
Employed programmer
- Worked as an employed programmer.
- Started in 1992 with Clipper 5.01.
- Participated in many projects.
- Often responsible for requirements specs and documentation.
Summary
- Activities: Analysis, conception, data modeling, software development, implementation, testing, documentation, user training
- Focus/Key skills: graphical interfaces, database structure including optimization, programming, extensive SQL knowledge, requirements specification, project management
- Operating systems: all Windows versions, Novell
- Programming languages: VB.net, VB6, C#, Java (basic), Access VBA, Siebel VB and eScript, Clipper
- Development tools: sevControls, Spread 3.0, TrueDBGrid, SQL-Lite, ComponentOne Enterprise Studio and many more. Version control with GIT for years, previously with SourceSafe
- Databases: MS SQL Server since 2000, MS Access, dBase, Oracle, Firebird, MySQL
- Methods: OOA, OOD, UML, database design (derived from class design)
- Tools: Rational Rose, MS Project, mind mapping tools
- Standard software: MS Office, Textmaker etc.
- Industries: in recent years repeatedly logistics; otherwise mechanical engineering, retail, insurance, banking, fund companies.
Languages
Education
IT management clerk
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