Tanvir Azad

During my initial three months, I successfully assembled a cross-functional team comprising 13 members spanning the United States, India, and Costa Rica. The team encompassed roles such as Application and System Architects, Project Manager, Product Manager, Data Engineers, Data Scientists, Application Developers, System Engineers, Network and Security Engineers.

Launched WGACA's first Data Program; which is a strategic multi-year program to fuel WGACA's growth via trusted data.

The 3 main components of the program are:

• Enterprise Data Architecture: focus on Data Engineering and Analytics
• Data Value Management: focus on Data Governance and Data Quality
• Data Privacy: focus on sensitive data management and Privacy Regulation Compliance, such as GDPR, CPRA, PCI-DSS, etc.

The outcomes realized include:

• Better Business Decisions based on Trusted Data
• Business Growth through Big Data Analytics
• Timely Access to Accurate Data will Optimize Reporting & Analytics
• Improved Customer & Employee Experience
• Minimization of Data Risk & Compliance with Data Privacy Requirements

Upon joining, I encountered a lack of documentation for the existing systems and integrations, through reverse engineering, I analyzed the current stack and formulated a comprehensive plan to stabilize the environment. This encompassed various critical components, including building a custom iPASS to integrate, Salesforce Sales Cloud, Salesforce Service Cloud, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Rootstock ERP, QuickBooks financial systems, and in-house custom applications, all seamlessly integrated for optimal functionality.

We designed and deployed robust networking infrastructure to alleviate significant security challenges and enhance communications (voice and data) by:

• Implementing redundant Palo Alto firewalls system
• Migrated from Home Office Technology to Enterprise Class Cisco Switching and Routing infrastructure (Layer 2 and 3)
• Deployed Company-wide Enterprise class Meraki access points to improve Wireless Network Coverage across four locations and two States
• Orchestrated the establishment of a ground-up, modernized voice communication integrated with Amazon cloud connect (multi-channel contact center) and Salesforce CRM
• Pioneered the development of integrations for the Amazon Luxury store, seamlessly connecting Amazon FBA and MFN. Achieved a remarkable milestone with 750K orders processed in the inaugural week.
• Implemented an intranet on SharePoint to streamline collaboration, enhance communication, and centralize document management across our organization. We chose SharePoint due to its robust features like document sharing, version control, and integration with other Microsoft tools, aligning with our goal to improve team efficiency and knowledge sharing of products.

Upgraded Rootstock ERP to the latest version without disrupting ongoing business operations by implementing a strategic approach involving:

• Thorough Evaluation and Planning
• Testing in a Controlled Environment
• Collaboration with Stakeholders
• Data Migration Strategy
• Incremental Rollout and Parallel Operations

Implemented WAGCA's inaugural AI-powered merchandising system, automating product recommendations and driving a 12% increase in revenue within the first year.

Strategized, integrated, and successfully launched live streaming capabilities by seamlessly connecting the TikTok store and Bambuser within our e-commerce platform, resulting in includes revenue to for D to C by 10% the first year

Deployed immutable back up using Veeam and AWS Cloud Services to protect data from Ransomware attacks and improving RTO and RPO.

Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to define and execute the technology roadmap, driving continuous improvement and digital innovation.

Negotiated with various vendors to fund innovative projects such as:

• $25k – Amzonson Lux store
• $160k - Google Cloud Funding for AI Product Recognition
• $100k – Data Sentinel funding for Data Science Initiatives
• $ 50k – Comcast funding for WGACA Soho Flagship Store ISP

• Year 1- Investment in technology such as SEO, CDN, AB testing, mobile optimizing and other technology that generated better ecommerce presence and sales goal completion resulting in Peak season sales increases of 31% and Off-peak ticket sales increases of 17%, Deployment of remote workforce plans for 500 plus users enabling remote work during Covid shutdown with zero percent downtime for network latency and availability of hardware by researching and planning proper redundancy, disaster recovery planning, inventory, and SaaS application in advance
• Office365 for collaboration and conferencing, Riverbed for WAN and SaaS acceleration, and Cisco VOIP for call routing
• Collaboration with executive team to create a new digital marketing platform, in-house development team and expansion of the technology staff, which enables the organization to be more efficient and technology driven
• Successful implementation of new systems: Hotspot for Marketing automation and CRM, Sage Intacct for ERP and Finance, and Managed the rollout and integration of single gateway, to deploy EMV devices across all brands reducing the risk of PCI compliance, fraud risk, and lowering transaction-processing fees by 25%
• Enabled Finance, Sales and Marketing teams to better understand revenue streams and reconciliation
• Facilitated better visibility into internal audits and passing required external audit in 2016
• Oversight and management of all technological aspects in the acquisition of New York Water Taxi in late 2017, transitioning and integrating various systems, personnel, processes, and technology into New York Cruise Line
• Deployed solar panel kiosks for ticket sales, Customer Wi-Fi on marine vessels, Addition of digital signage, and Expansion of new business and profitability
• Designed and architected the migration of on-premises infrastructure to AWS and Azure enabling the technology team to work more efficiently while reducing downtime and building enhanced disaster recovery plans
• In the process of overhauling all 7 websites and shopping carts, utilizing technology such as React, Contentful for content management, enabling APIs driven integrations with various third-party resellers such as Google, Expedia, Viator and CityPass
• Using best of breed technology within the network security space successfully passing PCI, PII, NIST compliance and various audits from 2017 to 2020
• The Technology team gained 99.9% visibility, into all incoming and outgoing traffic within four branches and various data centers
• Reduced monitoring costs by deploying AI driven network security tools such as Darktrace, MDM such as Jamf and Manageengine
• Partnering with economist and data scientists designing and deploying dynamic pricing solutions, increasing both brick and mortar and E-commerce ticket sales in 2019
• The process enables the organization to become data driven and adopting business intelligence tools build better forecasting ability
• Solved an industry problem by utilizing Cellura network on river enabling the Hosting summer Olympics 2018-2019 viewing on a marine vessel Collaborated with Homeland Security and other government agencies to solve security issues since NYCL headquarters is in an integral location
• Developed a contact tracing system for clients such a CitiBank and NYU to be utilized in their private ferry services
• As a result, the IT department became a significant revenue generator
• Overseeing the technology staff for NYCL and its sister brands, that consists of data base administrators, front end developers, network and security administrators, project managers, business analyst
• Collaboration with several technology vendors nationally and internationally across multiple time zones
• First year save the company 80K by reducing co-location
• Second year replaced outdated systems and save the company 211K

• Reported directly to the CEO, lead the technology initiative, and recommended new technologies and vendors to senior management
• Managed cross integrations between new and legacy systems while having oversight of the organizational IT infrastructure
• Assessed IT security needs and implemented recommended policies over IT security controls
• Managed in-store technology such as Majic mirror, POS system, traffic system, inventory (RFID), surveillance and networks
• Partnered with Ecommerce Manager (Magneto), Retail Director (TeamWork) and merchandising system (RLM), and suggested solutions for site performance and approved integrations
• In charge of companywide disaster recovery solutions
• Worked with different business units to set budgets
• Worked with legal to create RFPs and finance to measure ROI
• In addition, managed vendors; approved SLA agreements, SOWs, and MSAs.

• Oversight and managed Information & Retail Systems at all locations nationwide including infrastructure, networking, servers, POS & ERP systems
• Strategically planned new store openings including evaluation of security protocols, coordinating with vendors for ordered services, hardware and software deployment, operational procedures and training
• Developed and managed IT's operational budget of approximately $3.5M and monitored spend to ensure that the financial targets were met
• Reduced service costs by approximately 30% during the first year by negotiating new agreements, canceling unnecessary and duplicative services
• Gathered business and user requirements and directed the implementation of various systems (POS, ERP, PLM)
• Researched and deployed SaaS based Omni channel platform to 90 plus store locations and integrated with retail and e-commerce platform
• Devised cloud computing strategy and migration plan for in-house e-commerce to Amazon web services (AWS)
• Implemented Oracle Business Intelligence (OBIEE) to minimize and streamline organizational reporting
• Coordinated bi-annual physical inventory with accounting, warehouse and store operations
• Managed, mentored and responsibility over the development of the IT staff consisting of a team of 10 (database admins, systems analysts, application developers, project managers, network & server admin, helpdesk manager).

• Managed retail systems for multiple retail locations worldwide
• Built global multi-agency service desk and implemented ITIL best practices for incident, problem, knowledge and change process
• Facilitated store openings inclusive of establishing the IT infrastructure and deploying hardware & software, installation and testing
• Led initiative to integrate Mac OS into Windows Active Directory and manage Mac workstations centrally
• Managed daily polling, surveillance/security systems, traffic reporting, and resolve issues as necessary
• Maintained all corporate servers, updated hardware, systems and applications software, and patches as necessary
• Implemented backup systems and disaster recovery
• Brought company in compliance with PCI security standards
• Replaced outdated analog telephone system to VoIP, video conferencing for stores and corporate office
• Integrated e-commerce platform to in-house retail system
• Negotiated and reviewed all IT related vendor/service contracts & invoices and then approved payments checking for discrepancies and cost savings
• Tested, configured, and deployed new firewall in addition to new network security policies
• Assisted IT corporate headquarters located in Sweden with both day to day level and strategic level needs
• Analyzed existing inventory programs and resolved duplication issues.

• Performed impact assessment and troubleshoot according to established procedures as well as documented problems, troubleshooting steps, and resolutions for 1000 plus retail locations and corporate users
• Managed backups and disaster recovery (IBM BRMS)
• Imported, updated and modified daily sales, payroll file and restore database using SQL
• Suggested technical solutions to e-commerce, inventory control, merchandising and sales audit
• Collaborate with vendors and internal IT resources with product design and upgrades
• Researched and prepared various analytical reports for executives based on criteria provided by management.

• Directly responsible for managing Active directory and IT inventory
• Provided technical support to satellite offices remotely
• Trained end user install, configure and customize Bloomberg Terminal (ILX trading terminal)
• Assist with SEC audit & IT manager with projects as needed.

• Researched and purchased computer hardware and software
• Implemented client and inventory databases
• Trained end users of proper operations of tax software and various applications.