Rudi joined the RDB Consulting team in September 2009 and as a Senior Database Consultant, his job is to focus on project implementations. Rudi works closely with our Database Consultants on completing installations and configuration new systems (predominantly clustered database solutions, system and data migrations, development and enhancements of PL/SQL programs). On any given day, you can find Rudi providing Oracle Database support such as doing daily database health checks and handling any ad hoc problems for our clients.

Rudi has been working on Oracle platforms throughout his career. He started off as a PL/SQL developer at Enerweb, a subsidiary company of Eskom Enterprises. During his time at Enerweb he mainly worked on the development of backend Demand Side Management (DMP) systems and this role later merged into a developer/DBA role.

After working as a developer/DBA at Enerweb, Rudi joined Saab Grintek Technologies’ Carrier Division and worked on the initial implementation and support team for Mobile Number Portability in South Africa. Thereafter he worked at Utiliworx on a data warehousing project for Eskom, followed by again working on the Number Portability project before joining RDB Consulting.

When Rudi isn’t leading our teams to implement new solutions and provide ongoing Database support to clients, you can find him working on small DIY projects in and around his house. He enjoys spending time with his family and planning his next off-road radio controlled nitro buggy race.

Most database consulting companies like to think of themselves as “innovative” and “forward-thinking”, but being cutting-edge in the ICT industry means that you continuously need to push yourself. Not only do you need to adapt easily and welcome new technology and changes with open arms, but you also need to give your staff the tools, training and freedom they need to take their own skills to the next level.

Every year, our budget allows for some of our consultants to travel and meet other thought leaders in the industry. They usually return with heaps of information, new ideas and a list of new things that RDB Consulting should try out.

This year, four of our database consultants will be attending renowned international conferences in our field – two will be attending Oracle OpenWorld San Francisco 2012 and two other consultants will be attending the SQL Bits X; SQL Server 2012 Technical Launch Conference.

Here’s a quick overview of the conferences:

Oracle OpenWorld San Francisco 2012

This will be taking place on September 30 – October 4, 2012. Last year over 45,000 people attended this conference and there were more sponsors and exhibitors than ever before. Oracle and partner executives focus their keynotes on the latest technologies in the industry and subject matter experts from across the globe share their insights in thousands of technical sessions, demos, hands-on labs, and exhibitions. This conference often changes the way database consultants do their jobs and some of them learn more in one week at the conference than they would learn in an entire year on the job! See some of the highlights of last year’s Oracle OpenWorld Conference

SQL Bits X; SQL Server 2012 Technical Launch Conference

This conference is taking place on 29th – 31st March. SQL Bits is the biggest SQL Server event in Europe and they always have some of the best SQL Server content in the world. Many of the presentations will be based on actual product deployments of SQL Server 2012.

Microsoft has increased the capacity of this event to allow for 900 attendees on each day, 14 training day seminars and 70 breakout sessions. Some of the sessions already have a waiting list. See the SQL Bits program line-up

Contact RDB Consulting for database management and maintenance – Jennifer Mbesa, jennifer@rdbconsulting.com or +27 (0)11 807 7663

RDB Consulting hit the ground running in 2012. We’re already one month into the New Year and I’m excited about all the challenges and opportunities that 2012 is bringing to the table.

The good news is that even though we’re operating in a declining economy, RDB as an organisation is growing at a steady pace.  Since the beginning of the year, we have received more contracts from existing clients and we have also welcomed a few new clients who we look forward to working with.

Some of our existing clients are also adding more of our services to their portfolios. We’ve made some exciting new partnerships and we are offering more services as a natural expansion to our database optimization and maintenance offering. While we never simply prescribe unnecessary services to our clients, we are always looking for ways to ensure we deliver on our SLA’s and give clients options – and most importantly value - for their money.

Some of the new clients who have recently signed up are from the medical industry, construction industry, the retail furniture industry as well as FMCG sector. RDB has already started the consultation process and we’re extremely happy to be a part of some of these leading brands’ strategic plans for 2012.

RDB Consultants on the move

We are also focusing on growing our database consultant base this year. All of our consultants are highly skilled, talented and enthusiastic about the work we do here. Besides being either Oracle E-Business Suite certified and Oracle Certified Professionals (OCP) or certified as Microsoft SQL Server DBA’s, they’re also strategic thinkers with can-do attitudes, which really give us an edge over our competitors.

RDB is growing and we are looking for great people to join our dynamic team, so if you think you fit the bill – we want to hear from you. Contact us to set up an appointment.

Contact RDB Consulting for database management and maintenance – Jennifer Mbesa, jennifer@rdbconsulting.com or +27 (0)11 807 7663

Trevor is an Oracle Certified Professional (10G and 11G) and he is the Principal Database Consultant at RDB Consulting. While he is often called in to help our other consultants on various projects, his main priority is delivering an outstanding service to one of our biggest clients – Vodacom. Trevor’s involvement is key in some of Vodacom’s products such as Vodafone Live, Mobile Banking and Vodacom’s Content Management System. He also provides SME input to new developments and planned projects at Vodacom.

Trevor joined RDB in 2008 and he has been an Oracle DBA for 17 years. Trevor started his career as an Oracle DBA in 1995 working at Denel Informatics (now SITA). In 1997, Trevor left SITA and was contracted to various clients, including Telkom, through Q-Data (now BCS). In 1999, Trevor began working for Telkom where he supported Oracle databases on the main Billing and Detailed Billing System.

As one of our senior staff members, he is also tasked with mentoring Junior DBA consultants as well as the in-house IT support staff of our clients. Usually Trevor will train our clients’ employees on-site to help with skills transfer and to ensure that our clients also benefit from the specialised training RDB provides.

As the Principal Database Consultant, one of Trevor’s main responsibilities is to liaise and engage with clients to ensure we continue to deliver an excellent service. This involves maintaining a 100% uptime of our clients’ Oracle databases, ensuring that the systems perform according to their Service Level Agreements and that back-up policies are in-line with the clients’ strategies.

Trevor finds the IT industry both tough and rewarding. While he jokingly says that DBA stands for “Do-Business-After hours”, he finds providing services that generate income for clients extremely rewarding.

When he’s not fixing and maintaining Databases or training junior staff, you can find Trevor reading, going to the movies, listening to hard rock music, socialising and spending time with his children.