OBJECTIVE

I am looking for a career in business and graphics software solutions.

 

Qualifications:

 

The one thing I can say about myself is that I am innovative. This attribute has allowed me to automate features in applications that developers have told me could not be automated.

 

• Automated the opening of binary files searching for specific changes and reporting the difference.
• Scripts written to access the .ini (initialization) files and the Windows Registry. Accessing the Windows API (Application Programing Interface GUI Graphical User Interface)
•  Automation using Shell, Sendkeys and Windows API, to simulate user input for common tasks.
• Implement effective source code control
• Allocate sufficient time for planning, design and integration into test plan
• Plan for code reuse
• load testing application
• T-SQL Debugger to open, inspect, run, and debug a stored procedure from a SQL Server database.I
• Interrogating COM objects with the Object Browser

 

Developed a scripting language in XML to help in the automation of applications. This reduces the need to update and recompile the Visual Basic automation tool. Eg Perfectscript macros need updating conversion of specific codes whenever a new version is released. This scripting languaged integrated with the macro converter he developed means that the XML file only needs updating to add new conversion routines rather than updated and recompiling the application.

 

Developed reusable code using the Adaptor design pattern to write to specific logs specific information.

Developed resusable code to use Façade pattern to simplify the coding of Active Data Objects (ADO) or ODBC to access and manipulate databases.

 

Developed a Wizard template using the State design pattern to quickly and easily create applications requiring a Wizard interface.

 

Developed a synchronization/conversion tool to synchronize folders and convert specific files. This application is designed in such a way it can be easily adapted to integrate any COM application that can convert files. It has been deployed in XY Enterprises XML solution for the US Navy, Public Works Government Service Canada converting documents, Deployed with in Michigan Supreme Court to convert and synchronized 500,000 documents to Microsoft Word. Convert and synchronize scanned images to web enhanced JPG images for websites.

 

Developed a COM Object browser to browse and insert COM code into PerfectScript macros.

 

Expert knowledge of Application Programmer’s Interface (API)

–Windows API

–Application API

 

COM Objects

– Setting the reference

– Testing COM objects in VB Code

– Creating COM objects for testing

 

 

SKILLS

 

Analytical Thinking:

Understands a situation by breaking it apart into smaller pieces and identifying key or under lying issues in complex situations. Organize parts of a problem or situation in a systematic way, compare them and identify casual relationships ("if/then" relationships) in order to solve problems. Exercises good judgment and reaches sound decisions. Tests alternative courses of Action.

Upon the release of WordPerfect 9,   WordPerfect ceased to integrate with PCDOCS.

This jeopardized any client using WordPerfect and PCDOCS who was upgrading to the newer version.

Bruce analyzed and resolved this critical issue by supplying the necessary code to fix this issue.

The fix was posted on the web for immediate download to customers and is even now currently used in WordPerfect 10.

 

Organizational Skills:

Due to his organizational skills, Bruce easily adapts to change. He's constantly being tossed new initiatives yet he manages to prioritize and complete projects effectively.

Library of Congress requested help in designing and developing a macro that would assist them in the conversion of such documents as the US Constitution to XML.

Bruce designed and developed a macro that assisted them in converting the documents to XML.

Without this macro the conversion project would not have succeeded due to the enormous amount of time needed to manually convert this critical documents

 

Communication Skills:

Bruce possesses excellent communication skills, He is comfortable relating these thoughts in both individual and groups settings and easily relates to others.

 

Initiative:

Has developed a series of tools that streamlines the conversion of PerfectScript macros for Professional Services. Several of his creations have been included in product releases.

Original quote for a customer was $45,000 for conversion of macros. Customer determined that it was cheaper to switch to Microsoft Word.

Bruce was handed the task to provide a more cost effective solution.

Through methods and applications developed by him the macros were converted for $800. The customer promptly signed a contract agreement with Corel Premium Services and remained on Corel WordPerfect instead of converting to Word

 

Innovation:

Due to Bruce's innovative approach, Professional Services has an arsenal of tools that we can utilize to reduce development time yet realize competitive revenues.

RCMP requested an application that integrated with the newly acquired Picture Publisher to add information to crime scene photos.

Bruce never before using Picture Publisher designed and developed a system for proof of concept over a weekend and provided the application for review on the following Monday. This resulted in the RCMP agreeing to purchase the application for $150,000 and $2,000,000 in licenses for Picture Publisher.

 

Expertise/Professional Knowledge:

Designed, developed methods and applications to convert legacy 5.2 documents to 10

Analyzed documents

Found critical corruption issue in the styles that would in a short time upon converting documents would cripple this mission critical situation.

This system is responsible for processing and delivering 200,000,000 federal government checks a year.

Original estimation of conversion for Public Works was approximately 400 – 500 days worth of labour.

Methods and application allowed Public Works to convert all documents within 3 days, saving untold expense.

 

Teamwork & Co - operation:

Bruce effortlessly displays team building skills by assisting his team mates on development projects. He possesses both a positive energy and a positive expectation on the success of the team.

Led a team of technician’s on – site to assist in the very first migration of WordPerfect 9 upon its release.  The team trained the network administrator and staff on how to properly install and migrate WordPerfect.

Found serious Font issue that jeopardized the migration. Analyzed issue, found substitute font, resolved issue. Customer could now successfully finish rolling out the new version of WordPerfect

This migration and its success were published in a computer magazine.

 

EXPERIENCE

 

Learning PerfectScript

Corel moved its Premium Support team from Utah to Ottawa and required technical support agents. Bruce was hired and started working there. One of the functions of Premium Services was to offer macro support. Bruce volunteered and began training himself on macros. The team quickly realized that Bruce had a knack for programming.

 

Bruce has become one of the leading authorities in the PerfectScript macro language. He has; trained trainers, programmers, and automation specialists throughout North America in the basics and advanced programming techniques of PerfectScript. He has written articles for Trades magazines on how to program in PerfectScript, has been a guest speaker at events such as the prestigious LawNet event in Palm Springs where the Legal community of Network administrators and programmers gather once a year for a seminar.

 

He has designed and developed macros for Corel customers such as the Library of Congress, The Attorney Generals Office, Michigan Supreme Court, Public Works Group Services Canada, and Indian Northern Affairs.

 

PerfectScript Macro Converter

After migrating several customers macros by hand, to the current version of WordPerfect, Bruce soon recognized a need for a process that would speed up and ensure proper conversion of macros. He analyzed the business process of converting macros for customers, developed a proposal and presented it his manager. The manager agreed that this was an excellent solution that Bruce should precede.

 

Bruce developed a detailed process for macro conversion and created design documentation for it. He then developed the macro converter. Tested it, debugged and recorded all issues it had. After working out the bugs he then began converting customers’ macros.

 

The first time this new process was used was when a customer requested a macro conversion and was quoted $40,000 and it would take upwards of a month to convert the macros manually. The customer could not except this and began preparing to move to a competitive application.  Bruce was asked to use the new process with this customer and determine whether the macros could be converted cheaper. Upon applying the new process the macros were converted for $800 and the work was completed within a few days.

 

The customer promptly signed a year contract with Premium Services and is continuing to use WordPerfect.

 

Learning Visual Basic for Applications(VBA)

Upon the release of Corel WordPerfect Office 2000, Visual Basic for Applications was included for quicker automation development. Corel Premium Services did not have anyone who knew VBA to support customers with issues with it. Bruce bought books for learning VBA, studied them and trained self how to program with it.

 

Corel Premium Services were able to support important clientele on the new feature of VBA within WordPerfect

 

Leveraging VB/VBA Knowledge

Upon learning and implementing my VB/VBA knowledge Bruce recognized a vast potential to create third party applications to assist customers and users in using WordPerfect. Continuing to self study programming by focusing on the MCSD track, he focused on creating complete applications that would integrate into WordPerfect. He built such applications as a Macro Converter and a Document converter

 

ActiveX and COM Components

Bruce soon realized that this knowledge of VB/VBA could be used to automate any application that had a COM interface. He soon began creating applications that would not only integrate WordPerfect but applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Photo Paint and Corel Draw

 

After studying and training himself, Bruce soon became a leading authority in integrating 3rd Party applications with WordPerfect.

 

Win 32 API Programming

An important customer required a solution in WordPerfect of automating the Publish to PDF feature. The engineers confirmed that this feature was broken and could not be fixed due to the depth of the problem.

 

Bruce analyzed the customers requested and researched alternative ways to provide a solution.

 

He found a book on Win 32 API Programming and discovered that Windows can be controlled through Windows API Calls and Messaging.

 

He studied Win 32 API Programming and developed a solution for the customer, then created application that works around the bug in WordPerfect to publish to PDF by capturing the Windows and using Windows messaging to manipulate it to automate the publishing for WordPerfect documents to PDF

 

The client was extremely pleased and was able to complete their project in a timely manner.

 

Bruce went on to develop advanced methods of API calls not only in Visual Basic but also apply it to PerfectScript macros.

 

Learning C++

A customer required that their Content Management Solution be integrated with Corel WordPerfect. Bruce did a Business analysis and a Systems analysis of what it required. After reading the detailed specifications and analyzing the requirements he was able to design a solution that would integrate their application

 

The problem was that it must be created in C++ with the Software Development Kit. Bruce to this initiative to Learn C++ in more depth and develop the solution. He developed the solution on time and successfully delivered it to the customer. They were then able to integrate WordPerfect and resell it to WordPerfect customers.

 

Relational Databases

Projects required integration with databases such as SQL Server, Access and Paradox

 

Not being familiar with Databases, Bruce took it upon himself to train and learn how to integrate databases into projects

 

He learned the basics of Relational Databases and how to properly create them and normalize the data. He learned to use ODBC and MDAC to manipulate the data.

 

Corel supplied a SQL course where he learned to program proper queries

 

He Created a Facade design pattern in Visual Basic that allows for easy integration of Databases through MDAC or ODBC

 

Rapid Development Frameworks

He recognized need in Professional Services for need of a way to quickly create applications and deliver solid solutions. Created several basic application Frameworks using design patterns that were modular and could be simply and easily integrated much like Lego blocks

• Wizard framework allowed for quick development of applications that required a Wizard interface. Used in Document Converter, Template and document creation applications
• Synchronization framework, used in XY Enterprise solution for converting Adobe images to eps using Draw Used in Document Converter project for Synchronizing WordPerfect document conversion to Word in Michigan Supreme Court
• Database integration Framework - Based on the Facade design pattern to allow the easy and simple integration of any database that uses ADO
• Reporter Framework - To quickly integrate reporting functions for applications
• Graphics framework - Allows creation of quick graphics manipulation application.

 

 

Result

Currently today Corel Professional Services is continuing to use these frameworks Bruce designed and developed.

 

 

Letters of Commendation

Rick O’Grady – Document Conversion Project

Public Works Government Services Canada (PWGSC)

Quote: …”I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the support provided by Bruce Bidgood with regards to our document conversion project.

 

Since installation of the conversion application Bruce has been "extremely" generous in terms of his time/support, be it over the phone, or on site in assisting in the successful completion of this project. While it is cliché to say, "above and beyond the call of duty", this is the type of service that was provided by Bruce.

 

On March 29th the scheduled conversion start was in jeopardy due to last minute complications with the PC on which the conversion application was installed. It would have been most embarrassing to have had to cancel the weekend. Thankfully, Bruce was able to correct the situation. As a result we were able to complete the conversion project over the weekend, on time, and successfully.

 

Bruce's dedication and professionalism in seeing the project through to its end is recognized and appreciated. I would wholeheartedly recommend Bruce to anyone seeking his services …”

 

Wendy Lowe - Field Marketing Manager

Corel

Quote "…on behalf of the Bus Apps Product Specialists I would like to thank you for providing us with such high-caliber WordPerfect training last week, It was honestly the most high-quality and informative training session that I have ever attended here at Corel! You are in excellent trainer - we covered a lot over the two days while the pace was very manageable as well. The content of the course should prove to be invaluable when dealing with Corel's customers on the road. Thanks for organizing such a productive training program for us…."

 

 

 

Consultant, Ottawa

Systems and Applications Engineer, 2002 - Present

Currently converting Visual Basic WordPerfect application to also use Microsoft Word.

Contracted by Corel to build a converter for Michigan Supreme Court's 500,000 WordPerfect documents to Word.

Contracted by Corel to build a conversion system for Public Works Service Canada WordPerfect 5.2 documents to WordPerfect 10. These documents are responsible for the processing of 200,000,000 government checks a year. Successfully detected hidden corruption in the documents that would have eventually destroyed them and brought down the system.

 

Corel, Ottawa Ont

Professional Services Business and Graphics Systems Engineer, 2001

A highly skilled expert, committed to providing top- notch solutions, provided assistance through all stages of a project, from application development and support to software systems integration and training.

 

Corel, Ottawa, Ontario

Premium Support Technician, 1998 - 2002

Corel's highest level of technical support, that deal with corporate clients who require Corel's most skilled support personnel. As a Premium Technical Support Specialist helped organizations that employ dedicated support professionals, have centralized technical management, or require special support. As a member of an experienced support team assisted with integration issues, open document management (ODMA), network configuration, WordPerfect deployment, macro conversion and application customization to ensure that software meets the client’s specific needs.

 

Canadian Armed Forces,

Naval Radio Operator (274)

On board ship provided real-time tactical information by voice radio, intership radio teletype and visual signaling. Additionally, operated a variety of sophisticated systems including: computer-based message processing network, radio communication control system, and cryptographic and satellite equipment.

Able to concentrate under stressful conditions and possess good logical reasoning ability with a memory for detail. Adaptability and accuracy are required attributes; above all, however, dependability and discretion were essential due to exposure to classified and personnel information Accepted responsibility and able to work independently, as well as to function both as a leader and as a team member

-         Served in two (2) tours for United Nations Peace keeping mission for Bosnia.

-         Received Top Student Award

Canadian Armed Forces,

Army Radio Operator (211)

Worked in all climates and environments. On field and operational employments, worked outdoors, often in isolated locations, or in single mobile radio detachments, vehicle-mounted shelters or communications vehicles in support of land or air operations.

-         Served as a SSF (Special Service Forces) soldier trained in combat where exposed to all the associated hazards of the battlefield. When employed in permanent communication facilities on bases, operated high power communications equipment in support of air and naval operations. The work was mentally and physically demanding.

-         Received Top Student award

-         Served in OKA crisis

 

EDUCATION

 

In House Training, Corel

VB/VBA/C/C++/JavaScript/XML/SVG/ NOVELL 5/Windows 2000

From 1998 to 2002 continually trained within Corel and developed applications for major corporate customers and in house use.

 

Praxis, Ottawa, Ontario

Creating XML Websites, 2002

Understanding and creating XML Websites

 

Praxis, Ottawa, Ontario

XML, 2000

Fundamentals and programming applications with XML

 

Praxis, SQL

SQL, 2000

Fundamentals and using SQL

 

Corel Graphics Training Camp, Ottawa, Ontario

Corel Graphics, 2002

Learning to use advanced features in Corel DRAW and Photo-Paint

 

Computer Security Institute, Ottawa, Ontario

Certificate, Comprehensive Intrusion Management, 1998

Securing your network from viruses and hackers.

 

System House Learning (SHL), Ottawa, Ontario

Certificate, CNA, MSCE, Internet Specialist, 1997

Certified Novell Administrator, Novell 4.11

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

IIS (Internet Information Server)

Novell Intranetware: Integrating Windows NT

 

Canadian Military, Canada

Navy --Naval Radio Operator, Qualification Level 5

Trained in all areas of naval communications, including radio teletype, computer networking, satellite, tactical voice and visual communications.

Army – Radio Operator, Qualification Level 5

Trained to conduct communications using radio, telephone, switchboard, computer, microwave and satellite. Operate long-range man-pack and vehicle-mounted radio systems.  Process in and out messages using an electronic cryptographic system. Operate automated office suites and various communication systems software on personal computers.