TSYS Europe Careers > Career Opportunities > Team Member Profiles > Damien - Senior Operations Technician (Data Centre)

Damien - Senior Operations Technician (Data Centre)

I'm part of UK Operations, based at the Knaresborough Data centre. The Operations team is the first line of support for the server and mainframe environments. On the mainframe platform, we are responsible for ensuring all batch schedules are completed in a timely manner and all SLA's are met. We also monitor client connectivity, hardware, all incoming and outgoing transmissions and maintain a viable set of off-site backups in the event of a DR (Disaster Recovery) situation being invoked. On the server platform, we currently monitor over 150 servers which come under the value added services banner. These include client web access for online statements, archiving and chip and pin processing. We are the first people to pick up on problems and then escalate it to the relevant specialist support group.

This team has broad and varied responsibilities and two days are never the same.

Operations work a 24/7 shift pattern which cycles every 28 days, there are 4 shifts that make up operations - each work 14 shifts per 28 days. (Yes, they're 12 hour shifts, so long days). The shift pattern we work is one of the best I have ever worked. We get 2 full weekends off per month. Anyone who's ever done the 4 on 4 off will certainly agree.

Before I joined TSYS, I was working in Nottingham which was a 178 mile round trip. I heard that TSYS Europe was coming to York and I knew that the data centre was also going to be a major part of the company. The idea of getting into a company at grass roots level appealed to me. What worried me was that they were asking for 5 to 10 years' experience, but they gave me a chance. I saw it as an opportunity to set the computer systems up from the beginning. All this and it was on my doorstep! Everything else was a huge bonus. I've been here for 4 years now. The role has changed a lot in that time. When we first started out, certain issues had to be passed to Master Console Operators (MCO) in the states, we have now encompassed the MCO role and are taking on more responsibility all the time.

I have a CV that looks like a general vacancies board at the job centre! I have followed my heart when it comes to work. I have taken jobs which have put me in positions where I am able to progress. My varied employment history started as an agricultural engineer -fixing tractors and going to college on a day release scheme. From there, I went to work at a builder's merchants, then a motorcycle despatch rider, after a bit of a smash I took some time out and finally returned to work by taking a job in a slaughter house which I kept until I completed my training to be a motorcycle instructor. I did that for a few years and loved every minute, but couldn't afford to make it my career. So I then went back to the spanners and worked as a bike mechanic until being offered a job as a door supervisor (bouncer). A friend then introduced me to an Operations Manager at IBM who offered me a job as a media operator or 'tape monkey' as the operators are referred to. I worked in the tape library and progressed to Tape Library Manager. As the media services were being out-sourced, I was offered a position as a junior Operator on a Millenium test system. I worked there for about 9 months and after 3 months was made up to Operator and had the opportunity to learn so much. Hey, how many people get to play with a mainframe in a completely test environment?! After the project had come to an end, I got a call from my old operations manager who had taken a position with a large information company. I worked for a year in Operations before learning about TSYS.

I started as a level 2 batch operator, so I was only responsible for batch flow. If things were not running properly, we would pick up the phone and ring the relevant people. We have now incorporated the MCO functions including IPL's (Initial Programme Load), system maintenance and all applications that run on the mainframe. We have now incorporated the server environment and the media technicians role, so we are responsible for all the tape rotations including the off-site backup and storage of the data. In August 2004, TSYS created a new position of a Level 3 Senior Operations Technician which I applied for, and was successful. The job was similar to that of the Operations Technician, but had an increased number of responsibilities including deputising for the shift leader in their absence and the training of newer members of the team.

Well, I have just been appointed to a newly-created position. My title is Team Leader and I am responsible for one of the Operation teams which is made up of one Senior Op and two Operation technicians. My duties include being responsible for continued high levels of service provided by our team, the personal development of team members through the right steps process and the development of the shift as a whole. I also ensure all issues are dealt with and escalated in the correct manner and adequate documentation is provided for daily calls. This is my first role as team leader and I am looking forward to the new challenges it will present me. I tell you what think in a few months. Operations at TSYS is growing all the time. I started here before TSYS had a live client and it's amazing to see how things have grown. TSYS like to push this big family thing - they like to look after us here. The pension package is very good - we also get medical insurance - Travel insurance and Life insurance. They care about their people - they just have it right.

We also get lots of training opportunities - either technical or personal development. I have matured since working here and I've been rewarded very well for my hard work.
You get to work with some really nice people - it means a lot.
TSYS is a company that I am proud to be part of.

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