Ali Muhammad Sohani

Ali Mohammad Senior Solutions Architect --linkedin.com/in/alisohani Summary Experienced Solutions Architect and Consultant with 15+ years of experience and a strong track record of architecting and developing innovative solutions for global clients in finance, healthcare, and non-profit sectors. Proficient in cloud-based micro-services, data-driven applications, and cutting-edge technologies. Successfully led the digitization of major organizations, resulting in significant improvements in efficiency, performance, and customer experience. Recognized for spearheading award-winning projects, driving revenue growth, and fostering a culture of innovation. Expertise in software development, system architecture, and data analytics with a passion for solving complex business challenges. Committed to continuous improvement and staying updated on emerging technologies. Open to new opportunities to make a lasting impact. Experience October 2023 – Present Solution Architect (Enterprise) KINAXIS, Ottawa, ON ● Led the development and implementation of a comprehensive Platform Integration Governance Plan for Service Now, resulting in a 20% reduction in integration errors and a 15% improvement in integration deployment efficiency. ● Spearheaded an AI Search initiative within Service Now, piloting a new search engine that improved knowledge base search accuracy by 30%, potentially leading to faster resolution times for customer support tickets. Helped massively in ticket deflection as well as enhancing end-user experience. ● Collaborated with an implementation partner to conduct a thorough health check and assessment of Salesforce, identifying and remediating technical debt. This optimization project is estimated to save the company $70,000 annually in additional maintenance costs. ● Led the in-house development and implementation of an automated Legal NDA intake process. This solution, leveraging a DocuSign integration, streamlines NDA generation and dispatch, reducing processing time by 50% and expediting customer account onboarding. ● Led the Architecture Review Board (ARB), a critical governance body that reviews solution proposals and ensures adherence to architectural best practices. The ARB's guidance has demonstrably improved project success rates by 20% through proactive identification of potential risks. ● Launched and currently manage a five-person Enterprise Architecture Office (EAO) team, responsible for defining and implementing the company's enterprise architecture strategy. The EAO's work has resulted in a more standardized and scalable technology landscape, laying the foundation for future growth. ● Led Gartner maturity assessment on PPM (Projects and Portfolio Management) as well as EA (Enterprise Architecture) to charter next level of processes for company leading PPM function from initial integration (level-3) to effective integration (level-4) and EA function from reactive (level-2) to functioning (level-3). ● Supported company in onboarding and successful implemenation of Treasury Management System, Call Recording and Analytics Software, Competitive Intelligence Platform, and New Applicant Tracking System. Key Achievement. - High agency initiatives I led to establish better solution and enterprise architecture practices from their very inception to pilot to their formalization as a SOP driven process were appreciated throughout the organization. - With ARB and EAO I established the practice of solution provisioning with solid due-diligence and documentation, this significantly reduced the risk (up-to 35%) for all demands and projects that IT took intake of for the business. November 2021 – August 2023 (1.8 years) Principal Solution Architect/ Consultant OPTIMIZIA, Toronto, ON ● I architected a digitization-platform for a client from Switzerland: The.AKDN (one of the largest non-profits in the world that employs 96 thousand people around the world, with 9 independent agencies having a presence in 33 countries). I architected the ECM system from ground-up with AWS cloud deployed microservices as backend and server-side rendered static pages as front-end made with Node.js + NextJS + ReactJS + GraphQL architecture. Impact: Resulted in platform that was quick to author the content with, improving staff efficiency by 70% and webpage maintenance by 66%, while end-user page performance and visitors improved by 50%. ● I architected a responsive-web-platform for a client from USA: AKHS (one of the largest hospital chain in South and Central Asia and Africa). I architected the system from ground-up with Cloud-hosted custom WordPress working as a backend CMS, MySQL serving as a data-store, while static web pages generation over the front-end using NextJS SSR. Impact: Resulted in a responsive web portal that improved staff efficiency by 80% for content creation, reduced webpage maintenance by 75%, while end-user page performance and visitors improved by 50%. ● I built from ground-up the digitization project for an online presence of client from UK: AKL (one of the largest cultural libraries in London, England). I architected the system from ground-up with Cloud-hosted custom WordPress, customizable hand-picked plugins architecture. Impact: Resulted in website with that improved staff efficiency by 80% and reduce webpage maintenance by 50%, while end-user page performance and visitors improved by 133%. ● I architected the digital banking – customer on-boarding system for client from Pakistan: JS Bank (one of the prominent banks in Pakistan, with 342 branches, US$2.8 billion under assets and 5000 employees). I architected the computer vision based solution for them, using micro-services backend and no-SQL based architecture, for remote on boarding of the customer via their digital-banking app. Key Achievement. - Each client I worked with gave repeated work to the company, increasing company annual revenue by 200%. - With coding, software design and architecture practices/ frameworks introduced reusability as well as ease of maintenance of programs increased by two-thirds (66%). July 2019 – November 2021 (2.5 years) Technical Manager - Head of Data Products Bank Alfalah, Pakistan (Among top 7 banks of Pakistan, >850 branches, US$6 Billion under assets, 1.2 million customers, 13000 employees, branches in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain and the UAE). ● ● ● ● Designed and architected digital banking and data-driving solutions for 1.2 Million Customers of Bank. Became a champion for "Digital Everything". Managed the complete lifecycle of data products, from ideation to development, and ongoing assessment of their success and maintenance. Designed, Architected and led development of various modules in Alfa App (Digital Banking App), Alfa-Mall (Bank’s e-commerce App), and Roshan Digital Account (Bank’s digital account for foreign customers). Pioneered and led an innovative division dedicated to developing Data Products for Bank Alfalah, blending Software, Data Science, and Machine Learning expertise. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Developed sate of the art e-KYC digital customer on boarding solution, Cognizance 360 (customer 360 profiling, consumer analytics, and predictive analytics based recommendation and decision-assist system for marketing to ‘segment of one’) for the Bank. Worked on building dashboards, advanced analytics systems and recommendation systems to generate offers for: Deposit Mobilization, High-value customer identification (80/20 customer ranking and CLTV analysis), Products/ Service penetration analysis, credit revolvers, higher spenders, frequent travellers, etc. Introduced, designed and developed the RFM System – So that customers on the basis of Recency, Frequency and Monetary values can be identified into a proper marketing and engagement segment. Architected and led development of a marketing campaign automation system, something that would automatically trigger marketing campaigns of customer engagement (with offers, rewards and recommendations as per their journey level and engagement points). Improved the efficiency of Contextual Marketing campaigns by 60%. Developed state of the art Fraud Analytics System (Deposits and Cards) for the Bank. Pivotaly helped bank to create a “Data Lake Architecture” with external implementation partners. Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, providing expert guidance in developing Data Products, ensuring alignment with architectural principles and best practices. Managed the complete lifecycle of data products, from ideation to development, and ongoing assessment of their success and maintenance. Utilized Solution Architecture expertise to ensure seamless integration between diverse systems, facilitating efficient data flow and streamlining business processes. Addressed security considerations proactively, integrating robust security measures into architectural designs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. Conducted in-depth assessments of emerging technologies and data-related solutions, contributing to the continuous improvement of the bank's data infrastructure and analytics capabilities. Played a pivotal role in driving the bank's digital transformation journey, leveraging data-driven solutions to optimize performance and enhance the overall customer experience. Orchestrated the creation of internal products that harnessed Big Data and Advanced Analytics, strategically enhancing profitability and operational efficiency across all bank units. Championed a culture of innovation, fostering an environment of continuous learning and capability development within the Data Products division. Key Achievement. - Raised Branch to Digitalization penetration ratio of the Bank by 25%. Saving Bank around 33 to 50 Million a year. - Increased Alfa App activation by 30% and improved the retention rate reducing the churn rate by 40%. - With consumer analytics system I developed, Bank went on to cross-sell and upsell its services 40% more. - With Digital Solutions I architected and developed along my team for the Bank, considering it was first bank within region to do that bank went on to consecutively win several of best digital banking awards in the industry. i.e. - - Bank Alfalah won: Best Digital Innovation for Alfa App – 2021. - - Bank Alfalah won: Best Digital Campaign for Roshan Digital Account – 2021. - - Bank Alfalah won: Best Lifestyle Application Award for Alfa App – 2021. - - Highly Acclaimed – Best API Initiative of the Year - Global Transaction Banking Innovation Awards 2021. - - Bank Alfalah won: Best High Impact Campaign Award for its Alfalah Kifayat Account Campaign – 2020. November 2015 – May 2019 (3.5 years) Lead Software Architect/ Consultant Cubix Inc. Pakistan, UAE, USA (Based in USA, Cubix is award-winning pioneer in Digital Apps and Enterprise Solutions with 90% USA based clients like: Estee Lauder, Politico, Swatch Group, and Tulsa Airport). ● I helped the company in preparing responses for Requests for proposals, evaluation of software bids from other vendors. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Led pre-sales of a $1 million project we won from Politico. Revamped and re-architected the ECM (Enterprise Content Management) platform for it. (Politico is a leading U.S. news coverage website, handling an impressive average of 26 million unique visitors per month, with >200 White-House correspondents as staff). Led pre-sales and won half a million dollar worth of projects from Clinique. (Clinique brand worth >$5 Billion USD, with revenue of $1.5 Billion, has over 22,000 customer consultants worldwide.) I architected and developed state of the art consultant engagement system for it. Backend in PHP-MySQL, micro-services based architecture. (Clinique went on to win “Best Ecommerce Experience at the inaugural of Glossy Awards Europe” in 2019). Led pre-sales and won $200k project from Swatch Group’s company Tissot. (Tissot has revenue of $1 Billion, is one of the biggest luxury watches brand in the world.) I architected and designed the game-platform of marketing engagement for them. Increasing their customers’ digital engagement by 200%. Led pre-sales and won half a million dollar project of U.S. Client: Elementspeo (now rebranded as Atlas, one of the major brands in HR Systems, consultancy and services). I designed the components and modules based system architecture for HRIS/ HRMS system from ground-up taking inspiration from major market players of HRIS/ HRMS systems. Led pre-sales and won half a million dollar project of Middle-East Client: OOMCO (800 employees, $26.6 Million revenue making Oil Company in Oman). I designed the micro services based backend, and modules based system architecture for company’s flagship App for new digital customer on-boarding as well as engagement. Developed modules like: Digital Fuel management, Loyalty-Points management, AI based route recommendations, coupons and offers management, pre-paid and post-paid transactions connected with Banks. Impact if the project was the OOMCO’s sales increased by 133%, and attrition-rate of customers declined by 70%. Established Architecture Review Board. Led system design and technical architecture (TOGAF) for various projects. Conducted technical audits, resolved performance issues, and implemented static code analysis for improved quality. Contributed to strategic planning for global clients, most prominently in the U.S., Middle East, and Africa. Recruited, trained, assembled and led technical teams, ensuring on-time, high-quality deliverables. Developed and improved best practices in SDLC - system design, architecture, development, and testing. Incepted, developed and launched new products (new revenue lines for the company) and made significant customer-friendly and trend-inspired improvements in existing products line of the company. I provided consultancy to the clients by analysing their problems, understanding their objectives, and collecting data to recommend appropriate solution. Key Achievement. - Repeated business generated from 80% of clients I worked with. Company grew from size of 25 to 150 with-in 3 years. - Appreciated by 80% of the clients for the thoroughness, robustness, easy customizability and maintenance of the solution I built for them. Education Masters of Science/ Masters of Philosophy in Management Sciences KASB University, Karachi -- Graduated 2013 Forte ● ● ● ● ● Software Development, Application Integration Database Management, Security and Compliance System Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, IT Infrastructure Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Emerging Technologies (Chatbots, Computer-Vision, AI, NLP, RPA) Key Skills ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Technologies: J2EE, .NET, Native Android Development, Web Development, Native iPhone Development/ Swift Programming Languages and Frameworks, Libraries: Object -Oriented Analysis & Design with UML, Java 2 and J2EE Technology, C#, C, Oracle PL/SQL, Android Platform, C++, HTML5, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Typescript. Operating Systems: Linux, Windows Application Servers: IBM Websphere, BEA Weblogic, Oracle Application Server, JBoss, Mule ESB. Source Code Control: SVN, Github, VSS. Development Methodologies: SCRUM, Agile, Waterfall, Test Driven development Gaming Engine: Unity 3D, Cocos2d, Native Android. Database/ Datastores: Oracle, MySQL, MongoDB, BigTable, SQL Server, Postgres, Firebase, NocoDB Architectures/Protocols: Design Patterns, N-tier architecture, Model-Driven Architecture (MDA), Microservices Based Architecture, Data Mesh Architecture, Business Process Modeling Notations (BPMN), SAAS, SOA, REST, EJB, RMI, TCP/IP, Windows managed services (WCF) Domains: Banking/ Finance, Mortgages, Health-care, Education, Apparel/ Retail, E-commerce and Gaming Testing Frameworks: JUnit, HttpUnit, DbUnit, Mocitto, JMeter Cloud: AWS Cloud, Azure Cloud, Google cloud Frameworks: Serverless Frameworks, API Gateway, S3, SNS, SQS, CloudFront, Lambda, Struts, Spring, Hibernate, Java Server Faces, Phone-Gap, Cocos2D, JQuery, ReactJS, OFSAA data foundation, data model and architecture. DevOps: CI/ CD Pipeline, Kubernetes, Jenkins/ Hudson, Ansible, Automated deployments, Ant Scripting Knowledge and Collab Platforms: Salesforce, ServiceNow, Microsoft 365, Sharepoint, SAP SuccessFactors, Atlassian (Jira/Confluence), AHA! Certification compliance: ISO9001, CMMI, ITIL v4 Certifications & Licenses ● ● ● ● Google Cybersecurity Specialization. IBM Data Science Certification. FAITH Java Certified Practitioner. FAITH VB.NET, C# and ASP.net Certified Practitioner. Awards/ Achievements ● ● ● ● Outstanding Achievement Award – Optimizia. Winner – Momentum Hackathon 2018 – Bank Alfalah. Rockstar Award (Best Employee Award for 3 years consecutively) – Cubix Inc. Key Achievement Award (Best Employee) – Systems Ltd.