Work experience

July 99 - June 01            TouchTunes Digital Jukebox Inc., Nuns Island, Qc.

Test Team Leader

TouchTunes Inc. is the world leader in digital downloading jukeboxes.  Together with Bose, they have developed the M-104 Genesis jukebox,
(a Pentium PC, modified and packed inside a top-quality Bose jukebox).
Duties included:

 Implement and train a new department of 4 testers, including myself.

• Study TouchTunes software and overview the creation of testplans for the three major components:  Jukebox, Server and Database applications.

• Maintain bug database.

• Assist programmers and managers in establishing better unit testing, release methods and other internal procedures.

• Review test results and prepare release reports.

• Assist Technical Support and programmers to diagnose and solve customer problems.

• Primary server tester and backup for all other testers.
   

August 98 - June 99       KaratCAD Inc.                               Montreal, Qc.

Software Tester/Technical Writer/Technical Support

KaratCAD Inc. develops software for the apparel industry, for companies such as The GAP, Levi-Strauss and Sears.  Their three major products include Designer (a drawing package based on AutoCAD), Forms (basically, measurement specifications pulled down from a Microsoft SQL Server), and Organizer, which integrates the first two packages.  Duties included:

• Upgrade and create from scratch, documents for all of the above, using Word 97, and Robohelp (a tool to create on-line help).

• Implemented a test routine specifically for the GAP Forms project. Confidence grew with the positive results, and so Sears Forms and Organizer were added to the list.

• Trained a junior tester, and co-trained another, to handle the new workload in the testing department.

• Provided backup technical support when our senior technician was out at client sites.

June 97 - June 98           MicroTempus Inc.                          Montreal, Qc.

Software Tester

Using an IBM Mainframe as it’s base, MicroTempus specializes in designing cross-platform (Unix, Win 3.11, Win 95, and OS/2) file transfer software.  Duties included

• Testing of Java-based version of our main Enterprise File Manager package.  Project was eventually shelved due to foreseen web browser issues.

• Testing of other PC based packages designed by MicroTempus, namely, our Workstation program (a logon tool), and our batch driven file transfer commands.

Oct 93 - June 97            Mantech/Solutions-4U            Prince George, BC

Sales/Hardware Technician/Technical Support/Tutor

Worked for a small computer-consulting firm that specialized in the forestry industry.  After building a loyal customer base with their programming and training, they decided to expand by opening a retail and training center for the general public. Duties included:

• Custom computer sales and installations.

• Providing phone support for all of our clients, on Internet related questions, and all other Microsoft related products.

• Hardware/software requirements research for our clients.  Example: Putting together a competitive quote on computer components best suited for high-end software packages, like GIS Mapping.

• Providing return and repair services for our client’s machines.

• Replacement teacher for courses on Excel, Word and Windows Basics.

Feb 1990 - June 93        MicroTempus Inc.                          Montreal, Qc.

Software Tester/Technical Writer

As mentioned above, MicroTempus specializes in designing cross-platform (Unix, Win 3.11, Win 95, and OS/2) file transfer software.  Duties included:

• Basic testing duties are as detailed above (June 97-98), in addition to my first year being dedicated to upgrading manuals for their product line.

Spring 87 - Feb 1990      National Business Systems Inc.     Montreal, Qc.

Programmer/Technical Writer

NBS designs and manufactures electronic credit card terminals, as well as imprinters, printers, and other things related to the credit card business.

• Demo project (written in C++) for the LAPD, to allow policemen to use a license card (with a magnetic strip of course), and print up any outstanding tickets with our small credit card terminal and printer.

• Using Ventura Publisher, produced user manuals for all of our credit card terminals.

• Produced and edited a monthly technical newsletter.

• Production Librarian/Version Control for production EPROMS.

Part Time Jobs

Fall 86 - Spring 87          Teacher, YMCA, Downtown Montreal, Qc.
Summer 84 & 85            Programmer, C.H.A.R.M.E.S., Magog, Qc.

Education

1981 – 1984                  Champlain College, Lennoxville    Lennoxville, Qc.

DEC in Data Processing, CRIM Certificate in UNIX Administration

• CEGEP Dean's List award, two semesters.

Interests and activities

Teaching and performing music:  http://www.geocities.com/frank_verpaelst

Volunteer experience

Lacrosse and Table Tennis coach, as well as referee at the North American Olympic Table Tennis trials in Ottawa, 1988.

Languages

English, French