Akram Malek Dannora
Riyadh,Saudi Arabia
Summary
Experienced IT professional with expertise in VMware vSphere, vCenter, ESXi, and Horizon View solutions, complemented by proficiency in HP Blade Servers and Cisco/Juniper networking. Demonstrates strong leadership and mentoring capabilities, coupled with a proven track record in IT solution design and implementation. Adept at managing data security and cybersecurity principles while ensuring seamless integration of software and hardware systems. Fluent in Arabic and English, with exceptional communication skills that enhance team collaboration and client interactions. Committed to delivering innovative technology solutions that drive organisational success.
Highly motivated professional well-versed in designing, implementing and maintaining complex ICT systems. Proficient in various technology platforms and providing high-quality solutions. Solid history of delivering complex projects on time and within budget.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Senior IT Systems Consultant
Saudi Telecom Company (STC)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
11.2018 - Current
- Lead design, implementation, and migration of large-scale EUC VDI environment supporting 9,000 users, ensuring seamless performance, security, and scalability.
- Provide Tier III technical consultancy and strategic advisory to STC, optimizing delivery, expansion, and enhancement of IT services.
- Design, deploy, and manage Smart Meeting Rooms, PODs, and Booking Systems, including smart authentication, content sharing, and VIP office management.
- Architect and implement Q System solutions, Parking Management Systems, and Outlet Solutions across 300+ customer service offices and commercial locations.
- Deploy and manage Security & Surveillance Systems (CCTV) and User Profile Security Management Systems, ensuring robust protection of IT infrastructure and sensitive data.
- Design and operate Centralized Content Management systems (AppSpace) and Digital Media Signage, delivering consistent communication across offices and VIP areas.
- Oversee installation, operation, and management of all IT smart solutions, including servers, infrastructure, automation, and monitoring processes.
- Diagnose, troubleshoot, and optimize virtualization environments (Microsoft, VMware, Linux) to maintain operational continuity.
- Lead, mentor, and manage 8+ technical teams, ensuring alignment with business priorities and promoting knowledge sharing through detailed documentation and system diagrams.
- Support security planning, risk assessment, and risk management across all IT infrastructure solutions.
- Maintain expert-level knowledge through certifications, seminars, and continuous learning to drive innovation and best practices.
- Conduct proactive analysis of key metrics, system health checks, and infrastructure performance, ensuring business continuity and operational excellence.
- Collaborate with vendors and stakeholders to ensure timely resolution of technical issues and smooth implementation of IT solutions.
- Department: Shared Service- Office Automation
- Achieved seamless integration by implementing innovative ICT solutions.
- Managed cross-functional teams for efficient execution of projects.
VDI Consultant, IT Infrastructure Management
Versatile Solutions LLC (Versos) in stc
Al Malaz& stc Head Quarter
09.2017 - 11.2018
- Administrate and operate VMware VDI environment at STC, supporting 7,500+ users and ensuring high performance, availability, and security.
- Lead full migration between VDI environments and EUC VDI platforms, including database, storage, and blade transitions.
- Provide Tier III technical support for VDI infrastructure, covering Horizon View, vCenter, Liquid ware, VXL management server, MS SQL, MS DFS, load balancers, and networking components.
- Operate and maintain enterprise computing environment, including troubleshooting, performance monitoring, optimization, capacity management, and disaster recovery/business continuity planning.
- Expand VDI environment ( ESXi hosts, servers, pools, specifications) to meet evolving user demand and new user categories.
- Provide technical advisory and consultancy to STC for enhancing, expanding, and delivering VDI and IT services efficiently.
- Ensure virtualization systems comply with security standards, implement updates to close vulnerabilities, and support security planning, risk assessment, and risk management.
- Diagnose, troubleshoot, and optimize virtualization environments (Microsoft, VMware, Linux) to ensure operational continuity.
- Interact with hardware and software vendors to resolve issues promptly and maintain service continuity.
- Ensure servers and applications meet performance, security, and capacity standards, including backups, patching, and monitoring.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing via detailed documentation, diagrams, and mentoring of junior infrastructure team members.
- Maintain expert-level knowledge through certifications, seminars, and continuous professional development.
- Conduct proactive analysis of key metrics, system health, and departmental priorities to drive operational excellence.
- Automate and monitor infrastructure and systems for efficiency and reliability.
- Participate in on-call and remote support responsibilities.
- Manage installation, operation, and maintenance of Booking Systems, Meeting Rooms, Wayfinding Solutions, and other IT smart solutions.
- Act as IT Smart Solution Designer and technical advisory consultant, delivering enterprise-level smart infrastructure solutions.
- Department: Virtualization Engineer, IT Infrastructure Management
Senior VDI Engineer, IT Infrastructure Management
Advanced Electronics Company. (AEC)
Oasis of Granada
04.2016 - 01.2017
- Administrate and operate VMware VDI environment at Saudi Telecommunication Company (STC) that covers more than 7500 users.
- Provide tier III technical support for VDI infrastructure (Horizon View, vCenter, Liquid ware, VXL management server, MS SQL, MS DFS, Load Balancers, networking...)
- Operate & maintain enterprise computing environment including troubleshooting, performance monitoring, optimization, capacity management and disaster recovery / business continuity planning.
- Expand VDI environment as needed (ESXi, servers, pools, specs, configurations) as number of users increasing and user categories changing.
- Provide technical advisory to STC - client for best way to deliver, enhance & expand VDI service.
- Ensure virtualization systems are compliant within required security standards
- Diagnoses and troubleshoots problems with virtualization environment including Microsoft, VMware and Linux.
- Supports security planning; assessment; risk analysis; and risk management
- Ensure that correct and updated Security update are installed to close opened vulnerabilities.
- Migrate VDI environment to different DB's, storage, Blades.
- Interact with hardware and software vendors to ensure timely resolution to any issues or outages.
- Ensure servers and applications meet proper performance, security and capacity standards, including backups and patching.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing by creating and maintaining detailed, comprehensive documentation and diagrams.
- Mentor junior members of Infrastructure team as needed.
- Maintain expert level of knowledge in area of expertise by maintaining certifications, attending seminars or through other related activities.
- Department: Virtualization Engineer, IT Infrastructure Management
VDI Administrator MATCO Ltd, STC VDI project with EMC.
Maham Al-Khaleej Co. Ltd. (MATCO)
Olaya Main Road Riyadh
07.2014 - 04.2016
- Administrate and operate VDI environment at Saudi Telecommunication Company (STC), serving 5,000+ users across Call Centers, Customer Service Offices (CSO), and Management, utilizing HP Onboard Admin, HP Virtual Connect, VMware vCenter, VMware View, and related tools.
- Configure, implement, and manage VMware VDI infrastructure (vSphere, vCenter, Composer, ESXi hosts, servers, pools, specs, and configurations), ensuring optimal performance, scalability, and reliability.
- Monitor and maintain VDI environment, proactively resolving performance and operational issues.
- Provide third-level support for virtual desktop issues, including troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and ensuring adherence to service management best practices.
- Configure and deploy Thin Clients, including master image creation, troubleshooting, and rollout preparation for engineers.
- Manage and track incidents using Remedy Ticketing System, ensuring timely resolution and proper escalation.
- Collaborate with STC teams and vendors (VMware, EMC, Lenovo, HP) to enhance, protect, and scale VDI service, including networking, security, and storage solutions.
- Serve as technical consultant to STC management, providing strategy and recommendations for End User Computing (EUC) solutions and long-term IT planning.
- Coordinate with Technical Services and service lines at STC to ensure best practices in infrastructure governance, architecture, engineering, production support, high availability, protection, and service management are implemented and maintained.
- Mentor and develop operational support staff, defining controls and ensuring compliance with required standards to improve service delivery quality.
- Department: Virtualization Engineer
Network and Voice Engineer
Data Consult –KSA (RIYADH)
Olaya Main Road Riyadh
01.2012 - 07.2014
- Configure, implement, and manage routers and switches (Cisco, Hawaii, and Juniper) to ensure secure and reliable network connectivity.
- Manage and deploy IT solutions, including system integration, troubleshooting, and multi-platform administration.
- Perform problem solving and software/hardware troubleshooting across multiple IT and network systems.
- Lead IPTV and VOIP projects, including preparation, implementation, supervision, and testing using Cisco Connect 2012 & 2013.
- Administer and manage Cisco Unified Communications Manager for enterprise VoIP solutions.
- Design, implement, and optimize routing and switching architectures for performance and scalability.
- Implement, test, and validate new hardware/software technology trends, systems, and solutions for continuous innovation.
- Maintain comprehensive documentation and reports for IT and network projects, ensuring knowledge sharing and compliance.
- Department: MRS (Management Router Service)
IT Solutions Engineer and Owner
Bird Computer Center in Syria
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
02.2007 - 02.2009
- Provide end-to-end IT solution services, from design to implementation, tailored to customer requirements.
- Meet with customers to analyze needs, design solutions, and plan implementation strategies.
- Design and implement network solutions to ensure secure, scalable, and reliable connectivity.
- Perform computer maintenance, including hardware repairs, software troubleshooting, and system optimization.
- Consulted with users and management to formulate guiding principles.
- Facilitated system expansion, modification and updates.
- Wrote functional specifications for systems developers and completed regular updates to incorporate changes.
Education
Bachelor’s degree - Computer Engineering
Arab Academy For Science And Technology
Syria07.2009
High School Diploma - Secondary
Mohammed Shokry Hakeem
LattakiaSkills
- VMware vSphere, vCenter, ESXi, HA, DRS, FT, Data Protection, vNetworking
- VMware Horizon View 5x & 6x, Liquidware, RDSH, VDI Solutions
- HP Blade Servers, HP Onboard Admin, HP Virtual Connect
- Cisco, Juniper Routing & Switching, VOIP, Unified Communications
- Windows & Linux (Red Hat) Administration
- Backup & Recovery Solutions (EMC Avamar, Symantec)
- IT Solution Design, Implementation & Presentation
- Smart Solutions: Booking Systems, Wayfinding, QSystem, AppSpace, Smart Rooms & PODs
- Team leadership, resource management, and mentoring
- Problem-solving, troubleshooting, and software/hardware integration
- Creative, self-motivated, reliable, results-oriented, and independent
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, fluent in Arabic & English
- Data security implementation
- Cybersecurity principles
Certification
- VCP6.5-DCV – VMware Certified Professional 6.5 – Data Center Virtualization
- VCP5-DCV – VMware Certified Professional 5 – Data Center Virtualization
- CCNA Routing and Switching (640-802)
- CCNA Voice (640-461 ICOMM)
- UCCED – Unified Contact Center Enterprise Design Spec (642-241)
Languages
Arabic: Fluent, written and spoken
English: Fluent, written and spoken
Activities & Interests
Artificial Intelligence, Technology Innovations, Sports (Football, Basketball, Tennis), Music, Traveling, Continuous learning and personality development through reading and observation
Trainings
- VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V6], 2016
- VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V5], 2014
- Horizon (with View): Install, Configure, Manage [V6.2], 2016
- EMC Federation Enterprise Hybrid Cloud Configuration and Integration, 2016
- EMC Federation Enterprise Hybrid Cloud Management, 2016
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior IT Systems Consultant
Saudi Telecom Company (STC)
11.2018 - Current
VDI Consultant, IT Infrastructure Management
Versatile Solutions LLC (Versos) in stc
09.2017 - 11.2018
Senior VDI Engineer, IT Infrastructure Management
Advanced Electronics Company. (AEC)
04.2016 - 01.2017
VDI Administrator MATCO Ltd, STC VDI project with EMC.
Maham Al-Khaleej Co. Ltd. (MATCO)
07.2014 - 04.2016
Network and Voice Engineer
Data Consult –KSA (RIYADH)
01.2012 - 07.2014
IT Solutions Engineer and Owner
Bird Computer Center in Syria
02.2007 - 02.2009
Bachelor’s degree - Computer Engineering
Arab Academy For Science And Technology
High School Diploma - Secondary
Mohammed Shokry Hakeem