My Background

Note: I have simply lived too long and done too much to list everything. Here  is a synopsis of my  "professional" activities.

A picture will not be provided -- it could deter sales.

I started with one paragraph, but expanded it to answer frequent queries. This should be more than enough!   

EDUCATION

University of Michigan          Ph.D (Information Systems), Thesis: Computing networks &  databases

University of Michigan          M.S. (Computer & Information Engineering) 

Management Training: Bellcore Executive Training Program

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

·         15+ years of experience in managing R&D projects, Technical leadership and visionary applied research,  IT management, Aligning IT to business, Securing R&D funding, Technology transfer,  Management of  research groups (10 to 15 researchers) and operational staff (30 to 40). 

·         5+ years of university teaching (full time and adjunct) in graduate engineering and business schools: Currently teaching graduate level engineering courses (Wireless Communications and Web Technologies, Architectures and Protocols (SOA)) and MBA courses (IT in Business, Enterprise Architectures and Integration, Information Security).    

·         Extensive consulting assignments with Telcos, manufacturing, educational and consulting organizations in England, Singapore, China, Argentina, Italy, South Africa and Canada.  

·         Main Areas of Expertise: Mobile computing and wireless communications, Next generation enterprises, Next generation networks, Enterprise architectures and integration, Information security, Distributed systems, Systems and network management, telecom systems, IT planning and middleware services (Web Services, CORBA, MOM).

·         Entrepreneurship: Formed two startups, sold one in 1980s, the other is running right now.

·         Authored 7 books and over 50 research papers, on editorial boards of 3 journals 

·         Extensive experience of presentations in international conferences and leading/teaching industrial seminars for professional audiences.

·         Numerous awards for excellent team work in industry and excellence in teaching in academia

PROFESSIONAL  EXPERIENCE  HIGHLIGHTS

 

·         President of a research and software development firm (10 staff members) specializing in “Computer Aided Consulting”. wireless systems, location-based mobile applications, and  integration portals. (Since 2003)

·         Adjunct Professor of Telecommunication Engineering, University of Pennsylvania (since Fall 2000). Teaching graduate level courses on Wireless Networks, Web Technologies, and Distributed Architectures

·         Director of eBusiness and Distributed Systems Research  (1995 to 2003) and Senior Research Scientist (1989-1995) at Bellcore (Part of Bell Labs – Currently Known as Telcordia Technologies)  Responsible for supervision of R&D and consulting activities of 15 Research Scientists and consultants to work with RBOCs and Telcos around the globe on various technology consultation assignments involving mobile systems, web technologies, security, integration, and e-business. Managed $5million annual research program funded  by DARPA, Telecom industry research grants, and Bellcore internally funded research projects.

·         University of Michigan (1985 to 1989): As an Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems (Dearborn Campus) and Adjunct Professor (Ann Arbor Campus)  taught/developed courses in computing networks, database systems, expert systems, computing architecture, software engineering, systems analysis and design. 

·         Director of Network Services  (from 1980 to 1985) Regional Technology & Computing Network -Wayne, Michigan. Responsible for the overall administration of the computing center consisting of about 40 professionals, and a network of 1000 terminals, two large scale IBM mainframes, and over 35 mini­computers located in different parts of the State of Michigan.  

·         Visting and Adjunct Faculty Appointments at Fordham Graduate School of Business, Rutgers University and Stevens Institute of Technology (Since 1990): Developed and taught graduate level courses in enterprise integration, information security, e-business/e-commerce, networks and distributed systems, web technologies, Decision support and business intelligence, IS analysis and design.     

 

DISTINCTIONS AND AWARDS

·         Selected as National Lecturer on Networks and Databases, Society of Manufac­turing Engineers (1986-1989).     

·         Distinguished Faculty Award for excellence in teaching and service, University of Michigan (1989)

·         Received seven outstanding contribution awards at Bellcore  and rated as outstanding performer at Bellcore every year throughout my stay there for 13 years

·         Outstanding Adjunct Professor (Fordham university, Graduate School of Business)  -- 2000-2002

·         Recognition letters (2)  for outstanding adjunct  teaching  (Stevens Institute of Technology)  and commendations for excellent adjunct teachings at Rutgers University

·         Bellcore representative to the ANSA Consortium (Cambridge, England), World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and Object Management Group (OMG).

·         Invited to be on Editorial Board,   Journal of Business Data Communications, Idea Group  

·         Invited to be on Editorial Board , Ecommerce  Journal 

·         Invited to be on Technical Editorial Board, Prentice Hall Series in Distributed Computing and Cli­ent/Server Systems

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF AREAS OF INTEREST AND EXPERIENCE

 

Area of  Interest

Industrial Experience

Teaching  Experience

Publications

Distributed Systems and eBusiness

- Senior Research Management and Scientist position at Bellcore for 10+ years concentrating on Telecom sector.

- Numerous consulting assignments with  manufacturing companies around the globe  

- Developed and taught graduate level courses at Univ of Michigan, Univ of Pennsylvania, Rutgers  University, and Fordham GBA

- Developed and taught more than 20 executive training and professional development courses through AMA[1], SME[2], Frost and Sullivan  

Wrote 4 books on distributed systems, eBusiness, and client/server systems (3 published by Prentice Hall)

 

- Published 3 refereed conference papers on this topic, submitted 1 journal level paper on this topic 

Mobile Computing and Wireless Communications

- Managed US Army funded research projects

- Working with 2 startup companies on wireless

-Developed and taught graduate level course at university of Pennsylvania

-Developed and taught several industrial courses  for Bellcore and AMA

- Wrote a book on Mobile Computing and Wireless Communications

- Published 5 conference level papers

Telecommunications Networks

Worked on more than a dozen projects as a Senior Scientist at Bellcore

-Developed and taught universal courses at University of Michigan and Fordham GBA

- Developed and taught more than 6 executive training and professional development courses through SME, AMA, Frost and Sullivan  

Wrote one booklet on networks

 

 - Published 5 refereed conference papers on networks and  network management

Information Security

Managed a large scale DARPA funded research project for 3 years on intrusion tolerant systems

- Developed and teaching a course on Information Security at Fordham

- Developed and taught a security course in the telecom industry

-Wrote one book on Information Security and Auditing

- Published 5 refereed conference papers, submitted one journal level paper

Enterprise Architectures and Integration

- Managed RBOC funded projects on telecom integration projects

- Consulting assignments with manufacturing companies around the globe on CIM[3]

- Developed and am teaching a course at Fordham GBA on integration 

- Developed and taught about 4 executive training and professional development courses on CIM through SME

- Wrote two books on architectures, integration, and application reengineering

- Published 3 refereed conference papers on this topic, submitted 1 journal level paper on this topic 

IT Management, Entrepreneurship, and Data Management

- Managed a State of Michigan Network of Computing Centers (5+ years)

- Formed a successful startup company

-Developed and taught university level courses at University of Michigan,  Rutgers, and Fordham

- Developed and taught 3 professional development courses through SME

-Wrote a module on IT management

 

-Submitted a journal level paper on IT planning

 

 

SAMPLE CONSULTING ASSIGNMENTS

·         Selfhelp (a nonprofit healthcare organization in New York City)

·         Many small to medium businesses (helping build IT plans) and startups in wireless communications (helping with mobile apps and wireless security issues)  (2003 to now)

·         Over 12 large scale telcos, specifically most US Regional Bell Operating Companies (e.g., US West, Pac Bell, Bell Atlantic, Bell South) on emerging IT infrastructure and the possible impact of Internet on Telcos (1993 to 2003)

·         Toyota Corporation on futuristic applications of eBusiness (2000 to 2002)

·         Argentina Telecom, South African Telecom and Canadian Telecom Consortium (Stentor) on emerging middleware services (e.g., especially CORBA)

·         Italian Ministry of Finance  on Data Quality and Data Warehousing Issues

·         Ford Motor Co (1988-89) on Databases and Networks for CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing), the role of AI/expert systems on manufacturing

·         Bell Northern Research/Northern Telecom, Ann Arbor (1987-89) on AI/expert systems 

·         Computer Network Technology Corporation and Control Data Corporation  

·         AEG - Septor Electronics (summer 1989) on AI/expert systems 

·         R.R. Donnolly  and Associates (1988) on information systems engineering

·         State Technology Commission, People Republic of China (summer 1985) on information systems engineering

·         GMG Corporation, Singapore (summer 1984) on information systems engineering

·         Society of Manufacturing Engineering, Dearborn (1986-89) on Databases and Networks for CIM

·         Frost and Sullivan, England (1987-1990) on Databases and Networks for CIM

·         ISDOS Inc., Ann Arbor (1986) on distributed databases

·         University Computing Center, Eastern Michigan University (summer 1985)  on IT planning

·         Eastern Michigan University, Computer Science Department (1984 - 1985) on distributed systems and networks

·         Hospital Computing Center, Flint, Michigan (1980) on IT management

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND SAMPLE PROJECTS 

 

 

1). Areas of Expertise and Interest:  

·         Intelligent decision support for IT planning, integration, security & administration  

·         Mobile computing, wireless networks, wireless middleware, mobile agents, mobile applications, and WAP (wireless Access Protocol)

·         Security, privacy, IT audits, information assurance and intrusion tolerant web (security and  integrity issues in the cyberspace and mobile services)

·         Network and systems management (Integration and interface standards, TMN)

·         Telecom operation support systems (OSSs) and standards (e.g., TMN) and  NGNs, JAIN, NGOSSs and Tele-management Forum

·         Enterprise architecture and integration (Enterprise architectures, SOA, application  integration and migration, integration of business processes through workflows)

·         Internet and Web technologies (Web Services,  Web 2.0, Social Networking, XML, Java, Semantic Web)

·         Middleware services (SOAP/XML, EJBs, J2EE, Dot Net, CORBA, DCOM, MOM)

·         E-business and distributed systems – technical, strategic, and management issues

·         Global distributed applications and extended enterprises that span many countries 

·         eCommerce/eBusiness systems (e.g. electronic marketplaces, customer relationship management systems, ERPs, supply chain management, EC/EB platforms, EC/EB standards such as Rosettanet) 

·         Large scale data management.(data architectures, data warehouses, distributed databases, data quality)     

         

2) Sample Assignments: Several years of in-depth industrial experience with  a mixture of  management, consultation, research, and  development assignments.  Major assignments (since 2000) include:

·         Project Manager: PISA (Planning, Integration, Security & Administration) Environment – a computer aided consulting environment for IT managers

·         Research Manager: Innovative location based wireless applications

·         Research manager: Next generation enterprises and NGN applications

·         Project manager:  emerging integration portals

·         Research manager: ATIRP (Advanced Telecommunications/Information Research Program), funded by the US Army Research Labs

·         Research manager: Ebusiness trends and next generation technologies  

§         Principal investigator: Intrusion tolerance in COTS middleware (DARPA funded projects)

§         Principal investigator: Information distribution  in highly mobile environments (Army funded)

·         Research manager: Integration architectures for Ebusiness (Telcordia Funded)

·         Project manager: Toyota  Advanced Ebusiness Services (Toyota funded project)

·         Chief architect: Internet Commerce Products  (Telcordia Project)

·         Research manager: Web, Java  and CORBA for Bellcore applications  

·         Lead investigator: Web mediation of legacy systems

·         Lead consultant: Data warehouses and data quality projects (worked with US West &  Pac Bell).

·         Lead consultant: Communities of Interest (“Extranets”) for Healthcare Industries (Pac Bell) 

·         Lead investigator:  Middleware for Advanced Data Networks (US Regional Bell Operating Companies, Bell Canada,  Swedish Telecom, Korean Telecom). 

·         Lead researcher: data quality in large scale systems

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE  (ACADEMIC AND INDUSTRIAL)

 

1). Academic Teaching Experience: Several years of university teaching experience (at University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, Fordham Graduate School of Business, Rutgers University, , and Peking University. Have developed and taught the following graduate level university courses several times:

·         IT for Business (MBA required course with focus on IT strategy and IT planning)

·         Enterprise architectures and integration

·         Web technologies, protocols and architectures 

·         Mobile computing and wireless communications, computing networks, databases, 

·         Information security, privacy, and IT audits

·         eCommerce/eBusiness strategies and technologies, distributed systems

·         Object technologies, programming languages, software engineering, information systems analysis and design,

·         AI/expert systems, decision support and business intelligence.    

 

 

2) Industrial Seminars Taught and Conference Presentations (Samples)

·         American Management Association Distinguished Faculty on "Wireless Systems and Mobile Enterprises" (proposed and developed this course)  

·         National Science Foundation, invited speaker on “System Integration – Practical Insights”

·         Distinguished lecturer, US Army, “Future Web and object technologies”, Jan 2000

·         Principal developer and instructor “Frontiers in Ebusiness”, American Management Association  (Dec. 99)

·         "Integration and Migration: Past, Present and Future", Invited Talk, Paduva University, Italy  (July 1999)

·         "Distributed Object Technologies in Large Scale Systems", Taught at National Security Administration  (1999)

·         "Software Architectures", Taught at US Department of Navy (June 1999)

·         "Distributed Objects in Telecom", Taught at the ArgentenianTelecom (January 1999)

·         "System Integration", Invited speaker, Infocamere Corp, Italy, Fall 1998

·          “Advances in Distributed Computing”, invited guest speaker, Samsung Executive Training Program, New York State University (Buffalo), June 1998.

·         “Data and Application (Re)Engineering in Client/Server Environments”, Tutorial at the International Conference on Distributed Platforms, Dresden, Ger­many, Feb. 1996.

·         “Communication Network Technologies”, US Department of Navy (1995)

·          “Network Architectures and Distributed Databases for CIM Environments”, Frost and Sullivan, London, England, 1986 to 1989.

·         “Networks for Computer Integrated Manufacturing”, Society of Manufacturing Engineering, taught at several locations in the US, 1985 to 1989.

·         “Distributed Databases for Computer Integrated Manufacturing”, Society of Man­ufacturing Engineering, taught at several locations in the US, 1985 to 1989.

·         “Advanced Information Systems Engineering for CIM”, Society of Manufactur­ing Engineering, taught at several locations in the US, 1998 to 1989.

·         “Information Engineering”, Taught for the GMG Corporation, Singapore, 1984

PUBLICATION AND RESEARCH RECORD

 

1) Books Published  

1. Umar, A., "Mobile Computing and Wireless Communications: Applications, Networks, Platforms, Security, and Architectures”, May 2004

2. Umar, A., "Information Security and Auditing in the Digital Age", NGE Solutions, August 2004

3. Umar, A., "e-Business and  Distributed Systems Handbook: From Strategies to Working Solutions", NGE Solutions, March 2003, published as the following modules:  

·         e-Business and Distributed Systems Handbook: Overview Module  ISBN: 0-9727414-1-0

·         e-Business and Distributed Systems Handbook: Applications Module  ISBN: 0-9727414-2-9  

·         e-Business and Distributed Systems Handbook: Architecture Module  ISBN: 0-9727414-3-7  

·         e-Business and Distributed Systems Handbook: Integration Module  ISBN: 0-9727414-4-5

·         e-Business and Distributed Systems Handbook: Management Module  ISBN: 0-9727414-5-3 

·         e-Business and Distributed Systems Handbook: Networks Module  ISBN:  0-9727414-6-1  

·         e-Business and Distributed Systems Handbook: Middleware Module  ISBN: 0-9727414-8-8

·         e-Business and Distributed Systems Handbook: Platforms Module  ISBN: 0-9727414-9-6

4. Umar, A., "Distributed Computing and Client/Server Systems", Prentice Hall, 1993 (translated in 5 languages)

5. Umar, A, “Object-Oriented Client/Server Internet Environments”, Prentice Hall, 1997

6. Umar, A., “Application (Re)Engineering: Building Web-based Applications and Dealing with Legacies”, Prentice Hall, 1997

 

2) Research Community Involvement (Current and Recent): 

·         Invited to be on Editorial Board of “Business Communications Network Journal”.

·         Invited to be on Editorial Board IRMA (Information Resource Management Association) Journal  (starting March 2004)

·         Invited to be on program committees of several international conferences (e.g., ER conference, e-Society Conference, etc).

·         Co-Chair, RIDE (Research Issues in Data Engineering) Conference on Ebusiness, Feb 2002

·         Chairman, "Conference on Emerging Trends in Next Generation Enterprises", IEEE Computer Society and ASM, April 2000

·         Editorial board,  eCommerce  Research and Applications Journal, Elsevier, since 1999 

·         Executive Editorial Board, Information Systems Frontiers Journal (Kluwer), since 1998

·         Chief invited editor, "Information Systems Frontiers Journal (Kluwer)", special issue on Object-Oriented Client/Server Internet Environments

·         Moderator, RIDE (Research Issues in Data Engineering) conference Panel Discussion on "Research Issues in Virtual Enterprises", Sydney Australia,  March 1999

·         Invited speaker, "Research and Development Issues in Large Scale Integration", National Academy of Sciences, Sept 2002

·         Referee, "Distributed Computing Journal" (IEEE), and "IEEE Software", since 1996.

 

3) Journal Papers Published: 

1.      Umar, A., “Intelligent Decision Support for Architecture and Integration of Next Generation Enterprises”, accepted for publication, Infomatica Journal, May 2007

2.      Raghupathi, W. and Umar, A., “Exploring an MDA Approach to Healthcare Information Systems Development”,   accepted for publication, International Journal of Medical Informatics, May 2007

3.      Umar, A., “IT Infrastructure to Enable Next Generation Enterprises", ISF (Information Systems Frontiers) Journal, Volume 7, Number 3, July 2005, pp: 217 - 256.

4.      Umar, A., “The Emerging Role of Web  for Enterprise Applications and ASPs”.  Invited Paper, Special Annual Issue of IEEE on “Evolution of Internet Technologies towards the Business Environment”, Vol. 92, No. 9, Sept. 2004.   

5.      Umar, A., and Caruso, F.,“Architectures that Survive Technological and Business Turbulances”, ISF Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, March 2004

6.      Zbib, R., Ghosh, A., Anjum, F., and Umar, A., “Intrusion Tolerance in Distributed Middleware”,  Information Systems Frontiers Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, March 2004

7.      Moyer, S.  and  Umar, A., “Software Architectures for Next Generation Networks”, IEEE Communications, January 2001 

8.      Umar, A., Ness, L., and Karabatis, G., “Data Reconciliation in Large Scale Heterogeneous Systems”, Information Systems Frontiers Journal, Sept. 1999 

9.      Umar, A., Krackenber, A, and Lyons, T., "Organizational Design for Computer Integrated Manufacturing", Information and Management Journal, No. 20, 1991, pp. 355-362

10.  Umar, A., "Computer Communication Platform Planning for Integrated Environments", Journal of Data and Computer Communications, Sept. 1990

11.  Umar, A., and Teichrowe, D., "Pragmatic Issues in Database Conversions", Information & Management Jour­nal, No. 19, 1990

 

4) Refereed Conference Papers Published (30 out of 50):

1.      Javed, A., and Umar, A., "Network Security Design for the Next Generation Enterprises", eSociety 2006 Proceedings,  July 2006

2.      Khalid, K. and Umar, A., "IT Planning for the Next Generation Enterprises", eSociety 2006 proceedings,  July 2006. 

3.      Umar, A., “Decision Support for Enterprise Integration”,  EDOC (Enterprise Distributed Object Computing) Conference, Enschede, Holland, Sept. 2005

4.      Umar, A., “IT Planning for Small to Medium Businesses”,  IRMA Conference, San Diego, May 2005

5.      Umar, A., Anjum, F., and Zbib, R., "Intrusion Tolerant Middleware", DARPA Information Security Conference and Expo (DISCEX), June 2001

6.      Missier, P.  and Umar, A., “Representing Knowledge about Modern Software Architectures”,  IFIP international conference on Knowledge-based systems (April 2001)

7.      Anjum, F. and Umar, A., “Agent-based Intrusion Tolerance using Fragmentation-Replication-scattering Techniques”, IEEE WCNC (wireles computing network conference),  Sept 2000.

8.      Moghadam, M. Chen, C., Lin, T., and Umar, A., “A National Clearinghouse for B2B Exchanges in the Telecommunications Industry”,  24th  IEEE  Int’l Computer Software and Applications Conference, October 2000

9.      Umar, A., Tolerant Information Distribution in Battlefield Environments", ATIRP (Advanced Telecommunications/Information Research Program) Conference, March 2001

10.  Umar, A., “Next Generation Enterprises: A Framework for Analysis”, Invited paper,  Proc. of  First International Conference, “Next Generation Enterprises: Virtual Organizations and Mobile/pervasive Technologies”, April 2000.

11.  Umar, A., “A Knowledge-based Decision Support System for Ecommerce”, Proc. of  First International Conference, “Next Generation Enterprises: Virtual Organizations and Mobile/pervasive Technologies”, April 2000.

12.  Umar, A., “Middleware for Highly Mobile Environmenets”, ATIRP (Advanced Telecommunications/Information Research Program) Conference, March 2000

13.  Umar, A., “An Open API for Information Distribution in Highly Mobile Environments”, ATIRP (Advanced Telecommunications/Information Research Program) Conference, March 2000

14.  Umar, A., “A Testbed for Building Mobile Applications”, ATIRP (Advanced Telecommunications/Information Research Program) Conference, March 2000

15.  Umar, A., "A Knowledge-based Decision Support System for Enterprise Integration and Migration", First International Workshop on Enterprise Management and Resoure Planning Systems, Venice, Nov. 1999

16.  Umar, A., “A Framework for Analyzing Virtual Enterprises”, Research Issues in Data Engineering (RIDE) Workshop on Virtual Enterprises, March 1999

17.  Umar, A., “A Comparison of  Mobile Agent and Client-server Paradigms For Information Retrieval in Virtual Environments”, Proc. of  First International Conference, “Next Generation Enterprises: Virtual Organizations and Mobile/pervasive Technologies”, April 2000.

18.  Umar, A.,Mobile Applications for Virtual Environments”,  Proc. of  First International Conference, “Next Generation Enterprises: Virtual Organizations and Mobile/pervasive Technologies”, April 2000.

19.  Umar, A., and Missier, P.,  Analyzing Virtual Enterprises”, Research Issues in Data Engineering (RIDE) Workshop on Virtual Enterprises, March 1999

20.  Umar, A.,  “End Systems Management in Wireless Environments”, ATIRP (Advanced Telecommunications/Information Research Program) Conference, Feb. 1999

21.  Umar, A., “Electronic Commerce and Transaction Databases”, invited lead article, Database Programming and Design Magazine (November 1997).

22.  Umar, A., “Push Technologies for Highly Mobile and Low Bandwidth Environments”, ATIRP (Advanced Telecommunications/Information Research Program) Conference, Feb. 1998 

23.  Umar, A., “Performance of Web-based Applications”, Invited paper, Network and Database Journal (October 1997)

24.  Umar, A., “Web Resources Link To Legacy Applications”, Invited Paper, Information Week, April 28, 1997.

25.  Umar, A., "Distributed Computing and Client-Server Systems", Invited paper, Interoperabil­ity and Distributed Computing Conference, Sept. 28-30, 1993, Atlanta, Georgia.

26.  Umar, A., "An Open Database Architecture for Network Management", Open Systems Con­ference, Philadelphia, May 12-14, 1992, pp. 39-54.

27.  Umar, A., "Distributed Database Strategies",  Database Design & Programming, April 1989.

28.  Umar, A. and Teichroew, D., “Distributed Database Manager for System Encyclopedia Manager", ,  9th Annual Conference on Computer Aided Software Engineering, Ann Arbor, May 24-27, 1988

29.  Umar, A. and Teichroew, D.,., "A Support Environment for Distributed Systems", proceedings of IEEE Conference on Computer Communications, Seoul, Korea, August, 1987.

30.  Chang, C., and  Umar, A., "ISDN and Future of Telecommunications",   proceedings of the International Business Computer Users Conference, Flint, July 1987.  (** Best Paper Award **)

RAMBLINGS AND MUSINGS:

Due to my multiple tracks (practical experience, teaching, research/writing, conferences/standards work) for more than two decades, I claim to have a unique perspective on management as well as technical aspects of IT. I frequently insist on sharing this perspective with others. When this does not work, I tend to write. Judging from writings, not very many people listen to me!


HOBBIES:
Hobbies? What hobbies? Main hobby is to watch movies and sleep right through them. Also frequent planning of jogging and other exotic exercises. Still enjoy traveling and looking at old castles. Tried to learn several languages -- miserable at all of them.
 
 



[1] AMA = American Management Association(

[2] SME = Society of Manufacturing Engineers

[3] CIM = Computer Integrated Manufacturing