Careers: Interviews
A Chat with BLAIR KJENNER: Enterprise System (ES) developer and architect; Founder and President of Method1 Enterprise Software Inc. and KEWAL DHARIWAL: Serial Founder Executive Director, Business Development Professional; IT Professional with expertise in business intelligence, data warehousing, and analytics

This week, Stephen Ibaraki has an exclusive interview with BLAIR KJENNER and KEWAL DHARIWAL.

BLAIR KJENNER is a highly experienced Enterprise System (ES) developer and architect with over 40 years of experience. He is the Founder and President of Method1 Enterprise Software Inc., a software development company based in Edmonton that has been providing ES development services since 1984. Blair has worked with a diverse range of clients, including government agencies, municipalities, oil and gas, healthcare operations, and professional associations, to name a few.

Blair is passionate about solving the integration and data aggregation issues that our industry faces with ESs. He has formulated a new methodology and platform for ESs that is specifically aimed at dealing with some of the key issues the software development industry faces in delivering fully integrated software to organizations at a reasonable cost. This new approach is open-source and focuses on educating architects and developers to create ESs from a robust core that has an inherent capability to exchange data and aggregate it for reporting and AI.

He co-authored a book (https://technicspub.com/breaking-bad/) with Kewal Dhariwal that documents the platform and methodology. In addition, he developed a proof-of-concept environment and published all the source code on GitHub (https://github.com/bkjenner/3dEnterpriseSystems ). He also set up a website (www.3d-ess.com) that documents the approach and provides training videos that give details on the approach.

Blair and Kewal believe the new approach to ESs will allow our industry to take on challenges that are currently insurmountable. It will allow our industry to create a network of systems by business unit for complex conglomerates like government or healthcare and then automatically aggregate the data from all the systems into a data warehouse for reporting and AI.

Please join Blair and Kewal in their journey to revolutionize how enterprise systems are created.

KEWAL DHARIWAL is an experienced Executive Director with a successful history in the information technology and services industry and regional & international adult training & education skills transfer. A strong business development professional with advanced technology leadership skills (A Fellow of the Canadian Computer Society - CIPS) who mentors startup companies. He has proposed post secondary curriculum that will teach 'data integration first', for any business application. He advocates for Generally Accepted Data Management Principles (GADMP) including core data models, unique blockchain based record governance and open-source application development frameworks. All in the interest of fostering unbiased high-quality data for machine learning, AI and predictive analytics. These he and his co-author Blair Kjenner have published in their latest book "Breaking Bad with 3D Enterprise Systems" available from https://technicspub.com

He is a highly skilled IT professional with expertise in business intelligence, data warehousing, and analytics. He holds several industry certifications including CBIP (Certified Business Intelligence Professional), CCP (Certified Computing Professional), and CDP (Certified Data Professional). Kewal Dhariwal has extensive experience in designing, developing, and implementing complex data-driven solutions for a wide range of industries.

Business Intelligence (BI) Skills: Kewal Dhariwal has strong skills in business intelligence, which is a set of practices used to transform raw data into meaningful insights. He has experience in developing BI solutions enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions by designing and developing data models, dashboards, and reports to provide insights to various stakeholders.

Data Warehousing expertise which involves the process of collecting, storing, and managing data from various sources to support business decision-making. He has worked on various data warehousing projects, including data migration, data integration, and data quality management.

Kewal Dhariwal has expertise in statistical analysis, data mining, and predictive modeling with strong analytics skills which involve the process of analyzing data to derive insights and make informed decisions. He has experience in using various analytical tools such as R, Python, and SAS. He has experience in designing and developing analytical models to help businesses make data-driven decisions.

Project Management experience in managing projects from inception to completion. He has expertise in project planning, resource management, risk management, and quality management. Kewal Dhariwal has experience in leading teams, coordinating with stakeholders, and managing project timelines and budgets. He has also worked on various projects that involved collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Data related technical skills include such as SQL, Python, and Java. He has expertise in database management systems such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and MySQL.

Excellent communication and interpersonal Skills. He has experience in communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Kewal Dhariwal has experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams and building relationships with clients. He has experience in training and mentoring team members.

In addition to the certifications previously mentioned, Kewal Dhariwal is also certified as an Information Systems Professional (I.S.P.) in Alberta, Canada. This certification is awarded by the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) and recognizes professionals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of information technology.

Kewal Dhariwal also holds the Information Technology Certified Professional (ITCP) a designation awarded by IP3 the International Federation of Information Processing (IFIP) body. This designation recognizes professionals who have a comprehensive understanding of IT principles, best practices, and industry standards.

As an I.S.P. and ITCP certified professional, Kewal Dhariwal has demonstrated knowledge and expertise in areas such as information technology strategy, governance, security, and risk management. He has a deep understanding of the role of IT in business and provides strategic guidance to organizations on how to leverage technology to achieve their business goals.

Kewal Dhariwal's expertise in information systems and ITCP certification also demonstrates his commitment to professional development and ongoing learning. As a certified professional, he is required to maintain his knowledge and skills through continuing education and professional development activities. This ensures that he stays up-to-date with the latest developments in the field and is able to provide the most current and relevant advice to his clients and colleagues.

Overall, Kewal Dhariwal's skills and certifications in Information Systems Professional of Alberta and ITCP further strengthen his expertise in the field of information technology, making him a valuable asset to any organization.

In addition to Kewal Dhariwal's professional certifications and skills, he also has academic qualifications in the field of management, adult education, economics and accounting. Kewal Dhariwal holds a Ph.D. in Management where his thesis focused on collaborative decision making by executives in supply chain management. This degree has equipped him with advanced knowledge and skills in management theory, research, and practice. With his Ph.D. in Management, Kewal Dhariwal has the ability to think critically and systematically about complex management issues and develop effective solutions.

Kewal Dhariwal also holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Adult, Career and Technology Education. This degree has given him specialized knowledge and skills in adult learning, career development, and technology education. Kewal Dhariwal has experience in designing and developing training programs for adults, facilitating workshops, and evaluating the effectiveness of training programs. He has spent much of his life teaching computer programming, database technologies and management. He has spent countless years in supporting new innovations and start up companies with his university students.

Kewal Dhariwal holds a Bachelor's degree in Business studies where he specialized in Economics and Accounting with computing as a minor. His first project was computerization of a Lloyds of London brokerage house in the UK.

These academic qualifications demonstrate Kewal Dhariwal's commitment to lifelong learning and his ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. His advanced knowledge and skills in management and education enable him to approach business problems with a holistic perspective and develop effective solutions that align with the overall strategy of the organization.

Overall, Kewal Dhariwals academic qualifications complement his professional certifications and skills, making him a well-rounded professional with a unique perspective on business and education. His ability to combine theory and practice makes him a valuable asset to any organization seeking to develop effective solutions that align with their strategic goals.