Ashley Naicker

A customer-centric and technical individual recognised for designing, implementing, and maintaining data centre infrastructure and system applications. Seasoned with over 18 years of experience, I have exceeded stakeholder's expectations and project objectives by proactively leading and contributing to the life cycle for ICT infrastructures, creating and developing infrastructures and communication systems, and aligning the application solution to the SLA for maximum customer excellence. Proving in-depth experience in ICT project management, data infrastructures and information technology, I have gained solid business and technical experience at a strategic level.

Coupled with his logical and stringent thinking; he proved the ability to secure and control network communication projects with exemplary results. A dedicated individual strongly believing in maintaining current professional and technical knowledge to provide relevant and cost effect solutions.

Data Centre Specialist - In2IT Tech (CSIR) Department of Defence

(2025-04 - 2025-09)

Month to Month Contract

• Conducted extensive research on companies utilizing on premises solutions.
• Analyse motivations behind adopting on premises solutions over cloud alternatives.
• Evaluate edge computing, private cloud, and other related strategies, highlighting trade-offs.
• Study the current on premises strategy and recommend improvements.
• Prepare a comprehensive technical report documenting findings and recommendations.
• Develop confirmatory notes based on research outcomes.
• Present findings and strategic recommendations to stakeholders and project sponsors.
• Identify potential project risks and discuss mitigation strategies during technical meetings.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• IT infrastructure and data sovereignty.
• Emerging trends in on-prem solutions, edge computing, and private cloud technologies.

Data Centre / Infrastructure/ End User Support - N1 Consult

• Plan, design, and implement data centre in infrastructure solution, including hardware, software, networking, and physical infrastructure.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the data centre, including monitoring, maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Ensure the availability, performance and security of all data center systems.
• Develop and implement data center policies and procedures.
• Manage the data center budget and resource resources.
• Stay current on industry trends and technologies.
• Work with vendors and contractors to procure and install new equipment.
• Provide Technical Support to staff and end users.
• Manage projects related to data center infrastructure upgrades and expansions.

Data Centre Manager Facilities and Operations - BCX (Business Connection)

(2023-01 - 2023-12)

Eskom Contract One Year

• Designed and implemented data centre facilities and infrastructure technology architecture standards.
• Assisted with electrical/Mechanical Calculations, IEEE specifications for systems and network cabling, power, and HVAC requirements for data centre hardware.
• Administered the AutoCAD and MS Visio based planning and layout application.
• Supported Enterprise class-facilities management processes and procedures.
• Implementing Policies, Procedures, Standard operating procedures, and Critical Data Centre Management Regimes.
• Supported with data centre budgets and forecasting for infrastructure purchases and maintenance.
• Responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, and operations functions necessary to ensure the efficient operations.
• To get the client's Data Centre and to get them to Tier 3 or Tier 4 Compliance.
• Aligned infrastructure maintenance and support to service level agreements.
• Advised and provided solutions on rack space management, patch cable management, and power allocation management.
• Establish best practice SLA deliverables to the organization for effective & timely delivery of infrastructure and operational technology.
• Led Six Data Centre officers with regards to their KPI, S and made sure these performance targets were met.
• Assisted with capacity and demand.
• Ensuring Customer service, Project Management, Service provisioning, Facility management, Team Management, Delivery management and Quality and safety.

Data Centre Operations Manager - Absa Bank Limited

• Provided technical audience to data centre infrastructure, operations, and technical teams.
• Updated and maintained data centre technical policies and procedures.
• Designed and implemented data centre facilities and infrastructure technology architecture standards.
• Aligned infrastructure maintenance and support to service level agreements.
• Supported with data centre budgets and forecasting for infrastructure purchases and maintenance.
• Establish best practice SLA deliverables to the organization for effective & timely delivery of infrastructure and operational technology.
• Second line of defence for queries where no resolution from the technical teams.
• Handled multiple projects to provide quality, customer-oriented service.
• Administered the AutoCAD based planning and layout application.
• Supported Enterprise class-facilities management processes and procedures.
• Advised and provided solutions on rack space management, patch cable management, and power allocation management.
• Recommended solutions for Server, SAN, and Networking technologies.
• Assisted with electrical/Mechanical Calculations, IEEE specifications for systems and network cabling, power, and HVAC requirements for data centre hardware.
• Advised Stakeholders what is the best processes to follow and planning the scope of work from a data centre point view.
• Followed methodology's of PMBOK, SCRUM, SPRINTS, KANBAN, AGILE and PDCA.
• Structured cabling of network cabling and Fibre cabling and network layers 1,2,3.
• Made sure KPI, S and performance targets were met.
• Ensuring Customer service, Service provisioning, Facility management, Team Management

MATRIC - DAMELIN COLLEGE (2005)