Chris Costakes

Chris brings 10 years of technical PeopleSoft consulting experience to Elire. His breadth of working knowledge in architecture, application development, integration and security allow him to design and create innovative solutions. Most recently, Chris has focused on architecting, implementing and advising on PeopleSoft messaging solutions using PeopleTools and Fusion Middleware. With extensive experience in all phases of the implementation life-cycle, Chris focuses on end goals of usability & maintenance when designing solutions. Prior to helping found Elire, Chris spent six years in PeopleSoft's consulting organization, most recently serving as the workflow product lead. Chris received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan with emphases in Computer Information Systems and Organizational Psychology.

Skill Summary

PeopleSoft Technical Skills

  • PeopleTools
  • Integration Broker
  • PS Security Administration
  • Quest STAT
  • Tuxedo
  • Report Repository
  • Workflow Administration
  • PeopleCode Debugger
  • SeeBeyond e*Gate Integration
  • SQL
  • Crystal
  • XSLT
  • Process Schedulers
  • Integration Gateway
  • App Message Monitoring
  • Trace (all PS tiers)
  • Patch & Fix Application Process
  • Application Designer
  • Component Interface
  • PeopleCode
  • Data Mover
  • XML
  • XML Publisher (BI Publisher)
  • JDeveloper XLS Mapper
  • Application Servers
  • PS Security Configuration
  • PSADMIN
  • Post Live Support
  • Definition Security
  • Workflow Design
  • Application Engine
  • SQR
  • WebSphere MQ Integration
  • WebLogic 6.1/8.1 web servers
  • JMS
  • PeopleSoft Web Service Design

Databases

  • Oracle 8, 9, 10g
  • SQL Server 7.5, 2000, 2005
  • DB2 OS390

Operating Systems

  • Windows NT
  • Windows Server 2003
  • AIX
  • Windows 2000
  • DOS

Programming Languages

  • PeopleCode
  • SQR
  • HTML
  • SQR
  • Application Engine
  • XML

Additional Skills

  • Fit/Gap Analysis
  • Testing Technical
  • Lead
  • Application Tuning
  • Integration Lead
  • Web Services

Consulting Experience

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM 9.0/Tools 8.49, Integration POC

Integration Specialist

Winn Dixie, Jacksonville, FL

  • Configured & tested MQ & PeopleSoft connectivity using the JMS connectors
  • Configured PeopleSoft to PeopleSoft integration
  • Configured simple event triggered Async message to MQ
  • Built simple Web Service using an Application Package
  • Installed, configured, and displayed use of Oracle XLS mapper
  • Advised on SOA strategy and design principles

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise Fin 8.8/Tools 8.45, Treasury Implementation

Technical Lead

Abercrombie & Fitch, Columbus, OH

  • Responsible for all technical design and development for the Treasury implementation
  • Configured, tested & implemented several bank interfaces with Fifth Third, Huntington & JP Morgan Chase including BAI2 (Current & Prior Day), Acknowledgements (EDI 997 & 824), Credit Card, Daily Funding, Wire & ACH Payments (EDI 820)
  • Created custom Credit Card interface and Daily Funding interface
  • Built and deployed batch scheduling and automated imports
  • Extended delivered payment format app packages to accommodate custom bank standards
  • Created several custom reports to support daily treasury operation
  • Conducted Component Interface workshop for HCM technical team

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools 8.49 Integration Broker Workshop

Technical Advisor

Alliant Energy, Madison, WI

  • Conducted Integration Broker 8.49 workshop for Alliant Energy technical team in preparation for PeopleTools upgrade
  • Workshop consisted of PeopleTools delta, Web Services, Integration Review, & discussion of new Integration Broker functionality

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM 8.9/Tools 8.48, Time & Labor Implementation

Partner, Lead Developer

Idaho National Laboratories, Idaho Falls, ID

  • Responsible for project management and staffing
  • Responsible for Technical Specifications and Development
  • Modifications include significant changes to timesheet presentation, approval process, and interfaces

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise Fin 9.0/Tools 8.49, Treasury Implementation

Technical Advisor

FSA, New York City, NY

  • Presented integration capabilities for secure bank transaction using MQ
  • Assisted implementation team with integration options and best-practice guidance using ftp, application messaging, web services and component interfaces
  • Provided implementation team with sandbox environment (setup and remote access)

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise Fin 9.0/Tools 8.49 Upgrade

Messaging Lead, Technical Advisor

Yum! Brands, Louisville, KY

  • Provided and executed upgrade strategy for Tools 8.49 messaging
  • Upgrade of 8.46 integration broker structure to 8.48+ structure (14 active production messages in Fin carried forward)
  • Implemented new security layers related to messaging (introduced with the new tool set)
  • Configured new excel spreadsheet upload functionality that utilized the HTTP connector (included with Fin 9)
  • Configured and tested the PeopleSoft messaging environment (internal and 3rd party)
  • Conducted workshop detailing the changes to messaging with 8.48 and mentored client on messaging configuration, support, and performance monitoring
  • Conducted performance testing sessions
  • Created XSLT Application Engine using JDeveloper to accommodate new VOUCHER_BUILD message version to minimize impact to code and source HCM system
  • Trained staff on leveraging PeopleSoft’s built in Web Service capabilities
  • Assisted and advised on technical upgrade strategy

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM 8.8 MSS Rewrite

Technical Lead

Yum! Brands, Louisville, KY

  • Led a team of developers and was responsible for architecting, developing, testing and implementing of all technical aspects of a custom Manager Self-Service application
  • The new MSS application is a bolt-on solution that utilizes messaging, component interfaces, workflow and custom suspense processing
  • Project goals of reducing MSS help desk transactions from 80% to 40% was exceeded with less than 10% transactions requiring manual intervention
  • Created and delivered training sessions for newly formed QA team

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise HRMS 8.8 Implementation

Developer, Integration Architect

Alliant Energy, Madison, WI

  • Assisted with the technical direction for the Variable Compensation and ePerformance implementation at Alliant Energy
  • Responsibilities included fit/gap analysis, application development, and Workflow setup, modification & implementation
  • Worked with the security group & HR technical team to automate the assignment of Primary Permission lists to secure (via definition security) the roll out of query to the field
  • Provided direction and assisted with troubleshooting for e*Gate and PeopleSoft integration (JMS Listening Connector)
  • Assisted the infrastructure team with Application Messaging troubleshooting and submitted a proposal of initiatives that involved tuning and improvement of day to day maintenance activities.

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM 8.8 Implementation

Integration Architect, Developer

Yum! Brands, Louisville, KY

  • Provided strategy for integration project and assisted with project plan development
  • Developed subscription-based application to bring data from stores to PeopleSoft utilizing component interfaces to ensure enforcement and normalization of business rules
  • Configured and administered integration between e*Gate and PeopleSoft using JMS connectors.
  • Built custom pages to trap error messages and provide users with intuitive interface for correcting and resubmitting errors
  • Provided workflow administration strategy for implementation.
  • Assisted security team with strategy and design

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise FIN 8.4 Implementation

Integration Architect, System Administrator

Yum! Brands, Louisville, KY

  • Architecture team System Admin, assisting with configuration and resolving problems with web servers, process schedulers & app servers
  • Integration Broker configuration, set up nodes, messages, channels, gateway
  • Configured integration between PeopleSoft and SeeBeyond e*Gate - inbound and outbound JMS messaging
  • Configured integration broker & messaging between CRM, FIN, EPM, HCM & Portal
  • Integration Broker performance tuning effort
  • Designed and maintained messaging architecture

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise FSC 8.4 Implementation

Workflow Lead

Navitaire, Minneapolis, MN

  • Provided Requisition Workflow strategy
  • Set up requisition workflow and notification process
  • Designed Application Engine to clear invalid worklist items.

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise FSC 8.4 Implementation

Integration Specialist

The Hartford, Hartford, CT

  • Completed PeopleSoft configuration to handle inbound JMS messages from WebSphere MQ
  • Assisted with troubleshooting subscription process
  • Provided Application Messaging error handling strategy

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise FSSC 8.4 Implementation

System Administrator

Swift Brands, Greeley, CO

  • Completed design, setup and testing of WebSphere MQ integration with PeopleSoft - inbound and outbound asynchronous messages
  • Created batch program that gathers customer data and publishes messages to node based on customer line of business; created program that reads in responses and processes
  • PeopleSoft Administrator - assisted with monitoring/troubleshooting Process Schedulers (NT & Unix), App Servers (Unix), Web Servers (Unix)
  • Designed Requisition Workflow process and completed setup - added additional approval rule sets and reconfigured roles and email addresses
  • Created custom notification workflow for Requisitions > 10k
  • Designed & implemented PeopleSoft security (roles/permissions/users/definition sec/business unit sec)
  • Responsible for migration of PeopleSoft projects using Quest STAT- includes moving app designer projects as well as file objects (SQR’s, data files, etc)

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise FSSC 8 Implementation

Technical Team Member

Alliant Energy, Madison, WI

  • Developed suite of custom pages to assist in Workflow Administration
  • Created several custom App Engines to assist in Workflow Administration
  • Worked extensively with App Designer creating pages, fields, Component Interfaces, App Engines, etc.
  • Assisted in development and execution of Security and Workflow project plans
  • Modified and implemented workflow for Supply Chain team including PO Approvals, Item Approvals, and Contract Expirations
  • Created custom Item Change Approval Workflow that utilizes several custom component interfaces and multiple approval rule sets and email notifications
  • Created custom approval workflow for Asset Management account validation
  • Trained support team on Workflow Administration
  • Trained technical team on Workflow Development
  • Developed comprehensive security matrix, mapping delivered permission lists and permissions associated with those lists
  • Created and delivered security workbooks to functional teams to be completed and loaded into PeopleSoft

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise FSC 7.5 Implementation

Technical Team Member

Sierra Nevada Power, Reno & Las Vegas, NV

  • Led workflow implementation team in both development and administration
  • Designed and implemented over 20 custom workflow pieces for Purchasing and Inventory including Load Stage Error Notification, Stockroom Feedback Error Notification, PO from Requisition notification, AUP/PO Price difference, & Negative Balance
  • Configured and implemented Requisition Approval Workflow for the 3000+ users utilizing 3 route controls and 7 levels of authorization
  • Also created several modifications to make business process more robust, including enhancement for users showing in whose worklist their Requisition currently resides
  • Configured and implemented Purchase Order Approval Workflow
  • Trained staff on Workflow development and administration
  • Developed several SQR's to assist in GL and PC reconciliation effort
  • This included remapping chart fields, identifying incorrect mappings, and correcting by reversing journal entries and project lines
  • Designed and developed Supply/Demand workbench allowing users to enter item or project and business unit or ibu group and return relevant information such as supply, demand, returns, transfers, cancels, etc.

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise FSSC 7.5 Implementation

Technical Team Member

McNaughton-McKay Electric Co, Madison Heights, MI

  • Development and technical assistance, coding in PeopleCode and SQR, for the PO, IN, and OM modules
  • Developed several modifications to PeopleCode
  • Created several SQR’s to fulfill reporting needs
  • Developed database triggers and procedures using the structural procedural language in Informix to track stock-out data, increase efficiency and simplify auditing and reporting needs

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Enterprise Student Administration 7.0 Implementation

Technical Team Member

Boise State University, Boise, ID

  • Provided technical support for Student Administration implementation focusing on technical development for the Student Records module
  • Developed custom panels that became the inquiry hub for the Student Records module at the University
  • Designed a de-normalized group of records for the client’s reporting database

PeopleSoft Consultant

PeopleSoft Professional Development Program

Asset Management Developer

PeopleSoft, Pleasanton, CA

  • Assisted with Issue Resolution
  • Developed Deprecation Calendar for PeopleSoft 8.0 release
  • Assisted in converting Mass Changes to Application Engines for 8.0 release
Product Consultant Sales Team
  • Assisted with development of OLAP cubes
  • Built custom applications for demos

Career History

PeopleSoft Consultant
  • Elire, Partner, 2005 - Present
  • VP1 Consulting, Owner, 2004 - 2005
  • PeopleSoft, Senior Consultant, 1998 – 2004

Training Courses

  • PeopleTools
  • Security
  • Integration Tools
  • PeopleCode
  • Application Engine
  • SQR
  • Workflow

Education

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI - Bachelor of General Studies—Computer Information Systems & Organizational Psychology (emphasis in Computer Science)

PeopleSoft Consultant