Case Studies

The following are cases where Focus provided ASD talent for professional business roles:

Software Testing

Situation

Vancity Savings Credit Union is a values-based financial co-operative serving the needs of its more than 509,000 member-owners and their communities. They are currently engaged in a technology project.

Challenges

As is typical of IT projects, Vancity needed to increase their capacity during the testing phases with more software testers. They needed skilled testers who could quickly learn a highly complex system and then apply that knowledge to each new functional area tested.

Solution

In late 2015, Focus Professional Services Inc. [Focus] was contracted to provide a team of five Software Testers, individuals on the autism spectrum, and a Team Lead.

After Vancity’s initial training on their systems, Focus proceeded to execute functional test cases. As the Focus team expanded into other functional areas to test, the Vancity Team Lead remarked on the team’s impressive knowledge of the system, a comment repeated by other Vancity team members. Further comments indicated appreciation for the Focus team’s self-reliance.

Results

Focus kept pace with the Vancity software testers and, in addition, created test data as needed by the project.

Testimonials

• The Focus Team performed software testing on the BAR project.

• The Focus team is very efficient and they follow the instructions to complete the tasks as per the plan.

• They are quick learners. In case they face any issues, they try their best to figure out a solution themselves and confirm their findings with the stream leads.

• The team reflects a high level of discipline and punctuality.

• They demonstrate consistent performance and are always willing to help with different testing assignments

• The “Autism in the Workplace” presentation really helped, especially when communicating with the team.

• We would definitely recommend Focus to other organizations.

IT Quality Assurance Team, Vancity

Data Quality

Situation

Challenges

As is typical, data migration efforts are significant in that inconsistencies, anomalies, and incompatibilities in the data need to be reviewed and cleansed before, during, and after migration.

Vancity needed people who were precise, trustworthy, competent, and able to concentrate for long periods of time.

Solution

In late 2015, Focus Professional Services Inc. [Focus] was contracted to provide a team of three Data Technicians, individuals on the autism spectrum.

After Vancity provided training on their data systems, Focus proceeded to review and cleanse the data. The Focus team rapidly proved their abilities for speed, accuracy, and perseverance in reviewing and cleansing the data and quickly moved on to more challenging data quality activities.

Results

With the assistance of the Focus PS Data Technicians, Vancity is ahead of its pre-migration data quality schedule.

Testimonials

“Overall, I am truly honored to have been part of this experience and had the opportunity to lead the team first hand. Having them here at Vancity and be a part of BAR not only helped with the work load and created capacity in both areas [data quality and software testing] but also created awareness and provided information to a lot of people of what Autism is.

Carol did an amazing job educating all of us about Autism and I believe her information session helped most of us be more comfortable approaching and communicating with someone that is on the spectrum.

From what I have observed, once our staff were educated and informed about people with a disability and just being around them, we stopped using the “D” word (Disability) and we just focused on their potential and abilities. These folks are very smart and highly functioning and it gives me teary eyes when they tell me how happy and blessed they feel to have this opportunity to work for Vancity and to contribute to BAR”

Data Quality Manager, Vancity

“I found “The Autism in the Workplace” presentation provided beneficial information. This information not only prepared the Vancity group on what to expect but also how we as a group can help the members of the Focus Group feel comfortable and welcome in the workplace.

The work the Team members (Arya, Han-Lin and Laura) have done has exceeded the volume of what we had hoped to accomplish. The group is dedicated to each and every work Campaign they have been assigned.

Being able to work closely with the Focus Group has been an extremely rewarding experience. I have learned that as individuals we may require a different approach in training or work environment and providing this opportunity to everyone is the first step to a diverse and inclusive workplace”.

Data Quality Team member, Vancity

Job Posting: NOC Analyst

Publish Date: Feb 24, 2023
Location: Canada: British Columbia – Victoria
Company: Worldline
Agency for Neurodivergent Applicants: Focus Professional Services Inc.

About Worldline

Worldline is the European leader in digital payments and number four worldwide, powered by over 20,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Every day, our technology provides the trusted infrastructure for millions of people and businesses around the world – and we´re just getting started. We are on an exciting journey to lead the way towards the next frontier of payments. Our ambitions are extraordinarily high, and we need the best people in the world to bring them to life – people like you. So if you are a highly skilled NOC Team Lead looking to make a real impact on the world, join our journey!

The Opportunity

The NOC Analyst is responsible for the detection, isolation, and resolution of monitoring alerts for all the components of our hosted platform. The NOC Analyst will execute a blueprint aimed at providing a high level of service availability across all platforms by utilizing the monitoring tools, automation, and log analytics allowing visibility into the technology stack. This is achieved by displaying a passion for the technology and ambition for learning while focusing on proactive and holistic approaches to continuously improving the customer experience.

Your day-to-day responsibilities include

• 24×7 monitoring of the platforms

• Shift of 3 pm to 11 pm PT or 1 pm to 9 pm PT

• Actively participate in shift coverage to maintain proper staffing levels

• Ensure maximum possible service availability and performance of all platforms

• Analyze problem areas and coordinate corrective actions before services are impacted

• Manage site crises/events by following Incident Management procedures and leading the NOC response

Competencies and skills we can’t do without

• Ability to provide clear, concise technical documentation of issues in applicable data systems

• Aptitude to work with both operations engineers and software developers on cross-functional teams

• Demonstrate initiative and self-motivation as well as sound time management

• Technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail

• In-depth knowledge of monitoring, automation, and log analytics such as SolarWinds, Grafana, PRTG, Elastic or similar tools

• Exposure to scripting tools such as Powershell

• Solid understanding of Windows and applications built on the .NET Framework and core Microsoft technologies

• Versed in supporting the use of APIs using tools such as Postman and markup languages like JSON or XML

• Relational database experience such as MySQL or MS-SQL

Education and experience required

• Required: B.S. degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience

• Proven track record working in a NOC environment

• Able to strategically manage multiple projects simultaneously and comfortable with a dynamic, fast-paced work environment

• Proven experience in supporting mission-critical applications on a global scale a plus

• Experience working and collaborating with Software Delivery teams

• Experience managing projects and team workloads are required

Grow with us, create tomorrow

At Worldline, we are dedicated to helping our people unlock their full potential – both professionally and personally. With comprehensive training and development programs, expert communities, and global mobility programs, you will always be able to develop and grow at Worldline – wherever you want to go and whatever you want to do. We also offer flexible hours and remote working, to empower you to be your best self at work and at home. 8 in 10 Worldliners consider Worldline a friendly place to work, and 9 in 10 are satisfied with the training & development they receive.

Worldline is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, colour, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.