Alex Kane

BubbleBeats

BubbleBeats is an interactive media platform that lets users create unique sound canvases.  My role in this project was to provide the backend systems that power the site.

Language Tunnel

Language Tunnel is a unique online language school that allows non-english speakers to learn and practice English online. I came up with the concept and built the site from the ground up using Ruby on Rails and licensed Flash based video conferencing.

The site has 4 components that make it robust and attractive to teachers and students alike:

    * Scheduling component
    * Messaging component
    * Payment component
    * Real-time virtual classroom

The site is currently in Beta testing.

Link Burglar

Link Burglar is an idea I came up with one day while I was between projects. The site acts as an aggregator and archiver for the top links on various social bookmarking sites such as Digg and Reddit. The application retrieves the links periodically and saves them in a local database. The same link won't be stored twice and the page is constantly updating with new content based on what people are bookmarking at the moment.

The site is build on Ruby on Rails. The total development time was 1 day from concept to deployment.

SFTradeView

During my tenure as Webmaster and Lead Web Developer for Schonfeld Securities I developed SFTradeView.com, a real-time website for retail traders to monitor their positions. The site also includes risk management tools used by managers to track their group exposure and margin.

In addition to tracking positions during the day the website also allows traders to get historical execution reports by year, month or day. The site also acts as a portal for retail customers allowing them to submit wire transfer requests, download custom reports, and view market bulletins.

The site is built with Java Servlets and JavaBeans, initially running on Macromedia JRun4 and later migrated to Apache Tomcat. It connects to an Oracle 9i database using views and stored procedures to maximize performance.

SFTradeView is available internally to Schonfeld's on-site traders, or over the Internet via an encypted HTTPS connection. The site routinely serves 5 million hits a month, with a peak of 20 requests each second during the market open each morning.

Schonfeld WebMIS

Another major project at Schonfeld was WebMIS. WebMIS is an internal portal used by Schonfeld employees to manage accounts, enter "As of" trade executions, and monitor the firm's exposure. The portal is a central location for departments such as Accounting, Compliance, Clearing, Trade Support, and Human Resources as well as the Executive Committee.

When a user logs in to the system they're presented with their own menu of applications, based on their needs in the organization:

•  Accounting - Margin reports, cash activity, account maintenance utilities.
• Compliance - Historical execution details, wash sale reports, short sale activity.
• Clearing - Symbol changes, account maintenance utilities.
• Trade Support - Execution lookup utilities, trade break utilities, insert trade utilities.
• Human Resources - Account maintenance utilities.
• Executive Committee - Firm wide risk management reports.

In order to scale with Schonfeld's increasing trade volume I implemented a Multi-Terabyte Storage Attached Network (SAN) to store trade data and static compliance reports. Real-time data is supplied from an Oracle 9i Enterprise database using connection pooling, views, and stored procedures.

Security on the site is extremely important and is protected by a custom designed single sign-on system that prevents unauthorized users from accessing applications unless they have explicit permission assigned to them.

E-Commerce Implementation

CMJ requested an integration with Payflow Pro that would allow them to store and process credit card transactions for their subscribers. Due to the sensitive nature of credit card data I implemented a reference transaction based model where the account information is never stored on the client's servers. This limits the liability of the client while providing the subscriber with the ability to save a credit card on file. The project was completed successfully within budget and on an aggressive timeline.

Commodity Broker Online Corporate Website

Commodity Broker Online is a web presence designed to attract customers to managed options, futures, and forex offerings.

The site offers a comprehensive review of nine different trading platforms complete with Flash demonstrations. There is a mailing list component that allows potential customers to sign up for a weekly market analysis that's delivered to their inbox.

The site is built with Java Servlets and runs Apache Tomcat with a MySQL backend.

Zealous Content Management

Zealous Records had a static site that they were updating frequently by hand, and they needed a Content Management System (CMS) to make the update process easier.

I walked in the door with the website design already complete and integrated a custom built CMS that would suite their specific needs. The various sections of the site are all now easily changeable from a web interface. Media can be uploaded and enabled for streaming and/or download. There's an integrated Flash based jukebox that will stream any song on the site.

The management interface is easy to use and accessed from a password protected web page.

FrameMaker

Pranayama Art was using a handwritten multipart job sheet to spec out the design requirements for their high-end picture frames. There were two problems here: specs were often hard to read leading to mistakes in manufacturing, and record keeping was difficult with large filing cabinets full of past orders.

My first step was to design software that would take a minimal amount of information and calculate the necessary dimensions for the different parts of the frame. Next, I set up a secure wireless network inside the factory.

When a customer drops off artwork, the data is entered on the factory floor using an Apple laptop. The data is transmitted to the database upstairs where it can be stored and backed up nightly. Once all the necessary data has been entered, a job sheet is created and it's sent to an impact printer on the other side of the factory where a multi-part form is printed and given to the different departments with the necessary information.

Tee Time Management System

Old Westbury Country Club was using paper forms to process tee-time requests from members. It took a long time to record the request and was error prone.

I designed a web based system for members to sign up for tee times online. Members log in the the Club's website and choose a starting time and players. Once they submit they're request they're given a chance to review they're choices as well as print out an email confirmation. The system implements a black out period during hot sign up times to make sure everyone gets a fair chance at the most popular tee times.

The management interface allows the clubhouse staff to view tee-time requests and save them in Excel format. You can also add/remove members, manage tournament dates, and change the banner from the web based management interface.