Brian Schalme

Brian Schalme

Mentor
5.0
(6 reviews)
US$20.00
For every 15 mins
15
Sessions/Jobs
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ABOUT ME
A software architect with 20 years of experience in the Java space.
A software architect with 20 years of experience in the Java space.

Software Architect with over 20 years developing Java applications. I am proficient in Spring Boot, Hibernate, Spring Security, Maven, etc. I have helped Java developers solve some of their most complex problems.

I derive a great deal of satisfaction from coaching and mentoring other developers. Many people smarter than me have mentored me during my career, so I want to pay it forward. I love seeing how people use my teachings to solve ever more complicated problems, and to grow their own careers. I don't just teach people how to do something, but I also explain why. They can use this to inform their own judgment when they need to make similar decisions or solve similar problems in the future.

The primary reason we write software is not for the computer, but for the people who have to read it and figure it out. The code must be clear and expressive; ideally it should read like prose to a software developer. To make systems easier to change, they must be modular, with clear separation of concerns, and it needs observe the principles and best practices of software design. It needs to handle errors and unusual situations gracefully, and provide clues as to what happened, and why it happened, and provide guidance on what to do next. This is the philosophy I bring to your teams and to you as a mentee.

English
Central Time (US & Canada) (-06:00)
Joined January 2024
EXPERTISE
20 years experience | 1 endorsement
Since obtaining my Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform certification in the late 1990s, I've worked with Java to develop web...
Since obtaining my Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform certification in the late 1990s, I've worked with Java to develop web applications, and system integration solutions. My clients have used pretty much every version of Java up to Java 17. This means I can help you with legacy as well as modern code bases. Whether you are using newer features such as functions and streams, or the basic features that have been around for years, I can help you work through the problem you're trying to solve.
Java EE
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Java EE
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15 years experience
I discovered Spring Framework some 15 years ago while working for a property & casualty insurance client. We used it to develop system in...
I discovered Spring Framework some 15 years ago while working for a property & casualty insurance client. We used it to develop system integration solutions. Since then I've used it for developing web applications using Spring MVC for a wealth management firm and a workers compensation client. Along the way I've used Spring Security to set up OAuth2 authorization, as well as traditional authentication & authorization using LDAP against MS Active Directory. I started working with Spring Boot in 2016, and began coaching developers on its use. They have been amazed, as have I, on how its opinionated configuration saves hours of menial work, and allows more time to solve the interesting business problems. A recent client of mine went through a major modernization effort to upgrade to recent and supported versions of Spring, Spring Boot and its various libraries. I became the go-to person for helping the development teams solve their most challenging problems. What I have learned over the years I can use to help you with the Spring challenge you are working through.
12 years experience
I've used Hibernate directly and via Spring Data JPA to access Oracle, SQL Server and MySQL databases. At a previous client, we went thro...
I've used Hibernate directly and via Spring Data JPA to access Oracle, SQL Server and MySQL databases. At a previous client, we went through an extensive modernization effort. Among the technologies we upgraded was moving from Hibernate 4.x and 5.x to 6.x, along with Spring Data JPA 2.x to 3.x. With what I've seen and the problems I've solved with Hibernate, I can help you solve the problem you are facing.
10 years experience
Most of my paid experience has been with Jenkins, specifically configuring it and mentoring the development teams on its use and value.
Most of my paid experience has been with Jenkins, specifically configuring it and mentoring the development teams on its use and value.
5 years experience
Git workflows, branching and merging strategies.
Git workflows, branching and merging strategies.
10 years experience
8 years experience | 3 endorsements

REVIEWS FROM CLIENTS

5.0
(6 reviews)
Roman Yarovoy
Roman Yarovoy
July 2024
All my questions about a software architect role were answered, all good 👍
Tony Vu
Tony Vu
June 2024
Brian was incredibly helpful and went far and beyond to help not only my project but also my questions about the industry. Don't hesitate to ask Brian for help!
Removed User
Removed User
May 2024
Another wonderful session, application compiled and running successfully, and the mySQL database connected and formated to trading application. Looking forward to working with you again soon!
Removed User
Removed User
May 2024
Absolutely wonderful mentorship, very knowledgeable!
Jay Robson
Jay Robson
April 2024
Brian was very patient and helpful in explaining the inner workings of the processes I was dealing with which helped point me in the right direction
Timothy Vogel
Timothy Vogel
March 2024
Good Communication skills. Helped to see and correct the issue with my code quickly.
SOCIAL PRESENCE
GitHub
qbd-api
An API web service for QuickBooks Desktop
Java
4
3
invoice-config
Automates the delivery of QuickBooks invoices
Groovy
2
0
Stack Overflow
51 Reputation
0
0
2
EMPLOYMENTS
Application Architect
WCB Manitoba
2021-04-01-2023-04-01

Worked with the architecture team to define and guide the WCB's digital modernization effort. Mentored the development teams in...

Worked with the architecture team to define and guide the WCB's digital modernization effort. Mentored the development teams in best practices of software development, and the nuances of Spring Framework, Spring Security, etc. Produced a set of videos that walked a developer through how to modernize a sample application. These videos were well received, and they accelerated the teams' modernization efforts.

Led a team that modernized the correspondence management system. With the retirement of Microsoft ActiveX, WCB needed another way to generate MS Word correspondence documents. Using a proof of concept prepared by other team members, built on this and delivered a solution that preserved much of the user experience, and preserved a critical business capability of WCB.

Rejuvenated WCB's Jenkins build server, installed the latest version, and documented a process for keeping it up to date.

Upgraded Help file system. Migrated help file projects to the current version of Adobe RoboHelp from one that was 11 years old. Trained the developers and business subject matter experts on the new RoboHelp. Enabled business units to update their application help files.

HTML/CSS
Java
SQL
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HTML/CSS
Java
SQL
Spring
JavaScript
Hibernate ORM
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Lead Software Developer
IG Wealth Management
2019-04-01-2020-06-01

Provided technical leadership and mentoring to the application development team. Led efforts to modernize the application set and th...

Provided technical leadership and mentoring to the application development team. Led efforts to modernize the application set and the CI/CD development process. Participated in efforts to integrate with Salesforce Financial Services.

HTML/CSS
Java
SQL
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HTML/CSS
Java
SQL
Spring
JavaScript
Hibernate ORM
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Application Solution Architect
WCB Manitoba
2016-02-01-2019-03-01

Defined and built the solution frameworks and integration components for a major initiative that streamlined billing from health car...

Defined and built the solution frameworks and integration components for a major initiative that streamlined billing from health care providers. Mentored the development team in the use of these frameworks and components.

HTML/CSS
Java
SQL
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HTML/CSS
Java
SQL
Spring
JavaScript
Hibernate ORM
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PROJECTS
2024
An API for QuickBooks Desktop (QBD). This uses the MySQL database created by Synergration's OpenSync as its backing datastore. You simply...
An API for QuickBooks Desktop (QBD). This uses the MySQL database created by Synergration's OpenSync as its backing datastore. You simply issue REST-ful HTTP calls against QBD API and it will fetch and persist the data.
Java
SQL
Micronaut
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Java
SQL
Micronaut
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