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Your Batch Automation
Should Not Be
Your Project Risk

Project Managers engage me when they have a complex set of requirements and the batch automation solution is somewhat vague. I embed in your team remotely to provide expert guidance, hands-on delivery, and genuine knowledge transfer — so that the way forward becomes clear.

Enquire Now How It Works
40+
Years in IT Operations
20+
Years in Batch Automation
100%
Remote Delivery
Craig Hay — IT Batch Automation Consultant
Craig in Sydney
Enterprise Experience
American Express — 15 years
IBM Global Services Australia — 8 years
Optus Telecommunications — 16 years
Resolution Life Australasia — 18 months
Who I Am

Senior Specialist.
Decades of Delivery.

I am available for consulting engagements. Experienced Project Managers bring me in to de-risk the project and help ensure a robust result delivered on time.

I provide the specialist depth their internal teams may not have — ensuring that design decisions and build standards are correct from the outset, answering the many technical questions that arise, and ushering the project to successful completion.

My career spans mainframe batch environments through to distributed server and cloud-based operations — across Finance, Telecommunications, and Life Insurance — so I understand critical context in all situations.

Engaging a specialist contractor for batch automation is a modest line item against the cost of delays, rework, or a poorly handed-over system that burdens your operations team for years to come.

What I Deliver to Your Project

Six Ways I De-Risk
Your Batch Automation

01

Requirements Analysis

Translating architech requirements into sound batch scheduling design, and ensuring that nothing is built on assumptions and everything works as required.

02

Workflow Build & Testing

Hands-on delivery within Control-M to enterprise standards — with assistance for test teams and documentation required by your change management directives.

03

Best Practice Governance

Establishing and confirming the best scheduling standards, naming conventions, dependency management, and error-handling frameworks.

04

Knowledge Transfer

Structured handover to your batch operations and application support teams, so your organisation is genuinely self-sufficient at project close.

05

Risk Reduction

Removing the uncertainties that arise when project teams are strong in application delivery but less experienced in enterprise batch automation. I've seen the problems before — and know how to prevent them.

06

Troubleshooting

Quickly zeroing in on the root cause of a technical roadblock is a service of incredible value. Hard-won experience means faster diagnosis and faster resolution.

The Engagement Process

From First Contact
to Successful Delivery

Here is what a typical engagement looks like — transparent from the first SMS to the final handover.

1

Initial Conversation

You SMS me with your name and email. We schedule a short video call to discuss your project, timeline, and whether I'm the right fit. No commitment, no cost.

2

Scope & Rate Agreement

I provide a rate card and we agree on engagement format — whether that's a focused sprint, a part-time ongoing arrangement, or something in between. Flexibility is standard.

3

Active Engagement

I embed in your team remotely. Regular check-ins, hands-on delivery, and being available to your team when questions arise — working within your existing tools and rhythms.

4

Handover & Close

A structured knowledge transfer to your operations and support teams. Documentation, walkthroughs, and a clear sign-off so support teams are genuinely equipped to own what was built.

Engagement Format

Flexible to Your
Project Needs

Engagements are tailored to the project at hand. Below is what is typically in — and out — of scope.

Typically In Scope

  • Requirements review and design consultation
  • Control-M workflow build and standards review
  • Testing support and defect resolution
  • REST-API job integration guidance
  • Cyclic workflow design and implementation
  • Host group and server agent configuration advice
  • Change management documentation
  • Ops and application support team knowledge transfer
  • Ad-hoc troubleshooting and technical Q&A

How Engagements Work

  • Delivered fully remotely via AWS Workspaces, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, etc.
  • Sydney-based, but may consider overseas engagements - remotely
  • Most suitable for cloud-based IT platforms in Finance, Telco, Insurance, Health and Government
  • Engagements are time-and-materials — you pay for the hours worked, approved by your staff and invoiced monthly
  • If I don't produce, you don't pay. Satisfaction guaranteed.
  • Part-time weekly retainer arrangements available for ongoing projects
  • Rate card provided after initial mutual interest is confirmed
  • No lock-in — engagements scale up or down with your needs, can be cancelled without penalty from either side - simple contract
  • After the basic contract and any non-disclosure agreement is signed, I'd be onboarded via UAM/Sailpoint or similar and granted access to the test platform. Work begins.
Why Engage Me

The Case for a Seasoned Expert

⏱️

Your Timeline Is Real

Every week of uncertainty costs budget, credibility, and morale. I have seen teams spend months going nowhere with development and testing. This is precisely where expert guidance pays off.

🔒

Built Right, Handed Over Properly

Batch platforms built without standards become permanent support burdens. I ensure your operations and application support teams can manage what is built — and understand it.

🌏

Remote Works

Years of remote delivery have shaped a working style that integrates naturally with distributed project teams. We establish a rhythm that fits your schedule.

⏱️

Modest Budget. Significant Protection.

Specialist contractor fees are a small line item against the cost of ongoing delays, rework, or a platform that fails after go-live.

📄

Sole Trader. Fewer HR concerns.

Hiring a sole-trader specialist for a defined project just makes sense. Fewer HR overheads. Greater flexibility. The rate card is transparent and provided up front.

⏱️

Cost reduction is paramount

Get top-level experience without the excessive cost-padding that comes with recruiters. No need for a middle-man. Faster. Simpler.

Common Questions

Questions Project Managers
Typically Ask

Will you understand our specific environment without being on-site?

Yes. I have worked remotely with enterprise teams across multiple industries for years. A short onboarding session with your team is all that is typically needed. I ask the right questions early, and I am familiar with the variety of ways Control-M is configured across large organisations.

How much of your time does the project actually need?

It varies by phase. Requirements and design work tends to be intensive upfront, while build and testing support can be lighter-touch. We agree on a realistic estimate after the initial conversation — engagements can be a focused few days or a multi-month part-time arrangement.

What if my team has limited Control-M experience?

That is exactly the situation I am most useful in. I bring the specialist depth your team needs, work alongside them throughout, and transfer knowledge progressively so they are genuinely capable by the time I hand over — not just handed a document.

We already have a batch team internally — why would we need you?

Your batch operations team manages day-to-day scheduling. Project delivery — requirements, design, build, test, standards governance, and handover — is a different skill set. I complement your existing team rather than replace them, and they are typically glad of the support.

How do I know if my project actually needs this?

If your project involves new or significantly changed batch workflows in Control-M, and your team has not done this before at enterprise scale, the risk is real. A short initial conversation will quickly establish whether there is a genuine fit. There is no obligation on either side.

What industries have you worked across?

Financial services (American Express), IT services (IBM), telecommunications (Optus), and life insurance (Resolution Life). The batch automation principles are consistent across these sectors, and the enterprise scale of each engagement means I understand the complexity of large, regulated environments.

Do you use AI in any way?

Of course! It is essential to utilise AI in these times. Control-M comes now with JETT, a Claude-based AI system. Note that I find it particularly useful for document production, and internet searches, but not much else - yet.

Engagement Availability

Secure Your
Engagement Window

Demand for specialist batch automation expertise is limited by the nature of contracted, focused engagements. Availability windows fill quickly — early enquiry is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.

⚠ Availability status is updated regularly. Confirmed bookings take priority — enquire early to reserve your preferred start date.

Currently Available

Accepting new engagements. Contact me now to discuss your project start date.

Next Availability Window

Should current availability be filled, the next open window will be communicated on enquiry. Register your interest now to be first notified.

Get In Touch

Ready to Accelerate
Your Project?

The fastest path to a successful outcome starts with one conversation.
Reach out via SMS to +61 432 626 395

How to Book a Video Call

1 SMS to +61 432 626 395 with your name and email address.
2 We'll arrange a short video call to get acquainted and discuss your needs.
3 If there's mutual fit, I'll send through the rate card and we can agree on a start date with your HR rep.

Supported Video Call Apps:

Microsoft Teams Google Meet WhatsApp Viber Signal Telegram Wire

Craig will respond to your SMS promptly. There is no obligation — just a conversation.