This lab will serve as a larger scenario-type lab that will serve as the basis for my portfolio for a job interview with the University of British Columbia (UBC). It is modeled after some larger IT projects that I have done in the past, and is presented using technical storytelling to further enrich the experience.

The company and the users are fake, but the story is quite real and is based on a recent project I successfully undertook.

Founding and Early Years (1980s): Dynalogic Innovations was conceived in the vibrant tech landscape of Upstate New York's Tech Valley, the brainchild of two recent graduates: Jordan Michaels from the University at Albany (UAlbany) and Alex Rivera from Siena College. The duo's shared passion for technology and innovation led to the establishment of Dynalogic, a company committed to developing custom software solutions for burgeoning local businesses. Their pioneering efforts were fueled by the rich academic and research environments of their alma maters, positioning Dynalogic as a burgeoning tech entity within the local community.

Expansion and First Sale (1990s - Early 2000s): Throughout the '90s, Dynalogic expanded its services to include networking and cybersecurity, capitalizing on the dot-com bubble's momentum. This period of growth was marked by significant contributions from key team members, including Elena Rodriguez and Sophia Martinez, who were part of a groundbreaking "Women in Tech" program at Russell Sage College in Troy, NY. Their expertise and leadership propelled Dynalogic into the national spotlight, leading to its acquisition by a larger tech conglomerate in the early 2000s.

Struggles and Second Sale (2000s - 2010s): The following years tested Dynalogic's resilience as it navigated through corporate restructuring and the 2008 financial crisis under its new ownership. The spirit and innovation that had defined Dynalogic's early years in Tech Valley seemed to diminish until a group of investors, including former employees and Russell Sage alumnae, stepped in. In 2015, they acquired Dynalogic, determined to revitalize its founding ethos.

Modernization and Present Day: The investors appointed Nathan Michaels, a UAlbany graduate and Jordan Michaels' son, as CEO. Under Nathan’s leadership, Dynalogic embarked on a modernization journey, focusing on emerging technologies such as AI and cloud computing. Nathan ensured that the company's innovation strategy remained deeply connected to Tech Valley's academic roots, fostering partnerships with UAlbany, Siena College, and Russell Sage to create internships and development programs, especially for women in technology.

Today, Dynalogic Innovations is a beacon of innovation in Tech Valley, blending its rich history with a forward-thinking approach. The company not only champions cutting-edge technology but also embodies the collaborative spirit and academic excellence of Albany, NY. Through its commitment to diversity and community engagement, Dynalogic continues to inspire the next generation of tech leaders, ensuring a bright future for the region's technology landscape.

As Dynalogic Innovations navigated through its ambitious modernization efforts, an unexpected challenge emerged. Their cyber insurance provider conducted a thorough risk assessment and delivered a sobering verdict: the company's reliance on outdated technologies, especially the critical systems running on Windows Server 2008, posed a significant security risk. The insurance provider made it clear—without a comprehensive upgrade of their IT infrastructure, their coverage would be withdrawn.

Nathan Michaels, recognizing the gravity of the situation, saw an opportunity not just to secure insurance coverage but to catapult the company into the modern era of technology. However, Dynalogic's internal IT team, while exceptionally skilled in maintaining the status quo and leveraging vendor relationships to fulfill client needs, lacked the expertise to undertake a transformation of this scale.

Nathan knew that to navigate this complex transition, Dynalogic needed someone who could bridge the gap between their rich legacy and the future of tech. Rick Conlee, a seasoned DevOps consultant known for his expertise in modernizing IT infrastructures, became the chosen architect for this mission. Nathan was convinced that Rick's forward-thinking approach to automation, cloud services, and security was precisely what Dynalogic needed. Rick has his work cut out for him, because there is a lot to address here. There is a lot of data, and lots of old systems. Basically, Rick needs to scoop up the data, move it to a completely new architechture and burn down the remnants of the old system.

• Mason Carter - IT Manager, overseeing the department and driving tech modernization projects.
• Elena Rodriguez - Network Security Specialist responsible for safeguarding the company's digital assets.
• Alex Kim - Website Administrator, the go-to person for all website-related queries and maintenance.

• Jordan Lee - Senior Web Developer, tasked with overhauling the company's online presence and implementing cutting-edge web technologies.

• Harper Smith - Marketing Director, focuses on leveraging technology to enhance digital marketing strategies.
• Liam Johnson - Human Resources, spearheads the use of automation in recruiting and employee management.
• Sophia Martinez - Finance Analyst, utilizes advanced software for financial forecasting and analysis.
• Noah Zhang - Operations Manager, integrates tech solutions to streamline operations.
• Ava Patel - Customer Support Lead, implements chatbots and AI to improve customer service.
• Ethan Wong - Sales Executive, uses CRM and data analysis tools to boost sales strategies.