Naveed Akhtar
Practice Lead / Senior Solutions Architect Dynamics 365 & Power Platform, Americas @ EPAM Systems
About
As a Certified Solutions Associate and experienced Solutions Architect, I bring over 20 years of industry experience, including 15 years focused on implementing vertical solutions with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform. My expertise extends to Azure, facilitating digital transformation for businesses through comprehensive skills in end-to-end solution architecture, which includes business analysis, requirements gathering, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Throughout my career, I have consistently delivered innovative solutions that optimize business processes, elevate customer engagement, and drive revenue growth. My specialization lies in seamlessly integrating Dynamics 365 and Power Apps with Azure services to establish scalable and dependable solutions. In addition to my technical proficiencies, I have demonstrated exceptional leadership capabilities, successfully leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects using agile project management methodologies. I adeptly balance competing priorities to ensure successful project outcomes. Recognized as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the industry, I am passionately committed to assisting clients in accomplishing their business objectives through effective digital transformation strategies.
Canada
Greater Toronto Area
Information Technology & Services
Stakeholder Management, Business Case Preparation, IT Business Strategy, Professional Services, Presentations, Plugins, Microsoft Dynamics, Technical Leadership, Technical Sales, Practice Development, Technology Solutions, Business Applications, Microsoft Power Automate, Technical Architecture, Problem Solving, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Team Management, Pre-Sales Support , Microsoft Power Platform, Computer Science
Experience

Practice Lead / Senior Solutions Architect Dynamics 365 & Power Platform, Americas
Greater Toronto Area, Canada
- Led a large-scale Dynamics 365 implementation for a Fortune 500 client, resulting in a increase in customer retention and annual cost savings. - Oversee and manage the entire lifecycle of Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Cloud-based application implementations. - Drive business transformation initiatives through the effective utilization of Dynamics 365 and Power Platform solutions. - Collaborate with the pre-sales team to contribute to the scoping and logistics of projects. - Serve as a resource manager for the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform Americas competency. - Ensure successful deployment and integration of Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Cloud-based applications. - Provide expert guidance and support to clients throughout the implementation process. - Conduct thorough assessments and analysis to identify requirements and design appropriate solutions. - Develop and execute implementation plans, including project timelines, milestones, and deliverables. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to facilitate seamless integration and alignment of systems. - Stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Cloud-based applications.

Enterprise Applications Lead - CRM Applications
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Regularly engaged with C-suite executives to present CRM strategies, resulting in executive buy-in for a company-wide Dynamics 365 implementation. - Participated in all project implementation phases, including requirements gathering, design, configuration, and testing. - Facilitated sessions to gather business requirements, define business processes, and contribute to technical design and architecture discussions. - Utilized system capabilities, business knowledge, and technical expertise to map user stories into a sequenced implementation approach. - Engaged with external vendors to ensure operational stability, support, and maintenance of systems. - Managed a support team responsible for providing end-user support, system administration, and ensuring operational stability. - Led the design of new functionality for the Enterprise application (MS Dynamics 365 CE). - Drove the development of CE functionality to optimize, extend, and integrate Neptune's enterprise applications, data, and reports. - Led agile team alignment and actively participated in continuous improvement efforts, including sprint planning, stand-ups, backlog grooming, and retrospectives. - Supported and led the implementation of enterprise-wide applications such as website/CMS, Dynamics 365 CE, Cloud platform, and BI/Data platform. - Effectively communicated tasks, and timelines, and provided feedback to lead and manage the team. - Collaborated with business users to identify and address change management impacts resulting from new technology deployments.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Consultant (Advisory Applications Developer)
Toronto, Canada Area
- Spearheaded a Dynamics 365 Sales implementation that improved lead-quote process by half of the actual time by letting the people perform productive work. - Collaborated as a Techno-functional consultant with the business, QA, and development teams to gather requirements, conduct analysis, break down features and user stories into manageable tasks, and provide effort estimates. - Assumed responsibility for deliverables, sprint reviews, and backlog prioritization, aligning decisions with business justifications. - Implemented Microsoft Dynamics developer tools to enhance source code management. - Conducted configuration, customization, and CRM solutions extension activities to meet specific requirements. - Provided post-go-live production support and addressed day-to-day issues based on priority and impact analysis. - Implemented automation for Dynamics 365 build and deployment using PowerShell and XRM tooling.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Consultant
Toronto, Canada Area
- Translated business requirements into comprehensive technical specifications, ensuring alignment between business needs and technical solutions. - Presented solution proposals to the Manager, including recommendations for suitable development environments. - Reviewed proposals with the Manager and users, obtaining necessary approvals and creating project plans. - Collaborated with Project Managers to establish priorities and timelines specific to Dynamics CRM. - Conducted business training sessions during User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and provided post-implementation support. - Managed MS Dynamics CRM solutions, encompassing configuration, customization, plugin/workflow development, process development, and custom user interface development.

Lead Technical Analyst (Microsoft Dynamics Consultant)
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Now: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) - Conducted MS Dynamics CRM functional consultancy to gather business requirements by delivering Proof of Concepts (POCs) and coordinating with QA to prepare comprehensive test cases and scenarios. - Led the end-to-end implementation of MS Dynamics CRM, including hardware/software estimation, licensing, ongoing administration support, and support for new changes and enhancements from requirement gathering to deployment and post-deployment phases. - Integrated CRM with various core banking systems, cards management systems (CTL PRIME), Postilion, MONEX, and other custom in-house applications using MS SSIS, XRM, and other tools. Also responsible for enhancing existing applications. - Designed and developed system architectures, and applications using .Net (VB.Net / C#) for desktop and ASP.Net for web, and implemented Windows and web services. - Played a key role in the decision-making team for design approvals, assessing tools, and evaluating the feasibility of MS Dynamics CRM solutions.

Team Lead Software Development
Dubai, UAE
- Effectively managed onshore and offshore teams, ensuring successful project delivery within allocated resources and timelines. Oversaw team activities, performance appraisals, and management. - Implemented Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4 and 2011 in multiple banking institutions to establish efficient contact and service/case management systems. - Designed and developed applications using .Net C# Desktop and ASP.Net for Windows and mobile platforms. - Utilized BizTalk 2010 to create messages, ports, mappings, and orchestrators as part of middleware development. - Integrated CRM 4.0 and banking middleware for various banking and financial clients. - Led the pre-sales team, driving the development of cutting-edge designs and working prototypes for impactful demos.

Senior Computer Programmer
XS Studios
Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
As a member of the team, I played a crucial role in various aspects of the project, including: - Collaborated with stakeholders to gather and document project requirements accurately. - Conducted thorough analysis and designed solutions to meet project objectives effectively. - Application development using Microsoft .NET (C# / VB.NET), ASP.NET, and related technologies to develop robust and scalable applications. - Conducted comprehensive testing using Visual Studio tools to ensure high-quality and bug-free software. - Managed the deployment process, ensuring smooth and successful implementation of the developed applications. - Provided ongoing support and addressed any issues that arose after deployment, ensuring optimal performance and user satisfaction.

Senior Software Engineer
Islamabad, Pakistan
- Developed medical pharmaceutical applications, multithreaded/processing applications, and notification & messaging systems using .Net C# Desktop, ASP.Net, and Web Services, leveraging Design Patterns and third-party tools. - Played a key role in client meetings, actively participating in requirement gathering and analysis. - Took on technical responsibilities in the analysis and design of system architectures. - Provided post-deployment support to ensure smooth operation of the implemented systems.

Senior Software Developer
OVEX Technologies, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Initiated as an individual developer and subsequently assembled a proficient team for designing and developing medium-sized .Net web-based applications. - Accountable for the comprehensive lifecycle of .Net projects, encompassing development, maintenance, optimization, and management. - Acquired proficiency in diverse domains, including BizTalk, SharePoint integration, and other relevant technologies. - Played a pivotal role in designing, developing, and implementing a web-based sales system, inventory management, and customer relations management system.

Software Developer / Support Engineer
The ComSoft Services
Islamabad, Pakistan
- Conducted thorough consultations with clients to develop and document web and software requirements. - Prepared mock-ups and prototypes for software and web applications development and conducted testing. - Provided ongoing support to clients, addressing software issues and implementing enhancements as needed. - Served as a trainer, delivering instruction on office automation and basic skills for website and desktop application development.
Naveed Akhtar's Contact Information
Phone
Find the Right Leads
Find Verified Contact Data
What LeadContact does well
Find verified emails, phone numbers, and decision-makers with 98% accuracy.
Find Leads
Find the right people by company, role, industry, location, and more.
925M+ professional profiles

Find Emails
Access verified email addresses for your target contacts.
657M+ emails

Find Phone Numbers
Get cross-validated phone data from multiple top sources.
239M+ phone numbers

More Accurate. Lower Cost.
Find contact data in 1 tool with 98% accuracy
LeadContact integrates leading enrichment tools to deliver more accurate contact data—without paying for each one.
Great conversations start with the right contact.
It’s time to find yours.



