The latest in our Career Insight series with Allstate NI. This week we have William Sproule, Analyst in Product Operations at Allstate's Enterprise Command Centre.
What is Product Operations?
Production Operations monitors and manages Allstate’s most critical operations. We manage the day to day workings of the infrastructure and applications that keep the business running.
What does your job entail?
My role entails monitoring of the Priority One applications which are Allstate’s core applications. If any issues occur we engage various support groups, document what the issue is and what is being done to resolve it. We utilize several different forms of communication to let the business know what functionality or impact is being caused. My main goal is to reduce any application downtime striving for 100% availability.
Is it 9-5?
No, I work from 1am until 2pm Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The best thing about this is that I have more time throughout the week to pursue hobbies and interests.
How did you get into this line of work?
I progressed from a technical support role within Allstate NI into Productions Operations as I seen the Enterprise Command Centre as an interesting and exciting place to work. Previous to Allstate NI, I worked as an Architectural CAD Technician but due to the housing industry collapse in 2008 I moved to the IT sector which was beginning to boom.
What qualities are required for your job – personal and professional?
Good communication skills, being able to think outside the box along with a strong sense of ownership in driving teams to resolve issues. You need to be confident within your own abilities to work within a fast paced Command Centre environment.
What are the biggest challenges and rewards of your work?
13 hour shifts can be challenging – you have to remain professional, focused and calm under pressure but it is worth it for the free time I have during the week. Shift working at Allstate NI can also benefit you financially with a generous shift allowance. These additional funds have helped me get my foot on the property ladder as I have recently become a homeowner.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy playing video games and I am a dab hand at DIY.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
I’ve been to Father Ted’s house - finding it was an achievement in itself!
Who has inspired you most in your life?
I feel I’ve been inspired by many people throughout my life but have to look at my inner self for inspiration every day. I’ve been through many challenges in my life that I never thought would happen to me but this is what makes me stronger and eager to better myself.
What does the future hold for Production Operations?
I see Production Operations growing extensively within Allstate NI as well as becoming a lot more automated as we strive to increase application and infrastructure availability.
