Madhava Varma
Hyderabad
Summary
Microsoft Dynamics Environment and Release Manager with 14+ years of experience in orchestrating complex deployments, release cycles, and infrastructure solutions across global enterprises. Proven track record in managing onshore/offshore teams, driving automation through Azure DevOps, and leading successful D365 Finance & Operations (F&O) implementations. Adept at strategic planning, change management, and process improvement in high-demand environments. Certified in ITIL, PRINCE2, and Microsoft Azure (MCA Certified).
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Operations Manager
Electronic Arts (EA)
03.2020 - Current
- Spearhead end-to-end release management for Microsoft D365 Finance & Operations, driving seamless delivery of bug fixes, enhancements, and major releases across global environments.
- Design, implement, and manage CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps (Repos, Pipelines, Boards, YAML), enabling efficient and automated deployments across DEV, UAT, and PROD.
- Lead cross-functional coordination of development, QA, and infrastructure teams to ensure high-quality, timely releases with zero downtime using incremental and bulk merge deployment strategies.
- Govern all LCS activities, including sandbox refreshes, package deployments, database (.BAK) exports, and environment health monitoring.
- Define and enforce governance processes for change management, code promotions, bug lifecycle, and environment readiness.
- Drive continuous process improvements by creating and analyzing release metrics, identifying gaps, and implementing actionable solutions.
- Architect automation solutions using PowerShell, YAML, Ansible, and ARM templates to standardize release and deployment processes.
- Own and manage the organizational release calendar in close collaboration with DTS, product managers, and platform teams.
- Work closely with Change, Problem, and Incident Management teams to ensure release plans align with ITIL and governance frameworks.
- Facilitate risk assessments and mitigation planning for all proposed changes, coordinating with business stakeholders and third-party vendors.
- Provide strategic guidance to onboard development teams under standardized release processes, ensuring cross-team alignment.
- Monitor compliance with change and release procedures, handling regular and emergency change approvals, and auditing non-compliant activities.
- Deliver actionable insights to leadership using custom dashboards and KPIs built in Power BI and Azure analytics.
- Champion Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) practices, SCM, and cloud-native DevOps practices across all tiers—Development, UAT, and Production.
- Conduct LCS training and best practice workshops for Dynamics 365 implementations, upgrades, and maintenance.
- Demonstrated expertise in Microsoft Azure cloud (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), Azure Key Vault, and integration with Power BI for real-time data reporting and visualization using SQL Server, DAX, and custom measures.
Manager – Technology & Solution Architect
Hitachi Solutions
07.2015 - 03.2020
- Led enterprise-scale implementations of Microsoft Dynamics AX and D365 across the UK, US, APAC, India, and Middle East regions, ensuring alignment with business goals and regional compliance standards.
- Designed and implemented end-to-end release pipelines, database strategies, and security frameworks to support scalable Dynamics deployments.
- Architected AX environment security models and managed backup solutions, along with SharePoint and Microsoft CRM migration strategies.
- Provided infrastructure solutions tailored to client-specific needs, encompassing Active Directory administration, backup architectures (NetBackup, Veeam), and multi-instance AX environment management.
- Delivered L2/L3 support, conducted compliance audits, and managed security reviews for AX systems and associated infrastructure.
- Defined and enforced security policies aligned with industry standards, focusing on segregation of duties (SoD), AX Compliance Center configuration, and overall risk mitigation.
- Managed database configuration and maintenance across production and staging servers, ensuring performance, recoverability, and security.
- Created comprehensive documentation of infrastructure and DBA procedures to standardize operations and ensure audit readiness.
- Oversaw project scoping, resource allocation, and delivery execution across diverse global clients, collaborating closely with vendors and internal teams to meet SLAs.
- Worked directly with clients to address satisfaction issues, align expectations, and identify new project opportunities.
- Mentored junior team members, defined internal policies and procedures, and contributed to capability-building within the team.
- Managed application testing and software deployment using SCCM 2012, including troubleshooting, software inventory, patch compliance reporting, and mass deployments.
- Delivered real-time monitoring and reporting solutions using SCCM and SCOM, enhancing system visibility and operational responsiveness.
- Spearheaded migration projects involving Dynamics AX, CRM, SharePoint, and core infrastructure components like SCCM, messaging, storage, and backup services.
- Actively participated in estimation, architecture design, development planning, and project transition for multiple enterprise-level initiatives.
DBA Team Lead / Architect
Blithesoft Technologies (Client: E2 Power / OCBC Group)
08.2012 - 04.2015
- Architected and led large-scale SQL Server modernization and data migration initiatives, enabling seamless transformation of legacy systems to modern, high-availability environments.
- Designed and implemented enterprise-grade HA/DR solutions, including Always-On Availability Groups, failover clustering, replication, mirroring, and log shipping across hybrid environments.
- Oversaw operations for 1000+ SQL Server, Oracle, and Sybase databases, managing multi-terabyte environments across Singapore, Malaysia, and India.
- Acted as the primary technical lead and senior advisor on over 20 database-driven projects, providing hands-on leadership, architecture, and mentorship to project teams.
- Set up and led overseas DBA operations, including direct engagement with clients in Malaysia and Singapore, ensuring regional compliance and operational excellence.
- Directed a diverse team of DBAs and managed cross-platform environments, including SQL Server (2000–2016), Sybase (12.x, 15.x), and Oracle (9i–11g).
- Conducted data requirement analysis, data modeling, and enterprise-wide data architecture planning for multiple large-scale projects.
- Authored hundreds of SQL and shell scripts for data monitoring, validation, inter-system data transfers, and reporting automation—improving operational efficiency and data accuracy.
- Developed and optimized hundreds of T-SQL and PL/SQL stored procedures, triggers, and performance-tuned scripts to support business-critical applications.
- Implemented rigorous backup and disaster recovery strategies with regular testing and recovery simulations to ensure business continuity.
- Migrated legacy DTS packages to modern SSIS solutions for seamless ETL operations across SQL Server 2005–2016.
- Delivered real-time monitoring using SCOM and custom SCCM reporting to ensure server health, software deployment compliance, and patch validation.
- Conducted regular performance tuning using execution plans, index optimization, and concurrency troubleshooting to maintain system responsiveness.
- Maintained database integrity using DBCC checks, and performed frequent security upgrades including SSL encryption, column-level encryption, and role-based access control.
- Supported weekly change management cycles, deploying and validating developer code in production environments.
- Designed and built SSIS packages to extract, transform, and load data into warehouse environments using Control Flow and Data Flow tasks.
- Led infrastructure reporting efforts, producing custom inventory, patch compliance, and deployment penetration reports through SCCM.
Database Administrator
Spring Soft Solutions
06.2009 - 08.2012
- Spearheaded performance tuning, database optimization, and high-availability implementations across large-scale SQL Server environments (up to 2.5 TB).
- Designed and developed SSIS packages for complex ETL operations, handling data extraction from diverse sources including flat files, SQL databases, and external systems.
- Led migration and upgrade projects, including SQL Server 2000 to 2012, and SQL Server 2005 to 2008, across development, QA, and production environments.
- Architected and deployed database solutions using SQL Server clustering (2-node Active-Active and 3-node Active-Active-Passive), database mirroring, and log shipping to ensure high availability and disaster recovery.
- Engineered and maintained transactional replication, mirroring, and DR solutions across production and QA environments.
- Utilized SQL Server Profiler, Performance Monitor, and Database Tuning Advisor to optimize performance, resolve long-running queries, locking/blocking issues, and enhance overall server throughput.
- Created logical and physical data models using Erwin; defined database schema, relationships, and constraints aligned with normalized design principles.
- Developed advanced T-SQL solutions including stored procedures, functions, triggers, views, and dynamic SQL for complex business logic and data manipulation.
- Implemented CTEs, TRY-CATCH error handling, partitioned tables, and indexed views introduced in SQL Server 2005 and 2008 for performance and maintainability.
- Led capacity planning, database filegroup strategy, and performance benchmarking for VLDB environments.
- Regularly maintained database integrity and consistency using DBCC CHECKDB, index defragmentation, and statistics updates.
- Managed SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS), authored OLAP cubes, and supported multidimensional models for enterprise reporting and analytics.
- Developed and deployed SSRS reports; managed report subscriptions, data sources, and security configurations in SQL Server 2005/2008 Reporting Services.
- Performed in-depth analysis of source data, designed mappings, and implemented data flow logic using SSIS control and data flow tasks.
- Administered backup/recovery operations using SQL Server Agent jobs, including full, differential, and transaction log backups with automated maintenance plans.
- Monitored hosted environments and executed tuning operations such as index creation/removal, filegroup restructuring, and job scheduling to ensure optimal performance.
- Provided comprehensive production support including troubleshooting client connection issues, analyzing server logs, and optimizing database uptime and responsiveness.
Education
B.Tech - Computer Science
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University
Hyderabad06-2009
Skills
- Environment and Release Management
- Azure DevOps (Repos, Pipelines, Boards, YAML, ARM)
- Microsoft D365 Finance & Operations (F&O)
- CI/CD Pipeline Implementation
- Change & Configuration Management
- SQL Server, PowerShell, Ansible, Power BI
- LCS Management, Sandbox Refreshes
- Agile/Scrum & ITIL V3 Frameworks
- Stakeholder Management & Team Leadership
Certification
- Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator
- ITIL V3 Foundation
- PRINCE2 Practitioner
Timeline
Operations Manager
Electronic Arts (EA)
03.2020 - Current
Manager – Technology & Solution Architect
Hitachi Solutions
07.2015 - 03.2020
DBA Team Lead / Architect
Blithesoft Technologies (Client: E2 Power / OCBC Group)
08.2012 - 04.2015
Database Administrator
Spring Soft Solutions
06.2009 - 08.2012
B.Tech - Computer Science
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University
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