Robert Franzon

At Shing Digital Inc., we deliver innovative, customized IT strategies that help businesses grow and stay ahead. Founded in 2001 with offices in Calgary and Edmonton, we provide strategic IT planning, technical support, and reliable infrastructure solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Our motto, “It’s a Shing Thing,” reflects our commitment to proactive, forward-thinking service that drives efficiency, innovation, and long-term success.

• Lead strategic planning, budgeting, and execution of all IT operations, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and managed services initiatives to align technology with business goals and client objectives.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and implement annual IT strategies, departmental budgets, and technology roadmaps that support operational excellence, scalability, and fiscal responsibility.
• Oversee cloud migrations, network infrastructure, cybersecurity programs, automation initiatives, and vendor management to deliver reliable, cost-effective, and future-ready IT solutions.
• Conduct weekly meetings with managed clients to assess IT environments, identify opportunities for improvement, and drive proactive digital transformation strategies.
• Direct all aspects of IT operations, service delivery, and technical support, ensuring high system availability, compliance, and superior client satisfaction.
• Implement KPI-driven performance management, workflow optimization, and IT governance frameworks to improve efficiency and accountability across teams.
• Build and mentor high-performing technical teams, fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Position IT as a strategic enabler of business success by combining technical expertise with strong financial and operational leadership.

Nutrien is the largest producer of potash by capacity and one of the world's largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate, providing the three key nutrients growers need to produce healthier, more abundant crops. Nutriens retail operations serve growers in seven countries across three continents. With 1,500 locations across North America, Australia and South America, and more than 3,300 crop advisors, Nutrien is the world's largest direct-to-grower provider of products, services and solutions.

• Working with offshore operational support team on escalated issues as well as other outstanding request.
• Provide mentorship to IT Service Delivery Leads and IT Analysts.
• Lead external project teams to deliver key initiatives across M365 applications, with the support of assigned Project Managers.
• Oversee and direct outsourced resources responsible for IT Operations within the Microsoft 365 suite.
• Plan and deliver initiatives that are aligned with the broader vision and strategy in a global model.
• Ensure projects are effectively transitioned to operations, including hyper care leadership.
• Monitor M365 technology trends through the lens of potential value to Nutrien and its diversified business units in a global model.
• Work with internal Security teams to maintain M365 Tenant and product security overseeing resolution of vulnerabilities to minimize risk.
• Lead SME role in Major Incidents to represent the M365 area to resolve issues working with outsourced Operations teams. I’m responsible to maintain technologies in place while continuously evaluating future lifecycle.
• Liaise with IT and business groups as the face of Microsoft 365 Collaboration to assist with new product exploration, innovation, growth, or improving operational challenges.
• Supporting areas of business and providing improvement in the M365 space.
• Identifying change that will continue bringing value in alignment with Nutrien’s business models and vision.
• Championed continuous improvement efforts throughout the organization by identifying process inefficiencies and implementing best practices, driving increased productivity and cost savings
• Streamlined internal processes by conducting thorough evaluations and implementing necessary improvements
• Optimized resource allocation by analyzing data trends and adjusting budgets accordingly, maximizing profitability without compromising service quality or customer satisfaction
• Increased team efficiency with regular training sessions and performance reviews, leading to higher productivity levels
• Provided expert guidance on policy implementation, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and reducing potential risks

KMicro is a leading global Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider Partner, providing Microsoft cloud expertise (including seamless collaboration tools and intelligent business applications) and robust cybersecurity capabilities across platforms. I worked with Clients Located in the US, Canada, India and Europe

• Provided tools and guidance for implementing not only cloud technologies, but also business, people and process changes, to adopt Azure cloud with confidence and control.
• Increased productivity and collaboration by leveraging the cloud to support Remote and hybrid work using M365 Cloud adoption.
• Lead Engineer in Data Migration for on premises SharePoint, Teams and OneDrive to Microsoft Online
• Architected, Developed and carried out Azure Virtual Desktop Solutions for small medium and large companies.
• Created and Maintained update management in Azure
• Created, updated and maintained Azure security standards and best practices across Azure domain.
• Built and maintained network infrastructure consisting of Windows and virtual products In Azure.
• Knowledgeable of Azure Landing Zone deployment models and best practices.
• Carried out Lift and Shift process in migrating on premises server resources to Azure.
• Knowledgeable of Office 365 & Azure deployment models and best practices.
• Knowledgeable of Microsoft Endpoint manager (Intune) deployment models and best practices.
• Developed and carried out Windows 365 for Business and Enterprise.
• Design and document migration plan to SharePoint Online
• Migrate documents from Network File Shares to Microsoft 365 OneDrive for Business SharePoint Online
• Performed root cause analysis to provide resolutions for production issues.
• Collaborated with clients to determine need and devise appropriate software and hardware solutions.
• Provided 2nd and 3rd level technical support and troubleshooting to internal and external clients.
• Developed organizational units in Active Directory (AD) and managed user security with group policies.
• Led projects and analyzed data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
• Follow Industry Best Practice where applicable to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.

• Implemented security initiatives set forth by the management team.
• Enforce and monitor system access controls, and recommend improvements.
• Accountable for maintaining key business applications using best practices outlined by application vendors.
• Administrative support and configuration for Microsoft System Center Operations Manager.
• Follow Industry Best Practice where applicable to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Provide mentor-ship to other team members including System Administrators.
• Developed organizational units in Active Directory (AD) and managed user security with group policies.
• Maintains the Group Policy infrastructure based on the policies and guidelines provided.
• Integration and administrative support for Microsoft Exchange online in a hybrid architecture using Microsoft Azure.
• Knowledgeable of Office 365 & Azure deployment models and best practices.
• Developed and provided technical knowledge on the Azure platform.
• Carried out the Lift and Shift process in migrating resources to Azure.
• Developed and carried out Windows Virtual Desktop on Azure.
• Created patches and solutions to fix bugs in existing applications
• Provided comprehensive training to internal and off-site users to optimize systems maintenance and resolve recurring issues
• Supported day-to-day operations, monitoring and resolving client/server and storage issues
• Created, updated and maintained Azure security standards and best practices across Azure domain
• Designed and developed forward-thinking systems that meet user needs and improve productivity
• Coordinated deployments of new software, feature updates and fixes
• Tuned systems to boost performance
• Tested functional compliance of company products

• Integration and administrative support for Microsoft Exchange online in a hybrid architecture using Microsoft Azure.
• Administrative support for Citrix XenApp published applications and Citrix Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.
• Implemented security initiatives set forth by the management team.
• Administrative support for Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager in a 1200 user desktop and laptop environment.
• Enforce and monitor system access controls, and recommend improvements.
• Accountable for maintaining key business applications using best practices outlined by application vendors.
• Administrative support and configuration for Microsoft System Center Operations Manager in a 300+ server environment.
• Proficient in Windows Server operating systems including 2008, 2012 and 2016.
• Follow Industry Best Practice where applicable to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Secondary for NetApp storage supporting the VMware ESXi environment.
• Proficient in Cisco IronPort Email Security Appliance to defend against ransomware, phishing, and other sophisticated attacks.
• Knowledge of Red hat Enterprise Linux 6.x operating system in support of SAP systems.
• Provide mentor-ship to other team members including System Administrators.
• Created patches and solutions to fix bugs in existing applications
• Maintained current software licenses for computers and mobile devices
• Performed software installations and upgrades to Windows operating systems
• Conducted routine and emergency maintenance of assigned data center equipment
• Delivered Tier 2 and Tier 3 support for problem identification, diagnosis and issue resolution
• Supported day-to-day operations, monitoring and resolving client/server and storage issues
• Oversaw troubleshooting, technical issue resolution and consulting services to upgrade technology infrastructure