Ron Walker, 44
Software Architect, IBM
I was brought on board to work on a product for IBM called Cognos TM1. They wanted to scale it to be able to handle more data and users for projects happening with the stimulus. Larger-scale projects have gigabytes of data and require lots of processing. They're projects like analyzing huge volumes of health records to find the best, cheapest treatments. Or looking at traffic-flow performance for rail or highway. Or even analyzing crime statistics to figure out where to apply public safety spending.
It's an entirely new way of looking at data for me. I was holding my own at a previous job, but I wanted something with better growth, where I saw the future of technology going. So when I heard about this opening from a friend, I went for it. I have that flexibility because I'm a telecommuter. About 40% of IBM's employees these days are telecommuters. My previous company was based in Cincinnati. IBM's project group is in Littleton, Massachusetts. My wife and I both work at home and just love the Austin area and our lifestyle.
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