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Our Team

 
John Gould - Owner/Managing Consultant

John started Avatar as Ethereal Software in 2003. After having to spell 'Ethereal' on the phone 6 times a day for 4 years, he decided to rename the company Avatar Software in 2007. He's never looked back.

When John isn't desperately trying to find a use for his iPad, he's usually either fragging Zerg or wondering how fast our Internet connection would have to be to do iCarly-style webcasts every day.

Favorite technologies: SharePoint, SSRS, Crystal Reports (really!), jQuery
 
Patrick Schroeder - Senior Applications Consultant

Patrick is a trained chef who picked up that moniker and these skills a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. He worked in Network and PC support during the late 90s and the early 00s while working on his Computer Science degree from DePaul University. He then shifted to software development and has been with Avatar since 2007, though he still likes to cook in his “copious free time…” ;-)

Favorite technologies: Silverlight, WPF, C#, ASP.NET, SQL and Oracle databases, SSRS, Crystal Reports, and pretty much anything else used to create software.

Special interest: Artificial Intelligence.
 
Matt Dixon- Senior Applications Consultant

Matt has been working in the Information Technology field since 1994. With experience in design, architecture, development and deployment of Web based applications since 1998, most recently his main area of concentration has been SharePoint. He is passionate about the unlimited solutions which can be built using SharePoint.

Favorite technologies: SharePoint, SSRS, jQuery, RDP

Most underused certifications: Certified Novell Administrator; Certified Lighting Specialist; Outlook 97 Certified

Favorite iPhone apps: Tom Tom, Logos, Flight Control

Random trivia: Worked at a vegetarian deli serving tofu reubens; Hometown - Temecula, CA
 
James Norman - Applications Consultant

James joined Avatar in 2008. Since coming to Avatar, he has worked heavily on projects that require a deep level of SharePoint development and customization. Because of this, he is sometimes referred to as a “SharePoint Ninja” by others.

In his spare time, James is a technology nut, beer connoisseur, and rabid Vanderbilt sports fan.

Favorite technologies: SharePoint, WCF, ASP.NET, C#
 
Brice McMaster - Applications Consultant

Brice joined Avatar Software in 2010 after moving from the great state of Ohio. A web junkie at heart, he loves to give web makeovers, especially those sites that make you say WHY??

Brice is always looking for the next big idea to get him to early retirement. Desperate the million dollar payday will not come he is always looking for the next technology to pick up to stay ahead of the curve.

Favorite technologies: SharePoint, ASP.Net MVC, CSS, Web Design, jQuery, SSRS
 
Dana Johnson - Office Manager

Dana started with Avatar Software in 2010. She love loves Microsoft Project 2010, also dreams of it after hours.  If you talk code she gets light headed, but take her shopping and she might never leave your side.

If Dana isn't swiming in timesheets or billing info you can find her with kids and friends. She also has been known to be a Facebook and iPhone fanatic, expert in both areas she is your lady for any need in social technology on the go.

Favorite technologies: Microsoft Project, Facebook, iPhone 

Avatar has the Software Solutions

Avatar Software has the experience, expertise and passion to deliver the solutions you’ve been looking for. Our unparalleled commitment to excellence is exceeded only by our breadth of knowledge in cutting-edge technologies and methods to create state-of-the-art solutions to any and all business needs. Our primary technology expertise includes years of experience in:

  • Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 and SharePoint Foundation 4.0
  • SQL Server, Oracle and MySQL design, development and management
  • .Net Framework 4.0, including Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Windows Workflow Foundation (WF)
  • Visual Studio 2010, Expression Studio 4
  • Web Development in ASP.NET, AJAX, Silverlight, Flash, PHP and WCF Web Services
  • Business Intelligence solutions in SharePoint with PerformancePoint and Excel Services, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and Crystal Reports

Customize and extend your existing technologies with customization services from Avatar Software. We’ve helped companies ranging from 15 to 15,000 employees to make their existing software work better for them. We can build new from-scratch custom solutions for your business or help you to build compelling, functional, productive work environments with off-the-shelf products such as SharePoint Server, Microsoft Office or Crystal Reports, as well as industry-specific tools from OpenText, MedAssets and many others! If you bought it, we probably know it!

Technologies

SharePoint, PerformancePoint and Office 2010: Intranet, Business Intelligence and Productivity tools that work together to form a framework that can be customized to meet almost any business goal. Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 is an integrated suite of server capabilities that can help improve organizational effectiveness by providing comprehensive content management and enterprise search, accelerating shared business processes, and facilitating information-sharing across boundaries for better business insight.

ASP.NET & AJAX: a framework for quickly creating efficient and interactive Web applications that work across all popular browsers. Ajax is a group of interrelated web development techniques used to create rich Internet applications. The use of Ajax has led to an increase in interactive animation on web pages and better quality of Web services.

Silverlight 4.0: a cross-browser, cross-device platform and cross-device platform for delivering the next generation of media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web.

.NET Framework 4.0 (WCF, WPF, WF): a software framework that includes extended capabilities for both Windows and Web applications such as Language Integrated Query (LINQ), Windows Communication Foundation, which allows for simple and easy Web Service-based communication, Windows Presentation Foundation, a new, XML-based programming paradigm, and Workflow Foundation, a framework for programming custom workflow applications for Windows, the Web and SharePoint.

SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL: Avatar has worked with a number of database management systems (DBMS). We understand the pros and cons of each option, and can develop around your choices. We can also recommend the best option to fit your needs.

Crystal Reports & SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS): Avatar is an industry leader in creating smart Business Intelligence solutions. SharePoint, Crystal Reports and SSRS, along with PerformacePoint, can revolutionize your understanding of your business and help to make decisions based on solid, understandable, accurate reports, key performance indicators and interactive dashboards.

Tools

Visual Studio 2010: a suite of development tools designed to aid software developers who face complex challenges and need to create innovative solutions.

SharePoint Designer: a professional-quality design tool for developing in SharePoint. SharePoint Designer includes a workflow designer as well as professional tools for designing sites, web parts and other SharePoint structures and features.

Expression Studio: a family of tools for professional designers building Web and Windows client applications and rich media content.

Adobe Creative Suite: a suite of graphic design products used to create compelling user interface designs and beautiful graphic elements for professional software solutions.

Industries Served by Avatar Software

  • Healthcare
  • Legal
  • Government
  • Real Estate
  • Music & Entertainment
  • And Yours!

Avatar Software has worked with dozens of companies and organizations throughout the Southeast. While our primary focus is in the medium- to large-sized company space, we also design web sites and implement small Intranets and custom solutions. Give us a call and see how we can help you grow, improve your productivity and design solutions for your business!