James Allman / JA Technology Solutions LLC
About James Allman
I am an independent software developer, systems architect, and technical consultant with over 35 years of software development experience. From strategy through delivery, I help organizations of all sizes support, migrate, modernize, integrate, and extend the systems their business depends on.
Many clients know me personally and work with me directly over long periods of time. JA Technology Solutions LLC is the business entity behind that work, providing a professional company structure when that matters for procurement or vendor requirements.
Background
My work spans IBM i, Linux, Windows, Apple, Android, and web environments including application development across all platforms. Technologies include C#, .NET, VBA, Access, SQL Server, Java, Python, and more. Additional expertise in custom reporting, system integration, migration planning, reverse engineering, and broader technical architecture. Database experience includes DB2, Informix, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Microsoft Access, and many other relational and embedded databases. I work with organizations across industries where customized enterprise systems are central to operations, with particular depth in grocery retail, warehousing, and the finance and accounting operations that support them.
I also bring a strong networking and communications background, including IP networking, synchronous and asynchronous communications, and protocol-level work. This is an unusual combination with application development, and it is especially valuable for integration, troubleshooting, and systems that depend on reliable data exchange. I have also worked alongside Fortinet Professional Services on enterprise security automation — building mass FortiGate deployment tooling, API-driven configuration utilities against the Fortinet platform (FortiManager, FortiProvision, FortiDeploy), and custom operational reporting using FortiExplorer — experience that carries directly into any engagement where network and security infrastructure is part of the integration picture.
Finding one person who works across IBM i, Linux, Windows, Java, .NET, web development, database design, networking, and enterprise integration — with decades of experience in each? It takes a unicorn.
How I Work
I prefer practical solutions over buzzwords and phased improvement over reckless replacement. My work is grounded in understanding the existing system, the surrounding workflow, the business constraints, and the operational consequences of change.
When working with unfamiliar systems, I investigate the existing environment by analyzing its structure and data flows and work closely with subject matter experts who know the business context. I work directly with C-suite management, controllers, CFOs, CIOs, and business end users to understand requirements and design solutions that fit how the organization actually operates.
What Makes My Work Different
- Over 35 years of enterprise software development experience
- Deep IBM i knowledge
- Broad cross-platform experience
- Strong reporting and integration background
- Networking and communications expertise uncommon in application developers
- Hands-on enterprise security automation experience, including Fortinet platform API work and mass firewall deployment tooling built alongside Fortinet Professional Services
- Security awareness including infrastructure hardening and PCI compliance
- Careful migration and modernization work
- Ability to work directly with business end users to design practical, productive workflows
- Direct engagement with C-suite and business stakeholders, not just IT
- Self-provisioned professional tools and licensed software — no procurement delays, no IT provisioning, ready to work on day one
- Professional consulting engagement — business-level accountability, domain expertise, and long-term relationship, not freelance availability
Engagements
I specialize in ongoing support relationships, supplementing existing IT staff or providing expertise that organizations lack in-house. I also take on project-based work for migrations, integrations, reporting initiatives, and targeted technical problems.