Daniel Miller

Creative writer, software developer, database wrangler, and practical AI advocate.

• Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Email: contact@danielmiller.ca
• Mobile: (403) 464-2035
• Industry: IT Services and IT Consulting
• Projects: github.com/daniel-miller
• Articles: medium.com/@daniel-miller

I design, modernize, and support database-driven business software for training, compliance, workforce, and operations teams.

Engagement Interests

I’m not currently available for new engagements.

I am interested in senior work involving platform architecture, database modernization, system integration, LMS and workforce platforms, and long-lived business systems that need careful stewardship.

Profile

I have spent more than 30 years designing, building, and operating software systems for organizations ranging from small non-profit community associations to international enterprises.

I have hands-on experience with every aspect of the software project lifecycle, including technical and business roles. Customers value my ability to understand and appreciate their needs, applying creativity and ingenuity to arrive at solutions that are flexible, efficient, and cost-effective.

My areas of technical specialization include agentic software development, business application architecture, database modeling and development, and large-scale migration of data between systems.

Services

• Software Development - Custom software for unique business requirements. Cost-effective when off-the-shelf tools require heavy customization. Designed for maintainability, operational reliability, and long-term ownership.

• Database Consulting - Deep knowledge and experience working with databases of every size: planning and modeling, administration, optimization, information mining, ETL, large-scale integrations, migrations, and conversions. Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Microsoft Access, Oracle, MySQL.

• Software Documentation - Developer guides, API references, architecture overviews, user manuals. Concise when needed, comprehensive when it matters.

• Operations Support - Hosting setup and maintenance, performance monitoring and tuning, cloud cost optimization, API services, and system integrations.

Working Philosophy

• Cross-functional and goal-oriented - Best results come from multi-disciplinary teams pulling toward a shared objective.

• Fast, lightweight, and responsive - Small, agile shop. Email always gets a real answer from a real person who can solve the problem.

• Collaborative and adaptive - Individuals, interactions, and customer collaboration matter more than rigid process. Plans guide; flexibility wins.

Solution Priorities

Simple · Secure · Affordable · Multipurpose · Fast · Flexible · Powerful

Representative Engagements

Multi-tenant Platform Architecture

Led architecture and development for a cloud-based learning and credential management platform used by training providers, regulators, and industry associations across Canada.

Focus: Platform architecture, database design, multi-tenant systems, integrations, long-term maintainability.

Database Modernization and Migration

Designed and executed database migrations, ETL utilities, reporting workflows, and custom business applications across energy, education, public sector, and professional association clients.

Focus: SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Microsoft Access, cloud migration, data quality, operational continuity.

Custom Business Systems Across Sectors

Designed, built, and supported custom business applications for energy, education, public sector, professional association, and industrial clients.

Focus: Requirements analysis, workflow design, database-backed applications, reporting, integrations, long-term support.

AI and Agentic Programming

I use AI coding agents daily, including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, and related LLM tooling, to design, build, test, and review software more effectively without outsourcing engineering judgment.

I rely on clear specifications, strong architecture, static analysis, code review, and disciplined documentation to keep agentic workflows secure, reliable, and maintainable.

Agents are most valuable when paired with domain expertise and a human who knows what “done” really looks like.

Selected Engagements

Learning System Developer and Integrator - Keyera

Calgary, Alberta · (May 2025 - present)

Develop and integrate the enterprise learning management system to support workforce training, compliance, and professional development across Keyera’s energy operations. Build custom integrations between the LMS and upstream HR, identity, and operational systems, automate course assignment and reporting workflows, and partner with subject matter experts to translate technical and regulatory training requirements into reliable, auditable digital learning experiences.

Platform Architect - InSite Information Systems

Vancouver, British Columbia · (Jan 2000 - present)

Architected and led development of the Shift iQ platform from 2000 onward. Continue to provide architectural and development support. Shift iQ is a cloud-based learning and credential management system used by training providers, regulators, and industry associations across Canada.

Formal roles: Platform Architect · Lead Software Developer · Database Administrator · Chief Technology Officer · Managing Partner

Founder and Managing Partner - Miller Databases

Calgary, Alberta · (May 1998 - present)

Launched the firm in 1998. It grew into the largest and most successful custom software development services firm in northern British Columbia. Under my business leadership and technical direction, the company completed hundreds of assignments for customers across Canada and the United States, including IEEE, LG, Fox Media, Talisman Energy, Disney, Deloitte, ABC News, and Sierra Wireless.

In 2005 I relocated to Calgary and restructured the business to focus on the development, management, and support of cloud-based management information systems - and to improve quality of service to a small, carefully selected clientele. That focus has driven a very successful small-business strategy ever since.

Over the years I have filled a variety of formal and informal roles, internally within the company as well as externally while on contract to clients. These roles have included: Chief Technology Officer · Platform Architect · Full-Stack Software Developer · Database Administrator · Software Project Manager · Business and Systems Analyst · Systems Integrator and Trainer

Instructor and Research Assistant - University of Northern British Columbia

Prince George, British Columbia · (Jan 1995 - May 2001)

Held overlapping appointments with the Computer Science faculty as a research assistant, teaching assistant, and instructor. Contributed to funded research in software methodology and real-time systems, supported undergraduate courses through lab instruction, marking, and one-on-one tutoring, and led classroom instruction for introductory and intermediate computer science courses that included programming fundamentals, data structures, and applied software engineering.

Programmer Analyst - Canfor

Prince George, British Columbia · (Apr 1994 - Aug 1997)

Employed by the corporate IT department to work on server and network infrastructure, as well as end-user desktop support. Played an active role in the large-scale migration of data from legacy systems to new ERP platforms. Designed and implemented numerous custom database applications to close functional gaps in the enterprise software stack, delivering targeted tools that streamlined day-to-day operations for staff.

Technology Experience

Platforms - Microsoft Azure · Google Cloud Services · GitHub · Octopus Deploy

Programming Languages and Frameworks - C# · JavaScript · TypeScript · PowerShell · SQL · VB.NET .NET Framework · .NET Standard · .NET Core · ASP.NET · ASP.NET MVC · ASP.NET AJAX · React

Software Development Tools - Visual Studio · VS Code · xUnit · NUnit · Postman · Insomnia · NDepend · Git · SourceGear Vault · Telerik · IIS

Database Management Systems - Microsoft SQL Server · PostgreSQL · Oracle · MySQL · MongoDB · Microsoft Access

Practices - Agile software development · Test-driven development · Application architecture · Database design · Requirements analysis · Software project management · SDLC · Business intelligence · SSIS · Web services · Integration · Static code analysis · CQRS and event sourcing · ETL · Multi-tenant data partitioning

Security & Infrastructure - IIS hosting and log analysis · IPBan brute-force protection · TLS / SSL · Multi-factor authentication · Role-based access control

Formal Research Projects

• Port Legacy Software Subsystems to Event Sourcing Architecture - Scientific Research and Experimental Development Program. (2019 - 2021)
• Software System Framework for Rapid Development of Adaptable Business Application Architectures - National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Industrial Research Assistance Program (2003 - 2005)
• Handheld Data Collection in Adverse Environments - National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Industrial Research Assistance Program (1999)
• Software Methodology for Industrial Development of Dependable Real-Time Systems - Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (1996)

Clients

Some of the organizations I’ve worked with over the years:

Energy and Resources

Apache · Devon Canada · Ember Resources · Enbridge / Encana · Fortis · Petro-Canada · Roska DBO · Shell · Suncor Energy · TAQA · Talisman Energy · Total Enerflex

Education, Training, and Workforce Development

BC Institute of Technology · Calgary Spartans · Canadian Apprenticeship Forum · College of New Caledonia · Construction Foundation of BC · Electricity Human Resources Canada · Humber College · Immigrant Employment Council of BC · Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada · Industry Training Authority of BC · Inspire Global Assessments · Muller Windsports · RCABC Educational Foundation · SkilledTradesBC · Tourism HR Canada · University of Houston · University of Northern British Columbia · Utah State University

Government, Public Sector, and Crown Corporations

BC Hydro · BC Stats · BC Wildfire Services · Government of Ontario · Manitoba Public Insurance · National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) · Via Rail · WorkSafeBC

Health, Professional Associations, and Regulatory Bodies

ABC Forest Professionals (ABCFP) · BC College of Family Physicians · BC Lung Association · BC Principals and Vice-Principals Association (BCPVPA) · College of Occupational Therapists of BC (COTBC) · College of Physical Therapists of BC (CPTBC) · Continuing Legal Education Society of BC (CLE-BC)

Information Technology, Software, and Consulting

Clarrus · Curtis Elite Security · Eveo · FloatingRock · Ibbotson · NHP Consulting · Solutions Staffing · Syspro

Forestry, Mining, Construction, and Industrial Services

BC Forest Expo · Canadian Forest Products (Canfor) · Copper Mountain · Golder Associates · Imperial Metals · Midwest Surveys · Norpac Controls · Northern Mat and Bridge · Weyerhaeuser (Plum Creek)

Media, Telecommunications, and Entertainment

ABC News · Disney · LG · Sierra Wireless

Other

Cochrane Humane Society · Nestlé · Prince George Music and Dance Festival

Education

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Computer Science - University of Northern British Columbia (May 1998) Coursework included software engineering, compiler design, management information systems, database systems, operating systems, computer architecture, distributed systems. Cumulative GPA: 4.0.

Selected Skills

.NET · .NET Framework · Agile Software Development · API Design and Implementation · ASP.NET Core · ASP.NET MVC · ASP.NET Web Forms · Business Intelligence · C# · CI/CD Automation · CSS · Database Design · Git · HTML · IIS · JavaScript · Microsoft Office · Microsoft SQL Server · MySQL · Oracle · Platform Architecture · Requirements Analysis · Software Development · Software Project Management · SQL · SQL Server · Systems Integration · Technical Writing · TypeScript · Visual Studio · VS Code · XML · xUnit

Certifications

Microsoft

• Microsoft Certified — MCP, MCAD, MCTS, MCPD

Continuing Professional Education

• ChatGPT and LangChain: Developer Masterclass - Udemy (May 2026 - in progress)

• RabbitMQ In Practice - Udemy (May 2026 - in progress)

• Understanding TypeScript - Udemy (May 2026 - in progress)

• Agentic Coding for Production - Dometrain (Apr 2026)

• Claude Code - The Practical Guide - Udemy (Apr 2026)

• Mastering Visual Studio Code - Udemy (Mar 2026)

• Logging in .NET - Dometrain (Jan 2025)

• Modular Monoliths - Dometrain (Jan 2025)

• Dependency Injection - Dometrain (Dec 2024)

• Building an e-Commerce Store with .NET, React, and Redux - Udemy (May 2024)

• JavaScript - The Complete Guide (Beginner + Advanced) - Udemy (Apr 2024)

• REST APIs in ASP.NET Core - Dometrain (Nov 2023)

• ASP.NET Core Web API Fundamentals - Pluralsight (Apr 2023)

• Developing Extensible Software - Pluralsight (Aug 2020)

• Clean Architecture: Patterns, Practices, and Principles - Pluralsight (Apr 2020)

• Asynchronous C# - Pluralsight (May 2019)

• Getting Started with Asynchronous Programming in .NET - Pluralsight (May 2019)

• SQL Server: Understanding and Performing Backups - Pluralsight (Dec 2018)

• SQL Server: Understanding, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Log Shipping - Pluralsight (Nov 2018)

• SQL Server: Understanding, Configuring and Troubleshooting Database Mirroring - Pluralsight (Nov 2018)

• Modern Software Architecture: Domain Models, CQRS, and Event Sourcing - Pluralsight (Sep 2018)

• C# Events, Delegates and Lambdas - Pluralsight (Jun 2018)

• LINQ Fundamentals - Pluralsight (Dec 2017)

• Domain-Driven Design Fundamentals - Pluralsight (Feb 2017)

Earlier training includes coursework in data visualization with R, Entity Framework, ASP.NET Web API, ASP.NET MVC, Bootstrap, Angular, LINQ, PowerShell, Git, MSBuild, XML processing, and iOS development.

Volunteering

• Database Developer and Administrator - Prince George and District Music Festival (Sep 2008 - present) · Arts and culture

• Assistant Instructor - Muller Windsports (Mar 2009 - present) · Education

• Volunteer - Cochrane Humane Society (Apr 2010 - Aug 2016) · Animal welfare

Languages

• English - Primary and full professional proficiency
• Italian - Elementary proficiency