ISG Blog

It has been good to see the increased use of Microsoft Teams around the territory, and one could say this has been one of the silver linings of our lockdown period. Microsoft Teams is a great tool for collaborating with each other particular when you are unable to be in the same location but even for sending quick messages to colleagues no matter where they are.  Video conferencing has also been used to a much greater extent in the last few months.

But much more than this, there are a number of useful applications within Teams that are often not used because many don't know about it.  Today we want to show you a simple tip that will help you be more effective and productive when using MS Teams.

The search bar in Teams can be used not only for searching through any chat, or collaboration thread for previous information, but it can also be used as a command line.  If you type "/" on the search field you are given the following list:

You choose whichever option you wish by simply typing the remainder of the command. For me the ones I find really helpful in this list include:

/org - which provides the line management for a specific person in our TSA directory

/dnd - quickly sets my status to 'Do Not Disturb' when I'm working on a project and don't want any interruptions, or find myself in a meeting doing a presentation and don't want my chat notifications popping up on screen

/chat - which saves me searching a previous conversation to add to it, I can just use this to quickly send a message to a specific person

Why not take the time to try some of these?  You may, like me, find this a really useful way of quickly finding or sending information.

Name:  Alicia Smith

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? This is only my first month here so I haven’t been here for very long! My role is SAMIS administrator, and so far, it’s been enjoyable and interesting, and I am sure it will continue.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. I was born and bred in Wellington and currently live in Tawa with my partner and cat. During my spare time I bake, attempt to play guitar (acoustic), and tame the garden. I have been in IT for most of my working life, but my very first job was working in the produce department at the very first Countdown in NZ.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? “it’s fine, I’m home now and she’s inside”
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  alert, alive, agreeable
5. For what are you most grateful today? The weather. Long live summer.

This week sees the whole iSG team together at THQ.

We will have some sessions together to ensure we are providing the best service possible to the territory and so at times we may be unavailable to assist you with your queries.  We will also have a number of areas where it will be business as usual with the team enabling the mission as best we can.

For any URGENT matters, feel free to contact our Ops IT Team leader, Michael Cabatbat and he will be ascertain who the best person to assist you with your query is, and when they will be able to assist.  For all other matters, simply log a ticket as per the usual process.

Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure iSG continues to "enable the mission".  

Name:  Joby John

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? Recently joined TSA as iMIS Administrator & SQL Developer.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. I am an SQL Developer who really enjoy my work with a hunger to learn and loves to solve challenging complex tasks.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? I tried to sell my small car in Facebook Marketplace and one guy offered me $50. I replied, “wow this is the best offer that I have ever seen in my life, Thank you”
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Programmer, funny guy and food lover
5. For what are you most grateful today? For the opportunity to join Salvation Army.

Name:   Abid Shaik

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? I have been working with ISG, Enabling the mission for a very long time. Total 70 day's. 😁 With a couple of Sickies here and there.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. I'm from South India a city called Hyderabad. Also know as city of Nawabs. I like adventure, food and travel.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? The funniest msg i sent was " Scientists got bored watching the earth turn, so after 24 hours they called it a day 😂.  And the one I received A slice of apple pie is $2.50 in Jamaica and $3.00 in Bahamas. These are the pie rates of the Caribbean. 😂
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Sweet, simple and sophisticated 😇
5. For what are you most grateful today? My parents.

Just a quick note to let you know that Team iSG are all in Wellington this week working on getting the team back on the same page, and improving the many services and methods of support we provide.

During this time we will have periods for "BAU" (business as usual) but particularly from Tuesday through to Thursday this time will be limited as we go into sessions to update the team on various items of interest for them.

Feel free to continue logging tickets through Supportal and we will attend to them during our BAU times.  We will be prioritising these as per our usual process.

If you have an urgent matter that needs attention immediately, then feel free to call Michael Cabatbat, our Ops IT Team Leader, who will be able to ascertain the urgency of your request and then assign the required task to one of our team.  As you can understand, we are keen to provide minimal disruption to the team during our sessions to ensure they get the most benefit of our time together.  His mobile number is 021 829 871.

Thank you for all you do for The Salvation Army and the part you play in fulfilling the mission to care for people, transform lives and reform society through the Holy's Spirit's power.

This week we meet... 

  Name:   Korbin Jarvis

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? I joined the iSG Team as a Junior Representative at Booth House last month this year.  As a Junior Representative, my role includes setting up new machines with The Salvation Army standard image ready for deployment and I DBAN (wipe out) old machines after their use is finished.  I am responsible for the THQ backups and offsite backups (backups for other centres of TSA).  I configure and reformat devices as required.  I assist with managing, sorting, couriering and storing equipment.  I also sort messages and tickets and assist the iSG Team in completing tasks as required.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. I have been close to TSA for my entire life due to family connections as an Officer's son.  I lived in Petone, Lower Hutt until my family was moved to Auckland where I lived for 17 years.  In January this year my family and I moved to Wellington.  I have worked in various different voluntary roles for TSA before working at iSG, including volunteering as a store person at New Lynn Family Store (2013-2016) and at Tawa Family Store for the first half of this year.  I was also an on/off volunteer kitchen hand at Booth Cafe in 2015-2016 and at Epsom Lodge 2013-2016.  I have assisted at the DHQ food banks.  Last year I was an intern at TSA's Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit.  I am very interested in religion, philosophy, mythology and legends, folklore, folk and fairy tales, urban legends and modern folklore, art, poetry and architecture, contemporary news, socio-political studies and culture and society studies, geography, history, earth, space and natural (especially pre-historic) science studies, languages, learning french and learning about francophone countries.  I enjoy activities like cycling, diving and similar sports, as well as combat sports such as boxing, mauy thai and martial arts.  I really like good entertainment such as video games, gaming, tv series, movies, shows and comics.  I also like good coffee, tea and good food.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? "Thanks" sent to the Ops IT team leader after I got home from the team dinner and movie evening which I really enjoyed and I thankful to have been invited to by the iSG Team.
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Interested/curious (to learn), hard working and nice.
5. For what are you most grateful today? I am most grateful for my religion (Christianity) and having a role in that as part of TSA as well as all the previously mentioned subjects and things that interest me.  Being a part of the iSG Team is also one of the things that I am most grateful for.

This week we meet...

  Name:   Mark Whittaker

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? I have been working for TSA since 2011, just on 7 years. I'm involved in a number of different tasks including ensuring the machines being used around the territory are set up and ready to do what they need to do.  In short I'm here to enable the mission.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. I live with my partner in Te Awamutu.  In  my down time I enjoy gardening.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? I prefer talking to people.
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Responsible, reliable and a renegade
5. For what are you most grateful today? my boss 

 Name:   Kirsty Alexander

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)?  I have worked at TSA THQ for 3 years now, first as the EA to the Secretary for Business Administration and now as Administration Assistant for Personnel and ISG. I m also currently studying towards a degree in Social Work hence the job change .
2. Tell us a little about yourself. I have two children, Nathan 18 years and Laura 16 years ( I know I look far too young for children that age) hehe I live with my partner Jeff and his two children Annelisa (16) and Andre (10). Jeff and I play competitive tennis, I play social football and I do aqua aerobics with my daughter. I am very family orientated and am very close to both my parents and Jeff's parents too. I have two brothers, whom I don't see much with them living up North but when we get together it is always a good time. I have a very busy and full life with kids activities, managing their sports teams, playing sport, housewife duties, studying full time and working full time hours also. I love being busy!
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? The last text I sent was "Ok xx" to my son after he asked me to drop a pair of school socks off to his dads after work (boys...sigh)
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Three 3 adjectives to describe me.... Friendly, helpful and great sense of humour 
5. For what are you most grateful today? I am most grateful today for my kids, my family, my partner and being alive

This week we meet...

  Name:   Bryan Adams

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? Since Feb 2012, dearie me – has it really been that long ??? I was formerly STH Division ISG Rep, and whilst I’m still based physically in STH DHQ, I’m now officially titled Systems Engineer. “Wot’s that?” I hear you ask, well, we’re still figuring that part out as we go along, but it’s a lot closer to what I was doing before joining TSA. I’m a member of the Back Office Team, and work with Infrastructure. So while I wear many hats (some of them even get washed occasionally!) one of my main roles is to design network solutions for TSA Centres of all flavours, Territory-wide..
2. Tell us a little about yourself. Married, 2 kids primary school age. When not trying to persuade them off various devices and onto bikes or to go to The Outside, I’m often found listening to music and glaring balefully at the lawn, willing it to mow itself... I don’t think I have too many vices, but spending too much money on music (yes I BUY it!), HiFi and Home Theatre, mmm yeah – I have that one.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? Last: Hi. 1x espresso please for Bryan. There in 1min   --- Funniest received-in-error recently from a male colleague (who had only just left the office and was running late for home): On my way, love you!
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Diplomatic (it’s to temper my honesty, see?), Dependable (always ready with a Dad joke), and Different (aren’t we all a little strange?)
5. For what are you most grateful today? Most grateful today for my good health, my great family & excellent friends, and that the weather is on the improve. Looking forward to BBQs again! For those of you in Wellington and unfamiliar with this pastime – this is where a bunch of loved ones come round to your home and you spend an enjoyable afternoon outdoors in the back yard, discussing various apropos of nothing, try to keep the children from losing too many eyeballs, eat too much cheese with crackers, cook various meats over a hot plate/grill and don’t have anything blown off plates or the table!

  Name:   Rahul Raghunath

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? Worked  for TSA for 4 months and  I handle all the mobile phone, Internet lines  and  Avaya desk phones (Avaya Coordinator)
2. Tell us a little about yourself. Born and raised in Bangalore,INDIA. Moved to NZ 4 years back and I love reviewing restaurants
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? I went to subway today and tried the new buffalo chicken sub and asked for the habanero sauce. The lady at the counter spent a minute warning me about how spicy it is compared to hot sauce. I was thinking “how cute, she thinks it’s going to be spicy for me “. 😂😂
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Punctual, Friendly and Crazy
5. For what are you most grateful today? Grateful for my parents, colleagues and the chance to Enable the Mission.

This week we meet...

  Name:   Fiona Elliot

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? I have worked in ISG for 9 years and I am the Software Development Lead – this means I am the person to talk to about all changes to or new software requirements.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. Mum of one, married to Irish man who I dragged to New Zealand about 10 years ago, mediator between an old cat and a new annoying kitten! I love to travel and experience new things.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? Feeling jealous. I won’t send you photos of what I’m doing today cos it’s too boring! (Message to my two sisters who are currently on holiday in Europe)
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Friendly, reliable, busy
5. For what are you most grateful today?  That I have the opportunity to balance a job which I really enjoy with also being able to be a supportive and available Mum to my daughter. Also, that it’s sunny!

 Paul Kitchen

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? Started in January 2012. Provide desktop and network support and liaison, advice and training as part of the ISG Service Desk team.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. Married to Julie since 1997, 2 children, Adam (17) going to Otago Uni next year, Grace (15) gearing up for Army or Navy. 1 Whippet, 2 cats, and occasionally some kittens that we foster for the Kitten Inn.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? Pretty much all work related, and definitely not funny.
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Introverted, bewildered but hopeful
5. For what are you most grateful today? a. That I am surrounded by people who accept me for being all of the above and don’t seem to mind if the mix changes from day to day.
   b. The privilege of influencing other people’s lives for the better from the safety of my little room at BCM.
   c. That my kids are smarter and have more going for them than I ever did at their age.

This week we meet...

  Name:   Holmes Lam

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? 9 Years, time flies. I am part of the Back Office team and I help keep everything in the server room working.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. I am a father of two boys, busy as I take them to football and softball fields every weekend.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? 👌
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Kind, friendly, reliable.
5. For what are you most grateful today? Health

 Name:   Maria Takai

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? Officially since December 2017, but I had a stint in the department as a student first. I'm part of the OpsIT team. I help people with IT issues. Or at least I try to....
2. Tell us a little about yourself. I'm a Tongan Kiwi who likes a laugh, I enjoy playing games I can win and l Iove to spend time with nieces and nephews to feed my inner child.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month?  Sweet! Yeah I'll make sure you're in the lounge when they go off
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Awesome, forgetful and awesome!
5. For what are you most grateful today? Getting a ride to and from work with Geraldine (Johnson)!

This week we meet...

  Name:   Ian Wood

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)?  I have worked for almost 16 years in The Salvation Army, in a few different roles.  Yes that is a while, and you can see the price of working here so long looking at the blog from 2009.  I have for some time been working in ISG Backoffice which incorporates many systems though I focus on the email system.
2. Tell us a little about yourself.  I am married with two children.  I enjoy playing with my son, even though he likes to use me as jungle gym. I also enjoy participating in the music team at church with my daughter.  I am on guitar and Bethany plays drums.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month?   My profession of love to a male colleague (meant for my wife), leading to our blossoming relationship!
4. If you had to choose only 3 4 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  I hope those around me think I am hard working, trustworthy, dependable (except for blog entries) and loyal.
5. For what are you most grateful today? I am most grateful for may family.  Father's Day 2018 pictured above!

This week we meet...

  Name:   Steve MacDonald

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? I am the System Administrator for Technology One (The TSA Finance and Payroll application) and been employed at TSA for 3 years.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. I am married with 20 year old twin boys who make me look even more vertically challenged than I really am.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? "Sorry, I had pocket dialled you" (This is probably my most common text message)
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Sarcastic, Loyal and one of my boys said Ancient
5. For what are you most grateful today? Hair conditioner

   Name:   Lino Babaran

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? I’ve been working for TSA as Northern Division ISG Representative since November 2015
2. Tell us a little about yourself. I was born and raised in the Philippines, I’ve worked and lived in U.A.E and Singapore for almost 11 years before I decided to migrate to New Zealand in 2015 with my pretty & loving wife and daughter.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? Sorry Wrong Sent
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Patient, calm and loveable *smirk
5. For what are you most grateful today? I’m super grateful for my life, health and love of my wife, daughter and true friends. I am also thankful for my job, supportive teammates/colleagues and for having a very kind and understanding Boss.

This week we meet...

  Name:   Andy Jones

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? I have worked for the TSA for 9 years and have always been a Data Analyst / System Administrator / Report Writer with the DAST team.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. Originally for the North of England, now a Citizen of New Zealand.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? 'Apart from having lead legs...it was OK'
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Sarcastic, Reliable and Driven
5. For what are you most grateful today? The train, too cold to ride!!

 Name:   Gina Clark

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? I have been working at TSA for 3 years. I am the non technical IT person who orders and maintains all the computers. And I do other stuff as well.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. I am a mum of two girls who keep my life highly entertaining. I have grown up in TSA and been a Missionary kid as well.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month?  I will do that soon.
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose? Bubbly, caring and confident
5. For what are you most grateful today? That I am alive and breathing.

This week we meet...

   Bruce Edney

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? Officer for nearly 24 years - 10 years in DAST. I am the team leader of the DAST team which provides system administration for SAMIS, iMIS and Techone. My main role is the System Administrator for SAMIS.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. I am married to Lee and have two married daughters and 2 grandsons. I have a fairly extensive workshop of metal working machinery which I use to may lots of things but my primary interest is in Model Stationary engines and Road Traction engines.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? Like the Proclaimers - "I'm on my way"
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Helpful, Loner, Senior 
5. For what are you most grateful today? Family and Friends (including work colleagues)

 Name:   Jim Brock

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? Since  the beginning of 2009. So for almost a decade I have spent hours dedicated to working with the people on the front line to ensure they can get their jobs done through the work I do on the Service Desk.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. A Scotsman (if you couldn't tell by my accent)  who is always happy to help friends in need.
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? I prefer to talk to people when I can, rather than text 
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  great sense of humour (ok that's 4 but close enough)
5. For what are you most grateful today? my family and  my lovely wife Sue

Over the coming few weeks, we thought we make Mondays a "Meet the team" day.  We have got a number of new faces in our team, and a number of faces that have changed over time which we would like to reintroduce to you. 

So to this end we have asked each team member the same 5 questions and over the coming Mondays, you get the 'joy' of getting to know the iSG team just that little bit better. 

So here's the first two profiles:

  Peter Hennessey

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? Since 2009, first as iSG Operations Manager and in the last 12 months as iSG Manager.  My role is to lead the iSG Team, set the IT strategy for the territory and to ensure systems are in place that “enable the mission”.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. Brazilian by birth. Married to the lovely Katrina, with two teenage daughters, Gabriella (15) and Julianna (14).  For more info read the War Cry 😉
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? “Yay”
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose?  Responsible, Reliable and Retarded (or as my girls would say “I’m weird”)
5. For what are you most grateful today? I’m grateful for so much but most grateful for my family, my team, and my Corps (Church) family.  As it is often said “He aha te mea nui o te ao, he tangata he tangata he tangata”… what is the most important thing in the world, it’s the people.

     Michael Cabatbat

1. How long have you worked for TSA and what do you do (in a couple of short sentences)? I am the latest addition to the iSG team and just started working with TSA last June 11, 2018. My role as OpsIT Team Leader means overseeing our Ops IT Service Desk team and managing workloads, tickets assignment and escalations. I am delighted to be a part of an organization supporting the Army that brings life.
2. Tell us a little about yourself. My ancestors are of Spanish descent but I was born and raised in the Philippines, a country called “The Pearl of the Orient Sea” or in Spanish term, it is “Perla del Mar de Oriente” a nation well-known for its natural beauty. Happily Married to my ever loving and supportive wife T. A. (Theresa Amor), Father of adorable “Tres Marias”, Mikhaella (20), Mhielle (9) and Mhaxene (7). 
3. What’s the last text you sent, or funniest one received in the last month? My wife SMS me “ Check your Viber, what time are you coming home? ”. Sometimes we argue if I come home late and arguing with the wife is a lot like trying to read the Terms of Use on the internet. In the end you just give up and click on “I Agree”. For 20 years of our Marriage I was the King of the house but she will always be the Ace, so I used to remind her with Ephesians 5: 22-33 but she finds a way to reply back with verse 25-28 😊
4. If you had to choose only 3 adjectives to describe yourself, which would you choose? Hardworking, Passionate and Jack of all Trades except cooking. The Filipino popular dish Adobo from Spanish “Adobar” (which means marinade, sauce or seasoning) was the only simple dish I’ve easily learned from my wife when I was alone working in the Middle East. Adobo can last for up to a month in the fridge so it is great if you really don’t know how to cook and it’s a budget saver as well. Try and have fun cooking this dish.
5. For what are you most grateful today? I’m grateful first and foremost for His unfailing love, for the gift of fortitude and battles we have won, for the loving friends and family and most specially for working with a great Boss who truly cares about the employee and the entire team.

The iSG team are getting together again this week to work on ensuring we are all providing the best service we can to the territory.

At times this week you may be unable to call us as we will be in sessions getting some training, and ensuring we are all on the same page.  If you are happy to leave a message, your voice message will be automatically logged as a ticket and when the team are out of the session, we will be able to attend to the queries.

Alternatively log a ticket with us and ensure you provide as much information as possible so that we can get your issues resolved quickly and efficiently for you.

If you have an urgent matter, then feel free to contact Michael Cabatbat, OpsIT Team Leader, and he will be able to assist as needed with your urgent request.  His mobile number is 021 829 871. We respectfully ask that this be used only for urgent matters.  All other matters will be dealt with as soon as we are able in between the various sessions we are holding for the team. 

Thank you for your understanding as we increase our knowledge and skills in enabling the mission.

Welcome to Supun our new developer  Supun comes to us with lots of experience in coding and with a long list of projects waiting for him. Supun will be working with Fiona and the rest of Team iSG to continue moving us forward into a future where technology makes it easier and faster for us to do mission. 

If you're around level 1 of THQ please feel free to drop in to say hi 

Today is Wellington Anniversary day. That means that THQ is closed and Team iSG is very limited in the number of team members available. 

Welcome back to those of you returning this week. Team iSG is still a little depleted in numbers as the holiday break continues for many. We are still available through the Supportal and we encourage you to keep any tickets you have up to date by adding comments or questions. 

Did you know that you can limit a Google search to a specific site? Simply preceed your search term with site:nzherald.co.nz (or the site you're wanting to use) then add what you're looking for. Google will ONLY search the site specified for what you want. For example: