Hi, I’m Arash (Alex) Ajdari

Enterprise Solution Architect

20+ years designing and governing enterprise architecture, from application and integration design to data, AI and cloud. Today I lead solution architecture across Ontario Public Service ministries.

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Current
Senior Solution Architect, Ontario Government
Experience
20+ years in enterprise IT · 12+ years leading teams
AI & data
Enterprise AI roadmaps · Generative AI · Azure Machine Learning · Databricks
Frameworks
TOGAF® ADM · Zachman · ArchiMate · Microsoft PL-600
Scale
$2M–$5M annual IT budgets · 100+ governance milestones
Sectors
Public sector · Logistics · Energy & utilities · Payments · Manufacturing & retail

Services

Where I help organizations, as an architect and advisor.

  • Enterprise Architecture & Governance

    TOGAF ADM and Zachman architecture from current state to target state, with Architecture Review Board governance, standards and design reviews.

  • AI Strategy & Generative AI

    Enterprise AI roadmaps, generative AI and machine learning on Azure: platform evaluation, model integration into applications and analytics, and Responsible AI governance.

  • Data Platforms & Governance

    Databricks and Unity Catalog standards, Azure data pipelines with Data Factory and Synapse, and the metadata, lineage, naming and classification rules that keep data trustworthy.

  • Integration & APIs

    SOA, REST and event-driven integration with Azure API Management, Event Grid and Service Bus, connecting SaaS, cloud and on-premises systems.

  • Cloud & Platform Modernization

    Modernization roadmaps and migrations on Azure and AWS: refactoring, microservices, containers and automation for platforms that are resilient and cost less to run.

  • Digital Experience & Commerce

    Digital experience and commerce platforms such as Sitecore, Adobe Commerce, Mirakl and Power Platform portals, built so organizations can reach people on every channel.

Portfolio

Public websites and platforms I architected or led, shown as they looked at launch.

  • Enbridge Gas homepage

    Enbridge Gas

    Customer website, moving to composable Sitecore XM Cloud

    Sitecore · 2023
  • SaskPower homepage promoting the MySaskPower customer portal

    SaskPower

    Public website integrated with SAP services

    Sitecore · 2021
  • MedStar Health homepage

    MedStar Health

    Health system website with care search

    Sitecore · 2020
  • DEWALT homepage

    DEWALT

    Global brand site on the new Sitecore 9 platform

    Sitecore · 2017
  • STANLEY Tools homepage

    STANLEY

    Brand site integrated with commerce and product data

    Sitecore · 2017
  • BLACK+DECKER homepage

    BLACK+DECKER

    Brand site integrated with commerce and product data

    Sitecore · 2017
  • Moneris homepage

    Moneris

    Corporate website integrated with business systems through web services

    Sitecore · 2014
  • PAYD by Moneris product site

    PAYD by Moneris

    Product site for Moneris’s mobile card-payment app

    Sitecore · Moneris
  • Morris retail management software site

    Morris by Moneris

    Site and online sales for retail management software

    Sitecore · Moneris

Experience

Two decades across the public sector, logistics, energy, payments, manufacturing and media.

  1. Government of Ontario

    Jan 2026 – Present Current

    Senior Solution Architect

    Ontario Government · Economic Development and Infrastructure Solution Division (EDISD)

    • Lead application and solution architecture for SaaS-based digital platforms and modernization initiatives across Ontario Public Service ministries, including the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD).
    • Developed a 48-month, four-phase enterprise AI roadmap for MTO, and contribute to enterprise technology roadmaps aligned with the digital transformation strategy.
    • Authored the MLITSD Databricks Platform Administration, Operations and Support Standard, consolidating 17 operating procedures with solution architecture, IAM governance, privacy assessment, RACI, decision register and SIAM model.
    • Developed the division’s Databricks Data Naming Standard for Unity Catalog across MTO and MLITSD, and led a governance review of eleven MLITSD data domains that produced a Unity Catalog namespace map.
    • Design hybrid integration architectures across cloud SaaS, legacy and on-premises platforms using APIs, event-driven patterns, middleware and secure gateways.
    • Produce system context diagrams, reference models, integration blueprints, data flow diagrams and Business Architecture Documents for current- and future-state designs.
    • Govern designs for security, privacy, retention and regulatory compliance, set configuration-over-customization standards for SaaS platforms, and run architecture and code reviews.
    • Provide technical oversight to vendors and outsourced development teams.
    • Enterprise AI roadmap
    • Databricks
    • Unity Catalog
    • SaaS platforms
    • API & event integration
    • IAM & privacy
  2. Canada Post

    Sep 2024 – Dec 2025

    Enterprise Solution Architect

    Canada Post · Canada

    • Defined the architecture, governance and strategy for Canada Post’s next-generation digital experience platform (DXP) and commerce ecosystem. Built the DXP roadmap and led the RFP and vendor selection.
    • Architected marketplace and commerce solutions on Mirakl and Adobe Commerce, hosted on AWS for scale, security and cost efficiency.
    • Defined the data and AI modernization roadmap, ran technical evaluations of AI/ML platforms, and led RFPs for data, analytics and AI partners.
    • Implemented AI-driven data analysis with Azure Machine Learning, and delivered Power BI dashboards fed by microservice pipelines and REST APIs.
    • Designed the Responsible AI initiative and AI governance framework: principles and controls for transparency, fairness, security, privacy and accessibility across digital products, analytics and delivery pipelines.
    • Designed distributed Azure data architectures (Azure SQL, Synapse, Databricks) and ingestion pipelines with Azure Data Factory, driven by consumption requirements.
    • Architected API management and real-time integration with Azure API Management, Event Grid and Service Bus across stores, warehouses and factories.
    • Delivered blueprints, integration diagrams, data lineage and NFRs for Architecture Review Board governance points, and led design reviews across 15+ concurrent initiatives.
    • Azure Machine Learning
    • Databricks
    • Synapse
    • Data Factory
    • Power BI
    • Adobe Commerce
    • Mirakl
    • API Management
  3. Enbridge

    Jan 2022 – Sep 2024

    Enterprise Business Solution Architect

    Enbridge · Canada

    • Architected business, application, data and information management architectures for a 50,000+ user enterprise, replacing legacy systems with Microsoft cloud solutions (Dynamics 365, Azure, SharePoint Online).
    • Led the migration of customer web properties to Sitecore XM Cloud on a composable, headless MACH architecture, integrated with Salesforce.
    • Designed hybrid cloud and on-premises microservices with Azure Functions, Logic Apps and App Services, and REST APIs through Azure API Management for omni-channel delivery.
    • Led the enterprise information architecture framework for metadata management, data classification and governance. Applied data mesh principles across domains and built BI with data warehousing, OLAP cubes and KPI dashboards.
    • Designed SSIS packages and ETL processes for batch data integration.
    • Led cross-functional teams from requirements to implementation using TOGAF and Zachman, and presented designs to the Architecture Review Board.
    • Worked with legal, compliance and privacy teams so architecture practices met regulatory standards.
    • Dynamics 365
    • Azure
    • Data mesh
    • Sitecore XM Cloud
    • Salesforce
    • SSIS
  4. SaskPower

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2022

    Senior Technical Solution Architect

    SaskPower · Canada

    • Performed systems analysis and design in a large integrated environment, and built microservices integration workflows on Azure App Services and REST APIs for procure-to-pay, inventory management and order-to-cash.
    • Designed Power Platform and Dataverse solutions for content management and customer portals, and managed Dynamics 365 configuration and customization.
    • Designed integrations between internal systems, third-party platforms and the SAP services behind the public website.
    • Wrote system design specifications, audit documents and user guidelines, and coordinated database architecture and requirements with development teams.
    • Supported application lifecycle management, including deployment, backup planning and migration, and ran UAT of end-to-end business workflows before sign-off.
    • Power Platform
    • Dataverse
    • Dynamics 365
    • Microservices
    • Sitecore
    • SAP
  5. Stanley Black & Decker

    Jun 2016 – Sep 2020

    Senior Lead Solution Architect

    Stanley Black & Decker · United States

    • Re-architected the global brand web estate (DEWALT, STANLEY, BLACK+DECKER and more) on Sitecore 9.2, integrated with Dynamics 365, Salesforce and SAP across eCommerce, CRM and ERP.
    • Designed microservices and REST API patterns between CMS, commerce and PIM platforms, with MongoDB, Solr and Redis for distributed data and a SolrCloud/ZooKeeper search cluster.
    • Architected Azure PaaS/IaaS environments and containerized deployments with automated scaling, plus Akamai-cached media delivery.
    • Introduced a Helix architecture, application performance monitoring and one-click DevOps with TeamCity and Octopus Deploy.
    • Managed cross-functional teams of 12+ architects, developers and analysts onshore and offshore, set up architecture review processes and served as Scrum Master.
    • Led vendor evaluation and selection for platform technologies, including RFPs and SOWs.
    • Sitecore 9.2
    • Azure
    • Dynamics 365
    • Salesforce
    • SAP
    • SolrCloud
  6. Moneris Solutions

    Mar 2008 – Jun 2016

    IT Consultant, Solution Architect & Senior Systems Analyst

    Moneris Solutions · Toronto, Canada

    • Engineered scalable Sitecore and Salesforce environments with vertical and horizontal scaling for high-volume transactions, and built Moneris websites on Sitecore 6 to 8 with ASP.NET MVC and C#.
    • Architected hosting environments for 99.99% uptime with disaster recovery.
    • Developed SOAP/REST web services and integrated Dynamics AX 2012 R3 ERP data with Dynamics Marketing CRM.
    • Designed the migration of content and functionality from multiple sources into IBM Cúram CRM using Entity Framework.
    • Led the migration of a multi-server SharePoint 2010 farm to a clustered SharePoint 2013 environment with workflow automation.
    • Implemented the digital asset management architecture, covering metadata, taxonomy and content lifecycle.
    • Sitecore
    • Salesforce
    • Dynamics AX
    • SharePoint
    • IBM Cúram
  7. 1999
    –
    2008

    1999 – 2008

    Earlier career

    • IT Manager · GRFE Web Solutions, Canada

      2007 – 2008

      Led .NET and PHP teams, evaluated and rolled out CMS and CRM platforms, built SharePoint intranets and SOAP/REST services, and supported 45+ Windows and Linux servers.

    • Channels Manager · JumpTV, Canada

      2007

      Ran 300+ IPTV channels in 80+ countries for 30,000+ subscribers, monitoring 120+ servers worldwide and 10 Gb of bandwidth from seven ISPs.

    • Digital Director · Eworks, the digital arm of Publicis, Dubai

      2004 – 2006

      Built the web development team, delivered .NET web, CRM and CMS solutions, and ran online campaigns for clients including Nokia, Nestlé and HP.

    • Senior Software Developer · Stes Co, Tehran

      2003 – 2004

    • Developer & Team Lead · Parhoon, Tehran

      1999 – 2003

  8. Be part
    of my
    story!

Skills

Laid out the way I would draw a reference architecture, with governance running across every layer.

Experience

  • Sitecore XP & XM Cloud
  • Adobe Commerce
  • Mirakl marketplace
  • Headless & MACH
  • Power Platform portals
  • SharePoint Online

Artificial intelligence

  • Enterprise AI strategy & roadmaps
  • Generative AI
  • Prompt engineering
  • Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)
  • Azure Machine Learning
  • Azure AI
  • ML model integration
  • AI in microservices
  • Predictive analytics
  • AI/ML platform evaluation
  • Responsible AI

Data

  • Databricks & Unity Catalog
  • Azure Synapse
  • Azure Data Factory
  • Azure SQL & SQL Server
  • Power BI
  • Data mesh
  • Data modelling
  • Metadata & data lineage
  • Naming & classification standards
  • ETL, CDC & SSIS

Integration

  • SOA
  • REST & SOAP
  • Azure API Management
  • Event Grid
  • Service Bus
  • Logic Apps & Functions
  • iPaaS
  • Microservices
  • Hybrid cloud & on-premises

Cloud & platform

  • Azure PaaS & IaaS
  • AWS
  • Containers & service mesh
  • Tanzu / Cloud Foundry
  • Akamai CDN
  • Azure DevOps
  • TeamCity & Octopus Deploy
  • APM

Business systems

  • Dynamics 365
  • Power Platform & Dataverse
  • Salesforce
  • SAP
  • Dynamics AX
  • IBM Cúram
  • PIM & DAM

Governance & delivery

  • TOGAF® ADM
  • Zachman & ArchiMate
  • Architecture Review Board
  • AI governance
  • Security, privacy & IAM by design
  • Roadmaps & capability models
  • RFPs & vendor oversight
  • Agile, Scrum & ITIL
  • Team leadership & mentoring

Education

Degrees and certifications, most recent first.

Certifications

  • 2024Microsoft Power Platform Solution Architect (PL-600)
  • 2023Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals
  • 2019Sitecore XP 9 Website Development for .NET Developers
  • 2017TOGAF® 9.1 Enterprise Architecture Framework
  • 2015Sitecore XP 8.1 Website Development for .NET Developers
  • 2015Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Technical Support
  • 2014Project Management Professional (PMP)® Exam Prep
  • 2013Advanced SharePoint Developer
  • 2012Windows Azure Developer
  • 2012iPhone and iPad Development
  • 2011Core SharePoint Developer
  • 2010Sitecore Developer Certification
  • 2005Project Management

Degrees & programs

  • Industrial Management Institute

    MSc, IT Management

    Industrial Management Institute, Tehran

    2005

  • Shahid Beheshti University

    BSc, Computer Engineering (Software)

    Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran

    1999

  • Ryerson University

    .NET Developer program

    Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University)

    2010

Contact

Email or LinkedIn is the quickest way to reach me.

Email
[email protected]
Phone
+1 416 737 4706
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/arashajdari
Location
Toronto, Canada