Management Team

Dr. Werner Hopf
Dr. Hopf is responsible for setting the company’s strategic corporate direction and is the Archiving Principal at Dolphin. With more than 20 years experience in the information technology industry, 14 focused in SAP, Dr. Hopf specializes in SAP Information Lifecycle Management initiatives including Data and Document archiving, SAP Archive Link Storage Solutions and Business Process solutions. His experience spans both large and mid-sized companies across all major SAP modules. Having worked on SAP projects across North America and Europe, he has extensive experience in global markets and is well known for his expertise.

Dr. Hopf earned a Masters of Computer Science degree and a PhD in Business Administration from Regensburg University, Germany.

Art Smithson
Mr. Smithson is Director of Imaging Applications and Senior Solution Architect at Dolphin. He focuses on SAP ArchiveLink and content management solutions and is responsible for designing, implementing and managing implementations and migrations of document imaging and archiving solutions involving multiple systems and interfaces. Mr. Smithson embraces both the operational and technical aspects of projects which enable him to address the most complex business and technical requirements. Having overseen more than 200 customer initiatives, he has participated in projects involving nearly all modules of SAP.

Previously Mr. Smithson was Principal Consultant at IXOS Software/Open Text and has 25 years of diverse experience in global IT management, technical instruction, and program management primarily focused on content acquisition storage, and delivery.

Vishal Awasthi
Vishal Awasthi is the Chief Technology Officer at Dolphin. He brings more than 15 years of solution architecture, product management and professional services background to Dolphin, and oversees the development of Dolphin products.

Mr. Awasthi specializes in designing, implementing and supporting SAP centric enterprise business and information management solutions and has brought many of these products to market. Having worked on projects across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, he has extensive experience in international assignments.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a Masters degree in Industrial Engineering.

Brian Shannon
As Dolphin’s Principal Business Process Management Strategist, Mr. Shannon is focused on business processes and financial solutions to maximize return on investment. He has more than 15 years of SAP experience and his background includes thought leadership, knowledge management, project management, training and SAP consulting with extensive experience in the automotive and manufacturing sectors as well as oil and gas, retail and utility verticals.

Mr. Shannon’s industry and finance experience includes positions as a National Credit Manager, International Finance Manager, Corporate Banking Credit Analyst and Financial Strategist. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Manitoba, and an MBA in International Finance from the University of South Florida.