Customer had a Java/Tomcat/Apache/MySQL application that was unable to absorb real-time GPS probe point data from millions of vehicles without choking. Vendor sending the real-time GPS data would get errors and stop the feed.  Lead programmer for application insisted that the only way to fix the issue was to "upgrade to 'Enterprise class' software like WebSphere and Oracle" 

In 1993-94 my adviser asked me to run the theoretical component of the experiments our group was running in plasma chambers. He asked me to use his VisualBasic code because that way he could understand it. However, in order to do dust-plasma simulations you need to run many-body simulations and with the current code I calculated it would take a few years to generate enough data to complete my thesis. Fortunately, at the time, I was also the network/workstation administrator for the astronomy labs which had 40+ workstations networked via TCP/IP.

An Iowa Government department had an existing Microsoft Access project which needed to share data at multiple remote offices with some sites having an intermitent and/or slow dedicated connection.

Consultant for a hospital network that spanned 4 states, 20 hospitals and numerous outpatient facilities and clinics.