Independent Researcher

Vijay Kumar Gilakattula is an independent researcher and architect specializing in Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Power Platform, and Azure, with 18+ years of experience in Microsoft 365 and cloud architecture. His work spans the full application development lifecycle, including requirements gathering, analysis and design, coding, testing, and deployment, across SharePoint (2003 through Online), Project Online, and Azure, using technologies such as ASP.NET Core / .NET 8, C#, SPFx, React, TypeScript, and Next.js. His recent focus is on Microsoft Graph Connectors, Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Studio, and AI-powered enterprise search, alongside full-stack development with Node.js and Azure. He has led large-scale migrations, including SharePoint 2003 to 2019 to SharePoint Online, Salesforce and Smartsheet to Microsoft 365, and multi-terabyte file-share migrations, using tools such as Metalogix, ShareGate, DocAve, BitTitan, Quest, and Migration Manager. His experience also spans Power Platform automation (Power Apps, Power Automate/RPA, Power BI), tenant administration and governance (Entra ID, Purview, DLP, sensitivity labels), and Agile/CAB based delivery through Azure DevOps, Jira, Rally, and ServiceNow, across engagements in healthcare, financial services, government and public sector, life sciences, utilities, and global consulting environments. Vijay is a former Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for SharePoint Server and an IEEE Access peer reviewer with five completed reviews. He is the author of 90+ technical articles, including the SharePoint and Microsoft 365 blog fivenumber.com, and of the "Copilot, Governed" newsletter. He is also an open-source contributor, with four solutions accepted into Microsoft's official Sample Solution Gallery, alongside free tools published on the PowerShell Gallery and GitHub, including a PnP PowerShell Command Generator, User Access Explorer, Sharing Link Auditor, and a Microsoft Search Query Tool. His certifications include Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements, Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Core Solutions, Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Development, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Configuration, Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions, and ITIL Certified. He is based in Scottsdale, Arizona.